tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post8718805238451474606..comments2024-03-25T19:56:04.121+00:00Comments on A colourful life: Friday musingsChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11883091348839145603noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-34292914414555187892017-03-02T03:17:52.410+00:002017-03-02T03:17:52.410+00:00I used to have a tidy'ish house, if friends we...I used to have a tidy'ish house, if friends were coming over. Heaven forbid anyone just dropped in... Although a good Aussie house still has the front room which was perfect if anyone came to the front door. Mostly friends didn't they came to the back door and that's why you have a Crazy Poodle who hurls himself at any new arrival! It's a massive distraction from the chaos.<br />I definitely like order but then I also love family life and you know the good things about macaroni in the sink and shoes by the door? It means a meal has been cooked and the kids have actually gone somewhere and come back in one piece with their own shoes!! Bloody well done you. Enjoy your new job and your epic creative space!<br />Wren xLittle Wandering Wrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12461692611319918593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-89926259252348323952017-03-01T22:19:34.861+00:002017-03-01T22:19:34.861+00:00What a great post. Firstly, good luck with your ne...What a great post. Firstly, good luck with your new job, I hope you find it fulfilling and that it gives you the balance you need. Secondly, you do not need to justify your life or choices to anyone - let people make assumptions, if they must, that is their problem not yours. You are cool Christina, and you are always doing what it right for yourself and your family. Love your honesty. xxGillian Roehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05080123177116154219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-34837973535558353722017-02-27T14:41:04.213+00:002017-02-27T14:41:04.213+00:00Lovely post Christina, glad you shared such refres...Lovely post Christina, glad you shared such refreshing honesty. I do find all the 'perfect' blogs daunting sometimes.<br />Chickpeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010543012720394937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-26828924159936556712017-02-26T14:28:15.411+00:002017-02-26T14:28:15.411+00:00Glad you're hopefully be a little less stresse...Glad you're hopefully be a little less stressed with the new job in respect to your family life. It's always a tough call how we manage our families and careers. I gave up working outside the home rather unexpectedly. At the time it was a huge change, but it gave me the time I craved to be with my daughter full time. It's not been perfect either. We all have to make certain sacrifices when we have a family. It's good that your older kids help out where they can. I think we all have a messy part of our homes that doesn't quite make it into the blogging posts ;)<br />WendySeptember Violetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10931133319044031928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-30704113661829155982017-02-25T18:26:35.575+00:002017-02-25T18:26:35.575+00:00That sounds wonderful, to have more time for you a...That sounds wonderful, to have more time for you and your family. Someone once said to me that a tidy house equals a boring life, think on that when things get messy. There may be truth in it I once knew someone who had an immaculate house but you were on edge if you went there, she also said she gave up sewing as it is messy. Well there you are, we could all live in pristine boxes but never move or do anything for fear of messing them up. You enjoy your life and all its piles of shoes. xxsewing green ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12488699540355503954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-12337725175248090522017-02-25T16:00:00.804+00:002017-02-25T16:00:00.804+00:00Well I think you are all superwoman (I include oth...Well I think you are all superwoman (I include others in the comments). I think you will find that all you do is plenty good enough and there is so much you achieve that will be long lasting. We all teach our children through what we do and who we are as well as the attentions given specifically to them. I think it is a gift for your children to see you in your career while still managing to be creative for yourself. A measure of independence is also a good thing. I speak as a former stay at home mum who didn't pass on these things (although there were different things that do compensate - but it is not perfect either!) I admire working mothers but actually I admire many women. We are all different and there are choices to be made and compromises. No one truly has it all though. We can but do our best, which is always good enough. Not that we can be expected to do our best at all times (too tall an order I always think!) I think that one way or another we do okay based on what seemed best at the time.