It'll Keep
When I was younger I always remembered those words being uttered from my Grandmother, It'll keep. The reference was always in regards to a household chore or errand that had to be run. Her thought was simple, if it wasn't needed at that very second, it could wait to be done. She was right.
The only problem with It'll keep is the when. When can be a big problem for Fibro sufferers because our pain determines the when at times. I can't tell you how often I hear from my family the words, "Do we have to do that now?" The that usually refers to me cleaning the one and only bathroom or the kitchen floor, two very important areas of the house that seem to be needed 24 hours a day in my home. I find it comical that no one seems to need anything until I start to clean.
It is then, of course, that I have to stop what I'm doing and pray to God that I don't get too stiff or tired while waiting to finish the job. There are some occasions where this does happen to me, especially recently since I'm caring for my Grandparents too. It is during those times that I use the It'll keep mantra.
I'm a perfectionist and I absolutely HATE to leave any job unfinished. Caring for my grandparents this year, however, has taught me that it's okay to do things good enough. I now mop my floor good enough instead of moving EVERYTHING in the kitchen so I can get all the cracks and crevices so it's perfect. I now reserve perfect for those special occasions when I'm having company.
Good enough also works for meals, dusting, and all around straightening up. Simple and quick meals like grilled cheese on 12 grain bread, tomato salad, or chicken sausage with apples over jasmine rice can all be prepared in about 20 minutes, are healthy, and save you from slaving over a hot stove in the summer.
Dusting a room can be taxing if you have a lot of what we call chochkeys (knicknacks). I used to have MANY of those things because I'm such a sentimental Taurus. I kept every little card and token someone gave me. I still have some things from friends that were given to me in middle school and I just can't part with them because they are special to me. But what I've learned over the years is that I don't have to put EVERYTHING out on display. I now have scrapbooks to put cherished cards and photos in and I've consolidated my holiday and home decorations to a minimum so I don't have dust as much.
I also straighten up rooms quickly too by putting toys to one side. The kids can see them better and that makes the chances of getting them back into their rooms easier. I also try to organize where I can. I have a pot lid organizer on my kitchen wall, an office dry and push-pin board by the entrance, and magazine racks on my bookshelves. These little things make my life a little less messy because I can keep my pots, bills and important mail, and writers magazines within reach and within order.
The rest, well, It'll keep.
Stay Fabulous!
Love and Friendship,
Kimberley
Tomato Salad Recipe
2 medium tomatoes (any kind)
3 ribs of celery
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried basil or 2 sprigs fresh chopped basil
1/4 teaspoon or to taste of sea salt
Method:
Dice tomatoes and celery and place in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil, basil, and salt. Mix well and serve immediately or chilled.
Chicken Sausage and Apples
2 medium apples (macintosh or granny smith add great flavor)
1-2 tablespoons (to taste) of diced red onion
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 cup uncooked Jasmine rice
1 package (four links) of precooked chicken sausage
2 tablespoons of butter, margarine, or olive oil
Method:
Prepare Jasmine rice according to label directions. Add oil or spread to fry pan with onion and apples. Allow them to soften and then add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, and sausage. Heat on medium for about 4 minutes or until warm, combine with rice and serve immediately.
The only problem with It'll keep is the when. When can be a big problem for Fibro sufferers because our pain determines the when at times. I can't tell you how often I hear from my family the words, "Do we have to do that now?" The that usually refers to me cleaning the one and only bathroom or the kitchen floor, two very important areas of the house that seem to be needed 24 hours a day in my home. I find it comical that no one seems to need anything until I start to clean.
It is then, of course, that I have to stop what I'm doing and pray to God that I don't get too stiff or tired while waiting to finish the job. There are some occasions where this does happen to me, especially recently since I'm caring for my Grandparents too. It is during those times that I use the It'll keep mantra.
I'm a perfectionist and I absolutely HATE to leave any job unfinished. Caring for my grandparents this year, however, has taught me that it's okay to do things good enough. I now mop my floor good enough instead of moving EVERYTHING in the kitchen so I can get all the cracks and crevices so it's perfect. I now reserve perfect for those special occasions when I'm having company.
Good enough also works for meals, dusting, and all around straightening up. Simple and quick meals like grilled cheese on 12 grain bread, tomato salad, or chicken sausage with apples over jasmine rice can all be prepared in about 20 minutes, are healthy, and save you from slaving over a hot stove in the summer.
Dusting a room can be taxing if you have a lot of what we call chochkeys (knicknacks). I used to have MANY of those things because I'm such a sentimental Taurus. I kept every little card and token someone gave me. I still have some things from friends that were given to me in middle school and I just can't part with them because they are special to me. But what I've learned over the years is that I don't have to put EVERYTHING out on display. I now have scrapbooks to put cherished cards and photos in and I've consolidated my holiday and home decorations to a minimum so I don't have dust as much.
I also straighten up rooms quickly too by putting toys to one side. The kids can see them better and that makes the chances of getting them back into their rooms easier. I also try to organize where I can. I have a pot lid organizer on my kitchen wall, an office dry and push-pin board by the entrance, and magazine racks on my bookshelves. These little things make my life a little less messy because I can keep my pots, bills and important mail, and writers magazines within reach and within order.
The rest, well, It'll keep.
Stay Fabulous!
Love and Friendship,
Kimberley
Tomato Salad Recipe
2 medium tomatoes (any kind)
3 ribs of celery
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried basil or 2 sprigs fresh chopped basil
1/4 teaspoon or to taste of sea salt
Method:
Dice tomatoes and celery and place in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil, basil, and salt. Mix well and serve immediately or chilled.
Chicken Sausage and Apples
2 medium apples (macintosh or granny smith add great flavor)
1-2 tablespoons (to taste) of diced red onion
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 cup uncooked Jasmine rice
1 package (four links) of precooked chicken sausage
2 tablespoons of butter, margarine, or olive oil
Method:
Prepare Jasmine rice according to label directions. Add oil or spread to fry pan with onion and apples. Allow them to soften and then add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, and sausage. Heat on medium for about 4 minutes or until warm, combine with rice and serve immediately.
