14 years

Here we go.... my yearly update and thoughts about Thayer's death anniversary.   Yesterday marked 14 years.  I was ready to blog, I was ready to do some computer projects, I was ready to do something.... but I couldn't.  My attention span was short yesterday.  I couldn't really get myself to do anything.   I have always thought that my body knows when these dates are here.  

Today I made myself have an official "lunch break" and watch a movie before I started with my to-do list.   I managed to watch an entire movie about a cat that becomes a guy, and then goes back to being a cat.  It was just as bizarre and weird as it sounds.   But I actually sat through it.   Most movies I set out to watch take me 3 or more hours to finish because I get highly distracted by piddling around the house or tending to chores.   This one... I watched through in one sitting.  Not sure if that's a good- or bad-sign of my mental health.

As of now, I've caught up on some computer chores and I'm sitting to think about what I should have written yesterday.

The entire life and death thing has become rather ordinary since I've worked at the funeral home.  Death is never wanted.... but I've learned to accept it.   I learned a lot about death when Thayer died; and as I age, it's even more "expected" (if that's the right word).   
We're all on borrowed time.  

What matters is how we spend that time.

Thayer's time was short, but no doubt he spent his time well.   I will always admire him for the time he invested in family and friends, the time he spent helping others, and the hard work he put in, daily, to better himself and those around him.

This all makes me consider how I'm spending my own time.

I recently decided to try to cut back my screen time on my phone.  My goal is 30 minutes/day.   However I'm still averaging just under 2 hours.    Certainly a work in progress. 
I did some math and realized that spending 2 hours a day looking at a screen equals THIRTY (30) DAYS of a year.  If we do the math with waking hours.... it's over FORTY-FIVE DAYS!   Holy cow.... an entire MONTH, or more, of a YEAR completely evaporated.  
This has been a wake up call for me.   

(Granted.... watching a movie about a cat-guy isn't the best alternative) 

I hope to be more intentional with my time so that one day someone will say..... "she lived her life well".   

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Today is our day.   Make the most of it.

whatev

Week 2 of kids being out of school.
Last week I posted this list on my fridge:

It's not going so well.

Daniel never reads... because he doesn't want screen time.... (except late at night to watch a movie).   Daniel is outside ALL day....
but now Lucas is starting to catch on that I'm not consistent with Daniel and the list.

Daniel seems to understand my ideal summer would include locking them outside and telling them to be home in time for dinner.  He's getting pretty good at this concept.

Lucas on the other hand manages to wake up early and complete most of this list before I'm even out of the shower... so that he can start the video games.  The first three days of  "creative" outdoor activities included these winners:
(Clearly I'm very patient)

Day 1

Day 2.  

Day 3

Then there's me.
I have spent the last two days binge watching Chasing Life on Netflix.   Clearly not setting an example for these boys.

But I have to remind myself that it's summer!    I think we all deserve some days to CHILL!

We are coming up on days and weeks that are filled with activities.    I'm hoping that the screen time dilemna will fix itself as we are out and about this summer.  
Our spontaneous camping trips and lake trips should help a lot.

I thought about implementing time restrictions, or certain times of day that I would allow the screens. (You know... Actually being a parent and having rules)
But my reality says that every day this summer will be different for us and it would be nearly impossible to stay consistent.
We'll see what shakes out.