Friday 30 December 2011

Wishing, and hoping, and thinking, and praying



So 2011 has passed uneventfully. I say this touching wood, there is still 24 hours left for something momentous to happen *cough* lottery win *cough*.

Nope, unlike the past 5 years, we've had no pregnancies, births, medical emergencies,new homes, marriages or life-changing work opportunities. To be honest, after the whirlwind that was 2006-10 it's been nice to sit back, take a breather and enjoy the fruits of our labour (quite literally after giving birth to 2 babies in that time).

I don't make resolutions. Instead, I begin each year with hopes, aspirations and wishes for the coming 12 months. They don't always materialise and I sometimes lose sight of my initial new year motivation but I try to stay mindful of what I am aiming for throughout the year.

Here is my wish list for 2012:

1. I hope to find the strength to be more patient with my children. They are 2 and 3 and we certainly have our ups and downs, what parent of pre-school children doesn't, right? I accept the challenges won't be any less, um, challenging but I will try to handle them better. I will be more patient, less shouty, spend more quality time with them and above all, let them be kids. I often forget they're just doing what kids do and as long as they have their boundaries, are safe and respectful, then that's ok. Oh, and thanks to Charlotte for the book recommendation, it'll be a Godsend, I'm sure.

2. I will put more time aside for my friends. I've let friendships slip over the years and I need to spend time nurturing those friendships to keep important people in my life. I miss my old girl friends, friends from way back who knew me before all this grown up stuff got in the way.

3. 2012 will be a turning point for the business. 2011 was an amazing year, one which saw us take on staff and having an offer accepted to buy the space we rent. I will work hard to build on this, grab new opportunities and make the business work for us, freeing us up to work less-crippling hours and spend more time enjoying the family.

4. I will be healthier. I know, right? Probably the most predictable. This time though, it's different. Less gym, more activity. I'll spend more time on my bike, get back into running after my 7-month hiatus and now the boys are older, enjoy longer, more regular walks.

Wow, there's loads more I should be aiming for but for fear of setting myself up for failure, I'll concentrate on these four. How about you-do you make resolutions? What are your aims for 2012?

Friday 16 December 2011

Holidays are coming...

I don't know if it's because the kids are becoming more aware of it or it's simply my inner-child fighting to get out but I am so excited about Christmas this year.  Finn is 4 in March and understands the whole Father Christmas thing (there may or may not be* a bit of Santa-related bribery going on) which only adds to my over-enthusiasm for the season.

This week there has been a whole heap of Christmas-ness going on in the house.  The tree went up at the weekend.  It's Tree vs Max and, though it's holding it's own fairly well, Max is just edging the lead as I frequently find baubles in cupboards, drawers and the dog's water bowl





The shops are full of fair isle goodies this year and, thanks to Abigail, I now have some lovely festive paper chains on order to go with my knitted bauble currently under construction



The boys and I made snowflakes to go on the window** and considering I've not done these for about 25 years, I think they look ok!



Earlier on this year, I started selling handmade cards.  Time, work and family commitments meant they had to go on the backburner for a while.  I think perhaps I was being a bit over-optimistic thinking I could run a business, look after 2 pre-schoolers (and, you know, sleep and stuff) and still find time to design and make cards so I kept my Etsy page and sold a few designs but didn't do any Christmas cards or sell at local markets (as was my original plan).

I have, however, made a few designs just for us to give to family and friends.  It's put the fun back into design and has motivated me to re-start the engines and push the cards again.  I'm going to build my stock back up and perhaps get out to some markets in the new year.





Anyhow, as I type this the sun is streaming into the living room and I need to get my 2 very restless children out of the house so we're off to enjoy this sunshine whilst it lasts (snow forecast today-really??)

* There is

** I made snowflakes, they made a mess

Saturday 10 December 2011

Christmas wish-list

London-based Oliver Bonas have opened their first store outside of the capital and, joy of joys, it's in Bristol.  I happened upon it yesterday whilst Christmas shopping and am oficially in love.

They specialise in vintage, unique homewares, gifts and fashion and the store is a veritable treasure trove of prettiness.  Feast your eyes on these beauties, firmly on my wish-list this year.










See what I mean? Right, I'm off to do the lottery...



Oh, hello

Hi! I've been meaning to start a blog for aaaages but have finally gotten around to it thanks to a touch of insomnia and a 5:30 wake-up call (what is there to do that time of the morning?).

So, here it is.  Expect talk of home life (I'll try to keep it interesting, promise), knitty-sewy type-stuff, books, local interest, exercise and andything else which takes my fancy along the way.

By the way, I'm Lydia, I run a sports therapy business in Bristol and am married with 2 & 3 year old boys.  My life in a nutshell :)