I did manage to clean my floors yesterday after all. After talking with my tribe, they encouraged me to just pick one thing to do (to get out of my mental funk) and I realised having muddy floors bothered me more than anything else. So I mopped them. And I felt so much better.
And then, since my long-suffering dog had also been neglected for his morning run due to the heavy rain, I brought the kids out with me to give him a late afternoon walk.
Off he went into the sunset.
Off he went into the fields.
And then he found his friend Sandee who is a shepherding dog. She tries to shepherd him, but she has a hard time because he’s a hunting dog and he can run faster. They both have lots of fun and sleep the better for it.
So I managed to get my act together despite being in a funk.
And then today I went into La Défense to get some shopping done because I wanted to go to certain clothing stores while the sales are still going on. Of course I had to get my weekly groceries as well, which is much less romantic, but that did not deter me.
I met my friend Amina at Starbucks and we got caught up on our lives. They’ve installed this new light photography on the screens in the mall, which is really pretty.
And we hit the stores. Gap for Gabriel because he is thicker around the waist than most French kids and the pants fit him with room to spare. And my favourite store for girls (and women) – Cyrillus.
I could splurge since it was the sale season. See what I got for Juliet?
So although this has not magically brought my husband home or prepared my English lessons for tomorrow or made the dinner for tonight, it did give me courage to face all of that because I got out of my home and spent time with a friend.
Speaking of friends, Greta of G*Funkified has written a gorgeous review of A Lady in France here. Greta is . . . simple elegance. That’s what I think of when I think of her. I was first introduced to her through her story on grief. I’m drawn to grief because of my own experiences, which makes me a sensitive listener (a plus), but perhaps a rather morbid person. The jury is out.
Greta wrote about losing her husband to a drunk driving accident when she was newly pregnant with her second baby – before they had even told anyone she was pregnant. She wrote about that here. I sobbed. She also wrote about being a phoenix – getting remarried and having two more babies in addition to her first two – here! And her husband is an amazing father to all four of his children.
But Greta is more than that. She runs a gluten-free household for her daughter who has coeliac disease. She hosts photography improvement posts, runs every marathon she can, including Disney (see aforementioned photography post), and she lives in a really rural setting, which she insists is not romantic, but I think it really is.
A huge thanks to my friend Greta, who was willing to read my book and share about it. 🙂
So that was my day – a little sunset, a little shopping, a little craziness since there was a lot of running around – running around which culminated in an orthodontist appointment that took hours. But all in all it was pretty serene.
Sorta.
First, that skirt is adorable! I would wear that. I think there’s nothing better when you’re stressed and overwhelmed than some fun, carefree time with a friend. Even if there is grocery shopping involved.
Thank you for those wonderful words. The feeling is entirely mutual! And I was thrilled to write about your book. xoxo
You would like this store. Even the mom clothes are like that! The sizes are mostly too small for me though. Yes, shopping with friends is great. I wish there were places to go closer to where you are.
Glad you found a bit of serenity!! We take it where we can find it, we mothers. 🙂 For me, the chore that must be done is laundry…the unfolded piles of clean clothes drive me crazy!
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I can let laundry get behind by about 2-3 loads worth of clean clothes waiting to be folded. I know that sounds like a lot, but more than that and I have to fold it all (and iron quite a bit). I actually like laundry, whereas cleaning floors I hate!
I’m so glad you got out of the funk – score with shopping and time with friends!
Greta is lovely. I love her so.
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I didn’t really know it, but that was just what I needed.
I know what you mean – sometimes some time away is just the thing when one is in a funk. I even enjoy grocery shopping on those days because at least it is an outing.
Me too. I especially appreciate grocery day because it’s the only one when I don’t have to teach. So it really feels like a break!
Love the skirt! Feminine and Funky!
I shall read the review now.
xxx
My Inner Chick recently posted…Remembering June
Thanks Kim! 🙂
Sounds like a lovely day to me.
Korinthia recently posted…Self-Defense Starts With Getting Out Of Your Own Way
A good day, I would say. I feel calmer reading it.
anymommy recently posted…Rolling uphill
This sounds like a perfect day. I love your profile of Greta – she is simple elegance to me, too. Even if she lives way out in the sticks. 🙂
Andrea recently posted…SOS
gorgeous sunset photo! I like the “pick one thing” idea. I could probably use that advice right now… And yay for the Greta love! xx.
sarah reinhart recently posted…Photo Tip Friday: how to see light
I’ve been reading Greta’s blog and I honestly had no idea that this happened to her. She is an amazing writer and the strength that she has? Blows me away.
Now you shugga. You have to force yourself to do things when you’re in a funk. Even if it’s a mundane thing like washing the floors. Keep moving. If you stop you’re going to sink further. Keep pushing. Little by little xoxo
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