EKjourney Backup

The Winter Slump happens every year for me.  I am ready for longer days, I am ready for warmer weather and bright sun, I am ready to putter outside without it being soggy, and mostly I just need an adventure.  I need to get away, I need to hike, I need to see something new, I need some excitement.   I wouldn't say this year is particularly bad, the wide open spaces of country living give me so much to look at and moving and remodeling has been its own sort of adventure.  The weather has been mild and not as wet as usual.  The frogs have begun their chorus and the Redwing Blackbirds and chirping birds are beginning to fill the air with song...it feels like the cusp of Spring.  But, still, I long to get away from the every day and see something new and do something different.   It has been a hard year.  Not a bad year but a hard one.  So many life changes are hard to get used to.  And so very busy.  I miss Phil.  His po...

Perhaps this sounds a little weird but I banished the children from the living room.  I was craving a space that stayed lovely without the constant reminders to put away toys, jackets, pencils and other school supplies away, to straighten out the carpet, or put the pillows back where they go...things that I do with all other rooms in the house.  I wanted to walk into a room and have everything in its place, all the time, so I could enjoy the room and not get distracted by the clutter.  With a remodel, comes mess all.the.time.  I am loving just going into the living room with my tea or a coffee and just admiring the art on the walls and the way the room is put together.  Even if I don't have time to sit and enjoy, I can take a minute or two break to just be in a place of physical peace.  That feels good to my soul. With the narrowness of the living groom which transitions to the oversized dining area, we are left with a large entry way space that is not ver...

Last Friday, Phil had a minor accident.  It was minor in that no one was hurt and there was minimal damage done to the other vehicles.  It did however, total our van.  We are currently looking for a commuter car with good gas mileage that Phil can take to work.   Fortunately, Phil has been able to get a ride to work from a coworker that lives near by.  He has had to be out at the end of the driveway by 6:15.  It has been nice because with my insomnia issues, I have been getting up around 7:30 (because I seem to nap between 5-7:30 after being awake between 2-5).  It has been nice to spend a few minutes walking out together, for me to have a little exercise first thing in the morning, and to have quiet time in the morning before the children wake up.  Cloud watching... In the studio: The children are working on their oil pastel paintings. I had 3 evenings this week to work on felting!  Tuesday and Thursday, Phil has supervision duties and ...

We eased back into the norm with a 4 day week and no outside obligations and I appreciated the slow start.  Week 2 was back in full force with science club and piano lessons on Monday.  Basketball duty for Phil on Tuesday.  We all went, even me.  I told him I was desperate enough to spend time with him that I was willing to go to a high school basketball game.  I am not sure I went to those even when I was in high school.  It was fun though and we got a car ride in and back and got to sit together.  Awanas on Wednesday.  Art lessons on Thursday.  Today is a free day, meaning we get to just stay home. As always, beautiful views.  It was overcast and raining quite a bit so these are just some glimpses between storms. Sunset Out the North window Another rainbow right in our yard! Sunlit hillside Science club at the Mulkey's house learning about moss and lichens. Jubilee could not be happier! 6 little boys ages 6-8 running around, they also ...