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

[Svenja]

Lovely post. I especially like it that you seem to handle the little guy like a real person. Which of course he is - it's just that I've seen so many adults treating smaller kids as if they weren't human beings with their own opinions lately that I really enjoy to see a different approach.
I hope I don't sound like a weird self-proclaimed kid's-rights-advocate or something. I guess I just want to say that your children found themselves a good place to grow up.

[Lilea]

Wow! You sure know how to pack a lot into your day. I am so impressed. Your children are lucky to have such a wonderful mommy!

[Selena]

I saw some rainbow coloured solar lights in a local home-value store a few days ago any thought of you! They'd go perfectly with your pinwheels! Might have to get some pinwheels for myself to complement my light purchases :)

[Kate]

Excellent that he has settled into the Playgroup routine.I enjoyed the 'toddler' times too- they are old enough to really enjoy doing things 'out' and to join in on stuff at home.I would say I rather miss those times, but I've been away on my own this week, being elderly, independent and self-indulgent is rather fun...Those windmills=money well spent!

[Carole]

Great reading about your recent outings.....looks like you've had a fab time!
Makes me want to get out and about too :-)
Hope you don't mind me asking.....will you be posting the pattern for your gorgeous keyring? I'd love to give it a go!
Have a good weekend!
Carole

[Rosanne]

A delightful read!

[M]

I love,love,love reading your blog. I'm also a stay-at-home mom who loves simple little pleasures(and crochet) in her little house on the other side of the ocean in New Brunswick, Canada!!! Thank you so much for sharing....

[Sue Webber]

You write so well, I felt I was there with you. I used to love days like that when Michael was little, He's 20 this year and a much bigger lump than he used to be. He left home over a year ago and the house feels very empty some days, but those days are very quiet! So it has it's up side! Enjoy those precious days because they are gone too soon. In my previous life I owned a pre-school and we had mums leave our place in tears many times, the minute mums had gone the crying children were fine, we even videoed some to ensure them that they didn't scream the whole time. Children are really good at pulling on our heart strings.

[Rose]

And they all happily went to sleep, tucked under their warm blankets, while outside the moon and stars twinkled in the night sky.

:)

[Julie]

Fancy you buying windmills,I bought one for my daughters spring daffodil and tulip flowerpot outside her front door when shopping with my little granddaughter yesterday, how strange, it's exactly the same as yours, we must have been to the same supermarket chain!
Have a lovely weekend x

[Rebecca]

Lovely photos of a great day. And I enjoy being a stay at home Mum too!
x

[Stephanie]

You do work full time as a mama, but also a writer and an artist! And you do all 3 jobs exceptionally well.

Stephanie
www.bassable.blgospot.com

[Gillian]

I too am at home with my nearly three year old son and I am cherishing every moment before he gets big and joins his sister at school. I think I need to include more train journeys in our days!

[tammy]

I love love love reading your blog! Your life sounds so blissful! And yes I must admit I'm a little jealous! But good for you! Enjoy!

[Lesley]

Lovely post... makes me think about my little guy. He's three-and-a-half now. Not so long ago we had that lovely routine too - easy days, good company, fun excursions. These days we are bound by routine, now that big sister goes to school, her after school classes and what not, and his own 3 days a week kindy sessions. Oh how ever-changing life with little ones is! But I too, feel blessed to be at home with them (and I'm not afraid to admit I enjoy the down time when they're both out too).

[Mary]

Lucy: I've just finished my Yarn Bag and want to send you a photo...how do I do this, what email address to send it to?

Thank you!

Mary

[Helen]

I have to admit that I love having my days to myself, even though it does mean more of a regular focus on housework. I used to resent going in to work to someone else's schedule. Although theoretically I have the days to myself, I haven't had any ME time since Little Miss B was 8 months old and her father looked after her for a few hours so I could go out with friends. She is now 3! That said, I do enjoy my children's enjoyment when they are exploring and playing and just generally having a great time. When do we start to lose some of that ourselves???
xXx Helen

[Rachael Iddon]

How lovely to have the park to yourself. Thank you for letting us see your day. Your description of how you feel about your job (it is work, just unpaid) really struck a chord with me. I really am not sure that I am cut out for regular work. Like you, I hate the feeling of being told what to do. I feel mighty guilty about it though.

[Ximena]

beautifull blog!

[angela-southern USA]

To have a train nearby to jump on and go!Would be bliss.Love the cart full of flowers.Looks like a great day,so glad it's looking like spring your way.I spent all day Thursday out side too,digging in the dirt,working on a new flower bed.Seeing your windmills reminds me of my windmill WIP.I agree, being a stay at home Mom is the best job in the world and those who get to do it are the luckiest.have a great weekend!

[Jen Y]

I absolutely LOVE that you call your cleaning time Home Blessings. It changes my whole perspective on taking care of my home - please mention it often to keep me reminded. :o)

My little one is 19 yrs old - such a long time ago when we had sweet wonderful days like you describe. Our days now are still wonderful & full of sweet times too but I really enjoy remembering as I read about your days. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Jennie]

It's wonderful that you love your job and do it so well. :)

[Rachel]

Lovely blossum pic!

Do you have any recommendations about Staithes and around for me, or am I hastling you now?

Happy weekend to you Lucy.

[Jane]

I've been following your blog for sometime now even persuaded me to start my own blog. Very inspired by the crochet. That post toddler preschool stage was my favorite time with my children. Treasure it.

[Nikki Relffe-Arnold]

How lovely that the two of you get to go on mini adventures in the week together just the two of you :-) I know what you mean about not being a good employee- I can't be told what to do either so there was nothing else for it but to become my own boss! I just love all your photos of your part of the country I keep promising myself we will jaunt up to Yorkshire one day! Nikki