I arose this gorgeous Sunday morning to crisp cool Autumn air, then
poured a steaming cup of rich coffee into my favorite mug and savored a
moment of serenity. Snuggling into my red comfy chair I gazed onto the
flowerbeds in the front. Feeling an artificial sense of proficiency, I
zealously planned to plant mums and decorate with pumpkins and hay bales
during the afternoon following church. Yes, after Sunday brunch, after
Madilyn's tennis matches, I would cultivate the garden and adorn my
home with welcoming Fall decor. (Yeah, right!)
Real
life: Actually made it to church, but arrived overdressed. It's like
when an invitation says business casual and everyone else takes that to
mean casual. There IS a difference. Apparently we missed the
invitation that read, athletic casual because we rocked Sunday dress;
the congregation wore shorts, t-shirts, pearl snaps? Of course my
husband took this opportunity to lean over and whisper indignantly, "I
could have worn my jeans." Anyway, I'd like to pretend that we are
stellar Christians who lead life groups and listen to Hillsong in our
cars but in truth this was our first time in church since the beginning
of the summer! (I know...heathens!) You see, since we moved to the
FloMo community we haven't found a church...like pastors haven't walked
into our home carrying their flock to minister to us! I suppose it
doesn't work like that...something about SEEK and you shall find. Guess
we'd better do a little more seeking and a little less sleeping.
More
real life: We practically jogged out of the sanctuary because Madilyn had
to be at her tennis tournament at 1:15 and it was 12:20. Forget brunch,
we managed a drive through at Rosa's. Scarfing it down, Madi quickly
changed clothes and we were out the door headed for the courts. She played two
matches, lost them both, but it's totally fine because she really is
improving in skill. She played tough competitors and I'm so proud of her!
Real life
continues: At 4:00 Madilyn, aka diva, reminded me that I promised her I
would do her hair this afternoon. Fact: my hairdressing skills work as a
blessing and a curse. I rejoice that we don't have to pay for our
colors and cuts, but the downside is that I have yet another chore to
add to the to-do list for the fam. Luckily, it's a chore that I enjoy.
While applying highlights to her hair I noticed the roots on mine, so
while hers was processing I slapped on a medium brown. Not exactly ultra glam,
but it'll do.
The rest of the story: So after church
when we were hurrying up the steps to the house (because Matt's side of
the garage looks like an episode of hoarders thereby impairing our
ability to park the truck inside) our neighbor stopped us to invite us
to dinner, yet again. We haven't been able to commit because our
schedule is nuts, but I figured since they keep asking we ought to be
decent neighbors and have dinner with them! They seem so sweet and we'd enjoy getting to know them. I pulled out my phone to
schedule on iCal, and while checking dates, afore mentioned adorable,
braided hair, bo-ho chic, perfect figure, neighbor says, "we eat Paleo
so we look forward to grilling lean steaks for y'all." I responded
appropriately with a "that's wonderful," and Matt looked completely
confounded. We said goodbye and before the front door was closed, he
was asking "what the heck does Paleo mean" and I told him it means we
suck at life and they don't. I explained that it means we eat fajita
burritos for lunch and they eat vegetables. We dessert on chips and
queso and they eat blueberries.
Naturally, when I begin
thinking of one, I obsess over another, and my mind wandered to the
working mom I know who runs every morning at five am and still commutes
thirty minutes to work! Meanwhile I have a five minute commute and get
out of bed about the time her workout is over. There is no stopping
this envy train once it's rolling, and I visit town after town of people
who "are doing it right." I stop in at the station long enough to
berate myself for not living life better. Sure, I jog, until I don't. I
eat healthy, until I stop. I save money, until I buy. I'm totally
organized, until I'm not. I crawl back on the train hoping to find my
magical godmother on board who will save me from myself and take me to
the land of accomplishment. Wishful thinking goes on until I finally
depart arriving at Gratefulness.
I'm not perfect, and
if I'm honest no-one is...not even Mr. and Mrs. Paleo. I remind my
myself that even though we might not yet be the best versions of
ourselves, our family has been blessed beyond measure. No, I can't do
it all (like write this blog as often as I'd like) or BE it all but I
can remember to say thank you to the Divine who has lent me the minutes
to create the moments.
The purpose: Living each day better than yesterday and showing love to the travelers along the journey.
Tonight
the front porch lacks pumpkins and hay bales, but my heart holds all
the happy memories of Autumn's past, the perfect and the not-so
perfect. I'm grateful for the seasons, no matter whether they're
decorated or not.
~Truly, Cinderella