"Along the way we have established priorities---individually, as a couple, and as a family. We never thought of them in such a formal way but that is basically what they were."
Today I will list some of them. For most of them, the one or two sentences will speak for themselves.
These suggestions may seem to be written as commands. This is because it is a waste of time and space to keep saying "you might want to" or "consider doing," etc., and I don't want to keep saying "I do this and that. . ."
Confession: If you have been reading The Creative Cheapskate for very long, it probably won't surprise you to learn that an office review when I was a young woman said, "Gail will get along better when she learns to make her suggestions sound less like demands."
And I promise you ----- I am still working on that.
I suggest that you
- Use what you can,
- Modify an idea you basically like, and
- Most importantly, feel totally free, without guilt, to ignore what you don't like.
Get up, get dressed, brush your hair and put on a little make-up. Then, take five or 10 minutes to quickly straighten up the living room and kitchen. You will feel better and be better prepared for any unforeseen visitor or situation.
Just before your husband comes home, freshen up your hair and make-up, and maybe even dab on a little fragrance.
Confession: As I was doing the above one day, our two youngest boys were sharing the bathroom with me. The youngest asked if I was going somewhere and the next oldest responded, "No, it is time for Daddy to come home."
When he comes home, greet him at the door if possible, but don't immediately begin telling him what a horrible day you had or how ornery the kids were. Chances are his day wasn't so great either.
Realize that as unfair as it may seem, the mom's mood seems to set the mood of the home.
Start dinner, as much as possible, early in the day---thus allowing for the inevitable interruptions. (Or, at least, give some thought as to what you are going to have.)
When making casseroles or sauces, double the recipe and freeze part for a future time. Keep extra cookies or quick breads in the freezer so you are ready for unexpected guests or for delivery to a new neighbor or someone that is ill --- or for your own bad day.
Confession: It didn't take me long to learn that frozen cookies or cake slices were very good----and that was in the days before microwaves!
If you have the space, find a place for a rocking chair in the kitchen. It was great for quick special moments with a child, or for just a relaxing minute while waiting for water to boil or the microwave time to ding.
Tomorrow is a big day in the USA. And that makes today a busy day! Have a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving Day. No matter what your individual circumstances and/or trials, take time to
". . . count your many blessings -- name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
No matter how much there is that is wrong, there is always something right----something to be grateful for.
"The difference between a truly happy person and a very miserable person is gratitude."
Joseph B. Wirthlin
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