Inspiration

I've had a lot to think about recently. Family issues and friendships that have sadly melted away. I'm sad about both of these things but have also been using them to walk a new more positive path.

Firstly Paul has a new job which will give us more stability. I've never really want to be stable before but suddenly it feels like it might be nice to know that a pay check will be arriving month after month and that our future is more secure...... sorry I've just realised how boring that sounds....I'll move on.

I've been reading a lot of Glennie Kindred and revelling in her simple but beautiful illustrations.

This way of being makes sense to me and my heart lifts the more I know about it.

Things at home have lost some focus, I think this has happened because of work commitments (who'd of thought that working in a bookshop could be so stressful). It may be that finding rhythm to our day is the key to getting everything done. How does that work for others?? I've been experimenting today so will let you know how that goes.

Alice has been working really hard on her commissions from her Etsy shop, she's working on a really beautiful cotton blanket for a lady who's son is an eczema sufferer. She's also been working hard on her work for the tutor group she goes to. She's reading The Great Gatsby and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - both beautiful books. I love it that she's being exposed to beautiful literature at a young age, I wish I had!

Izzy's been seeing a Kinesiologist to help with her allergies, it's been amazing and I'm very excited about where this journey will take her.

Liv's just taken part in her drama performance, she was the scarecrow in The Wizrd of Oz and as ever we believed she was the star of the show (proud Mummy and Daddy moment).

All in all we're doing ok and feeling really positive about where this latest journey is taking us. Watching the performance had special meaning for me as I feel like Dorothy stepping on to the yellow brick road.....

Can you feel it?

Source

What is it about THIS month that sets my spine a-tingling? There is magic in the air and my unconscious always reminds me of the turning wheel as we reach this point. I have found an awful lot to inspire me recently and I'd like to share but later I fear as time is short this morning.

Room by Emma Donoghue

I have been wanting to read this book after seeing that it was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize this year. I started the book with some trepidation as the subject matter is fairly grim and not something I would usually go for but..... I have been totally blown away by this beautiful story. The book is written from 5 year old Jacks perspective and because of that fact the abuse and violence that has obviously occurred is somewhat veiled. Jack’s view is always the beauty he sees in his tiny world and the love he has for his Ma.

The relationship that Jack and his Ma have developed is magical and the strength of this unnamed woman is breathtaking. I would defy anyone who reads this book not to be utterly moved by it and hope that it inspires us to look at our world through Jacks eyes even for just one day.

Absence

Where have we been? Well things have been really busy, we went to Hes Fes which was great as ever apart from the sick bug we picked up on the last couple of days.

I've started a weekend job at a bookshop which is fine but really tiring. I work with a lot of students and their energy has no bounds. The job is going to enable us to do something later in the year (secret - ssshhhh).

Alice has opened a shop, well I opened it but she is making. I am amazed by how focused she has been and the photographs are really beautiful (having a really cool photographer in the house is brilliant) . She is so creative and her attention to detail always blows me away.

I'm hoping to start up my blogging again so will be back soon but in the meantime please take a moment to look at Alice's shop and leave a message of support if you can.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/alicemakes

Ta Ta for now! xx

Reading

We are really enjoying two book at the moment. Little House in the Big Woods and Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. I have been very aware lately that my days of reading out loud to the girls are running short with the youngest being 10 or so I thought.....

Even though Alice is betting older she has been snuggled up with the others and is enjoying listening immensely. It's so special to have them all in bed drinking tea and enjoying the journey of the story and I will mourn these moments hugely when they really do come to an end.

Calm

The week ended on a really lovely calmness. We have been soaking up the spring sunshine and have been sorting out the garden having been distracted up until now. We are late with seeds but are determined to make up for lost time.
Alice is such a good gardener but I have also been surprised by how much the others have been enjoying their patches.
A really big inspiration has been this lovely programme. Watch it on iplayer if you get a chance it's beautifully shot and very inspiring.

Back again.

Apologies for the absence, it's been a bit of a strange few weeks!

Paul lost his lovely Nan which has really knocked us sideways she really was the matriarch of the family and will be greatly missed. This has coincided with him also starting up a very new and shaky relationship with his Dad.

Liv celebrated her 10th Birthday which really is something to celebrate because she is marvelous :o)

Anyhow, thanks for bearing with me! xx