scenes
Glimpses of my morning: the violet view from my coffee spot, cleansing tea of camomila, lavender and calendula, a brown paper package.
Observing the little snippets around me is essential to both my sanity and creativity. Right now, as I write this, my keyboard is squashed in between my diary, numerous pens, a pile of travel magazines (work, not pleasure), a measuring tape, a glass of water, two notebooks and the foil wrapping from mint dark chocolate squares (it was a late one last night). Daniel has placed a big piece of yellow tape down the middle of our shared trestle table/desk – my ephemera is not allowed to wander into his territory. In a comic I would be depicted as a lonesome writer with glasses, hovering over the keyboard, tapping as I type, looking very much like a collector to some, a hoarder to most. What’s most comical about this picture is that I can’t stand mess or clutter. But right now, as I tread my way through the endless tasks I ignore the mess and just write.
It’s quite liberating to accept that full-time work and a perfect household don’t coexist. Balance, in this regard, is not possible. But next week, when the deadlines have been met and there’s space to be, I’ll spend a few days doing things around the home. The words will be waiting but the beds will be made.
“little tienda – a little shop from mexico”, is offering Che & Fidel readers 10% off with the code OCTLOVE…valid till October 31st. Happy mexican bohemian shopping…x
ah clutter, how I loathe ye. And yet can't seem to ever quite clear it. Nice to hear that it's the same for others too. And I just love that top photo Jodi, so gorgeous. happy writing…
Same here Jodi. Except that when my deadlines have all been met like today, I'm still surrounded by paper and notepads. I love clean, orderly and calm, but I'm rather hopeless at making it happen in my own home. One other thing: beds being made??? I think the last time I made my bed was when we were trying to sell our house in England almost four years ago. I even have a picture of it somewhere….
I can't get over that violet view! Such beauty.
A full-time work schedule and a perfect household definitely don't coexist. A lovely reminder, as always. Thank you! xx
I can just imagine the yellow tape!
Off to do some shopping now, thank you. xx
I love the yellow tape! Such a gentle yet altogether obvious way of telling you, "Stay out of my space!" May the words flow freely for you. 🙂 x
Love the yellow tape part – my sister and I did just that we were little and shared a room. And what a lovely view to have while enjoying your morning coffee! Elaina
Your yellow tape reminds me of the 17 years I shared a room with my sister! She being the constant messy one and me being a neat hoarder in a tiny space. Masking tape divided our little continent although it was tough crossing enemy lines to get in and out of our room! She claimed ownership of the door way and being on the 1st floor, the window was not an option. BTW, while I'm actually leaving a comment instead of admiring and getting lost in your word pictures, I would like to thank you again for the reading list for kids. My boys love love love 'The Terrible Plop' and 'The Tiger who came to Tea', books I may not have discovered if not for your recommendations and reader comments. My boys actually do have a love of books afterall, it was just trying to find the right ones. Oh yes and the 10 pack of machine books (can't think of title right now) total winner. Cheerio. xx
I'm thrilled your boys love them Fi…hopefully it's the very beginning of their book fascination x
I fantasize sometimes about how much I could get done in a day were it not for housework. But like you, I need a clean space and I only let go when it's crunch time. Usually here that is when someone is sick.
I read this week that 'cleaning while children are growing is like shoveling snow when it is snowing.' I had to laugh, then went straight back to shoveling. 🙂
Oh I LOVE this quote! I'm going to write it on the chalkboard and read it daily – a comforting reminder x
The yellow tape is hilarious. At least it's a nice happy colour!
I think it sounds like you do have balance in a way. A spurt of writing, and then a spurt of time in the home.
That tea sounds delicious. xx
I totally get this!
That has summed up my life for the past 6 months, and now we are settling into something more calm, a nice little routine instead of chaos.
It does come to an end. Sometimes like you said, we just need to ignore the mess and get the job done! Well done to you, it's not easy mixing work and family.
Rach x
Our house is the same…I get one day off a month when Toddler C is at child care and I spend that day cleaning and tidying.
I get the house just the way I like it and then the inhabitants of the house spend the next month undoing all the work I have done…it ends in a crescendo of clutter and chaos.
And then I have another day off and order is restored once again.
Thanks for the discount!
Gorgeous photos, in fact it's inspired me to put on a pot of tea!
It's nice when deadlines are met and you get to do all those things you've been meaning or wanting to do…
Hope you get to wrap everything up by Friday!
Ronnie xo
Enjoy that pot of tea! Monday is the new Friday 🙁 x
I love that Jodi – Monday is the new Friday! My solution to escaping the mess is writing in a cafe with Wifi 🙂 xx
Ha! I love the idea of a yellow tape line!
Love the yellow tape 🙂
And loving the look of that tea.
When we are busy…something has to give. I'm learning to accept that more & more each day!
Jodi, can I ask: Do you still send out pitches/submissions to magazines? Or are you now in a known position that you are approached by magazines to write for them? As a starting out freelancer, I am just curious 🙂 ? Thank you xx
Hi Claire,
I'm employed as the feature writer for one publishing company and I work on about six magazines there. I've also established a really good relationship with editors from two other magazines and they regularly send me work (and sometimes I suggest stories to them). However, I also regularly submit ideas to a few other publications but I find that it's always best to establish a connection with the contact…otherwise your emails are 'just another story submission'. How do you establish a connection? Know the publication really well, write thorough and original story briefs and send follow-up emails (but don't pester). x
Oh Jodi. Thank you for such a quick and helpful reply.
Your advice is much appreciated. As a 'newbie' in the industry it's quite overwhelming, so hearing advice from pro's like you is very inspiring.
Thanks you xx
You know I really love your photos.
People like you inspired me.
Thanks!
the yellow tape is something my husband would do 😉
so, i'm curious. do you have a favorite type of pen or journals that you use? i'm so picky about my pens and journals. i'm just curious, are there other writers like that too, haha.
Yes! – I'm a bit pedantic about stationery. I use kikki k essential notebooks (so all my random thoughts/notes/reminders/to-dos stay in one place) – http://www.kikki-k.com/shop/product/a5-essential-notebook-3pk-basics-pink/
…and kikki k gel pens – http://www.kikki-k.com/shop/product/everyday-gel-pen-3pk-happy/ xxx
hey, sorry I haven't been in contact for so long. Glad to hear you've made epace with the clutter, it's never ending. Sometimes I manage to get to the bottom of it and my home looks like I would prefer it to for about five minutes, and then everyone returns and there it goes again. Oh well, I wouldn't have it any other way! Do you know what sort of flowers those purple beauties are…I can't quite make them out??xx
They were growing in a pond Emma, so they're obviously a water plant of some sort. I'll find out and let you know. It's been too long, let's catch up soon x
oops! I meant "peace", not epace!
I must confess I hired a cleaner a while back to come in fortnightly to help with the housework. I can't really afford it but when I come home to a clean house, it's like someone has left me a love letter. Great timing with the offer from Little Tienda, I have been planning to buy a top for me and a dress for my girl from there for a while – thanks!
When I get right into sewing projects, I cannot keep it neat, despite my normal liking for neatness. But when the project is done I know I will clean it all and put everything back in it's place (which makes the hubby happy too) Just knowing that it will be cleaned in it's time, makes it more bearable when you just don't have the time to clean it.
The yellow tape made me giggle. I'm forbidden from touching anything on my husband's desk.
I just love your little snippets and observations of life Jodi, they are always beautiful and inspiring. x Laura