Doing my Job

I have my off days like anyone else, but mostly I have to say I adore my job as a stay-home-mum. It suits me down to the ground and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to do this job, a job I love with all my heart. I'm not a worker really, no not really. By nature I'm far too idle and ditsy and free-floating to be a good employee, I do pretty much hate being told what to do. I like to feel free, I like to feel that (within reason) I can pick and choose what I want to do each day, set my own schedule according to my mood and the weather.

That's not to say that I don't like routine, cos I do. I like to have some basic structure to my days,  and certain things do need to be done each day, and I do need to be in certain places at set times each day. But that all balances out with the deliciousness of being able to free-float in and out and inbetween the must-do's and must-be's. Like I say, it suits me down to the ground.

I'm really enjoying this stage of Motherhood, I like the playgroup/nursery years a great deal more than the baby years I think. We get to have quite a bit of fun, Little B and I, he is terrific company. I'm enjoying the pace of our days and weeks and feel we're finally achieving a good balance between together time and away time, catering for each of our needs pretty well I'd say.

Thursday is the one day which I leave open without plans. No music groups, no toddler groups, no playgroups, no arrangements. Sometimes my in-laws come across and look after Little B so I can skip with my bag to knit and natter at the cafe. Sometimes I take Little B with me to knit and natter, where I spend much of my time trying to keep him away from the coffee machine which he is obsessed with. But lately, we've just been hanging out together at home on Thursday's, and it's been lovely to enjoy a bit of quiet down time together.

Yesterday though, well yesterday was declared (by me) to be a day for Going Places. The sun was shining and I suddenly thought how grand it would be to walk down to the station and take a train ride. I ran the idea by Little B, and he responded with a great big Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! and an excited kicking of his legs. So down to the station we went to get on a red, shiny train.

Little B had selected suitable reading material for the occasion, and we chatted about various forms of transport for the whole fifteen minute journey. Actually, no that's not true as we did look out the window quite a bit and pointed out things we could see. Sheep and tractors and lorries and the such like.

We journeyed to a nearby town in search of essential clothing supplies for my offspring who will not stop growing. Destination Large Supermarket. We got to ride in a lift. I bought Little B some incredibly dinky-sweet Fireman Sam underpants and new pyjamas with dinosaurs on. New socks and jammies for the Little People too. And one or two wee things for Mummy which snook into the basket, I'll show you those in a bit.

Once all the shopping was done with, we walked the few minutes back to the station and jumped on the train back again. But instead of going all the way back to our home town, we got off a stop early, at the village we visited a month or so ago,  the one with the fabulous play park. What a grand plan that was, Little B was all smiles, and I felt all puffed up and pleased with myself. Doing a Good Job today I thought, what a happy day of Going Places and having fun being Mummy!

Unlike last time we were here which was during the school holidays, today the park was deserted when we arrived. Totally empty and all ours. It was great.

We had the whole run of it, even the giant sandpit which is usually full of kids on busy days.

It was a beautiful day yesterday, still quite chilly, but unmistakably an early Spring sort of a chill and not a late Winter chill.

I was delighted to see some early blossom, it looked so very, very pretty.

And full blown pussy willow too, a sure sign that Spring has most definitely sprung in my patch.

After a good while playing at the park I began to feel peckish, so I persuaded Little B to pause and come have lunch. He was devilishly busy collecting up handfuls of wood chippings and shoving them through a hole in one of the little stone walls, but at the mention of food he came running. We sat at a wooden picnic table in the sunshine and ate some sandwiches, biscuits, bananas and grapes that I'd bought with us. How I love to picnic eat outdoors, I really do love it. So simple and so satisfying. I did have a little bit of picnic envy as a family arrived at the next table and the other Mummy had thought to bring a flask. Damn, I slipped up there, I suddenly felt most desperate for a cup of tea when I spied her pouring smugly from her flask.

The sky was a hazy blue, the sun a sort of pale, watered down version of it's usual bright self. But it was truly blissful to have hazy blue and pale yellow shine down on me as I ate lunch.

