parenting muse

'talking to S.. about relationships' - pastels

'work life imbalance' - pastels

These two images are from the online parenting group I have been participating in, which finished last week. It was strange but gratifying to be part of a group that only met online, but no more strange and gratifying than writing this blog...

The first image 'Talking to S.. about relationships' was made after reflecting proudly on what a thoughtful and emotionally literate son I have - taking so much in his stride at the moment despite a very difficult year, and about to graduate as a high school English and ESL teacher in about 6 weeks time...the drawing is supposed to show the ebb and flow of our conversation the other night as we discussed the trials and tribulations of love and romance in 21st century, well more particularly, coping with break-ups in a Facebook World...wish I could take the pain away, but motherhood has its limitations.

The assignment was to make a piece of art about spending time with your child/ren. Which I found surprisingly difficult, as they seemed to be quite elusive at that time...

The second image 'Work life Imbalance' is about work commitments, and trying to find the right balance. If I am studying next year, something will have to give...just trying to decide what that should be. The drawing is rather formal, restrained and geometric, compared to the first image (they go together). Perhaps its just a timely reminder. I have worked two Saturdays in the last three. On the third I was sick in bed all day with the Headache Virus. Not a cold or flu, just a very bad headache.

I planted out some seedlings in my new vege garden this weekend (well, Sunday), after strewing the beds with chicken manure and compost (who knew we ate so many peanuts?) Dirt under the fingernails again, yay! I am looking forward to success, which has eluded me on previous attempts. For the record, I planted rainbow chard, corn, beetroot, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and marigolds. We'll see what happens...

We  took S's younger brother to see Submarine at the weekend, which deals with young love, with great British (ok, Welsh) humour and quirkiness. What could be more embarrassing than an honest and awkward movie about your first girlfriend? Seeing it with your parents, right?

more later.

finding time

'your inbox has reached its size limit' - paint on paper

The images above and below were created as part of a closed group art therapy blog, for parents of school age children, which one of my students is running. The name of the project is 'finding time', which is very apt for parents, as time seems to be one thing we are always running short of...the first image is about work, and feeling that there is a lot coming into my 'inbox' (or head) at the moment, so it sometimes feels like it is going to burst. I deliberately used a very small square frame for this painting; its only 9cm square. This made it easier for me to paint - less daunting. It also helped create the feeling of compression.

saturday morning - pastels

The second image, a pastel drawing, is about spending relaxed time watching my son play football (and win the league!).

It also makes me reflect on this blog - about finding time to do the things that matter, and also finding time to write the blog itself. I am interested in knowing who finds time to read it as well. Please post a comment if you feel like it, let me know who you are, and why you read this blog. I am hoping to reach 1000 'hits' in the next months or so...currently the tally is 931. You can help me get there!

I have just read Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday, which I bought second hand in Kuranda last month, when I was staying in Cairns (I am trying not to buy all my books online...) Very funny book, and a nice satire on recent British politics (the Blair years), as well as some thoughtful reflections on the difference between Western and Islamic societies.

I also really like reading Kathleen Noonan's column, in the Courier Mail every Saturday (on the back of 'etc'). Her column is usually about similar themes to this blog. This week she writes about a local lawyer and property developer who realised (after having a stroke) that making heaps of money does not create happiness. As she says, 'how come all these guys attain wisdom AFTER they have added to the general awfulness that is Brisbane's housing development and architecture?' Indeed.

Clothes shopping report

I am still trying not to buy new clothes, unless I have to. I had a recent breakout, when I bought 4 jumpers/t-shirts in a July sale at David Jones. This felt very weirdly guilty, and yet still enjoyable. The only other times I have broken the fast recently have been buying thermal underwear (for New Zealand in November), and gym wear some months ago. Both are getting heaps of use. Its still very cold at night, (and all day long in my house). And I am going to the gym about 4 times a week. I have actually signed up for the Bridge to Brisbane run (the 5 kilometre option) in September. So I am officially 'in training'.

more later.