A Journey to a Simple Happy Life

{this moment}: Days of Summer 5

Joining Soulemama's  Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Monday Medley :: Days of Summer 4

A look at my craft table in an effort to keep it real ;o)

I don't know why but when I think of my Monday post I can't think of a theme. There's always many things I want to share: posts, ideas, crafts among other things. I will stop resisting the flow and from now on will be posting a Monday medley.

I started a series of pictures on Days of Summer. You can join me and post your pictures here. I am also looking for a tech savvy blogger who could design a button for us. If you're interested let me know!

The winner of the giveaway selected by a random number generator is:

Angela    "What beautiful products! I am not a first timer but I cannot for life of me figure out how to add folks' buttons to my blog. Call me a techno-ignorant. Thanks for the opportunity!"

Some of my favorite reads, posts and crafts:

• I love my kids, I hate my life. The article appeared in New York magazine sometime ago and gave me much to think about. I also loved the interview the author gave on WNYC.
• A very simple yet beautiful memory game you can make with your little ones.
• How to make your summer photo rock!
• A wonderful summer tradition
• An amazing book
• A very cool way of organizing all the cool stuff I find on the internet. 

I would like to thank Mary for giving me the Versatile Blogger award. It's always a nice feeling to know someone out there appreciates my blog. Now I have to share 7 things about myself:

• I love anything salty. Keep the cupcakes and cakes, I only care for salty stuff
• My definition of relaxation is a nice pool, sun and a good book
• I'm terrified by mice. I can holler at the sight of the tiniest one
• I could spend my days reading
• I love my hands
• My yarn stash is out of control
• I can't come up with the 7th one ;o)

And now here are the 15 blogs I nominate:

• Peach Coglo
• Pondering Ponteuf
• Which name?
• Kristyn Knits
• Turkey Cookies
• For love of my oceans
• Heartfelt Homemaking
• Knits & Bobs
• Planted in the Earth
• The Yellow Door Paperie
• It's not a phone call but...
• Eight is Enough
• Willette Designs
• Seventy Seven
• 6512 and growing

Gratitude Sunday :: Days of Summer 3

This week I am grateful for:

.:. My mom staying with us for a little bit

.:. Learning each day how to take better pictures

.:. Thunderstorms

.:. Friends

.:. Running 

.:. Flowers

What are you grateful for this week?

{this moment} : Days of Summer 2

Joining Soulemama's  Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

• creative children
• the pool
• good books
• a husband than can calm my fears and help me see the bright side of things
• emergency funds

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude Sunday

It's been a while since I last posted a gratitude Sunday!! Too long, I even forgot how to be grateful for all that I have. I'm back to this wonderful tradition and I would love company. Anyone??

This week, I'm grateful for:

.:. A day in the city with a handsome guy. This week we celebrated our 7th anniversary. 

.:. The wonderful comments left over the past weeks on my blog. Ladies, you are all wonderful!! Thank you for helping me through my journey!

.:. Friends, swimming pools and lots of fun

.:. Ice cream and eating outside

.:. Good books and beautiful yarn

.:. The end of the heatwave

.:. Fixing the A/C

You rock my world!!

When I wrote my previous post I was not sure if I was going to publish it. I felt like a whiner so unlike those beautiful blogs where Mom cooks, makes beautiful clothes, crafts and reads. The rosy posy and full of cuteness. Then I thought to hell with it, I've always been a big mouth...

While going through this phase I had a conversation with my husband trying to explain how I felt. He thought that if the blog was too much pressure then maybe I should quit. As he was saying it, I felt like screaming "Are you out of your mind?" but I didn't. I thought maybe he's right. Maybe raising three children under 6 with no family around and trying to teach myself to be a photographer was enough.

Then I started reading your comments. I cried (yeah, I'm a bit sentimental like that and I can't even blame it on pregnancy hormones). I sent my husband this text message:"If you have a minute read my post and especially the comments section. You will understand why I NEED my blog"

Thank you all for being here for me!! You rock my world!!

