We're rounding the corner now from the winter doldrums that always seem to settle in and disrupt my productivity and creativity. The middle trimester of the school year is always particularly hard for me to stay enthused about. There's lots of long term projects, holidays and field trips - fantastic for the kids, of course, but One More Thing for me to deal with.

It all boils down to being all about me. Hah!

Making good on a longtime threat, I sat my family down and made them watch the excellent PBS series Frontier House this weekend. We got through the first four episodes, and my kids sat slack-jawed watching formerly happy-go-lucky kids who worried about their Nintendos being left behind turn into industrious helpers for their families. They dug ditches and cared for the livestock and helped prepare meals and worked from sun-up to sun-down. Bedtime was an eagerly anticipated event, I reminded my yahoos last night as they begged for just half an hour more, mom.

One of the moms said something to the effect of "never will I ever complain about my life back in the modern world being too busy." And I had a moment of shame - because yeah, although I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off a lot of the time, I don't have to, say, cut the heads off of any chickens. I'm not isolated, I have lots of options, and I often choose to do things the hard way (or not at all.)

Regardless, I'm just so very worn down these days. The insomnia is getting worse, seasonal allergies have me weeping, my skin is having a teenaged flashback, and it is Science Fair time for the kids. Woo.

I think i need to go back and watch the episodes again. I'm feeling less than grateful. I mean, I have shampoo, right?