Sunday Simplicity

We're several days into a heatwave here in Brisbane (though not as bad as some of our friends in WA and some of the southern states). Add to that, in the far northern suburbs we are up to about Day 5 of heavy smoke - there are a lot of fires just north and just east of us that have been burning for days. We get a few hours (strangely, often in the morning and evening) off reasonably clear air and then it shifts and the sky is thick with smoke and haze. Advice as been to keep anyone with respiratory illnesses (Alexander is a severe asthmatic) indoors. The smoke is thick and the smell is everywhere. Even with the house closed up (stir crazy boys, anyone?) and the air conditioner on..it is permeating our home. We've not been able to put washing out for days now and we don't own a dryer.

This is not my Mt Washmore. Mine was far, far worse. There were clothes, sheets, towels and tablecloths. And a cat, perched in the middle of the pile of towels. Refusing to budge from her new favourite spot.

Have you ever noticed that when your washing pile builds up, the rest of your house seems to feel messier? Or is that just me? Some of it I think is that the boys are cooped up, so there is more of their stuff everywhere. And some of it is me getting twitchy about the dirty washing, the piles of it that have built up - I'm ever conscious of it and I can't bear it. So I feel on edge. 

This morning I woke up and I'd had enough. We powered through load after load after load this morning before the wind changed and got most of it done (some last night also). Joel took the boys to a creek (they had to drive an hour or so to get past the smoked-out areas) and I got to it. 

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I managed to put away about 6 loads of washing. I cleaned our room, sorted out our wardrobe (well, ok. I sorted out my half. Joel's is a disaster. We need more drawers (there aren't any shelves or drawers in our walk in). Cleaned the bedding. Put the best sheets on and put on some music. 

Got the kitchen and bathrooms done. For 3 or 4 hours, I worked rather a lot. Joel and the boys came home and they helped out, the boys rooms are now spotless and everyone's clothes are where they belong. The wind shifted back so we have just one load in the machine. Joel mopped the floors for me. That always makes him feel better.

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I have had time since to read my book (I'm quite loving it). I've been pinning. I've baked a slice. Tonight, Joel and I will watch a movie and then I'll probably finish this book.  It's been a day of simple things, but nearing the end of it, I feel relaxed and fulfilled. 

When they were out this morning I took the longest cool shower in history. Sometimes it feels so good to linger a little {a lot} longer than you normally would. Wash hair, treatment. Shave legs. New body lotion. Make up to feel prettier. 

You know what the best thing is? That moment when you've shaved your legs {it seems better then, somehow?} and you slide in between 1000 thread sheets for an afternoon nap in your air conditioned bedroom. It's so smooth and so cool and so relaxing!  Such a simple thing, but oh! I felt so indulgent that I almost didn't want to waste that feeling by sleeping!

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Right now, the boys are in Alexander's room listening to music. Joel is watching a documentary. I'm sipping on tea in my new yellow cup, blogging and pinning. I realised tonight that I really am, slowly letting the yellow infiltrate. I have 2 new yellow tops, 2 new yellow water bottles, 3 new yellow coffee mugs, a new yellow Kindle Cover and a yellow phone cover.

 I've seen a teapot I've been wanting for months marked down to $10. I want to see if it's there tomorrow.... 

I feel happy that I'm getting more and more colour in my life. Not just yellow. All of the clothes that I have bought in the past weeks have been vibrant colours {well no, one top is grey. But it has bling on it. That's more shocking than me wearing coloured stripes, let me tell you!}. There are aquas and turquoise, coral and pink, lots of white {I'm in love with my 2 floaty white skirts} and greens. I've worn make up almost every day this year {I do realise that we're not 2 weeks in, but I stopped about 2 years ago}. Again, a simple thing but it makes me feel better. 

I feel as though this is going to be a wonderful year. I will indulge my girly side. I will be sharing in old beloved books with Alexander as he gets older and I am able to introduce him to old favourites {I'm under orders not to make him read any that are too girly}, and I will be reading them again with him.  I will be teaching my littlest love to read! What a world is about to open up to him - I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Thinking about a family of 4 book lovers. 

And Sammy {as though this day weren't already wonderful} made an enormous leap today! A huge milestone - he went into the water WITHOUT needing to be literally on Joel's back! He discovered he can have fun and trust on his own {with people very close by in the water, should he need help}. This is such a big deal for Samuel, who has had a real fear of water.