Queen of the New Year

Hands up, I did a very bad thing. I abandoned my blog. Sad face.

In revelling in the newly found freedom from working life last September, I seemed to lose all impetus for any kind of sitting at a laptop doing anything. Facebook, Bejewelled and photo editing aside, that is - always exceptions. My poor blog was thrown aside as I rediscovered the joys of:

• free time to travel (NYC was A-MAZING, baby!);
• shopping during the week;
• housework - yes, you read that right;
• doing nothing but sitting thinking and smiling and being grateful;
• lunch not out of a lunchbox or bought from M&S;
• reading while not on a bus or train;
• sleeping past 6am; and
• cardmaking. 

However, let's not dwell on my past neglect. I'm reclaiming my lovely little blog.  But in a moment of catch up, here's where I am - it's 2012, I have just turned 40 (still coming to terms with that one), I'm looking for gainful and fulfulling employment, and you know what? I'm happy.

Join me in 2012 as I hang onto that happiness. It's gonna be fun!

P.S. Here's me embracing 40 - almost literally!

Finding balance

This Bank Holiday weekend has been amazing. Not that I flew off to the South Coast of France, or ate at any five star restaurants or even that I did anything that anyone else would be jealous of. But what was so amazing to me was the difference those extra few days have made. I have had the time to stop, think and enjoy my life.

My weekends are normally spent trying to catch up on the work at home that I haven't had the chance to do during the busy week, as well as grocery shopping and laundry. Spending time with Chloe is important to me too, even if that is just watching Saturday night television together or going out for lunch. And where possible, I like to fit in a bit of writing or crafting or photography too - anything to exercise those creative muscles.

However, it is a struggle, and I do find myself fighting to make everything fit in. I often wonder if it's just me that feels like this, whether I am the only one who finds themselves spending the majority of the time doing what I think I have to do, and spending the least amount of time doing what I actually want to do? We all have to earn a living, and so work necessarily has to take up most of the time. Surely though, there's a better way? There must be a way to balance this better, so I can feel like my life is productive and happy and fulfilling.  Actively deciding to find that balance is the first step. I'm going to find time to make a life, not just to make a living.

Sunday feeling

Unlike that old song, Sundays mornings never feel easy to me. Sunday afternoons are far from simple. And don't even talk to me about Sunday evenings.

Why is it no matter how old I get, every minute of Sunday that passes still feels like one moment closer to a loss of freedom? Somehow, Sundays still equal impending doom. I loved school (yes, I was that girl) and I hated Sundays then. I like what I do now and still Sundays herald a feeling of dread.

I am hereby vowing to get over my Sunday-itis. Today I tried to distract myself with housework and cleaning. My house is shiny now. However, no shine on me. That option didn't work. I will find the cure!