<br /><br />Being an interested and interesting person involved in life and living it, while having a creative output beats having folded clean towels and clean floors. <br /><br />CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-1252160471016807422017-02-25T13:58:14.680+00:002017-02-25T13:58:14.680+00:00Three cheers for working less and having more time...Three cheers for working less and having more time for your kids and yourself!Life With The Crewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05114992794424444796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-31488869054392758922017-02-25T13:33:48.019+00:002017-02-25T13:33:48.019+00:00Finding balance in our lives – that Goldilocks sta...Finding balance in our lives – that Goldilocks state – is something we all struggle with, I'm sure. Most of us muddle through and hope it'll be ok. Blogs, FB, IG, etc, tend to show the glossy side because the reality is too much to bear! I've always thought your family sounds like a great team with everyone helping out. It's great that you will have more time at home to do some of the things you've been missing. Wishing you all the best for your new job (and I look forward to seeing all your beautiful hand made stuff!). Sam x PS Love that photo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-52987279470699794422017-02-25T13:18:51.534+00:002017-02-25T13:18:51.534+00:00I am so pleased you have a new job. It is so hard ...I am so pleased you have a new job. It is so hard to find the right work/life/parent balance and I am never really sure any of us find the right recipe but to be close is a good place to be. You sound so like me, people often say how do you find the time to make all tose things? - well other shit slides or I choose to use my time differently, that is just the way it is for me. Have a good weekend. Jo xJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03668713514058875484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-23330589767016771432017-02-25T13:16:21.243+00:002017-02-25T13:16:21.243+00:00We've all got those piles of shoes, cupboards ...We've all got those piles of shoes, cupboards that should carry a health warning in case you get squashed by falling contents when you open the door and less hours in the day than we really need. I don't need to see any of that when I read a blog post because I can see it all in my own house - I want to see the droplets of rain on leaves when you've been out for a walk, I want to see your dog in a sleeping bag, I want to know what you've made in those precious moments when you're not too exhausted to do something for yourself. Never worry about showing the best stuff because that's what the rest of us need to see when we get two minutes to take time off the rest of life, just to remind ourselves that it's still really there :-) xxWinwick Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10175666787916920144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-49760103625856442992017-02-25T12:55:35.781+00:002017-02-25T12:55:35.781+00:00FIrst of all I am thrilled for you that you get to...FIrst of all I am thrilled for you that you get to be home a bit more with the new job. I completely understand how you feel about it all. I think it is even worse as you get older, like me, you need more time to yourself and you have less energy. It is crazy how much we put on ourselves to get done. ANd frankly we always are last in line. You are superwoman to me my friend because you are realistic and real on your blog about your life.Mereknitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-34349995615162446412017-02-25T09:29:05.464+00:002017-02-25T09:29:05.464+00:00Hello Christina, I have just found your blog for t...Hello Christina, I have just found your blog for the first time and have so far only read this one post. Before I read any further I have to comment! <br /><br />I have always wanted a tidy and organised home, but never yet managed it. What is most important is that your family is fed and loved and you carve a little time for fun and craft. There are always chores, they are never all done and they do not give satisfaction like something handmade. Look after yourself and your family. Your house is not for looking at, it is for living in. Congratulations on a new job! Wishing you much success - and now I am off to read the rest of your blog xx<br />Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15751936227492487022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-24496095781220170892017-02-25T09:19:27.741+00:002017-02-25T09:19:27.741+00:00Thank you for your refreshingly honest post. Even...Thank you for your refreshingly honest post. Even though I am past the first family stage and am onto the grandchildren part I can identify with so much of what you say. I worked full time and part time when my children were living at home and now I wonder how I ever did it. Enjoy the extra time with your children now. It doesn't seem like it at the time but it really does go by so quickly.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16330988957816549132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-18519797739243571802017-02-25T08:59:56.788+00:002017-02-25T08:59:56.788+00:00Don't beat yourself up, there is only the two ...Don't beat yourself up, there is only the two of us now and yet still there are shoes in the hall and coats on the bannister. Wishing you every success with your new job and working hours, hope it all works out as you want it to. I love your honesty Christina, very refreshing.mamasmercantilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14011278973985658118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-23430163218278887202017-02-25T08:51:03.009+00:002017-02-25T08:51:03.009+00:00I loved your post, so true! How many times do we s...I loved your post, so true! How many times do we sweep all the crap out of the way to set up that perfect blog post photo, thank goodness no one can see the rest of the room! XClaire@homesweethome2015http://www.homesweethome2015.