Skip to main content

No excuses

What was I thinking, using this blog as a platform to launch ambitious ideas like 'bake days', 'up to date journals', 'exercise programmes' and 'read-a-thons' and unintentionally make it seem as if this author runs like a well-oiled machine...when, upon closer inspection, you'll discover that on days much like today, I'm lucky to have made it out the house with matching socks and my hair slightly brushed.

#thatsthetruth

I started Jorja's journal as soon as I discovered that we were expecting. How's that for planning ahead?! I remember leaning over my protruding belly for days on end, copying my scribbled love letters to my unborn child into a slightly more civil format. I wanted her to know what was happening before she could read it for herself...

When the news of Ethan's pending arrival broke, all I could find was a notebook meant for poems (dare I say, another neglected line item on the list) ... and so, Ethan's journal is the pretty pink book on the shelf and I should have made the book cover of collaged sonogram photos ages ago!

Jorja's journal has more detail and more pages used. Ethan's journal has more summaries and more curled handwriting. See - two points each. It's balanced.

At times I feel as though I need to explain why we aren't keeping up with the pace. Am I the only one?


How many trees have I planted? Plaits have I braided? Blankets have I knitted? Stories have I narrated? Am I being a Mother-enough? Don't get me started on home cooked meals, sewing projects, 5km runs and ironing!

The cancelled dance lessons or the bicycle collecting dust in the back room, the frozen mince in the freezer begging to be made into a 3-cheese lasagne treat for the family, the piles of paperwork searching for a filing system and the world-class novels collecting dust on the bookshelf... All of these things remind me of time spent elsewhere - sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

This is probably the very reason why expensive bath tonics, flowers and scented candles are wasted on me. Who has time for this?!

Am I rushing through life or am I just eagerly seeking out the important stuff? What happens if I end up missing the important stuff while being consumed by my quest?

With Mother's Day just 2 weeks away, my wish this year for mothers everywhere is Quality of Life. There just doesn't seem to be a better option on the market.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The week that has been...

"Life as we see it", right? My time so far at the cycle tour office is reminding me of just how demanding life in this age can be - a time seeking instant solution and gratification: We want it now! We won't wait! This is what makes a relaxing, easy going activity seem so rewarding! We've always been fortunate enough to cook with pleasure - obviously more for mine! And since returning from BA, we've also found great enjoyment from leisurely strolls in the neighbourhood or at Sea Point promenade. Take time for this! Here's what we've been a part of this past week: We were encouraged to see a group of students from Bishops come out (even in the rain) and join with the FBC team in painting a mural on the school's new diningroom and kitchen wall. For news and updates visit: http://www.fbcschool.org.za/ We joined over 15 000 walkers in a quest to feed the hungry children in the Western Cape, by participaing in the Blisters for Bread walk on Sunday. We tackl...

That's so amazing about Grace

Scrolling through some photos this afternoon, I came across one of our friend Tarrin-Rae and her new baby girl, Isla, born last Thursday 31 October 2013. Isla Grace Graham I struggled to contain my own emotions as I observed this special moment in Tarrin's life (and new Isla's too) and thought back to my own experiences. I immediately asked Tarrin if I may use this to share a bit more of what I some times feel as a Mom... At first glance, I see relief . She's finally here! We can see her face in real life and we can say out loud "I am a Mommy!" Like my own kids, Isla was in no hurry to be born and labour was induced. What's worse than having to wait 40 weeks to meet your newest family member?? Having to wait longer still! I must confess, that this feeling was mixed with a fair dose of disbelief  on my part too - when I sat quietly resting between visitors and feeds, I had to pinch my literal self and realise - the baby was here. Then I see comfort ....

A trip and a journey

It's a little after 4am and I'm watching my family form letterland characters with their bodies, across my bed. Unless I'm the 'underline' in the word, I have no place to lay my head here... That's a pretty normal situation these days - The only difference today is that instead of a sleepy tussle for my rightful place in the alphabet bed, I'm wide awake, mentally preparing for my drive out to Swellendam at 6am. And it's just dawned on me: this is the first event of the peak season for me, I'm almost on my way out the door and a daunting goal (Ethan's self-soothing) is 3 and a half weeks in motion. Yippee!! I remember thinking about this a lot before heading back to work in August, wondering how (and if!) it could be done and whether I would miss this event altogether because of it - or drive through daily (which aged me considerably during our events in March)... And here I am, almost 4 weeks clear of a 4 year practise - and ev...