Wednesday, December 11, 2013

life is messy

 You know the old saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?"
Last night, I was thinking that I was really looking forward to tomorrow (which
is now today) - my one and only quiet day at home this week. We were due
 for more snow overnight and the temps will be drastically falling to below zero. 
Which meant it'd be a perfect day for getting some Christmas baking done 
and maybe even curling up on the sofa for a bit and reading my novel. Ha! 
Not meant to be. (Insert photo of beautiful kitty in a sunbeam.)


I had a message on my phone this morning from my neighbor-friend's husband.
My friend had been in New York City this weekend visiting her ill friend, and fell off
 a curb in Times Square, breaking her foot in three places, as well as her ankle. Not
 only is this bad enough in itself, but my friend had recently been very ill herself, just
 getting out of the hospital around Thanksgiving. One of those, are-you-kidding-me-
enough-is-enough stories.

My friend's husband wanted to know if I could come and let their dogs out a
 couple of times tomorrow and Sunday while he was at work. He also said that
my friend would like a visitor. Of course, I will walk across the street and visit
with my friend today, but I will not go empty-handed. Normally, my friend loves to
cook and make healthy meals for herself and her husband, but since she's now
in a cast up to her knee and on crutches, I doubt she'll be doing much cooking.
So, I immediately started making a pot of soup. This is what my kitchen looks
like this morning while making soup, baking cookies, making myself some toast
and coffee for breakfast, and getting a package ready (on the table) to mail out.


 The thing is ~ the irony of all this is not lost on me. I've been in a real funk these
past couple of weeks, stressing over finances, not liking having to go to physical
therapy twice a week, concerned about certain broken familial relationships,
thinking about what I could do to bring in some income, and other "life stuff".
It was all weighing very heavily on me and boy, was I pissy lately.

Side note: I just noticed in the photo below that there is a jar of split peas on
the counter. Not lentils like the Jamie Oliver soup recipe called for. Oops.
Doing several things at once = distraction.


I think today was a wake-up call to get out of myself. Give me something to
think about and do other than concentrating on myself. Because you know what?
Everyone is broken in some way. Everyone's life is messy. And the more you
wallow in your own pity, the more cranky and self-serving you become. 


So, while the accidental soup is simmering on the stove and the cookies are in the
 oven baking, I will wash all those dishes by hand (another thing "making" me cranky
 - my dishwasher's been broken for over a month) and give my thanks that I
am physically able to do all these things. I'd rather have a messy kitchen than
a messy soul. 



31 comments:

  1. Oh, yes, Melanie, a messy kitchen rather than a messy soul, so important to keep in mind. Your friend needs you and you will be a blessing to her. And it will all help you keep things in perspective. Your kitchen is being what it's supposed to be.

    I'm a good one to talk though, because we had a minor plan B today, a broken down truck full of supplies on the way to our job, waiting for AAA to tow it home and meanwhile two of our sons are in my kitchen making themselves tuna for lunch because I've been cleaning the kitchen getting it ready for pictures to show on Saturday for my day on the blog tour. So I've been telling them, "Don't come down to the end of the kitchen I've already cleaned!" Your post will help me keep things in better perspective and I promise myself not to panic. What needs to get done will get done. If not, I just won't show that end!

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    1. Yes, please don't panic about your kitchen - it will all work out! I get flustered over things like that too, and it's just not worth it. Thanks for the encouragement on your end...and I'll be looking forward to seeing your house on Saturday!

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  2. You are so right--sometimes we need a wake-up call. The neighbors will appreciate your thoughtfulness so much.

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    1. I'm sure they do - and I know they would do the same for me.

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  3. The soup looks really yummy. I bet your friend are going to be so happy about your sweet gesture.

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    1. Thank you, Magali - I hope the soup helps my friend and her husband a little bit.

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  4. Hi Melanie;
    Life sucks sometimes! But you are pulling out of it and I wish I could come over to share some of that wonderful soup! Stay warm, and have a sunny heart! Love and Hugs, Nana

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    1. Thank you so much for the encouragement, Nana!