It took a lot of persuading to get Little B to leave the park, we were there quite a long time. But eventually I really did kind of Need To Go if you get what I mean (no facilities at the park unfortunately), so I scooped him up (literally) and trotted the few minutes to the little station to wait for the next train back.

I sat on the platform bench and crossed my legs (getting desperate for Facilities), and Little B sat and crossed his legs too. He has new pumps this week look, dinosaur ones, very cute. Already well worn in.

By the time we arrived home, Little B was flat out asleep in his pushchair, worn out from the mornings excitements. I had about an hour and a half before the school run so I quickly chopped and mixed and got the dinner on to slow cook (a curry, this recipe but made with red lentils and mixed peppers. It was delish). Then I set about playing with my new purchases.....

This is what I bought for myself from the Large Supermarket, I just couldn't resist their happy, carefree, colourful charms. They were only £1 each and I felt so giddy putting them through the checkout and stashing them away in my bag. 

I spent a while jigging about in the back yard, clearing away the dead things from some of my big pots so that I could satisfactorily "plant" my windmills. Oh what fun! They look so charming!

I can see them from my kitchen window, spinning round and round in the breeze. I love them.

After all that, I had a weeny window of time left to make myself a brew and sit out in the sunshine a while. I've positioned a chair and cushion right outside my back door for just such occasions as that's where the afternoon sun hits at this time of year.

I sat and thought about our day, and what a good time we'd had together, Little B and I. In fact, our days and weeks are really full of simple pleasure I have to say, we've settled in to a very lovely weekly routine. You may remember I told you he had started going to playgroup two mornings a week? Well the first fortnight was hideous and I felt constantly wrung out with the emotional strain of leaving him when he was crying so much. But then on the 5th day, his lip wobbled considerably, but he Did Not Cry (oh joy!!), and on the 6th day he was subdued but no quivering lips. And by the time we hit the 7th day (which was last week), he positively beamed with happiness when we arrived, waved goodbye to me and ran in to play. Such a humongous relief, I can't tell you.

Right, all this talk about Doing My Job is making me think that right now I should not be sat at my desk chatting to you. Sorry, I do need to go now. Need to scoot off and attend to the business of cleaning. It's Friday morning, Little B is happily at playgroup (yiipeppepeeeeee) and I've got some Home Blessing to do.

See you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Renee]

Lovely post Lucy. Today was officially my first "me" day, I used to work 5 days a week but after over 2 years of it I finally have Fridays off. It feels SO fantastic to have a whole day to do whatever I need to do and fit in a bit of hooky time as my yarn stockpile is getting out of control.

PS - baked your lovely Banana bread recipe for my little boys, they loved it!

[Claire]

What a lovely post and a lovely day to match. So great to think how much you're going to be able to look back on this blog in future years and have such a wonderful reminder of your time with the little ones! Love & sunny happy wishes to you and your family x

[Peggy]

Oh how I long for those days. My little people are grown, and almost flown. I am not at work caring for my youngest fledgling who is in a dark place. The sun is shining and he is sleeping, what a healer sleep is, and my first WIP in many years is waiting for its edge. My edge is a bit frayed, but blogland is healing me; I am off with the help off BunnyMummy to finish a cot blanket. My biggest bird is in a baby race with her biological clock!!

[Megan]

Lucy- it's looks like you both had a grand day! It's amazing what spring does for the soul. Those pinwheels and their colours make my heart happy- so thanks for the smile!

[Pilar]

All about you is wonderful: photos, histories, works...You are an inspiration for me.

Thanks, specially for the colors!

[craftynclothy]

Looks like a lovely day out! My two love going on the train too :-)

[Tracy]

"Damn, I slipped up there, I suddenly felt most desperate for a cup of tea when I spied her pouring smugly from her flask."

HILARIOUS!!!

Glad you enjoyed your day.

[fátima]

Thanks for doing your job so passionately. I miss living in England (Sheffield)sometimes and your pics remind me of it a lot. You capture what i use to love to look at, specially when the sun shines!

[Maria Kirchner]

I love 'whimsy',especially in the garden and your windmills of color made me smile.
I have an overgrown cottage type style garden nestled in the beautiful hills of the Strezlecki ranges in Victoria ,Australia.

