Speed Bumps....the Bane of My Existence

Despite my attempts to cut back, scale down, and whatever other ways you can say "have less to do", this autumn has been rather frenetic. Not the worst, but busy nonetheless. But more than busy, it has been mentally and emotionally challenging. I'm so thankful I heeded the nudge to say "no" over and over in preparation.

The sources of the challenges are, as it often is, multi-faceted. Probably the biggest adjustment is The Big Boy heading off to the University. I do not think I realized what a stabilizing force he was until he was gone. His absence has been an adjustment to everyone in the house. Although it has been difficult, I wouldn't change it. I think it has been hard, in many ways, because we are all so close. The kids are all pretty tight. When he has come home he has committed the entire weekend to the family, and has had his siblings piled on top of him until he has had to extricate himself on Sunday afternoon. Literally. The Things are so excited they barely breathe all weekend. The Big Girl and I cry when he arrives and we cry after he leaves. I'm still trying to figure that out.

We are adjusting. When I go clean downstairs and there are NO DIRTY UNDERWEAR ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR, I'm not feeling too misty-eyed. There are no tugs on my heart when I pick up the living room and note the lack of popcorn scattered on the floor. At least, not yet. But then again, I must admit I was pretty thankful for the full laundry room last time he came home. I was very glad to clean it all for him.

Another adjustment we have made is in homeschooling. I have "kicked things up" a notch. Or two. Maybe three. The bar has been raised and the Things have balked a bit at the new expectations. It has been all Clay and I can do to get them rolling again. Bless his heart, I couldn't have done it without him. I think, finally, they are getting the hang of the new schedule and adapting. As we (ahem) knew they could.

Clay has faced multiple huge challenges in his job. As with any career, there are "those" days and, well, this has been one of "those" years. The stress is wearing on him, causing us both a lot of sleepless nights and anxiety-filled days. We are thankful and blessed that he has a job to stress him out. We do understand that. It has been a rough haul, though, and I'm thinking the only ones benefitting are some obscure attorneys and the Sam Adams Brewery. Octoberfest came at a rather opportune, time, I might add.

At our new land, we installed a game camera. We piled corn on the ground so we could get pictures of the pretty deer we have spotted around the area. It was stolen. Who would do that? Meanies.

Though all of this has lent its own twist to the challenges of each day of soccer, baseball, school, work, etc., one might be surprised at the one thing that is about to send us over the edge.

Speed bumps.

We have lived in a subdivision of gravel roads for 3 1/2 years now. Coming from a rather rural area, i.e., "the country", that hasn't been a big deal. Gravel roads are a source of entertainment where we grew up. Have you ever been line birdin'? If not, some would say you haven't lived.

Recently, our subdivision had a vote and the majority went to paving the roads. We had visions of rising home values, clean cars, and less dust in our homes. It really is nice. Well, it was. Then, they put in speed bumps. And given the cash we forked over for those lovely paved roads, you can be sure it was under the assumption that they would be smooth, speed-bump free roads.

If you want to see the rebellious side of a person come out, put them in a speed bump maze. It doesn't take long for them to floor it and tear out of it, with no regard to auto damage. What are a few shocks when sanity is on the line?

Yes, we can handle stolen cameras, our chicks leaving the nest, school, jobs, and a world of hate. But speed bumps?

I'm not so sure.