Staying Sane

Like most human beings I can get a little overwhelmed by e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. that I'm trying to get done during the day.  Especially when Little Creature adds more and more laundry to the list, or refuses to take a nice long nap (ahem).  When I find myself reaching the end of my sanity, I have to step back and take a look at what is going on.  That's what I was doing this weekend.  I finished our Library bag around the middle of last week, and after that I wasn't able to get much sewing or creating of any kind done.  Someone (L.C.) was always there and demanding my attention, and by nap time I was just as wiped out as he was.

I realized on Saturday that restoring my sanity as a Mom is a constant process and it's as much of a mental game as running is on distance days.  Running is in fact one of those things that helps me stay sane.  Everyone at our house can tell when it's been a couple of days since Mom has gone running.  But as I'm running, I can feel relief and peace wash over me, and it's almost like my body says, o.k. let's do this, we can make it through this week.  In fact last Thursday, my running partner and I were doing intervals, and I had us do an extra 400 so I could reach that point of returning sanity.  (Luckily, she's a Mom too, so she totally understands.)

Sewing, drawing, and other forms of creating with my hands are also things that keep me grounded.  (I've often wondered what I will do when arthritis sets in.)  There's something about the creative process that's extremely rejuvenating.  And I am so blessed that I have a husband who understands that.  One of my favorite things is grabbing my sketchbook and working out a plan for a new project.  I'm coming to the end of a sketchbook and I'm not sure what I'm going to do.  Coming to the end of a journal (which is rare!) is exciting, because that means I get to start a new one.  But coming to the end of a sketchbook is a little sad.  I love each one so much, and I eek out all the space that I can at the end.  They are old friends by the end.  And for some reason starting a new one is always slightly intimidating.  Something about all those white pages--and what if I mess up?!?  Haha! I know.  I usually end up grabbing a pen and scribbling or something else "messy" just to break the ice with a new sketchbook.  Then we quickly become friends.

So here's a little of what I've been doing over the last little bit to stay sane and well rounded as a Mom and a person.

THE library bag:

Full of books!

There are about 8 picture books for L.C. and 3 novels for me in there.  It's like Mary Poppin's carpet bag, stuff just keeps coming out!

It worked VERY well on the inaugural run (and L.C. did great sitting in the stroller.  Heh, heh.  Side story--L.C. is a very social kid and he loves "talking" to anyone who will look at him.  As the librarian was checking out our stack of books for us he tried talking to her, and she didn't really respond.  hahaha!  He just looked at her like, "Hey, lady! I'm cute! Worship me!"  He was totally disappointed she didn't fall for his cuteness.  He LOVES the ladies at the fabric store, because they talk to him and flirt with him--he sits up on the cutting counter while they cut our fabric and babbles away. And they love it!)

A little improvisational piecing for Valentines Day. (I actually used some solids--GASP)

 

 A little sneak peak of a project I hope to finish by Friday

I would show a picture of my running shoes, but I don't really think they'd inspire anyone but me. Heh.