Saturday, February 25, 2012

Breaking for Balance

Thanks for all the support and nice comments, always, but especially on the recent series about the family, DIY approach to planning and building our home.  It was fun to go back over pictures and re-live the process as I wrote.


However, not being speedy at placing pictures and honing such long entries, it look me hours for each post.  I found that I wasn't fully present in my home during that time... The night I wrote the answer to Question 1,  Prince Inventive went off to an event at church for an hour.  It was after he'd already gone to bed when I realized I hadn't noticed his return home, and had to check with his younger sibling to be sure he'd made it back.  Yikes.


That was no good, and, additionally, I'm a bit worn from all the illnesses we've been through.  I've decided I could use a break, and will be staying away from the blog through the next week.  


I have a few goals for myself.  One is that I hope my kids don't see me on the computer for that week.  When they're around, I want to give them my attention, and let them see me tending to the family and our household, and pursuing personal interests.  Here are my specific hopes for my blog break:

  • Read 1 book

  • Complete 1 sewing project

    • Complete our income tax return


      • Start Prince CuddleBunny on a new drawing and writing book

        • Try a new program (game) for math drills I've been promising the kids 





        • Join my early-risers for breakfast each morning                                                                                                                                

        • Be in bed by 10 PM each night                                                                                                                          

        • Breathe, have some quiet time, and hopefully, not only talk to God, but listen.                                                  




        Thanks!  I'll report back here by March 5th, hopefully with something good to share about the accomplishment of those goals. 
        Posted by RHome410
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        laxsupermom · 684 weeks ago

        We all need a recharge every now and then. It's been so long since I've completed a sewing project, that there's dust on my machine. Maybe I could use a break, too. ;)

        We're those people who always have our taxes done January 31st. The bank accounts are always looking a bit lean post-Christmas, and it's always nice to have that cash infusion to give us breathing room again.

        Let me know what you think of the Crockpot cookbook. I'm always looking for more crockpot recipes, because they make managing the crazy sports schedules easier. It sounds like you'll have a very full week off. Enjoy it.
        My recent post Phone Dump
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        Ellie · 684 weeks ago

        Good for you! I'm sure a break will do you good. I need to be reminded to stop DOING and just BE with my kids sometimes. Hope you have a great week!
        My recent post Barns of Benton County: Aged to Patriotic Perfection
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        Lynn · 684 weeks ago

        I love your goals for the week, Elaine, and commend you for exhibiting balance. I'm finding blogging to be very time consuming and I'm struggling with it myself. I've been approached to link up my blog with a website for women of faith over 50 years old. I'm on the fence about it because I'm not sure I should be spending so much time on the computer. My parents are struggling and I need to work. Blogging is almost like a competitive game and I'm not sure I want to play any more!! Thanks for encouraging balance. I admire your decision. And enjoy the freedom of not being compelled to post. I can't tell you the last time I read a book. I think it was a Barbara Johnson book ... have fun with your family!
        Lynn
        My recent post Founders house tour ...
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        Jane F · 684 weeks ago

        Enjoy your time off, Elaine. But seriously, you'll be exhausted from that list. Make me tired reading it! What about a lot of face-time with the kids, two of the ambitious things and a few relaxing things to pamper yourself. You deserve it! Jane
        1 reply · active 683 weeks ago
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        RHome410 71p · 683 weeks ago

        I hear you. It's proving to be a little difficult, as life is just BUSY. Truth is, the face time with the kids is a full-time thing, and I'm halfway through my 'week off' and still am not that great at it. Also, I've accomplished very little of my list. I've carried the book I intend to read around a couple of times, but haven't even cracked it yet!
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        Pat · 683 weeks ago

        Hi! I read this the other day that you'd be taking a break! I say good for you...and then you stopped by and left such sweet comments on my blog regarding Peas and the sweet pea (a.k.a.~ the new grandson)

        ...thanks for taking a moment of your break to wish all well!

        Now you get back to you break! take care and have a blessed week !

        Pat
        My recent post On the Home Front--
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        Jane F · 683 weeks ago

        I think we are all over-tasked. I certainly feel that way and some days there's so much to do it's hard to even prioritize -- when you don't the tougher (sometimes more important) stuff sits in favor of dishes, cooking or laundry. Like so many of us, I struggle to find non-interrupted time for myself each week and I must fight for it. I've seen too many women give themselves over to the family then, when the kids are all gone and want their own lives, the Moms feel invisible because they don't have something of their own. Blogs are certainly draining but they are ours and, let's face it, one less post any week isn't any kind of tragedy. OTOH, I also tend to demand a lot of myself and I'm finding I need to dial back expectations. I want to paint the table, hang the plates and the art, take things in for framing, blah blah project blah, and yet there are taxes to do, friends to see and family. And we deserve a date night (though our tend to be date lunches these days since DH is around) every so often. I do, very much believe in forgiveness, and I've decided it starts with me forgiving myself for not being perfect in terms of my goals. Guess you touch a nerve here, huh?
        My recent post Furniture of the Future
        1 reply · active 683 weeks ago
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        RHome410 71p · 683 weeks ago

        Sometimes I remind myself if Ma Ingalls didn't have to do it, I shouldn't feel guilty not doing it. Of course, she had to build fires, hand wash laundry, and hand sew floor-length dresses, so the comparison might not be quite valid... ;-)

        I have NO idea how I'd guarantee myself uninterrupted 'me' time every week, or even what I'd do with it. The rare times I am alone in the house, I have so many things I'd like to do, I can never choose. I don't know whether to accomplish one of the million tasks that could benefit from uninterrupted concentration, pamper myself in some way I don't even know of, or take a nap! It's usually like an hour, and that's not enough time for much anyway. Someday I'll miss having kids who need me, but I hope I have grandchildren to sew for, painting to do, church activities, etc. -All those things that have been waiting for me to have time. (I hope I still have the abilities) Having 8 kids was a hedge against empty nest and being lonely when I don't want to be alone. Not guaranteed, but a better bet. :-)
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        Jane F · 683 weeks ago

        I agree. Hard to know what to do with those few moments. I think concentrating on one is the most difficult since, while I'm doing that, I inevitably think of something else! Too often I end up starting 4 things and finishing nothing. Yesterday, though, I organized a jewelry drawer. I've never had enough space to do anything but dump everything together in a Ziploc. It feels very luxurious. Think I'm deciding that the little things can do it. BTW, forgot to mention my sourdough hack to you. It only makes 2 loaves as I've set it up and it's still in progress but I am happy with the results.

        Grands are wonderful. Ours aren't as close as I'd like but it's such a sweet experience everyone loves. Guess we all place our bets in different ways. I have no idea what it would be like to have such a big family. Wonderful I expect.

        I'm just about to bolt out for a "me" hour at the gym. Trying to keep up the abilities as I've seen so much illness this year.

        Hope you had wonderful time off and a productive week Elaine. Any update on the ovens?
        My recent post New Hampshire Farmhouse Kitchen

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