It's time for What's Up Wednesday!What I'm Reading I finally received my copy of The Near Witch from Amazon and I promptly devoured it. I loved it and will hopefully have a review read for my Saturday book review post. I also finished reading Stranded by Dani Pettrey. I'm currently reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and The Great Gatsby.
What I'm Writing Very little. I keep hoping to take off on my revisions but I keep finding myself tired and out of time. I guess some perseverance is in order.
What Inspires Me Right Now Friendship and lazy afternoons watching the kids play outside.
What Else I've Been Up To
I've been doing the Women Living Well make your home a haven challenge. It has inspired me to simplify and clean out my home so I've been working on that. I've also been running whenever I can. I can run about 2.5 miles now and that's a huge improvement from where I was!
I also am taking part in YA Buccaneer's Truth and Dare Challenge. This month the challenge is:
"This month, I dare you to let go of something--something big, something small, something you barely even noticed was there--to make room for something else. Whether that something else is a huge, long-cherished dream or simply a little more extra closet space, let it go.
And then tell us all about it."
I am letting go of trying to crochet blankets for every special baby to be that I know of. I love crocheting and I always feel like I should make a baby blanket but crocheting with a two year old around is really hard. I end up trying to squeeze it in after the kids are in bed but that is also when I squeeze in my writing, exercising, any cleaning I didn't get done and everything else so... I get frustrated and feel like a failure because I can't fit it all in and sleep too. I have two partially made blankets that stare at me every night when I climb into bed. I am not going to finish them right now, instead I'm going to use the yarn to make "bite" sized projects. Projects that I can easily complete in a few sittings. I started making a small "lovey" bear blanket yesterday (instead of the full sized ripple pattern I had been doing) and I feel like a weight has lifted. I think I found a compromise, a way that I can still make the sweet homemade gifts that I love without the stress of trying to fit another huge project into my life. Crochet is supposed to be fun and relaxing, not stress inducing, and there will be time for larger projects some other time when my kids are bigger.
As someone who loves crafty projects too, I totally get what you mean about how much time it sucks up. Have you considered crocheting something like little hats or booties? That would whip up faster and would be totally sweet and meaningful. I know when I've knit baby sweaters (as opposed to adult sweaters), they've whipped up so much faster which was fun and less stressful. Good for you for spotting something in your life that is sucking up time. I should probably sit down and weed out some of that stuff too. (*cough* TV *cough*) If I want to find more time to write, then something has to go. Thanks for the reminder, Sarah! :-)
ReplyDeleteHats and booties are an excellent idea. I've made hats but never booties.
DeleteI'm trying to cut back on TV too but sometimes I really enjoy watching it. Moderation is the key word, I think :)
Awesome. I love that you're taking time to be with your family and focus on the kids. I think so many women feel like they're failing if they're not pursuing a career actively, or that they're not living up to their potential. I'll argue that they're making the future a better place, one where I want to live, and I often wish I had that much courage.
ReplyDelete=)
Thanks for the encouragement! I agree that women seem to think they need to be pursuing careers. Its hard to be one of the few home focused ones but I think its worth it.
DeleteI loved The Near Witch! Neverwhere is amazing, too. I know what you mean about craft projects being time-consuming - I love making hand-made cards and painting, but it can definitely be a time-suck! Hope you get your writing motivation back soon. :)
ReplyDeleteCards and painting sound like fun. Yes, all handmade, crafty things seem to take so much time. I love them though!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Crocheting looks so hard! I admire your talent :D
ReplyDeleteThe Near Witch is on my To Buy list ^_^ I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Have a fantastic week.
Thank you! It is rather simple once you learn the basics and so versatile.
DeleteI'd highly recommend buying it!
I love Crochet! You're right about the stress thing though. I'm glad you found a compromise that will allow you to make gifts while still allowing it to be fun.
ReplyDeleteI love it too. Someday I will have time to do as much of it as I want, right? I hope lol...
DeleteAmazing job on your running, Sarah! 2.5 miles is no easy task, so congrats! And I love that you're taking on the challenge of cleaning and simplifying your home...I so need to try that, yet I have no idea where to start. :) Awesome goal for the YAB Truth & Dare challenge, too -- it's hard to cut back and let go sometimes, but it can be the best decision you'll make, too.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful week!
My house is in desperate need of it. It seems to be full of books... hmm.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Excellent! Yes, it's so hard to do all of those things when the kids are little, and keep the house up, and exercise, and etc. You've come to a good decision.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It really is hard.
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ReplyDeleteOoh, The Near Witch - that's what I'm reading this month, too. I'm a couple of chapters in and so far am loving the writing style and setting.
ReplyDeleteI haven't figured out what to let go of for my dare. I'd like to let go of my job, but that doesn't appear to be a financially responsible option at this time. So, something else has to go. Laundry? Dishes? :) Enjoy the rest of your week!
It is such a well written, fun read!
DeleteI vote for letting go of laundry. I'd like to let go of mine :)
NEVERWHERE was my first Neil Gaiman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great characters, and great writing. I hope you enjoy it at least as much, Sarah. :) With revisions, might it help if you at least do some--a page, a paragraph even, every day? It may seem like so little, but when you're having a hard time motivating yourself, those small chunks add up. And who knows--you may get carried away with yourself and end up doing more! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week. :)
So far I like it a lot!
DeleteThat is very good advice. I've been implementing it and have made some progress. Thanks!
I'm reading THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND by JoJo Moyes and I am loving it! Finished Stephen King's DOCTOR SLEEP and loved that, too. I'm on a reading roll lately. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you for letting go of the big crocheting projects. If it becomes "one more thing," then it's no longer fun or relaxing.
I love being on a reading roll. Have fun!
DeleteI agree. Hobbies should be relaxing, not something more to put on the to do list.