Now I'm Really Back
I've been back from my travels for a week now, and it's taken me that long to get my head back in the game. A head cold didn't help. Neither did the fact that I really didn't want to come home. I'm terrible, I know. But part of knowing what we want is also knowing what we don't want. I'm sorting it out and making some changes, which I think is something we all do, on some level, all the time. Lounging in perceived perfection really gets boring pretty quickly. Life is the ultimate Creative Process, so I don't expect, or even want, to "get it right," once and for all. I just want to keep rolling on the river, gently steering my own boat, eager to see what's up ahead.
Right now that means making better use of my time. I don't really need more hours in a day, I just need to use them better. And what that means for me is getting up and getting moving, instead of easing into the day with too many cups of tea, too much sitting around, too much dinking around on the computer. For 20 years I've slowed down my naturally zippy morning pace to mesh with Rick's preference for easing slowly into the day. I always knew I was giving up some part of myself, but that's what we do for people we love, right?
Some days I think, What would I be doing if I were all by myself? Often it's something totally different from what I'm actually doing. Sure, compromise in any relationship is necessary. And sometimes, well, it's just not. I think for parents it's also a habit we get into, putting ourselves in second place for our kids until well into their adulthoods. At some point, if we're smart, we realize we get to stop that. Same with spouses. A solid relationship makes room for everyone to be themselves.
When I woke up this morning, Rick was already up, meditating in the living room with a cup of tea. I asked myself the what-would-I-be-doing question, and instantly answered, I'd get up and go for a walk. So I did. When I got home, I buzzed up a breakfast smoothie for Rick and me, dished some Chia Seed Pudding into little bowls, and we had a quick visit before he left for work. Then I threw in a load of laundry and headed for the studio, hours before I normally get out there. By 11:30 I was done with the hot part of my work day, and still had time for a little hula hooping before I made lunch. I had awesome Kale Slaw and Bean Burgers ready to go by the time Rick got home, and again, we had time to sit outside and eat together, talking about our days so far.
I've designated this afternoon as Computer Time, while Rick does the grocery shopping and starts on a fence repair job he's doing for someone. Once I get my blog and bead posting done, the rest of the afternoon is mine, with time left over for making Zughetti and salad for dinner. I feel like I fell into some kind of expanded universe, where the days are longer, easier, and happier, but all I did was get my butt out of bed and get moving for a change. And the best part is, I'm not taking anything away from Rick, while I'm giving me what I need. In fact, this might even be better for him too. He likes his quiet mornings, and he can have them. My "meditation" is better done walking, so everybody, including my body, will be happier if I make this my new routine.
OK, so it's Computer Time, which in my New Plan is also Bead Time. Monday through Thursday, look for beads here on the blog, sometime after lunch. I'll mail on Friday, unless you need something extra fast. In that case, just ask, and I'll have Rick drop by the post office on his way out in the afternoon.
I'm taking a slightly different approach to the beads too. Since I've found the right size silver tubing to fit Pandora Bracelets, I'll be making some beads for Troll, and some for Pandora until I use up all the smaller Troll-size tubing. Then I'll go to all the Pandora size, which fits both. So now, starting today, when you order beads, be sure to ask for them by number and letter, as in "1T" or "3P", etc. Yay! Everybody gets silver now!
Enough babbling for today. Here are the beads!
Right now that means making better use of my time. I don't really need more hours in a day, I just need to use them better. And what that means for me is getting up and getting moving, instead of easing into the day with too many cups of tea, too much sitting around, too much dinking around on the computer. For 20 years I've slowed down my naturally zippy morning pace to mesh with Rick's preference for easing slowly into the day. I always knew I was giving up some part of myself, but that's what we do for people we love, right?
Some days I think, What would I be doing if I were all by myself? Often it's something totally different from what I'm actually doing. Sure, compromise in any relationship is necessary. And sometimes, well, it's just not. I think for parents it's also a habit we get into, putting ourselves in second place for our kids until well into their adulthoods. At some point, if we're smart, we realize we get to stop that. Same with spouses. A solid relationship makes room for everyone to be themselves.
When I woke up this morning, Rick was already up, meditating in the living room with a cup of tea. I asked myself the what-would-I-be-doing question, and instantly answered, I'd get up and go for a walk. So I did. When I got home, I buzzed up a breakfast smoothie for Rick and me, dished some Chia Seed Pudding into little bowls, and we had a quick visit before he left for work. Then I threw in a load of laundry and headed for the studio, hours before I normally get out there. By 11:30 I was done with the hot part of my work day, and still had time for a little hula hooping before I made lunch. I had awesome Kale Slaw and Bean Burgers ready to go by the time Rick got home, and again, we had time to sit outside and eat together, talking about our days so far.
I've designated this afternoon as Computer Time, while Rick does the grocery shopping and starts on a fence repair job he's doing for someone. Once I get my blog and bead posting done, the rest of the afternoon is mine, with time left over for making Zughetti and salad for dinner. I feel like I fell into some kind of expanded universe, where the days are longer, easier, and happier, but all I did was get my butt out of bed and get moving for a change. And the best part is, I'm not taking anything away from Rick, while I'm giving me what I need. In fact, this might even be better for him too. He likes his quiet mornings, and he can have them. My "meditation" is better done walking, so everybody, including my body, will be happier if I make this my new routine.
OK, so it's Computer Time, which in my New Plan is also Bead Time. Monday through Thursday, look for beads here on the blog, sometime after lunch. I'll mail on Friday, unless you need something extra fast. In that case, just ask, and I'll have Rick drop by the post office on his way out in the afternoon.
I'm taking a slightly different approach to the beads too. Since I've found the right size silver tubing to fit Pandora Bracelets, I'll be making some beads for Troll, and some for Pandora until I use up all the smaller Troll-size tubing. Then I'll go to all the Pandora size, which fits both. So now, starting today, when you order beads, be sure to ask for them by number and letter, as in "1T" or "3P", etc. Yay! Everybody gets silver now!
Enough babbling for today. Here are the beads!
$30 each
These fit Troll Bracelets only.
All are beautifully layered and encased for depth and realism,
with sterling silver-linings and sparking CZ centers in the flowers.
1T, 2T, 3T
4T, 5T
~~~~~~~~~
$30 each
These fit Pandora and Troll Bracelets.
All are beautifully layered and encased for depth and realism,
with sterling silver-linings and sparking CZ centers in the flowers.
1P, 2P, 3P
4P, 5P
your beads are beautiful, your attitude is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy watchword, which I got from a movie, is "Do what you love".
My perfect day would be spent taking photographs of dolls. and then putting them on flickr
and listening to music, ALWAYS
XOX jean!
Your 2nd paragraph sounded just like me. I'm slowly making changes.
ReplyDelete