off the couch and into ... the kitchen?

As fall arrives in Toronto, I thought I'd reflect on the past few months of being at home, occupying myself with Spanish classes, yoga, running a few times a week, and whatever else strikes my fancy.

What have I accomplished? Well, my Spanish conversational skills are definitely improved, especially one on one, or in small groups. I can stay in wheel for longer than 10 breaths (though my arms aren't straight yet), and I held crane for 5 breaths yesterday. OK, so yogis are not supposed to strive for accomplishment, but hey, I haven't got to that much detachment yet, I'm still only aiming for it (yogic irony). My left knee is registering my decreased running mileage by providing percussion when I walk down stairs. Can someone explain to my why this doesn't happen when I run more than 15 miles a week? It's quite humbling to have to be so careful with that kneecap. I've spent some good time with friends, as well. Lunches, walks, two operas, shopping, visits over coffee. I feel very lucky to have had that time.

I haven't actually pushed my limits by trying new activities. Except this week: I'm trying my hand at interpreting, on Thursday and Friday, for two Congolese women visiting some people from Waterloo North Mennonite Church. It'll be good to get into my French head again, and be useful to someone.

And then there's the stuff I haven't accomplished: I've read very little. I haven't quilted the patchwork quilt I pieced last year, which is supposed to be our car blanket, for winter emergencies. I did cut up the marvelous fabric Mari gave me years ago, and pieced a few blocks, but they're not working out into anything I want to live with. I've barely progressed on the socks I started last spring. I can't seem to get my closet uncluttered. And I wish I could have seen even more of my friends: I only made one visit to St. Catharines, and no visits to London or KW.

But mostly what I haven't mastered, is how to be a productive housewife. I can't believe I ever thought it would be a fun thing to do for a few months. It takes so much organisation, so much time, so much commitment! When I'm not at work, I have low tolerance for dust and grime, and mess in the kitchen, but cleaning every few days seems so obsessive compulsive, not to mention time-consuming. And I can't get the hang of meal-planning more than a day or two in advance. Then there's the laundry and ironing. You'd think the shirts wouldn't need to live in the purgatory of an unironed pile if I'm not rushing off to a job, but alas they still do! And perhaps silliest of all is that it's all in my head; Richard laughs when I tell him how unsuccessful I feel as a housewife.

So I'll be glad to leave behind the weight of household duties next week when I go see my parents in Abbotsford for 5 days. It'll be nice to see them, and to stay at my in-laws' in the country. It's always a good time sitting around the kitchen table talking about everything and anything, with both sets of parents. And I'm looking forward to seeing the flora and fauna on the dyke during an early morning run.

When I get back from Abbotsford, I'll have just four and a half days in TO before I fly to Geneva. The plan is to stay at Ed's in Taninges (Haute-Savoie) for three weeks, then at Mari's in Basel for 10 days. However, the first weekend there, I've registered for a little 5 k race in Basel, so I'll get to see Mari, Aschi and Anna three weeks from now! At Ed's, I'll be helping with whatever renovation project is underway, likely painting and providing household support. My friend Ginny will be there for the first two weeks as well, helping out, and visiting of course, and hill-training! Then at Mari's, I'm looking forward to seeing the Paul Klee centre in Bern, daytime concerts in various churches, hanging out with Anna, maybe doing some quilting, and of course celebrating Mari's birthday. I'll be back in TO on Dec.17.

But the most momentous time will begin Dec.27, God willing and I live so long, when the CPT training begins in Chicago. Some of my earlier reservations are calmed somewhat since my telephone interview where I got more information about how the days are structured. There's time to yourself mid-day most days, and one complete day off every week. I think that should be enough for me. So then my biggest remaining concern is how hard it will be to be away from Richard for a second month so soon after my month in Europe. But as he says, it's not a separation caused by disaster, such as my grandparents lived through, and it's a limited time. We've done it before, I'm sure we'll be ok.

Well, that's it for my end of October ruminations. The coming posts will let you know finally if the CPT training is on. Happy All Saints Day tomorrow!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight … and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. … Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed." (Hebrews 12: 1, 12-13)