Life As We Know It

Unexpected bloggy break

Hello my lovelies,

Just to let you know I'm taking a week or so off due to Alan's dad passing away tonight. I want to be with Alan at this difficult time.

xx

how I {don't} fit it all in, part 3

 

This is the third part of a blog post on how I don't fit it all in. The first one can be found here. The second here.

    ***

Ha ha! So I set out to write a post on how I try to fit art and blogging into my daily life... and both kids got sick and needed my full attention, leaving me no time to blog or art!

Which reminded me I forgot one important tip in part 2... go with the flow! :/

Ain't life fun?!?!

 

Anyway, here goes:

 

Don't you just love how shiny and new that journal looks in this photo from last year. It's not so clean now, that's for sure!

 

Art (journaling)

 

Keep the journal out all day:

When Kirby was newborn and I could only fit in a minute or two to myself all day, I kept the journal open on the breakfast bar at all times, so I didn't have to waste time taking it out, opening it up to the right page, or what have you. Then when I had a minute, even if it was just waiting for the kettle to boil, I could add a little something to the page. It made me feel like I still had some me-time, even though I was knee-deep in caring for a newborn.

Kirby is (thankfully) a much better sleeper now, but I still keep my journal open all day when I'm working on a page. It's ready to go whenever I am.

If you have somewhere safe to leave your art out so you can add to it during the day, I highly recommend it.

 

Keep an art supply kit:

If you've been around a while you know I have worked from a shoe box full of supplies at the kitchen breakfast bar since before Kirby was born, and just change out the contents when I get bored of them or use them up.

I love having an art kit because it means I have everything ready to go, and it challenges me to make the most of whatever is in it. It can be as big or as small as you want/ need.

I recently admitted to myself (and to Alan, who has had to put up with the mess for the past couple of years) that the shoe box format isn't working (for us). It's too big and bulky, not sturdy enough, and far too tempting for little fingers. It has to sit out on the breakfast bar, so the breakfast bar is never tidy. It's driving us both crazy. So I am going back to the drawing board. I still want and need a kit, but it has to fit my needs better. I was thinking of converting Alan's old briefcase, but I'd have the same problem with storage, so I'm now thinking I might just hang a tote on the back of the door. You can't see it when you come into the kitchen, but it is still within easy reach.

I'll do a separate post on what I keep in my kit(s) at some point .

 

Use supplies suitable to the circumstances:

When Kirby was little, he would only sleep on me (in a carrier/ sling, or in my arms), see picture in the first fitting it all in post, so I pretty much only used WS crayons, coloured pencils, and glue sticks for a while, because I didn't want to risk touching him when my hands were messy.

Now he's older I still leave messy stuff till he's asleep, and do cleaner stuff (like sketching) when he's around. I fit in a lot more art in my day that way.

 

Make art with the kids:

Okay, so not all kids are as obsessed with drawing and painting as Aoife, but in my experience as a parent, and former nanny and au pair, most kids like it well enough that you get a few minutes to work on something while they're working on their own little masterpiece.

 

 

Blogging:

 

Keep notes:

As you know, I try not to go on the computer when the kids are around, but I often think of ideas for blogging when it is off, so I write the ideas down in my catch-all journal and come back to them later. If I have an idea when I'm out and about, I either write it in my phone or use the voice recording app that came with it to keep them safe until I get time on the computer. When I have computer time, I'm ready to go.

 

To-do lists:

Ha! I know some of you are cringing right now, but you know I love them. I use them for everything, including blogging.

 

Download/ edit photos often:

I  download the photos from the point-and-shoot and the dslr pretty much every day. I only do the phone pictures once a week, because I don't use them on the blog as often. I try to edit as I go, so I don't have a massive job on my hands later, but often use nights when Alan is out to catch up. That way, when I need a photo for a post I just need to resize it and sharpen it.

 

Speed it up:

I'm terrible at this, but am trying to get better. Don't worry over every word and sentence, just write. Then leave it, if you can, for a bit before coming back to edit before posting. Much quicker, and much more natural. But, ahem, I'm still getting to grips with that one myself. Instead of just writing, I tie myself in knots wondering if I'm using the "right" words or if I'm using Swedish grammar instead of English grammar (yes, after 20 years in the UK, I still get confused!) , until I have completely over-edited the post. Working on it, folks! Working on it!

 

So that's just some quick pointers to how I try to fit in some art and blog time into my days. Hope they've been of some help to someone. If you have any other tips that I have missed, please write them in the comments. I'm always looking for new ways.

366 photos: day 135- 141

 

Hiya,

Did you have a nice weekend?

 

Monday: Oh my gosh! My heart just melts!!! For the first time in ages It wasn't lashing rain coming back from school, so we could let Kirby walk part of the way. Aoife gently and patiently guided him over all the uneven paving slabs. I don't know who was the most proud afterwards, me or them!

