Greetings all,
“it’s another year over & a new one just begun” . . . Happy New Year!!
This week marks 1 year into 3 years of living interstate from my husband. Yes, shock horror, me, who loves her husband more than anything on earth . . . chose Canberra schools, Handmade & stability over moving to Brisbane with handsome soldier. If we were actually living in Brisbane, we wouldn’t see him for about 22-24 months anyway due to deployments, exercises, courses & training. Now we're going to buy a farm & build, we're never leaving Canberra!!
This brings my solo parenting of 4 smart, sporty & social children into a new focus as we venture to high school – a whole new set of fun, fees & fashion. Our sweet twin girls start year 4 & the boy goes into year 2. After 3 long years in the junior corridor changing readers, canteen duty & helping with class craft, I’m out of there!! I will still help with creative clubs & costumes for performances + P&C.
This brings my solo parenting of 4 smart, sporty & social children into a new focus as we venture to high school – a whole new set of fun, fees & fashion. Our sweet twin girls start year 4 & the boy goes into year 2. After 3 long years in the junior corridor changing readers, canteen duty & helping with class craft, I’m out of there!! I will still help with creative clubs & costumes for performances + P&C.
How do I get through a whole year without a husband?? That little business I started back in 1999 has grown beyond a full time job & welcome distraction so I’m streamlining, focusing on Shop Handmade where I absolutely love working giggling supporting small businesses + the Handmade Market. I’m going to take time while the children do homework to focus on fitness (Yoga & running), plan my hand sewing for relaxing evening lounge craft & treat myself with foot spas & candles.
I have to be hyper organised, a dedicated housewife, present at both schools & if/ when my husband calls/ turns up on the doorstep – i'm able to drop everything & pretend he’s the only person in my world. Pressure & stress don’t agree with me (migraines) so i wander around in a bubble that is free of worry.
Some family highlights in 2010 . . .
I have to be hyper organised, a dedicated housewife, present at both schools & if/ when my husband calls/ turns up on the doorstep – i'm able to drop everything & pretend he’s the only person in my world. Pressure & stress don’t agree with me (migraines) so i wander around in a bubble that is free of worry.
Some family highlights in 2010 . . .
This amazing brainiac made it to state level in sports, was house captain & won the school's sports prize. She met the prime minister, governor general & more at special events she was nominated for. She's starting at a lovely private girl's high school & continue Japanese.
This gorgeous girl made it to state level for athletics, continues to excel in every aspect of academics & her wonderful teacher taught her to Zumba. She wants to grow up & join the Air Force as a doctor. She made it through a whole year without a concussion!!
This quirky one, not so lucky in the trip & graze department!! She excels in all arts, crafts & sports, making it to state for cross country. She loves her friends & plans to move to Italy for University (in 9 years). She also wants to be a chef, a model, a vet, a mummy & a farmer.
This little fellow was lucky not to be kidnapped by his teacher this year, she loved him & his dimples!! He blew us away with an amazing school report of academics, behaviour, sports & extra credits for caring about his class mates. What more can i say, he's my only son!!
C'est moi!! Biggest highlight of the year . . . personally - meeting up with my husband on war leave & going on a 2nd European honeymoon, including a Greek Island cruise, glorious!! Professionally, anything & everything to do with Handmade Canberra. Family - no broken bones, happy healthy children who did not have a single sick day between them all year!!
Back to reality . . .
so while being organised sounds as boring as a night in on NYE, it honestly leads to the most stress free happy family life. I never fail to get the children to school on time if I’ve been up exercising before they wake up, we always have all the ingredients for dinner when I plan & write them on a shopping list, I’m always prepared for markets when I pace myself making stock & I just know I’ll sleep better, be healthier. It’s time to stop sabotaging myself & my success by letting my studio get messy, pretending the clock is mysteriously 10 minutes fast & thinking that skipping a meal will make me lose weight!! Now you can see the trained psychologist in me, I know my demons!! I’m turning 36 this year which sounds very grown up & sensible age to start taking serious accountability.
