Maman is in town. Ever so briefly, but I’ll take what I can get.

In between Gpa Estate stuff, I whisked her away on mini breaks. Like coffee. And Kroger. Because Krogering is always a good mini break idea, right?

When I’m with Maman, I am present, much more so than when I’m not with her.

I’m not sure if this partly is just Maman being Maman and her energy, or partly that I cherish our time together more and more. Especially since we’re 500 miles away from each other.

At times, on the weekends, I can get caught up in what has to be done. Except the thing is, nothing really has to be done. Unless I want it to.

When I woke up this morning, I immediately started jotting down my list of what {I thought} needed to happen. Mostly these were all boring things.

Such as laundry, and clean the basement. I’ve had this idea in my head now for the past three weeks — since we moved in that cleaning the basement must happen. Like as in critical to my survival.

Don’t ask me why — it’s just the conclusion I came to. But like so many of my conclusions — once I stop to actually think and reflect on them — it’s just another made up thought.

I’m super good at that. This whole making up of tasks and itemized to-do’s that typically add nothing but a sense of panic.

Being with Maman, I threw caution, and the mop, to the wind. F IT.

Laundry. Yep, can definitely wait. Scrubbing the kitchen floor? Um. I’m psychotic and have probs — just did that last Sunday. And as far as this cleaning the damn basement.

Forget it. I’m doing just fine with dust bunnies and haphazard cobwebs as is.

Life is not a perfect mosaic. I like to think of it more as mis-matched tiles. Some that are bright and vibrant, others that are a little chipped in the corners and dark.

Yet placed together, it all blends in beautifully. Effortlessly.

This is what I am aiming for. Less of the perfect and the hyper clean. More of the contrast.