STUCK ON GOOD ENOUGH

I've listened to a lot of webinars about how to succeed and be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams.

These online presentations offer up many reasons for not succeeding: fear of failure, fear of success, childhood trauma, and many others. 

Yet I've not heard anyone address the realization I had today: being stuck on good enough.

My kitchen remodel is still moving forward, but has slowed considerably. All the basic items I need--stove, sink, refrigerator, cabinets--are installed and functioning. So I have been hit with a major case of "we can do that tomorrow." Um, yeah. As the saying goes, "Tomorrow never comes."

As I think deeper about this, I realize I do this a lot with projects. Something is almost finished and I am distracted by the next half dozen projects. Instead of finishing one project completely before moving on, I reach the good enough point and jump to something else. 

The real challenge is how to change this habit. I need a baby step by baby step program! But I'm going to check my e-mail now, so I'll think about it tomorrow...

REUSING WATER THE EASY WAY

I love a bargain! Many times I buy generic brands. I shop thrift stores. And I've become more and more interested in being as self-sufficient as possible.

A major motivator for being self-sufficient is not being at the mercy of the ever-increasing prices of food and utilities. 

Until I buy property and move my herd of doggies onto acreage, I live in the city. However, I'm still looking for ways to be more self-sufficient and save money.  

For example, I planted more vegetables this year so I don't have to buy so much food at the stores for my dogs and me. Of course, the veggies need water, which means my water bill goes up. Is that really saving money?

Well, it can be--by reusing water. I've done some research on using graywater from showers and the washing machine to water plants. I've switched from using detergent to using natural cleaners that won't harm plants, and I have the parts to set up this system--before a total kitchen remodel side-tracked my good intentions.

This morning, I accidentally rediscovered another way to reuse water. I say rediscover because I remember my mother talking about washing dishes in a dishpan and using the water that was left for their flowers. 

While I was using a large kettle to do the final wash of carrots my granddaughter dug the other day, I realized I could reuse that water for my tomato plants. Duh! 

I do a lot of rinsing of veggies and other items in the kitchen, as well as washing my hands about every five minutes. :) All this water adds up--enough to water my 50-plus tomato plants, cucumbers, and broccoli.

That was just this morning. The bargain hunter in me was delighted--and so were my veggies!

GROWING TO REVEAL MY TRUE SELF

 This morning, my granddaughter and I harvested veggies from my back yard--cucumbers, beans, carrots. As I washed the beans and prepared them for lunch, my granddaughter dug the carrots. Standing at the sink, I felt  deeply happy and content--for the first time in a long time. I felt the way I imagine I will feel when we are settled onto our fully-paid-for, self-sufficient, luxury farm and animal sanctuary.

The feeling continued as we ate lunch--fresh green beans fried in real butter, scrambled eggs, cinnamon-raisin bagels and smoothies with whipped cream. Simple luxury. 

"Feeling spoiled," my granddaughter said. 

"Like we should always treat ourselves," I added.

Yet that feeling is elusive tonight, made more so by seeing a photo of myself at the NW Book Fest yesterday. What seeds have I planted that the outer version of me looks so different than how I feel on the inside? What do I need to nurture that will reveal my true self? Ah, questions to contemplate and take action on.

And so the growth continues...

MEET MY LATEST CANINE FAMILY MEMBER!

DASHA SMILING

I'm so delighted to welcome Dasha, the latest canine member of my family. She's a California girl who settled quickly into our home and hearts. Thank you, Willamette Humane Society, for bringing this treasured furbaby into our lives!