The Simple Life

I am quiet in blogland, and everyone has been so kind, asking sweetly when I will post or wondering where I've been without being at all sad or grumpy about it.  And I'm quiet because it's a quiet time for me.  I'm simplifying.  Our schedule is trimmed.  Our focus is more on the things at home.  It's been lovely these last few weeks but I can only protect it by saying no.  A lot.  We are so fortunate to have fun and entertaining opportunities pop up each week, and I'm turning them down as nicely as I can so that our schedule can be a bit more free.  I can have that cup of coffee with the friend that needs it or work an extra hour on the science project that never seems to end.  We can plan the History Fair entry or spend four hours selling Girl Scout cookies without compromising the other important things that regularly happen.  

I am not good at simplifying.  It's not a natural thing for me.  I get restless.  I want to fill up those minutes or just plan something for our downtime, but if I let it happen naturally everyone is happy.  Things get done.  Beautiful crafts are created.  Laughter abounds.  

Last weekend the kids and Papa made massive Kapla block skyscrapers in the room with the tall ceilings.  He was teetering on a chair - stacked on another chair - and Kristin was teetering on her own stack of chairs, reaching on their tiptoes for that last block.

This evening, Kaylynn made these amazing playdough foods.  They were very lifelike in a neon-green-and-pink sort of way.  Then she made dinner.  Real food.  She planned the menu and she had a hand in every pot and dish.  

Kristin is curled up on the couch, quiet as a mouse.  I'm not sure how long she's been there with her stack of library books but I went to wake her up and her bed was empty.  She giggled when I found her but didn't put the book down.

Only free time allows these moments to happen.  And now that my contracting work is basically nil, I want to have that free time too.  My body is adjusting to getting a regular amount of sleep after eight years of constant deprivation, though I still wake up in the middle of the night about three times a week.  I am working on staying away from the computer for reasonable amounts of time during the day.  And that is why the blog is silent.  I need this time to not have to be here.  I need to practice being present in the real world without the virtual world being a constant presence in my mind.  Twitter has gotten the simplicity chop - no more posts there for me.  Though my camera is clicking away, any future posts here will definitely be the pictures optional variety.  Soon the "extras" on the site like the book lists will fade away and you'll just get me.  And only occasionally.

I'm hibernating, but in a good way.  I'm putting my focus where it needs to be right now: smack in the center of home.  

Much love,

Charlotte

P.S.  The three other things I love are: holiday crafting, parties and traditions.  I have the pictures to prove it, and wonderful posts written in my head, but they are staying there for now.  It's bedtime, and I don't intend to be late.

Comments

[Angela]

I'll admit that I have been missing your posts but this latest one sure makes me smile.:) Happy Hibernation, dear friend!

[Ellen]

Sleep is good. Time spent together without rushing all over the place is good. And banana bread is good. Cuddling together on the couch and watching quirky movies is good.

[Sara]

You're unplugging! I very much enjoy your posts but am so happy that you are saying "no!"