Just what on earth IS Prairie Eydie doing with all her time???

Prairie Eydie's coffee table. 

“Excuse the mess, but we live here.”
― Roseanne Barr

Prairie Friends.  I must confess, it looks like a nursery or gaze of raccoons has moved into my house.  Let me give you a tour of what I came home to Wednesday afternoon. 

This is an aerial view of my kitchen table.  Yes.  I have always let my children read books while they eat.  I felt guilty about it until I found out that Jimmy Carter was always allowed to read at the kitchen table.  Now everyone reads at the table because Jimmy Carter is AWESOME!  Sometimes we read each other jokes.  Other times we give each other quizzes.  (Are you a Gorilla OR a Monkey?)  Most of the time, we just read.  I don't mind sticky pages. 

This is the kitchen counter.  Where do I even start?  The Diet Coke soaked broom in the sink?  The crock pot I have been putting off washing because it is so gross?  The fragile wine glasses I don't want to break?  I wasn't sure where to begin, so I didn't. 

Obviously I haven't been cleaning, so what have I been doing? 

This school year I have been challenging myself to read one Young Adult book a week.  Often, my students will join me and read the same book with me.  Reading has won out over dusting.  AND.  I have read one book every week since school started.  Woot.

The last book I read with some students was Between a Rock and a Hard Place.  (You know, the one about the climber who was pinned in a slot canyon and had to amputate his own arm???).  I spent my time making rock creatures for my students, not vacuuming. 

My friend, Lena, has taught me how to make holidays special for my kids.  Under her tutelage, I bought skull goblets and sugary cereal to surprise my kids on Halloween morning.  As dear Prairie Sherry pointed out, it takes time to buy Halloween crap.  So, I was out shopping, not "Swiffering" my hardwood floors. 

Sometimes I feel like a failure because the kids are still wearing summer pajamas in November and there are distinct paw prints on the ceiling.  But, Prairie Friends, it is all good.  It is all good.

Prairie Eydie

“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should you?”  

― Erma Bombeck