Just a Little Reminder for Moms

 

VIA

Be Yourself

I am so drawn to this quote, every time I see it on the net. Partly, because I can relate to it in so many ways. For the longest time in my not so distant past, I was not myself. I gave up myself and my identity. I did all that for the one I thought I loved. I changed the way I talked, dressed, behaved, even relationships with my close family.

I did not even know who I was. And I strongly disliked that "me".  It was a vicious cycle that I could not get out of (it seemed at the time), but was so worth to break free. Best decision of my life, hands down.

I know for sure that some people looked up to old me. They wanted to be like me and have things that I had. Well, I would compare it to admiring a fake Louis Vuitton purse. Be careful who you admire and what you know and think who they really are. A big lesson for me - stop faking it and start living yourself with all impurities that come with your character.

Just a side note - I have been real me for for the past 4 years and never looked back.

Joy of Reading

One of the sources for my inspiration, motivation, and of course knowledge is books. When I go to a public library, I feel like a kid in a toy store. So many books to read, and so little time in life! There is one big difference from the toy store - everything is free.

I was not too keen on reading in middle school. The amount of required reading in Eastern Europe school program was unbelievable. Summer reading, after school reading, weekend reading, you name it. Not to mention that the regular program included three literature classes every term. At times it felt so daunting. At times, the book selection was so mature and that I had no brain or development to properly process and understand what I was reading at my fifteen.

To me, reading became a chore and something I had to do for school in order to get good grades. And not something I enjoyed. This quickly changed after I finished my university and other certification programs (which required a ton of technical reading). I slowly started getting into pleasure reading.

I became a book junkie during my maternity leave. I just could not get enough. Plus it was convenient during all those long breastfeeding sessions or naps.

Now I regularly go to the library to pick my new books of the month. Oh, in case you wondered, I am the paper-real-feel-book kinda girl. SO old fashioned with such a great Kindle selection out there. While it seems the whole world had transitioned into electronic reading, I still cannot cross the line. I still love flipping the real pages, put bookmarks, and read covers and author's bio over and over.

The joy of reading what I want is indescribable.

So here is what am I reading now or recently returned.

"My passion for design" by Barbara Streisand

"The Whole-Brain Child" by Daniel Siegel

"Use Your Brain to Change Your Age" by Daniel Amen

 "The New Science of Perfect Skin" by Daniel Yarosh

What are you reading and when do you do it? Evening, bath, breaks, lunch, never?

Low Energy

Unlike last weekend, my energy levels by the end of this Sunday are at the lowest. Not that I did not accomplish a lot, I went with the flow without really planning anything specific.

My husband was working, which meant that I was busy with my son. Today, he skipped nap and was miserable by 7-30pm. Putting to bed a tired toddler is no fun. I almost started screaming too, but held my composure and calmly put his PJ's on.

I started making lunches SO late, and felt exhausted. My skin feels terrible.

Long shower (for mom, it's really 6.5 mins) followed by mini spa like Vitamin C Microdermabrasion treatment by Body Shop were so refreshing by the end of it. Now all I need is a good night's sleep. And this image, totally lifting my spirits.

Have great week everyone. I hope you treated and re-energized yourself too.

Via

Planned and Done

Some weekends are more productive than other I must admit. Some weeks, I may have lots planned, and nothing accomplished. It takes self-motivation and encouraging my husband to get our team together and get all those to-do's finally done! Not easy. Coordinating my husband's rotating weekend work, kids' naps, and even some adult time is always a balancing act.

In my head, come Friday, and I am go-go-go excited for the two days ahead. But our moods and even weather can influence us as to what we actually do. Half the time I just give up and do nothing. Well, not really nothing, but you know what I mean. Just cook, play, run around and pick up mess and toys, go outside, and relax during nap time (oh, and run that dishwasher).

Somehow this weekend was an exception, I blame good weather (+10 in November, hello?) and tons of "husband, can you help me with this it would be really great?"

Here is what we did (or crammed into our 2 days off):

1. Mowed front and backyard lawns, covered BBQ and A/C for winter, cleaned outside toys and put everything away.

2. On our way to the pool, saw Santa Parade, and detoured there instead with kids (the sunny day was perfect to be spent outside and not in the indoor pool). They loved it. We love it too, and so much free chocolate and candy!

3. I finally planted daffodils and tulips for spring and mulched the flower bed. SO excited to see them peaking in April.

4. Went to French bakery and picked up a delicious berry cake.

5. Cooked duck, brown rice, made a salad and had dinner with the in-law family.

6. Sorted and organized most of our toys. Wow, I am impressed.

7. I started ordering Christmas gifts for the family, this year I am doing something personalized.

How was your weekend?

Friday Inspiration

Mystery of Glass

I had wanted to try glass blowing FOREVER. This was my dream and fascination. Heat, glass, oven, and mysterious art of combining colours and transforming fluid textures into something completely new.

I always felt that glass blowing is such an ancient form of art, practiced on small European towns among wilderness on top of the hills. The art that is not accessible to every person. The art that only chosen, strong willed, and very skilled can do. 

From sand, to hot lava-like substance, to glass. All done by heating, rolling, and blowing. Isn't it a mystery?

My dream of trying this art will come true this year. I purchased a Christmas ornament glass blowing Groupon. Really looking forward to it. I will share my creation later. For now I am posting these glass blown wonders. 

Be the Change

Be the change you want to see in the world. We all know this saying. I always try to follow it. But today I had enough at my work. I was ignoring neglected office mishaps - i.e. wall clocks with bad batteries - for a month. I was patiently waiting to see if someone cared to know what was the right time. Well no, every time I looked it was still 4:13pm. 

Was that a subliminal reminder that it is end of work day? I waited and waited. Nobody seemed to care or be bothered with it. Not even our admin. It was so disappointing. It was sad to see that if workers did not care about such nuances, they did not care about our workplace at all?

If you wait long enough, something might happen. Or the change may never come. The clocks were repaired today and we are on the right time. I had enough and wanted to care. My day somehow was brighter today. Maybe yours will be brighter too?

Via

Oprah on Courage

I wholeheartedly agree.

here

Autumn Flowers

Whenever I think of autumn (or fall season), maple (I'm from Canada, eh) tree leaves come to mind in a myriad of shades from green, to bright red or mahogany, and spark orange.

I also dig cinnamon Starbucks latte, and my version of pumpkin pie less the crust (pumpkin puree with mascarpone, dash of maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. pure and delicious.)

What's not to love about autumn? I am not such a fan of Halloween - cold evening with under dressed kids in costumes and sugar overload?. No thanks. But what I love most is what a beautiful organic background our nature provides us every year to immerse in colours and take photos. Like no other time of the year.

Autumn is such a great season to bring the whole family together, walk in the park or hike, play with leaves, and have a butternut squash soup. One of my family's favourites. You don't have to wait until winter holidays to get together, this yet mild and cheerful season welcomes you.


These are some snapshots from my life from the last couple of years.

Here is my 6 month old daughter surrounded by mums and leaves.

My fresh fall arrangement, 2011

Beautiful trees at a local farm last year

My farmer's flowers fall arrangement

Pumpkins anyone?

Pumpkins at our front door last year

My fall wreath

Our engagement photo session, 2011

Baby David's 1st Halloween Oct. 2012

You Are Amazing

Cheers. Totally my kind of inspiration.

Past Mistakes

 

This image caught my eye today. I started thinking about my life's mistakes. Let's admit we all have them. But without them, I would not be were I am now.

I did exactly the opposite. My past called, and I not only answered. I invited this past into my present life. Bad idea, so I learned a few months later.