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
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