Greetings from the “Real” World
by Kym on January 5, 2009
*Update* Christmas Photo Albums: Photo Album One, Photo Album Two.
The day began much like any other. Checked my email. Peed. Dressed. That sort of thing. But it quickly devolved into a madly spinning whirl of activity. Once again I cursed my lack of domestic ability. The house was nothing more than a slice of chaos dipped in mess and deep fried in panic inducing grime. The worst of it was that the neighbours were going to be over every day feeding our fish and flushing our toilets so the pipes didn’t freeze.
And I really, really like my neighbours. So losing their respect was no small thing.
Somehow, in the last hour before departure time, I managed to scrape it all together. Bags packed, car loaded, dishes done, last load of laundry humming away in the dryer, kids happy and bundled in snow gear, Neil picked up from work, last of the Christmas cards mailed off, and so forth. Yes, the floors were a grimey mess and the girls had trashed their bedrooms as I was loading the car, and I winced a bit as I locked up the house for the next two weeks, but the relief of leaving my To Do List behind was poignant indeed.
That relief carried me through the next two weeks quite happily. As I visited friends and family, I helped out a bit here and there. There’s something about that sort of housework that I rather enjoy. I remember smiling as I vacuumed my parent’s house one day. Smiling! There wasn’t that feeling of overwhelming urgency I so often feel at home. Rushing about from one task to the other. Panicked. Feeling my heart pounding as a churning swirl of thoughts batter me relentlessly, smacking me square between the eyes with everything I ought to have done, everything that needed to be done, everything that I feared woud never be done.
There was something timeless about our vacation this year. The days melded together quite blissfully, in fact. There was time. Finally, there was time. To just be. To cuddle up with my girls and read them a story without niggling little worries creeping into the back of my mind. To walk hand in hand with my sweetheart as our girls clambered up and slid down snow banks on a deserted street. To visit with those I miss oh so desperately. To watch bemusedly as my daughters played with their cousins and remembered how much they love and enjoy them all over again.
And now I am home. And I don’t have that feeling of exquisite relief that I usually do. I feel vaguely regretful. I miss my family. I miss the time I felt I had while away. I’m incredibly glad to be back in my own bed, to have the hope of a routine for my overtired children again, and to reconnect with some friends I only have online contact with. Oh yes, I missed some of you dreadfully!
But as I drove the long last stretch of road home, my mind was overcome by ideas for what to write next. I wasn’t thinking in blog posts though. I was thinking in chapters. Blogging is still important to me, but there are other things. Steps on the road leading to long dreamt dreams.
I find myself now, pondering the chaos that is my home, and my life. I’m aware of certain steps I can take to create the sort of home and life I find myself keenly desiring. And I’m no longer loathe to take those steps. The thought of going to bed earlier and waking earlier isn’t quite so repugnant now. Neither is blogging less and living more. The very idea of that used to be enough to set me to twitching. But I’ve found that in giving the gift of two blogging free weeks to my husband, I gave myself a gift as well. The gift of insight and perspective.
The “real” world is a sweet, sweet place. If we take the time to make it so. That’s what the New Year is going to be about for me. Taking that time.
And I feel no need to tack any qualifying statements onto that. No talk of trying, and “we’ll see how long that lasts.” I am feeling strangely hopeful. Expectant even. Who knew that for me, the difference between pessimism and optimism would be a two week Christmas vacation?
For the detail oriented, here’s the plan. I will write blog posts Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and read blogs on Tuesday and Thursdays, saving the weekends exclusively for my family. Oh, and tune in later today for pictures. Cheers!
39 comments
Sounds like you got the very gift you were longing for. I hope the new blogging routine hits all the right spots – in real life & online. Happy New Year!
Lisa Milton´s last blog post..bloggers in the burbs
by Lisa Milton on January 5, 2009 at 9:12 am. #
I love that you’ve rediscovered what actually drives our writing. I mean that life is what you write about. What is there to write about if you’re not living and loving it. :) And yet… I’m still glad you’re back.
Sarah´s last blog post..Highlights
by Sarah on January 5, 2009 at 9:25 am. #
Congratulations. You needed this!
Eowyn´s last blog post..The Phone Rang. . .
by Eowyn on January 5, 2009 at 9:27 am. #
I’m so glad you came to that realization! It’s very liberating, isn’t it? And I like your schedule – I may steal it.
Becky´s last blog post..I’m back, and I’m ready to go!
by Becky on January 5, 2009 at 9:37 am. #
What a gift that vacation was! Welcome back.
Great idea being that specific with your blogging plan. A plan makes it doable.
Annette´s last blog post..How NOT to Name a Character (OR: The Hairy Ape Man)
by Annette on January 5, 2009 at 9:37 am. #
For me, blogging is my social life. But the homeschool co-op starts next week so that may change. Blogging is also the only writing project I’ve ever managed to stick to.
Memarie Lane´s last blog post..Pizza #1
by Memarie Lane on January 5, 2009 at 9:46 am. #
Love it! Glad you had such a fantastic time with your family!
by Melissa on January 5, 2009 at 9:56 am. #
Welcome back Kym! I try to leave weekends strictly for my family too. It’s nice to break from the blogger world once in a while.
