Quarter Year Review

Well hello, lovely lovelies. It's been an age, hasn't it? I am very sorry for neglecting you recently. I've been struggling a bit with the depression and for some reason have had a bit of a mental block with blogging and with taking pictures. Odd.

There is good news though - I have a marvellous new therapist. Her name is Suzanne and I absolutely love her. We're working through some tough stuff that's left me feeling very vulnerable. I have also been ill - I have had bloody shingles again.

So, picture of domesticity I am not! The house looks like a pig sty, I am feeling a bit suspicious about who I can trust at the moment (a side effect of the issues I am working through with Suzanne, I think) and I look like a rusty old bus. With dents in.

Can you believe that a quarter of 2010 has passed already? Isn't it frightening?! I have some collages to share with you (I'll keep this post at the top, look below) and you can see time passing here at The Cottage.

Spring has surprised me this year. Most years I am willing it on from January time, looking for each tiny developing sign that better weather is on the way. This year I really couldn't be bothered, and here it is uncalled for. It reminds me of the story of the man who woke up the sun. It feels odd that life is continuing without my participation, but strangely reassuring.

The downsides to the first three months of 2010 are evident; I didn't think I could get any more depressed and wham! I was in for a big surprise. HOWEVER, I believe that a lot of this new depression is because I am digging over the beds in my head to clear the weeds. It's going to be unsettling, isn't it? But necessary for the garden to grow again.

There have been upsides. I have shared some lovely time with both children, but Jonathan in particular. He's growing into a very sweet and sensitive young man. I am very proud of him. We had a parents' evening for Charlie this week and the teacher was saying how much she enjoyed having him in the class (despite him being a bit of a scamp) and I thought that was lovely.I am pleased he's progressing academically, but secretly I am always more pleased to hear he's happy, settled and has friends.

I have gone a long way to setting up my Etsy and Foksy stores, and have been very busy making stock. I will tantalise you with some pictures over the coming days. I have really enjoyed the process and am proud of what I have achieved.

I was bought a fantastic sewing machine for my birthday, so I am feeling really very lucky. I've been doing all sorts of fantastic embroidery and making of pillowcases and duvet covers. More of that next week I think.

Anyway, if you're stopping by I would love to hear what you're up to. 

Lots of love and big squeezes

Claire xxx