Life sometimes feels a bit like a calamity of events and all one can do is look back and laugh. Last week started out with the very best of intentions, realistic goals, healthy children, healthy mama {yes, all three healthy at the very same time – incredible!} and recovery. I was on top of the bills, had our schedule arranged and even had the opportunity to head out of town for a night on a mother: daughter retreat. I planned some writing time too, something I really need as a mother and person. And then we were hit with a few things all at once. Nothing terrible per se, but a lot that knocked back the plans to rest, and the feeling I was on top of it all. And perhaps, I need that now and then, humility is a good thing. So instead of being on top of bills, healthy and having writing time, we had: a new bill to park in front of our house {over $200! Yikes!}, the much higher house tax bill I mentioned a while ago turn up and a library fine {a couple of books that fell down the back of a carseat!}. In addition I needed my infected foot wrapping ($$), I had emergency dental surgery (again!), I had some very busy work days, I lost my computer power outlet meaning the laptop wouldn’t work (I was a whole week sans internet access!), I had some ongoing health complications that put me out of action for a few days and we arrived home from our day away early {I missed my son too much to stay the extra night} to find we have a flood! Oh, that quiet cup of tea and piece of cake couldn’t come soon enough.
And yet here we are. We still have each other, our lovely cats to snuggle, beautiful trees to look at from the windows and a winter woodland to explore, as well as great hills to toboggan down and plums to enjoy together {such a treat!}. I’m still knitting {albeit I’ve made quite a few errors this week and am growing frustrated, wishing I had a knitting mentor} and we are resting as a family, both physically and emotionally as often as possible. The 3 hours drive to and from our night away gave me some good thinking time and I’m grateful for it. In fact this whole, crazy week, made me think a lot more about what more we could do. We are urban bound for quite a while with the various medical needs in our family and my work, but I want us to do more to live more peacefully and organically. We’ll go back to volunteering at the farm in the spring, but as a family we’ve decided we will do less activities in the next quarter (April to June) and instead just spend more time together. We have enough medical appointments to keep us busy, far too busy.
This summer we’ll also once again have a community garden, but this year rather than simply let it be an introduction to the earth, {my children arrived terrified of mud, soil, plants, leaves – they had never really been outdoors} I want us to really use it to live more off the earth. In addition I’m hoping we can afford some more worms for the compost and perhaps some angora rabbits, as well as, I hope, bees. Yes, on the quiet I’ve been researching how to have bees in the city and it may just be possible {though it needs to be possible financially, too!}.
So despite there being a lot of noise to distract from the quiet, this week lead us back to some sort of re-grouping. And that is always a good thing. Though I’m also quite happy now to get back to the list, even if a week behind!
How are you all? I’ve really missed you!
Just FWIW, are you absolutely certain your two aren’t allergic to bee stings? That’s a life-threatening allergy. Also, there are some wonderful sites (Google Urban Homesteading) that deal with “farming” in small urban settings.
As long as you aren’t allergic to bees and the city where you live allows it, so much can be done in a very small space. I’m so inspired by this Aussie lady who has a 2′x4′ patio garden. She even has chooks and bees in her garden. If you’re interested, have a look here (you’ll have to cut and paste the address to your address bar as I’m not sure if the link will show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq5TnrImmFE
Glad to hear you’re all on the mend and feeling better! I hope March is a much better month all around for your home!
http://halifaxhoneybees.wordpress.com
You might find some good info here or someone to ask questions to. I would love to have bees and chickens. Maybe when we move again.
Glad to read you are all on the mend. I haven’t been on your blog for a little while but I caught up over the weekend and I’m so glad to read you are finding solutions to the issues that arise as best you can.
BTW, do you want the candles I purchased for you or not? I’ve been waiting now for a few weeks to hear from you.
THanks, Joyful. I had such an overwhelming response that I have not gotten to every email. I will though. I had planned to do it this week, but was without internet. Yes, please. I will email you tomorrow (I have an hour spare while the children are at activities!)
Super, I know you’ve been busy but just want to make sure you get the candles. Hugs. xx
I“m w/o internet since weekend except on kindle. Me not like typing on kindle screen!
I am always amazed at how much you and the little ones do. But just spending time at home together, cooking, reading, snuggling, creating routines will be good for all of you. Those cozy afternoons will help them to feel even more secure and loved. (Glad to have you back online!)
Loved the photos FT. Take it easy I was going to say “stay chilled girl” but then looked at the photos again bbbrrr. Thankfully all snow gone in Wiltshire now but you seem to have yours and ours as well. God Bless you and your family.
I think this year my 3 year old and I will build a fairy garden…if I wait until later spring I should be able to get some tiny plants at a discount. As well, we can build little furniture/ gazebos etc during craft time to fill it up. Your kids must be loving the outdoors now that they’ve been introduced to it! There is great info on fairy gardens at http://www.chiotsrun.com, and if you’re interested in a window garden as time and money allow, there are great ideas at http://www.yougrowgirl.com/ . It’s so much fun planning for summer!
So sorry to hear about more health problems! Prayers are heading your way. I am thinking about beekeeping and have looked into top bar beehives, which appear to be easier to manage. The Langstroth hives require some strength to deal with the supers and this is an issue for me, so perhaps it would be for you with your arthritis. There are at least two good books about top bar hives available if you haven’t already seen them. All pets and livestock are a big expense, and especially when someone has to be paid to care for them when you’re on vacation. I’d caution you to go slowly with more obligations, especially if you are going to expand your gardening efforts as well. Do you have a sunny spot in your back yard for another garden patch? I’m constantly frustrated by lack of growing space in my shady yard, but I’m getting excited for this year’s crops. Spring is coming! Blessings.
I watched a programme a while back about bees and colony collapse, where literally thousands of bees are dying all around the country (both here in England and in America). They visited one chap whose bees were doing incredibly well – in the middle of London. They had a theory that the bees there were able to access a much wider variety of nectar and fewer pesticides than bees in the country who were faced with acres and acres of the same plants. It was fascinating, and great to see that in the middle of an incredibly busy city bees could really thrive. Good luck, hope you manage to get some. It is actually a little dream of mine too…
Welcome back! Sorry to hear about your troubles. I guess its part and parcel to life. Hope you are healing up well. Enjoy that tea and cake, Rest!