Breadcrumbs and Trail Markers..

Whatever I write this morning, I will have to write fast because I can already hear my children starting to wake up.  It was just a small cough, but soon the shower will be running, someone will be asking where their socks are and the answer is always the same - they're in the laundry basket with all the other clothes that I have not had time, well at least energy, to put up yet.  I know that some people reading this might have 4, 6 or even more kids and feel that any complaining about how household chores seem to fall by the way side by someone who ONLY has 3 kids might seem a little bit like whining, but it's my blog..I'll whine if I want to. 

But this is not going to be a whine fest.  Although, if I lived in Napa Valley, I would enjoy going to a wine fest as long as their was cheese available. NO, this is going to be a nice little encouragement to those of us (and I believe this applies to a lot of people these days...with or without children) who feel a bit...uh, overwhelmed, especially with the holidays quickly approaching. I have developed a mental survival system called "breadcrumbs and trailmarkers" so that as I scurry through the day, I can help myself.  I am usually not a very good list writer as I tend to either forget what I am supposed to write down, forget the list or think that making a list is yet another item for the "to do list"..THEREFORE, I rely on the mental capabilities that the Lord provided for me in the form of a brain. It's not real scientific.  It's kinda sad actually because there is zero logic to it, but it works..sometimes. So, no money back guarantees here...

First and foremost, let me outline the "Trail Markers". These are the things that we must do each day in order to survive on the trail or path that we've chosen to walk.  These things are usually constant like markers on a walking trail that aren't supposed to move.  For instance,  I find it imperative that each morning, I bathe.  I know this is hard to imagine, but I really do shower and when in the shower, I think and pray about the day.  It can be a long shower. THEN before leaving the bathroom/bedroom, I am completely dressed including what little makeup I wear. I only do this because if I don't take care of personal hygiene..well, who will?  I will wind up going to work with no socks or maybe my house shoes instead of my 'goin outside shoes'.

SO, being dressed, now I must walk the dog who has been patiently waiting in the laundry room..because that's where she sleeps so she won't jump on me in the middle of the night).  This is yet another trail marker and as you can see, the trail markers are daily habits.  My time is running out because now I have three kids up and have already had to get up for 4 different interruptions all within the last 10 minutes and Troy isn't even up yet which reminds me...wait I'll be right back......OK, now Troy is up and I can type for another 5 minutes)... Do you see how challenging it is already to write?  Oh well, I digress..as usual..

What have we learned so far?  Yes, trail markers are just the daily habits that don't really change.  But, breadcrumbs...Ah, those are the things that make life run smoothly.  It's an easy concept to remember.  It's like leaving yourself little reminders...but not in the form of a list which I have already mentioned how much I hate. No, this is more of mental reminders. I'll use laundry as a prime example.  I knew that last night I wouldn't have time to wash Ellie's blue jeans that she has to wear for her book report costume today (fodder for another blog), so to remind me to wash and dry them this morning (cause I get up so early), I left them out on the counter where I keep my phone...cause I would have to see them when I got the phone.  That reminds me to put them in the washer.  Mission accomplished.  The only snafew (and of course this NEVER happens..I say sarcastically) that could alter the outcome would be if I was so totally amnesic to the fact that I even have a daughter who needed jeans then that wouldn't work....So, that's the bread crumb example.

I would love to sit and think up some more, but the house is too loud for me to think anymore, and I'm hoping I have left myself some breadcrumbs along the way..cause I forgot to eat breakfast..and I'm already feeling overwhelmed.   Bottom line, we're all surviving the best way we can, and if that means we forget stuff along the way, then maybe it's ok.  I have often prayed this:  "Lord, today, please help me remember the things I need to remember, forget the things I need to forget and not worry about it "  It works too..cause I've already forgotten most of what I was worried about for the day..Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble which is a paraphrase of something in the bible that I'm too lazy to look up right now.  Now, go eat some breadcrumbs.