Creativity 3 | Kangaroo Spotting

I'm not trying to jump on the Bowie bandwagon here. I just had a conversation Friday night about how I don't find him attractive (and now I feel a teeny-bit bad about it).

It's just that I think David Bowie has been only a subconscious part of my life's soundtrack. I am a self-researched music aficionado. I didn't have hippy parents or older siblings who introduced me to him. My first CD was The Bodyguard soundtrack followed by Mariah Carey's. I didn't discover the Beatles until my teen years and didn't listen to Queen until College.

When I heard the news of Bowie's death I could not help but recognize his invaluable contributions to music, pop culture and sexuality. He was a talented, influential artist who loved the crap outta his wife and family. By all accounts a really good dude and roll model.

And it's not that I don't like him or his music- it's just that I never latched onto him. I do realize that many of my beloved 90's rappers paid homage as they rhymed over his beats (Ice Ice Baby much?) Without Bowie- there would be no P Diddy.

Like most music lovers (aka everyone) I felt the collective sadness over his passing. Then this morning I learned that in his last few months of life he had been working on an album. I could not stop thinking about that. This song was released two days before he died:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8]

Most people had no idea he was sick. He didn't announce it asking for prayers or attention. Money could not save him. So he did what any artist does. He created. Any background respect I had for David Bowie has turned to direct admiration. In his last moments he did what made him happy, without ever giving up.

I read somewhere that the new album is a goodbye to his fans but I would bet it's much more than that. It's immortality.

When we die all we leave behind is what we've created. When our time is up possessions will be scattered, donated or trashed. The only thing left is our performance.

If you want to live an authentic life, to be happy and to be fulfilled- just take a look at the legacy of Mr. David Bowie.

Sarah Heidinger Photography

My biggest shock about becoming a mother was the (temporary) loss of identity. I’ve written plenty of posts about it (most of them don’t quite articulate my experiences as well as I would like).

My life had been interesting but I felt like a drifter...I had a Masters degree and a 'useful' thesis on how the cult of celebrity influences trends. I had a passport proudly filled with stamps, a catalogue of interesting job titles and I moved my entire life to Australia for love. Sounds pretty cool right? Well, when I became a Mother the little patchwork of a life got obliterated.

I no longer had the time and freedom I once took for granted. How could I be a Mom and still be me?

Combine an identity crisis with lack of sleep, unstable hormones, loss of confidence and you have the perfect recipe for depression. Yup. And to make matters worse (or better, depending on how you look at it) I decided to publicly journal my feelings in a blog. Hello I’m a vulnerable little flower *cower*

Luckily I received the opposite of boot-prints and rather instant support in the form of messages, calls, emails lots of people saying 'me too!' Even my husband received messages from his friends to see if we were okay. This was humbling and motivating.

Writing was one of my neglected loves and resurrecting it proved to be more than a useful outlet. As soon as I was able to write honestly and let go of my crippling perfectionism I could process how I felt and let the healing process begin.

I continued down the dusty path of my dormant hobbies nurturing them them one by one. Once my love for art bloomed so did my interest in design, photography and crafting. I started taking a few online classes, reading books, watching tutorials (you can learn so much for free!)

I was desperate to make my free-time count. Investing in myself seemed selfish until I remembered that by doing this I would be giving my daughter the ultimate gift- an example. Following my interests and rediscovering my passion turned into a business, a mission, something that makes me feel happy and fulfilled.

Art in all it’s forms is an expression of our identity and personality. It does not matter if we make it, hang it, or view it——> this is fuel for growth. I want to help others (re)discover their identity through art and creativity.

I'm working on a few projects that will help show others how I went from a confused, depressed, new mother to a person both my daughter and I can be proud of.

I don't intend to write a self-help book or a how-to manual. My hope is that by sharing my story and some of the tools I've used may spark some inspiration or show you the first signpost for your own authentic quest.

Help me help you- what would you like to hear about most?

Positive things are flowing into my life right now and I’m going back and forth between being grateful, humbled and just a teensy-bit proud.

