This week I really felt like finding a good, happy easy read. I knew I needed to find the latest Maeve Binchy. There is something about her sweet story-telling that picks up my spirits. She just had the art for weaving together all these characters, didn’t she? I always think of that saying “everybody has a story to tell”. Each of her characters has had their own struggles and triumphs and the underling theme in each of her books is kindness and compassion. I’m so sad she is gone-I was looking forward to many more books. I will have to go back and re-read some when I need my “it all works out in the end” fix.
We have two new additions. Jack and Jay. Jay has been replaced by a new Jay, but the difference is only slight and quite unnoticeable.
Scrumptious.
Janey’s BFF came over for a play date. Her name is Ruby. Which is just about the cutest name ever isn’t it? She was born a week before Janey. She is #8 so Janey and Ruby can relate to being smothered with kisses and living in crazy houses that are never quiet. They’re having a little conversation about it all in this photo-the perils of dodging balls, listening to teenage drama, and adapting to flexible sleep schedules.
Patrick gives himself homework to do every day.
Life is busy and full and sometimes I feel completely overwhelmed by it all and can feel weighed down with the responsibility of all these marvelous lives in my home-I have to be careful not to let worry get a hold of me and just enjoy it all as the days fly by.
Sometimes I get a little bit of an achy neck as I turn this way and notice something delightful in my home, and then someone calls me name and I turn my head in that direction just to notice something else wonderful, and then my phone calls and my head jerks in that direction, repeat over and over again, until I have a moment to relax and I realize how many times I turned my head that day. But I'm grateful that my life is so full of so many things to pay attention to. This post reminded me of those achy neck moments.
That last line would be great advice for a new mom. Perhaps I'll quote you when I put it on the card of the next baby shower gift. "Just enjoy it as the days fly by."
Kudos to Abbey! Those sweet little babies – Oh! What an antidote to teens those babies are! I am glad you are throwing away lists and giving your self a break.
I loved "A Week in Winter" and I just finished "Minding Frankie" last night…..love Maeve Binchy's stories and am so sad that there won't be any more. I agree with you about lists !
Hi Sarah,
I found three different to-do lists yesterday! I don't think I could bring myself to throw them out, though. I make these lists in order to get all the swirling thoughts out of my head and lessen my worries. I'm thinking I might need to type the list and then rearrange it according to some sort of priority ranking. Things like "do today" to "probably not ever"!
Maeve Binchy is a favourite of mine. Especially "Evening Class". I kept putting off reading "A week in winter" because it made me so sad to think that I'll never get to meet any more of her characters. Beautiful book.
Thank you for reminding me to enjoy every crazy moment.
Sarah
stayathometerritory.blogspot.com
I just text my 76 year old mother (who introduced me to Maeve Binchy) to see if she's bought the new book yet. We are heading south to visit them over the kids' spring break and I thought that would be the perfect read. Your description of her stories is spot on! And I want something I look forward to picking up when I have a few minutes to read or on the airplane. I'm so sad this is her last book. She will be missed!
You are a busy mama that is for sure! Confession: When things are especially crazy for me, I add things to my list that I have already done just so I can cross them off and feel better about my productivity. 🙂
I've made a rule. I can only put four things on my to do list each day. Then only the most important even make it on the list and I can work hard knowing they are things that must get done.
Love everything about your life and blog. Thanks for sharing.
I love to do lists–but I can get overwhelmed too when it gets too long!! ACK! You are a wonderful Mother and I appreciate your insights and wisdom! have a great weekend!
xo
Ruby & Janey….is that not the cutest picture ever? I love it. Patrick is growing up so fast, I hardly knew that was him! Sarah your family warms my heart. Thank you.
I just started reading "the greatest generation" by Tom brokaw and I'm already loving it. Picking it up was a stretch for me because I don't normally read non-fiction. He writes about our grandparents generation and how tough that had it. They lived through the depression and worked so hard but remembered what was really important, and never seemed to complain.
On another note, don't put sweet Janey to bed with a blanket! I have an awful story that I won't tell. It hit really close to home for me and I never used a blanket with my youngest two. When they were tiny I used sleep sacks. Now we use footed sleepers with a onesie under and they don't seem to get cold.
That's funny, deleting your 2013 reading list. As if anyone could read everything on a list made early in the year! What about all the great books you haven't heard of yet? Better to just read the Next book.