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-77698849299588676212017-02-25T08:40:26.084+00:002017-02-25T08:40:26.084+00:00hope the new job goes well, it all sounds great, a...hope the new job goes well, it all sounds great, apart from the dentist xdriftwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11416170414524297337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-51599426058165280972017-02-25T08:28:00.299+00:002017-02-25T08:28:00.299+00:00There is more to life than living in a show home, ...There is more to life than living in a show home, you sound like my type of person, I do find that those who live in pristine homes are very boring, It will be lovely for you all to spend more time together make the most of it they grow up so fast :-) Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213759909336433460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-32172837504711737662017-02-25T08:21:09.012+00:002017-02-25T08:21:09.012+00:00A very from the heart post Christina, thank you. Y...A very from the heart post Christina, thank you. You voice how many of us have felt at various stages of our lives. Well done for doing those things that are important to you. Don't feel guilt for your older children. I'm sure they are much more life savvy people because of it. Enjoy your new job and have a great weekend. B xCoastal Rippleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355914194686166834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-50308404926551470402017-02-25T05:27:01.949+00:002017-02-25T05:27:01.949+00:00The new working pattern sounds much better. I stru...The new working pattern sounds much better. I struggle just with eight to sixteen hours work, juggling childcare etc. I always enjoy reading about what you do. XMinnadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02838971800070422776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-47949649500706053062017-02-24T22:52:15.558+00:002017-02-24T22:52:15.558+00:00The grumble is often a roar but the prospect of ea...The grumble is often a roar but the prospect of earning money helps to keep the beasts at bay... Teamwork is a very kind way to describe a mini dictatorship. Thank you ever so much, dear friend. It was absolutely supercalifragilisticexpiraleedocious to see you are back to writing. xxChristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883091348839145603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-21859573382108678592017-02-24T21:41:12.183+00:002017-02-24T21:41:12.183+00:00So glad you have a new job with more time off. I t...So glad you have a new job with more time off. I think you're amazing Christina, you do a top job of it all. Hope you have a lovely weekend with a little time for yourself. CJ xxCJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14311693185700341580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-15720704509142694532017-02-24T21:11:22.885+00:002017-02-24T21:11:22.885+00:00You are wonderful and so honest! I could have writ...You are wonderful and so honest! I could have written that! You will love your shortened hours! Education has drained me to the point I have little trust in it at any school in NZ. Thursdays off now save me. Nothing gets done all week here, the boys look after themselves and sometimes get their own dinner, while I juggle exhaustion and frustration from work and 25 hours of study on top. I've 2 family events this weekend which don't thrill me, so zero will get down around the house from me; and we'll go into the week well behind again. I could quit my work but would have no idea what to do!Kimberley https://www.blogger.com/profile/17146156270002756428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-69292058898807352362017-02-24T20:53:08.250+00:002017-02-24T20:53:08.250+00:00I do think you're a wonder woman, working full...I do think you're a wonder woman, working full time and keeping a family of six together, let alone finding time for yourself. I only had one child and if my working hours had matched hers I couldn't have done it. My husband was in the Army and often gone.Mac n' Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05732924562630675589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-42210381235460384782017-02-24T20:38:07.497+00:002017-02-24T20:38:07.497+00:00Always honest, that's what I love about your w...Always honest, that's what I love about your writing Christina. My house is usually a bit of a tip, and everybody seems to survive unharmed! XPennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03174324346613155013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515007843975800463.post-8511823427904110512017-02-24T20:23:47.357+00:002017-02-24T20:23:47.357+00:00I'm really glad you'll be able to spend mo...I'm really glad you'll be able to spend more time at home with your new job. You sound really excited about it!Jennifer Hayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685253944514672324noreply@blogger.com