Things I Did Because Mama Did 'Em

We all know that we model our parents and "learn" how to do life by their example. But over the last few years I've realized that some things I do have no logic to them. I simply do them because my mom did them that way. Allow me to explain...

1) Storing cooking oil under the kitchen sink with the cleaning supplies
For many years I did the same. Until one day I made the logical choice to store my oil with baking supplies. It just made more sense. I'm going to give my mother the benefit of the doubt and claim that she stored it under the sink because it's a tall bottle and won't fit in most cabinets. This past year, I helped my sister move and had to smile when I discovered her oil next to her 409.

2) Storing pancake syrup in the refrigerator
Now for this one, I have to admit I did the same until my sister-in-law pointed out the oddity to me. "Why does your mom put the syrup in the fridge? It doesn't have to be refrigerated and it just makes the pancakes cold." Hmmm...good point (as I snuck home and removed my syrup from the fridge).

3) Leave the cleaning sponge on the edge of the tub
Now this is actually not a bad idea. The sponge is handy and ready to use at any time. But I found that is just stays slimy from soap running into it and it collects hair. And then there was the time my 3 yr old nephew was taking a bath and I found him sucking on the sponge. Ewwwwww!

Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks

“How do we tumble down a hill? A foot placed incautiously on an unsteady rock or loosened turf, an ankle twisted or a knee buckled, and all of a sudden we are gone, our body lost to our own control until we find ourselves sprawled in indignity at the bottom. So it seems apt indeed to speak of the Fall. For sin, too, must always start with but a single misstep, and suddenly we are hurtling toward some uncertain stopping point. All that is sure in the descent is that we will arrive sullied and bruised and unable to regain our former place without hard effort.”

Things I Can Do From the Couch

• smell the Fall air
• make phone calls
• pay bills
• pray
• computer tasks
• read
• take pills
  
• worship
• write grocery lists
• facebook
• shop online
• watch TV
• obsess over indoor and outdoor projects that need accomplished
• type with one hand (with tea in the other)
• drink tea (while typing with the other hand)
  
• sleep
  
• think encouraging thoughts
• think discouraging thoughts
• lead group Bible study
• bird watch
• smell my Fall scented candles
  
• text
  
• plan menus
• email
• hear my neighbor screaming at her 2yo
• watch the leaves fall
• visit with friends
• play games on my phone
• watch dust build up
• talk to doctors
  
• listen to sermons online
  
• trace and cut scrapbooking paper (for women's retreat)
• listen to acorns fall on my neighbor's deck
• update and organize phone apps
• think about Christmas
• view pics and videos of Maks and Teo!!!