The Prodigal Blogger Returns

I am back.

Through a series of unfortunate events, we have been internet-less around here for the past three weeks. Not by choice, mind you, but it was how the fates would have it. I checked my email and quickly consulted my Google Reader at various locations around town, but was not able to update my blog. And for those of you who wait with baited breath for each update and do not feel complete without your daily dose of my daily life--please accept my sincerest apologies.

Without the high-speed distraction, I had to sow my wild oats in the real world.

We had a couple of these:

And we finally finished this:

On the snowy and cold weekends we made (and heartily consumed) this:

Popcorn made on the stove...what a novel idea for my kids!

There was plenty of time for this:

And we tried to avoid being impaled by one of these:

It was wild there, for a while. I still found myself glancing at the computer everytime I walked by, wondering if there was a new email or blog post. But eventually, that did go away. And in some ways, being disconnected simplified things. I couldn't look up a recipe I was thinking of, but I could clean my kitchen counters. And sink. Or family room. I wasn't able to check the morning headlines, but I could sit at the table to eat breakfast instead of at the computer. And read. Or talk to the kids. The internet connects us with the world, but distances us from the responsibilities and relationships right in front of us.

And so, while I am extremely grateful to be back online (very helpful when you're the PTA corresponding secretary, for example), I hope to remember that my virtual life does not always need my utmost attention. Maybe then my nephew will make it to the bathroom on time. And Andrew will do his homework and checklists like he should. And I can keep the house from looking like this:

Who am I kidding. I could get rid of internet, television and phone, and the house would still be a pig sty. That is the real real world.

It's good to be back.