1. I am grateful for opening up and for the tribe it brought me.

I started taking my blog seriously, and sharing it, almost two years ago. The purpose was to help myself heal from post-natal depression. Revealing that vulnerability terrified me, shook up some relationships in my life and strengthened others. I fell in love with writing again and gave myself permission to do it simply for the joy it brought me.

But it did more than bring me joy- it brought peace of mind. I received countless messages of love and support from friends old and new. They shared their personal struggles with me and we all felt less alone. Then I landed in a wonderful blogging community, they are beyond supportive and contribute an endless supply of inspiration.

2. I am grateful for working in the art field and for being able to call myself an artist.

I landed a cute, little job- my first (paid) in over two years. I’m teaching and assisting beginner painting classes. The goal was to get out, do some networking, and be in a field I love. The pocket change doesn't hurt either!

3. I am grateful for being able to build something.

Then there is my personal artwork. When I was home in Buffalo I got a big 'commission' project and worked for hours and hours in the cold bliss of my Mom's basement. She would stay on Grandma duty while I lost myself down there. I ended up doing more than planned when a few of my pieces ended up on my Mother's walls. Fair enough. It made me think that- maybe I could start my own art business.

I'm proud to announce that Kangaroo Spotting is now an official Australian Business. I'm not quite sure the exact shape it will take but right now it's all about lining up the ducks.

And oh yeah, my Etsy Store, it's finally launched! There are actual items for sale in there. It's a bit time consuming, the whole Etsy set-up, I've been tinkering for a while and I'm still learning. Won’t you take a little look and let me know what you think?

4. I am grateful for living a creative life.

It feels like all of my work, tears and hope over the last few years are starting to become this tangible thing. I'm beyond grateful for being able to follow my dream.

What would you do if you were free to be anything?

Melbourne’s Spring Carnival is galloping toward us with Derby Day on October 31st!

I adore The Races for fashionable reasons (American readers picture a week-long Kentucky Derby with Champagne instead of Mint Juleps) and look forward to getting dressed up for the racecourse (we don't call it 'the track' here, makes us feel more civilized).

This year I'm doing my fashion on a budget. I’ve already rented a dress online and I decided to make my own fascinator as well. The Milliners in this country are insanely talented (and expensive) someday when I’m a famous author/artist I will be able to afford to buy some of their incredible pieces.

Today I spent 50.00 at Spotlight (a craft store which does not hold a candle to JoAnn Fabric’s or Michaels but does the job) on fascinator supplies with some to spare after the finish.

They had a little millinery section which scared me a little bit- like, one feather costed around four dollars. They didn’t really have what I was looking for and it was all pretty basic (and overpriced) - until I finally found a neutral base attached to a headband- I didn’t want to mess with making one of those my first time around. My skill level right now= glue gun.

My advice: Stay far, far away from the ‘millinery’ area where the odds are worse (wink wink) and get creative with the other craft supplies you can find.

Onto the fake flowers section where I bought some white roses and two big lavender colored flowers. This hat is going to go with my Derby Day outfit where traditional dress code is black and white. I wanted to pull the white from my dress, the purple from my hair (yes, I have purple hair because I’m a rock’n’roll Mom) with some neutrals and black accents.

In the craft section, I bought a bag of black and white feathers for eight bucks and I have plenty of extra. Bargain.

When I got home, true to form, I didn’t really have a plan so I just went for it. The end result was really cute and I think it will look perfect with my outfit. This was so much fun I can definitely see myself making more.

What you need

A base and headband or clip combo
Fake Flowers
Feathers
Glue Gun
Scissors

1. Try on your headband/ hat/ base and decide in which position you will wear it. Make sure to take note of which will become the front, back and side view.

2. Start to play. Put a few flowers together, decide which area will be the highest and which will be the lowest or just glue a flower on as a jumping-off point.

Tip: The fake flowers should pull right off the stems easily. Trim any excess plastic or leaves with scissors.

Cut the crap- it will give you a flatter base to work with.

3. Before you add another element make sure to see how it’s looking as a whole and how it looks on your head.

Tip: Grab a little mirror to put in front of your workstation so you can occasionally check out your hat as you add to it. I think it should look nice from all angles- not just from the front or side.

Why hello, Craft Nerd.

