Checking in

Life's been a bit of a whirlwind these past few days. Mondays and Tuesdays are always busy with volunteering and playgroup and other activities but this evening we're having Jay's mum over. My parents are visiting on Thursday and in the evening my art course is actually starting (after being cancelled twice).

Friday we're off to the Angie Lewin preview in Wakefield, Saturday evening there's a gig in Manchester and Sunday I suspect will be spent hiding out and trying to have a rest.

There's something about this time of year. I don't know whether it's the countdown to Christmas thing or what, but all of a sudden you get that whole panicky feeling of Not Getting It All Done. Personally, I'm guilty of being the person who's putting the pressure on myself.

If I take a step back I realise I'm being silly - there's nothing to get stressed about. I need to start being a bit more careful with my time maybe and spending it more wisely. That would include taking time out here and there.

I returned several library books today (unread) and took another few out: an art reference book and some poetry. Both are a bit more manageable than weighty novels. Even that small act of being realistic made me feel better. The hamster wheel has slowed.

Anyway, I'm just here to add a few photos for Lou's Nature in the Home. A hurriedly put-together wreath of garden remnants. Its looking very naked out there so I made do with a few leaves and some seedy twigs fastened to an embroidery hoop.

It all seems very fitting: I'll just make the NitH deadline and the wreath's hanging over the calendar in the kitchen. Reminds me of those little sequences in films where they show calendar pages whirling off to signify the passing of time.

OK, this is all getting a bit deep for a Tuesday afternoon. Time for a cup of tea :)