The Business of Life

Pippi before attending a birthday party for a friend last evening. She's wearing an Indian outfit I purchased for her in Little India, Penang, Malaysia.

Trying to exercise moderation. It's work for me. I used to be an excess/crash and burn type. But studying Buddhism has helped. This is why, as much as people might make fun of my "Spoil QueenMJ days" they are a necessity. Even the ridiculous title helps me focus on what I need to do. I get an idea, and get excited about it and a little mania sets in and I throw myself into accomplishing the goal. But thanks to my learned wisdom, I now feel and recognize the physical and mental effects of this pattern and tell myself to slow down and take a "Spoil QMJ" day, hour or even just a minute sometimes. And honestly, I'm much better at calming myself down on busy days than boosting myself up if my days are too dull.

Mist this week.

I'm starting two business. One a side business (party) and the other an e-Publishing business. I'll explain more about this once I get the paper work complete. Getting the side business off the ground after coming down from my 12 dance classes week, I started to feel my mind go into overdrive. So, I immediately found a spot on the sofa to breath for a moment. My daughter Mist sat with me and my dogs (the Nanders and the Pablee-poo--just had to type out their nicknames as I love calling them that!). It felt good just to have all four of us sprawled together and I said so. Well, little ears heard this and soon I had Tabs and Pip all squished with us on the small sofa (love seat size)  :)

 I am learning it is the little breaks one can immediately take that can rest the mind. I still had one more class to teach-- let me say that it was very hard to get myself there last night. I was so burnt out. But once I arrived and then the Mom's and their little Zumba dancers arrived (it was Mom & Me Zumba) I had to suck it up and put on a show. After class, I felt refreshed. Somehow, no matter how exhausted I am, after an hour of dancing I feel revived again for a t least a few hours after word.

Tabs this week.

The down side of teaching in the evening is supper. We have grabbed take out here and there all month and I feel horrible about this! I am putting a moratorium on eating out for February. No matter how rushed we are, we must make meals at home. Our nutrition is at stake. This is really hard since we don't eat modern wheat. I need to stock up on spelt bread and freeze it for occasions when we might only have the time for sandwiches. I could, I guess, make some spelt bagets and freeze them. Also, I'm hitting the slow cooker pretty hard next month. Making supper in the morning is easier when I am fresh. There is nothing worse than coming home after an exhausting day and having to make supper. I make 4 suppers a week and Peter three. Peter is not a chef. But last week he made chili from scratch so I am hopeful.

My girls too are very busy this week. Tabs is going winter camping with her class, Mist just finished provincial exams and Pip has been a party girl (attending friends' parties and preparing for her own coming up in Feb).