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Feeling Good...

Monday, August 11, 2008

And there's no really magical reason. I just feel.... GOOD. Centered. Happy. I take walks with Noah a few times a week, and I think that has played a big part in my mood upswing. I feel like, even with a busy, growing, nearly-mobile baby, as a stay-at-home mom I have more time to get things done. I feel productive, inspired, content, appreciated by my husband and family and friends, and buoyed up with strength to face our new, leaner, less-consumerist lifestyle. I feel... right. This is right. I am doing exactly what I was born to be doing.

And yes,the artist/wanderer/culture-lover in me still exists... still craves an outlet. I want those things too... but there is a season, a time, and a place for all of it. And right now, this is the season of nurturing children and fostering a home of comfort and peace in a loud, noisy world. I am okay with this season. I am okay not going to the symphony, to Europe, to a week in the Tetons... I am okay with the little bursts of creativity I find time for, even though it is never enough to complete a masterpiece. Today, this is who I am, and it is more than enough to sustain me.

One day, the little ones will be gone, off on their own adventures, and I will once again have time for the theater, for a potter's wheel, for writing my memoirs.

For now, I am completely happy, today.

*

Images of home-caring contentment:

{laundry getting done. Check.}
(see Winston? He's been around lately. He'll probably show up in photos now and again. Hi, Winston.)

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{a kitchen cleared of dishes. Morning is cleaned up... ready for something else.}
*
{my computer workspace. here is music, photo editing, blogging, internet wandering, my little business, connecting with friends... the strange but nice little heart of our apartment.}
(Jodie, that's you on the screen. Ha! See? I AM working on those photos...)

*

And.... a HAPPY UPDATE:

Remember this? The storage room spilleth over... Argh!


That is now THIS:the key to this AFTER photo is all that carpet space. That was FULL. Now it is NOT. I gave away so much Stuff (capital-S Stuff). And the rest of the Stuff is compact and compiled and sorted and orderly. Lordy that feels good. Now we can move someday and I won't be as humiliated that my friends and family helping us will see that accumulation of Stuff. It is probably still too much, but MUCH better.

*

And remember THIS? The hallway of shame, ever-worsening from August 2007 until this summer? The first view of our living space anyone gets when they come to visit? (the HORROR. So embarrassing!)


That is now THIS:
Cozy! Charming! Inviting! CLEAR OF CRAP! (ah, the alliteration is so satisfying!)

So much better. Such a weight off of my heart and mind.

*

(but to be totally honest, it's not completely clear:)The foreground of this photo reveals the teensy little things I have left to do here: a pile of Craigslist stuff, a small leftover pile of Goodwill stuff, and our recent garbage that needs to be taken out. (Joe? Got a minute?)

Still.... C'MON. Tell me that wouldn't make YOU feel a hundred pounds lighter, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, nutritionally, psychically, (and any other "--ly")?

*

So... Long story short: I feel GOOD. I feel light. I feel at peace. I am right where I want to be.
I love it.

21 comments:

  1. You are one productive gal!

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  2. Hooray!! It all looks SO amazing! I'm so happy for you. I honestly feel like an un-cluttered home makes for a less stressful mommy. You've inspired me. I HAVE to make some progress in that regard.

    NOW!

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  3. WOW! You go girl! :-) Once your done there, feel free to stop by our house. lol I noticed that we both posted today and with the same title! HUGS

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  4. Crap. YOU'RE, not YOUR... Oops!

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  5. Anonymous7:56 PM

    Definitely inspirational...on many fronts. Your Noah is one lucky little guy!

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  6. Congratulations! It all looks very peaceful. Ahhhhh :)

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  7. Beautiful job - I understand all too well how much mental weight that must have lifted to get those spaces cleaned up. You've inspired me to tackle a few of my project areas before I go back to work.

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  8. Good Job Emily!! I love a clean house too, it makes me feel so much better...but then something else happens: Crazy, trying-to-keep-the-house-clean nazi! The minute I get something accomplished and beautiful, my three boys tear through it and it's as if I've never touched it. sigh....
    But I am glad you are feeling so good and content with your place in life, that's all that matters, right?

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  9. I love it!! So cleansing...and I love how you had to show the tiny bit of mess at the end...that made me laugh!! The hallway looks SO cool and inviting!!!

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  10. Anonymous9:01 PM

    I love this post. It made me smile like 6 times. I am so happy that you are so happy :)

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  11. I am dying b/c I SAW myself on your screen before I read you telling me I was there! And my immediate thought? "YEAH she's working on them!" hahaha!

    Also, the hallway looks AMAZING! Holy crap! It's like a cute little sitting room! And I want that red rocker. BAD. And that rocking horse is adorable too. Love it all.

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  12. So, I want to know your technique for getting so much done with your baby in tow. Good for you, any ideas for me!

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  13. What a great accomplishment. And sounds like you are doing lots more than just throwing it all away. Hooray for Craigslist, Goodwill and all the other outlets for our Stuff!

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  14. Simply Amazing how all that hard work will finally pay off! I'm glad your mom could come and lend a hand...I heard you donated TONS of stuff to the needy. I know ALL about that, just ask Steven.

    I especially like the cozy lil corner by the stairs w/ the rocking chair...completely adorable!

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  15. I love that you are feeling good. Your place looks awesome! Hey check out my blog for some Noah pics from the other day. He is so cute!

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  16. MACRO: I am seeking that which you have found, but am happy to live vicariously through you until the day that centered-ness comes to my house. I'm so glad the Zen of being at home has found it's way to you. It's a breath of the most refreshing kind of air.

    MICRO: Um...is that...a harlequin pattern? On your kitchen wall there? Right there in the ochre and the yellow?

    I'm SUCH a harlequin junkie (it's not just for romance novels you know) and have wandered my house for 6 years now looking for just the right spot to harlequinize. I'm determined to find it before this renovation is through...thanks for the inspiration!

    :)

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  17. that feeling comes so infrequently for me. not sure why. still working on it. but isn't so GREAT!!!!!!

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  18. Emily, I can't tell you how good it is to see this amazing person my dear Joe has married!

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  19. I'm so glad to hear that your semi-normal. I see you as superwoman anyways, I love your photography. I'm so happy that superwoman gets embarrassed by her house at times too.

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  20. see??!! doesn't clearing and tidying make ya feel better?? i love the hallway before/after photos. the rocking chair makes it seems so homey.

    and you're right...right as rain. there *is* a season. right now i'm craving getting paid for photography, but now is not the time. there are other things that need my time more.

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  21. look at you go!!!!

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