peelosophy

I received a coupon for a “free pumpkin pie” with purchase of $10 or more at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market. I was all about it because I needed to bring a dessert for house group that evening. Plus, they have little tractors for the kids to ride and a playground – so it could kill some time.  Kirkwood Farmer’s Market is overpriced in my opinion, you pay for the scenery and the idea you are going to a farmer’s market, but I rationalized this with the free pie and little field trip.

After we played for a bit, we headed into the market where I carefully picked 2 packs of Carmel Happy Apples (3.89/each!) and a 12 ounces of candy corn ($3.49!).  We made our way to the register where I told the sales lady I had my coupon for the “free pumpkin pie” and asked where I should get it.  She corrected me with, “Oh,  you mean the free pie pumpkin?, you can pick one from the pile out front.”  To make it seem like I was less of the dyslexic dope that I tend to be, I answered with, “Oh, that’s what I meant. ” Of course, right?  And what the heck is a pie pumpkin?

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I have been seeing a counselor for almost a year now.  It’s not that I’ve had any major events or problems going on, I really just wanted a professional Christian sounding board to figure out why I am the way I am.

It’s funny because I have a lot of friends with a background in counseling, so it seemed natural and almost assumed that I go to one.  But 5 years ago, I would have asked, “Why are you in counseling?” now I feel like it’s, “Why AREN’T you in counseling?”  It’s great – I love it and highly recommend it.

Anyways, one of the issues I had was that I was concerned about my incessant need for order.  This pertains especially to my physical environment.  There is a definite correlation between my state of mind and the order of my house.  i.e. if it is cluttered, I am more on edge and if it is clean I am more at peace.  I love the mantra, “A place for everything and everything in it’s place” – just the idea of that makes me happy.

So, I brought this “issue” of mine to Krista, my counselor, and explained to her all the above.  I was fully prepared for a clinical diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, control freak, etc.  or a detailed family genome of why I am like this – but I didn’t get any of that.

Instead, she said (paraphrased), “That I wasn’t abnormal to feel this way and that I was created for Eden, where everything has a place and everything is in it’s place.  But instead, I’m here and I’m just trying to make order out of chaos. ”

Yeah, I left feeling pretty good after that session. And what she said totally made sense to me – after all she’s the professional.   I hope that’s encouraging for anyone who’s felt the same way.

Remember those Garfield comics?  What I remember the most about them was that Garfield hated Mondays.

Or what about The Bangles song Manic Mondays..love that song – but I can’t relate.

And then there’s, T.G.I.F., don’t get me wrong, I do like Fridays – but Monday is one of my most favorite days of the week…

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Hey!

Even though I’ve been on a blogging break the last couple weeks, I’ve still been menu planning…I think it might have actually become a habit!

What about you, has this inspired you to start menu planning or is it something you have always done?  Have you checked out orgjunkie.com to find more recipes?  What have you tried?  Leave me a comment – I’d love to hear about it!

My new thing is soups and casseroles, probably inspired by our rainy fall weather here!  I have literally been going down the index of my Cooking Light cookbook and trying them and rating them as I go – this method totally aligns with my somewhat compulsive nature.  Now there are some, that I know there is NO way John or the kids will eat, so I did skip those, but I have tried many that I wouldn’t have tried before.

For more recipe ideas go to: orgjunkie.com

MONDAY: Beef Bean and Cornbread Casserole

TUESDAY: House Group Dinner Night — Tacos…I’m bringing a Southwest Bean Casserole.

WENESDAY: PBJ’s and fruit..I have girls night

THURSDAY: Chicken Paprikash

FRIDAY: Leftovers

SATURDAY: John’s Chili….he makes it up as he goes

SUNDAY: Northwoods Chicken with Glazed Julienne Carrots

So that blogging break was l little longer than a week!  I didn’t even read any blogs for three weeks – crazy!

A couple things happened that lead up to the break…

- I had a sinus infection that lasted 8 weeks and is thankfully gone

- John was doing a lot of freelance, so the computer was being used in the evenings

- I’ve been trying to take it down a notch with our lives.  When I figured out that most of my expectations were self-imposed, it was hard to start saying no to things that I find enjoyable but didn’t necesarily “have-to” do.  This theme is continuing in our lives while we anticipate the arrival of little Emma, but I’m bringing blogging back into the mix.

What about you…am I the only one that has self-imposed expectations of how things “should” go or what I “need” to do?