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Things I’m Lovin’ At The Moment…

Gorgeous huh? This really appeals to me right now. Love the art work on the wall in the first shot. Looks like it’s been hand done. Love the little splash of green in the bedroom and entry hall, so fresh. The mismatched chairs around the kitchen table, so casual and inviting. I just love this look, I don’t know what that says about me but I love it much more than perfectly matched decor and new modern stuff. Which is just as well as I couldn’t afford perfectly matched decor any way lol!

Very tempted to have a change of color around me and this white and fresh blue is making me thirst for it. Only problem is, I’d have to paint the entire kitchen and hallway white and at the moment they are very bold, bright colors so, I’d probably have to do about 3 coats PLUS an undercoat. Then again, I am feeling very well atm sooooo…..maybe!!! Already have the timber floors and old style cottage going on…hmmm.

How about you, do you thirst for change in your home every now and then? And what style would you go for if you could choose anything you wanted? This home looks as though it belongs on a couple of acres somewhere with a little stream running along the bottom with willows bowing gracefully over it. sigh. It would have a vegie patch out the back filled with a mix of vegies, herbs and flowers all thrown in together, each helping the other in the way companion planting does, with a few dozen buzzing bees lazily hovering over it. I would give overflowing baskets of it to friends. sigh, sigh. Sometimes it seems life just isn’t long enough to achieve all our dreams, I don’t know how I’d achieve this idyllic one, unless I won tattslotto which would be very difficult since I don’t buy tickets. Best I start. Best I come up with a great idea to sell for mega bucks….well can’t hurt to dream! Meanwhile I’ll try to stay grateful for what I do have. Enjoy your dreams today and take care of yourselves and each other.

Awwww so cute….

How sweet are these little kittens? I thought I’d throw some cute into the mix today. Enjoy.

clipped from www.swcp.com

So True…

I have remembered that when I started this blog, I had a wish to be supportive of mothers, mainly, whether they be stay at home mums or work outside as well as inside the home mums, or mums that work from home! There are so many different variations of us these days. Obviously I cannot focus on every type at once but I can, hopefully, focus on each type at different times. Anyway, I remember clearly this desire and as I look back over my blog I realise that I have not been doing this near as much as I would like too so I am going to remedy that immediately with the following excerpt which I found delightful, informative and in some way a sort of calm descended upon me. I think because of the simplicity with which it is delivered and the simplicity of what it instructs. It just felt/feels right.

I came across this as I entertain thoughts of home schooling my youngest son Jack. There are so many fantastic resources out there, even in Australia, though not near as many as in America. There are some wonderfully informative sites with information on results of homeschooling often from the homeschooled pupils themselves whom are now all grown up and can speak from the point of view of the student. So many have done better than public schooled students. If you are at all interested in this topic (home schooling) just do a google search and you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of information available to you. Anyway here is the excerpt which I really believe to be true:-

Recipe for Preschool Peace

Starting as early in your parenting life as possible, mix:

• One large dollop of the works of John Holt, especially How Children Learn, Learning All the Time, and Teach Your Own
• Two heaped cups of Better Late Than Early by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore
• A splash of Preschool Homeschooling by Beverly Krueger

Allow this mixture to rest in your brain for a while, then add (as your child becomes old enough to do these things):

• Lazy afternoons at the park
• Regular visits to the public library
• Trips to the zoo and children’s museum
• Work in the garden (especially making mud pies)
• Large empty appliance boxes and markers
• Finger paints
• Long sessions of you reading aloud to your children

Relax and enjoy!

Special note: Don’t rush through this recipe – take your time, because soon enough your little one will be a “big kid”, and both of you will be ready to take on a more complicated “recipe”.

© 2006 Barbara Frank/Cardamum Publishers
Reproduced by Permission

Barbara Frank is the mother of four homeschooled-from-birth children ages 13-22, a freelance writer/editor, and the author of “Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers” and the new eBook, “The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling.” To visit her Web site, “The Imperfect Homeschooler,” go to www.cardamumpublishers.com.

