Wednesday, September 19, 2012

On time and teapots

I stopped blogging for a month to see if I missed it.

I did. A bit.

I didn't miss the time it chewed up.

I didn't miss the self-imposed obligation to post daily.

I had an undercurrent of dissatisfaction that was growing steadily stronger. I would feel inspired to post, but then I would need a post for that day, so instead of producing something well thought out and rounded, I'd blat out a sub standard missive which usually failed to impress me, let alone my readers.

I am inspired to write by reading. Everything from Roman legends to trashy crime. It lights a fire in me, and replaces the words I spill onto the page. But I didn't have time to read because each time I sat I was required again to write.

And I loved the community developing, but I didn't have the time to actually read the blogs of the people with whom I felt this kinship. Heck, I was even starting to neglect my real life friendships.

So I stopped. Enough. A month away. And it did me so much good.

But what did I do instead?

I made a canvas doll for Peanut. My grandmother had given me a doll kit when I had my first daughter, and it had sat unused in the sewing room for years. I finally dragged it out and cobbled together a very simple and sturdy lady, with a plethora of lacy undergarments and a horribly complex dress. Peanut loves it. I can't stand the sight of it, because I embroidered the face on crooked and it looks like it's scheming.

I made jam, another skill I had been putting off trying.  I found cheap and delicious strawberries and some practically free mason jars, and made four pots. Peanut refuses to eat it, but it has had rave reviews from everyone else.  I'm pretty sure Bug thinks it's ambrosia, and I would happily eat it five times a day. I gave a pot to my friend and a pot to my neighbour, and then went home and washed the sticky red remnants off my kitchen ceiling. (Posie, I'm considering that jam as my entry in your Olympic Food Challenge. I know it's not mussels, and I know it's a month late, but it's both tricky and delicious, so in my mind it counts.)

I've started teaching Peanut basic reading. She's taken to it very enthusiastically and can put plenty of simple words together. Watching her figure it out and actually finish (awl-by-mysewf!) some simple books is fantastic. One of my great dreams for my children is that they grow to be inquisitive, and love the words that can show them the answers.


Another great dream of mine is for Bug to be toilet trained. We're well on the way - she has had numerous successes, and about two misses a day. Unfortunately, for all her accuracy, she is very very frequent. Every twenty minutes frequent. There's not much time left in the day when a third of it is taken up by rushing on the call of "Maaaa! Wees in toi-yet!" Additionally, Bug has realised that a successful attempt brings reimbursement. I'm pretty sure that child is now 98% Smarties (you are what you eat) and I am also beginning to suspect she's gaming the system. Well, more power to her. As long as I'm not changing nappies I don't mind, and I'm sure the novelty of hours on the loo will soon wear thin. I hope.

We're moving to Sydney at the end of the year. We still don't have a house. I was reading "The Female Brain" this morning (a very interesting book, and not as short as Mr A insists it should be.) Apparently as a woman I am programmed to see any minor hiccup like this as a major threat, akin to a tiger at the door of my den, and stress far more than is actually reasonable. I concur with this assessment. I'm mildly freaking out. I'm in a tizzy. I want a house, and I want it by yesterday. I think it might be time for a cup of tea.

A cup of tea from my new teapot! I turned thirty, and this is EXACTLY what I wanted. Mr A came through, and I am one very happy lady.


So, to sum up, I took a break, it was nice, I kept busy, I am back, but I won't be posting here quite as often. Allons-y!

18 comments:

  1. You don't need a house: You have The Tardis.
    ~S.

    P.S. Welcome back! I missed you. (mushmush)

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  2. Selfishly, I'm glad you're back too, but am also glad you had a break to do other things. The new house will come along all in good time, so don't waste YOUR time in stressing out about it. There are so many more useful and interesting things to do - like the jam, doll making, reading lessons, toilet training, taking time out to drink tea made in a magnificent [?] teapot et al. We all need to remember
    'What is this life if full of care,
    We have have no time to stop and stare?'

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  3. Nice to see you back. I was missing your lovely posts, but completely understand the need for a break.

    Enjoy your tea out of that fantastic tea pot - wow!

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  4. I missed you....but like you, I have been lacking in the post department...I mostly post photos...then I dont have to write so much...so stick around, every now and then is much nicer than never...x

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  5. Oi , we missed you, but a break is good :-)
    Happy birthday, love the teapot.
    Happy moving (ya, just go with the flow - I grew up like that with a Corrections Services dad :-)
    Good luck with potty - we're still struggling with nr 2's nr 2 - some issues there :-(
    (I sometimes go 2,3 weeks without doing a post, then other times I'll have 3 in a week. Wouldn't even try for a daily - too much!)
    See ya.

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  6. It's great not to feel writing pressure, hey? LOVE your teapot, and TOTALLY understand about a freak-out because of not having a house. I've done exactly that, and think the freak-out is quite reasonable.

    I'll be reading whenever you write, but I won't be tapping my foot and checking my watch when you don't. D'accord - Allons-y!

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  7. Reading????? I suddenly feel I've been terribly lax with my Muppet. Then again, the boy didn't catch on till 5, then took of in leaps and bounds... sigh.

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  8. You were certainly missed! I started to worry about you. I feel your dilemma of being pulled in different directions....I try not to feel guilty if there's a lag in my writing, because well, life happens. But--glad to have you back!

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  9. Bravo! Blog posting is part of life, not life itself. We'll still be here when you make time to return, intermittently, from far more important things

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  10. oh gosh I love your teapot... why not a photo of the doll? - she sounds cute and I am sure will be well loved.

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  11. I'm glad you're back, I love reading your posts but I hear you on the need for a break from blogging. Sometimes it's good to focus on something else for a while. I've also been posting less because I find myself wanting to spend more time doing *stuff* and less time thinking about what stuff I can write about.

    Anyway. Welcome back!

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  12. Yay! I've missed you!! I hear ya on the feeling compelled to post every couple of days so churning out substandard posts - kills me. Welcome back!

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  13. Nice to have you back. I noticed that I felt more relaxed when I started to blog sporadically. We are moving in a week...from a flat to a house. It's only a few blocks away but moving with a small family is a HUGE job. All the best with it!

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  14. Good to see you back, but write when you feel like it, okay?

    Love the teapot!

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  15. Yay to a blog break. I have done the same and must say that the house has enjoyed it. I however have signed up for blogtoberfest. I'm not putting any pressure on myself though and will just see where the month takes us.
    Toilet training takes up ALOT of time. No changing and washing nappies will be a wonderful feeling and achievement for you.
    :( on the house front. Been there done that way to many times. Tell Mr A that it is healthy to stress about these things. Must say I am over the moon that we are staying put this Christmas and we hanging the stocking here this year.

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  16. Good for you! I take breaks from my blog as needed when life gets too hectic, and I think that's okay! I'm glad you'll keep posting when you get to it! :)

    I love your blog and I nominated you for the Liebster award. Check it out: Liebster Award from The Path to an Organized Tomorrow

    Have a great week!!

    Julie @ The Path to an Organized Tomorrow

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  17. Breaks are always good thing!

    I'm a new follower. Found you via The Path to an Organized Tomorrow. Julie nominated both of us for the Liebster Award. So cool!

    Look forward to following along with you!

    Lanaya
    http://www.raising-reagan.com

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  18. I have that exact teapot! I wonder if we could travel to morning tea in a space time continuum? :) I was very dissapointed not to find a minature David Tennant popping out (like Genie from the '60's show) and doing my every bidding though.

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