4. Once all the flowers are in place and you are happy with them, start thinking about where you want your feathers to go. Stick them in- without gluing them to get a better idea of the configuration you like. Don’t be afraid to cut the feathers.

Tip: Less is more, or more is more it’s totally up to you. If you remember one thing about the races it’s that you can’t be too over the top!

5. Glue the feathers in one at a time, either to the base or to the petals of your flowers.

Thought I was finished at this point, but it was begging for some black feathers.

6. Cross the finish line!

Lesson Learned For Next time: I would probably try and position the little base differently and buy a sturdier headband- so maybe I’ll try to make one myself. Also I might play around a little with different configurations of flowers- I made it work with this one but I could have done things a little differently.

The final result

The total cost of materials used was easily less than 40.00 and considering the long odds with my novice skill set I'm more than pleased with the standings (just a few more racing puns then I'll stop, promise).

I’d bet money $ that you’ll look and feel amazing in your unique piece of wearable art!

Good luck, punters. x

So I was at a cute little cafe, Miss Marie’s in Rosanna, and I saw this ‘Specials’ sign. The place is decked out super cute- kind of a modern industrial kind of way.

I did what lots of artists do and took (stole) this idea as my inspiration to make it my own.

My hubs was in charge of cutting some spare decking and wood that we had in our backyard into even-ish little rectangles I could use for my lettering. If you don't have a handy assistant who knows how to wield a saw, use a length of wood instead.

Layout

I laid out the different blocks to spell out “But first, Coffee,” because <3 coffee. Laying out the different colored chunks I could easily spread out the different greyish ones and the warmer colored ones- spreading them out in a way that draws the eye around (I’m always working on composition.)

Get some Stencils

Next came the easy part- not! I already had black and white acrylic paint and brushes- just needed some letter stencils. I dragged my daughter to three different stores before I found them. Spotlight and Bunnings don’t carry them and I eventually settled on cardboard letter cut outs I found at Lincraft. Not ideal but I was too impatient to go online and order some.

Side note: it’s one thing that constantly exasperates me about shopping in Australia. I never feel like I know where to look when I’m looking for something. One would think a craft store and a hardware store were logical places to start! Anyhow, I love living here but I can’t stand being ‘shopping-clueless.’

Paint

So with these cut out ‘stencils’- my painting time and precision got longer and tougher. I had to trace all my letters and painstakingly hand-paint each one (I’m not the most patient person so I had to take little breaks).

I wanted to use a mix of black, white, and ‘wood’ for the backgrounds and letters. After three hours I was extremely pleased with the results.

I started out matching up the colors and letters randomly and it got to the point where I realised I needed to lay everything out and decide exactly what colors I wanted to fill in the gaps. Usually, my projects involve more of a random process full of ‘happy accidents’ however in this case planning was necessary.

You can line the blocks up on a shelf or mantel or fix them to a long strip of wood with wood glue or nails. We haven’t decided where this one will go in our house so the letters will likely remain loose for the time being.

What you Need:

14 wood blocks or panels cut to a similar size

Black and white acrylic paint

Brushes- any size you feel comfortable using (mine were pretty small)

Alphabet stencils
Patience

The only constant in life is change.

‘For a seed to achieve it’s greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth it would look like complete destruction.’ Cynthia Occelli

Sometimes life breaks down in order to allow you to rebuild. I can’t help but feel like this weekend was the perfect example of how change is the only constant.

Recently there have been changes in my family, my career, my daughter and my home. All of these elements are at different stages in the cycle of life, death, birth, destruction and growth.

I woke up Saturday morning to the buzzing of chainsaws and the grinding of a wood-chipper. The trees in our backyard were being cut down to clear the way for an extension on our home. I guess you could say Saturday was the first official day of the renovation which should have been exciting.

I could not help feeling nostalgic for my beloved Meyer Lemon tree. I don’t know much about gardening but I did know that this tree has produced so many lemons at such a constant rate, that everyone who came to the house mentioned it- and left with a bag of lemons because we could never possibly go through them fast enough.

