Monday, February 9, 2015

The Very Exciting, All to Myself, Absolutely Free Day

This past Saturday, I knew that I'd have the day all to myself.  Davis was working out of town, Blair was at college, and Carson was at a church retreat, which left me with a day that was totally and completely open for whatever I chose.  Wow....that almost never happens!  This was exciting!

You, moms, can relate.  From the time the little angels are born, our days are dictated by their whimpers and whims and hunger and moods and bodily functions.  Even when they get older, not much changes.....except the bodily function part.  Not that we'd have it any other way, but an occasional alone day.....well, that is just a gift from above.     

So....on Friday night, I began to daydream about what this free day might hold.  Lunch with a friend, walking at the lake, shopping, a movie, scrapbooking, redecorating?  Oh, the possibilities.  I went to bed without setting an alarm, ready to dream of what Saturday might have in store for me. 

Saturday morning, I woke up at 8:30 to a quiet house and got up to get myself something to drink.  I decided, while drinking my OJ, that 8:30 was really too early for people, in an empty house with nowhere in particular to go, to be up, so I headed back to bed.  While I hate to brag, sleeping is, indeed, my greatest natural talent.  

At 10:00, I tried the whole getting up thing again.  It went better this time.   

I fed the dog, who was famished at this point.   

Ate some breakfast, myself. 

Decided to do some laundry while I mapped out my exciting day.  "Oh, this is going to be fun", I thought.   

"I'll get started with my fun day just as soon as I call a few friends", who I needed to talk to about various things.  "I can straighten the house while I'm on the phone, too", I thought.  Win-win.      

I finally found my way to the shower.....well past the respectable time to be showering. 

I got ready and decided that I should probably run another load of laundry since the washing machine was barely visible behind Mt. Dirty Clothes.  I vaulted over the mound with the broom and did the whole washer to dryer transfer and then started another load. 

I thought, "Well, I might as well eat some lunch"....I mean, since it was around 1:30 at this point.   

I couldn't help but notice as I fixed my sandwich that I really needed to make a grocery run unless I thought I could get creative with ranch dressing, salt, vanilla wafers, and frozen peas for the following week.....because that about summed up our inventory.   

"Oh, this shouldn't take long", I tried to convince myself.  "I'll just run there and run right back and then get started with my exciting day!"  So, I darted to the grocery store, waited in the long line, poked through traffic, came home, unloaded it all, and put up the groceries......the last two being so, so very near the bottom of the ordered list of "Fun Chores". 

After that, I said to myself, "Let me just get those clothes out of the dryer and fold them before they get all wrinkly.....that should only take a minute and then the fun will start."   

I got that done and looked down and the dog was looking up at me....wagging her tail.  She was wanting to go for a walk and since she's started to take on a shape much like the United States Capitol rotunda this winter, I decided I couldn't refuse her pleading with good conscience.  It was a beautiful day, after all. 

We got back, both breathless, and on my way up the steps to the front porch, I noticed my plants were taking on a kind of gray hue, most likely from dehydration.  Well, we couldn't have that, so I took care of those. 

I was a little tired by then, so I decided to sit down and read a couple of chapters of Sophie Hudson's new book, because I just hadn't had time to read much lately and I was itching to really get into it.  "I'll just read a chapter or two.....Well, maybe one more chapter.......Well, that one was so good.......just one more." 

Before I knew it, the sun was setting on my exciting, all to myself, absolutely free day and what had I done?  I did sleep in.....and got some laundry done......talked on the phone......cleaned the house.....went to the grocery store......folded some clothes......walked the pudgy dog......watered my plants.......and finished Sophie's book. 

My exciting day really felt a lot like a regular day.

Oh, well.  Such is the life of a mother, I suppose.          

Soph's book was definitely the highlight of my very exciting, all to myself, absolutely free day.  Every page of her two books has been such a treat for me.  Maybe because I knew her back when.....or maybe because I can relate to all the southern-ness.....or maybe because I know the places and many of the people she talks about......or maybe because I enjoyed learning about what went on in her life after she left Mississippi.  I think it's a combination of those things, plus I think she just writes in a way that makes you feel like you're right there with her.  She's one of those people, who you can just pick back up with right where you left off.   Like the day that I was walking across the Summit parking lot toward Chuy's and heard, "Joan, Joan, Joan!", in a most jolly voice.  "Oh, that can only be one person", I thought as I looked up.  It had been years since we'd seen each other, but we stood on that sidewalk and talked like we'd never missed a beat.

I love her theme of God's sovereignty in the people we meet along all the paths we travel.  I'm glad that ours crossed so long ago.  The 17 year old me had no idea that she was exchanging notes between classes with a future author.....it may have been too much stress for the 17 year old me, so I'm glad she didn't know.  I'm so very proud of her and everything she's accomplished.....maybe that's the biggest reason of all that I've enjoyed the pages of her books so much. 
I would've never started blogging if it hadn't been for Sophie.  I barely knew what the word meant.  It sounded like a problem for which you might call Roto-Rooter or schedule an appointment with your gastroenterologist.  All I knew for sure was that it was something that other people did, who were way more world wide web savvy than me.  She encouraged me to try it and answered my questions.....my stupid questions.  Lots and lots of stupid questions.  Even now, I will ask her for advice or help with something and, while I'm sure she has about 2,000 other things to do, she patiently helps me.  

