Another Change

I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since I posted my last blog!

Since Labour Day weekend I have been madly running off in all directions as I transition to a new position.

About twelve years ago I launched my own bookkeeping business. It was just in my own name but I always thought of it as “Best Bookkeeping”, after all I was the owner and bookkeeper! I was thrilled when I got my first client and happily posted debits and credits, invoices and payments. New clients came along. My little business boomed and thrived.

But the day comes when it is time to make a change. I need variety in my life. And, although change is usually difficult, even when it’s good change, it was time for me to make a change. And so, I have been closing up my bookkeeping shop – trying to help my clients accept the change and encourage them to look happily for the next person who will take good care of their business’ financial information.

Change – it’s what I live in the midst of. Everyday. The Change – capital “C”. Not to mention all the changes bouncing off my life in every direction. From this major career change to changes in family to changes of season and changes in relationships and … I could go on, but you get the idea. I expect many of you are also drifting on the sea of change.

So, I do apologize for taking so long between posts. One great thing about my new position is that I’ll be working from home! That means I should be able to post more often, as long as you don’t tell my boss… 🙂

Let’s journey together.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble

Hurrah, It's a Long Weekend!

It’s Labour Day weekend in Ontario this weekend. Oh, no! Not that kind of labour. At least, I don’t think there will be a baby boom this Monday.

Basically nowadays, it’s a long weekend, Monday off work-the last “hurrah”, so to speak, before back to the regular routine of work and school. I hope I can enjoy it.

Last night I slept terribly, kept awake by almost continuous waves of hot flashes and itchy back, and arms, and legs, and feet. And, yes, I do shower regularly. So, today I’m tired and headachy and just don’t feel like getting ready and going to work and doing my errands and…. Well, you know how it is, bed just sounds like the place to be this morning.

So, I guess I’ll just drag myself through this day and dream of the long weekend-the last of the summer…

Blue summer skies
Floating wispy clouds
Gentle sweet smelling breezes
My own familiar porch
No work, no stress
No discomfort
Soft pillows
A good book to read
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Sweet ice tea
Warm and comfy
Meals prepared and served
All housework done to perfection
All laundry done-even the ironing
All bills paid
Bank account overflowing
Uninterrupted dreamless sleep

Oh, I’m sorry, I must have drifted off. What was I saying…?
I remember, it’s a long weekend this weekend. An extra day to relax
or play
or visit
or get ready for school
or work at home
or just plain sit and be.
Don’t you just love it?

Let’s journey together.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble

A Peaceful Respite

I’m at peace today.

It’s a welcome respite from hot flash attacks and parental concerns. A cease-fire in the midst of midlife battle—the battle for my sanity, my minutes, my equilibrium.

I celebrate this peace today—a mind clear from fog, anxiety and memory relapse. No call from sad parent or troubled child disturbs this tranquility.

I take in the beauty of an endless canvas; myriad shades of white and gray and blue swirled into sky by the Master Artist. I breathe in the warm August air and smell the lateness of the summer. Song of bumblebee and twittering goldfinch add to my peace of mind. Grass, rich in colour and nourished to the full tickles my toes. Refreshing cool water quenches my summer thirst.

As if in a dream I float through this day—peaceful, light, grateful, blessed.

Let’s journey together.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble

Makeup Quandary

“I’m coming!”

Gee, you’d think my hubby was deaf or something. That’ll be the third time I’ve told him that I’m coming.

Yes, I know we’re running a tad behind but I’m doing the best I can. You just can’t hurry some things. It’s my makeup you see—I’m trying to put it on, but…well…I was running behind, so I was hurrying to get ready. Now I’m finally down to the makeup. Then it happened—hot flash attack! The heat radiated from the middle of me to the outer edges of me and the steam came out the pores on my face resulting in facial dampness. Okay, maybe “drips” is a better term.

I tried drying my face with a towel. But by the time I put the towel back on the rack and picked up my eye shadow brush my face was wet again. Have you ever attempted to apply eye shadow and blush to a wet surface?

If I could just wait it out…

“Yes, I know what time it is. I’ll be there in a minute!”

Well, I guess I’ll start with lipstick. At least that surface is supposed to be wet.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble

Little Flower Garden

I stayed in the house far too much yesterday. I have something that needs to be done really soon, so I stayed in to work on it. As I began making a late supper I realized I had almost entirely missed a glorious summer’s day. So, I picked up my camera and went outside to enjoy the waning of the day.

Our little flower garden drew me, as it always does. Bobbing heads and colours mingling with the sundry shades of green.

Each flower so different.

Each flower so detailed.

Intricate patterns painted on such a fragile canvas.

Multitudinous petals fashioned to make one little flower head clustering with many others to form a soft carpet of beauty.

Sturdy stalks display familiar orange tiger lilies – familiar, yet far from common.

Bright sunny yellows, sunset orange, fragile white and pink, deep reds and soft lavender – these colours fill my senses.

Such creativity in these few flowers, such diversity of shape and colour and size and design. So lovely. So fleeting.

If God grants such detailing and beauty to a wee flower whose lifespan is measured in days, surely He grants the same to us.

Creativity, beauty, intricate detailing and careful planning have gone into our design.

Some days we may feel like a design run amuck. but we have a Creator who made us with love and cares for us with understanding and compassion. Regardless of how we feel, in His eyes we are precious. We are beautiful.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble

Sister's Day

It is fitting that my foray into blogging begins today.

Today, the first Sunday in August, is Sister’s Day.

Dictionary.com defines sister as “a female having the same parents as another”. This is certainly true of me as I do have siblings. But one of the other definitions defines all women in midlife, “a female fellow member of any group”.

Women in midlife are undoubtedly in a group of their own. Filled with many changes and challenges it is doubtful many of us choose to go through midlife, but journey through it we must. We are not a small group. Over 45 million women in North America are between the ages of 45 and 54.

We can take comfort in the fact that we are not going through this time in our lives alone, however, we are often reluctant to talk about the things that are bothering us. From hot flashes and fuzzy brain to children leaving for higher education and parents aging and declining before our eyes, changes in body, mind and soul keep us spinning.

We don’t have to do this alone, so let’s not. Come back often and visit me. I’ll put the kettle on and we’ll chat.

Let’s journey together.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble