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| Image from myLot.com |
'It's not good to be lonely' My four year old daughter told me yesterday.
'Who said that?' I ask.
'I just know.' She replied.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Only the lonely
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Family, foibles & fun times
I'm the eldest in a family of four. Growing up in a reasonably big family used to feel like a massive inconvenience. There was always some kind of argument going on. Someone was always getting blamed for what someone else did. There was never enough room, way too much sharing and food portions were always miserably small. Well I suppose I'm exaggerating, but in my memory being the eldest of four children felt at best slightly annoying and at worst completely and utterly suffocating.
The banter between us always has me in hysterics. At Christmas we sat around and reminisced about our childhood, and the time we were caught running the streets in the school holidays when we should have been inside. We all scrambled for dear life trying to out run our Dad's car, praying he didn't see us (obviously he did), petrified of the punishment that lay in store. Or the time when my brother bit through his bottom lip after the armchair he was balanced on the back of toppled backwards and he went flying. I spent the whole evening trying to hide him from my Mum and when she finally caught up with us he had to be taken to hospital to get 6 stitches..... Or the time I jumped over the garden fence into our elderly next door neighbour's garden to retrieve a wayward ball. Only for the neighbour to catch me red handed and threaten to tell Dad that I had been trespassing. I was so scared of the repercussions. Looking back it all seems so trivial, at the time it felt like a life or death situation. The stories are endless and I love it. Memories are truly priceless.
I remember growing up my parents always used to tell us; 'These days are the best days of your life'. I always wondered what the heck they were talking about. I couldn't wait to be an adult, independent and living by my own rules. Now I understand that adulthood brings with it a whole new set of rules. How is it parents (mine in particular) ALWAYS know best?
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| Image by =_RoBeR_= Flickr |
These days I couldn't feel more thankful for having the three siblings that I do. All three are very different, but all three know who I am inside and out and I know them the same way. With siblings there is such a profound sense of commonality. Shared history, shared ways of thinking, shared parents, shared lives - it's great.
The banter between us always has me in hysterics. At Christmas we sat around and reminisced about our childhood, and the time we were caught running the streets in the school holidays when we should have been inside. We all scrambled for dear life trying to out run our Dad's car, praying he didn't see us (obviously he did), petrified of the punishment that lay in store. Or the time when my brother bit through his bottom lip after the armchair he was balanced on the back of toppled backwards and he went flying. I spent the whole evening trying to hide him from my Mum and when she finally caught up with us he had to be taken to hospital to get 6 stitches..... Or the time I jumped over the garden fence into our elderly next door neighbour's garden to retrieve a wayward ball. Only for the neighbour to catch me red handed and threaten to tell Dad that I had been trespassing. I was so scared of the repercussions. Looking back it all seems so trivial, at the time it felt like a life or death situation. The stories are endless and I love it. Memories are truly priceless.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Hair drama
Anyone who knows me, or who has been following my posts will know that I have two daughters a four year old and a two and a half year old. Now with girls comes hair and with hair comes drama. Well that is certainly the case for us in our household.
My eldest daughter has thick hair with very tight kinks that tangle at every opportunity. My younger daughter also has thick hair, but the kinks are much looser, more like curls and although it does get tangled it's easier for me to manage. This used to concern me, because I did not want my eldest to think she has difficult hair, which of course she doesn't.
Luckily I am currently on my own journey towards natural hair, and it is only now, at 32 years of age that I am learning how to properly manage and care for natural afro hair. I'm still a long way off, but I am so glad I have reached this realisation now and will be suitably equipped to care for my daughters hair and instil the beauty of afro hair onto all three of my children.
In the meantime, as I learn which products and procedures are best for softening, moisturising and most importantly detangling, I have to endure the chaos that is hair washing and plaiting. It starts as soon as I announce the day before, that tomorrow is hair wash day. All manner of objections ensue, but as a mother of daughters it is straight up embarrassing to have to walk around in public, with their hair looking, tired, unkempt and fuzzy. They look neglected and in my book that will just not do.