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  5. I really like your attitude. I've been feeling similarly, about a lot of the same kinds of things. But I keep reminding myself, especially as pertains to the difficult relationships, that I've done what I can. I will always feel like I'm supposed to be doing more, and sometimes that's true, but not always. I think you're doing great. It will be okay. I really feel for your friend, what a terrible accident. I hope she's healed very soon. It was nice to see your kitchen and everything in action. I did a double-take at your drain rack because I have both the Tupperware measuring jug thing AND the green plastic lettuce keeper, which no longer has the spike thing or the lid, I just use it as a bowl now. In fact, I can see it from where I sit; it's on the counter with a package of chicken breasts thawing in it (I know, food safety and all, but it's only out for a little while because I took the chicken out late, being forgetful...sigh). Hope your day is improving. :)

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    1. You are absolutely right about the relationships, but I think I've come to the point where I'm finally done. My friend will find out tomorrow whether she's going to need surgery on her foot and ankle. Too funny that you have the same bowls, Dawn, and lemon soap as I do - wow! I forgot that the green bowl was originally a lettuce keeper. I must've thrown out the spike thing ages ago (we haven't bought head lettuce in many years - we only eat "good" greens now) and who knows whatever happened to the lid.

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  6. Umm...I also have the blue Dawn and the same TJ's lemon hand soap on my sink...parallel lives!

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  7. I needed to read this today. I was starting to feel sorry for myself. Helping others and keeping busy always makes me feel happier.

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    1. I'm glad my post was what you needed today. :-)

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  9. Truer words were never spoken. The things we so take for granted and the little minute things we fret over when we should be so grateful for everything we have already - our health, warmth, homes and family. Thanks for reminding us of that.

    Judy

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    1. You're welcome, Judy. With seeing some very ill friends lately, I am definitely grateful for my health.

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  10. I've been grumbly too. I cleaned up the freezer yesterday and Joe came home with all kinds of things to freeze that required wrapping and going up and down the stairs. I had to make some adjustments in the freezer to hold it all. I thought about it and then thought...Why am I grumbling about too much food? There are some who don't have enough.
    Christmas should be a time to do for others....and that's what you are doing. It will make you feel good about yourself.
    Balisha

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    1. Funny how we can get so grumbly over the little things in life...I think sometimes it's just everything piling up on us at once and then we kind of explode or break. It does help to change your perspective by helping others who are less fortunate than yourself.

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  11. Having just gone through a broken ankle, I can tell you that wonderful soup is appreciated more than you will ever know! Thank you Melanie for being a good friend and neighbor.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear that you have a broken ankle as well! I've been through a broken foot, a couple of surgeries, and a couple of serious illnesses, so I know first-hand how much any food or help is appreciated!

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  12. I hope your visit to your friend helped you feel better - I'm sure it helped her!

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    1. I have always enjoyed visits with my friend - she is one of those persons that truly listens and loves.

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  13. Well aside from a messy kitchen-your soup sounds wonderful, will taste wonderful and your attitude is awesome!
    Jemma

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  14. A very good way to look at things. I have a dishwasher, but I prefer to wash by hand. Everyone has their own ways I guess. You are a very good friend to help everyone out.
    Brenda

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    1. I have always hated washing dishes by hand, but I suppose it's not bad if you're the only one in the house. But with the two of us and me doing lots of cooking on a daily basis, plus baking now, I have a ton of dirty dishes, including a lot of pots and pans. Not fun, but no choice at the moment.

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  15. Oh Melanie, your thoughts and words today are heard loud and clear, over here, across the pond! You are familiar with my holiday woes, add some 'chronic' relationship concerns that do need to be addressed and you have a recipe for wallowing and heartache. Some things CAN be taken care of, others, we have less control over and think about repercussions, so it is not always easy. In spite of all that, I take it day by day, but know that a plan does need to be in gear.

    You are such a good friend, sensitive and thoughtful, to be helping out your unfortunate neighbour, and I'm sure she will appreciate it, as much as you yourself have, for your own peace of mind.

    Thanks for speaking directly to my own cluttered soul today, which still needs to be 'tidied up'.

    Looking forward to your house tour today!!

    xo
    Poppy
    PS: I'm sure that 'accidental' soup will be tasty therapy for your bedridden buddy!

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  16. That's all we can do sometimes, Poppy is to take things day by day. We all have souls that need to be "tidied up" in one way or another. No one is perfect, but it doesn't hurt to try and improve ourselves! I tasted some of that accidental split pea soup and yes, it was good anyway! Thank you for your sweet comments.

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  17. Now that was a wonderful honest heartfelt post and you are a good friend...your friend is lucky to have you even when you are a bit 'pissy' :) :) :)

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  18. You did what was important to do. God often has plans we don't know about. You blessed your friend and your kitchen is perfect the way it is. The soup looks delicious, and I am sure your friend appreciated it greatly. High five! Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!