Progress

Dad's birthday is this week, he turns 84. As is our family tradition, that means a dinner all together, this time at my house. This has been both useful and stressful to me, but I knew it would be when I made the offer.

This event has forced me to deal with the drying flowers strewn across the dining room table. Much like the family documents, they are moved and sorted but not in a final spot. "Progress, not perfection," a wise man once advised me. Some days, progress is enough.

Meanwhile, in the midst of dealing with the dining room, Yule decorations are going up. The tree is in and dressed; the mantle likewise. The sideboard in the dining room has been gussied up and the table draped in the sparkly red, gold and green plaid cloth. The table has even been set for dinner. Once the cloth for the bar is out of the dryer, it will be replaced and the vignette that goes there will be set in place.

Dinner preparations began yesterday with shopping and pre-cooking some ingredients. Now that I've finished my coffee, it's time to chop herbs and gather ingredients - I'm a big fan of mise en place, probably a reflection of my tendency toward order and a touch of OCD.

As I wandered the grocery store yesterday, encountering the same folks aisle after aisle and sharing a chuckle and an "I know I've forgotten something" I came home to realize that of course I did. So at some point I'll run out to get the half & half for coffee and a fresh bottle of milk.  I will try hard to let go of the idea that I might possibly have time to put up the porch garlands and lights, or refill the bird feeders before guests arrive.  I will accept what I can get done, and I will remind myself that it is enough.

It is progress. It doesn't need to be perfect.