I've never commented on here before, but I absolutely love your down to earth way of sharing your life. Two things…I also love Maeve Binchy and read her last book (plus all the rest). I will miss her. And,I am so glad to see Janie sleeping on her tummy!
I hear ya!! I get over-zealous in my endeavors at times too…I have to remind myself it's okay to cut things back to a doable proportion and make a NEW to-do list!! One that is actually gonna make me feel productive,not lacking! And yes, Ruby is a precious name~my bff named her first baby that and I looove it!!! They are so precious in their little conversation and very attentive!! LOL!!
I'm all for pitching lists if they weigh you down, but you MUST still read, Edenbrooke. . . sometime, when you want to immerse yourself in a fabulous love story. My daughter read it, then I did, and now my mom can't put it down. It'll just make you happy when you're done.
I go through times when to-do lists are really motivating for me and other times when they are just too much. When I am overwhelmed, I like to make "done" lists instead of "to do lists". I am always amazed what I do in a day.
http://www.raisinglemons.com/parenting/done-not-to-do/
Love Marge Binchey – read her last one last week and treasured it even if it wasn't as up to par as previous ones. LOVED Me Before You – read it very quickly. Love the air traffic controller analogy with dinner – so true!!
I was pleasantly surprised to read that Maeve Binchy made it to your blog. A couple of weeks ago I realized she passed away last year, and it saddened me. My mom introduced me to her books nearly 20 years ago. My mom passed away a few years later, and Maeve's books were a comforting tie to my mom. I even named my daughter, who will be 2 soon, Maeve, because it is pretty and it reminds me of my mom. Thanks, again, for another beautiful post.
I'm in a rather overblown period of anxiety at the moment made worse by my over-ambitious to-do lists. I've done all those things: tossed the whole darn thing, or crossed off all but the bare minimum. Life with many kids can be overwhelming and you have to just find ways to make it work and to stay relatively calm. 🙂 Flexibility is the name of the game, even with one's self. I'm glad you tell it the way it is.
I'm just like Tiffany above. Sometimes the lists are awesome and helpful, others they're so very triggering and hateful. 🙂 I like your idea, Tiffany, of making "done" lists. It shifts the perspective a bit
BTW, Sarah, I really loved your letter to your children. You did a hard thing when you wrote all of those "controversial" things in there. For me, they were no-brainers–simple truths springing from conviction and common sense and decency, and I'm glad you had the courage to publish them.
The babies are too cute, love both names, Ruby and Janey.
Also, speaking from experience here :), the goldfish will keep dying unless you put them in a tank with an air pump.
Hi Sarah, hope you're well. Hi, Lizzy P, too! My dirty little secret about lists is that every once in a while when I'm feeling down, I put on the no-brainer things that I've already done! Boy does that make me feel better!! Take care…
I have to say I'm a little relieved to hear that you havent' read all of those books in 2013! I thought you added each after you finished it and was stunned by how many were on there 🙂 I do love the list and have gotten some wonderful recommendations that I've truly enjoyed. I'll hit your old lists when I'm needing some ideas and will try this author. I haven't heard of her.
Although I love a good list (since it makes me feel like I'm organized, with a plan), it's true that it's so important to just throw those lists in the garbage sometimes. When I'm really feeling overwhelmed by motherhood I just sit back, stop doing everything that I had planned for the day and just sit on the floor and play with my 2yr old (and cuddle my 5month old). Busy can be good, but you're right that slowing down is just as important.
Erica
http://www.beautifullifemadeeasy.blogspot.ca
I love Maeve Binchy! I haven't read this one yet so I'll be sure to give it a try next time I'm at the library. I just wanted to say I really enjoy your blog. It is just so down to earth but quite lovely at at the same time. Keep it up!
Melissa
http://houseonhalifax.blogspot.com/
I just started reading your blog and love it. I use to row well I was the coxswain but same thing. I love hearing about people that do! To do lists are a love of mine but I only have two kids so maybe the lists will have to stop when I have more.
I am finally catching up on my favourite blogs after our 2 new arrivals in November. And I find out my favourite author is no longer with us through this entry. How very sad, I had hoped for more books as well.
Janey is gorgeous too, it's great to read about another new baby 🙂