Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The gift of time





Last semester, when it became obvious that I was going to be dealing with not just morning sickness, but all day sickness, Andrew and I decided to reconsider what I was going to take on spring semester. Also around this time, I decided to close my Red Otter shop--for many, many good reasons, but one of them was the stress--it was too much on top of everything else. So, now, as I move into this new semester, I'm looking at a lighter credit load, no high-maintenance customers and a bit more free time on my hands. I have to admit, I've always been one who needs to be productive, needs to be active, need to be doing stuff (this is what we are trained to do, right?), then suddenly being gifted with time, glorious, unencumbered time, is unnerving. I have taken great pride in the fact that I'm constantly doing things, creating, reading, going to classes, doing housework, regularly burning both ends of the candle, so to speak. But, pregnancy hasn't allowed me to do that. I'm sick. A lot. And nothing zaps your energy than feeling perpetually green around the edges. So, I'm learning to embrace this gift of time. It's hard, but I think I, along with my little family, will benefit from it.

Images from here

27 comments:

erin said...

thinking of you, friend. hoping you can find some sweet ginger to help you. xo.

Joyce said...

Enjoy the moment my friend! xo

::::Lula Boutique:::: said...

Hi Jewels! I think it's wonderful that you are able to re-organize your time so if benefits you and your little family! I hope it brings you peace and ease. :)

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

oh darling, hope you enjoy the quiet time...

blue moss said...

thinking of you....no fun to be sick all the time. i hope you are feeling better soon. with all 3 of my kids, the sickness lasted all day...but then went away miraculously at some point in the pregnancy. it was different with all 3...so i didn't know when it would....but it did. :)
i hope you are feeling better soon.

knack said...

I am so sorry that you are so sick. I can totally sympathize with you....I was so very sick with both of mine.....it is not fun. The best thing though, is feeling that little one stir and move inside you! It's magical!

You will never regret this time of stillness......soon your hands and arms will be full and very busy....in such a good way:) You will be totally free to just be with your family! I stayed at home with my kids for 8 years until they went to school and was a full time mom......I'll never ever regret it, and I cherish those memories so much.....they grow too fast....they are now 13 and 11!!

So excited for you.....hope you feel better soon!

xo

wishful nals said...

wow, beautiful images + post.

Victoria Strauser said...

i absolutely ADORE little cabins in the woods... and the red one, in the snow... oh my, it makes me want to pack up and go right now.

"knack" is so right, you need the stillness now, because your life will be such a whirlwind you won't have even a moment to think or breathe.

so think now. breathe now. enjoy the peace and quiet. xox

Rachel said...

So smart, dear. I'm another one of those 150% people, and I'm constantly struggling to learn to slow down. You have to take that time, so that you are living in the moment and really experiencing everything, instead of just powering through it.

Vana said...

oh jewels! So sorry you feel so sick! Just think about the wonderful months ahead of you. I can't wait to meet your little angel!

Christina said...

i really hope the sickness subsides soon...
i'm the same way. i have a hard time slowing down and i get really hard on myself if i'm not productive. definitely appreciate this time while you have it.

p.s. you won the giveaway from rachel (lovely clusters). can you email me your address???

Cindy said...

i'm so sorry you are feeling sick sweet girl. erin is right, ginger tea is good for an upset stomach. it's worth a try. sending you heaps of hugs and tummy rubs, which always helped me when my mom did it. xo, c

tara said...

ahh enjoy your time now, when that little one comes you will be burning the candle at both ends once again, but you will love every minute of it!...lovely images!

Christine Vi said...

For busy people, sometimes any free time feels like you're wasting time being productive. Why don't you use this time to come up with some projects for the baby? Make an outfit? Make a quilt or pillow with some embroidery?

Hello Lindello said...

I'm sorry to hear its been a tough start. I hope you feel better soon xoxox

decorating fabric said...

I like how you see the situation and make it a positive one. I like that.

Boracay hotel said...

Beautiful article, I hope you and your family will have a fun and quality time.

Debra said...

Enjoy every moment of it dear. I can be nice to languish in free time. You are taking care of yourself and giving your little bundle a warm, cozy and healthy start.

Anna @ IHOD said...

wow. I know it must be tough to have morning sickness when you are a person who loves to do and do.

But I think its beautiful that you are paying attention to your baby and taking this time to enjoy the time...it really is a gift. I find myself longing for free time and more so to just be able to play with my baby all day!

Best of luck to you. God bless~
Anna

Mandy @ Belle and Boo said...

that sounds so good and that log barn would be the perfect place to do that right? I have such a desire to escape to the country right now and just sit and stare out the window, or lie on the grass hhmmmm

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

I'm glad you see it as a gift, sweet Jules. Because it is. Time to yourself is the greatest gift of all - and one that will be hard to come by once the baby is here.

I do hope you start feeling better soon. I was sick pretty much all day with Noah (MORNING sicknes?? who coined that phrase anyway???), but I felt really great into my second semester. I hope the little bean gives you some time to truly enjoy and revel in your time of stillness, dear.

much love,
-maria

heidi said...

Take it easy Juia... this too shall pass, & you'll start feeling better soon. xoh

Kerri said...

As the mother of two little girls(ages two and 7 months) I understand what it is like to be sick during pregnancy. Rest, and in the end, it will all be worth it. As a fellow Etsy shop owner, I was dissapointed to find your shop was closed, but now I totally understand and for good reason!

Kerri (shabychic72)

drollgirl said...

oh dear. hang in there. i hear pregnancy gets a bit easier in the mid-section (of time, that is!), and i hope that is true for you.

beauty comma said...

sorry i haven't been around lately. a million congratulations on your pregnancy! i'm sorry to hear that you are sick though. but friends who have had the same problems tell me it's worth it in the end, so hang in there!

it's sad that you've closed your shop. but if it stressed you out, i think you've made a wise decision for now.

hope you'll have a lovely weekend julia!

Emerson Bindery said...

Hang in there, gal! I was sick all day for 16 weeks but I lived thru it and now have a beautiful child!
PS- I know what you mean about the customers! ;P

dojski said...

Enjoy =)