Word of the Week – Out

knitting by the fire

The perfect autumn evening, for me, is to be curled up in a chair with either a clutch of fabric, an armful of yarn or a good book. The fire is roaring. The hens are tucked away for the night and at least some of the children are in bed. Bellies full. Homework finished and all is quiet.

I don’t think I’ve changed much over the years. I’m not a party animal. I don’t opt to go out in the evening, if I can help it. The thought of coordinating the rest of the family and then driving down unlit, narrow, winding country lanes to get anywhere, probably in the rain or fog, is enough to put me off. Do I really want to leave my warm nest?

I have enough fabric and yarn to keep me busy for many dark evenings. Think of all the projects I could complete – ok reality is often different – but the opportunity is there.

christmas knitting

So this week has been a shock to my system. I’ve had four evenings, in a row, when I’ve left my warm nest. When I stop to think about it, it’s the darkness that I find a challenge. Mid summer, I wouldn’t even consider it an issue to head out. Somehow the lack of light sends me into planning mode. It becomes a military operation.

I need to think about any child who is not involved. Whether they can get home safely, have something to eat, be alright by themselves. If not, then I need to organize somewhere for them to be. Evening meal to be cooked ahead and possibly be ready to be eaten at different times. Coordinating others to be in the right place at the right time. With the right kit.

This would be straightforward if everyone just did what I wanted them to do. I only need a child to be unhappy with a car share or being looked after by someone else, or someone else unable to commit to an already arranged part of the plan, and I need to break out my best diplomatic self and calmly find a way forward.

needle felted herdwick sheep Christmas red hat

I do sympathize. I did skip one event and completely forgot another, this week.

All I want to do is cut into fabric and start another project. It’s not as if one of these evenings was for me. No. They have included a meeting about an imminent foreign trip for one child, an after school learning experience for another and a secondary school parents’ evening (ie long, not 10 minutes as they do at primary). All at least half an hours drive away. In the dark and pelting rain. Did I mention that bit?

Breathe.

Father Christmas Elf

I’m not really moaning. More gearing myself up for another logistically challenging day. I’m glad they have the opportunities. I am so very grateful.

We chose to live here.  I’d hate for them to miss out, which is why I keep dragging myself away from my book by the fireplace, and navigating the little lanes. In the dark.  I just need to tweak my mindset and off I go again. Able to do it, and smile at the same time.

Next week will be easier.

Please tell me.

How do you cope with evening events on dark nights?

P.S. These are old photos of festive craft projects, I’ve completed in previous years. Nothing to show for this year. Yet.

Father Christmas Santa Patchwork picture

12 comments

  1. I don’t like leaving our cosy nest on Autumnal or Winter nights at all. We all love sitting by the fire and it has to be something really good to drag me into the TV room. We are lucky that the boys go to and come home from school via a local taxi service. The school is only 2 miles away so not too far to go to parents’ evening or other events just along from the school at the local hall. They are not doing any activities after school apart from Youth club at the moment so luckily not much need for trips out in the cold and dark. LOVE the fury lamb!

  2. I’m so like you. Not a party animal either and like you, would prefer cosy nights in. I’m afraid I’m not coping so well with the bleak weather either. I focus on small joys though, like fires, warm wooly socks, winter soup recipes and the like to keep me less broody 🙂 #wotw

  3. I feel like you too, I hate having to go out on dark winter’s evening where even 6pm can feel so much more later. I’m often in my pjs but 8pm and want to be left alone.

  4. I am just like you, always preferring to snuggle up of an evening, usually with a book. Four nights in a week is too much! Fortunately, we’re in the middle of a busy town so I don’t have to plan outings like you, but I’d still rather be in! Thanks for sharing with #WotW

  5. I love your word of the week post (not the word, so much, but the post — I’m a homebody, too). Getting out and about after dark in the winter months is always a challenge for me as well. It’s not the fog or the rain that bothers me (being a Pacific Northwesterner in the US, I’m used to that), it’s the cold!

  6. What a pain with the meetings, it definately is harder to leave the nest when it is colder and darker in the evenings X #wotw

  7. After being in most of the day its a joy to get out of the house even if its to go to the supermarket in the dark here. Love your crafts particularly the sheep. #WotW

  8. I love your craft projects from previous years. Staying inside on a cold dark evening and doing crafts sounds much nicer than heading out in the cold and the rain. It does feel like it requires so much more effort to get out and about in the winter time. The fire is much more appealing! #WotW

  9. I understand, and I’m like that too. Just leave me alone and keep me warm! I’d love to be doing crafts instead of putting my coat back on and going out in the dark. It’s tough when you have to change routines and get the children looked after too. I’m sure you will settle back into your routine soon. #WotW

    1. I think possibly the hardest part is sorting out the other children. I slightly envy people who have grandparents living near by. I have offered to adopt one or two in the past.

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