My space

Our "homestead" came complete with a full sized recording studio building behind our house. While it doesn't have plumbing (which would be sooo nice), it provides extra usable square footage for our family. We have done a lot of work to the interior of the building. There are four rooms in there to use as bedrooms, rec room and storage. I have decided to move out the items in the storage room to make my own art studio. J has been very supportive and even hunted down a beautiful easel for me. Here are some of the photos as we are putting together the room!

More to come!

Apple farm

We had a fun Saturday at a local organic farm. We picked apples and a few pumpkins, enjoying the sunny day (they are getting fewer and further between).

self care step one...

Today I went to get a mani/pedi at a little nail salon with friends. It felt lovely to have someone treat my feet and hands and polish my nails with some pretty fall colors!

Also, my mom loaned me the book "The Dirty Life" by Kristin Kimball. I really need to start reading more and am excited to start this book tonight!!

ten of my favorite things

1: Spending time with loved ones.
2: Passion.
3: Listening to rain hit our metal roof.
4: Holding babies.
5: Clean sheets on my bed.
6: Being creative and enjoying the arts...music, dance, writing, painting, design, theater, architecture, fashion...anything.
7: Giving. (including love, service, compassion and material things)
8: Traveling and experiencing different cultures.
9: Living simply.
10: Moving. (active and non-stagnant)

SELF-CARE: An Assessment

I recently took an online quiz. No, not the "What Disney Character Are You?" quiz. A more serious, eye opening one. It addressed self-care needs for people in helping roles. Me.
"Being in a helping role involves attending to the needs of others and you are often exposed to negativity and suffering."

I took the quiz and can you believe it? the results (more than 15 very true responses to the 40 questions) meant that it is definitely time to take a close and careful look at self-care issues.

As I stated in my last post, I have been working on self discovery and de-cluttering. In response to the question "how can we make this household less stressful?" my husband answered, "we need to get rid of some kids". Not possible but for one.

The bottom line is this. I need to take better care of myself. Both of us do as parents. The problem is I feel guilty and selfish when I do. Tonight I read this:

"Being self- referential has nothing to do with selfishness or narcissism.

It ironically increases your effectiveness in helping others."

And I found this brilliant quote as well...
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." -Friedrich Nietzsche