David works full time and takes college classes. Ari goes to college and runs a women's writing cadre. Alex is attends a summer Shakespearean theatre program. Anni runs around to 7 specialty appointments per week and is about to start tech camp. Barkley helps Anni, chases tennis balls, and keeps squirrels at bay. And I get to keep track of all of their schedules, manage the household, write, and study.
So how?
A) Slow down, work less, and live more. We're in the process of consolidating schedules and tasks.
B) Increase the amount of family and neighbor face-to-face time. We have placed limits on the amount of time spent alone with technology buddies and added games night, potlucks, hikes, picnics, and craft projects.
C) Decrease our carbon output with alternative transportation and energy footprints. We're walking and taking the bus more and using our gas guzzler less often. Our primary vehicle is now a Prius for when the bus won't get us there. We hand wash small loads of dishes and only do full loads of laundry. Our showers are shorter and flow restricted. As soon as we can find a place to put a clothes line where Barkley can't snatch and run with the family undies, we're retiring the dryer for the summer.
D) Vacation locally with a 200 mile limit to explore the wonders of where we live. Pacific Northwest: forests, beaches, mountains, deserts, lakes, rivers - why go anywhere else? Okay sun might be a tempting lure, but we do get alittle this time of year.
Okay, okay, now we're done with all the goals. Tomorrow the fun begins.
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