Rules

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Today I was thankful for self-imposed rules. The background is that I make up rules for myself all the time. A basic one is I must not leave my bed unmade when I head to the kitchen. A friend used to laugh at my rules for walking to the creek. I think I waved to every vehicle until I got to the stop sign, and then I acknowledged only those cars coming toward me. That one is no longer in effect, since I only go to the stop sign now. Everyone gets a smile and a wave.

Today I began cleaning all the stones lining the pathway in the garden. Those defining stones were placed by the original owners about 20 years ago. Some have tried to bury themselves in dirt and roots. Within the first five minutes, I made the rule that I had to return to full upright position (like an airplane seat) if I moved my feet. It was easier to remain bent over, but it was not in the best interest of my whole body. BODY thanked me at the porch steps by walking proudly into the house.

Stones between the pergola and solar fire bowl have now been unearthed and somewhat dusted off.

Do you have personal rules that you make yourself obey?

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Published by Anne Mehrling

I'm a retiree who loves to write about life in the mountains of North Carolina.

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28 thoughts on “Rules”

  1. I have hundreds of them! Like never go to bed with dishes in the rack and always wipe down the shower after a shower. I am a stickler for rules, especially for me!

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  2. I have rules for myself, and I allow grace for those times I do not choose to follow them! While I typically load the dishwasher throughout the day and run it as I ready for bed, after a meal where Randy has cooked and there are more dirty dishes than usual, or we have had company, I give myself permission to do them the next morning…because “I don’t wanna clean the kitchen tonight, I’m tired!”

    I do agree the standing straight up is better for you (and all of us) rather than staying bent over. More and more, I take a bucket turned upside down or a short stool and sit when I pull weeds.

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  3. I feed the cats first thing! That is their rule, not mine but I have enough of my own. I don’t like clutter so I clean up after every meal or snack. If I see something on the floor I pick it up. I don’t wait until I vacuum. The most important is that if I’m tired, I nap.

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  5. I have rules as well like making the bed everyday, and having a clean floor which is why I vacuum every day sometime twice a day. I also have a rule when it comes to housework that is don’t think of things do them.

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  7. My current rules:
    1. Wave to anyone that passes by when getting the mail.
    2. Check the garden every day to get rid of the Japanese Beatles and hornworms.
    3. Check the garden for things that are ready to harvest.
    4. See if the sunset is visible.
    5. Watch the fireflies unless it is raining.
    6. Make sure the hummingbird feeder is properly take care of.
    7. Take time to enjoy the church bells.
    8. Take time to listen to all the bird songs.
    9. If I start to feel too hot, go inside to cool off and get hydrated.
    10. Weed tall garden beds as I walk around them looking for pests and produce.
    11. Sit down to weed low gardens.
    Now that I am almost fully recovered from my surgery, I am getting back into my housework routines.
    1. Make the bed. It feels good to start the day with a task completed.
    2. Clean the bathrooms once a week.
    3. Put the dishes in the dishwasher after meals.
    4. Vacuum at least once to three times a week.
    5. Try, try to remember to remove shoes after walking around in the yard. Removing shoes reduces how many times vacuuming is required.
    6. Dust at least once a week.
    7. Laundry when the clothes holders are full.

    Most of the housework rules can go out the window when I work really hard outside.

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    1. Wow! You have the longest list! My list might be long, but I’ve never written down as many as I can remember. If I were ever bored, I could spend an hour or so writing my rules down. It’s not likely to happen.

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  8. Well, I used to make my bed every morning, but you may recall my story about the teddy bears I collected – I had the biggest teddy bears sitting on the bed, so after I started my walking regimen, since I was still working at the time, I told myself “I’ll make my bed when I get home, while I’m having coffee and a snack.” I was easily distracted at the Park, stayed out longer – it never got done. Sadly, I rarely make my bed in the morning, not with the bedspread, nor bears, I just pull up the comforter. Lame!

    When my canary had a stroke and he couldn’t get off the floor, I called Marge and asked if she could drive me to the vet to have him euthanized. I didn’t trust myself driving as I was so upset. So, when I called her, she said “I’ll grab my coat and pull into your driveway in five minutes – be ready to run out with Buddy.” She was there five minutes later, just as she said. I was preoccupied and crying enroute to the vet and as we were driving along, suddenly she felt her ears and found them bare … she turned to me with a shocked look on her face and said “I have never left the house without wearing earrings and lipstick since I started wearing both … I did put on lipstick didn’t I?” Comic relief on a sad morning (for me anyway as she was shocked and upset about this ….)

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      1. Yes, she was aghast that she didn’t have on earrings … it did break up the day when she told me that. That’s good that you feel the same way. When I worked, I was quite regimented and in the Summer I used to hand water and weed every morning before I got ready for work and I caught the bus at 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. just around the corner from my house. I was always happy when it rained overnight or in the morning. I laid my clothes, accessories out the night before and I had my routine down to an art. In the Wintertime, I ran the car and shoveled in the dark and caught the same bus, sometimes an earlier bus because buses often broke down on heavy snow days.

        Now, no matter where I am going, whether an appointment or to a park, I tell myself what time I want to leave and I never leave at that time, always later – how far I have fallen!

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  10. Yes I do. I hate seeing dirty dishes in the sink. I fix my bed before going out of the room. The house should always be clean every day. I sweep the yard every day to…there are so many more. Inspired by your post Anne🌿🍂

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  12. I have the same rule, bed is made as I get out of it. At least my side if my husband hasn’t decided to get up yet (which is most of the time!!). He has to finish, and he always does. The kitchen has to be clean before I leave the house, and before going to bed.

    Like your friend Julia, I have to take a moment every morning to enjoy nature, the dawn light, sunrise over the mountains, the avian choir, a hot cup of coffee, and breathe.

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