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New Beginnings Indeed…

Hello dear friends, I know I haven’t been blogging as much as I used to. I think that will change soon though. This week has been the start of some good things. I don’t know how to link to an older post but for those of you that read my blog consistently (thank you) you will know that Jack was miserable at school, had issues with bullying, etc, etc. Anyway this week we have gone back to his old school, which was a fantastic school, it was just the class he was in and the teacher he had that were the problem. This time he is in another class. He is HAPPY!!! Thankfully his teacher is a lovely, nurturing soul, carefully chosen by the Principle for Jack. Also his good friend Elijah is in his class too. The other children seem lovely, I spent some time doing an art class with them in order to get to know them. The other Mum’s seem very nice and genuine and the kid that was the instigator of the bullying has been spoken to severely by the Principle and also by me and has not picked on Jack since. In fact he walked by Jack the other day and simply said “hello” and kept going. Much better. So this has been a huge achievement and problem solved, needless to say I am very happy too.

The second change that has been implemented is Jack sleeping in his own bed (finally), for the entire night through. I changed bedroom set ups around, I have put my two boys together in spite of the age gap and it is working very well. I only have two bedrooms here you see, so it was a case of needs must, however, with my older son not at home as often as he used to be, I thought that it wouldn’t be such an invasion of his space to share with Jack on the occasions when he was here. I have set up Playstation, Nintendo, etc in the bedroom so they do have that in common and by the time Jamie goes to bed, Jack is well and truly asleep anyway. It is a nice big bedroom so they both have their own section of space and their own cupboards, shelves, etc so it works fairly well. At least Jack is now sleeping on his own instead of in my bed with me which is better all round. It gives him confidence in himself to know that he can sleep without me and he won’t have to worry about being teased at school if he has friends over and it is nice for me to have my own space. Although I do miss his warm little body next to mine in the night…..but I must do what is best for him. That’s not to say that on weekend mornings we can’t hop in together and have a snuggle though!

So, all in all it has been a very constructive week and I am feeling very optimistic for the short term future at least. It is sinking in slowly that I am in Remission. I don’t think I really believed it for the first little while. I am certainly making hay while the sun shines as I am still terrified of a time when the cancer may be back. Anyway, I really try not to think about it. I am on a bit of a holiday from cancer for now, and most of the time I don’t think about it, just every once in a while something triggers a thought and then I feel my stomach flip and churn and I feel something very close to terror. I am seeing just how much cancer stole from me in terms of being the Mother my sons need and deserve. I am just so much more productive when I’m well, it has highlighted to me just how low it brought me and how even the simplest of tasks were incredibly hard for me. I think this is at the core of the fear, fear that what if I need to give my youngest son up for his own well being? I know I would do this for him if it was the right thing but the thought makes me feel as though I could vomit! This is terror! This is a real fear. This is something that could happen. For now, though, I am safe, so I smile, I take a deep breath and I move forward, quickly and intensely. Take care my dear ones, of yourselves and each other and if you feel you could say a prayer for me now and then to keep this cancer at bay, I would be most grateful. Thank you, more soon.

I’m Sharing Inspiration Today…

^{This essay has been accredited, erroneously, to George Carlin, Jeff Dickson, an unnamed Columbine High School student, and yes, that most prolific of scribes, Anonymous. Credit actually belongs to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle’s Overlake Christian Church. (He retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). The essay appeared under the title “The Paradox of Our Age” in Words Aptly Spoken, Dr. Moorehead’s 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts.}

The Paradox

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big en and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, over-weight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Inspiration…

I love this, I hope you do to.

Two Wolves: A Cherokee Teaching

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life…

He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf is evil — he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied: “The one you feed”.

From the Turtlezen website.

