Jana, great um, cake., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

Didn’t put many candles on the cake. Learned my lesson back with birthday #30.

iris, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

A few weeks ago I had a situation that was beyond my control and as I fussed about it, someone pointed out to me that I might have some “control issues.” I’ve thought a lot about that since then.

As much as I think I’m a kind of happy-go-lucky hippie type of person who scoffs at school rules and the Irvine Company and riding my bike where I’m supposed to, I’m learning that I like controlling much of my life and my environment. For example, when we gather with friends, I far prefer having them over to our place, which allows me to control the menu, the timing, etc. I’m much less relaxed at gatherings held in other peoples’ homes. Also, I love my calendar and my daily task lists–and I am very careful with the way I apportion my time. I don’t like having to be too many places in one day (more than 3 appts/classes/meetings) or I start to get anxious and I tend to find a way to back out of something.

Now, I think much of my ‘control’ has to do with my disability. When I’m at my house I am familiar with the terrain–I know which chairs will be comfortable, I can be barefoot (I walk far less well when shod), and so forth. If I’m especially weary I can take off my leg with little drama, which isn’t as possible at a friends’ place. Also, my desire to keep my schedule somewhat open undoubtedly is related to that, too. If I’ve got sores on my leg or if my leg isn’t fitting well on a particular day, the hurdles of finding parking and getting to meetings or whatever, can be downright painful.

One reason that I’m enjoying my life so much right now is that I am so able to be ‘in control’ of my schedule. I work mostly from home with some outings to archives or libraries. I’m not teaching so I don’t have chunks of time each week where I need to be in the classroom or in office hours (and of course there’s no grading papers either!). There are many benefits to being master of my own schedule, such as being able to incorporate regular exercise and meditation into my daily routine. Not to mention the ability to get much work done on my dissertation even while I’m the primary caregiver for our kids.

But I wonder if my ability to be so ‘in control’ of things is having a deleterious effect on other aspects of my life. I feel like I’ve been less accommodating of others’ schedules and needs. I’m less relaxed with John. I prefer being at home to going ‘out.’ I feel a kind of self-focus that’s rather unhealthy–I think a lot about what I’m wearing, what I’m eating, what I want. I find I have less patience with others’ desires and needs.

While we were traveling over the holiday I consciously attempted to give up some of my ‘control’ and relax more. I think I’ve been less successful with that of late. The desire to control is two-edged–I believe that much of my success academically/professionally stems from my ability to control my life and be productive. But control can also be born of fear, and I don’t find that to be particularly healthy. I don’t want to structure my life so much that I can’t relax and be open to novelty and pleasure. And I don’t want to always be in charge.

I’ve recently added a new item to my daily task list, “do something extra-ordinary” (note: the irony of ‘scheduling’ such a thing is not lost on me…). On some days it means a venture into Second Life, where I’m a n00b and I hardly know which way is up. Other days it means making a phone call to someone I barely know, or driving somewhere unfamiliar. It can even be wearing clothing that’s outside my comfort zone (I am such a creature of habit). Or picking up a book that I’m unsure whether I will enjoy (as a side note: yesterday’s venture in that direction stalled when I got to the elves in the book–gah, I am so not a fantasy person). And in all things I’m finding those moments of exasperation–those times when I’m craving control–and I’m trying to understand just what’s going on there:
What am I feeling?
What are my fears?
Why do I need to do it my way?
Can I let go of my need to be in charge?
Can I lose control?

Picture taken in my garden a few days ago. I’ve had some gorgeous irises blooming and I cut a bunch and have had them in a green vase next to my sink. 🙂

bleeding hearts, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I’m not feeling particularly festive today, but I just realized that I wore a bright red top today not even thinking about it being a good v-day color (though, in my book, every day should be a red-worthy day). Also wearing my “Journey” necklace (yay!)

Though I am sometimes loathe to admit it, I really love it when my house is clean. I don’t like saying that because there’s something sort of shallow and petty about that (why? I don’t know). Anyways, the family has pitched in this morning to do some deep cleaning jobs that have gone unattended for far too long, which makes me feel very good. Also, we ‘decluttered’ a large bag of kids’ clothes/shoes and goodies to a friend whose children will love them.

I just finished cleaning our stove and oven, using only baking soda paste. I love that it’s far simpler to use than the toxic chemicals I used to use on my oven–the ones that would make us all choke and wheeze, and my eyes would burn as I cleaned. Yuck!

One question for you all: we now use diluted vinegar for cleaning all of our surfaces, but because I don’t really care for the smell of vinegar, do you have any ideas on adding a bit of citrus or herbal scent to the cleaning solution? Would essential oils work or would they leave a residue? Should I just add a few lavender wands from my garden, or would they go all yuck in a spray bottle with vinegar-water?

Caught in the Act!, originally uploaded by mind on fire.

This pic of TobyJoy from John always makes me laugh. He says:
“Toby told us that she had given up drinking, but it was an open secret that she had fallen off the toilet wagon.”

the right shot, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

John’s birthday is today, number 38. If you have a sec, drop by his blog and wish him a good one!

paradasaical, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I find new best friends all the time on teh internets. Of course they usually don’t know that they are my best friends, but I start reading their blogs and then follow their twitter and all of a sudden I feel like I know them, and what they’re doing is important to me. Isn’t that a wee bit creepy?

Maybe…

I’ve met so many amazing folks through teh cyber-magic, usually getting acquainted with your words and your lives long before I see a photo of your face (and when I do finally *see* you, what fun that is!). I love that the ‘net brings us all together.

So please don’t be freaked out when I drop a comment on your site, k? And now can we can all hold hands and sing a round of Kumbaya together?…anyone play the guitar?

Jana’s Lovely Hair!, originally uploaded by mind on fire.

Picked these roses from my garden just moments before we left. They were my favorite part of my costume. 🙂

trees in winter, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. No wonder the hills and groves were God’s first temples, and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself. ~John Muir

The Perfect Gift., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

John collects images of The Last Supper. John hearts cephalopods.
CatGirl does a mashup sketch of both for him for Xmas. She is so awesome! 🙂

Cornucopia., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

Given the economic crunch I know we’re all trying to save money these days(!). I find it hard to do so sometimes when I’m also committed to eating healthily and buying fresh local produce. Because of course hotdogs & fruit roll-ups (blegh) are cheaper than anything free range or organic!

Back in the stone ages when I was a college undergrad and I took a nutrition class, our teacher recommended that the best way to stay healthy and spend less on groceries was to skip the middle aisles (read: processed foods) and only buy items on the periphery of the market (produce, dairy, bulk grains, etc). Of course it’s not that easy!

One way we’ve saved money and lived closer to our values over the past few months is to subscribe to a CSA plan that offers a weekly “veggie box” of fresh produce from a local farm (produce in image above is just a sampling from one week of goodies). I plan our meals so we eat 2 or 3 dinners and several lunch salads from each box. Yum!

I came across an article today that discusses how the author cut her grocery bill by 75% without having to sacrifice buying organic and healthy items and though you all would appreciate reading it and seeing if you could save as much, too.

Another idea I’m toying with is hosting regular potlucks where everyone cooks a dish to share–which would save me some cooking time and I’d get to enjoy the variety of others’ culinary efforts. This idea appeals to me on several levels–because I love spending time with friends and I think sharing the mealtime workload makes a lot more sense than everyone individually cooking well-rounded meals.

As long as you’ve dropped by, why don’t you drop your best grocery money-saving tips in the comments for all of us to benefit from!

Photo by John