I know it’s been a long time since I wrote a thoughts post. I had big plans for 2014 but the universe had some bigger plans for me in January. And, as always, the universe won. So I figured instead of waiting until I am ready to write a longer, more thought provoking post, I’ll give you a few small tidbits of what’s been going on here:
- Within a week of each, Nathaniel got the fifth disease, David got strep, and I got strep.
- Out of the three Sundays since I went back to work, we spent two of them in the ER.
- I was expecting work to be crazy during the month of January and in some ways it turned out to be a lot less hectic and in other ways, it turned out to be much worse. Alas, I made it through.
- This is a new mantra I use often “Next week this time, it will be over. ” or “tomorrow this time…” or “next month” whatever it takes. I just keep reminding myself that it’s all temporary and even if it feels big/bad/frustrating/painful right now, it will eventually be something of the past.
- I’ve started The Walk and I love it so far.
- I am also enjoying Life Book. Some lessons speak to me more than others but I like the challenge and variety.
- I have mixed feelings about my projects for 2014. I like that they are simpler and more manageable and still teach me new skills but I also worry that maybe the art I create is not so great looking. But, alas, that’s not the goal this year. The goal is to learn, learn, learn. And there’s always an ugly period in the middle of learning. So be it.
- I have been listening to Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch on audio for over a month now. I really love it but it’s taking forever and I wish I could buckle down and finish it soon.
- While I was really, really ill with strep, I watched Enough Said and three seasons of Damages.
- David and I started volunteering together. This has been one of my goals for a few years now and I am so grateful to finally see it come to fruition. Last week was our first visit to the assisted living home and he played monopoly while I helped out with some crafts. It was wonderful.
- I have been in so much pain and the pills are making me so nauseous that I can’t concentrate on anything at all. I’ve been going to sleep around 8pm every night.
- David’s birthday is coming up this weekend and it’s also his last basketball game for the season. I am so happy to see how much he’s flourished with basketball in the last few months.
- Nathaniel started the last semester of pre-school and when I think of next year and how he’ll be going to school for longer, I am filled with mixed emotions. Even though it makes it challenging to work, I love having him around so much and will miss him so.
- I can’t wait until I am feeling back to 100% again. Here’s to a much healthier February.
Tell me a bit about what’s going on with you.
Hi Karen,
I have been reading your blog for about 1/2 a year and I truly enjoy it. I enjoy your art and your family photos. It’s refreshing to see a family who plays & laughs together. Regarding your art, I’m amazed at how you go for it and create for the love of it. Sometimes I hold back in trying new things because I feel others won’t like it.
Thanks for your inspirational blog.
I always worry about saying stuff that’s personal to you. But I like you a lot and I often wish I had a friend like you, or you as a friend. If you were my friend I would say this from my heart with the only intention being to love and support you as a friend. I wonder if you ever noticed how people are in awe of how much you do and how amazing they think you are. Sometimes when people say things in relation to that you kind of brush it off or can be a bit self-deprecating.
Last year my daughter was see a psychologist and I spoke to her a little too. She said to me that I seemed to expect a lot from myself as a mum and a person. It kind of shocked me because I don’t feel I do all that well and I certainly don’t feel like I do all that much either. Karen you do 4 times as much as me and you do it a lot better too. AND you work ‘outside’ of home- which I don’t do at all. Simple or not your art is amazing and the only person that doesn’t seem to appreciate that is you. While you are listening, listen to yourself and hear the messages you are giving you- while you are listening to you remind yourself that you are more than enough and what you achieve is awesome.
As to your question what’s going on: I’m in Australia. It’s HOT 37degrees C today. My bigger kids all went back to school for the year yesterday. We moved house to a older rental home in a nicer suburb that is closer to our children’s schools and friends. It’s great I love having the space and trees that we do now. But there is work in progress so the yard isn’t great for the kids right now and there is sand EVERYWHERE!! Last night I accidentally stood on a tiny gecko he lost his tail (They are designed to do that and they grow back) but oh my goodness I feel so bad about it. Today was about getting odd jobs done but the plumbers turned up mid morning with a small digger so the rest of the day till school pick-up was spent in the doorway with my 2.5 year old watching the guys work and answering about 300 questions. I achieved hanging out my laundry and a study of plumbing and excavation equipment and that is all. It’s ok. Tomorrow will be another day hopefully the paving will go down and I’ll lose it to observing that- but it’s an opportunity I’ll never have again so that’s ok too.
PS I’m still hoping to finish of my Book of Stories Course I so appreciated winning it through BPC and Paperclipping and I really enjoyed the first half of the course work.
Okay you asked! I am longing for snow. I know some of the world has had terrible storms but still I have missed it here in the UK this year. I am struggling with my One Little Word. But maybe that’s okay. I am making my soon to be 10 years old niece a mini-book, one photo for each year. I am scrapping lots of our Florida holiday stories. I am getting ready for the flower growing season. I am looking for a new job – boo! I am reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone and thought I wouldn’t like but she is such a storyteller and I got sucked in!
Hope you feel back to 100% soon Karen. x
It’s really strange how being really sick with strep makes us re-examine our world. I had it too. Slept for 30 hours without food and very little drink. Scared my hubby badly!
I’m trying very hard to face significant personal challenges without collapsing under the weight of it. Every activity has to be examined and re-examined and I find it exhausting and daunting after being sick. It will all fall into place. Eventually.
I ordered TONS of pretty, hand-painted string which is evolving into gorgeous, hand-painted wearable items. Thankfully, I’ve been able to move away from simple scarves and hats and am almost ready to embark upon a sweater…right after I finish two scarves for my guys.
I concur with Gypsy…you are too hard on yourself. You are one awesome person! Listen to what we are saying.
For years, my mantra was…This too shall pass.
I travel for my job. Sometimes that gets me down. I too try to remind myself that in two days or 36 hours or whatever time frame, I’ll be back home. It does seem to help. Although, it’s winter and snowy in the Midwest right now. Going and coming can be challenging. But this too shall pass. :0) Hope you are feeling better soon.