We bought our home from an almost 90-year-old woman. We gutted and restored it before our daughter was born and when elderly Joan came over to see the results (she keeps in touch with the neighbors) her last remark was to ask if she could have some lemons from 'her tree.' It was such a tender moment, Joan seeing a brand new home and a brand new family where hers once grew. Despite the modifications inside, 'her lemon tree' remained gnarled and strong in the backyard, unaware of time passing, still hard at work, pumping out its juicy yellow fruit.

For some reason though, for almost six months this year, the tree has produced next-to-nothing. I cannot remember a time where this happened in the five years since Matt bought the house- even when we had tenants in it.

Perhaps the tree was going through some sort of metamorphosis itself. I had to purchase lemons at the supermarket for the first time in ages. I checked often, willing lemons to appear and when those first green fruit-buds peeped out of the branches I thought to myself- Finally! Now I’ll be able to get back to experimenting with Limoncello and salt cures.

A tear rolled off my face when Matt told me the lemon tree was the first one tackled Saturday morning. I fought so hard to keep that tree but in the end it was too risky and expensive. Matt told me the tree removalists had been kind enough to pick all the half-ripe lemons from the center where we were not able to reach (I had already made Matt scavenge everything he could the night before.) Unfortunately most of the lemons were sacrificed, too green to pick and won't ripen off the vine.

As sad as losing the tree was, nothing prepared me for the news to come next.

“I spoke to your Mom, and your Dad this morning,” Matt started. I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.
“What is it,” I said, eyes narrowing, more as a statement than a question.
“It’s Bella...she’s gone to doggy heaven.”
“No!”

And then the tears came for real. My dog, the one I got when I was 21 ,who was my companion and roommate for 8 years while I stumbled into adulthood. The one who was there through broken hearts, moving-boxes, job-hopping, and indecision. She was the one I came home to. My constant and my companion.

When I moved to Australia I gave her up because I could not bear risking her health- flying for more than 24 hours as cargo and entering quarantine for a month. It broke my heart but I gave her a better, happier life as a grand-dog, and in turn I gave my Mom a little piece of me to keep while I moved thousands of miles away.

And now she is gone, just two weeks before I could have seen her one last time. I could have been there to hold her in her last moments. And be with my Mom so she would not have had to experience that heartache alone. After losing my grandmother less than three months ago it just triggers and stings.

The only thing that could make me feel better was to hold my daughter close and smell her hair and remain grateful for her health and warmth.

This weekend I was cheered by friends who made me smile and laugh. I’m looking forward to the new addition to our house, the upcoming visit to my hometown, hugs from my Mom, Dad and Brother. And not least importantly, the new beginnings of a career in art- the fulfillment of my dreams.

And as these changes swirl around me, caught in the middle, I will undoubtedly change too.

I think it's how we accept and absorb these transformations which provides the opportunity for renewed grace.

One

All that is left of the 40 year old lemon tree, but it will make the way for our spacious new family home. Matt has promised we will buy a new lemon tree and use it in a topping out ceremony, once the roof is complete (oh the things you learn when your partner is in the construction industry!)

Two

National Geographics from the 1920's and 30's that I bought at an auction with my Grandmother. They are my inspiration behind a new art project I will be starting once time allows.

Three

Our dearest Isabella. Loved by many, loyal to all and particular as the day was long. She will be forever in my heart and her name forever tattooed on my ankle.

Four

My love, inspiration and new beginning. We can finally get that hair into a 'pony.' Her conversational capabilities astound me on a daily basis. Today she asked to go to 'eshoping' in the 'beep-beep.' She is definitely an apple who didn't fall far from the tree...or should I say lemon?

How has your week been? I'm hoping for a less intense one next week.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the difference between blogging and journaling. To me, they are as different as Buffalo, New York, and Melbourne, Australia. Yes, they have both been homes for me but have served extremely different purposes.

Why do I blog?

Vulnerability does not come easily to me, and I think it's the same for most people. When you have this desperate need to be liked you wear different masks. You watch what you say, and try your best to filter or dilute who you are to suit each crowd like a politician.

If everyone knows your true-self, then you may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I always wished I gave less of a shit about popular opinion. My brother lives that way and I've always envied and admired him for it.

I’m not sure why I grew up to be so needy-perhaps that's a topic for my therapist (see I don’t share EVERYTHING on here.)

