I am coming into this challenge a little late - but only in the "strictly following the rules sense". I have been listening to books for over a year now and have found it a welcome respite in my hectic and chaotic life.
I steal moments to listen at every chance, have to pick the kids up? No problem, plug my phone/ereader into the van radio and I am set. Low on milk? Awesome! Off to the grocery store I go with a book playing in my ear. Going to the YMCA to exercise? SWEET! One hour of uninterrupted listening. Need to drive Hannah to an audition in Toronto? Fantastic! She will watch a movie or fall asleep in the back seat and I will have 3+ hours to listen WOO HOO!
Growing up, my parents always read. You could often find my mother sitting at the kitchen table, bent over a book first thing in the morning, after work, as a way to relax in the evenings. Books travelled with us wherever we went. I will always remember packing up the Rubbermaid tote with books to take on our two week vacation to a small island in Northern Ontario. The other vacationers considered it a running joke, the number of books that we brought, but every year we got through all those books, and more often than not, the other island vacationers would wander by and pick a few out for themselves. There is nothing better than finding a secluded spot under a tree, by the water and losing yourself in a good book.
Of course now, with a growing family of 7, a full time job, a refrigerator that is chronically empty and a house that desperately requires a dust bunny intervention, I have difficulty finding that secluded spot or the time to get lost in my book. I can lock myself in my bedroom, but that doesn't stop the kids from finding a million reasons to knock on my door. I tried bubble baths to read in, but someone always had to go to the bathroom! Then I decided, I would settle down to read after the kids went to bed; but for some reason, no matter what he is doing, despite the fact he has not felt the need to speak to me in hours, has been deeply involved in whatever movie or sporting event he is watching, as soon as that book comes up in front of my face my husband wants to talk!
Listening to audiobooks, allows me to still get the things done that need to be done, while still enjoying myself. Dusting is no longer quite so tedious, mopping the floor flies by and folding laundry is becoming a new favourite thing to do to pass the time.