I start the new year with a tidy studio, organised laundry & storage for things like Christmas decorations, a new collection of recipes, the best intentions to do my tax, my only credit card at a $0 balance, even a new dog lead!! I have to be my own cheer leader for 2 more years, so here goes nothing, bring it on 2011, I’m ready!!
Thanks for reading/ following/ stalking/ supporting my blog - if you're up for some freebies, check out these two giveaways, both open for a few more days. Just follow this blog & comment at the post here for an IKEA lifestyle book &/ or here for chance to win Tangled movie tickets!! Good luck & Happy 2011 everyone, love Posie
Thanks for reading/ following/ stalking/ supporting my blog - if you're up for some freebies, check out these two giveaways, both open for a few more days. Just follow this blog & comment at the post here for an IKEA lifestyle book &/ or here for chance to win Tangled movie tickets!! Good luck & Happy 2011 everyone, love Posie
36 comments:
Lovely post what great kids. You must be doing something right! I too aim for organisation. I am only part psych (dip sci, soc. sci. psych) so am allowed to be less organised. Ha ha. It does take an effort to be organised but the pay offs are tremendous. Hope you have a Happy New Year.
Hi Posie...talk about stalking..lol..if you have noticed a lot of old pages being read on your blog over the past few days it was probably me! Nice to have time to just meander through blogs and get to know people a little more...you were one that intrigued and fascinated me. Anyway I've outed myself now...I am a follower of a month or so. Thank you for a good read and lots of inspiration. Happy New Year to you and your family.
I spent twelve months with my husband coming home from Singapore every three weeks while I parented our teen twin boys (who both have ADHD). That wasn't anywhere near as challenging as having a spounse away on military detatchment. It does mean that I understand to a small extent what your life is like without his constant support. I think you are doing a great job, as evidenced by the fact that your kids seem to be achieving in most, if not all areas of their lives, and you all seem sane. Being organised makes ahuge difference. Keep going - you are doing great and setting a fabulous example for your little cherubs to follow!
Life is not easy while you are managing the family on your own most of the time, I have been there done that for most of our kids' lives and my husband wasn't on detatchment!!! stay organised stay sane and keep doing the fabulous job that you are doing. You are stting a great example for those gorgeous kids of yours too! Happy New Year!
What great kids and family Posie! Best wishes for 2011. I'm glad I'm following along with you now and look forward to seeing what life holds for you. YAY for no credit card debt too. (we chopped ours up last week!) and here's to saving for lots of fabulous new clothes... well, that's my goal at least... hehe.
XO MODELmumma
Happy new year Posie :)
I'll be needing to know the secret to keeping that studio tidy – sigh...
Happiest of new years to you and your lovelies!
I've enjoyed 'meeting' you this year Posie and look forward with great anticipation to all that you create.
Here's to a wonderful twelve months of doing what we love, surrounded by those whom we treasure most, enjoying good health with a few unexpected and lovely surprises thrown in to spice things up.
Big hug,
Felicity x
Jennie, you are AMAZING!! Your children are gorgeous beyond belief in every way, and you are such an inspiration to me in the whole organisation and 'don't feel sorry for myself' department if my hubby is half an hour late for dinner!! I am so happy to have 'met' you through blogging these last few months. From on old Canberra girl to a new Canberra girl, I am wishing you and your lovely family a fabulous New Year and every happiness in 2011. Hugs ~ Tina xx
Jennie you are an inspiration. I am in awe of all that you have done this year with your four children and your business whilst your husband has been deployed overseas. It's been lovely meeting you in blogland this year and I look forward to reading more of what you've been up to in the new year : )
Wishing you and your family all the best for the New Year! Kellie xx
You are truely an inspiration Jennie - I really don't know how you do all of it. And keeping up a fab blog too! Happy New Year to you, have a good one.XXJennie.
