Today was the last day of group classes at the YMCA before a 2 week Christmas break. Of course the Y is still open for a variety of fitness options...treadmills, spinning, swimming, plus at the West Washington site they are remodeling and updating the free weight area just in time to compliment our New Year's resolutions.
This break is a personal invitation to me to regroup and focus on personal priorities, primarily those at home. The group exercise hiatus creates about 15 extra hours in my week...and from the looks of our house and the clash of relationships it appears the time will be of significant benefit.
Last night was rough due to a fish tank and hand soap incident. It appears a little brother attempted to experiment on the amount of bubbles a tank's filter could create from hand soap. This experiment was directed toward his sister's fish tank and became an additional study in the effect of soap on the quality and longevity of fish life. It required an emergency call to "dad" to return home immediately from coaching his basketball game and attempt to rescue the two fish. Sadly, it appears we will have to make a trip to the pet store early in the morning to replace a guppy..who is clean...but clearly not well.
We could simply not replace the fish...I have never been a particular fan of the tank...but I wonder if sister will forever remind brother of the significant err of his ways resulting in perpetual guilt for his mischievious and thoughtless actions. I will probably purchase a new guppy in the morning, before they return from their sleepover at grandma's. They will believe the fish miraculously survived the soap poisoning and hopefully be more kind and respectful to one another and all little creatures. My hope is our harsh reprimand and discipline last night, as well as instructions to demonstrate sibling harmony versus rivalry, "or else," will be sufficient and result in better future choices....(insert laughter here!)
As I contemplate a little time away from work I am blatantly reminded of my real job...one not measured by a paycheck. My job is one of parenting, house-cleaning, homework, cooking, marriage/"wifeing", pet care and health care...skills that require patience, forgiveness, tolerance, adaptation, focus, control and a variety of other qualities I have yet to develop. The fifteen extra hours next week will not scratch the surface of the work that needs to be done. Those of you intent on creating relationships know the reality, that even though we don't want to call our home efforts "work," there are times in our life it qualifies as serious labor. Fortunately, there are also times it becomes play. I hope you take the time to play this Christmas, especially in your home.
This break is a personal invitation to me to regroup and focus on personal priorities, primarily those at home. The group exercise hiatus creates about 15 extra hours in my week...and from the looks of our house and the clash of relationships it appears the time will be of significant benefit.
Last night was rough due to a fish tank and hand soap incident. It appears a little brother attempted to experiment on the amount of bubbles a tank's filter could create from hand soap. This experiment was directed toward his sister's fish tank and became an additional study in the effect of soap on the quality and longevity of fish life. It required an emergency call to "dad" to return home immediately from coaching his basketball game and attempt to rescue the two fish. Sadly, it appears we will have to make a trip to the pet store early in the morning to replace a guppy..who is clean...but clearly not well.
We could simply not replace the fish...I have never been a particular fan of the tank...but I wonder if sister will forever remind brother of the significant err of his ways resulting in perpetual guilt for his mischievious and thoughtless actions. I will probably purchase a new guppy in the morning, before they return from their sleepover at grandma's. They will believe the fish miraculously survived the soap poisoning and hopefully be more kind and respectful to one another and all little creatures. My hope is our harsh reprimand and discipline last night, as well as instructions to demonstrate sibling harmony versus rivalry, "or else," will be sufficient and result in better future choices....(insert laughter here!)
As I contemplate a little time away from work I am blatantly reminded of my real job...one not measured by a paycheck. My job is one of parenting, house-cleaning, homework, cooking, marriage/"wifeing", pet care and health care...skills that require patience, forgiveness, tolerance, adaptation, focus, control and a variety of other qualities I have yet to develop. The fifteen extra hours next week will not scratch the surface of the work that needs to be done. Those of you intent on creating relationships know the reality, that even though we don't want to call our home efforts "work," there are times in our life it qualifies as serious labor. Fortunately, there are also times it becomes play. I hope you take the time to play this Christmas, especially in your home.
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