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Partly because I still live at home (and there are three of us, soon-to-be-four, living in one room) and partly because I just like small things, I've become a bit obsessed with making the most of small spaces. I look around this house I grew up in and wonder how and why it never seemed as cramped when I was younger. We just recently had a tiny birthday celebration for my son with a total of 5 guests invited and the sitting room seemed tiny. My birthday parties used to be much bigger and it never seemed small then. My mum used to be able to get a double pushchair down the passageway whilst I have trouble getting my single one down it.

 It could be my perspective on things now that I'm older and more aware of things like this. Or it just could be that as time has gone on, we have collected a lot more things we really have no use for. Whichever it is, I look around and find so many things which don't maximise space at all. I also keep um-ing and ah-ing about whether I should take my dad up on the offer of his much bigger room before the baby arrives or whether to just stay put and re-organise it furniture.

Inspiration has come unexpectedly in a TV programme called George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, which follows people who turn tiny spaces into liveable, workable spaces. And this talk I found on TED by Graham Hill called Less Stuff, More Happiness is also good for thought.  I watch it every now and then and go on a big clear out of things I do not need. I feel the need to clear out now. I'm going to calling it nesting.

Away and back again

It has been an awfully long time since I last checked in. Not too long after my last post, I found out I had bun no.2 in the oven and have had a hard time of it ever since. This included a trip to the hospital for hyper-emesis - an extreme form of morning sickness- and an aversion to the smell of food being cooked throughout the almost nine months that it has been. Throw in working full time and being a mum to an almost four year old, I have no idea what has happened to time. Having said that, I do feel as if I have been pregnant forever. And ever. The end is almost in sight.

Maternity leave has begun (it officially begins on the 5th) and I have found myself nesting by crocheting like crazy. I bought a couple of patterns from Etsy and have already made a little cardigan and some booties. I also made some bunting for my son's upcoming birthday. The little cardigan pattern is from Mon Petit Violin and the booties from Two Girls Patterns. I will have to post pictures next time since my iPad won't let me at the moment.

Wise words to live by

I discovered this back when I lived in Pakistan. Wise words to live by.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927

I heart lists

I've probably mentioned how I love lists. Imagine my delight at seeing this book nestled on a shelf at Foyles.

I haven't begun to fill it in yet. I almost don't want to write in it because I don't want to spoil it. And I bought it on Amazon. Much cheaper.