musings

Boredom Week Day 1

Last week I declared this coming week a No Screens week. We’ve had a couple of heavy weeks and I felt we needed a healthy break. The boys weren’t really upset by the idea but that probably had a bit to do with it being an announcement versus a punishment. I’m even being more prudent with my computer usage this week.

Today Boy 1 spent about 30 minutes taking the temperature of various things around the house using Grandpa’s new instant read thermometer. My favorite was the “in the freezer under the ice packs” which measured negative 1.

Boy 2 built a lego game. Then he built a lego version of a computer game that is too hard for him to play but he finds funny Super Meat Boy. Now I have a Lego Super Meat Boy running a lego level of the game rescuing his tiny lego Bandage Girl.

Bonuses for me on this day of no screens:

More discussions granted they were about what the Easter Bunny might bring but we were still talking to each other instead of arguing over who bumped who in Mario Kart.

More imagination. I hit the big highlights but you turn off the TV and the imagination can’t help but burst forth. There is such quiet joy in watching what they will come up with using just imagination.

Bedtime was painless. After weeks of awful bedtimes tonight went well. We all got the night chores done (animals in, fed, watered), both boys were bathed, books were read (Boy 2 actually fell asleep while reading) and I just quietly tucked in Boy 1.

Author name:: Bobbi
Publish date:: March 28th, 2011

Groove of Consciousness

You see I’ve gotten into a groove. It is a comfortable groove so I’m not really feeling a need to rock the boat. While in this groove, I have had some time to think about where I want to focus my time.

Time.

I never seem to have enough of it to go around and that has me thinking that I’m spread a little thin. Most people not really knowing my day to day activities would wonder just what has consumed my time. Lately it has been home projects. Raising rabbits requires me to be present of mind and body. My animal projects eat up time quickly. When you top them with the boys’ needs and the fact that tax season has been difficult. Well you get me in my comfortable groove just trying to roll along and ignoring the racking up of hours.

91 hours.

In one week alone. Is it any wonder why I am not inclined to take on more at the moment? I didn’t even really see my husband that week. And on the flipside I didn’t ever NOT see my children. They are a little sick of me I think. Turns out there is such a thing as too much mama. We’re all feeling a little fatigued of each other but trying to remember to breathe.

Fading.

I feel a portion of my life is fading from existence. And I’ve found I have to ask if that makes me sad or relieved. I miss certain people that I used to see more often but back again to time – I simply lack enough hours to make specific plans with so many individual people.

Community

In some ways I think that on a whole my community is altering. My children’s community is altering with the addition of the HSAP activities and 4H. And yet I still feel separated. By my life in the country. By my lack of church home. By the distance between my child and potential friends.

Tweens

We’re cresting that place where children seem to take a turn towards the dark side. It is so frustrating to see my boy dismissed by a 12 yr old because he’s 9. He only said hi. He just wanted a hello in return. I know your mama wouldn’t like the way you just acted. I don’t like the way you acted. Why is it that simply being kind is so damn hard for tween and teens?

Generalizing.

Yes I know I just generalized and that is a no-no.

Back to my groove.

It’s comfortable here. I think I’ll stay a bit longer.

Author name:: Bobbi
Publish date:: March 16th, 2011

Of course

Just when I mentally decide to blog again my computer starts having issues.
And my camera batteries run out of power.
Then my calendar has one of those super busy weeks where I just try to get to the end of the week.

But you know what?

While I’m not blogging or tweeting or meandering around the internet I’m busy living. So I guess that is a WIN!

Things we did this last week in no particular order:

Cleaned up a few piles around the farm.
Cuddled baby bunnies.
Checked the new chickens
Snuggled under blankets when it got chilly again.
Saw friends back from vacation.
Played piano.
Sewed up a simple skirt.
Visited friends for one of those refreshing short visits.
Watered thirsty animals.
Cooked and cooked some more.
Read books.
Sang songs.
Washed laundry. Dried laundry. Folded laundry. Repeated several times.
Gathered eggs.
Breathed in the crisp air on a star filled night.

Author name:: Bobbi
Publish date:: February 27th, 2011