Well it's late August now and I'm 5 weeks into this 40 hour + (paid) work week gig and I've got to tell you I am tired. Very tired. Although the paycheck is certainly a wondrous thing. I am enjoying that part, a lot.
But I'm missing everything that happens at home and on the farm. The housework isn't getting done (ok so not alot was getting done before but now I'm ready to move into a tent). So what does a person a person do when you get into this situation and I know all of us will at least once in a while.
I'm trying to focus on the little pleasures, the small victories and I'm also developing a new appreciation for when I start to see our family pull together better. No this is not a Hallmark card but 5 weeks away from home (and at least 3 more to go) is forcing us to work together better. It's easier for the kids to see when their help actually makes a noticeable difference because I'm not there to pick up after them or to build on what they've done so it becomes my accomplishment.
For example Hannah has learned how to hang out laundry. As a WWOOF host I am always amazed, at least momentarily, how many people haven't the remotest idea how to do this. Obviously it's a 'learn by doing skill'. Once you've done it several times you don't notice how physically demanding it can be or how you compensate for the rosebush in the middle of your line by hanging your smalls there. You automaticaly hang things up by their seams, with the sleeves hanging freely instead of wadded up and you know your line; where things dry fastest and smoothest and you work it. Hannah is learning that skill this summer. Mind you a few well placed threats like "if you continue to hang it out this way, after I've told you three times to hang things, you can iron it all when it comes off the line" have certainly assisted in this education. She is learning to bake and to tidy (well sort of). Best of all she is learning to use the information she already has to inform some of her decisions. I was so proud of her when she told me she had figured out that if you freeze your palmiers for a few minutes before baking them they turn out better (it was store bought puff pastry; so don'y get too excited). Learning to reason and problem solve is something I see people being able to so less and less so I get really excited whenever I see an example of it. Did I tell you she also likes to clean toilet bowls; I think I scored here.Now if only she would do the dishes.
Eben has been helping his father even more this summer (or I would have nabbed him too in the housework area) and is getting surer of himself all the time.It is a delight to watch him slowly becoming a dependable young man.
He's a help too when you don't want to climb in the high places.
And while he did whippersnip my onions the potatoes that were planted quite late have started to bloom:
My garlic has been harvested and is curing in the attic. I am a total garlic babe! This Fall I want to plant even more! And since my boss should be back, at least part time, by the end of September, it looks doable.I'll keep you posted on that front.
Until then we will just keep soldiering on.
|