 

Tuesday: Alan was home a bit earlier than usual (like half an hour), so the kids quickly invented a new game to make the most of having their daddy home.

 

Wednesday: I got the last ticket for the Mr Marvel show at the school today! I was pretty pleased because it is supposed to be really good and the tickets went like hot cakes.

 

Thursday: Asleep mid play!

 

Friday: A good mail day! I was so pleased when I realised Jenny had turned one of her latest girls into a pendant because I loved the girl and the message (it fits in so well with my life right now) that I headed straight over to the Etsy shop to get it... and some note cards. Jenny generously threw in a couple of other bits too, and packaged it beautifully as always. Thanks Jenny!

 

Saturday: Kirby loves "reading" now. "Da, da, da" he says, pointing at words and pictures, turning over pages instead of just ripping them...

 

Sunday: Confession; this wasn't taken yesterday, but it quite easily could have been since he does this pretty often now. Why sit on the floor when you can get comfy on a cushion?!

 

So that was week 20.

I'm really looking forward to this week. After 5-6 weeks of rain and hail, they've forecast a few days of sunshine and 22-23 C this week. I'm giddy at the thought of some sun, even if it is just for 3 days. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

how I {don't} fit it all in

 

Let's chat.

It's been a while since I last sat down with you and had a proper chat, not just rushed through here like a whirling dervish.

So I have had a few questions lately on how I fit it all in; art, blogging, mindful parenting, doing up our home, housework, reading...

It cracks me up!

I can't believe you are asking ME how I do it. I'm hanging on by a thread most of the time, and you're asking me?!

Seriously?! Have you seen the state of my house?!

Besides, I don't ever want to give the impression that I do fit it all in, because I don't. I'm sorry if it seems that way. I wouldn't want to put that kind of pressure on anyone.

 

 

 

I'm a mum. I spend most of my days cooking, cleaning, wiping snotty noses and dirty bums, kissing owies, picking up and dropping off, playing peekaboo, and overseeing homework...

Just like most other stay at home mums with young kids.

And that's okay. Because that's the season I'm in.

There are tons of things I'd like to do, but have put on hold for now.

And that's okay. Because that's the season I'm in.

 

 

That said, I think it's really important to do something for yourself every day too, or you'll burn out. Nobody can do a job 24/7 for years on end without a break, no matter how much they love it. That includes being a mother.

Taking a break helps me be a better, more patient mum.

So when Kirby goes down for his nap, I quickly pick up and put away his toys, then sit down to blog, do some art, or read. And when the kids go to bed at night, I chill out with Alan, then head up to bed to read for a bit. We rarely do any kind of work at night (I do the grocery shop online one night, he irons one night).

Yes, that means the house is often a lot messier than I would have liked it to be, but I am a much nicer and happier person to be around!

And believe me, that counts for something!

 

I have loads more to say on this but it's already getting lengthy, so I think I'll split it into two or three posts. I'll be back with part two on Friday.

Till then, my friends!

 

366 photos: day 100- 106.

 

Hello again my dears,

So here's the second installment of 366 photos this week. These are from last week, which was mostly spent at home again since we were still sick (in other words; expect loads of pictures of the kids!).

 

Monday: Alan putting up the curtain pole in Aoife's new room.

 

Tuesday: A wonderful sight to wake up to, even though neither of them are supposed to co-sleep with us anymore!

 

Wednesday: Baking savoury cheese muffins for the kids as a treat.

 

Thursday: Guess who was painting?!?!

 

Friday: Friday night craziness.

 

Saturday: Looking through the scrap bowl for quick art ideas.

 

Sunday: The kids watching Sunday morning telly.

 

And that was last week in pictures. See you in a day or two for loads of art journal fun and other stuff.

366 photos: day 86-92

 

Late posting again! The push to get Aoife's room ready for her to move in by the end of the weekend was on. And we did it...just. Phew! Now I just have to make her some art and we're sorted.

On that note:

 

Monday: First coat on and I'm hyperventilating! It is so bright!

 

Tuesday: Rubbish photo, but lovely memory. Kirby wakes Aoife up for school every morning. If she takes to long to get up, he throws the school uniform at her!

 

Wednesday: I was thinking a lot about my late dad last week, so I made a Greek salad (his fave) in his honour.

 

Thursday: Trying out a low-carb pancake recipe using cream cheese, eggs and cinnamon. Yummy!

 

Friday: It's a shame this picture was taken on the phone because I absolutely love it. Aoife showing off her summer uniform.

 

Saturday: Alan putting together the Expedit for Aoife's room. So close now we can taste it!

 

Sunday: Palm Sunday.

 

And that's the end of week 13! Full bedroom reveal coming soon.

 

366 photos: day 65-71

 

Hello my lovelies,

Hope you had a good week. I feel like I spent the whole week keeping Kirby out of harm's way! He's into everything at the moment and keeping me on my toes. I also had Alan home most of the week, recovering from an operation (more later) and some workmen coming and going, doing stuff to Aoife's new room.

