Trials and tribulations

It has been a few weeks since I have posted and I have to say those few weeks have not been the best. Although the kids have continued with their schooling, it has not been enjoyable. I feel I have struggled to get them to do the minimum and have gotten nowhere near the enriching parts of why we really wanted to do Waldorf in the first place.

Amelia and I really weren't enjoying Persia too much and did a few stories and a bit of history, but pretty much abandoned it after that and have moved on to Botany. I was really excited about that, but it doesn't seem to be going much better. I thought it was going to be so creative and we just haven't gotten there. I even threatened to send Amelia back to school next year if she couldn't do the few simple things I request to help the day go smoothly, such as getting up. Like I am one to speak with the schedule I have been keeping this last month. I even went so far as to look at private schools and housing nearer to them. UGH! I am sure, as I am writing this, it is all due to Mom not having her act together these last several weeks. Amelia usually falls in line if Mom has it together. Or, at least, it doesn't bother Mom so much and she is better equipped to handle Amelia's personality.

Case is prodding along with the same stuff. I can't get him to do any handwork. Even tried to have him pick out the project an he just won't do it unless I nag, nag, nag. He also gets behind in the basic stuff he is suppposed to be doing and then has to catch up over the weekend or the next week.

The newest not great thing is that Brian has been admitted to the hospital with a splenic infarct. What the $@#&!?! The outcome of that one is yet to be determined. I am here next to his hospital bed as I am writing this.

I do have to say we have had some enjoyable days interspersed in these trying times. We went out with my friend and co-worker, Ama, and her family on her boat for Memorial Day. We had a day on our own boat one day and a great evening by the pool with kayaking on the lake. Ainslee was evenable to paddle all by herself! Case is in a golf league and has had his first tournament and really enjoyed it despite being absolutely beat by the end of the 18 holes and has definately been bitten by the golf bug. He is eager to get back out on the golf course.

Couch 2 5k update

Aspirations were maybe a bit too high? That is not to say I have given up. I haven't. I am simply revamping the plan a bit as I have heard many people seem to do. The hills around here killed me that first day and then I went to MS and left my shoes at home. Then I came back and left my iphone charger in MS. Therefore no podcast to help me with the timing. I know, all excuses. I still want to do this, but I think this particular couch potato was a bit TOO out of shape to do that on these steep hills. So... my modification is starting with a nice brisk walk in the mornings. My goal is to do it every weekday morning with a minimum of 3 times a week. So far so good. It also helps me with implementing and sticking to our waldorf rhythm, my #1 goal for the year.

Runnin' down a dream - couch to 5k

So it's a line from the super bowl half-time show last night. Don't you think its appropriate? Okay... were they joking when they put the "couch" part in there? I must be one serious couch potato and just never knew it, but I DID IT! Well, sort of. I did 4 out of the seven runs. By run 4 or 5 I was spent. On run 6, Mr. Podcast man says, "you should be feeling the effects of your run, but not be feeling tired or out of breath." That was a joke, right? Because I wanted to laugh so hard but I COULDN'T BECAUSE I WAS TOO TIRED AND OUT OF BREATH!!!! So maybe week one will be week one and two? What ever happens, I'm glad I did it and will strive to continue... if I don't die first (yes, that one is a joke. I don't REALLY think there is a chance of that).

Finding the key

Today was an overall good day. The rhythm of life seems to be coming together more. The meals are a big part of it. If I can get the meals down the rest of the day seems to flow better. I have heard this plenty through Waldorf groups, but didn't really get it until now. Brian 's diet helps too. I don't have the option of going out to eat, which is actually much better for us all. If I do well providing the meals this means I have gotten out of bed early enough to get breakfast. Getting up early enough to do this helps the day flow much smoother. We are not rushing through most things. Today there came a point of time when I wasn't quite sure what to do with my time. There was plenty to do, but I didn't want to get overwhelmed and some of it just really didn't matter at that point. I made the decision that everything didn't have to be done today. Some of it could wait for tomorrow or the next day. Some of it would have had to anyway.

I started the day off with starting coffee ad fixing Alika's food and letting her out; then came shower and dressing. I was then able to fix breakfast prior to waking the kids. They ate and did their morning household work and then Case moved on to his Math on the computer. Clothes were being washed and the house was being picked up. I am considering using FLYlady and used some of the ideas I read about on her website last night. It seemed to work fairly well. It, of course, wasn't as perfect as I would truly like for it to be, but what ever is? By this time it was lunch time and I fixed up some leftover stir fry. A few more household work items and the I wasn't quite sure what to do, but somehow I kept busy. Although, at this point, I' m not really sure at what. The memory seems to have escaped me. Off to town for dinner fixing's and to the bank. Got sidetracked at Tuesday morning looking for a tablecloth to protect the table. Got home and realized dinner would not be ready for Case and Brian before they had to leave for the game. Started cooking anyway. Brian came home and was in a foul mood due to the wrecked car not being mended to his satisfaction. The dinner situation didn't help. After a while off they went to the game. Ainslee decided to fix some "soup" while I was finishing up dinner. Amelia was looking through catalogs deciding what she wanted to be for next Halloween. They sit down to eat while I clean up the "Soup" and dinner mess. Now her I am reporting about our day at the computer. Hopefully, the night will go well. I need to clean out the van for tomorrow and get the kids ready for bed Much of the house is still a bit of a mess and the clothes aren't completely done, but "after all, tomorrow is another day" and there always the next and the next and the next.

My future

I have for a very long time wanted to become a midwife. Well, several years anyway; since Ainslee was in the womb. The evolution to our natural lifestyle seems in conflict with my current position as an RN in the ER. I have enjoyed my work, but truly believe it is time to move on. Brain's business is doing well, and what we have been striving for is well in the works. In another year, I plan on actively pursuing a more natural career option. I think I shall look into the bookish part prior to next year, but first I have to finish the vaccine alternatives course I signed up for back in the fall. I shall strive to set a period of time into our rhythm to include my study for this. Off to look at how to incorporate this into everything else we want to do!