160 days to go

Silence is so quiet.  There is this odd time of day - about 8:30pm-ish that I start to wonder what I will do for the evening.  The kids are pretty much settled and dinner is done (most nights anyway.)  Do I start another project on my to do list?  Do I sit and read a book?  Do I just sit? haha

I am the type of person who does not idle well.  I like to be accomplishing tasks and moving forward in life.  I keep a to do list at hand.  Several sometimes because I seem to misplace them around the house.  I am continually adding to them.  Thoughts of people to call, things to pick up at the store when I am out, future projects that I would like to get done and neighbors that might need some help.  I think that is why TV became my crutch.  The night time, slow down, don't think so I can fall asleep.

So far I am surviving.  Once the decision was made not to watch, I just don't turn it on.  I can do that - the not turning on part.  I think that is the easy part.  The hard part is filling the time.  I don't want to scrub the floor or go to Walmart at 8:30 - sometimes those are the only items left at the end of a day.  So what should I do?  Many would answer, just sit....again I say haha.  This is SOOOOO hard for me.  I enjoy reading, just carry guilt.  Not because others have told me I shouldn't but because I am hard on myself when it comes to time for me. 

So what have I been doing at night?  Audio books and Candy Crush (I think it is rigged so you have to play a level a certain # of times before you can move on.) Family games. Movies when I iron or fold laundry.  Running errands later into the evening.  My to do list is a lot smaller and I am getting to bed earlier. 

But I will confess, it is hard.  I really enjoy the shows.  Well the story part anyway because there is too much crap in the shows.  I don't miss the language, the turning my eyes away when parts come on, or the drama of people picking on others.  But I do like a good mystery or a good competition.

What helps me deal?

Friends like Kirsten Huntington who filled me in on the end of the Bachelorette. I know...haha....why should I care but it is the competition/romantic side of me.

Family time on Sunday nights.  The last 3 weeks we have turned on the TV to watch the end of Whodunnit.  We started watching the show before the challenge and agreed we could finish the last three episodes if we ALL watched together.  It is over now....my new 'I want to do this show' goal.  My 'want to do this show' is all talk because at the end of the day I know it will never happen.  It use to be the Amazing Race but now....give me the game of clue and I'm all over it.

Remembering that we are all in this together and I want it to happen.  I am itching for a cruise.

I need to say that the trip has not been planned yet.  We know we will need to go in June when all the craziness of Spring is done.  My recital will be over, Sariah will be done with dance company and all the kids will be out of school.  When we are done with the challenge, we will all decide together where we are going and what excursions we will take.  We have been told that a cruise will be less expensive if we book 3 months out.  So we are waiting to plan the details. 

Last night Sariah and I turned on the news at 10pm.  We wanted to see if they reported any details on the death of one of her dance company peeps from 2 years ago.  They did so I am grateful we turned it on.  It was reported in the first 5 min so it wasn't on long but there is a time and a place for TV.  Our hearts go out to Shelby's family.  We remember her being very vibrant and fun loving.  Very tragic to loose a child - very tragic to loose anyone!!!  Thoughts and prayers and hugs to those dealing with this trial.