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I changed my description from "part-time teacher" to "homemaker". Something I've been dreaming about for a while. It feels fabulous to not have to run around like a headless chicken anymore and focus on what I really want to focus on. I have about a million projects/dreams/ideas, but I'm trying to take it easy.
I wrote about it here:
http://www.catholicstand.com/full-time-mother-decision/
We have had a hard time adapting to a new house, new city and new jobs. Plus, my hubby can't take time off for vacation yet, due to a new contract. So at the (wise) encouragement of our spiritual director, we took a weekend off and went the the Algarve, which is the Southern tip of Portugal. It's known for its beaches, warm weather and British tourists.
We were totally pampered at a great hotel we stayed at. It had access to the beach and was totally kid-friendly, from the glass enclosed balcony (see above) to the plastic cups waiters would bring for kids. It seemed like 99% of people there had kids, which was fun at the beach. I had never seen such a variety of delicious foods at their breakfast and dinner buffets. I had pancakes with chocolate and caramel syrup for breakfast (among other things) and icecream sundaes at dinner. Paradise? It was hard to come back, but we do feel a lot more refreshed.
This is Addie's table in the kitchen... which she doesn't use much... but which I envisioned her using diligently while I cooked and washed dishes... every now and then asking her help to stir something or other.
What really happens is she colors what I set up for her for about 10.5 seconds before furiously coloring the table or the chair... and me yanking the crayons out of her hand, saying "no! on the paper!" She mostly uses the chairs and the table as a means of getting on top of the bigger and more interesting table. Anyway. Someday. This is one of her first drawings.
St. John Vianney and the Necessary
My husband and I know a wonderful priest, who we are blessed enough to call our spiritual director/confessor, who has really shown us God’s unconditional support and love for us in recent times. What is most remarkable about this priest is his availability for people.
Keep Reading at http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2015/08/12/st-john-vianney-and-the-necessary/
This is as minimalist as I've gotten our bookshelf. I'm still not too happy with it. I'd like it to be less busy, but I haven't quite figured out what to do. Since reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (it really was life changing!), I think about how to minimize things a lot more. Especially books. I printed out a quote from Anne's House of Dreams (that artwork is from Audrey Eclectic) that reflects how Id like my Bookshelf to be... each book is a friend.
