A preview of things to come

Tomorrow BigR goes on her nursery school leavers trip to a farm. The ABO is away with work this week. So tomorrow will be a day for me with LittleR. This is how it'll be from September on Thursdays and Fridays. I'm looking forward to giving LittleR some undivided attention but I'm almost overwhelmed with possibilities of things I could do (especially in her nap time). I don't want to 'waste' the day by heading just to the supermarket or just continually collecting toys from the floor but equally I feel I could fritter the time away. Is that really a problem? Having nothing to show for a few hours where I only have to consider the needs of one child? I'm sure I'll get used to having time at home and slow down a bit but I can't get over the guilt of not doing anything (like cleaning) or having any plans.

The last time I felt I've this was when I had finished my PhD. It was complete. I'd done it. Submitted it. Had the viva. Sorted the corrections. Printed it. Bound it. Had it put in the library. It was done but even so I still felt as though I should be doing something. It took a while to settle into the rest of my life after my PhD and maybe it'll take a while to get used to being (as I got told today) "not part time  it's less than full time"

Wondering in January

:: The phrase ‘the days are long but the years are short’ seems very true at the moment. The weeks go by very quickly at the moment even though I seem to be busy at work I spend time being ‘bored’. I love my job but I’m not ‘in love’ with it anymore and I have to say I’m a little shocked by this. Not sure what I’m (we’re) going to do about it as yet but I’ve been looking at the flexible working policy. Maybe I need to give it a little more time.

:: LittleR was 1 last week. There were presents and Grandparents and a Mary Berry Victoria sponge. It was all very jolly….even with teething thrown in.

:: To go alongside the teething we’ve also had colds. Everyone apart from me, with the ABO feeling the worst and doing the most (building Ikea furniture, going in the loft lots of times, preparing for the chaos).

:: Why is it that the traffic on Tuesday is busier than any other time of the week? I’ve often wondered this. It’s even more pronounced when it’s raining. Whilst I’m sat in the traffic I’ll ponder this some more.

:: I have finally started knitting my Knitting and Stitching show project. It’s this pattern by Sirdar and I’ve got 2 colour ways to do for the girls. So far I’m barely through the first dog’s body. I’m hoping the girls like them….when they eventually get finished!! My extremely competent knitter friend, S, has offered to do the second dog so the second girl isn’t left out…

:: I’ve been reading like a demon…however a demon reads that is. In so far as I have finished a book and am 30% (so my kindle tells me) through The Goldfinch. I'm loving it.

:: Have you noticed that it's lighter in the evenings? Is it too early to say this? I am aware of this as currently we haven’t any curtains in the dining room and it was light when the girls had their tea.

:: The kitchen chaos starts tomorrow. I'm already counting the days until we have a functioning kitchen again. I’ve made some freezer dinners, especially for the girls but am expecting a lot of sandwiches and jacket potatoes. Anyone have any good ideas for things to ‘cook’ in a microwave?

Hello 2014

Well 2014 has been a bit of a shock to the system…I’m back at work. Hopefully this might bring some more spare moments for thinking and blogging. It’s a little bit strange being here, especially as the ABO is still off, but in some ways extremely familiar. There’s plenty of change afoot at home…our bedroom is in the process of being decorated….tantalisingly close but not there yet. And we’re about to undertake installation of a new kitchen. I’m not looking forward to the upheaval but I am looking forward to new adventures in cooking and baking!! My mantra during the process will be “it will all be OK”!

I’m hoping I’ll be able to strike a good balance between family and work…and being a bit more creative and mindful.

So what am I thinking of doing this year??

I still have things on my list from October…I’m going to revisit those…

:: making the tea cosy and giving it to S

:: an appliqued blanket for BigR

:: embroider some tea towels

:: take BigR to ‘pots to go’ for some ceramic painting fun

But what else will be new for 2014?

I was really lucky to receive some lovely wool and a pattern book from my knitter friend S and I am booked onto a ‘knitting in the round’ course at a local knitting shop (thank you to the ABO!)

So with that in mind…

:: Knit a hat

:: Knit a hat in the round (or maybe socks?)

:: Sort out the new garden beds…we had trellis separating a part of our garden that fell down in the strong winds recently (taking with it two climbing roses) so I’m seeing this as a new opportunity to re-establish the garden

:: When the kitchen is complete…attempt to cook a new dish once a month for all the family (once a week might be a step too far with everything else that goes on in life). I’m really lucky that both girls really love their food and always try new things (I’m holding onto this with BigR who the other day turned down chicken casserole but ate Rapunzel’s favourite chicken dinner!!) I really should try to menu plan better as well. We’re a lot less wasteful than we were a few years ago… but, I do rely on the old favourites for ease as well as lack of imagination.

So that’s where I am at right now. It’s a change this January when last year I was about to meet a new little person. Which gets me thinking about cakes for a first birthday…