Pheww, what a long week it's been! It's always a bit of a struggle getting back into routine after a holiday, and this past week has been no exception. I've struggled. Not in a dreadful way, but still, this sweet life of mine has felt like hard work these past five days. I've been feeling terrifically tired all week, like falling asleep sitting up kind of tired. Last night once the Little People were all up in bed I decided to go and have a lovely, hot bubble bath. It's all I could think about doing, there simply didn't seem to be the energy left to do anything else.
I've not yet managed to read my latest copy of Country Living, so I thought I would have a little browse through that whilst I soaked in the hot steamy bubbles. Actually I ended up falling asleep in the bath instead, waking up with a jolt and not knowing where on earth I was.
After my bath I retreated to my cosy bed to work a few soothing ripples. Actually I couldn't keep my eyes open there either, so I gave in and snuggled down to sleep just after 9pm. It's been like that most nights this week, I'm thinking perhaps the 5am starts are what's doing it.
I've had to stop and give myself a little bit of a talking to this week you know. I've been feeling for a wee while that the pace of my life has needed a little adjustment, a little bit of a re-balance, do you know what I mean? Sometimes everything seems to rollick along at such a pace that I'm left feeling a little out of control. The past month or so has been like this :: a great deal of socialising and indulging, far more than I'm used to. Truthfully it's been a huge amount of fun to kind of let go for a while, go with the (fast) flow and enjoy life to the max. I've been indulging my sweet tooth (oohhhhh those raspberry and white chocolate muffins mmmm-mmmm!), consuming rather a lot of vino, pimms and raspberry gin with good friends and neighbours, and throwing myself into a frenzy of socialising and creativity. Like I say, a huge amount of fun! But I've come to a point now where I instinctively need to have more balance, more control back in my life. My clothes are all feeling uncomfortably tight, the house is looking rather neglected, and stuff that needs to be done (like paying bills, making calls etc) just isn't getting done. The healthy diet and housekeeping regimes have slipped quite badly of late and it's time to slow down and pull things back together a little.
First up is the diet. This week I've tried to make an effort to eat/drink more mindfully. Not a strict diet as such, but a few small changes. No alcohol for a while. More water. Less sugary stuff.
And more fruit. I adore fruit, but it seems that I adore cake more. I'm not eliminating cakes/pastries/chocolate from my life (heaven forbid), just cutting back. Re-balancing.
My home routines have also had a little bit of a shake up this week and I've had to resist the urge to sit and crochet/sew all the time (so hard! I am desperate to finish Connie's curtains!) and attend to the business of cleaning up instead. I was reading through a post I wrote six months ago about balancing my time at home, trying to remind myself to be patient and not get so frustrated when I can't get everything done in a flash.
I spent most of yesterday at home with Little B, doing a spot of Home Loving. Lots of laundry sorting, tidying hotspots, emptying bins, moving a ridiculous number of objects from one place to another, scrubbing, polishing and cleaning. I think I'm mostly on top of it all again now, it felt good to really get stuck in and see results.
Friday is my day for fresh flowers, and I was able to pick my first little garden posy of the year for the table, yippeeee!
Alchamilla, geraniums, honeysuckle and rose. So so so pretty and so sweetly full of summer promise, raindrops and all.
This is next weeks task, I really must crack on and sort all this out. AGAin. The piles have reached ridiculous levels, they are teetering and wobbling and causing mayhem. I need to sort through it all, tidy it away. I need to mend those drawers that broke. Sigh. So much AWAYS needs to be done, it's so completely never ending. And all the while I am Sorting Piles of Accumulated, Miscellaneous Mess, I am not free to play with this.....................
...........now that's a Pretty Pile if ever I saw one!
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I treated myself to these new fabrics this week, they're destined to become part of my insanely exciting Connievan Curtain Pelmet Plan (CCPP). I bought them from a fabulous Ebay seller called Mrs Muffet (sweet!), you've got to check out her gorgeous collection of Fabric Bundles. They're perfect for the likes of me, as each bundle consists of five small 20cm squares which is just right for patchworking purposes. I don't want to give too much of my CCPP away just yet, but I will quietly mutter the words "patchwork" and "bobble trim" >>>>>>> aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the very thought of it kills me with it's incredible frivolousness! No bloomin' wonder I don't want to clean my bathroom floor when I could be doing wondrous things with pretty fabric and bobbles!
I just fell in love with this fabric, it was included in one of the bundles but I also bought an extra fat quarter of it as I think it will make a most beautiful cushion back. I love love love my Homespun Cushions being in Connievan, but I also miss seeing them here in the Attic. As soon as the curtains are done, and the CCPP has made the journey from my Creative Mind and into reality, I'll make time to stitch up a few more patchy cushions for the sofas here. Maybe the mess and broken drawers can wait a little longer?
