I can't very easily go for a run here in the Ozarks, someone always asks me if I'm ok or need any help. I hate running anyway, so it was no big loss. However I did miss the endorphins, stronger joints, and lymphatic health one gets from bouncing down the road intentionally. I also get really bored easily. So I got the brilliant idea to take up jump roping. One can double jump, cross jump, skip jump...the options are endless. It's like a really cheap treadmill that's far more entertaining and enjoyable. The only problem was I didn't have a jumprope so I was just using an old piece of rope in the barn. Jim finally had pity on me and got me the Lamborghini of jumpropes for my birthday and even in this winter weather, I can jumprope in my room (except now I have an audience that lines up on my bed and calls out helpful advice). Ten out of ten reccomend, just beware that if you do it barefoot it hurts when you make a mistake.
During that magical week between Christmas and New Year's I started organizing everyone's clothes (including my own) and decided I was disenchanted with wearing clothing made from recycled plastic that falls apart in one season like keto pancakes. I'm not a purist when it comes to food or clothing, but I started researching all the health benefits of wearing natural fibers. That led to about twenty tabs and the realization my wallet would not support a switch to natural clothing. Another few tabs later and I found myself watching videos on how 100% silk velvet was made, and somehow (I'm not sure how) a package came in the mail with several yards of velvet so soft and luscious I'm pretty sure it's probably a crime to even have it in the house. I think my logic was it's cheaper to make myself healthy natural clothing, than it is to buy it, but that was clearly the delusion of Christmas-break me talking, and not the real version of me who definitely does not have time to sew very expensive worm poop into attire at the moment.
We had our soft open for school today and I wouldn't say it went horribly. Everyone at least got their math and reading done with minimal moaning. I banned electronics last week when it became clear I wasn't the only one suffering from Christmas-break lethargy, but I'm not entirely heartless. I bought the kids a puzzle as a replacement. It has proved problematic though, because although Fortnite has no hold over me, I can't seem to walk past that darn puzzle without putting a few pieces in, so the kids have gotten more productive, and I have gotten less. I wouldn't say they're entirely thrilled with the replacement therapy I've got going on, but the electronics detox is going much better than I expected. They're also playing quite a bit of chess these days, but with that game they're much more apt to start acting it out in real life (except they're not acting). It probably didn't help that we got them all play swords for Christmas.
At least they haven't turned the new velvet into a King's cloak yet?