Thanks everyone, a tad overwhelmed by your kindness!! I'm eating a paddle pop, yep, a chocolate paddle pop (my husband got 30 for $18 at the supermarket, he he). Happy New Year again, love Posie
You are an inspiration! And your kids are gorgeous.
I admire you doing so much of the parenting with your hubby away. We are about to embark on a period of time where the kids and I will be living in NZ and my hubby will still be here in Oz working... very nervous but excited to be nearer to my family.
Thanks for stopping my blog and your lovely comments! I look forward to reading more here in 2011 :)
oh and I am the mostly terribly disorganised person ... thats my goal for 2011 - get more organised!!! lol..
You are an absolute inspiration. Your passion for life, your love for your family... brings me to tears. Happy New Year sweet thing. Thank you for your support and bloggy friendship. A-M xx
Posie, all the best to you and yours in 2011 and thereafter by the sounds of it. Happy New Year lovely!! Terese. I'm going to make it over to Canberra for a market day or 2 (maybe 3) in 2011.
Wow, you've achieved so much! You sound justifiably very proud of your beautiful children :) Have a wonderful 2011!
I'm in awe at all that you do. I hope 2011 brings you everything you dream of.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU POSIE... what a great blog you have, you are truly an inspiration... Fiona
Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful 2011. Glad you're staying in Canberra - it seems right, even though I hardly know you at all! Canberra would be dull without you, that's for sure! Nic xx
Go Posie, you will rock the married seperateded style like nobodies business. I was wondering what was happeing because earlier on there was talk of a move etc. Choosing stability sounds awesome, and so does that farm. Seriously the southern part of oz have really got it together on the crafty front. All the best for the new year xox
Happy New Year Gorgeous Mama!! Looking forward to watching you rock the socks of 2011 XX
Happy New Year Jen!
Posie you are always a highlight for me miss fabulous and I love your sweet smile that comes through every smile on your beautiful childrens faces....You are one big bubble of fun!
Happy New Year Momma!
What a gorgeou family you have - you do such an amazing job being on your own so much - I don't know what I'd do if my partner-in-crime travelled too much :-)
HAPPY NEW YEAR - looking forward to lots more of your crafty inspiriation in 2011
xxxCate
Bring it on! You're always an inspiration Jennie. Have a Great New Year! xx
Happy New Year Posie. Your kids are all gorgeous, and it's so nice to learn more about you and your family over the past year. I'm looking forward to more of the Posie productions this yr! Thanks for caring about my lawn! :) Good luck with no chocolate. Sonia x
This is my year to be organised:) Would you believe it if I told you that I did not send out one Christmas card this year - opps - bad me! Thinking that I might have to whip up a new year one:)
You are an amazing Mum and Wife. I am certain that we will come to a time too that we will have to descidedon children/family/career moves more carefully. My little miss is off to Prep this year - she is so excited:) Yes, that little bubba in the pram 5 years ago.
I so enjoyed reading this post! It's so easy to fall into the disorganised trap when creating etc. An inspirational post and really motivating. Thank you.
Pam x
Best wish for a fun and creative 2011 Jennie! You are amazing - no wonder you are so proud of your children:)
I think you have a great page here… today was my first time coming here.. I just happened to find it doing a google search. anyway, good post.. I’ll be bookmarking this page for sure.
It's hard to find well-informed people for this subject, however, you sound like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks
Check out my site click for source
Thanks for some other informative website. The place else may just I
am getting that type of information written in such a perfect way?
I've a project that I'm just now working on, and I
have been on the glance out for such info.
My web page :: diets that work
I simply retwеeted thіs "Happy New Year & bring it on 2011 . . .".
Have a look at my web page : Halloween Game
Hi mates, how is everything, and what you wish for to say about this piece of writing, in my view its actually remarkable in favor of me.
Here is my webpage - diets that work fast
Post a Comment