When I started blogging years ago I gave up on it because I felt that I had nothing to say, like I was being narcissistic talking about myself all the time. I think the real problem was that I was scared. Scared and worried about what people would think of me. When I wrote it fell flat because I chose safe subjects.

After offending more than one person here and there with my writing I started to realize that some people will still have to love me, even if I disappoint them. And if they don’t- I’m going to have to learn to be okay with that because my words are my truth. I don’t mean this in an arrogant way but in a self-survival kind of way.

Not everyone will like you but everything is going to be okay.

I realize I didn’t answer my own question: Why do I blog?

I blog because I believe in the power of a story. Relating to someone else through the written word is as close as you will get to experience it for yourself. I’m giving my stories to the Internet because I believe that they will resonate with some people, perhaps people beyond my own circle.

And if a few of you, dear readers, are touched, moved or shown a glimpse of familiarity in my words then I am beyond satisfied. In rare instances I would like to be able to help, support, inspire or genuinely encourage some of you. I want to show you; that everything is going to be okay.

click here for interview with Grace Bonney

I am not an expert on anything, but as my husband says, “Sometimes people aren't looking for expert advice.” And you know what? He is absolutely correct. I know when I walk away from a good chat with a friend I often feel better than I do when leaving my shrink’s office. I hope that when you guys read my posts that you get that sense, that we've just had a good rap sesh over a cup of tea. Sometimes we just need to know that we are not alone in this.

What a blessing it is to live in an age where we don’t need publishers to distribute our words. It changes the whole concept of what it means to be an author. As if getting paid for my writing would somehow make it more valuable and me legitimate. Google Analytics tells me I have a loyal following and for that I am grateful.

Even better than statistics, which can be misleading, is that I have personally heard from many of you. Stories of camaraderie, commissary, and joy. Those stories are what create true connections. I believe in those connections so much that I've started a Facebook group so you can branch beyond just me.

So to the souls who care enough to look at my humble words, I thank you. Thank you for showing me that as long as I remain honest, everything is going to be okay.

Why am I qualified to dispense this advice?

I was like the quintessential, quarter-life crisis cliche. I had no idea what to do with my life and I tried a bit of everything. I mean, check out this list of job titles I've held over the years: Freelance Journalist, Marketing Coordinator, International Correspondent, Matchmaker’s Apprentice, Executive Assistant, Senior Supporter Services Team Member and Manager, Digital Media Coordinator.

Personal Resume
When I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree (as we all know 'just an English BA' even though I was about 6 credits shy of a double major in English and Studio Art.) I was in no way prepared for the real world...whatever that meant.

Dreams of being an artist dashed, I set out to do what any recent college grad would do. I took a thousand personality tests online so I could find some direction. Suffice to say all that did was confuse me further.

Then I took the logical next steps. I sat the LSAT, filled out a peace-core application and applied to graduate school. Something had to shake out right?

Since I didn't really know if I could cope with living in a tent and bombed the LSAT, grad school was the clear winning choice. Plus school was familiar, safe and achievable. I proceeded to place myself into massive debt while I earned a Masters in Humanities. Ask me if I've ever used it. Nope. And I’m still paying it off at age 34. Basically, I was delaying entry into said ‘real world.’

Do I have any regrets? No. Would I change some things if I could to make it a bit easier/ less expensive? Sure. So here is my advice to you, 22-year-old self...if I could do it all over again with some minor tweaks.

Advice I would give my 22-year old-self if I could do it all again...

1. Get an Internship

If you missed out on this vital piece of advice during your college days, see if you can get one post-graduation. It’s less scary than committing to a job, especially if you’re unsure about your career path. At my first and only internship, I found a mentor, made all sorts of contacts, created a portfolio of work and landed a marketing job. Bonus, it still looks good on my resume. I tended bar on weekends to supplement my income. Which brings me to my next point.

2. Lower your expectations

Tend bar, wait tables, hammer some nails for a while. Just because you have a degree does not make you too good for unskilled work. It teaches you about life, humanity, teamwork, and business. When I moved to Melbourne I had to wait tables at age 29 with a graduate degree until I found an inroad to the Australian market. Do what you have to do rather than settle. Future employers will respect the salty, hard work. It’s also a great way to support yourself if you are trying to start your own business or turn a hobby into a career.

