With Christmas coming, even the biggest curmudgeon can find themselves delighted by toys. Personally, I love miniature things (I dream of having my own little dollhouse one day), so this video of the Minatur Wunderland in Germany absolutely enchanted me. I hope it brings you some joy too.
The Lotus Pond
Seeking a spiritual path through writing
17 Dec 11
What Went Right and Wrong
So, November NaBloPoMo didn’t go well at all. I think that sort of highlights a trend in my life: I often start out all gung ho about a new plan or goal, and soon lose interest or find myself spending all my energy on my next latest, greatest plan. My pile of started projects is nearly uncountably big, and has actually started to cause me a lot a stress. This is not what I want in my life.
With all of this in mind, and the end of the year rocketing towards us, I figured it was time for a bit of a personal review. I’m basing my review on the one offered by Chris Guillebeau on his site The Art of Non-Comformity.
Before planning for 2012 (and beyond!), I need to look at what worked and what didn’t work this year. I’m tempted to jump in with what didn’t work, since that seems like it would be the easiest, but let’s start out positively, eh?
So, what worked this year? Well, reading to the little man at night has paid off really well. He’s not yet four, and can already read about 30+ simple words easily, and many more when they are in context. He’s even read a couple of simple books to me (with help). Practising his numbers and the alphabet with him, at fun and unusual times, has also worked. He’s got those down pat now too. And laying off on the toilet training until he was ready paid off in spades. Since we moved out of diapers, I can count the number of accidents he’s had on one hand. There is nothing like success to build confidence.
Taking some time away from working as also worked for me. I do miss the spending/saving/investing money, but the extra sleep and personal time has made a big difference. (I’m starting to feel a little useless though, and will likely be itching to get back to work of some time soon.)
Getting away with the husband, and by myself, also worked to a small extent. I love both the little and big man and hate to be away from them for long, but I also recognize the need to recharge myself and to spend some quality time with the husband alone. Hopefully this is something we can work more on in 2012, and maybe even include a trip for all three of us. (Hopefully that will be a “went well” next year, rather than a “went badly”.)
What didn’t work? Well, I never did get my health issues worked out, and so I’m still exhausted and much heavier than I should be. Clearly, ignoring everything in hopes that it will go away didn’t work for me at all. (Big surprise, right?)
Constantly starting new projects when the mood struck me hasn’t worked either. I’ve got too many half finished things hanging around. And rather than feeling creative and recharged, I feel trapped and overwhelmed. I feel bloated by the possibilities, rather than inspired. This is not what I want in my life.
My goal of making 2011 the year when we simplified and purged didn’t work too well either. If I’m honest, I have to admit that I like things. I have a large personal library of books and magazines, huge stashes for all my hobbies, etc, etc. I am making strides towards purging, but it is hard. And it will definitely be a continuing theme for 2012.
I’m sure I’m forgetting some things. But, really, other than the health issues, 2011 wasn’t a bad year at all. I may not look back on it with fondness in the future, but at least I can remember it with some happiness.
13 Nov 11
Catching Up after Nearly Giving Up
Well, so much for NaBloPoMo. I haven’t felt much like writing the past couple of days, and I let that get in the way of my goal. That, my friends, is why I will never become a writer.
So, let’s get caught up on a couple of prompts. First: What is your secret (or not-so-secret) passion?
Knitting, cross stitch, crochet, sewing! Creating! These are my (not at all) secret passions. I’m always making something. I think my desire to write also comes from this need to create. But, with a preschooler eating up so much of my time, picking up some knitting needles is much easier than picking up a pen.
And, a few days late, by fun none the less: It’s 11/11/11, make three wishes.
Well, as cliche was it sounds, I would love to see all the world’s problems solved: enough for everyone to eat, peace and understanding, all that good stuff. But, if I was to be selfish, I would wish for enough money to live happily and securely for the rest of my life, for Baby Man to live a happy life (with just enough challenge to help him grow into a good person), and for me to find inspiration for my writing.
9 Nov 11
Different or Not So Different
Day nine, and I am just too tired to write much of anything. I haven’t adjusted well to the time change (thankfully the little man has!), so I’m feeling extra run down this week.
Anyway, today’s prompt is: When was the first time that you realized that your home was not like other people’s homes?
You know, I’m not sure I really did. I think my family was pretty normal, and so were the families of most of the people I grew up with. At least as far as I noticed. I think, though, that Baby Man will know pretty quickly that our home is different once he starts school. First, his parents are different, with me being of Scottish and Irish descent and his father being Chinese. And, also because we don’t have cable TV and hardly watch TV at all. And, possibly thirdly because of how important computers are to our daily lives.
On the other hand, there are lots of mixed families now, and lots of people who have given up on cable TV. And, well, aren’t computers a big part of nearly everyone’s lives? Maybe we aren’t so different after all.
8 Nov 11
Times of Tranquility
Day eight and I’m still remembering to post. Will wonders never cease?
Today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is: Has anything traumatic ever happened to you? Describe the scenes surrounding a particular event.
I gave this a pretty good think when I saw the prompt this morning. A few things came to mind: giving birth, when my husband was laid off, a friend getting lost in the woods and dying when I was very young (read about Andy here). The more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that I have had a very lucky and very safe life. Believe me, I am exceptionally thankful for that. I can only hope my life continues to be so charmed, and to do my best to shepherd the little man through life in such a way so that he is challenged but never in danger.
