It's all part of the plan

Special Agent Oso is the spy-in-training in a new Playhouse Disney cartoon that's a big hit at our house (think James Bond for preschoolers). Oso, a bear, helps little kids learn things like making a salad, saving energy, packing for the beach, or getting dressed by themselves.

Part of the plot is that Oso will forget how to do something during his own training exercise, like how to point the remote control that opens the secret tunnel. Then "paw pilot" will alert him to a mission to help kids. Today's episode is "Octo-Puzzle," where he helps a boy put together an octopus-shaped puzzle. Three special steps is all it takes for the child to learn the task. We especially like that the kids and the parents often appear to be of different ethnicities.

Inevitably, Oso's jet pack will go off at the wrong time, or the faucet will blast water — he'll end up on the ground or with water all over him. "It's all part of the plan...more ore less," he says, picking himself off and getting on with the mission.

This positive reaction to problems fits perfectly with one of my 2009 goals: become a "recovering perfectionist." This was a challenge from my director, who says she's been working on it for years.

With all the crazy things that have happened in our family in the past 18 months, I am indeed learning to roll with things.

Adopt a toddler? No sweat, I don't need to watch real James Bond movies anymore and dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets taste OK.

Husband battling cancer? Not so good...but let's get 'er done. Just tell me what medicine he needs and when to give it.

Economic downturn affecting take-home pay and the state budget cuts causing angst? Deep breath and develop a plan (or at least clip more coupons).

Brother-in-law coming to live with us for a new job in the Tri-Cities? Hey, he's a guy, the guest room doesn't need to be perfect, and let him mow the lawn (woo hoo!).

A horde of family and friends coming tomorrow to our house, which isn't what I consider to be clean and organized? Oh well, they love us the way we are. Just clear off the table so we can eat.

Obviously, some of these things are harder than others. Certainly some are more serious. But I have definitely loosened up since Niranjana came to live with us in September 2007. Now I worry that sometimes I'm rolling with things a little too much. I don't want to be the "hippie mom."

But all things considered, I'm happier at home as a "recovering perfectionist." I'm looking forward to hot weather, when I turn around to find out that my daughter has turned into a mud monster by running through the sprinklers and then rolling in the dirt. When Andy, who is approaching the end of chemo, tells me after I get home from the store that he's out of shampoo (something he hasn't needed since Christmas). When Uncle Joe calls at 6 p.m. and says we should swing by the West Richland Golf Course tonight because he has time to give us lessons.

Sigh. Smile. Move on. Hey, that's three special steps! After all, it's all part of the plan.