Not Back to School

It's been a busy, interesting week. The kids officially returned to 'school' this week, although as homeschoolers, it's not the drastic change that one might anticipate. For us, there's an easing into the fall routine. Registration in classes they want to attend, a lot of time doing mind-mapping and discussing the upcoming year, a phone call with our beloved Learning Consultant. Days spent jumping on the trampoline and riding bikes, making up games, playing board games, home-cooked meals, playing paper dolls and lip-synching to favourite songs. ;)

There was a lot of tai chi this week - teaching two classes, attending an open house where I taught the try-it class, going to an afternoon intensive/workshop, and organizing and participating in a couple demos as well. Phew! That *was* a lot of tai chi. But you know, it's so relaxing and it feels good to put that energy and commitment into my health, both physical and mental. As an instructor, it can be challenging; sometimes I feel like I open a can of worms with discussions, but I'm very grateful for the support of the other instructors and the tai chi society - everyone is there to support me as I instruct, and I am truly grateful for that. I get so much out of my tai chi practice, and I can see that I have a *long* way to go on the journey. I am honoured to be able to support other students on their journey as I travel my own.

At the farm, there's harvest-time is here! Not to mention beds to be prepped for winter. I've done some pressure canning lately - green beans and baby beets and other things. I'd love to do a little more; it's very gratifying to look in the pantry and see all the beautiful mason jars all lined up. Right now the grocery store has 10 lb cases of peaches for $9.99; I'd love to get 50 or even 100 lbs and can them all.

Lots of discussion in the family this week around finances and the household budget and such. Changes are afoot; I'm trying to wrap my head around it all as we figure it out together. I got my first job when I was 10 delivering newspapers and even after all these years, I expect I would have a better grip on money, and (confession) I don't. In theory, it's all so simple: income must be greater than expenses. But in reality, running a household isn't that simple, especially when unexpected (or expected but unaccounted-for-in-the-budget) expenses come up. Things like an unplanned vet bill or, for that matter, the sale on peaches... ideally, there's money set aside for things that come up. I hope my children learn to create and live within a balanced budget before they're adults; I know it's not something I was ever explicitly taught, and that's probably the case for many of us.

Today I was offered a regular job in our community - it's only half an hour a day, but it has to be done at the same time every day. It's within walking distance of our home, and I think half an hour a day is quite manageable. Between that, and helping ds with cleaning the community hall, and selling eggs at the end of the driveway, we're creating quite a little sustainable economy in our community for ourselves. I've got to get my raw food order going soon, too; I missed putting one in in August and September might not happen either. I think dh's right that many people are interested in raw food and trying it out, or at least incorporating more raw foods into their general diets.

Ideally, I'd like to live debt-free. To have no mortgage, to own land outright. To build a well-planned smaller home ourselves on it. Off-grid. No cable tv, no wi-fi, but yes, high-speed internet and a phone line. ;) I envision days spent in the abundant garden, growing the majority of our own food, communing with nature. Time spent in the kitchen putting away the harvest for winter. Time spent in leisure on the deck or patio or terrace overlooking the pond and garden. Time spent as family, as community.

My overall goal is not to roll around naked in a pile of $100 bills. I do not share the commonly assumed vision of success, the whole American dream of unrestrained material consumerism. I want to enjoy life. To have time to build loving relationships with family, with others in the community. To live a healthy, balanced life. Time spent doing tai chi, swimming, cycling, hiking, and generally a more active lifestyle than I currently lead. This would also predicate less time spent driving and more time spent at home. I don't want to live in forced poverty, but I also don't think that we need to work insane hours to consume more than is necessary. Despite what the advertisers may say, money cannot buy you happiness (but I do admit there is a certain amount where it makes one comfortable, where it meets our basic needs).

I would say that I would rather spend a little more money on an item of good quality rather than buy a cheaper one that will wear out sooner and ultimately create more waste. Like our organic cotton flannel sheets from Germany. Yes, expensive. Yes, imported and the associated transportation carbon footprint. But imo, they'll last a lot longer than the no-name brand sheets at the discount superstore. Or the investment in my VitaMix blender, over a cheaper (lower quality) blender. Things like that.

I don't know where I'm going with this; I just know that there are things happening in my life right now - big changes - that are somewhat overwhelming. I'm especially grateful to have the weekend to myself to contemplate life, to just spend time reading, lying in the September sunshine, time just to be. *Namaste*

On my bookshelf right now:
Less is More - Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska
The Findhorn Garden Story
One-Income Household: how to do a lot with a little - Susan Reynolds & Lauren Bakken
Simple Prosperity: finding real wealth in a sustainable lifestyle - David Wann
The Simple Feeling of Being: embracing your true nature - Ken Wilber
A different kind of luxury: japanese lessons in simple living and inner abundance - Andy Couturier
Ecovillages - Jan Martin Bang