Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time
“Nine times out of ten, you probably aren’t having a full-on nervous breakdown—you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit.”
Or tiramisu. That works, too. Check out the entire funny, lovely letter from British writer Caitlin Moran to her 13-year-old daughter.
The kids came home from their first day back at school after Christmas break with lots of paper—homework, newsletters, forms to be filled out, completed assignments, etc. Plus, there was a big stack of mail to deal with. With six people and assorted animals living under one roof, the paper clutter can get out of control pretty quickly. So read on to see how we manage it:
[Read more…] about Getting Organized: Conquering Paper Clutter
Happy New Year! I hope you’re easing nicely into 2014. I have so many things I’m excited to share—like how Lexie turned 13 and suddenly started cooking and organizing (that’s her in the photo taking on an out-of-control cabinet on New Year’s Day).
But since I’m already a little behind this year, I’m just going to kick off 2014 with a favorite old passage from Anna Quindlen.
I’m not sharing this in the spirit of “enjoy every moment,” which I think is awful parenting advice. I like this quotation because it reminds me not only to slow down and truly see my children, but also to quit worrying so much. Because worry usually lies at the heart of hurrying, don’t you think? Hurry up and get through whatever it is before things get messy. It takes trust to slow down, to realize we can handle anything that comes our way.
So here’s to a year of creating a peaceful space around ourselves and noticing (and appreciating) the little things!
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Do you remember this conversation about tucking notes in lunches? I saw these sweet “Because I love you notes” on Design Mom and had to share them with you.
When I do remember to write a note, I usually just scribble something on a Post-it. But wouldn’t it be nice to be on the receiving end of something a little fancier like this now and then?
If you’re a note writer, do you like to use printed note cards or do you use whatever paper’s on hand?
{ Photography by the beautiful and talented Claudia Danielson }
When my kids were little, people would caution in warning tones, “Just wait until they’re teenagers.” So when Andrew turned 13, I was prepared for him to get really horrible. But he never did. I mean, we all have our moments. But he’s a nice person and a great student and he doesn’t seem to hate me or Tim. He’s not a big hugger, but I do get a fist-bump every night. And he makes me laugh so hard I cry, which would make me forgive anything.
Andrew turns 15 today. One nice thing about your kids becoming teenagers is that they ease you into it. Although it can feel like it happens overnight. One minute you’re looking down at a little blond head playing trains at your feet and the next you realize that you have to look up to meet his eyes. And that deep voice you hear in the other room is not, in fact, your husband’s, but your son’s.