Joining in with Amy and Five on Friday.
1. I'll still be keeping it short. The new backspace key was delivered and of course it was nothing like the one I need to replace. So I'm still cursing every few minutes when the old one flies off.
2. Food. I'm trying not to eat any. I need to fit into my one decent dress for a wedding in a couple of weeks and I need to lose about half a pound a day. I know, I know, it won't happen. But I probably won't be facing up to that reality for at least a week and a half so in the meantime I'm eating marginally less and sighing a lot. I do so love food. I was going to list all of the things I like most, but then I thought it might not be helpful.
3. Summer is here, the rose is blooming and there are bees on the lavender and chive flowers. I do love June. The sun reaches our north-facing front garden by 3 o'clock and then it's everywhere, out the back, round the front, pouring through the skylights. Out at the wetlands place the crane chicks have hatched.
4. I've been trying to work out how to do a bit of writing while the children are around on half term. It's not easy. The mornings are best, they seem to entertain themselves with less fighting earlier in the day. As it rolls around towards lunch things get a bit livelier. I try and do things that aren't actual writing, like uploading things onto my portfolio. Of course, this means that no actual writing is being done. I'm aware of the summer holidays looming. It would be nice to be able to work out how to keep up the momentum a bit. Tips and tricks anyone?
5. The biggest boy was breathing down my neck while I wrote something about myself and expressed surprise at a qualification from my past. It gave me pause for thought. I don't ever really mention what I used to do. Little do they know I had a whole other life before they came along. Looking back I'd choose something different now. I had lots of different jobs and ended up working in a big law firm. I've met lots of artists lately, many of them living in the country. If I could do it all again I'd definitely aim for something creative. Either that or footballer's wife. Although that would involve not eating which we've already established I'm hopeless at. Any dreams you haven't got around to pursuing yet? It's almost never too late.
oh my, those photos take my breath away. we are in the middle of a very frosty period - so sunshine and bees and pretty flowers are so welcome! keep them coming :-)
ReplyDeleteoh dear about the eating-less-food. maybe I shall eat more, for you? it's easy to do so when it's so cold ... or, just because.
So many beautiful gardens on five on Friday this week. Damp and dull here for the third day running... So much for June! I sympathise with the eating. I've put on a few pounds whilst my ankle was broken which I would now like to lose... But I really don't want to eat less!
ReplyDeleteTry a ketogenic diet for a couple of weeks.... it works fast, and for a couple of weeks won't hurt. It does take vigilance and means no carbs so you get creative about pasta.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't it fun to look back and think what if? I've been a teacher for 30 years and now I'm wondering what if I'd become a lawyer? Good job 48 isn't too old!
My only tip is to be up with the larks and be disciplined to do what you need to do first before the rest of the household awakes any spare time before they get up I then use for my creative me time. Hope this helps.., I'm useless at not eating too.. sympathise x
ReplyDeleteThat has reminded me of when I used to get up at 5.30am to do the Creative Embroidery course I was doing when my kids were little - it gave me an hour and a half of precious me time each day.
DeleteSuch lovely photos. It must be difficult to get some time to yourself, you'll have to get a writer's shed on your allotment. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos - just got to love those bees' bottoms! No helpful hints on weight loss, I'm afraid - unless you fancy going out of your way to catch some unpleasant bug; something that takes away the appetite and gives you the squits to boot! I know what you mean about not really mentioning qualifications etc. to our children. I've got used to the girls moaning about exams as if they are the first person to go through them and we have no idea what it's like. I think I'd like to have gone down the creative path too. Good luck with the writing. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's been grey, cold and wet here all week so it's lovely to see your beautiful summery photos. I sympathise about the eating as I, too, have a dress I need to fit into in three weeks. I'm going to try and up the exercise rather than eat less because I'm rubbish at not eating. Re working when the children are at home, it's tricky. Early before they get going and later when they're worn out is what I used to do. And holiday clubs when I was very busy. Hopefully there'll be cricket? Have a good weekend xx
ReplyDeleteBuy a bigger dress....?
ReplyDeleteWith so many blogs to keep up with I actually like the shorter posts.
ReplyDeleteI guess my dream was to have a really large garden but that didn't happen and never will so I'll have to be content with the allotment.
Maybe a strategy for writing would be to tell the boys that each day or whatever you will write something interesting about yourself that they don't already know and give them a way of getting to know about your past. If you are really persuasive maybe you could get them to do the same thing and write something interesting about themselves every day even if it is only a few words. A sort of exchange of secret lives/dreams.
What a lovely idea Sue, I shall remember it. CJ xx
DeleteFunny the road life takes us isn't it. When in court the other day I felt really excited and wished I'd put my law degree to better use. Mike thought it might not be that late but it is for me. I just want to sit amongst the foxgloves and knit now. Fingers crossed for the next couple of weeks. To be honest I'd eat cake and buy a Spanx body suit!! xx
ReplyDeleteLovely collages of your flowers. I'm waiting for the foxgloves to open here especially as we had none last year. I like the description of the sunshine lighting up your garden at different times of the day and reaching into your house via the skylights. I can imagine the wetlands and the crane chicks just from your words. All the best with the eating regime and your writing.
ReplyDeleteI like the pictures. I think that not eating any food is a lost cause. Happy writing. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures as always. Don't set yourself up for the fail if you seriously don't think you can stick to a diet, start looking for an alternative now so you don't feel stressed nearer the time. I have two christenings to go to this summer and have started to look for outfits, you guessed it a size bigger...
