Going away for a two week adventure was ah-mazing. We got home a day and a half ago (Tuesday night at 6:30 pm) and I'm facing the reality of long grocery lists, full laundry baskets, hundreds of pictures to organize, etc. etc. etc. It was wonderful to get away and leave all of those everyday chores alone for a while, but sitting here on the other side of that getaway, I'm feeling behind! Behind on the blog, behind on the laundry, behind on stocking the pantry, behind on the housework, behind on sleep, behind behind behind!
Yesterday, on our first day at home, I felt the behind-ness keenly and found myself rushing about the house, throwing clothes in piles and dumping out suitcases. It was go-go-go. I had the kids help clean out and vacuum the dumpster-disgusting post-road trip van. I ran around the soccer field out back for some exercise while the kids played. I made four loaves of bread. After lunch I sat down at the computer to do a blog post about our trip and hit a brick wall of utter bone-deep exhaustion. Driving across the country solo with three kids really took it out of me! I could barely drag myself through the afternoon yesterday. Time for an adjustment!
The kids really were impressively helpful and engaged with operation van-clean...maybe because we've never cleaned out the van anywhere near this thoroughly in our 2.5 years of van ownership...When it was my turn to vacuum, Jay took Amber on a wild stroller ride around the driveway to keep her occupied and out of the street.
We found a shriveled apple core under the back seat that definitely pre-dated our road trip by a couple of months. Amber enjoyed exploring the cockpit while we looted and emptied the back. She especially loved the hazard lights.
Rather than rush rush rush to catch up on all of the behinds (hah), my new plan of attack is to live life at a livable pace and play catch up in my spare time: yet another obvious, better-late-than-never Shaina-realization. It's already so much better! This morning was the first test of my plan: Jay asked if we could walk to school. I had been hoping to drive him and then efficiently go straight to Safeway for some milk and bananas, but I managed to pause, think, and re-prioritize. We walked to school together in the brisk breezy March morning, and it was just right. The girls' pigtails were catching the breeze and Jay held my hand and said "I like it when Rose and Amber get far ahead because then it's just you and me." Rose pushed Amber in the stroller most of the way to school. (until she careened unexpectedly off the sidewalk curb and tipped the stroller onto its side--thank goodness I buckled Amber in!) Then we walked to visit the cousins Layne, Tate, and Grayce.
Amber had her first meal at the counter this morning. She's moving up in the world! I tried not to hover.
Pigtails and sunshine: two favorites. Rose, on our walk this morning: "Look, Mommy, this tree is the same color as my fingernail polish!"
It is always worthwhile to "start the day on purpose"--meaningfully. Rushing is not necessary! I'm always happier when I take time to see and feel and think. Hopefully I can remember that more often. In the spirit of taking time to do and be, I'm going to take my time with the Missouri trip blog posts. My sister Em, photographer that she is, took some beautiful, darling, perfect pictures during our visit. My Missouri Trip folder has 606 pictures in it. I adore them all, and I fully intend to flood this blog with them--all in good time. Right now I have a half-finished grocery list in front of me and five loads of laundry waiting in the background. Oh, and at least three good books begging to be read. If you're wondering, I also happen to have fifteen bows and flowers in my hair, courtesy of my resident beautician-daughter Rose.
To start my Missouri Trip post-a-thon, I want to make a list of what I like most about traveling.
- Assaulting the commonplace! It's the number one reason I love to travel, even if traveling involves an agonizing 30 hour road trip. The everyday everything is good and normal, but it is just so exciting to do something different. Changing it up makes normal life feel more comforting than tiring. Mundane tasks become easier to bear. "That is our job--assault the commonplace at every opportunity." --Vincent Adler, con man and master villan, White Collar.
- New perspectives! Going away from home helps me not only see new places, but also gain new perspectives on where I've already been. I love reflecting and journeying. Being in a different place is such an effective way to see the same ole things a fresh new way.
- Visiting family and friends! Ok, I should've put this one at the top of the list. It is the biggest, best reason for any long road trip. I don't consider my introverted self a big people person, but the people that I do know and love, I love with all my heart. I adore seeing them and talking with them and being THERE with them. [favorite kids book reference: Goldie and the Three Bears by Diane Stanley--I am Goldie]
- It's good for my kids! I want my kids to see our country and appreciate it and experience it in all its large American glory. What better way than the great American road trip? And I want them to be good friends with their far-off cousins. If that means a few seized up gluteal muscles on my part, I'll do it.
- Low gas prices! Haha, but seriously. We drove close to 4,000 miles round trip in a minivan and only paid $350 for gas. BOOM! FYI, that's the cost of one plane ticket from Seattle to St. Louis.
Tiny Amber at the tall tall counter--I can't get enough of her dangling feet down low and her round cheeks peeking over the top.
Here's to taking it one hour at a time, even after two weeks away and sixty hours on the road!
1 comment:
Welcome home! I still can't believe you voluntarily drove that long by yourself (with three backseat drivers!) you're awesome. And I totally agree about all of the good reasons to travel! Even though I shudder at the lack of sleep involved :)
Ps I want to hear about your bread making routine some time
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