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Aaaaah Lucy, I am SO with you on the 'losing the plot' state of affairs. Third child has definitely upset the apple cart here and there are many, many things not getting done. And we are in the final couple of weeks of school term here in Scotland when things really step up a pace, so soon all 3 will be home ALL the time. Little tiny steps I keep reminding myself. In the grand scheme of things a tidy house is not so important, but a clean house is important to ME and it just ain't happening. I'm about to head out to do a night shift, and am hoping for some time to make some lists tonight so that a bit of order may be restored before the mayhem of summer holidays. We'll get there. Eventually.......
Posted by: Lesley | June 15, 2012 at 09:08 PM
The fabric in that last photo is so beautifully YOU! Love it. And if you think your desk is a mess you should hop across the pond and take a look at mine. It's downright unbelievably horrid. I keep telling myself that messes are a sign of creativity - which is true. But at some point the clutter begins to suck up all my creative juices and leave me feeling withered and slovenly. Hmmm - maybe I'll go clean now.
Happy weekend.
Posted by: Jenny | June 15, 2012 at 09:08 PM
The fabric in that last photo is so beautifully YOU! Love it. And if you think your desk is a mess you should hop across the pond and take a look at mine. It's downright unbelievably horrid. I keep telling myself that messes are a sign of creativity - which is true. But at some point the clutter begins to suck up all my creative juices and leave me feeling withered and slovenly. Hmmm - maybe I'll go clean now.
HaPpY WeEkEnD!
Posted by: Jenny | June 15, 2012 at 09:09 PM
The fabric in that last photo is so beautifully YOU! Love it. And if you think your desk is a mess you should hop across the pond and take a look at mine. It's downright unbelievably horrid. I keep telling myself that messes are a sign of creativity - which is true. But at some point the clutter begins to suck up all my creative juices and leave me feeling withered and slovenly. Hmmm - maybe I'll go clean now.
Happy weekend.
Posted by: Jenny | June 15, 2012 at 09:14 PM
I could look at that fabric for ages - no wonder you don't want to be cleaning the house when you have so many exciting plans in mind!
Posted by: Kezia | June 15, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Hi Lucy,
I have just discovered your blog recently, as I have just taken up crochet, and was perusing the web for ideas.
I have read nearly all of the archives over the last few days, enjoying every minute of it.I love all of the photos and the crochet patterns,home ideas,the lovely colourful photos are just so lovely. Your attic view is fabulous.
I love this fabric, I had to go buy some on Ebay.I have no plans for it yet, but I'm sure I will do soon. I love the indian paisley patterns, and this is so colourful, so thank you for showing us this fabric.
Thank you for a wonderful blog,you have inspired me. I just want to go and make all sorts of things now, and I shall look forward to the next one :)
Angie
Posted by: Angie | June 15, 2012 at 09:35 PM
Sometimes you need to retire to the bath with a great magazine and no interruptions. It can make you feel human again. Lovely fabric!
Posted by: Deco Cat | June 15, 2012 at 09:49 PM
Dear Lucy, I think one of the reasons it has been such a tiring week is the weather. T he rain down here was really heavy this afternoon. I am hoping my workload eases up a bit to so that I can have my evenings back.
Then it might be possible to be a bit more creative both inside and outside in the garden. Like your fabric stash. Will look good in your connievan.
I enjoyed the photos of your curtains,blankets and cushions. xx
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | June 15, 2012 at 09:51 PM
Watch out- I was tired and lacking energy and I just put it down to getting older, being unfit and generally burning the candle both ends- it turned out I was quite badly anaemic!! I know what you mean about getting back to the routine, I have had time off recovering from an operation, it was hard to see others doing things (not how I would have done them and biting back any comment!) but I got used to it and now it is proving hard to get back to it again after all this relaxing. I have to get it sorted now as I'm going back to my part time teaching job next week. I have, however, promised myself that I will make more time for seeing friends than I used to and will keep finding time for my card making and crochet- it can't all be about mummying, cleaning and wifeing!!
Posted by: Alison | June 15, 2012 at 09:55 PM
Oh my I could have written that post!!! Not as nicely though :-) maybe its something in the air - or maybe the lousy weather!!! Looking forward to your make and thanks for the link to the fabric xxx Take care and enjoy the weekend xxx
Posted by: ali.b. | June 15, 2012 at 10:00 PM
You know, this happens to me so often. I have come to the conclusion that my life is cyclical - yes, even at my advanced age if you get the inference; still living life in cycles. And keep having to stop, drag myself back, take stock etc etc , pick myself up, brush myself off, start all over again, as they say. And that applies to The Diet, The Housekeeping, The Family Commitments,The Friendship Commitments, The Music Commitments, The Sewing /Writing/ Planned menus/swimming-or-other-healthy-moving-about/.
Life is indeed a balancing act, and if you find out the secret, Lucy, pass it on to the rest of us!
Posted by: Lynne Gill | June 15, 2012 at 10:08 PM
I really like you Lucy!!! I don't want to clean the (in your words) bloomin' bathroom either when I could be quilting, sewing, crocheting..... Can't wait to see the CCPP in action. Happy Weekend xoxo Debbie
Posted by: debbie @ happy little cottage | June 15, 2012 at 10:21 PM
I hear you! Bit too much indulging here too. Always easier to eat more healthily in the summer too, lots of fruit and salad, yum.
