It's Okay

I am still fighting a bug. It's cold and rainy outside. I turned the heat on for a little while this morning. And today is May 15?

The productive few days we enjoyed a week or so ago have ground to a halt. All I have wanted to do this week is sleep. And I have been able to do a little more of that than usual, as some of my regular commitments are coming to an end. But there is still much to do in the way of yardwork, gardening, house chores, and schoolwork. I am so glad we aren't planning for any big trips this summer!

Tonight I am driving a couple of hours south to visit Elephant's Child and try to make a little cash by selling some books at a homeschool book sale in her neighborhood. Okay, okay--so I don't really care about the cash. I just want to see my friends. (Susan's coming, too.)

Due to being sick I haven't been following the news very closely the last few days. (Although I did see Nancy Pelosi's sweaty, squirmy, "let me read to you again from my statement" press conference yesterday, and boy, was that fun. But I digress.) A few days ago the Concordian Sisters linked to this post from Heart of My Husband. The author wraps up with an "It's okay" list for parents and encourages commenters to add to the list or create their own. I loved reading everyone's "It's 0kay" thoughts and this was an easy way to throw up a last minute blog post before hitting the road, so here for your consideration is my own "It's Okay" list:

It's okay . . .

. . . to let your 5-year-old have a grape juice popsicle for breakfast.

. . . not to save every last one of your children's artistic creations.

. . . to drink raw milk.

. . . to breastfeed.

. . . to not breastfeed.

. . . to give your child immunizations.

. . . to not give your child immunizations.

. . . to have a whole bunch of children, no children, or any number in between.

. . . to have plastic surgery if you can afford it. (I can't.)

. . . to color your hair. (I don't, but I might someday!)

. . . to treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or massage. (I have never gotten any of these, but wouldn't be opposed to the idea!)

. . . to let your kids play video games for more than 15 minutes a day.

. . . to not finish a book you started.

. . . to not keep up with everything your children are learning/reading/doing in home school.

. . . to not buy Girl Scout cookies (or other fundraising items).

. . . to shop at Wal-mart.

. . . to buy a piano that was made in China.

. . . to say no to whatever charity is asking for donations at the grocery store or main intersection in your town.

. . . to throw away a recyclable.

. . . to pay extra for good coffee.

. . . to splurge on a vacation even if it means some more practical things will have to wait until later.

. . . to treat yourself to a real Coke once in a while.

. . . to have pie for breakfast.

. . . to let your children eat hot dogs, Kraft macaroni & cheese, fish sticks, frozen pizzas, frozen waffles, and boxed cereal.

. . . to go two weeks without mopping, vacuuming, dusting, or washing the sheets.

. . . to climb into bed with a 5-year-old who is having trouble sleeping rather than telling him he needs to sleep by himself because he's a big boy.

. . . to pick and choose which of your children's misbehaviors you want to make an issue out of because you can't possibly police them all.

. . . to listen to Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.

. . . to be a Republican.

. . . to live in the suburbs.

Any others?