So it's hair wash day and inside I'm dreading the next 3 hours because I know what is coming. Since my eldest was nine months old she would flinch and carry on if I so much as put my hands in her hair. Now it's a million times worse. Washing her hair these days has improved, plaiting has not. As soon as I lift the wide tooth comb, she is screaming at me to put it down. I try the tangle teezer. For what it's worth I think it makes detangling easier, she doesn't and continues to squirm and wriggle as if she's possessed. I ease her towards me, asking her to 'bend her head' and 'keep still' whilst I try to part her hair ready for plaiting. 'No mummy, it hurts mummy, get off mummy' I haven't even begun the first plait yet and she has a thick, full, head of hair. This is soul destroying.
After an hour of heavy duty screaming and crying from her, patient coaxing and reasoning, then shouting and threats from me, I'm done. I'm sure the neighbours must think she is being tortured. It's a complete nightmare.
As soon as I have finished, the crying stops as if by magic. She is smiling and showing off her pretty hair. The better half is lifting her up, so she can see her beautiful face and perfect hair in the mirror. Is this the same girl?
I look on with pride, I got through it. Then remember there's another head to tend to.........
My eldest daughter has thick hair with very tight kinks that tangle at every opportunity. My younger daughter also has thick hair, but the kinks are much looser, more like curls and although it does get tangled it's easier for me to manage. This used to concern me, because I did not want my eldest to think she has difficult hair, which of course she doesn't.
Luckily I am currently on my own journey towards natural hair, and it is only now, at 32 years of age that I am learning how to properly manage and care for natural afro hair. I'm still a long way off, but I am so glad I have reached this realisation now and will be suitably equipped to care for my daughters hair and instil the beauty of afro hair onto all three of my children.
In the meantime, as I learn which products and procedures are best for softening, moisturising and most importantly detangling, I have to endure the chaos that is hair washing and plaiting. It starts as soon as I announce the day before, that tomorrow is hair wash day. All manner of objections ensue, but as a mother of daughters it is straight up embarrassing to have to walk around in public, with their hair looking, tired, unkempt and fuzzy. They look neglected and in my book that will just not do.
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| My eldest daughter. Fuzzy, fuzzy, fuzzy hair. Cute as pie though. |
So it's hair wash day and inside I'm dreading the next 3 hours because I know what is coming. Since my eldest was nine months old she would flinch and carry on if I so much as put my hands in her hair. Now it's a million times worse. Washing her hair these days has improved, plaiting has not. As soon as I lift the wide tooth comb, she is screaming at me to put it down. I try the tangle teezer. For what it's worth I think it makes detangling easier, she doesn't and continues to squirm and wriggle as if she's possessed. I ease her towards me, asking her to 'bend her head' and 'keep still' whilst I try to part her hair ready for plaiting. 'No mummy, it hurts mummy, get off mummy' I haven't even begun the first plait yet and she has a thick, full, head of hair. This is soul destroying.
After an hour of heavy duty screaming and crying from her, patient coaxing and reasoning, then shouting and threats from me, I'm done. I'm sure the neighbours must think she is being tortured. It's a complete nightmare.
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| Got to use the shampoo shield. I got this from boots. |
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| Lovely thick hair. |
As soon as I have finished, the crying stops as if by magic. She is smiling and showing off her pretty hair. The better half is lifting her up, so she can see her beautiful face and perfect hair in the mirror. Is this the same girl?
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| It's all worth it in the end. |
I look on with pride, I got through it. Then remember there's another head to tend to.........
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| Such a cute, cheeky girl. Fuzzy head number two lol. |
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| Shampoo shield - aka life saver. |
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| Not happy - she knows what's coming. |
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| Work it girl. |
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| Products I used. |
Mad busy
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| This should help me to unwind - image from Basehead |
There are not enough hours in the day.
My last few posts have followed a similar vein, I'm not sure what is going on but it is so frustrating. I am so FRUSTRATED.
It can't help that I'm quite impatient. Everything needs to be done now, immediately. This INSTANT. I've got a million things to do and the time is always running away from me.
Take yesterday for example.
Day starts. Feed the children, wash the children, dress the children, entertain the children, soothe crying baby.
Housework. Make up the beds, load the dishwasher, do the laundry, hoover up, soothe crying baby. Put away the laundry, tidy up, tidy up again, then tidy up some more, referee a squabble, make lunch, eat lunch, make bottles, change nappies, soothe crying baby.