 

Monday: A neighbour popped in to borrow the sewing machine for half an hour. I think it's the most action it's seen in a couple of years!

 

Tuesday: Alan had keyhole surgery on his knee (an old rugby injury that finally caught up with him in the last few months).  He was 5/8 on the afternoon list so it didn't look like he'd make it home that day. But he did. Hooray!

 

Wednesday: Anyone call for a sparky? Richard, our electrician, came to pull the wires in Aoife's new room and Kirby took a shine to his toolbox.

 

Thursday: We're not raising a child, we're raising a mountain goat. He may not be able to walk yet, but he sure can climb. On anything. This is tame, but I'm usually too busy keeping him safe to take pictures!

 

Friday: I have a milestone birthday coming up in June, and I want to celebrate it in style, so I'm trying out some new low-carb recipes. This was the beginnings of a chocolate pudding. I'm trying a simple, low-carb Baci recipe next I think (found through the lovely Helena).

 

Saturday: From low-carb to high-carb in 24 hours! Baking marble cake with Aoife.

 

Sunday: Sunday night. Kids in bed. Collapse on sofa with a glass of wine, a bowl of nuts, and Boardwalk Empire.

That's the end of week 10.

This week is going to be fun. Alan is back at work (i'm not saying he got under my feet last week or anything, but...), the plumber is here today, and I hope we'll make a start on the flooring later this week. I'm also starting The Art of Wild Abandonment workshop with Junelle Jacobsen at Christy Tomlinson's place today. I can't wait.

I'll be back in a day or two with some new journal pages.Till then, my friends.

 

366 photos: day 44-50

 

Oops! Sorry about that! Didn't mean to go missing for a week! It was kind of crazy around here with all four of us at home, the reno, the flu AND a new tooth.

 

 

Monday: Reno time!

 

 

Tuesday: A poorly little guy. Al took him downstairs around 3 am so I would get some sleep and they slept down there for the rest of the night.

 

 

Wednesday: A day in town while the electrician was here. When we got there, there were some rides and things set up in the town centre. Aoife was so happy she got to have a go at the bungee trampoline thingy.

 

Thursday: This girl is such a trooper! She loves stripping wallpaper as much as her mother, and did a great job of it too.

 

Friday: This picture sums up the craziness of the week. Around lunch time Friday Alan asked me if I knew I was wearing odd socks. Errm, no! And I was still wearing odd socks when I put the kids to bed that night.

 

Saturday: Don't you just love it when you unearth a piece of your house's history when you're redecorating? I was blown away by this drawing we found under the woodchip, and curious about the dates. I think they're decorating dates. If so, the woodchip had been up there 30 years! I can well believe it. It was covered in several layers of paint.

 

Sunday: Playing with my new phone (a belated Christmas pressie from Alan).

 

And that ends week 7!

 

366 photos: day 30-36

 

Monday: Curled up in bed reading ("One Day" by David Nicholls) with a cuppa by my side= nighttime bliss.

 

Tuesday: Ink on my hands= bliss too!

 

Wednesday: After school silliness on the sofa.

 

Thursday: Getting ready for a craft evening with a friend.

 

Friday: YES!!! I finally got it (kind of)! I have been trying to get a picture of the little man using the occasional tables and bar stools as walkers for ages, but as soon as he sees the camera he comes over to investigate.

 

Saturday: Waiting for their daddy.

 

Sunday: Snow!!! And a first for Alan and Aoife- making a snowman.

 

And that's week 5 done! And we're into another month. How fun!

 

366 photos: day 23-29

 

Monday: Ignore the cute baby, it's supposed to be about the box! The new desk arrived! Woo hoo! Alan then kindly spent a couple of nights putting it together after the kids had gone to bed, and we moved the furniture around on Saturday. Pictures to come.

 

Tuesday: I got a phone call early Monday afternoon, asking me to pick up Aoife from school because she wasn't feeling very well. She was much better in the evening, but I kept her home another day to be on the safe side. She was quite happy to have a pyjama day and to curl up on the sofa with her dolls and a hot water bottle.

 

Wednesday: I started my catch-all journal and was sooo excited about it. I feel a bit silly for not having thought of this before because it suits me down to the ground.

 

Thursday: It was still all about the journals as I went trough and worked out how to best simplify them.

 

Friday: Again, ignore the cute baby, it's all about the hoover (although he sure likes to "help"). Friday was big clean up day around here since I didn't get much done during the week.

 

Saturday: And another willing helper. This time Aoife, helping her dad with the new floorboards for her future bedroom.

 

Sunday: I was back in the craft room clearing stuff away. Alan helped me move out the old desk and bring in the dressing table I am going to use as a sewing table once it's done up. There's still a lot to be done out there, but I am making progress.

(Btw, if you look on the work station on the right hand side, you can see the mixed media project I showed last week is making some progress too)

And that is the end of another week!