Suprise, suprise. I am reaping the (obvious) benefits of striving for organized simplicity. Aside from feeling that my surroundings are more harmonious and less chaotic (I'm a confessed piler, organzied piles make sense to me, don't appeal visually) I've purchased nothing new, but resurrected some pretty file holders for my counter. I'm bring out things I really love and displaying them in my new breakfront. It's just more appealing

Anyhow, I am also finding that I have more energy to do fun things before they become drudgery (running to the Dollar Tree to get daughter's paper products for her graduation party/running to Michael's for her scrapbook pages, etc. And this is 2.5 weeks before the event.

This brings me to the point of my post. Instead of waiting for people to bring things up, I've taken the iniative on two things this morning:

(1) My grandmother is coming on Saturday. She is staying with my mother. I have the trundle unit from the daybed that my grandmother sleeps on (it is actually one of my child's bed). I simply said, "When do you want the bed for Grandma?" because I'm ready to move it out and ride the continued wave of productivity. My mother then starts in on how busy my stepdad is with school work and year end stuff. This annoys me to no end because everyone is busy and has stuff to do, there isn't exactly a claim on that. Rather than let it get to me, I said (as respectfully as possible), "When would you like the bed? Just let me know when will work for you. We're all busy." Seemed to diffuse the situation, though my mother appeared miffed, but no sense allowing myself to become annoyed.

(2) Remember the difficulties I had with "friend" back in February, the one who totally turned on me and attacked all of my parenting decisions that she didn't agree with. I've had to deal with her because we are co-room parents. We've got Field Day coming up and we have to plan the activities/menu. "Friend" is busy spear-heading the good-bye gift for our beloved teacher who is leaving. I'm up to my ears in registration for VBS and I have to come up with the agenda for our planning meeting next Wednesday etc. I called "Friend" this morning and acknowledged that we are both very busy going about our business, but would she like me to contact the Cub Scout leader about the four-way tug-of-war rope for the 4th grade event? Very simple and to the point. She said "Yes, delightful idea" and then was going to start in complaining about some other aspect of our school. To which I said, "You know what, I think I'd like to make the call to arrange for getting the equipment. We'll touch base soon."

Stripping away all the layers of drama certainly do make it all easy.