Kelline Boel´s last blog post..Blog Award!
by Kelline Boel on January 5, 2009 at 10:06 am. #
Sounds like a great break! Your new schedule sounds great! You and I will now make a complete week, as I post on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday! :)
LisAway´s last blog post..I Hope You Were Just Saying That
by LisAway on January 5, 2009 at 10:18 am. #
Here I was, checking and checking the last two days for a new post. The day I actually wait until lunchtime to check, you’re back! Well, you know what they say about a watched pot….not that I’m calling you a pot, because I’m not.
I knew you would come back a changed woman. I was looking forward to your wisdom. You did not disappoint. I’m so happy to see you more rested and settled with life. I love the blogging schedule idea. Does this mean that you will be working on your book more now? I’m looking forward to that. (I’ve actually been working on mine a bit too! Can you believe it?)
I’m so glad you’re back! Happy New Year!
Rebecca´s last blog post..Definitely Losing
by Rebecca on January 5, 2009 at 10:23 am. #
It sounds like a balanced, moderate plan! Me likey.
SO, so glad you’re home! I’m glad you gave Neil and yourself the gift of a blog vacation, but your return is a gift to me.
Novembrance´s last blog post..The Thing with Feathers
by Novembrance on January 5, 2009 at 10:48 am. #
Good for you! I blogged a tiny bit less over the past two weeks and was amazed that the world didn’t stop spinning in its axis. It felt good! AND I figured out how to change my blog template by myself. Bless you!
Heidi Ashworth´s last blog post..Wherein I Confess To The Truth Of All Things
by Heidi Ashworth on January 5, 2009 at 11:17 am. #
Good for you girl! *HUGS*
love you!
Kate´s last blog post..First!
by Kate on January 5, 2009 at 11:28 am. #
That sounds like a lovely and relaxing vacation. Just what you needed. :D
I think your plan sounds brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. And I may steal it. :D
Deconstructing Jen´s last blog post..Long time gone
by Deconstructing Jen on January 5, 2009 at 12:13 pm. #
What a terrific vacation! And what a great goal.
I love this line: “The house was nothing more than a slice of chaos dipped in mess and deep fried in panic inducing grime.” I may use it sometime (unfortunately for the state of my home). ;-)
by Beth on January 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm. #
You my friend, sound so positively happy … it’s contagious! I am thrilled that your trip went so well. (Ours was a bit hectic with an infant and a certain red headed toddler to take care of :) !!)
I love your new real world goals. Good luck with them!
An Ordinary Mom´s last blog post..The Re-Entry Process
by An Ordinary Mom on January 5, 2009 at 1:33 pm. #
So much shifting, hey? Fantastic that your vacation went so well! So good to have that feeling of desperation and frazeled frenzy deminsh and have a chance to breate.
Love you!
(oh, and the kids all LOVED their gifts….thank you my dear)
Jenn´s last blog post..~So long 2008~
by Jenn on January 5, 2009 at 1:40 pm. #
I think your plan sounds really smart. I need to space out the blogs I read/comment on but the writing is not so big a deal because I just blather and that doesn’t require much thought or effort. Not sounding like a fool in other people’s comment trails…that’s a bigger deal. And much harder to pull off.
Melanie J´s last blog post..
by Melanie J on January 5, 2009 at 2:43 pm. #
Kimberly, it was fabulous to see you, and I wish I’d had more time and the presence of mind (and vocabulary) to express how sweet your gift was to us. It’s so funny that a person I have only seen in person twice would know me so well, but I guess that is one of the benefits of blogging our hearts. Grasshopper will know all about you and who gave him the adorable old-timey Pooh Bear.
We, believe it or not, are STILL snowed in, and I’ve already put winter tires and chains on my Christmas list for next year if our neck of the woods gets your kind of snow. =)
Even though we didn’t get to spend a zillion hours together, it was wonderful to spend the time with your family and to interact with your girls. You are an awesome mom. My husband remarked that he really liked the way you and Neil parent in public with your girls – letting them be themselves, being relaxed, and just enjoying them as they are. He said he liked that and hopes we can be like that too.
I look forward to letting you know about our little guy when he finally arrives, and getting the chance to visit again with you sometime soon. You are such a blessing and the world is richer because you are in it.
love, a very pregnant redhead who is totally enjoying her Grape Nuts
by Sara/Inkling on January 5, 2009 at 4:19 pm. #
I’m glad you had a good vacation.
I’m trying to do more with my family as well and less on the computer. I usually write my posts for the week on Sunday evenings and set them to publish for whatever days I need to. I am behind on that routine right now, so posting is hit and miss for me this week.
Enjoy your family time!
Heffalump´s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
by Heffalump on January 5, 2009 at 4:31 pm. #
Sounds like a great plan! I’ve posted a lot less in the month of December, and it’s a little amazing how much life goes on, and can still be good (especially can be good), even when you’re not deconstructing it online all the time. I hope that youll find a lot more peace in life this year, and not feel so stretched thin between all of your interests.
