Getting a freshie...

Did you ever say that at school when someone came in with a new haircut? "Such and such got a freshie.  Hey freshie"  So dumb, but I still say it and it still amuses me along with more immature words like rubber (yes Suz I know I'm not alone :P ) and dinghy, and wang.  I digress....

Anyway I feel like I'm going through this massive shift - mentally, emotionally and even physically.  It's my birthday tomorrow and I'm a year closer to the big 4-0, so maybe that's why I feel the shift, or maybe it's because I'm moving house in a  few weeks, or that my son is off to high school, or my masses of psychotherapy, or maybe there's just no answer unless it's to to with the El Nino caused change in ocean temperature or maybe the moon is aligning with Jupiter.  Clearly I have no clue.  So I'm feeling the need to jump off the round and round and do some shifting of stuff, and stuff.

Yesterday I cleared out some of my craft storage and a HEAP of scrapbooking stuff.  My sister was pretty pleased with several large boxes of scrapbooking stuff including two large bags of glimmermist. I love the stuff still but man am I feeling lighter letting it all go.

Not scrapbooking for a "job" has been ace.  Actually scrapbooking for my job was ace too but now if I go back to it I can do it how I started I guess.  Simple. So that meant the great offload of stuff that was covered in dust.  And now I know it's being used.

I was directed to this blog today - Home Life Simplified

I like the 52 week thingo.  I know there's tonnes of different takes on this theme, and I'll most likely stick to none of them but bugger it, I'm having a crack for now.  Also doing a photo a day but slacking off using my iPhone and Facebook.  Here's the link if you wanna see - Facebook POTD

This year for me will be full of art and photography.  And blogging the SYL Challenge.  And hanging with my kids.  And smooching my hubby, and facepalming my hubby, and sorting my new workspace in our new house.  And sewing and stuff.  Maybe even cooking (gasp).  Hmm we'll see....

Here's my first SYL post.  Read it or don't but here it is anyway.  I'd love to know if you join in too.

Week #1 Challenge: Create a list of everything that went “right” in 2011

What energised you?  Heaps of things energised (and drained) me in 2011, but that's life isn't it?  Here's a few I can think of immediately...

• Singing loudly in the car, with and without my babies
• Taking time out with girlfriends for a good old natter and a cocktail or two
  
• Sunshine
• Painting and drawing
  
• Going to my shrink
• Knowing I have genuine friends
• Photographing moments
  

What made you feel happy? 

• Holding my newborn nephew
• Morning snuggles with the family
• Winning an art prize
• Anti-depressant drugs
• The process of photographing made-over pin-up chicks
• Witnessing and photographing people marrying
• Seeing a young family in the front yard of a house I used to live in playing with their child just like we did when we lived there.
• My new tattoo
• Being able to afford some things we've not been able to before.
• Getting my hair undercut and listening to my husband loving it.
  

What made you feel at peace?

• Going to my shrink and resolving some stuff
  
• Having my emotional anguish being taken seriously by my husband and doctor and just accepting that this is who I am and to quit being embarrassed by it.
  
• Finally getting help from specialists who deal with my "condition" and also being told I am a "text book case" of PTSD
• Xanax
  
• Yoga
• Letting certain people in my life "go"
• Saying NO
  

What positive people lifted you up?

• My friends, some old, some new, some nearby, some online
• My kids and husband
• My family
• My incredibly spunky clients and photo subjects
  
• Victorian Police Deputy Commissioner Keiran Walshe
• The art of Mike Adey,  amongst other amazing artists but his work makes me smile.

What filled your “tank”?

• Pretty frocks.  Wearing them anyway instead of stressing about being too fat, too overdressed, too different.  Who gives a shit?
• Singing in the car, badly.
• Going to galleries. Over and over.
  
• Bubble baths
• Getting my first pedicure and having my nails done.
• Seeing new places, even if it was alone.
• Taking an art class.
• Painting, and painting for others.
• Live music
  
• Laying on the trampoline with and without the family, looking at the sky
• Watching trashy reality TV
  
• Weekends away with the girls where I did NOT have scrapping deadlines to meet

What worked to bring your family together?

• Nerf guns
• Monster High
• Drawing
• Buying books
• Gallery visits
  
• Eating dinner outside
• Afternoon tea
• Weekend sleep-ins all together
• Getting the kids to help with washing and dishes
• Taking Maddy away to my exhibition opening and staying in a fancy motel for the night
• Laying on the trampoline
• Inventing the "private chat"
  

What is something that made you feel excited to dive right in?

• Being the photographer for Fatality Free Friday
• Creating art that is in my head
• Photographing weddings
• Travel
  

What did you learn (positive things)?

• To take a "mental health day" every week for the sanity of myself and those around me.
• it's okay to outsource the ironing
• I'm not pathetic having not dealt with my PTSD
• I love the smell of apple/cinnamon candles
• My parenting is okay
• How much I value my marriage and family
  

What are you grateful for?

• Being alive and healthy
• My shrink
• Head medication
• That my kids are good people
• Nice smelling washing powder.
• My friends
• My abilities

Geez that took forever...

 

 

 

Comments

[Tina Prosser]

What a fantastic story Nic, I didn't want it to finish, you are such a beautiful person and I am so privileged to be one of your friends <3

[Tam]

Oh Nic, I love this! What a wonderfully positive way to start the year. I'm no good at following through on these things, but I think I'll do this prompt. It's so easy to get down on ourselves; we need to make an effort to give ourselves credit for stuff too. You have lots to be proud of and happy about. Happy 2012 xxx

[suz]

so puerile. i'm all grown up now ;) have a really happy birthday hon. xx

[Tam]

I loved reading your post! Can't wait to read along with the next 51 weeks Xxx

[Deb]

such a cool post, love it!We love nerf guns here too!

[Deb @ Home life simplified]

Welcome along - I am so happy you joined in - i imagine would never have found your blog otherwise and absolutely love it - you made me laugh and smile so thanks! i love all your mini lists and i outsource the ironing too (to my hubby.) i need a mental health break every day or i go nuts and i take a full day at least every month to do all my favourite things alone!