7 Nov 11
Family Balance?!
Here I am, up way to early in the morning because the little man woke up and asked for something to drink. He was, of course, asleep by the time I brought it to him. And, again of course, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I love my little man, but sometimes I think he is just planning some really big joke on me.
Today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is again appropriate to the day’s events: Making family time is important. How do you balance your children, relationship, and work life?
As the stay-at-home mom of a preschooler, I really don’t have any balance. Life is mostly about the little man: feeding, bathing, going for walks, teaching, playing games with, etc. If you read my other blog, you know that I still manage to do quite a bit of knitting and cross stitch, but a good portion of that is done at night, after he is in bed or while sitting with him at the computer.
As for other relationships? Well, my poor husband suffers. But at least we’ve been able to get away a few times. I remind him that one day the little man will grow up and leave home, but he and I will always be together.
6 Nov 11
A Week and Stuck
Well, seven days into NaBloPoMo and I’m stuck for something to write about. Today was a quiet day. I headed out to Fabricland to pick up some bits and pieces so I can make a few things, and then we had dinner at a friend’s home.
It’s funny how 8pm seems late now that I have a kid. I know we are just dealing with the time change, but even still, I couldn’t help thinking how it was well past both kids’ beadtime. Funny how your perspective changes.
Tomorrow: more writing from prompts. Thank goodness!
5 Nov 11
A Blanket Without Eyes
Day five of NaBloPoMo, and I’d just like to lie in bed and forget about it all. Today has been one of those totally silly days where endless amounts of dumb things happen. Truthfully, I’m afraid to go make dinner. I may just burn down the house. I have burnt my finger, spilled dry spaghetti all over the living room, broke a sewing machine needle, and proved that I can’t sew a straight line. I may have also pissed off some online friends because I finally got tired of everything being so American-centric. Sigh.
On the bright side, the little man was very funny today. I tried to send him to play a game on the computer so I could finish up working on something. He wouldn’t go, so I told him that Blankie wanted to go play the game. He said to me “Blankie has no eyes. Blankie has no arms. Blankie has no face. He can’t play a game.” Clever kid. Now be quiet and go play your game. 😛
Filed in Family
4 Nov 11
Computers, Pens, and Real Books
Day four of NaBloPoMo, and not all is well here at the Pond. And, conveniently enough, it has something in common with today’s prompt: When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer?
This is a harder question than you would think. I love to write on paper with a good pen, but I’m also involved in the never ending search for said good pen. I usually end up frustrated with the smeary ink, or the large size of the tip, or even the colour. I’m desperate to find a fine tipped, ball-point, purple ink pen. (I think roller ball gel pens are the work of the devil.) And, rather than allow my tool to distract me, I end up writing on the computer most of the time.
There are some benefits to writing on the computer, of course. I can easily fix my terrible (and embarrassing) spelling errors very quickly. And, I also type much faster than I write (even with all those corrections). And, of course, it is easy to save and backup my work, and to access it wherever, if I save it on Google Docs or in Dropbox. The downsides are pretty significant though, like not always having access to a computer when I want to write, and the slow degradation of my handwriting due to lack of use.
That said, most of my “serious” writing is done on the computer, and occasionally the iPad, and things like lists and quick notes are done on paper. Of course, given how often I leave my lists at home, I should be making them on the computer/iPhone too.
The way I am torn between new technology and the old fashioned stand-by in my writing is also becoming apparent in my reading too. I have a Kobo Touch, which I really do love. It is much lighter and more compact than the books I normally lug around with me. And, I can carry a huge number of books too, which is great considering I am using reading two or three (or five…) books at a time. But, then again, there is something about the smell of paper, and the feel of a good book in your hands. And, I don’t exactly want to take my Kobo into the tub with me.
My Slightly Defective Kobo (and a bio about the slightly defective emperor, Caligula)
Unfortunately, I’ve run into a little problem with my Kobo. The screen randomly becomes unresponsive. After talking to Kobo (very slowly through email), I’ve been told I can mail to back to them, at my expense. If they can replicate my problem (I’m not holding my breath), they will fix it or send me a refurbished one for $60. Really? For a device less than six months old? Firstly, I’ve never had to pay shipping to send an item in for repair. Secondly, there is no way I’m paying $60 to have a six month old device fixed. And given the random nature of my problem, they aren’t likely to be able to duplicate in the short time they will probably give to it anyway. So, unless I hear differently from them, I think I will just hold onto my slightly gimpy Kobo. But when it comes time to buy a new ereader, you can bet I’ll be looking really hard at my other options. It isn’t likely that Kobo will get any more money from me.
3 Nov 11
Music and Writing
Day three of NoBloPoMo, and I nearly forgot about it. This isn’t going well…
Today’s question: Can you listen to music and write? What song did you hear today?
Sometimes I can listen to music, but it has to be classical. If it is something like pop or 80’s, really anything with catchy lyrics, I get too distracted. (In fact, the husband is watching an old commercial for the “Cool Rock” collection as I write this, and I’m having a hard time concentrating.)
Today, other than old TV commercials, I listened my favourite classical radio station.
About Silverlotus
I'm a mom, wife, needleworker, knitter, wannabe writer, and most of all a spiritual seeker. I'm not sure yet what I believe, but I sure as heck know what I don't believe.I blog about my adventures in needlework, knitting and other crafts at Stitching Lotus.