grace for the poor planner

i think i've shared with ya'll 

my inadequacies when it comes to executing a meal plan.

i'm compulsive & organized

& tidy

but planning ahead for my weekly menu

just never seems to make it to the top of my list.

truth be told,

i pat myself on the back for preparing hot meals for my family all week.

however, eating out is my love language after all,

as is my love for chips, salsa & cheese dip

& pizza

so on the weekends we hit the road & eat at some of our favorite

local atlanta spots.

while i cook all week

( she says while wiping her brow as if just the thought of that conjures up memories of 

slaving over the hot stove for days)

i don't actually plan what i cook all week

& 

because of my lack of a plan

i usually end up at the grocery store multiple times.

that would drive you crazy wouldn't it?

i'll probably lose a few readers after that confession...

actually in true ADD form

that reminds me that i must tell you

everyone

i do mean everyone

in my home

sans moi

(might have something to do with my passion for cheese dip & pizza)

has lost weight.

thankyouverymuch

& is looking good!

we're all trying to make better choices so my dinners are usually light

grilled fish or chicken

a veggie

& a starch

but smaller portions & lighter fare.

hoorah.

( i felt i needed to tell you that just because i don't plan in advance 

doesn't mean when i do cook, i make poor choices)

ok...

so the other day i already cruised through publix to pick up my items 

necessary for one of edie's claims to fame, mexican hotdish

when after running errands , running & needing to get home to do a zillion other things

i remembered that  i needed one. more. crucial. ingredient.

i was so flustered with my "let's go to the grocery store every single day"-ness.

i drove to kroger (my publix folks would not see me twice. mkay?)

i thought to myself

"i must get a grip on this"

i thought

" i could add hours to my week if i could get my act together"

i stormed in there, all mad at myself

when lo & behold

the flower lady was putting a buggy together of marked down flowers.

i'm certain i heard the angels singing a hallelujah chorus

when i saw lavender roses....

for FOUR NINETYNINE.

last week they were $14.99.

i love photographing florals this time of year

& really love photographing lavender roses

but i didn't want to pony up the fifteen bucks.

& there 

in the midst of my grumpiness stood that same dozen

for a fraction of the price

still in all their glory.

i know i smiled. i'm sure the ladies beside me at said bargain flower buggy

might have even heard me make an audible gasp.

i placed my bargain gorgeous lavender roses in my minibuggy

and completely changed my disposition.

i honestly felt my $5 glorious flower score

was like the Lord was telling me...

"i know you are a meal plan failure, paige

but i love you

& i love that you love that i created beautiful flowers

especially the purple ones

& i know you'll return home to photograph

approximately 147 images of the purple flowers i created

&

then 

you'll bake your mexican hotdish

&

you'll probably be back at publix tomorrow...

but i love you

& i love to give you your hearts desire

especially on sale"

the end

~~

"you took our sin

you bore our shame

you rose to life

you defeated the grave.

a love like this 

the world has never known"

chris tomlin