ReplyDeleteI'd buy a bigger dress. Life is too short for starving yourself :-). I like sue's suggestion with the writing. Or maybe get an Xbox........ :-). Xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. I'm with the others - I'd buy a bigger dress. I am getting to the point in life that, even though I exercise, I do not lose weight. I think this is the size I'm supposed to be. It might not be skinny or in but it's my size so I better learn to live with it!
ReplyDeleteI love that your kids are surprised you did something before they came along. I think if I would do something artistic if I could go back. I'd take a chance and do something I would love even if it didn't make a lot of money lol
Creative career over footballer's wife every time. And I'm with the others on the dress size thing. (While trying to work out what I can wear for an important meeting on Wednesday because my suit trousers seem to have shrunk (: )
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for a bigger dress! Plus, that way you will be able to eat at the wedding without worrying about busting the seams...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flowers. Fun post. I, too, love food -- good luck and buy another dress (I agree with the others) just in case. :) Amazing that we had a life before kids ...!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, your plants are much more advanced than those up here. All I can see on our rose bushes are greenfly. Please keep eating! You could always try the cling film body wrapping thingy instead. Worked for me and my BAFTAs dress (okay, I might have dreamt that last bit).
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book now where the 4 daughters of a woman knew nothing of her life before she was their mother.. I have a feeling we're going to find out some interesting things. But I do think you should fill in your boys of your pre-mom life so they know the whole you. I told mine of being a hippie and helping to put on 2 rock festivals and hitch-hiking to San Francisco.. lol. Have a wonderful weekend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI sympathise with you on the foody problems!
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely collages :)
Oh CJ, it sounds like a slightly trying week! I hope you get your backspace sorted, I love mine I have to say, it is one of the most worn keys on my keyboard - other than the space bar and the !!!!! Hope that the weight loss/wedding goes well, I appreciate the need to eat. I wouldn't have made a footballers wife either - not just because I have no clue about football. Well done for keeping on with your writing, it is hard to do when there are distractions. Thank you for your support of Five On Friday, I so appreciate it!!! Have a great weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know it was possible to replace keys! My children think I only started living when Sam was born, little do they know! Mind you, my past life was a unglamorous as my current life :-) I would definitely do something creative if I had another chance. Textile conservation would be high on my list. Have a lovely weekend. x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, as ever, and I'm with you in the love of food category. Good luck with your goal. I've got a family reunion the beginning of July but don't think I'll give up too much food in preparation for it. My boys fight less in the mornings too and, by lunchtime, we've got to go out and DO something or bedlam ensues!
ReplyDeleteNever give up on your dreams. At 78, I still plan to read my 3,000 books, finish the three books I'm writing, finish seeing all the National Parks, capitols, presidential birthplaces, presidential burial places, and learn Spanish. Maybe I'll even add learn French and finish using all my card-making supplies. How's that for day dreaming?
ReplyDeleteGo Patsy!!!!
Deletelove your photos x perhaps you should add photographer to writer as your new career xxx
ReplyDeleteLove your 'eye' for coloue and seeing pictures of where you live and visit.
ReplyDeleteAs for eating less, instead try eating mindfully. Eat what you want, but do it slower. Savor each bite, chew it to the nth degree and drink plenty of liquid (preferably water). You'll find you're fuller sooner on less and you'll digest it better since it'll be thoroughly chewed.
At the moment, with all the heat & humidity I'm enjoying plus the stress, I have absolutely no appetite - so I'm not eating. I am drinking a lot of water & taking all my vitamins & supplements. In a few days I'll feel like eating again - mindfully. In between time I'll lose a few lbs. mostly water weight & I'll have had a bit of a detox, good start for the summer. =>/<=
Lovely photos. As for eating, I'm a big believer in grazing on small portions throughout the day. Having lots of fruits and veges is the best route for staying slim. Good luck with writing. Not always easy to find that perfect balance with family life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should feel guilty for saying to your boys: you need to leave me alone for a couple of hours because I am working. Embrace screen time. Or bribe them maybe?
ReplyDeleteI still don't know what I want to do when I grow up and I envy those who do. Xx
I don't think you should feel guilty for saying to your boys: you need to leave me alone for a couple of hours because I am working. Embrace screen time. Or bribe them maybe?
ReplyDeleteI still don't know what I want to do when I grow up and I envy those who do. Xx
Gorgeous images of your flowers dear C.J.the rose is magnificent and enjoy your writing.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
It's not easy finding time for your own interests when you have a young family - any summer courses in your neck of the woods that the boys would enjoy? Your rose is lovely, I have one that looks very similar - Madame Alfred Carriere. May and June are my favourite months I think, especially where flowers are concerned. My dream is to be a conductor. Have a great week, great pics as always Jxx
ReplyDeleteCut down on carbs and get some of those hold it all in big pants, would be my plan. And plan b is to order a back up dress in two sizes online. No time wasted trawling round the dreaded mall. Phase Eight is good for dresses and their sizes are true. I have foxglove envy, mine have been totally battered by footballs :-( I hope you got through half term ok, mine have an inset day tomorrow. Roll on Tues xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous captures, love them!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are always an inspiration. I love getting out and about with my camera, alas it hasn't been happening for a while. I must try and commit a blog post a month to images.
Have a good week. ;-)
Hey CJ,
ReplyDeleteI have a wedding to go to in August. I'm already on the size zero campaign. I bought my dress from Sainsbury's (I'm so posh...) and I have one in the wings should my desire to consume more than is wise gets the better of me. Which of course it will. Thank goodness for summer fruit to replace the pic n mix at the supermarket.
Leanne xx