Debate whether to go out. Shocking weather, decide not to go out. Reason with defiant toddler, discipline defiant toddler, respond to the question 'Why?' from an inquisitive 4 year old for the millionth time, make dinner, eat dinner, children brush teeth, read children story, children say prayers, soothe crying baby, children to bed.
Carry out research online for blog, write blog, think of ways to promote blog, blog, blog, blog, blog...by this time it's usually past midnight!!!
I'm working myself into a frenzy here. There is too much to do, I need to slow down, but I don't want to. Not really. I am enjoying the freedom that writing brings, but with three small children it's a juggling act.
Got to push through. I can do this!
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Finding my way
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| Image by I'mDKB from flickr |
When I started this blog a month ago, my intention was to carry out interviews to share stories of career achievements and life goals. This is still the plan, but as every good writer/blogger knows it takes time to build content.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Be kind to yourself
Lately I feel as though I've been running on empty. I'm feeling drained, emotional and a little overwhelmed.
Not a good start for the new year.
The girls were beaming at me with 100 watt smiles. I felt horrible for letting them down, they were desperate for me to join them out into the crisp winter air. Hmmm what was I saying about doing more fun things with my children? Probably should have added in summer.....hahaa.
Needless to say the better half took them out to the woods on his own and they got a much needed run about. I stayed in the car with the baby and got a much needed power nap. Everyone's a winner.
I think today's episode has proved that I can't be superwoman, if I'm not up to doing something it's best for me to take time out to recuperate rather than beating myself up about it and turning into a snappy, crabby, blubber baby. After all it's true what they say; happy mummy equals happy family. Lol.
I suppose all we can really do is our best and learn to be kind to ourselves and of course one another.
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| Image by Nina Matthews Photography - from flickr |
Not a good start for the new year.
I think my main problem is trying to do too many things at once, and in my quest to do them all perfectly, I end up doing all of them not very well and disliking myself for it.
Take today for instance. After nearly two days of not leaving the house, the better half and I decided to take the children out for the afternoon. Midway through the journey a thick fog of tiredness descended over me. I felt totally exhausted, probably the culmination of a teething six month old (he cut his first tooth yesterday - yay for baby!) and too many late nights blogging........
We drove around for a bit then the better half suggested going for a walk in the woods. At that precise moment in time I couldn't think of anything worse. It was freezing outside, the baby was sleeping contently and there was no way I was fumbling with the car seat to take him out, then faffing with the buggy, especially since sleeping hasn't been part of his repertoire of late. To be honest every task felt like too much.The girls were beaming at me with 100 watt smiles. I felt horrible for letting them down, they were desperate for me to join them out into the crisp winter air. Hmmm what was I saying about doing more fun things with my children? Probably should have added in summer.....hahaa.
Needless to say the better half took them out to the woods on his own and they got a much needed run about. I stayed in the car with the baby and got a much needed power nap. Everyone's a winner.
I think today's episode has proved that I can't be superwoman, if I'm not up to doing something it's best for me to take time out to recuperate rather than beating myself up about it and turning into a snappy, crabby, blubber baby. After all it's true what they say; happy mummy equals happy family. Lol.
I suppose all we can really do is our best and learn to be kind to ourselves and of course one another.
Happy New Year! It's 2012!
Well we are here. 2012. A time for new beginnings.
(I'm loving this photo by *Sally M*. I found it on flickr.)
This year I am setting myself some clear goals. No dilly-dallying. 2012 is the time for doing.
My goals for this year:
1) Get fit. More healthy eating, less junk food and much, much more exercise.
2) Christen our son.
3) Get my children enrolled in swimming lessons.
4) Organise finances. With three children a savings strategy of some description is a must.
5) Establish a way to make money by working from home.
6) Do more fun/silly things with my children on a daily basis.
7) Spend a lot more time with extended family and friends.
8) A family holiday to Barbados. My dad is from this beautiful country and I love it there, (wishful thinking but needs to be done). We haven't been on holiday in forever. Aim high I say.
9) Work out how to credit photos properly on blogger, sounds simple but I'm having issues and it's bugging me (any help will be much obliged).
10) Build my blog and meet more inspirational people through the world of blogging.
That's a nice list to be getting on with I think. Certainly doable. Bring it on.
What do you want to achieve in 2012?
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