It’s been 4 months without a family room in our home.

Without a “family tv”

We have the little tv in our sunroom.

With the tiny “squeeze 3 small people on it, but totally uncomfortable” couch.

The sunroom that is super cold all winter and not very appealing when it comes to hosting a family movie night.

This change in our world has caused a huge increase in “time outs’

Not for the kids, but for the hubs and I.

Without a couch to sink into and a big tv to “check out” and a movie to put on, we find we need to escape other places.  So for those of you without the family TV, here is my list of “Other things to do, when all you want is to collapse and watch a movie”

The Bathtub:
I love having baths, I really do. Curling up in the warm waters, letting my imagination swim away in a great book, nibbling sweet treats and enjoying the peace, and steam!

Alas, at the new house, the experience is lacking some of those relaxing qualities.  Each time you put the light on the high powered circa 1960 fan comes on.  With a motor that sounds like a jet engine, there is no relaxation with the light on, and def no reading happening in the tub.

And since it is an old cast iron, and the bathroom at the opposite end of the house, our wifi doesn’t even reach there- so no netflix to keep me occupied either.
(Note: if I suddenly lose service while we are dm”ing on fb, you now know why)

Outside time.
This is hubbies fave. And I used to love it too
When the sun was awake.
Alas, with deep winter in our midst, the last place I want to be is getting frostbitten finding my solitude in nature.  I run quickly outside to grab another load of firewood, but that is as far as I will go. And there is definitely no relaxation happening as I attempt to stay warm and keep my fingers from freezing off.

The bedroom.
Alone.
This one is used often. A simple statement to the hubs (or vice versa) of “I’m checking out for the night” means “i am going to snuggle in bed, alone, with my fave netflix shows” (don’t you dare come up and make me watch something  we both like”)

Biggest problem with this?
“This”

Is my ceiling. And my walls. To say our bedroom needs a makeover is an understatement.

But sometimes it is still better than watching another round of mermaid shows with the kids.

I have told hubby that the rec room needs to be completed by Christmas. There is NO WAY I will last over 2 weeks with 4 kids in the house and only my bedroom to escape to.  Plus, I am feeling kind of lame when people message me at 730pm on a friday and I don’t answer because I accidentally fell asleep (again) in bed.

Oh, and never fear, I have also told him the bedroom needs to be redecorated this spring.  I like my flowers in the garden thanks!

What do you do to “check out” where there is no where to escape?