So while I was away there was a lot:

swimming

eating

being with friends

soothing of the heart and soul

reading this, this and this. Being grateful for inter-library loan programs and praying it will not be cancelled.

visiting here, here and here  and so many other places...

Where have you been? What are you up to?

Still here

I've been quiet for the past couple of days.

I chose to stay quiet. I took a trip down self-pity lane, I actually had a pity party. I read somewhere that whining was comforting like a rocking chair but it never takes you anywhere. I totally agree but sometimes you need to go nowhere.

I've been realizing lately how tired and frazzled I am. Not only physically but also emotionally. I knew that but I couldn't explain it. I've been getting good sleep and our daily life is pretty much a smooth sail. I couldn't explain it until now...

I'm not enjoying the books I'm reading, the projects I'm working on and even blogging started to feel like work. I am not depressed, I just managed to suck the fun out of everything I do and I did that all by myself.

I let my doubts and my inner critic take the driver seat. I had to do everything "right". 

- Read the "right" books

- Do the "right" activities with the boys

- Cook the "right" meals

And the list can go on and on.The "Right Way" is the code name for perfection. I know perfection is over-rated, that nothing is ever perfect...blah-blah...that's what the dominant part of my brain heard. The part in control, the one that cannot let go of old habits. Years of schooling, parents expectations and social pressure: You have to work harder, you'll only make it if you're at the top....

Except being a SAHM no one is here to give me A's or a score cards. Not now anyway. Maybe years down the line my kids therapists will be dissecting my performance but in the meantime no one is here to keep score. I rate experiences as good or bad. The truth is that in life all experiences are good because they led me where I am and made you who I am. Would I change that? Never...

Because of this mindset, this need to mother the "right" way, to take only good pictures, to sew perfect garments and to write meaningful posts; I just stopped enjoying myself. The last couple of weeks my posts showed my lack of inspiration. I was trying too hard, thinking too much of what you would think and I just lost my voice. So I kept quiet.

If you read to this point, thank you! I didn't plan for this post to be long. I will be staying quiet until after the holiday weekend. I need to pick up some balls that I dropped lately. Friends I need to call, things I forgot to do and a house that needs some TLC.

I will be back on the 5th, my posts might not always worth a prize (if they ever were) but I will enjoy them!

Until then be nice to yourselves!!

Writing a comfort list

Over the weekend I read this beautiful book. In "Get Lucky", the main character makes a list of things that are soothing. I loved the idea of doing the same.

Things that are comforting:

• Smell of fresh linen when I lie in my bed
• Napping with my children
• Snuggling
• Curling up next to my sweetie
• Reading
• Knitting
• Writing
• A hot shower
• My babies hugs and kisses
• Laughing at my husband's jokes
• Sitting in a library
• Making tea even if I never get to drink it hot
• A hug from my Dad
• My Mom's food
• Chatting with my friends

Share your list with us. Leave a comment with a link to your blog or just write it down here.
Have a beautiful day!

Happy Father's Day

Allow me to brag for a minute. Today is a special day so I get a free pass ;o)

Finding Mr Right and marrying him is tricky enough. Having children with him is a whole different ball game. It's not about the two of you anymore , you're responsible for little human beings and let's be honest it doesn't exactly make life easier. That's why today I gladly acknowledge that you my love have passed with flying colors.

You are the best Daddy our children could have (you can rest I have no plans to replace you).I love how you make them happy, how you make them laugh, how they squeal with pleasure every time you come home from work, I love hearing you read to them and the funny noises you make. I love that you can smile at their mischievousness and that you never raise your voice (I wish I could say the same). I love that you would rather stay home with us than be anywhere else....I love you for this and for many other things.

And I love that even after three kids you still look hot. Me...well, let's just say you will not be seeing a picture of me in a swimsuit on the blog right away ;o)

Above all I love that we're raising our children as a team like we always do everything in life.