I have a very hectic and nutty week coming up. School lets out. My kids are studying for finals, doing last term projects, term papers, book reports...you name it...! We have kindergarten graduation on Monday night, Monday is my DD's birthday, we have dance recital rehersals and two long nights of dance recitals on Friday and Saturday. Busy weeks I tend to have to spend or buy things I would not normally do-I really dislike that!

I have some teacher gifts, recital flowers......making a desert for Monday night, birthday cake....gifts.....it seems endless and well...a bit overwhelming. It seems like I am getting ahead and then boom.....I am back to spending all over again!

After this week....things should get much more calmer and more sane. I dislike being overwhelmed with so many little details. I need to really focus on having the meals organized for the week, including snacks and drinks.

Tonight we had sloppy joes, apples, watermelon and chips-it was pretty simple but satisfying. My cooking has gone down hill a bit since becoming a single mother. I always cooked lots and made everythng very nice and detailed. I baked alot more too. Now I have to keep it simple. I think I used to try to bake and cook so my husband at the time would love and appreciate me....well it did not work I guess. So simple is so much better for me. I've learned that kids like simple far better than fancy any day of the week!

Today I was doing some spot weeding and two ladies were going for their evening walk. I weeded away when all of a sudden the one lady shouted to me from the sidewalk that my yard looked very beautiful. I shouted back a big thank you!!! Boy did that feel good. I told my son right away since he does all the mowing. It really cheered me up and encouraged me as a single mom. It was nice to have my yard noticed. It just felt plain...well....good. It really encouraged me to get the porch washed/hosed off and get out all the white whicker furniture, throw pillows, candles, worn quilts for the swing and the throws for the rocking chairs....lining the other side of the porch. I adore my porch as it is a simple and treasured respite sanctuary for me and my children along with guests who may come by.

The flags are flying and the birdhouse on the tall pole is tucked in the flowering hydragena bushes......it looks very nice and it has a nice start.
I just need a few pots of pink geraniumns and then I will be set.

Simple....simple....simple....
I wish my week was going to be simple.....but I know it is going to be nutty!!! I will sit on the porch next weekend and relax! Everyone needs a sanctuary.....that place needs to be discovered and cultivated. That is a wonderfully simple gift to give yourself. The gift of being alone and having time to think ...to plan....to dream------how heavenly.