3. Figure out what you don’t want

Look, sometimes you just have to take a job out of necessity even if you’re unsure about it (see point 2.) Sometimes learning about what you don’t want is just as important as figuring out what you do. I’m not one of those people born with a calling so I tried many different roles. Remember the golden rule: Your major does not determine your career- so don't pigeonhole yourself. Try something out if it seems interesting. Apply for that job you feel unqualified for. Just avoid the trap of getting too comfortable in a role you don’t enjoy. This is how people get ‘stuck.’ Don’t get stuck, get a plane ticket.

4. Travel

Seriously I bet you can give me a thousand excuses about why you cannot travel- and they're rubbish. Did you know you can make money by working overseas? You can. And you can find someone to watch your dog. And you can find a place to store your car. I should have taken a year off after college to travel. Bumming around Europe would have been far less expensive that that grad degree I’m still paying for. Stop worrying that employers will frown upon a gap year- betcha it makes you more interesting than the next candidate. You will learn far more about life on the road than in any textbook or office. Teach English as a Second Language (ESL), or find a country like Australia that offers work and holiday visas to people under 30. Go.

5. Do Your Homework

What’s that? The whole point of being a graduate is that there is no more homework? Wrong. Get out there and talk to professionals in fields that interest you. Offer to assist them for a day or take them out for coffee. You will be amazed at what you can learn. Ask them about their day-to-day. Ask them if they like their job. Ask them if they are happy. Seek advice on how YOU can get there too. Keep your ears and your notebook open. I can't think of a better way to get an honest snapshot of a specific career and lifestyle.

6. Reject The Pressure

Society sends a crippling message to young people regarding careers. "A career should be fulfilling, make a difference in the world and earn you a lot of money." It will become part of your identity so it must also make you happy. But you can't work too much because you need balance." Sound impossible? That’s because it is. I remember my Dad telling me that when he was young, the goal was to find a job to make money and support a family. Your job should not and does not define you as a person. We are all more complex than that. Sometimes it's just a job.

7. Network Like Crazy
Meet new people and talk to anyone who will listen. Get on social media, go to free events, put your resume online. Volunteer at a non-profit. Connect with career networking sites like LinkedIn.

Well said. The first step is usually the most difficult. And then you take the next one. You got this.

8. Take Risks

If you try and fail it’s better than not trying at all. Even if everything falls apart you will learn something valuable. Don’t remain paralyzed by fear or negativity. You will not recieve your dream on a silver platter, no matter how long you wait, so you best get out there and risk it all. Here is the best article I've ever read on finding your purpose. The article says you should be doing the thing that "makes you forget to eat, sleep and poop." I never thought anything could make me forget to eat, but writing does. Nuff said.

Best wishes for an inspiring and rad journey! x

Question to those of you who have been there already- What advice would you give your 22-year-old self?

Our Surprise Care Package

I received an upsetting email last night and this morning I woke up sad, angry and even a little bitter. Online I read about how Kanye dissed Beck at the Grammy’s and it was all I needed to be disappointed at the world. I love Beck, he rocks. He’s been around twice as long as KWest and is ten times as humble. It’s just as important to support one another as it is to acknowledge those who came before us. Sometimes all we want is a little humanity and a little less drama.

Today was day-care day and I planned to exercise and go for a swim but I felt so off, I couldn't decide what to do. But then as I was taking a bagged, poopie diaper to the back porch I noticed a little package sitting there. It was from my Aunt (who is more like my sister.) Her thoughtful gesture reminded me to stop feeling sorry for myself.

I decided to be grateful for the little things today. Here is a big list of small things that happened which made me feel grateful, humble and a heck-of-a-lot better.

