The world i would like to live in....

A world where there was no child abuse.  Where people did not hit their children.  A world where people could speak honestly about their struggles and not feel ashamed or inadequate.  Where children and babies were more welcomed, and heard and seen loud and clear.

A world where there were no puppy factories with little canines not seeing the light of day, stuck lying on a concrete floor in their own excrement.  Where people realised that a pet is for its life and not for convenience.

A world where you could marry your loved one and have a family together, regardless of your chromosomes, without bigotry or defaming and harmful words from others and it was legal.

A world where their was no live export of animals across miles and miles of ocean, suffering without food or water, and for them to meet a gruesome, inhumane fate.

A world where there was no civil war, children and women could walk safely down their own street, have an education and be nourished  with clean food and water.

A world where it was not about having the latest groovy thing.  Not about fashion trends.  Not about getting the most likes.  Living honestly and within your means.

A world where there was more community sharing.  Neighbourhood cook ups.  Sharing the care of children and our elderly. Perhaps communal lawn mowers, clothes dryers, printers, garden tools.  Love the idea of a community garden on your front verge.

A world where people opened their borders to people who are fleeing persecution, war and poverty.

If only our egos would allow.

Looking good, on the outside.

As is evident from this little old blog falling by the wayside, I have been in a state of thoughts all in my head and too scared  for them to be in the written word.  I may have looked to others that I have everything under control.  But I have almost being paralysed with responsibility.  Ruminating over and over about making the right decisions for our family.  This state of perseveration (thanking you Jane) has sapped me of creative confidence and energy.

Choices that I have made have affected other people.   I often feel so indebted to many and feel pushed and pulled in so many ways.  I feel it deeply.  It makes me tired and then I get cranky and irritable.

Essentially I like to keep our home life simple.  Less is certainly more.  We like a wholesome life, living by the seasons and taking our joy from nature and all its gifts.  We live in one of the most beautiful towns of Australia.  Wallabies hop by our front gate.  Tawny frog mouths sit outside our door to sleep during the day.  I hear the ocean from my verandah.  We are safe and well nourished.

The young boy above, his eyes bear the truth, they ask me for my very best.  Every moment, my actions will be how I will be remembered.  Will he forgive me?  Will he say one day "I hate you"?.

At least 10 times a day or more, now, he says over and over again " I love you Mummy"  He also asks me, when I must have that frown line on my forehead, a face of worry and tension, "Mum, are you happy ?"

You see, I have just found this whole thing quite hard.  Relentless.  Simple things like just getting out the door without feeling like a crazy witch.  The struggle to fasten the straps of the child car seat.  Make lunch for preschool days.  Stare at the fridge and wander what to cook.  The struggle with daytime sleeps.  Agonising over putting my son into daycare.  (And now which bloody school).  And the worst time of my parenting, toilet training.  The simple things of motherhood have exhausted me.

On the other hand, diagnosing some rare neurological disorder, glimpsing abnormal pathology and acting promptly, no worries.

I know it is the cliche of the older professional Mother syndrome.  And being caught between ageing frail parents who cannot be around to help.

I just wanted to put out there, I hope I have never made someone else feel less, because I looked like I have more.  That I have looked good , but inside  I am screaming.

At this moment, the house is all quiet.  Night has fallen.  The owl is calling out across the valley.  Che had fallen asleep on the couch after family daycare without any dinner.  I accidentally trapped his finger in the car door this morning as we were jostling to get into the car.  He had a big cry and looked at me with those big innocent eyes.  I fretted most of the day, feeling bad that I still took him to childcare.  I called mid morning to see if he was ok.  I mentioned how bad I felt to Heidi, our family daycare Mum as I came to pick him up.  Heidi said, he hasn't even mentioned it all day.

I am blessed with this life.  I get to live it.   Big deep breaths.  Everything will be ok.

Linking in with Maxabella, on her rewind linky today.

time passes

                                                                                from a 2 and bit year old

                                                                                                 to
                           
                                                                                an upcoming 4 year old.


                                                                                          Just like that.

Hey hey, testing testing.

We have been living in a beautiful  sanctuary,  just taking life slowly and simply.   The house is under a canopy of angophora and gum trees.    A blessing now that Summer  is almost here.   Otherwise the house has been too dark over winter.   We have been lighting the open fire and wearing our uggies.    Now more natural light is seeping through and the beauty of this place lifts my spirit.  I can hear the sound of the ocean in the distance.   Near is the squwark of the wattle bird and  chirp of the Aussie mynahs.   The hilarious  bush turkey pecks under the mulch.   Outside our gate a bower bird's haunt is amongst small shrubs,  with a brilliant  blue display. 
I am experimenting today.   Can I blog from my tablet?
Here goes.
Peace to you
Jill.

a long time coming

There has been a long but necessary pause in this space.  I have missed the connections but needed some silence for awhile.  New house, new bush walks, new friends, old friends, old job, and I still have a 2 year old.

Much peace and love to you
xx

J

***

How lucky I am to live near the sea?  

I have been lost for words lately and feeling a bit flat.  I thought I would make an effort to do some very simple posts and disregard the notion that a post needed to be of some grand premise.  Otherwise I just will never get going again.

Chester and I have been hanging out, re-kindling our connection.  I love seeing dogs on the beach.  Pure happiness.

This gorgeous boy was waiting patiently  for his owner.  Eyes focused on the waves and his best mate carving them up.

peace to you.

xo

hello!

Time and place of being has moved on for us and it has taken a lot out of us.  We are so happy to be back in our old hood, however life at times has seemed a bit precarious.  Emotions and naughtiness have been riding high for our little one.  Taking our stride, re-connecting and finding our rhythm.

We were planning another stint out west but through feeling so exhausted and then comforted by our friends and old work colleagues we are in the process of making the difficult decision to say no.  Something I always find hard to do.  My old work place still has my name on the door.   Very clever.

A thought came into my head about motherhood this morning.  It seems the goal posts keep on shifting.  Just when you think you are on top of things.  Shazaam.  Very humbling.

Or maybe it is that I tend to over-think?  Each parenting decision seems like a huge one.

I am still towing the line in trying to finish projects from last year.  We have made a little play space for all of us and I sneek in there alone during nap time.  I started this lap quilt in the latter of 2011.  I started using Pip's pattern from her book 'Make Hey".  However I did want to have it a bit more snuggly in the end and decided to insert some cotton batting but had already cut the backing fabric the same size as the top.  I discovered through flipping through various other patterns how to make it up otherwise.  But now not sure what to do with the quilting.  Being a complete novice I think I might attempt the old fashioned hand "tying" technique with some embroidery thread.   Bit scared to do the "stitch in the ditch".  Quilter's advice anyone?

                                               Sorry, just had to put these last two photos in.  We miss you Dan.

Thanking you for reading.  I really love having this space and popping around the blogosphere visiting old and new friends.  Have a great week everyone.

p.s Thanking Jodi for the winning of her dragonfly toy giveaway.  Very handsome home made Steiner boy doll.  He has been named Charlie Mickie.   And another lovely Jodi  for her handmade picture book bunting giveaway.  We had a lucky week.

xx
J