The Winter of My Content

Before I get into today's post, I just wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful comments left on the Weigh In Wednesday post. I felt very vulnerable writing all of that, and you were all so kind. I felt like George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" when all the townspeople were bringing him money, and he realized he indeed had 'A Wonderful Life'.

Thankyaverymuch.

Thanks too, for coming back after seeing Helen in a diaper, and realizing I'm completely bonkers. Helen is still in the house, fattening up. Not for soup silly, but just to be able to handle the winter better. I'm thinking I'll slip her back in the coop on Tuesday night, when it's going to be warmer. I'm actually gonna miss that bird brain. She's comical and believe it or not, good company. I realize I need a life, so please don't remind me.

The diapers aren't nearly as disgusting since her poop is solid again.

Oh gosh, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little thinking about it.

Last but not least, thank you for sending me emails wanting to know where I've been the last few days! I appreciate being missed.

I'm still fighting this cold, and started homeschooling back this week, and my time has been limited.

I thought I'd catch you up to snuff on how my 'Quest for a Simple Life' has been going.

I'm quite pleased. It's still not perfect, but much less imperfect.

I'm finding a balance.

I think I've used two pieces of plastic wrap in the last two weeks. There always seems to be alternatives if you take a minute to think about it. I treat Ziploc bags like gold, and carefully wash and reuse them.

I can't live without paper towels. Forgive me. I've tried. I'm cutting way back, but I can't sleep if there isn't at least one roll in the house.

I'm extremely conscious of how much waste I throw away. I'm trying to figure out ways to by things now with less packaging.

I haven't had a Diet Coke in I don't know how long. Don't miss it much.

My goal of only leaving the house once a week has been extremely easy to adhere to. In fact, I can almost not leave the house for 10 days and be totally fine with it. This week, I do have a few things to do that will involve going out among the English.

That's fine.

It's not a law, it's just a goal to drive less, spend less, and be more conscious about running around when it's not necessary. I'm realizing how many things I did, that I felt like I 'had' to do to please others.

Again, not perfect, but less imperfect.

I did go to town last Wednesday. I laugh when I read that 'go to town'. It sounds like I hitch up the horses and take a days trip to get yard goods and 25# bags of flour. The funny thing is, that's almost how it feels now. I proclaim loudly 'Aaron, go start up the Jeep, we're goin' to town', and then let out an Indian war cry.

Whilst in town last Wednesday, I stopped at the organic/herbal market in town. I'm still freaking out about meat a little bit. I thought I could find a source for local, organic, humane meat. Well, I found that source, but at $10 a pound for chicken, it's not happening.

I'll just eat less meat.

What strikes me the most is how happy I've been.

I'm so danged content.

I don't feel nearly as restless and frustrated.

Yesterday, while I was recuperating from this darn head cold, I read a couple of books. I use the term 'read' loosely. I read one.

This one:

Lessons from an Accidental BeeKeeper

If you are at all interested in beekeeping, I highly recommend it.

I can barely wait to get my bees now!

I skimmed these:

In the book by Thoreau "I to Myself" I read this:

"The alert and energetic man leads a more intellectual life in winter than in summer....

and to the healthy man, the winter of his discontent never comes"

I'm already fretting that winter won't be long enough for all the things I'd hoped for it to be. Time to work on the dollhouse, time to deep clean, time to organize photos, and music, time to read, time to knit, embroider, learn how to use my loom, and perfect my pie crust. Time to catch up on movies, and naps, and old friends and mending.

Before long it's going to be time to start seeds and sharpen the hoe.

But for now, I'm going to continue the Winter of my Content, keeping chickens in diapers in the kitchen, reading books until my brain seams pop, knitting and sewing as fast as my hands will allow, and living as simply as I can.

It truly is A Wonderful Life.