Thora´s last blog post..The Old and New
by Thora on January 5, 2009 at 4:53 pm. #
I’m so glad your break left you feeling this way. Just as it should. Happy New Year!
Heather of the EO´s last blog post..Successful People
by Heather of the EO on January 5, 2009 at 6:17 pm. #
That is an excellent plan.
by MomBabe on January 5, 2009 at 8:19 pm. #
Well I’m glad you’re back!
Summer´s last blog post..Long enough to donate again
by Summer on January 5, 2009 at 8:21 pm. #
Welcome back! I’m glad your vacation went so well. Congratulations on the new perspective/plan for living. I always mean to do the same, but never seem to get around to it. Best wishes!
KieraAnne´s last blog post..Twilight Spoof
by KieraAnne on January 5, 2009 at 10:04 pm. #
Glad you’re back, Kim, and your goals sound very realistic. Like you, my Christmas vacation was a little hard to walk away from, which I found odd. Usually I get an anxious time-to-get-back-to-real-life-and-our-routines feeling, but not this time. Happy New Year to you!
Steph @ Diapers and Divinity´s last blog post..Other people’s children
by Steph @ Diapers and Divinity on January 5, 2009 at 10:21 pm. #
That sounds like a wonderful way to start the new year! I’m glad you had such a magical Christmas!
Tirzah´s last blog post..Magic Ernie
by Tirzah on January 6, 2009 at 8:01 am. #
I loved every word of this blog & found it incredibly inspiring! I think I also need to spend some time off the computer. Perhaps it’s why I’m lacking in my creativity, who knows. Thanks for sharing! *hugs*
by Crystal on January 6, 2009 at 9:08 am. #
Welcome back! Your schedule sounds perfect. Good inspiration from someone beginning to get sucked into the void. . .
pam´s last blog post..channeling hope
by pam on January 6, 2009 at 9:32 am. #
Kim – just make sure you don’t pressure yourself to stick to the plan. Do it when you can. Don’t do it when you can’t. Don’t pressure yourself. Ya know?
Sue´s last blog post..I Scheduled This To Post Before Hand, I’m Not Really Online On Christmas Eve, No, I’m Not, STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT
by Sue on January 6, 2009 at 11:35 am. #
Ah, so glad you got that wonderful break, and that it was even more than you hoped it would be. And now equally glad that you’re back, and with even more balance. This is so, so good. And this? “The house was nothing more than a slice of chaos dipped in mess and deep fried in panic inducing grime.” This made my day! Wonderful writing, as always, made doubly good by your excellent insights that followed.
charrette´s last blog post..Turning Those Rants into Resolutions
by charrette on January 6, 2009 at 12:30 pm. #
Sounds like a great plan Kym. :)
Jaina´s last blog post..I’m A Katharine
by Jaina on January 6, 2009 at 1:15 pm. #
Welcome back!!! And what a great trip to just BE. I had that on our last big tip nearly two years ago. Sadly, that was the LAST time I’d had it. But i’m still living on the memories of not worrying for ten whole days about anything. I’m glad you got time for that! To just BE.
julie wright´s last blog post..I think the best; I expect the best
by julie wright on January 6, 2009 at 4:18 pm. #
i get you on the ‘thinking in chapters’ thing. there is a very distinct mind space for blog posts compared to chapters. i love love love thinking in chapters, and find that thinking in blog posts sometimes is a distraction from the thing i really want to do.
yay for real world. i went there over christmas. i have cracked hands for my trouble. my hands are covered in waterproof bandaids. i’m beautiful. sexy even. yes, even you would not be able to resist me. yes, i’m THAT lovely now.
holly´s last blog post..nasty addictions
by holly on January 6, 2009 at 4:35 pm. #
if someone who doesn’t know me reads that last comment…i’m not gay. i have a hubby and two kids. and i do think kim could resist me.
(kim, you so could not)
holly´s last blog post..nasty addictions
by holly on January 6, 2009 at 4:36 pm. #
That sounds like a very healthy plan. Maybe I should copy you.
debbie´s last blog post..We really did get on the ship eventually
by debbie on January 6, 2009 at 7:04 pm. #
I think that sounds like a great plan. I’m with you on the changing feelings regarding keeping house. I think that I’m finally starting to get that things are BETTER when I have routine, when things are organized. The more I “relax” and let things go, the more stressed I get about the house, about people coming over…losing things etc. Its just so much better to find a routine that works and keep things running as smooth as possible (with life and esp. kids it can’t be too smooth but we can all hope) *hugs* I’m glad you had a great trip!
elizabethsheryl´s last blog post..
by elizabethsheryl on January 6, 2009 at 9:03 pm. #
That is a very good plan hon. I might have to think about that as I’m struggling to do it all at the moment (as you can tell from my absence in comments and visits.)
This is such a hopeful post hon. Happy New Year. :D
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog post..Happy Birthday Monsieur Beaufoix
by Jo Beaufoix on January 12, 2009 at 3:25 pm. #
And I keep forgetting to say how pretty and fabulous it looks here. You are amazing. x
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog post..Happy Birthday Monsieur Beaufoix
by Jo Beaufoix on January 12, 2009 at 3:26 pm. #