A Slower Pace

I am REALLY enjoying the slower pace now that we're sticking close to "home" on weekdays. I'll tell ya, last furlough about did me in and I was determined to avoid making some of the same mistakes. [Instead, I'll try to make new ones ;) ]

And the biggest mistake we made last time was not planning our schedule well, so we ended up bouncing around constantly. They could have added us as part of this official definition:
<ex·haust [ig-zawst]> 
verb (used with object)

1. to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person: "I have exhausted myself working."

2. to use up or consume completely; expend the whole of: "The Hoyts were exhausted at the end of furlough."

3. to draw out all that is essential in (a subject, topic, etc.); treat or study thoroughly.

4. to empty by drawing out the contents: to exhaust a tank of fuel oil.

5. to create a vacuum in.

This time around, clustering the longer trips has made a huge difference. We had that almost-month-long travel binge at the beginning, we'll have two weeks on-the-road in August, and another two week trip out to California in September, but otherwise we are planting ourselves in Jonesville.

Aside from the more relaxed travel schedule, we're just enjoying time with our people. We've been able to go to several picnics as well as just hang with friends either at their place or ours. Our days have been filled with visits and catching up, good food and even better conversations.

 Don looking at the photo book I created, about the first year of construction on our lot in Argentina.

This morning Ivan rode with Dave to deliver a part to an MG collector in another town. We owned a few MGs back in the day, and Ivan continues to harbor an affection for the little British imports. I spent the morning making green smoothies for a friend and developing an affection for her new Vitamix. Those machines are amazing.

Living out in the country has its adventures. We drive over to the church when we need to use the internet, and on our way the other morning we had to stop while wild turkeys crossed the road.

This is one of many photos I snapped because they just kept coming! There were a total of four or five adults and dozens of little turkeys. We kept thinking they'd all gone across when suddenly more would pop up from the bank on the left and start waddling in front of the car. We've seen our share of deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and ground hogs too.

Saturday we headed to the weekly Farmer's Market held in downtown Hillsdale. What fun! I loved being able to get fresh lettuce, leeks, three kinds of tomatoes, blackberries, and blueberries. Plus, it was another opportunity to see old friends. Like Katja, who we've known for 24 years; we met her family shortly after moving to Michigan because they homeschooled too.

She was showing a little fellow how to operate the spinning wheel. I learned that in addition to her gardening and natural textile ventures, she also runs a day spa.

Progress on the baby quilt continues slowly. Days go by without a chance to work on it, but whenever possible I'm carving out time. My goal is to have the top pieced by the end of this month.

I'm behind on paperwork. Again. *sigh* I have two months worth of reports to work on, and we really need to get a prayer update out too. What can I say? It's on my "to do" list, but spending time with people keeps winning out.

I'm a little jealous of the short amount of time we have in the states, and I want to spend as much of it as possible with those we only get to see every couple years. [Can you tell I'm trying to justify my procrastination with the paperwork?]

So what job or chore are you putting off?