It has been a year of transition and when I think back on the little tricks that helped me along the way the obvious top three are peanut butter, vacuums and pearls. Although these three items are rarely mentioned in the same sentence and are totally unrelated in most people’s lives they are the equivalent of close relatives in mine. The trick specifics are as follows….Jif peanut butter is the brand of choice but any size, shape, color or type of vacuum works… same with the pearls -I’m easy there, but the peanut butter has got to be Jif smooth and creamy in the family sized jar.
In fact, over the past year I have consumed 4 or more of these family sized jars….one tsp at a time. It is so simple – it has been my comfort food. I treated each spoonful like a fabulous gourmet lollipop. Peanut butter is the food of the gods as far as I am concerned and when I needed comfort during times of thought I went to the gods’ pantry and pulled out peanut butter. I found that after 4 family size jars my waistline was “modified” so I asked my husband to hide it from me. Well, he did and I have looked everywhere but can’t find it….
I finally told my friend Amy Bray about this ongoing scavenger hunt for the elusive peanut butter and she said “go and buy your own jar and then hide it from him”. Words of wisdom from a kindred spirit….WHY had I not thought of that? So I followed her advice and now I have access to my own personal stash. Life is good again.
Trick number two is especially appealing to me – vacuuming – and I have rechargeable ones, uprights, cannisters, dustbusters, sharks and the ultimate – a Dyson Rollerball. Vacuuming is my favorite household chore and in fact is the only one that I am inclined to do without prompting. I have always liked it and have done more of it than usual over the past year. Vacuums are THE miracle appliance for the woman that owns 6 dogs and a cat. They are to me what a swiss army knife is to a Boy Scout. I use them with grace and gratitude. We don’t have brooms at this house – the dogs took care of them long ago. But vacuuming repesents more than cleaning to me – it turns out that the little bag inside is a great place to hide your worries. During my year of transition I had to vacuum many times and all of my worries were tossed out when the bag was changed – symbolically gone. They often tried to creep back in to my mind but I just sucked them up again. And again. And again. This works great when you have a spoonful of peanut butter before and after.
Then the pearls entered my life. I started making hand knotted pearl necklaces during this year of transition and found this to be ritualistic and relaxing. The picking up of each pearl and the feel of the silk cord as I tie the knots is soothing. It was and still is good time for thinking – I have spent many hours making one of a kind necklaces and the thoughts that accompany each necklace are different. It’s part of what makes the process so satisfying and each one truly original. I put a bit of myself into each one and leave it in the piece. It makes me happy to hear from those that wear them. Some have told me that they can feel my thoughts and spirit imbibed into each necklace. Wow….
As this year winds up I am happy to report that the peanut butter consumption has slowed considerably. I only look for it about 1-2 times a week now. The vacuuming has also become less frequent. Some of the machines have not been out of their closets in some time. It’s the pearls that have replaced the peanut butter and vacuums. I have settled into my new routine having survived the year of transition and am happy to be me – making jewelry, taking photos and petting dogs. The transition seems to be becoming less of a transition. I am feeling happy where I am and life is good in this place and at this moment! Perhaps I’ll have a tsp of peanut butter to celebrate….yes, I believe I will.
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