Uh….anyone notice I totally didn’t manage a One Little Word update for April? Yeah. When you word for the year is “margin,” it’s more than a little ironic when your schedule gets so far away from you that you literally cannot spare 15 minutes to sit down and talk to the camera about your month. This video update, I talk about that and a few more things. You’ll note that my thought processes are perhaps a bit more…non-linear…than they have been in the past. I was coming off a three-day juice cleanse when I filmed this, and it showed. (More details on that later this week in the gardening section of the blog!)
Cayenne
June 3, 2014 at 4:08 pmI signed up for Camp Aloha Friends today. I really enjoyed your interview with Mel and your OWL video here today. I feel like I am in the same spot you are with kids getting out of school and trying to carve out time for myself while caring for my family. Your thoughts were very nourishing. Have a lovely June!
Deborah
June 4, 2014 at 8:27 amOh, what a kind thing to say! Sometimes when I do these videos, I feel like I’m just talking, but looking back at them, it has been really interesting to see how my perceptions have changed as the year goes on. It’s always good to know I’m not the only one feeling what I’m feeling, and that as the months progress, that I’m making sense! Good luck this summer–just yesterday, our good plans got all torn to shreds, and we’re working each day to make the schedule work. If you come up with any excellent solutions, let me know!!
Laura
June 4, 2014 at 11:49 amWow! Great post! You very eloquently described exactly how my husband likes to feel when he walks in the door after a long day of work. He feels appreciated in the same way.
It sounds like you signed up for the party before you set your margins! From what you described at the Sewcial, I am sure it was a wonderful event. That says a lot about you that you gave it your all and made it a special day even though you had so many things going on.
Also, my mother needed time everyday from the 5 of us so we went to the pool in the morning, late lunch, then an hour or two on our beds. We could read, nap, play Barbies, whatever – we just couldn’t leave our beds. Everyday! I don’t have any idea what she did, but she was always happy to see us when the time was up!
Deborah
June 4, 2014 at 12:21 pmHaha! Yes, the party went well, and just last night I was reminded again of what a difference it makes for my husband when the house is tidy upon his arrival home. It really IS the small things, turns out!
And I have repeatedly wanted to try the “quiet play” afternoon period, but I’m just not very good at training them at the outset, and enforcing the “don’t leave your bed/room” part of it all. If I could buckle down and do that, I think it would be an exceptional addition to our days. I can tell I won’t ever be one of those moms who has a schedule for the day that includes activities and worksheets and “hands-on experiences.” We NEED that four hours a day at the pool, or they’re climbing the walls and so am I! But coming home from all that activity, I might juuuuust be able to convince them to take two hours and chill out. Thanks for the idea!
Sasha
June 6, 2014 at 9:13 pmI love your vids and missed April but can also totally relate to where you are. Thanks again for sharing with us, I really feel you are talking to me and it’s so lovely. Have the most wonderful June. Much love, Sasha 🙂
Virginia
July 29, 2014 at 9:38 pmThis is just so wonderfully said. Thank you! I wish more women would claim that time for themselves –
Deborah
July 30, 2014 at 2:21 pmOh, thank you so much for writing that! It can be so, so hard to take the time–someone will always get cheated, since there is only so much of each of us to go around, and it’s tough to choose whom to cheat and when. But no matter how we decide to allocate our time, I am so grateful to have the chance to set some of it aside for myself, to make sure my cup is full and there is enough of me to share with my family. Am so glad to know that others have done the same and that I’m on the right track!