Spring Cleaning...early

Where is winter?!!!  I know I live in the Midwest, which is technically not the North or the Northeast, but hey - can we get some snow here??!  eh??!

Well, since we won't be getting snow, it's time for my Spring cleaning routine!  Which is kinda, totally... a fib.  I almost always go through a 'purge' of sorts after the holidays, whether it snows or not.  This year, it all started with the curtains.  Soren's room used to have pocket doors, but our landlords took them out when they refinished the apartment (why?? I have no idea).  So in place of doors, we have hung curtains.  I felt like he needed more privacy, or, really - more quiet, so I replaced them with heavier, nicer, longer ones.  Great timing with the sales.  This meant that I could take the gnarly blinds down in our bedroom, clean the sills and windows really well (Soren helped, note the pic...) and hang some beautiful light colored panels.  It completely transformed the bedroom - love it! 

But then came the closets, which were filled to the brim with Soren's old things.  This was a tough one.  I have been keeping some things in case we were going to have another babe, who knows?  But Rick and I had a long talk and with me going back to school and realizing that this next time we might do some things differently - it was time to gift Soren's old things away....  If a second is in our future, he/she would probably have different clothing, different sizes, smaller crib (since Soren didn't use it for long and they would be sharing a room most likely) and a smaller space saver that fits under our table.  We even have two toddler seats and our Britax has an awesome infant insert (my back literally can't carry the pumpkin seat, thank you congenital birth defect...).  So bye, bye Soren's old things - to new homes.  So, if you need said gently used objects - let me know!!! They are yours, no strings attached.

But it feels good to purge, to move forward and start the year without cobwebs.  Soren seems to think so as well!

A blog to share

I read this blog post today from a momma I sincerely admire.  Modern Megpie is a genuinely fashionable lady, from clothes to home and is an inspiration stylistically to craft and create being sure everything has that personal touch.  After a wonderful playdate with one of Soren's new found buds, we came home and it finally felt like that - home.  Nasty, old blinds had been taken down - tall drapes hung.  Thick separating panels installed for Soren's 'room', furniture re-arranged (for yes, the millionth time...) - my sewing machine out and ready to go - and my favorite as of last, the apartment ready for crafting with ease!  But this post, I needed to read - about being content with the way things ARE, in this moment.  Because it does really prove daunting for the loved ones around our Type A personality types.  Always searching for more, on a quest to make things that much more livable - lovable.  More adventures - To create.  

These are fun, insatiable traits, but exhausting too.  For myself and the people I love.  I cherish this post and relate to it.  I hope you all enjoy - this is a great blog to follow!  Here are some of the newer touches to the apartment.  I would say final... but I am notorious for changing apartments every year - since I have a family now, I don't change apartments literally, just internally.  In the one we have now!

Fearless 2013

"The thing I like most about time; it's not real, it's all in my head or all in the head....there's no such thing as the past, it exists only in the memory.  There is no such thing as the future, it exists only in our imagination.  If our watches were truly accurate - the only thing they would say is - now."
Inspiration 2.jpg

This is a quote from a letter written by Damien Echols to Eddie Vedder.  Damien Echols was one of the three falsely accused of the West Memphis murders in Arkansas in 1993.  The focus of this post is not about this tragedy, or the time lost in prison of the three accused (convicted in 1994, just released in 2012).  This blog is about being inspired.

I had an incredible moment today.  Not just because I was in the middle of receiving the most transcending A shiatsu massage (at this location...go!), but by what my masseuse had to say.  We were talking about fears in a conversation about birth and how fear in the birthing process interferes with nature.  But she continued the theme through the rest of the massage.  We spoke about marriage and partnerships.  Even moving forward in life.  She said, '...it's fear that inhibits us.  Keeps time still - prevents us from moving through life.'  So true, so profound.  

Fear keeps us from living in the now, by impeding our imagination with fears of the future and retaining memories of fear from the past.  Like Echols said - time, if there is such a thing - is about 'now'.  The picture above are some of my first tools to becoming an RN.  My brother, a Paramedic (just recently!! He is yet another inspiring energy in my life) - gave these to me for Christmas.  I so look forward to learning to use these (I can test blood pressure and Soren let's me listen to his heart!).  Like any profession, it will have it's ups and downs - but right now, NOW - this is where I need to be.  Where my life needs to move - without fear.

I had the pleasure of seeing a friend today.  Quite possibly one of the most amazing women I will ever come to know.  She is a pillar of strength and feels everything.  She is sweet and kind - but so strong.  I look up to her.  

These words...these people with their stories and energies are inspiring.  I am at peace with the life I have had as an audio engineer, I love the world that has opened up to me as a mother and partner and will continue to dream about our lives ahead.  But I think I will enjoy this 'now' a bit more than I did yesterday and even more tomorrow.  Cheers, Fearless 2013.

Green Toys

I may have talked about these before - but we have a new favorite.  The Airplane.  

Green Toys are great!  They are made with recycled plastic, non-toxic paint and super durable - and most of all, simple, leaving room for the imagination.  This is Soren's new favorite - has to travel and sleep with it.  This airplane 'vrooooomsss!' everywhere with us.  Thanks to his Uncle and Aunt for this one!  Check 'em out!

Borrowed

A borrowed intention and photo...

Most good things happen without a plan: friendships, falling in love, finding a job, and so on. If you want to make your new year count, you’ll need to be intentional — not by setting goals, but by making space in your life for what really matters.
- Jeff Goins

borrowed from Rachel Swan Design (http://rachelswandesign.tumblr.com/post/39604845441)

borrowed from Rachel Swan Design (http://rachelswandesign.tumblr.com/post/39604845441)