What a week! I'm so glad we're done with the sale part. I didn't make a tremendous amount of money, but I earned enough to pay all of the children a little for their help and to buy some groceries. Best of all, some of the large items sold and I reduced the clutter in the house. I call that success!
A couple of larger items I had hoped to sell did not go to a new home, so I will need to decide which can be donated and which I should try to sell through Craig's List or another tag sale later in the summer.
Next week the kids will be at a day camp all week, so I will be working in a quiet house. Last year was the first time I had a week alone in the house since my 15 year old was born. I painted the kitchen cabinets while they were gone. My number one project this year is preparing for my fall course. I would prefer to focus on the laundry room, which has less junk in it than it did last week, but my paying job at the community college must be the priority! I will be using a new textbook and developing a whole new online course for September. I'm excited and somewhat apprehensive at the prospect. I really liked my old text. I found that the students responded very well to the tone and content of the book. I know, however, that it's time for a change and that it will be good for the students to have an up-to-date book that features the latest research and documentation techniques. The old book is almost 10 years old, which is a lifetime in terms of technological advances for research. A quiet house will afford me time to delve into the book, plan assignments, and start laying out the online components of the course.
I was so impressed with the children this weekend. The 11 year old boys were a tremendous help, and they were both eager to do whatever needed doing. The teenagers took care of the small children, gave adults breaks from watching the cash drawer and checking out customers, and moved large objects as needed. In spite of the awful heat yesterday and the fact that we started today already fatigued, the children gave a great deal of loving service to our venture. The mommies with infants are heroes--and so are the babies. It was a challenge to keep the little ones content when all they wanted was mama's attention. My kiddos are bigger, but by the end of the day, they had clearly had enough sunshine, fresh air, and togetherness for the past few days. We were ready to go home, get showers, and go to the Saturday Youth Mass.
Since my daughter is in the music ministry we needed to get to the church early for practice. We took two cars. The older two children went with me, and Mike met us a bit later. We were nice and early, so there was time for confession before Mass. I'm so glad I went and received the graces of the sacrament before Mass. I'm not sure if I had big circles under my eyes, but the priest gave me an unusual penance--to rest tomorrow on the Sabbath. I know that the priest acts In Persona Christi, but I am always a little surprised when I don't say something specific, but the advice offered in confession is tailored to my specific needs. Father talked about the importance of the triangle of "Mind-Body-Spirit" and how the needs of each must be met for balance in our lives. I have been sleep deprived and not eating as well the past few days, so I really needed the Mind-Body-Spirit talk! I've heard of the connection between Mind-Body-Spirit, but Father's explanation gave such clarity and practicality to the idea.
I know I have many things I would like to do tonight and tomorrow morning. At the moment, though, the best thing I can do is get started on my penance. My eyes are heavy and I need to simply give in to sweet sleep.
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