Cheating

I'm now on annual leave, but on Mon & Tues the kids are still at nursery - so really the 'hour' is not so hard on those two days!

Yesterday I worked the whole day (albeit on my bed, with the TV on!), I wanted to get some time on my business and managed to sort out a facebook page, twitter account and those sort of fiddly things. I now need to work out how to manage them all without just adding to the time I spend on-line... I still haven't got a handle on Google Adsense and those bits, but I'm sure I'll get there today.

Today I'm taking a different tack for my 'hour or so' by having a more relaxing morning. Having got up as normal, kids to nursery with appropriate 'Show and Tell' items and raincoats, they were in shorts yesterday!?! I then walked the dog and have had a long hot shower using all my favourite products from Lush and even had the time to put on face cream. OK, so it was a freebie face cream I found but I could still hear my skin singing a bit thank you.

I'm now going to read my book, with the Olympics in the background and feel the luxuary of no special deadline this morning.

Hours in the bag

Yesterday I managed to have more 'hours' than ever before! I feel like I've banked some for less relaxed days. In the morning I went for a 'photo shoot' to get some professional shots for my website, and hopefully to go along with any articles that get published. It was a great session and although I'm still not that comfortable with photos of me, I enjoyed the experience and look forward to seeing the results.

In the afternoon we were invited to a Summer Party in the street, so the boys went on time, and as G was having a nap I stayed at home  - and had a nap myself. There was an achingly long list of things I could have done, but with my new appreciation of time I felt it was OK to just take a break. The party when we did get there was lots of fun and the weather was brilliant too.

As I hadn't been 'bouncing' for as long as hubs - I wasn't so tired, so had a lovely cool walk in the park with the dog (another 'hour') and then read my book in bed while hubs snored gently beside me. So, four 'hours' in just one day - what a lovely day spent with friends, family and sunshine.

Today has also been a joy. Again meeting with friends, spending time as our small family unit and enjoying the Summer. A thunderstorm later was the British weather back to normal - but having the Olympics to watch indoors means we're never bored at the moment. 

My hope for tomorrow is that my long 'to do' list includes just enjoying my first day off, without the kids for a very long time.

To tweet, or not to tweet

it's been a really busy few days, not managed more than 5 secs to myself but all in a good way. The last two working days were packed with mental exhaustion (never needed the Summer break so badly), and then the last two 'family' days have been non-stop. But the idea of my hour wasn't about spending time alone, but appreciating the time I have and enjoying it more.

I'm currently up very late, watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, I feel very proud to be British, it's so exciting, I'm looking forward to all the wonderful sports to come over the next few weeks. I've never been a 'tweeter' although I've been thinking about opening an account over the last few days to help promote my business - I sudden wanted to be able to share the excitment of the Olympics and might try a 'tweet' tomorrow... It's already a busy day - so maybe on Sunday.

Every Second Counts

Well today was full of mixed blessings. Not managed more than five seconds to myself, but was very productive during my last day in the office before the Summer break and had a great team meeting which is always inspiring.

The heat seems to be affecting my brain power, as well as sapping any energy, so tonight will be early to bed (that said it's already 10pm!) and we'll be hopeful for tomorrow being less 'rich' in things to do. Of course after two days at paid work - Wednesday is usually the unpaid stuff like laundry, dishes, cleaning etc. However, as the kids get older and try to help it is at least a bit of fun to do and the me time comes from enjoying their company and watching them grow - the dust can wait.

My hour a day is more about refocusing my attention than actually racking up the 60mins. Today I reaslised how easy it is to focus on the wrong things - and forget the bigger picture. It's good to be reminded of what's truly important to me.

Bits and Bobs

I managed my hour today, but not all at once. I was at a great, productive meeting today, and a colleague bought me a hot chocolate afterwards and we got to have a chat. It was particularly nice as we work alongside each other regularly, but rarely get the chance to actually speak to one another about anything meaningful. Our passion about the Recovery Model in mental health were clear to see and it was a really wide ranging discussion.

Being a mum sometimes means I spend whole days only immersed in the children's world - which is a lovely place to be - but I do miss those very different kinds of challenging and engaging conversations that adults can have.

Back home

It was so nice to spend time with family, it's also nice to be home. I managed to get a few jobs done as well! While the gang watched a great movie one night (that I had already seen) I caught up with the latest copy of Writers Magazine - lots of good ideas and a few competitions to enter as well. I also got to discuss some ideas with people I trust, which is always a great way to get feedback and honesty.

