Sunday 4 October 2015

Weekend notes



This was the week I decided to slow things down. Not in a 'That would be nice' kind of way, but in a 'This is entirely necessary' realisation.

I haven't slept for ages. I fall asleep easily enough but a few hours later I'm wide awake again, mind (and heart) racing. By the time I get up the following day I'm completely exhausted. Family commitments, house renovations, starting a business, running a home, grieving, taking care of the little one... It's a lot. And for some reason I just keep taking on more and more. Saying 'No' a bit more would be a good thing.


The printers let me down spectacularly on Thursday. After much to-ing and fro-ing, my prints came back and the quality was really very poor. Nothing like the samples I'd received previously. They tried suggesting the quality would always have been compromised and it was 'a risk you take'. Quite the opposite to all the promises they made initially.

I have learned a very important lesson: never pay up front. My customer has asked that I get the prints to him, framed and ready to display, within two weeks. The printers have my original watercolours. They're either going to produce the quality I paid for or give me a refund. I'm feeling the pressure.


So this weekend we've tried to take things a little easier. Walking, eating, relaxing. Jay felt so bad about the printing debacle that he sneaked off and bought me the new Nigel Slater book to cheer me up.


We had pancakes yesterday, and prosecco (me) and some fancy beer (him) last night. I watched a truly dreadful - as in a so bad it was almost good - film.


Yesterday was bitterly cold. There was a weather warning because of all the fog, and this morning was foggy too. We went for a walk around the reservoir. It's somewhere I don't go that often but it was very quiet; the landscape there is quite desolate (even more so now they've been managing the woodland by felling lots of trees). It was all faded heather and pine stumps and crows circling ahead.


I made rice pudding when we got home. It's a Paul Hollywood recipe. Not that I'm a fan particularly, but it was the first one I found which didn't require double cream (we don't have any). The smell coming from the oven is lovely. Milk and sugar and nutmeg.


Joe's discovered Himalayan balsam. Or at least, the joys to be had from their exploding seed pods. They're now part of his to-see list each time we're out, along with ducks and steam trains and water.

So a re-evaluation and an attempt to slow things down a bit. It's probably a good time to do it, just before we hibernate for the winter. Good food, good books ('Housekeeping' is turning out to be a page-turner), family, friends, keeping warm... I just need to keep reminding myself of the important stuff. 




32 comments:

  1. Take care, Sarah, and go slowly. We all sometimes fall into the mad rush routine, but it's important we remember to slow down in time, like you did. That last picture is especially lovely.

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  2. So sorry you've had problems with the printers Sarah. I hope it gets resolved soon and doesn't cause you any more stress. Slowing down and more importantly giving yourself permission to, is often half the battle. Enjoy your quiet time and somehow everything will fall into place. Bee xx

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  3. I'm a fan of slowing down. I hope your prints work well this time. And is the Nigel Slater any good? I love watching him, but I couldn't quite make up my mind whether to get this latest book or not last week.....

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    1. Hello - the book looks quite good (admittedly, I haven't found the time to have an in-depth look at it!). His writing's so readable and the recipes look interesting. Maybe not quite so many appeal as with the other books though, and I'd prefer the larger format with photos of his home and garden. Probably because I'm a bit obsessed with him!

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  4. Gorgeous photos as always! I'm so sorry to hear about the problem with the printers. I do hope you manage to get it sorted out, but Nigel Slater's new book - yay!

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  5. You must Sarah, your health is vital in everything you do, being a mum, running a business and home. Unfortunately it's not until it's compromised that we realise just how vital it is. Take care Lovely, you've been on a rocky road. Slow is good, I know! :) xxx

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    1. Thank you. I don't know why I always let myself get to breaking point before slowing down a bit. x

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  6. Sorry you've had such a nightmare with your printer, I do hope you're able to get it all sorted to your satisfaction. I can well imagine that you don't sleep well, it's something I struggle with a lot, especially when things aren't going well. Bless your other half for getting you that new book to cheer you up, you are lucky to have him I think! Wishing you a good and productive week. CJ xx

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    1. Thanks CJ - and yes, I am very lucky to have Jay. People tell me all the time! Hope you have a good week too x

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  7. I am glad you decided to slow down Sarah, you have a lot going on in your life! I hope that rice pudding tasted as nice as it smelled. xx

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    1. I'll be honest - I left it in the oven too long! It tasted OK but will need to keep a closer eye on things in future... x

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  8. Thanks for sharing some images from you wanderings. Sarah. How nice to have a new book to explore, lovely cinnamon smells wafting from your oven and a husband and son to love. I'm mulling over a new post to publish, as some autumn hued leaves drift by the window panes in my room and the winds push some puffy white clouds across the sun, muting the light. I hope you have good rest and good resolution with your printer project this week. xx

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    1. Me too! I must try to be more assertive, I think. It sounds lovely where you are. Unfortunately here it feels like I'm out at sea: howling winds and driving rain... x

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  9. Sorry to hear about the issue with the printers. That must be quite stressful, I do hope it's resolved satisfactorily, and soon.