One year ago today, I pecked out my first blog post and nervously clicked "Publish".  This followed about 6 months of stall tactics as I tried to keep my start date far enough in the distance to keep me comfortable.  Someone should've reminded me that I was just committing to blogging, not to signing on with the Navy Seals.          

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed the last year.  I think God must have thought, "I have to let her write, because she won't ever be able to communicate worth a flip with that clumsy mouth of hers."  Some days, ideas flow so fast that I can't decided which topic to write about first and other days I think, "if only they made Ex-Lax for the brain, that would be swell".  But, we made it through the first year.  My biggest worry was that I wouldn't have anything to write about and, some days, I'm sure you think, "Wow, she was really scraping the bottom of the barrel today".  But, life seems to always provide some sort of subject matter......just some days more than others. 

Most of the time, life is joyful and I just want to laugh and have a good time.  Some days, I feel drawn to write about spiritual matters.  Sometimes, I'm feeling particularly sad or concerned about something and, whatever it is, I find it easier to cope with things by writing about them.  They seem to take order in my mind when they take order on the page, so, occasionally, you're just an audience for my self-therapy....and I appreciate that.  Bless your hearts. 

I appreciate each and every time you visit here. 

Each and every time. 

It humbles me to no end.

I just want to keep having fun with y'all in a way that glorifies the One who gave me this opportunity.   

Have a great Tuesday!



                  

22 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your first blogging anniversary!!! I'm so glad you started blogging...I've enjoyed reading it since the beginning. And not to put any pressure on you or anything...but if you were to write a book...I would buy it for sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet, Jennifer! Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate it more than you know!

      Delete
  2. joni, i love everything about this post. i love those days we have to just whittle away if we want. i love days that end with a good book. i love your tribute to sophie. honestly if i didn't know you & sophie were friends, i'd think you needed to be. i've put off reading HIWMPA for this weekend when my husband has promised a valentine weekend getaway. to his deer camp. :) my pink camo & sophie's book = my survival gear.
    also - congrats on the first year! i'm so glad you started blogging. i've loved it so much!
    happy tuesday, internet friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Tracey! I appreciate your encouragement!. I always enjoy hearing from you! Have fun on your romantic getaway :)

      Delete
  3. I'm so happy you started blogging! I enjoy your everyday words. It's my favorite kind of blog. Life, with Jesus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you SO much, Beth!!! I appreciate your encouraging words. :)

      Delete
  4. Happy One Year Anniversary Joni! A Lazy morning, a walk with your cute doggie, a bit of chores and reading a book from a long time friend. A beautiful day! Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kathleen! I always love hearing from you! :)

      Delete
  5. I'm so glad you joined the world of blogging and enjoy the writing process. Your alone, exciting day sounds delightful and stress-free to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Missy June! Thanks for always being encouraging! And, yes, it was a good day.....not exciting, but good.

      Delete
  6. I love reading your blog. My daughter also blogs so she has pointed me to a few to try and I really enjoy yours. Thanks for sharing your MS life. You always bring laughter to my day and really make me think some days. Life is good!

    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ging! That means a lot to me. :)

      Delete
  7. Well, happy anniversary! I have enjoyed reading your blog so much! You have a gift!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kristen! I appreciate you more than you know!

      Delete
  8. I cannot believe it has been a year! I only follow a handful of blogs any more and I consider each a gift to myself each morning that I read them, so thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwww....thank you, Tam! I'm very grateful. Thanks for your encouragement!

      Delete
  9. I found you through Sophie and have loved your blog ever since. I am not exaggerating when I say you're one of the bloggers I get most excited to see a new post from! You always, always make me laugh! Thank you for giving me something to read :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brandi, that is the sweetest thing ever!!! That makes my day! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

      Delete
  10. I'm so glad you started blogging! I love what you write and can relate to it in so many ways! Happy Anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Denice!! That is so encouraging to me! Does my heart good and I appreciate it more than you know, girl! :)

      Delete
  11. First of all, I wanted to say that when I have free days at home I usually end up spending them just like you did. I love running around shopping with my friends or going to eat lunch with my mom or sister, but I also love staying home in my pajamas all day doing laundry and watching HGTV. I specifically remember stumbling across your blog last March coming home from a fishing trip with my husband and 12-year-old son. I was trying to read them your blog post about dangerous toys and I was laughing so hard I couldn't even talk. My husband just said, "Stop...I will read it later...I can't even understand what you are saying". That was such a fun memory and I had no idea your blog was brand new at the time. I have your blog set on my home page of my phone under Inspiration because that's what it is to me. I love that you take simple words and situations and point people to Jesus. I'm currently reading Home Is Where My People Are and I love that you and Sophie Hudson go way back. I agree with one of your readers and would be one of the first people in line if you wrote a book. Thanks for sharing your talents!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, Amy! This means the world to me!! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! You're a doll! :)

    And isn't Sophie's book awesome? I'm so proud of her!

    ReplyDelete


Follow by Email!
Powered by Blogger.

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Browse through all the blog posts over the years

view all

Labels

Labels