What a beautiful day you had with your little one. These are the moments to truly cherish and remember.

Would love for you to take a peek at my garden of whimsy if you like, my email is kirchner@dcsi.net.au

Go gently, thanks again for a lovely post Lucy.
Maria Kirchner

[obanceacristina]

Hello,
I'm Christine, i'm from Romania, and i love your work, your foto's, everything.
Today i discovered your blog, and i feel like i'm in heaven.
I love to crochet, and you help me with your beutiful projects. Soon i will do the flower decoration. Is so perfect!
Congratulation for your work!
Happy crocheting!
(Please apologize the mistakes on my weitting)

[MinaanMe]

Such simple, happy pleasures. You make life sound so easy and uncomplicated. I hope that when I have children, I can enjoy them as much and spend as much time with them as you do with yours. You're such an inspiration :)
~Lacey

[Jody]

What a lovely outing with Little B. When you said you'd treated yourself I was expecting new clothes but you will smile everyday at those windmills!

[amanda corrigan]

Love,love love your blog,you make me smile!! xx

[Panhandle Jane]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with us!

[Mk]

It was pleasure to read! Thank you very much!!!

[Fleur Cotton]

What a lovely post, about a lovely day.

It was a really good day to be out in the fresh air yesterday! I spent the whole day in my garden..bliss!

The picture of Little B's shoes made me feel all wistful, Oh it doesn't seem long since I enjoyed picking a new pair of 'doodles' for my daughter in the Spring! Unfortunately a 9 year old does not want doodles anymore!!!

Fleur xx

[Pom Pom]

Lucy, I like your hands. They look like my hands. Sweet.
What a good day and I so agree with you about being an employee. I stayed home with our babies and have only been teaching school for eight years. I miss my home days very much and I KNOW I was much better suited for home life, but alas and alak, now is now for me and I do like eleven year old children and their amazing brains.
What a great idea to take Little B on a train ride! Genius! I remember my kindergarten year and a train ride we took. I can still see an elderly woman eating a delicious looking chicken salad sandwich. Yummy.

[devinder]

that is a lovely sweet, bright post, but then all your posts are great and i eagerly await the next one. how i would love to have a day to do just that and start a blog, must find time soon to do this. Have a great weekedn D :)

[Jo]

Hi Lucy,
I discovered you about 3 weeks ago and have not done any housework since !! as all spare time is taken up with reading your old posts.

As a working mum I am very very envious of your stay at home life. (sigh!)

Let me say you are an inspiration! I find myself thinking about your posts when I am stressed and think "what would Lucy do?" So I have a cup of tea and count my blessings. I think I am becoming a nicer / kinder mum too as I try to take the time to enjoy my family instead of rushing around mad all the time - I am following your example - and for that I thank you.
p.s. I am on my first ripple following your pattern and am bringing colour and comfort into my home
XXX

[Niebieski igielnik]

I really love to read about your colorfull life.
Magdalena

[Nelli]

How very wise you are to cherish this special, special time with your sweet children! Mine is grown now, but your post brought back the sweetest memories of days we spent enjoying every simple thing as she grew from moment to moment. How I am so very thankful for those days at home being a mommy :) Love reading your blog... I am a faithful follower! You encourage and inspire me, and add a smile to my days... Thanks so much :)

[shelley]

I just love your posts about the day in and day out simple details of your day. I find them so cheerful, encouraging and soothing!

[Margreet]

When my sons where little, I was a stay at home mum. But then they went to school, I started to work during schooltime.My sons are now 17 and 19 years old and I work 6 days a week delivering mail, because big boys cost a lot of money. They are nice young men. Enjoy your time with your kids, when they are little. Before you know it,they leave home.
I like your blog very much.

[Bonnie]

What a fun excursion! I so remember when it was just the little one (one or the other) at home with just me and the fun little things we would do. I miss those days. I do miss my little people very much! Now they are 8 and 10 and not quite so little anymore, but we still have fun days and excursions!Love your bright windmills you bought!

[Archie the wonder dog]

Sounds (and looks!) like a fantastic day!