daily writing

I challenged myself to a forty day commitment to write every day and have been feeling unsuccessful because I have by been writing here on a regular basis. 

But. I've been writing. 

Every day. 

A new book proposal. 

A couple of undraising initiatives. 

Copy for various projects. 

I use words all the time and never consider that writing. 

This morning in yoga my teacher said to try to embrace the positive instead of hold on to the negative (or something along those lines - it was 7:30 in the morning). I realized I never take what I do seriously and that in setting up a writing challenge I was negating the writing I already do. 

Lightbulb moment. 

things

I'm not a fan of things

Of stuff. 

Of clutter. 

I'm constantly throwing away, weeding out, paring down. 

For a former shopaholic I've come a long way. 

Part of it is living in a NYC apartment with 3 other people and 2 dogs. Not much extra room to amass collections. 

Another part is the knowledge that things don't make me happy. At least most things. I'm content and happy not accumulating more. 

Except for sometimes. 

Sometimes something speaks to me. It's meant to be mine. And then I do whatever I have to to make it happen. 

It doesn't happen often. 

But it did this week. 

A mirrored mosaic Ganesha that lights up from within had my name on it. Or I had it's name, Disco Ganesh, on me. I've yearned for it through 2 holiday seasons and this year managed to act quickly and get the very last one. 

Which is now sitting in my living room, making me happy every time I look at it. 

We were meant to be. 

napping

Some days napping is far more important than writing. 

mornings these days

Whew. 

I'm ready to crash but my day has only just begun. 

Just realized I forgot to send my daughter with a lunch. 

It's 7:15. AM. I'm sitting in the lobby of a middle school, waiting to answer questions at a tour of very nervous 5th grade parents. 

Was here extra early to drop my son off for basketball practice. 

Got class gift money packed up. 

Changed outfits. 

Answered more emails. 

Sent my daughter out the door with no drama. 

Got dressed. 

Played with a puppy.

Took a shower. 

Made French toast for one kid, banana chocolate chip muffins for the other (those were already made). 

Straightened my hair. 

Walked down and then up 10 flights of stairs. 

Stretched for a moment or 2. 

Meditated. 

Checked emails and Facebook. 

For out of bed at 5:45. 

Woke up at 4:50 to make sure I wouldn't sleep late. 

oh god writing!

Today I'm working on a piece about the closing of our neighborhood pizza shop. After 40 years. I'm counting that for today. 

Of course I haven't actually started yet. 

oh god writing!

Today I'm working on a piece about the closing of our neighborhood pizza shop. After 40 years. I'm counting that for today. 

Of course I haven't actually started yet. 

managing the unexpected

I don't like surprises. I don't like change. I don't like unexpected situations popping up that take precedence over everything. 

But that's life.

Much as I like life to be orderly, organized, schedule - very often it isn't. 

A thought out day turns to mayhem. Plans made well in advance pushed to the side. 

Today is one of those days. 

In the midst is regular chaos something completely different has been thrown into my mix. 

Sigh. 

But, very g

rateful though that things could turn out better than they started. 

giving

I walked into a store this afternoon, to pick up a small Hannukah gift for tomorrow, and promptly walked back out after seeing the line.

Overwhelming.

But, I had to have a present for tomorrow so I headed back later in the day and, as I waited in line, checked out what other people were waiting in line for:

a Santa dog sweater

chunky colored pencils made from real branches

Hello Kitty headphones

a book on napkin folding

coordinated wash clothes tied with ribbon

chocolate drizzled potato chips

velveteen covered hangers

seasonally scented candles

a glitter encrusted wallet

I thought about making a list of all the impulse purchases you could act on while standing on line. But, with 20 cashiers open there wasn't time to take it all in.

So I bought my leggings and my Bliss bar soap (a steal at 8.99 instead of 18 dollars - I bought 2) and was grateful that I'm a less is more kind of person who has less is more kind of holidays. At least in terms of stuff.