Been a while

I have been taking care of my Mom this week. She had an operation and I am here to help her out. It is amazing how much I have gotten done since I have been here. I made seven chainmail bracelets, drew some pictures for my husbands Artistic Anatomy book and even got to swim in the pool. This is not to mention all the laundry and that kind of stuff. I really don't mind since she had to look after me for the first 15yrs of my life. Plus, my son has been here with me so we have had a good time just hanging out together.

But, it has been hard being away from my husband. We have never been apart this long before. I know it sounds weird, but we do everything together. Although, he will be taking a trip to Kenya in the Fall and he will be gone for about ten days (about the same time I will be here.) He said this was practice of us being apart - I don't ever want to be away from him this long again! (He should have just come with me, he is a much better cook than I am.)

I guess this week has made me really take a deep look at the way I spend my time. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own work and my own interests that I don't make time for other people. My family is my life, not my work. My oldest is starting college soon and my son not too far behind. I will have plenty of time for me after they move out. It also has made me look at how I spend money. "Do I really need this?" That is what I should be asking myself every time I put something into my shopping cart. If I have to spend all my time working to pay for things then I don't get to spend the time with the people that really matter. Why do we learn this so late in life? My Grandfather passed away not too long ago and now my parents are cleaning out the house getting rid of 80 years or more of stuff, so my Grandma can move to a smaller home. Do we really need so much stuff? We can't take it with us and our children probably don't want our old stuff to start with. I am also very concerned with the environment and we don't need to add to the growing problem that will be left behind when we are gone. I guess what I am saying is that we should all ask ourselves is "stuff" really that important. Don't get me wrong, I do love nice things and I do think that it is ok to have nice things - as long as you don't "pay" the price.

Ok, I guess I just had to get that off my chest. I feel better now.