Grandma’s Rule

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Are you familiar with this term? It’s your basic work first, play later. Wednesday morning, I chaffed against this rule. It was overcast, temps in low 70s with a light breeze. I really, really wanted to sit on the patio and sip coffee. But, I had this blog to write among a list of other things. 

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Here’s the reason, this rule rubs me the wrong way. In Texas in May (and happy May, y’all.), mornings can be pleasant. They might not be, but there’s the possibility for that. We can pretty much count on the afternoon being excessively warm to hot. So, for me the best time to enjoy the outside (and I really like to be outside. It makes me happy especially if we have a bit of a breeze and shade.) is morning.

But it’s seductive. Once I give in to the lure of the pleasant morning, it’s very hard to go back inside and do the work I know I should be doing. (like writing this blog) It’s like when you eat one potato chip, you can’t stop there. So instead of spending 30-45 minutes enjoying the outdoors (which would be a reasonable accommodation), I succumb to staying until the heat or my bladder drive me inside. It’s like there is no medium.

So, Wednesday morning after eating breakfast on the patio, which we enjoy whenever we can, (Food just tastes better outside.), I came in when Bob got up to go in to shower to get ready for work. (I’m not sure what will happen if he ever retires and doesn’t have some place to go.)

I picked up around the house. We had an ADT guy coming to fix our battery.  I had freaked over the weekend when I got a call saying I had a low battery. Well, I didn’t listen to the whole message and thought I had to replace it. Bob was out of town, and I didn’t see how I could stay by myself without the security system on with a storm coming and the likelihood of losing power. (This was a backup battery.)IMG_5378

So, I got on line and tried to figure out what to do. Not successful. My SIL came by to drop off Sarah. He got the thing open and pulled out the battery. I took the battery to Battery’s Plus. They said it would take an hour to make one, but the storms were coming, so Sarah & I came back to the lakehouse. The storms that hit poor Canton, missed us entirely, so we went back and got the battery. I pushed it into place, but was never able to connect the little thingy. The story goes on, but bottom line, I had to schedule ADT to come fix it.IMG_5377

The reason I had to pick up before the ADT guy came was because of the garage. Or the lack thereof. I’ll have to do a post on the saga of the garage. It’s too long a story to add here. Just leave it that we have a temporary fence which blocks off the main entrance to the house and everyone must (for some reason, the grammar check just doesn’t like “has to.” It always marks it and suggests “must.” They don’t really have the same meaning to me. ) come through the door in our bedroom.

This door was a lifesaver when I was recovering from the broken ankle last summer. I wouldn’t have been able to negotiate the stairs at the other two entrances.

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So, because I’m a rule follower, I came inside Wednesday morning, wrote this meandering blog, when I really wanted to be outside enjoying the mild weather.

Does this rule hold sway over your life? Had you ever heard of it? What kinds of deals do you make with yourself to get your work done? What about “has to” and “must”? Do they have the same meaning to you? Love to hear from you.

UPDATES:

TRUTH BE TOLD has gone off to the formatter.

Gifts of Women Sermon is mostly done. I’m just messaging it a bit.

ACT OF BETRAYAL is next in line to be finished. The good thing is I know how to fix it.😊 Still shooting for a fall or earlier release.

Book Signing at the McKinney Book Festival at McKinney Square on Saturday, June 3. I’ll have copies of all my released books. Hope you can join me and other Texas Authors.

I really appreciated hearing from so many of you after you received my May newsletter. Glad you’re enjoying reading it.

Please sign up for my Newsletter http://eepurl.com/bBcimz , contact me at marsha@marsharwest.com , and follow me on my social media sites.

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12 responses to “Grandma’s Rule”

  1. Hey, Marsha – I’ve never heard it called that but it’s appropriately evocative, at least for those of us of a certain age whose grandparents toiled through the Great Depression. We are fortunate, indeed. Best to you & Bob.

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    • Hey, Deb. Yes, I heard it from my mother and my grandmother and then I think I’ve heard it referenced in some inservices dealing with leadership. You are so right; we are indeed fortunate. Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ve signed up for y’all’s blog, but I don’t think I get emails about it. I usually see something on FB. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

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  2. This rule of work first, play later has no hold on me (especially at our age and retired) and I am glad that it doesn’t. If I have something fun to do, there’s no way I’m going to miss out. I’ll adjust my writing schedule. I’ve been having a fun week and wrote only on Monday. I’m going away today, but will write in the car there and back.

    I love your front and back entrance ways. My advice…Stay outside, drink your coffee, admire your view, and count your blessings. I guarantee your writing will still be waiting for you when you decide to go back in.

    Have a wonderful day, Marsha! 🙂 I always enjoy your blogs.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hey, Susan. I think you live a more balanced life than I do. Not as bound by should’s as I am. Actually, I’m better than I used to be, which tells you something about how hidebound I was as a young woman. LOL Thanks so much for your kind words, Susan. I really appreciate you stopping by so faithfully and commenting. 🙂

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  3. Work first, play later. I guess I’ve heard that rule before, but it doesn’t apply to me much anymore what with being retired. In fact, at this moment I am enjoying reading your blog instead of washing the floors. This will really be work, since we’ve been gone six months. I have put it off nearly 2 weeks, but with company coming for dinner tomorrow, I suppose I’d best git ‘er done. I think the adage, take time to enjoy the roses definitely trumps Grandma’s rule especially at this time in my life. The work will be there always, but a beautiful morning should be relished. Eventually, when I can’t look at the job ahead of me, and I can’t stand it anymore, I’ll do it. Hope you have a delightful day of lots of play AND a little work!! wink wink

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    • Hey, JQ. You and Susan are like-minded. I “should” re-think my priorities, I guess. Mopping the floors is not a chore I’d want to attack. Blessings on you. I sat outside yesterday afternoon after the Gym trying to cool off, but the 35 mph wind drove me back inside. The winds have just been crazy here for the last 5 days. Will definitely play this afternoon. Going to Mayfest to see my youngest granddaughter dance. Many years of taking her mother there to dance so it will bring fond memories. Thanks so much for stopping and commenting. Hope the mopping goes speedily. 🙂

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    • Hey, Lazara. I so get it. When my husband was in law school, he’d actually clean off his desk to put off studying. Now I can’t get him to clean off his desk. He’s too busy. LOL I’ve done that too. We always have “stuff” to do and I usually leave the most offensive to the last. For me, that’s filing. I’ll end up with a stack 6-8 inches high and it’s beginning to topple before I break down and file. Not sure why I hate that so much. I like everything having a place and getting it there….just no telling. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. 🙂

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