Jan. 6, 2014

Started taking Christmas down today. We didn't get too far, but at least it's started. My inner self wants to push forward organizing here and culling out there, but practically, that's not going to work. I'd like to set myself goals that will eventually result in the "live with less" home I want. My bedroom calls to me, but I think this week it needs to be Christmas. I got very little joy from the decorations this year. Many of them are old and tired, so it's time to do some serious sorting. The "everyday" Christmas dishes (not my nice ones) have been packed in a box for Goodwill. I'm off Wednesday and will try to get most of it all put away.

Jim is really stressed with work, and I know he's falling further and further behind. Rosanne and I need to combine forces to give him more privacy in his work space and to interrupt him less. Some ideas:

• Set a time when she can interrupt him.
• Set times that I'll be in touch so that she knows I'll be calling her or that I'll be available.
• Make that room a complete "no-go" zone for kids while Grandpa's working.
• Talk with kids about the need for them to stay at the Y after school.
• If they want to be picked up early, go to the park. No-kid zone until 4:00.

That's a start. Unfortunately, it means that I have to be more available, but the alternative is to leave Rosanne hanging, and that's not good. Maybe she needs to have regular meetings with Jim, too.