Thursday, January 06, 2011

Grown up by virtue of quitting

My Thursday night chores have had an addition the last several weeks, another bed to change. Mac usually sleeps in his basement lair but during our first cold snap he settled into the guest room and hasn't left. I consider that a sign of maturing in the kid. Forever we'd say it was way too cold down there during the winter and he'd say it wasn't. When you stop wearing tennis shoes in 3 foot snow drifts, put on gloves and a scarf and decide that the sub zero basement isn't fit for human winter habitation...you're on your way to manhood. Then again, his new found wisdom means I have to change the guest room sheets!
As for my own growing up, I have realized the wisdom of quitting. Time was I'd go go go until bedtime after work. You'd think I would get a lot accomplished but the list just never ended. Now, I have my chores, I do them and even if other things need attention; I quit. Tomorrow needs something to do after all. Every evening I shower, iron my work clothes for the next day, clean the kitchen and prepare my coffee pot for the morning. This evening I've done most everything on the list including changing the linens on TWO beds and it's relatively early. I'm not exhausted. I could push on and do a little more. But I know when to quit. There needs to be some time that is reserved for enjoying and as soon as I have posted this blog and put coffee in the filter for the morning, it's my time.
I have a stack of new library books waiting. I have some lovely Bath & Body Works smell-goods for the shower. I have a candle burning. I have dishes in my dishwasher that are clean and a couple of dirty dishes in the sink that need loading.
The dishes will wait.
So find somewhere warm & cozy to sleep and then and just quit. That will prove you are a grown up.
Or it will prove you are this person...

3 comments:

Pat said...

Is it still quitting if you haven't done anything all day? If so, I quit too.

Mrs. Mac said...

... this same principle goes for when you are sick. Instead of taking cold medication to 'get through' the day .. it's best to stay in bed and let your body rest. I think you are on to something .. sister sara.

P.S. my son lives in a basement too .. but it's got a wood stove, carpet, view of the lake .. walk out .. and a kitchenette and bath .. pretty cushy ..

Jada's Gigi said...

Amen!! you have to know when to say when! then you can be truly free...