So That’s Why…

Hello dear ones, well you’ve noticed that I haven’t been blogging as much lately and in point of fact I’ve really been struggling to do anything much lately. I just couldn’t understand what was wrong especially as the couple of weeks previously I’d had a lot of energy and felt great. Well, I went for a check up with my Doctor on Wednesday afternoon, we had a chat and I got scripts I needed filled etc, etc. Then just as I was leaving, I said to her “Marie, do you think you could take a look at my gum, it’s been a little bit sore, I know you’re not a dentist but maybe you can tell me whether I need to see one?” So, she had a look and guess what? My gum right down the back has a swollen infection there and it has gone into my throat and she said, most probably my body. So I needed antibiotics right away. Well, there you have it! I haven’t been well and here I was being so hard on myself. I know you’re probably wondering how a really sore gum could be such a minor thing to me that I barely even bothered about it! It’s because I am so used to not being well, or being in some kind of pain that I truly believe I have built up a tolerance and that it doesn’t feel unusual for me not to be 100 per cent. Anyway, I am so relieved as now I know I will start to feel better and my energy will come back. Also I can be a little more kind to myself now. Take care of yourselves and remember lets not be to hard on ourselves as sometimes we are just rundown, or something is wrong in our bodies and we need to take it easy.

Desiderata……

Hello dear friends, I had this brought to my attention and wanted to share it. Enjoy!

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- by Max Ehrmann.

I Hope It’s Coming Back…

Hello friends, I haven’t posted in a while, I’ve been in a sort of creative void and also a blogging void. I’m not quite sure why. I started spring cleaning the house, I got the urge, you know how it is, the nicer weather seems to inspire a bit of a nesting feeling. You seem to notice the windows need cleaning and then start to clean out cupboards etc and then before I knew it I got a bit obsessed. I didn’t actually think of it as obsessed I just thought I was on a roll and I kept going, decluttering and organising, then it slowly dawned on me that I was feeling guilty whenever I sat down to do some scrapping or art work of any sort, I kept thinking of all the things that needed doing, which, in turn, made me not enjoy what I was doing, I would actually have to stop and go and do whatever it was that was bothering me. Even if nothing in particular was bothering me I would start having thoughts like, “I’m being so unproductive”, or “how is this helping our family, they’d be better off it I went and made a soup, or organised something or whatever” and on and on the list can go. I have struggled with this before and it’s not fun, it really does affect how much creating I do. I’m still struggling with it as I write this as a matter of fact and I’m not sure how to get past it. I sort of feel as though the house has to be perfect and maybe then I can relax and ‘allow’ myself to do my creative stuff. Little bit OCD at the moment I think, I know it’s not a good place to be as art really is part of me and I need to express myself through it. I am trivialising it by putting it last on the list, or not on the list at all! Logically, I know I shouldn’t feel this way, yet I am really having trouble with the guilt. Maybe I feel as though I don’t deserve this outlet? Maybe I am procrastinating? Or perhaps a bit of both? I’m not quite sure but I am sure something’s gotta give. Those photos above are pictures of what has been sitting on my work area for weeks. I got as far as choosing colors (sort of), choosing some embellishments, choosing a cute photo and a selection of a few others in case I want to use more than one. I had the idea to use the back part of the packaging that Elsie Flannigans rubons come in as part of my layout (behind the main photo) which I thought was a cute idea and kind of inspired me and then………I came to a dead stop! I have remained at this stage for days. I don’t know if any of you have struggled with anything similar to this, if you have I’d appreciate some suggestions. I think I may need to take a bit of time to analyze what’s really going on here. I must also start reminding myself of why art is not a waste of time. I guess that’s what is at the crux of it, I have been feeling as if sitting down and making something pretty is so self indulgent. It’s not as bad if I’m making it for someone else, which is why I joined a ’swap’ club a while back (not that I’ve made what I am supposed to make for that either yet), I guess I thought that if I’m doing it for others it’s not as self indulgent. I really don’t want to feel like this, it just seems wrong in a way that is not healthy. I will work through it, even writing about it here is enlightening me a little. I seem to remember, vaguely, reading something Ali Edwards wrote about a similar topic, I may go to her blog and read old posts. Also, reading about how other people who ‘make’ things feel about this might help. I shall do some research on the subject. Gosh I’ve waffled on a long time about my problems, sorry, I’m surprised if you’re still with me (and grateful) lol! I shall finish now, it’s 1o.50pm here and Jack is still up! Well, it is school holidays, but still…..take care of yourselves and each other and hopefully next time you hear from me I will have created something. PS: I read through Ngaire’s blog today and that did stir something deep inside me, enough so I almost got up and went to my work space, almost….Thanks Ngaire, you have some beautiful things on there.