Frazzled - smile more

So, I am overwhelmed - at home, at work, at life.  I am tired, I am over-committing  myself.  In the face of overwhelming responsibilities (both externally and self generated), I tend to pile on more things I should do.  But last night, I did stop and enjoy a quiet moment.  I sat in the dark with a cold beverage and watched a small fire with Higgy.  That makes me smile more. 

Of course, today when I had to find a way to fit in all the things that I didn't do last night.... cranky!  I need to find some balance.

Meet the monster tomato plant

We've had the strangest summer - unusually mild. It has meant fewer tomatoes - but this plant has gone crazy! It broke two different tomato cages. Now we're trying a three panel screen that used to hide the air conditioner. Hopefully, it will work.

Preconceived notions

We all have preconceived notions of who we are, what we do, and what we like.  But sometimes it pays to think about them a minute.  It all started for me when I was reading The Happiness Project - she has a resolution to Be Gretchen.  Now, you might be thinking Be Me?  how can I not be me? 

Well it all starts when I go on auto-pilot.  I default to my preconceived notions of myself.  I am a shirt and jeans kind of girl - um wait, except in summer when I wear dresses 6 out of 7 days.  I don't wear pink - um, well, 2 of those dresses are pink and so is my only cashmere sweater...  I like to cook - um, then why don't I cook more, why do I eat out whenever I can?  oh wait, I like to eat :)  I like to read - yes, yes, I do - I'm almost back on pace with 3 - 5 books a week.  I like to go to the movies - um, then why have I only seen 4 movies in the theater in the last 3 years?  I like to travel - yes, except not for work - or at least not every single week for work.

For a long time, I lost who I was.  I let someone else define it.  I need to make an effort to think about what really makes me happy, what I enjoy.  But when I am tired and overwhelmed, I fall back on those preconceived ideas based on who I was.  I guess I need to work on Be Me a little more.