Happy Friday everyone!
Fall has come to us at last. It starts so much later here compared to where we used to live. I almost think it’s never going to arrive. And then colors burst out all around and the days cool. Does anyone else think the sky has a particular shade of blue that only happens in fall?
I’ve decided to rework the format of this post to be more like a real diary. I’d like to say I’ll make daily entries, but that doesn’t seem realistic. So, I’ll write what I can when I can, and maybe I’ll go back and fill in here and there. If this journal ends up being too long, let me know and I might start sending it out weekly. Part of me thinks that no one is really interested in my daily happenings every week, but perhaps you prefer a shorter post? Any feedback about the format would be appreciated.
Sunday, October 6
My week truly starts with Sundays. Being a pastor’s wife, I’ve come to love the routine of my Sunday mornings. Today is easier than usual because most of my kids are sick and stay home from church, so no need to rush and dress everyone.
I was pondering the beauty of the sunset today. I’ve been taking pictures of the sky for months now and it’s always interesting to me how beautiful the sky can look with absolutely nothing in it. No clouds or stripes of colors. Just a perfect solid color. It’s nearly impossible to capture on camera the beauty of the clean solid color, but I’d like to figure it out someday.
The best part of today was really at night. The most interesting thunderstorm was happening around the mountains tonight. There was what I call ‘blanket’ lightning or ‘sheet’ lightning. I’m not sure if either of those are official terms, but you know it’s the kind of lightning that isn’t distinctly shaped but lights up the entire sky. There was some thunder, but it was so quiet and gentle that I was tempted to think the storm was far far away. Yet, I could see lightning flashing over my house. There was a gentle rain. Perfect.
Monday, October 7
I did a good job with self-care practices today. This isn’t a daily thing, but I shoot for a few times a week. I was able to steal away after the breakfast-and-chores rush with a hot cup of tea and my bible and journal. It was chilly to sit on my back porch, but the tea made up the temperature difference. The quiet was worth the sacrifice of warmth.
I also got to swing in my hammock in the afternoon and listen to a favorite podcast. Just looking at the clouds floating by and enjoying the breeze.
Tuesday, October 8
This is my busiest day of the week. A homeschooling co-op for my older kids pushes us out the door first thing in the morning. I run errands with my three younger kids. I attend bible study at night. It’s a packed day. I vacillate between liking getting all the things done and out of the way for the week, and being exhausted because it’s almost too much to do in a day.
Wednesday, October 9
I succumbed to sickness today. We called it a sick day for the homeschool as well. We all lay around, play board games, and catch up on emails. Nap. It’s a nice quiet day. I know I read recently that C.S. Lewis secretly enjoyed a sick day where he could just loaf around, drink tea, and stay in bed. This is that kind of day for me.
Friday, October 11
Today is my birthday! I confess to being a big kid about my birthday. I just love presents and cake. I get to go out to eat too, which is a rare enough happening for our big family.
Saturday, October 12
Our town fire department has a monthly fundraiser that begins today where they cook up a pancake and buckwheat breakfast. My kids love to help out at this. Taking orders, cleaning tables, and talking with everyone. I do too, but the little boys prevent me from helping as long as I’d like. But we all have to miss it today because we are so sick still.
Sunday, October 13
Today a missionary spoke suring service and then joined us afterwards for a picnic lunch with another family we are friends with. It was the perfect day for a picnic and we enjoyed the change of pace for the day.
Wednesday, October 16
I go to choir practice tonight but feel guilty the whole time. I think I am better with my cough, but I still cough a lot in between songs. Maybe I should have just stayed home. But since I am new to this church and their Christmas program I don’t know many of the cantata songs and feel I must practice.
Thursday, October 17
My plans for today went through the wringer a bit. Originally we were to pack up and leave for a conference my husband was attending and the kids and I are tagging along for. We were going to leave right after lunch and I was packing a slow-cooker dinner that was mostly ready before we were to leave. Then, at lunchtime, my husband came over to say he had to alter the plans and be at the hospital for a bit that afternoon. So, we waited and ate dinner at home and left after that. It was unexpected and unsettling, but we got here in the end.
Friday, October 18
Our temporary house for the conference is cute and snug. Except for the fact that all my kids are sharing one room, it’s a nice set-up. We did school in the morning and went adventuring in the afternoon. The library was especially big. My kids are so accustomed to small-town libraries, this one was a revelation.
Saturday, October 19
Home again after a full morning. I have been reading a book while traveling, but it hasn’t been capturing my attention. I’ve only persevered this long because it was my only option while we were on the road. It’s going to go back to my shelves for another day. Or maybe the little free library down the road.
Sunday, October 20
We head to church this morning, feeling like we are on the road to recovery. Lingering coughs on most of us but we feel like our normal selves. In the evening we attend a talent show hosted at the church. My kids are in it, singing “The Wellerman” to a track. Lots of fun talent in our church. It’s a delightful night.
Tuesday, October 22
I was too busy getting everyone out the door this morning notice, but as the day goes on I realize I am coming down with another round of sickness. This is incredibly frustrating. As the day goes on, I realize that I am fried. I miss Bible study.
Wednesday, October 23
Down for the count today. No school for the kids because I am too out of it. My oldest did his PSAT at a local school this morning, which his father was able to take him to. He’s been practicing and feels pretty content afterward. I can barely make it through lunch today. I nap as soon as I can. I go to bed early.
Saturday, October 26
I felt so crummy today, but it was a nice slow day with some good things in it too. I finished a pleasure read book that I had picked up at the library last Tuesday, the same day I got so sick again. It’s been nice to have a light fluffy read while being so out of it. I spent some time working on my larger art project. I am doing a bit of self-assessment about my art practice during this round of illness. Of course, being sick, I haven’t been feeling very energetic or creative, but it struck me that I haven’t made much at all this month. I’ve decided that what is holding me back is not feeling prepared to move forward. I only have one more page in my current art journal and I think I can’t finish it because I don’t have a new journal to move onto. Also, I have a great desire to experiment with some new imagery, but I need a dedicated space for those experiments. A place where I can mess up and not feel like I’m wasting pages in my art journal. So I prep some mixed media paper for making TWO new art journals, one for my regular journaling, and one just for experiments.
Monday, October 27
I woke up this morning feeling better. For the first time in weeks, I feel like I can breathe freely. I also found I could sing along to the radio, something I haven’t been able to do for at least a week. As I looked back over this journal today I realized we, as a family, have been sick all month. That comforts me to know that my weariness of illness is for genuine reasons, not just impatience. We still have some coughing here and there, but mostly we are better.
Thanks for hanging in there guys! If you made it this far, thank you. Let me know what you think of this style of post and I’d love to know if you want a shorter post weekly, or keep with the monthly set-up. Enjoy your November, especially Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it!