Back in the World of technology for 36 hours and I’m desperately trying to stay away, and keep the kids away, Â from all the useless technology such as TV, newspapers, internet sites, etc. But everywhere I turn I’m bombarded by some talking head telling you what’s best for you and your family. As I eluded to yesterday, you don’t really realize how useless all the supposedly important stuff on the news is until you’re away from it for a few days and your life is just the same, if not better. I’m personally trying to stay away from politics in particular as it’s so easy to get consumed with the day to day back and forth going on between the two party’s. When you get to a part of the Country where people are too busy working and living life rather than having their life revolve around technology, you get a new perspective on life. It’s kind of like you go back in time and personally I think it’s a better way to live. Both boys, in the car on the way home, commented how they didn’t miss TV or video games at all. This may not sound like much to you, but here in the big city, kids gravitate to TV and video games almost subconsciously. Up in the mountains or in ranch country, they naturally get up and head outside to play. Not once was there any mention of TV, video games or the computer. It was all about rock climbing, exploring, riding horses, riding bikes, and other outdoor activities. Now I ask you, which do you think is better for a kid? You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out, right?
So even though we live here in the city with easy access to all the mind numbing distractions, the misses and I are determined to do what we can to keep the boys focused on playing outside with less video games and TV. They’re happier, less cranky and sleep better when they play outside all day. Those of you that are my age or older surely remember your days as a kid and I’m sure they were filled with great times out of the house, not in it!
Ok so time to move on, it was hot yesterday and supposed to be in the 80’s all week. Uncle T and Aunt B took the boys to lunch yesterday and bought them some candy and a new video game each. (not all video games are bad, it’s just the amount of time they play that needs to be regulated) That was nice as it gave the misses a chance to get caught up a bit on the house. We still have some chores to do but she put a big dent in the mess. We visited Grandma for a few minutes on the way home from the gym to drop off the wood for her sign she’s putting up at the pond. We need to get a wood burning tool like I had when I was a kid, to carve or burn the name into the wood. Grandma looked good, healthy and happy but she could stand to gain a few pounds!
The misses and I had our first day of eggs, chicken breasts, brown rice and veggies and it went pretty well. I’m down 3 pounds from one day of no junk or alcohol. We’re sticking to this for a whole week to jump start getting back in shape. We each managed to get in two workouts as well, one cardio and then we lifted weights at the gym. I hear Mom upstairs trying to get the little one up as he said he wants to try swim team. The oldest one says no way, too early, he’d rather sleep in. He’s already developed his teenager sleep habits, stay up late and sleep late. He’s always the last one up these days.
Both boys are downstairs now and so is Mom. They are getting their work books for the daily school work they do to keep them in shape during the summer. You can’t let them forget everything they learned during the year, which they surly will, without some daily work. They both actually like it once you get them started. You also have to make them do it as soon as they wake up or it’ll never get done. The littlest one puts up a bit of a fuss but the older one just gets to work. It’s almost 6:30 now and Mom is taking L.O.L. and Bunkie to the vet at 7am. She sure is a good girl to commit and follow through every single day with taking care of that little biting dog. Personally I don’t know if I’d do it.
The boys are talking about us going to Aunt Myrna’s birthday party in Oklahoma in mid August with Pa Don and Grandma Dixie as I told them they’d get to drive tractors and ride more horses. Around here, horses are all the rage right now. My Dad, before he passed away, always told the boys he’d get them horses when they were older and they haven’t forgot this. We have an old mason jar on top of the refrigerator that’s known as the “horse jar”. For the past year, we put all out spare change in here. Your not supposed to be able to take anything out once it goes in, but every now and then it gets raided for some reason. Anyhow the boys must have a few hundred dollars saved towards their horse. Now they don’t, but I do, know the work required just to feed and clean up after a horse. It’s a daily chore that can’t be missed plus they’re expensive to keep. I don’t think we’ll have one anytime soon but it would be a good life lesson for them to have the responsibility of taking care of a horse of their own. I don’t have to worry about this now but when they get up to $500 dollars or so and have enough money, I’m not sure what we’ll do.
Breakfast is almost done and I need some more coffee before we eat so time to sign off. The littlest one also needs some help with his school work. Hope everyone is well and that you have a great day.
p.s. buy some extra food each time you go to the store so you have a little bit saved for hard times!