Hometown Love

A lovely Care Package at my doorstep from my Aunt Jeefy.
Vigorous and intense workout to blast negative thoughts out of my body and mind.
Hearing Thunderstruck on the radio. Loud. It reminds me of the time I watched Buffalo’s own heavyweight champ, Baby Joe Mesi approach the boxing ring to the song. It still gives me chills.
Reading a great article sent by my best friend: ‘10 Ways You’re Making your Life Harder Than It Has To Be’ which basically tells you how to get over yourself, but in a good way.
I bought Thunderstruck on iTunes because it’s not on Spotify.
I went to my old neighborhood of Fitzroy to take a swim in the outdoor public pool. I still feel at home there, and I always park on our old street.
I heard the Taylor Swift Song, Blank Space, on the Radio and it made me tear up.
I bought Blank Space on iTunes because it’s not on Spotify.
I ate my healthy bagged lunch in the sun and went for a swim.
My car remained free from a parking ticket.
I found a gorgeous, second-hand bowl and saucers for 10 dollars.
The nice American man who cashed me out enforced just how great it is to live in this country.
When I started playing Blank Space on repeat I pulled over and bought the rest of the album. I like the first four songs already. (I’m all about guilty pleasures but I really wanted to hate her.)
Lavinia had a good day at day-care.
I received some helpful advice from one of the women who runs the center.
Lavinia did crafts for the first time and loved it. They told me she will probably be artistic. This makes me proud. It’s also okay with it if she’s not.
One of my Mum’s group friends dropped off a plate while I was out. I’m so eternally grateful to know her plus the four other women in my group. They get it.
My husband is one of the kindest, most supportive people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I am beyond lucky. He is one of those people who has this “life” thing figured out.
My daughter was asking to dance before I put her down for a nap.
I can’t wait to play the Taylor album for her when she wakes up.
Did I mention that today I got to go to the gym, the pool and shop???

Photo does not do these justice

Little Plate, Little Love

Budding Abstract Expressionist

Swag

Morning People Have it Gooooood

It's been a week since my last post and I have a confession to make. Matt and I have been caught up/obsessed with Sons of Anarchy. We started over the holidays and are now on the third season. Last night we took a time off so he could watch some of the Australian Open. I ended up doing a heap of blog research while on the couch next to him. It was the most productive I've been in weeks!

To top it off, on our road trip over the weekend we started listening to the Serial podcast. Between SOA, Serial, and our daughter, I have no idea when my husband and I will have another actual conversation. We either need to rip through the rest of the episodes together or take a small break. Because you know I can't cheat on him and watch ahead.

Another confession: when Hubs and I get way into a show, I try and prep dinner during the day and we race through evening chores like fools so we can squeeze in two, maybe three Eps before lights out. WHO AM I???

Major Spoiler Alert Anxiety while Googling for these Images

Today was Lavinia's first day back at Day Care since December 10th! She cried when I left her because she's going through separation anxiety. It sucks big time. At least there are some familiar, friendly faces at our childcare center. They haven't called to tell me that she has obliterated herself in tears or tantrum so I don't feel too, too, bad.

This morning I was able to organize myself enough to head right from drop off to my chiropractic appointment. His office is above a cafe and upon arriving early I knew I would be able to have a quiet breakfast and a coffee. I even brought my kindle. Bliss. I love doing things in the mornings even though am the definition of-not a morning person. But every once in a while, when forced to be awake and in the world- it's really wonderful.

I sound like a broken record, but maximizing time is key. Today was about doing the things I cannot do when Lavinia is with me. It's no longer about showering, cooking or laundry- because I can do that all during her waking hours even if it means she makes a mess in one room while I clean up another. So today- I read.

This book called "The Artist's Way," was recommended to me during my blogcourse. The intro sounded preachy and religious but when I read further about how the author battled with alcoholism it made more sense. In AA they tell you to find a higher power to believe in. And she explains:

"When the word God is used in these pages, you may substitute the thought good orderly direction or flow. What we are talking about is a creative energy."

"If you are creatively blocked- and I believe all of us are to some extent- it is possible, even probable, that you can learn to create more freely through your willing use of the tools this book provides."

Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

I decided to reserve judgment and give the book a go. It seems like many artists have been inspired by her words- Maybe this is what I can do instead of watching a bunch of sexy bikers ride around and do bad stuff on the television.

Tell me, what TV shows or podcasts are you obsessive about lately? What are your favorite distractions?