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  10. So sorry to hear that you have had trouble with the printers, I do hope that you can sort it out. You should not accept less than you were promised. I hope that you can find a way to slow down and perhaps do a little stopping too, you need to take a break, which I know that you know, so I hope that you can manage it. Take care of yourself. Hoping for all the best for you. xx

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  11. Sorry to hear you are feeling so stressed, but not surprising with all that hassle with the printers. There is a lot of emotional as well as financial investment in that project. If the finished result is not as good as the samples then I would say excuses are not acceptable. Give them hassle until they deliver properly! Your photos are as ever lovely. I can imagine what fun Joe has been having with Himalayan Balsam. I have disturbed nights and one of my solutions is a DAB radio with a sleep timer and pillow speaker so as not to wake my other half. My night time listening of choice is usually Radio 4 extra. Take care x

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    1. Thank you for the tip. And yes, a lot has gone into that project - I've worked very hard with whatever time I've managed to carve out, and I now have two weeks to get £1000 worth of stock to my first ever customer. I'm praying I can get this sorted out in time x

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  12. Hope you sort out the printing and find time to slow down a little... And sleep! I have the same problem most nights. Fall asleep easily enough but then wake a couple of hours later with my brain whirring. Take care of yourself x

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  13. It's always hard to say no but sometimes we just have to. That's terrible about your prints. I really hope they get it sorted out.

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  14. Despite all the let downs and life's on goings stuff ups it sounds like you did the right thing and made the most of the weekend. Slowing things down can really do the trick sometimes.

    take care,

    Nina x

    ps. I love those truly dreadful films that turn to to be 'almost' really good. xxx

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  15. Gorgeous photos, so annoying about the printer, a frustration you don't need. I hope the coming week is less stressful for you :)

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  16. Hi Sarah, I'm sorry it's been so stressful for you lately. I feel concerned when you say you haven't been able to sleep. I hope you're feeling better soon. I love those bad movies myself and sometimes, it's exactly what you need when things have been diffiicult. That and junk reading. Take care of yourself and have a good week.

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  17. You're right to slow down ... insomnia and being overloaded will lead to high blood pressure ... ask me how I know!

    Take care of yourself Sarah x

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  18. You will find a rhythm which will allow you to do all the things that you need to do - including your creative work. You may have to let go of some things but make sure that you keep the things that matter to you - it is very easy as a mother to put yourself last.

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  19. Take good care of yourself, and keep strong, best wishes, Helen x

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  20. Saying no can be a very hard thing to do, but like you said very necessary. For the first fifteen or so years of our marriage I didn't know how to say no to anyone . . . I think it is the caring nature of some of us. Then one day my husband sat me down and gave me a plan that he wanted me to follow. He said that for one week I was to say no to everyone and put the blame on him. I was also to write each request down . . . after a week I was amazed at the people that asked for my help and with it in front of me in black and white I could easily see why I was always tired. It is still not easy for me to say no, but I have learned to pick and choose . . . you can not be your best for anyone if you are wore out. There are people in your life that need you . . . so take care of yourself and be rested and healthy for the important times that you are needed and not all the times you are asked for your help. It's a learning process . . . just remember that your health and well being is important . . . for you and for those that love you.
    Have a lovely week.
    Connie :)

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  21. I find that lack of sleep increases my sense of melancholy and I too have had to learn to say no, it takes a while, it takes practice and people are initially confused but it is worth it in the end. Being stressed certainly doesn't help - take care of yourself x

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  22. I have no problem falling asleep at night, but, like you, I wake periodically during the night. Not fun. Your blog is lovely and I shall be back to visit again.

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  23. so sorry about the printers. take care of yourself x

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  24. Hey Sarah,
    I'm throwing my lot in with the lovely lot above me......take it easy. As easy as you can. I'm sorry to hear about the debacle at the printers, and I'm hopung that all was resolved in the end.
    Leanne xx

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