the fact i haven't been here on this blog is proof that life got just a teeny bit hectic. ok - a whole lot of hectic actually.
without going into everything - shortened version is this:
+ Ari got really sick and was in hospital for four days. on a drip and oxygen. he had (has) pneumonia and a bacterial infection on his lungs. his asthma made it all worse. the dr was surprised he hadn't fallen over and stopped breathing. {parent of the yea award for not realising how sick my boy was!!!}
+ i opened a shop. oh yeah. told you that. well, it's sort of turned into an almost full time job. haven't had a full time job since before kids. and i wasn't ready for it. physically, mentally, emotionally. it's taken a lot from me. it's given me a lot too - a lot of wonderful and good and learning and experiences. and new friends.
+ i realised through all this (and bad sleeping and all the rest) that i seem to have an strong reserve to keep on going. something underneath pushing me along. despite the fact that i look terrible (bags under bags - i think tired is an understatement), i'm proud of myself for pushing onwards, upwards, forward - taking the lessons and trying to learn them. and taking the good.
+ Mishi's behaviour is not getting better or easier. still lots of before school crying, whinging, clinging, moaning. getting dressed is an issue. we sort of are at a loss as to what to do. she's like a teenager - saying things like 'i hate myself'. where does a 5-yr-old get that!!!???

Anyway. today i am at home. the first time home alone for more than two months, i think.
clothes are in the machine doing their washing thing (yep - we bought a new washing machine, and it's fancy - it has a glass lid!). the dishes are happily waiting for me when i get to them (which will have to be before it's too hot to plunge my hands into hot washing up water).
Lisa Mitchell's new album is playing. have you heard it? the first song is just so strong. so real. so perfect for my life right now. we saw her live recently - and i think the whole audience possibly almost cried when she sang this opening song, in the darkness with just one faded spotlight. oh. oh.

home alone. making for the Sew & Tell market on saturday. doing little quiet stitch and crochet work. no machine sewing needed (all done - yah!). this is what i NEED this week.

hope you are well my friends. thank you for those who are still visiting this neglected space. xxxx

* i really love this post that Kate wrote recently. Kate, you are a wise woman - I am working on my "what makes me happy" list and trying to make it happen.