I make myself do one chore each day of the week like monday, sheets, tuesday, ironing, wednesday, bathrooms, etc...I never get one full day to blitz the house and I've found that doing it this way helps me keep on top of things. (apart from cleaning the oven, which i only do the day before my mum comes stay) xx
Posted by: Gillian | June 15, 2012 at 10:27 PM
I struggle with the same things all the time. At the moment my house is a tip and I have school reports to write, but all I want to do is write my blog, crochet and try my hand at some new crafts. Planning on posting a fabby project tomorrow (crochet inspired..eek I can't wait to see if it works). Unfortunately I have basket loads of washing, ironing and dog walking to do. Balance is such a hard thing to find! Kim xxx
Posted by: Kim | June 15, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Oh I think all this rain makes us feel weary, it's supposed to be summer after all. Love all your fabric. I'd be so tempted away from what I should be doing (housework) and running off to do something crafty. Ali x
Posted by: Alison | June 15, 2012 at 10:45 PM
I think the weather must have something to do with it! I found myself running a hot bath on Wed evening and last night I took myself off to bed at 8:30pm!!! Crazy tired still too. Let's hope the sun starts appearing next week before we all turn into zombies :)
Posted by: RainStorm | June 15, 2012 at 10:55 PM
oh 5am - i sympathise, my little one insists on starting the day at 5am at the mo, i can't bear anything before 6am and I don't really like anything before 7am and preferably it would be a lot later than that (in my dreams!) ... I don't remember my older ones waking so early or have I just blotted that out of my memory ... right now I am just hoping that she will someday (hopefully soon) grow out of it ... maybe when the clocks change, not that I'm wishing for winter or anything silly like that!! x
Posted by: eskimo*rose | June 15, 2012 at 11:05 PM
gorgeous fabrics !
Posted by: Izzy | June 15, 2012 at 11:13 PM
I always find it hard coming back after a holiday:house stuff is indeed never ending and sometimes, when one has been away from it, it seems even more never ending than usual.Good for you to get yourself back into the swing of things. I think the lack of warmth and sunshine isn't making any of us feel too good. Getting the balance right is a real skill- takes a lifetime to master!
This time of year we are duty bound to eat as much fruit as possible, so eat strawberries all you want,that's an order.
Posted by: Kate | June 15, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Oh it is SO very hard to keep on top of it all!With the kids out of school for the summer,it's a never ending cook/clean/cook on and on.phew.. makes me dizzy just typing it ;)I'm the same way,when an idea for something crafty is in my head,it's SO hard to do the cook/clean deal and all the other things too.LOVe the "fabric pile",have one myself I'd like to get to.Let's NOT talk about the sweets,shall we? ;)Picked black-berries today,that's all I'm saying.Waiting for the Ta-Dah on the ripple.Working on a ripple purse at the moment.Have a good weekend!
Posted by: angela-southern USA | June 15, 2012 at 11:36 PM
I know! (I said that in a Sybil Fawlty voice) why does the house have to be done again and again? when we want to do other things!
Don't say diet, then you are more likely to stick to it, easier in the summer too when you don't have to eat to keep warm HA! that's a laugh with the summer we are having, but the summer fruit is lovely. Hope you get back into a routine soon.
I love reading your posts.
Posted by: maypole | June 15, 2012 at 11:57 PM
My technique for tidying is generally to hide it in a cupboard or make it into neat piles- at least then it looks vaguely organised! I noticed you made it into Simply Crochet magazine too! Congrats! It's always so lovely to come across articles or interviews about people you recognise- there is just something about magazines, it's a well earned honour to be featured in one!! =D hope you feel more upbeat soon!!
Posted by: Beth | June 16, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Ditto...the indulgences had to stop after the half term holiday, it's hard but the fun has to be sometimes and not all the time. I too feel better and more in control. I've also lost 3 lbs which might say how much bad stuff I've eaten, and how stopping has been super good for me!
I also feel that I need to get on and do the things I've put off and get moving a bit when all I reallllly feel like is sitting with crochet etc. BUT it's not healthy, or not for long periods; so I'm getting on and out then sitting and enjoying meditating over the hook and yarn.
Yes, you are right. A Balance is a good thing.xx
Posted by: Rachel | June 16, 2012 at 12:28 AM
The muffins look wonderful!!!!! Were can I fine the recipe?
Posted by: Reneelynn | June 16, 2012 at 12:31 AM
Your fabrics are gorgeous and totally you. I have been thinking about making covers like yours for some couch pillows that I have which are just looking tired and old. It's so much fun to have new fabrics, isn't it? I love that feeling. Have fun. And best wishes on your rebalancing. I know exactly what you mean about that and it always makes me feel better to at least have the plan in action, so I know that I am trying to improve.
Posted by: Thistle | June 16, 2012 at 12:54 AM