I spet last weekend alone. It was only the second such weekend I've had in almost twelve years, since becoming a mom.
Twelve years.
Always with someone.
I'm crazy about my people which obviously is a good thing considering this record. I guess I just don't pine away for a break very often now that my kids are past the up-all-night-nursing-and-or-crying/being-touched-all-day stage.
And when I do need a break an evening spent talking, knitting, and sharing a glass of wine with a friend normally does the trick.
But this. This was just me and the farm animals for three days.
There have been a handful of weekends with Pete in that time time and one weekend with a friend at the cabin, but being alone is different. The space and the silence is deep.
I walked to the creek with the dogs, slept long, and ate well. I returned to the core of who I am, the things that bring me pleasure. Writing, making, baking, thinking.
I binged on podcasts.
And what I noticed was that as my family has grown up, despite our constant togetherness, the pang I'd experienced at parting before was absent this time. It was noteworthy. So my time was not squandered worrying about how everyone was, worrying if they needed me, worrying about worrying. Because they were fine. I knew it.
And so I wrote.
I dug deep into the project I'm currently engrossed in and was so thankful for a little space to begin working through the details.
And because everyone needs a break from writing for three days straight, I also organized my sewing room and finished painting my kitchen.
Yes, I suppose one blessings of not being a tv or movie person (or, I confess, a voracious reader) is productivity even when I "rest".
We haven't painted since we moved to our farm almost two years ago. Since we rented our farm for the first year painting was out and once we bought it there were other priorities.
But finally it was done. My almost-too-cheerful-to-bear yellow kitchen was transformed to serene grey over the past two weeks and the final touches were completed while my family was away.
Aqua door. Mod Podged outlets. Vintage travel plates. And of course my beloved globes.
And you know those "Amazing $2600 Kitchen Remodel!" posts you see now and then? I started doing the math while I was putting pottery back on the shelf:
Paint (used three gallons of white we had and paid the hardware store to tint it): $5
Aqua shelf (Goodwill plus a bit of the paint, above): $2
Two new tourist plates for the wall: $3
Old calender for switch plate covers: $0
The rest (Be clever. Use what you have.): $0
So in the end my "amazing kitchen remodel" ran me ten bucks and part of two weekends of my time.
Not too shabby for what feels like a completely new space.
The house was pretty spotless until my family returned and I lived in a twisted fantasy of clean dishes, swept floors, and no clutter for exactly three days. It was disorienting but nice.
And then yesterday they returned.
And now my serene grey and aqua kitchen is decorated with not only vintage globes and travel plates but also a Dungeons and Dragons board, two pairs of swimming goggles, one jar of mud, and eighteen thousand dirty pairs shoes.
I can live with that.
Because I'm so glad they're home.
It looks FANTASTIC! Glad you had a weekend to get back to your core.
I feel this in my heart and soul. I have 11, 8, and six month old girls. My only time apart from them in the almost 12 years of being a mom was when I had to travel for my Montessori training. (It was hard to feel serene in the Super 8!) I wish for one of these weekends, but realize now that it will have to wait for my littlest gal to be grown enough to be apart. But then…I don’t want to wish that time away either. It will happen someday.
Very nice!! I love those hooks. Did you make them? And the light switches – georgeous.
I did make the hooks, from an old Christmas tree a few years ago. Pretty easy and a day hardly passes when I don’t notice and appreciate them.
the light plate and outlet covers look so nice! the “twisted fantasy” made me smile! : )
I’ve always wondered what I could do with the lovely Nikki McClure calendars after the year has past. Thanks for the great idea of using them for switch plate covers!
Then I bet youll love this, too! http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/2011/09/a-nikki-mcclure-decoupage-suitcases.html
Those plate covers are totally awesome!!
It’s beautiful. The globes, the nest, the twisted fantasy of a clean house for three whole days…amazing!
I love those switch plates! Looks awesome!
I’m curious — are you still a no TV household? We have been, but we’re also making the transition from Waldorf homeschooling to unschooling. So, I’m wondering if we’ll want access to more things online/TV/netflix as we do more investigating on our own. Documentaries and nature programs, etc. Just wondering how that works for your family?
We got rid of our tv in 2000 and never looked back. When we want to watch something (Netflix, documentary, etc.) we either load a DVD or download right onto a computer. Works great for our family!
Ah. Thanks for your response. So, it sounds like you do incorporate certain programming on a limited basis. May I ask now HOW you work within those limits? Sorry for all the questions, but I’m trying to figure out my comfort level on the media spectrum. Trying to piece together the how much, what, and when aspects. Thank you so much!
Oops. And this is still patraq asking! I’ve got different names on different platforms!
Sounds like an absolute wonderful way to spend your time alone! I find I am regenerated when I have those moments. I used to wonder what I would do, but there is plenty.
I think it’s a matter of finding what works for your family. Growing from Waldorf into Unschooling I’m just not super stoked on screens. In this area I’m more Waldorf than Unschooler I suppose. And because I prioritize building and creating and exploring and being outside, screen time has always been a treat. That being said with an almost 12 year old, there is tons of research we do online. They self-limit quite well and have personalities that when I say “enough screen time, let’s go to the creek” they don’t balk. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
What a wonderful weekend!
Do you have a tutorial/advice for doing the switch plates like that?
No, that is helpful! Thanks!
They were so simple! I dont have a tutorial but I bet with a little googling around youd find one. Basically I just used an X-acto knife to cut rectangles a bit larger than the switch plate cover (say 1 bigger on two sides). Then I centered the switch plate on the rectangle, held it down on the paper and cut an X where there were holes. For outlet holes I cut an X and then a few more slices so that there were 6 points or so for each side. Then I smeared the whole thing on the back with mod podge and attached it, tucking in the flaps through the holes and mitering the outside corners. Gosh. This could be a tutorial. Maybe I should write one!
So lovely. I find that I need two days/ one night of silence about two times a year to keep balanced myself, so I can better parent and take care of myself as well! So relate to this post! And now I see yr homemade wooden hooks, love those too. Can I ask what kind of wood you used? I am a complete woodworking novice.
that is just wonderful! i get time to myself about twice a year (unschool mama here, too)..and today is one of those days. i love spending some of it checking out what you’ve written here… =)
Ummm… I have NO idea where I’ve been for the past 40 years but I didn’t realize Mod Podge led to Projects Of Awesomeness. Thank you for the inspiration… my light switches are gonna be much cuter by next week. And congrats on some beautiful momma time!
Oh, Rachel, I love the sweet and simple transformation! What a lovely use of time! Your home looks so warm and inviting <3
So awesome! Looks like similar taste in colors! Hubby wanted to paint the living room grey, but we saw a color at the naturopath (SW 0017 Calico) and agree it is perfect! I think grey will be our dining room! We also decided on yellow and teal! I too love my globe, but we have low ceilings, I am not sure how to display it!
Your kitchen looks amazing in the pics! Hope you enjoyed your quiet time…betting you enjoyed the cuddles upon return more!
Ah, you do reno like we do reno! Love it (especially the light switches!!)