Friday, September 11, 2009

On the mend...



This winter I have hardly been sick at all which makes a nice change from previous winters - the worst being the one when Rosie was born and I had the flu & pneumonia. So, health wise, I have been travelling along nicely. But now it is Spring and this week I have been laid up with a tummy bug of some sort which has left me very drained and in bed alot of the time. You know that 'hit by a truck' feeling? Well a whole lot of that & a nice dose of total body fatigue has knocked me for a six.



It's actually been weirdly relaxing as I haven't been able to rush around in my usual mode. Rather than fighting the bug I've been going with it and not worrying too much about keeping up around the house. Lets face it I'm never going to be a great housewife as there are too many more interesting things to do than keep a tidy house. So there has been alot of lolling around in bed and a tiny bit of pottering around, picking up a few things here and there in a lackadaisical fashion. Oh and a bit of quiet cutting and sewing which has been therapeutic.



(This being sick caper is a whole lot easier now that I don't have as many under fives running around. In the past when I have been sick there was NO TIME for me to be unwell, it was impossible to even lie down. People out there with several small children, I remember how it is, boy do I remember.)

Whilst tucked up in my bed I have found myself soothed by my collections of odd things, memorabilia, colours, photo's, things that are distinctly me.




This glass dish above was my Nan's sugar bowl. Now it holds little precious bits & pieces, watched over by Nan and her baby (my mum).



Can you tell I'm not a minimalist? I love all my treasures, they all have some kind of significance or memory. Having said that I am also better at letting things go that are not meaningful anymore, or that may bring someone else more pleasure than me. Do you have room of your own, a study/bedroom, a place that is just about you? I really need this as it seems to ground me in my hectic life and gives me the space I need to think, dream, plan, relax, be.


I know not everyone has the luxury of their own room but even a part of a room can be good, or perhaps somewhere outside in the garden. I also like to have something I've recently made nearby to look at or pat affectionately (I think the illness is unhinging me slightly...) eg. my Australiana tea towel covered pillow, see above (also not too familiar with irons...)



Today I woke up feeling a bit better and managed to stumble up the road to meet Kate in a warm cafe filled with beautiful Spring sunlight. It was good to sit there and chat about the millions of things that fill our worlds and to feel vaguely human again. I always come away from coffee with Kate feeling inspired & happy, she's one of those friends that gives me alot in so many ways. If you live in Melbourne or are visiting, pop in and see Kate & Bren at the Farmers Market, at the Collingwood Children's Farm tomorrow. You can pick up some of their amazing produce from their Daylesford Organics stall. I think it's going to be a windy, windy day so hold onto your hat and watch out for flying chooks.


Besides feeling like I'm on the mend it's also been a real tonic to be enjoying some long overdue sunshine. Today I have been out chatting to the chooks and GET THIS, hanging actual washing on the actual washing line. (As opposed to draping items all over the house in an attempt to dry them within several days...) To me this is close to bliss. I love my wonky washing line and the dreamy state I get in when hanging out the washing. It's sad but true, being out there with the birds and flowers, smelling that good country air and pegging away, I'm in heaven.



So, that's me for another week. Tomorrow I'm going to have dinner in Melbourne with Charlotte, followed by a good old snoop around the books at Borders in Carlton. Can't wait. What are you up to on the weekend? xox

17 comments:

Flowers said...

You have posted wonderful picture of flower that is appreciated. Keep it up the good work.

Tania said...

I reckon my washing line could give yours a run for its money. Mine are a few bits of wire stuff tied together and running between our two side fences. The whole affair is stuck up with the help of a stick. It came with the house and I love it. I mean it looks terrible but I get a grand and unfettered view of the sky while I am hanging out the washing mountain. Glad to hear you're on the mend Mrs.

Amber said...

Oh what a great post, not your sickness but all the lovely treasures you have and yes hanging out washing in the sunshine.I had a laugh when i read that because i too have been drapping washing where i can and now back outdoors hanging it seems feels like such a great privlidge.
Get well soon lovely lady and pleased you had time to mend...xxx

Jodie said...

We have had a shocker of a stomach thing ripping through our school....keep resting till it is all gone.
I used my clothes line today too....!!!What a crazy satisfaction it gives...

home girl said...

sorry to hear u have been so sick. i find tummy bugs leave me feeling so depleted and down. amazing that you are still able to take beautiful photos and post. hope u have a replenishing time in melbs xx

Sue said...

Glad your starting to feel better Beck. You actually do sound quite chirpy in your post. I love hanging my washing on the line too, although the views would not be as lovely as yours Im sure. Air dried washing is always so nice and fresh. I dont even own a dryer! I hope you have a lovely weekend with Charlotte and it isnt too windy. The wind has been absolutely terrible today here so I hope it isnt too bad tomorrow. Isabelle has dance medals tomorrow (her first ones) so that will be me for the day! Oh and I love the pic of your nan and your mum, very sweet.

Bird Bath said...

good to hear you are on the mend...sounds like taking it easy is just what you needed.
I love looking around and reading up on your corner of the world - it always puts a smile on my face.
The teatowel pillow is charming.And the photo of your granmother and mother a total treasure.

Freckled Hen said...

Glad you are feeling better. Your pictures are so pretty, each one gives me a different happy/inspired emotion.

Floss said...

What a lovely post, and all about being ill, too! (Except the end - I'm glad your on the mend now.) I love your little special collections - the Australia cushion particularly cahught my eye. I also have a soft spot for my washing line - you are not alone!

Pomona said...

Glad you are feeling better - love your little china dog - it reminds me of my real one!

Pomona x

Miss Muggins said...

Loved looking at all your beautiful things. Minimalism is overrated! Hope your tummy behaves itself, I really enjoyed this post.

Melissa Ellen, Honeybee Toys said...

Sometimes being sick can be SO therapeutic! And isn't this wind and sunshine just lovely - love hanging my washing on the line too and watching the first Spring bees in the lavender :-)

daylesford organics said...

Yay for our coffees together, I look forward to them so much and feel so inspired afterwards. Those birdies on a string look perfect. I met a woman today who worked for years with your Mum at the tapestry workshop. She called you Becky! Have a great night with your Charlotte. XX

Emily said...

I hope you are feeling much better today! Looks like you've been making the most of your "down" time. I hope you are 100% soon :)

gemma @ loz and dinny said...

Love this post! The photo of your Nan and Mum is gorgeous and the flapping lace curtain - oh so lovely! Glad you had some time to recouperate... I love snooping in the Carlton bookstores - I fell in love over coffees at the University Cafe and between the bookshelves at Readings - we still head there whenever we are back in Melbourne to reminisce...

Unknown said...

I enjoyed looking at your special treasures . Hope you are much better now .

Leanne said...

Great washing line shot....love it!