school night.
It began as yet another boring parent meeting. I read all the emails. I know what’s going on. We sign the forms and turn them in. No need to remind me. I hate hearing the story for the fifth time…. I *got* this. But … I also get it. Parents, by default, are busy. The
tired. oh so tired.
So, so tired. I think I might possibly be getting enough sleep at the moment. With Rob gone, things are bit quieter around here, and I seem to be able to sleep a bit more. But not enough to make me feel rested. I really need a bit of downtime. Time when I’m home (or
midlife crisis — interrupted.
This past year, things got real. Really real. Life got hard. Not braces complicated (though we had that) or college choice hard (we had that too). I had spent the previous few years recovering from homeschooling. I was getting my life and family and work organized. I was starting to find time for connecting with
rediscovering books.
Don’t get me wrong. Books have always been central to my life. After grad school, I could only read fluff. My head was filled, no room for anything else. While pregnant with Camille, I read everything I could get my hands on about childbirth and babies. Once Camille was born, my reading was all about
happiness project: volunteering + misc (may)
Thrive, Project 46, and the monthly projects in my Happiness Project … so many projects! In reality, they are all facets of the same project, guiding me to finish or give up old projects and move forward on the ones that are most important to me. April’s main theme was Cooking/Creations. At the moment, I
birthday tea.
Not the best photo in the world. Unless you are me. Then it means the world. Sure the lighting could have been better. The depth-of-field. And so on. But this photo is one that means the world to me…..
parent of an adult!
The day has come. My eldest child is no longer a “child” but an adult. Of course, she’s still in high school and lives at home. We’re still looking at 4.5 years or more of supporting her, so she’s still a dependent. But she’s an adult. She can vote. She can get a tattoo. I’m
back to school.
After an action-packed summer, the girls started back-to-school yesterday. For the first time ever, the girls are in the same school and Chloe has teachers that had Camille as a student. I think in some ways, the girls are happy to get back to their routines, friends, and studies. As for me, I’m hoping the
summer travels.
Summer. The time for our big family trips. We’ve made some memories on our travels – camping in Evie on the Out West trip. Living in Galway for three weeks on the Irish summer. Turkey, Japan, St. John, Cape Cod, and more. Unless by some miracle the stars align next summer and we finally get
happiness project: volunteering + misc (may)
Create, Project 45, and the monthly projects in my Happiness Project … so many projects! In reality, they are all facets of the same project, guiding me to finish or give up old projects and move forward on the ones that are most important to me. April’s main theme was Cooking/Creations. I subscribed to a
happiness project monthly breakdown: volunteer (may)
May is the “Volunteer” month in my Happiness Project. In 2014 and 2015, I primarily reviewed my current commitments. During the month of May, I assess how I want to move forward with my “disaster” volunteering and what online or in person classes I might want to take over the coming year. I also work
normal? or disaster?
In the week preceding my trip to Cannes, I kept a close eye on the weather. The chance of rain for the weekend increased and increased, making me think that I was not going to get to do the things I had planned to do while in Cannes. I consoled myself with the fact that
volunteering: decatur book festival
Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The two big festival weekends in Decatur. Our street, Ponce, is shut down and festival tents are raised. And I volunteer. In May, art. In September, books. It’s hot. I don’t have all the answers. I wear myself out. I look ridiculous in the “uniform”. But I love
above and beyond? or overstepping?
We’ve been walking that fine line in many places recently. When do we react and step out or when do we just let things go? It is such a difficult line to navigate, and the answer is not ever clear. Camille has been walking the line with her new job — she’s been hired but
chloe’s flute recital
Last spring, Chloe had a notion to start playing flute and join the middle school band. A kid wanting to take up a musical instrument? Great! And one that we already own (even if it is an old school flute from the 80’s)? Doubly great! The problem? Band at the middle school is a full
going home.
Why does so much time pass? Why have I not made more of an effort? Finally, after a long time of not visiting, Rob, Chloe and I went home. Home to our beloved Pine Lake. We love living in Decatur. The kids are happy in school here. We enjoy walking to stores, restaurants, the library,
volunteering: red cross
I haven’t said a work about the red cross for months. One might think that I’ve quit in my goal to volunteer there. But, no, I have been heading over to the chapter at least once a week for almost a year now. Despite some upheavals at the Red Cross, I’ve found a nice little
waylaid.
I’ve had one of the best weeks ever. Work has been awesome. I’ve been productive and been handed a project that really appeals to me (and even uses my mad Python skillz). I’ve volunteered, hiked, gone to a neighborhood association meeting. I’ve cooked and prepared for a camping trip. Until today. I had worked extra
sur la table.
While it was not a goal of my current portion of my Happiness Project, it is a lovely side consequence. Though we bought a simple table and chairs to replace my beloved mission table (now living with a friend), we hadn’t eaten at the table much since we moved to Decatur. I didn’t have the
christmas planning.
Someone asked me the other day if the Christmas panic had reached me yet. For the first time in a decade or longer, the answer was “No. I’m on top of it.” And I plan to keep it that way. What has made this holiday season the least stressful one that I’ve had in recent
GBK Gwyneth
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