Or, I should say: What I learned again.
Every now and then, I need to be reminded: nothing goes as planned. So plan for that.
See, I like to cut it close. From my monthly budget to the time I allow for getting ready in the morning, I like to plan each minute, each dollar.
It’s not a matter of getting a lot out of life. It’s more a matter of . . . laziness. And procrastination. If I can get ready, from shower to hair drying, in 30 minutes, then I can sleep in that much later. If I can account for every dollar of our paychecks, that gives me more money to allot for eating out and birthday gifts and clothes.
But what happens when things don’t go as planned? When Annalyn just needs her mommy to hold her for five minutes in the morning? When the car needs a repair unexpectedly?
I do this with my time in general, too. I cram my calendar so full of activity that it doesn’t leave room for spontaneous events. So, when a friend calls and says, “Hey, we’re headed to Wendy’s for dinner. Want to join us?” I have to decline. Because we’ve already got a birthday party and a concert to attend.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been reminded of how this madness keeps me from experiencing good stuff, as well as brings us too close to disaster for my comfort level.
So on Sunday, after we had chosen to take an afternoon nap when Annalyn did, and we were rushing around like crazy trying to get ready for having our small group over for dinner, I took a few minutes out of my carefully timed cleaning schedule. And I sat on the (dirty) kitchen floor with Annalyn and ate a chocolate snack.
It took maybe five minutes. And it meant that I didn’t end up fixing my makeup or – really, let’s be honest – even stop sweating before our friends arrived. But hearing my little girl say, “mmmm!” and watching her eyes light up at that treat – well, it was worth it.
And it reminded me that I need to leave some room in my schedule, my budget, my life. That’s what I learned this week.
What about you? Learn anything recently? For more stuff learned, head over to Musings of a Housewife. Also, for more sweet moments, visit Chatting at the Sky.
But first, please scroll down for a big announcement. You don’t want to miss this one!
You know, I am submitting an article to the paper today on managing time and money. It is hard for everyone! Definitely a daily balancing act.
Lovely lesson to learn – to stop in the midst if the hectic-ness of life and just enjoy.
Thanks :)
Kids definitely help you to remember those little moments. I plan my life a lot like yours (not quite as full). Glad you enjoyed the treat!
I’m with ya here! (well, sort of — I don’t know that I’m overbooked/extended, but procrastination is definitely a problem, along with disorganization;)
her hair’s getting long!
That’s a very important lesson to learn–I try to remember it, but thanks for the reminder.
Oh, I do the same thing with my unrealistic time planning. I don’t usually cram too much into one day, but I do stall, dilly dally, and procrastinate, putting my schedule into a last minute frenzy.
Glad you took the time out to enjoy some spontaneous, precious moments with Analyn.
YAY for chocolate breaks! :-) and would you know that i didn’t even notice if your kitchen floor was clean or dirty?!
Poop! I knew I’d heard that somewhere before! Now I need to come up with a different name… :-)
Great lesson, one that I definitely needed to be reminded of frequently.
School is out soon and I need to remember not to schedule every waking minute or at least be flexible with the schedule.
Your post was a good reminder for me.
I came over from “musings” :)
A beautiful post. And you’re right. My “babies” are getting so big now that I’m lamenting the times that I didn’t stop to spend those five special minutes. So I encourage you to keep up the good work!
Besides, your sweaty face probably just looked fresh and dewy. :)
I have friends that are running to sports, music practice, church and school events every day of the week. I just can’t do that! We get busy sometimes, but I’ve learned that I’ve got to have home time…I can’t do without it. :)
I am a planner too.
In fact, when you wrote the words, “needs her mommy to hold her for five minutes in the morning”, I winced a bit.
There have been times that I just have not had the time and I hate it, hate it, hate it. I feel like such a failure as a mom when I have to say, “mommy just can’t…I am going to be late for work..and you will be late for school.”
Every time I vow for this not to happen again. Unfortunately, there have been a few times it has.
I am exactly the same with my time! I know that it takes me exactly 37 minutes to shower and get ready. I WISH I was that precise with our money!!