Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Cleaning the Fridge

I've decided to stop stressing about blogging in order and just writing when I've been thinking about something.  I may never finish the Disneyland post that I started 6 weeks ago, but I have other things I've been thinking about.

Recently, I finished serving as a Co-Chair for Danny's Cooperative preschool.  This was a fantastic experience.  I worked with a lot of wonderful parents and had input about how to spend the co-op $ and the curriculum.  I was in charge of running meetings and making sure everyone involved was doing their jobs well.  As the school year drew to a close, many parents praised my efforts and encouraged me to do it another year, since Kaylee would be starting at the preschool in the fall.  A part of me wanted to, but after a lot of pondering and prayer, I decided not to.

When we moved here, there were very few young families, and no organized church playgroup.  A friend and I got one started 2 1/2 years ago, trading off scheduling and emailing reminders.  She moved out of the ward and a new work schedule precluded her from attending as often, so I took over most of the playgroup organizing.  It was really, not a big deal at all, so I kept doing it.  Then earlier this year I realized I was almost never able to attend these playgroups anymore because of my own busy schedule with preschool.  There have also been many new families move in, so I finally passed the torch onto someone else.

I've been in my calling 2 1/2 years with the Young Women in the church.  I have LOVED it, but keep feeling that change is imminent since it's been a few years. 

So often, I really worry and fret over these little life changes.  Can someone else do the job?  Will playgroup fall apart?  Will the girls get along with new young women leaders?  Not to mention all the other life changes - potty training Kaylee, teaching Danny to read, walking the dogs (not a change except that I don't do it anymore).

But lately, I've been feeling like an overly cluttered refrigerator door.  You know what I'm talking about.  The door that's filled with condiments, half of which you've only used once.  There are multiple mustards, because one slipped behind the jar of pickle-less pickle juice, which is being saved in case you need it for an egg salad recipe.  There are 5 different half-used bottles of random salad dressings, and one bottle of Ranch.  The Ranch dressing, which we can never have enough of, is turned upside down to get the last drops out.  There are many important things in the side of the fridge - soy sauce, ketchup, parmesan cheese, mayonaise.  But why do I have a Rudy's bbq sauce packet and Dijon mustard.  I don't even like mustard. 

I feel like I'm cleaning out my fridge.  Taking everything out, and reassessing what is really important.  It's been wonderful to just let some things go, and then make more time for things that matter most.  Spending a little less time emailing others about preschool and playgroups and a little more time just being with my kids.  I still have a long ways to go, but my fridge is getting a little more organized. 

4 comments:

Matt said...

Thoughtful post. Let me know if you need any help cleaning the fridge. Sure love you.

blondebelle said...

Carry you're so great. Hope you are feeling a little less "mustard" in your life. Love you!

blondebelle said...

I can't believe I spelled your name wrong. Sorry Carrie. :)

Carl & Rosemarie Brauning said...

Hey Care, I sure do miss your awesome-ness. <3 Love catching up on your posts. Hope you guys are doing awesome!!