Most exciting was trying out a Blackberry - it was much more user friendly than I had thought and I could see lots of potential...

All in all it was a great few days away from the normal craziness and although I didn't have lots of particular 'me time' that was good too.

Oops - missed one

Yesterday I just didn't get a chance to get to a computer - mainly because we are away with family and arrived late last night with no signal. Also because I didn't manage my hour yesterday, even though I had a really lovely day.

It's raised the issue of whether I should get better at using my 'phone for internet things... or whether I need an iPad!! Need is such an interesting word, I really want to go to a business women's conference in London, but the price is extraordinarily high and I can't justify it at the moment...

The signal here is pretty bad so I may not get to fill you in on my 'hours' over the next few days, but we're here to spend time and care with someone very special, so there won't be any 'hours' and that is how it should be.

Time Out (the good kind)

I went on a date today - with hubs! We were both off work and decided that although there is a comprehensive list of things we could have done, and feel very productive about - it would actually be nice to just spend some time together and not be at all efficient.

So, we put the rat race to one side for a few hours and went for a potter about. We had a great time, and included a trip to the cinema; ice cream and all. We even managed to use the cinema vouchers given to us when Z was born - 3 years ago! The trip was so lovely and we both benefitted from the 'time out' that we've pledged to go to the cinema once a month, and see if lovely GG will babysit... We've never had a night out yet without family babysitting, but GG is like family and I really think we'll benefit from some down time, our working lives are very busy and can be stressful - and seeing a movie is such a great escape.

Being a parent is such a joy - but so is being a wife and I don't want to loose the joy of that in the 'to do' list.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy

I got a bit of a freebie today in terms of time. At the weekends we've fallen into a pattern of one of us getting up with the kids and the other having a hour or so to lye in - or read a book etc. It's a win-win as it's nice to spend some special time with the kids, and of course also nice to have a bit of time to sleep more.
This morning instead of sleeping I decided to enjoy the hour more consciously and started on the latest issue of Writing Magazine. I always find it useful and interesting, and it was nice to sit with my highlighter and find some tips or ideas of things to try. This issue was no exception and my 'to do' list has now grown a little.

The loveliness of the morning continued into a beautiful day. I am on annual leave tomorrow and the kids will be at nursery, so I've just ended the day getting all my paperwork up to date so that tomorrow I can really just do something relaxing. It's crazy late, but there is a real relief from having so many envelopes ready and waiting for the post office, and forms for work and the dreaded tax return all done.

Now all I have on my list are things that are exciting to move my business forward or ideas for the holidays. Of course the laundry has piled up after a day off, but that is always there so I'll get to it eventually. Last job of the day is to book my photography session - I've been offered a 'me hour' to get some professional shots for my website... sounds great and proves the power of a blog.

Careful what you wish for...

Friday was just lovely, time with the kids and with good friends, but as usual it was also quite busy. So, when hubs came home and had to work for a couple of hours I decided to have my hour by popping to get a few bits we needed at the supermarket.

Of course these things always sound great (and in fairness it would usually be something I would enjoy), but in fact I was tired and the bits we needed were stressful to find and I ended up hungry, exhausted and confused! Another late night meant I didn't even manage to do this blog, which I had promised myself I would do every day. But the good news is that today was really blissful and I intend to be in bed before 11pm for the first time this week - that's a promise to myself I am going to keep.

Today I haven't had any special time to myself, but frankly haven't felt any the worse for wear, it was a beautiful day with family and W from a previous blog also came on a surprise visit. While hubs watches an old movie I'm going to update my website and will have had a pretty perfect day. Roll on tomorrow.

Can I carry hours over?

What a wonderful morning and evening (less said about the middle the better...). I was on a training session this morning, and it's always refreshing to be on the other side of the desk - brilliant group and some really valuable discussions.

Tonight I've just returned from a Women In Business networking meeting, I found it at the last minute, and already had childcare so thought I'd take that as a sign I should go. It was very inspiring and I'm really glad I took the time to think about where I want to take things. It was way more than my hour for me - maybe an hour in the bank for tomorrow. Even though it's been a crazy busy week and I could have done with time to relax, and time with the family - it was an opportunity not to be missed and I feel more inspired to really think about how I want things to move on.

Now it's time to enjoy a Friday with no special plans or obligations. My hope for tomorrow is lots of laughter and maybe a tiny bit of sunshine...

shortest post ever

Just got back from giving a talk, not had a minute to even think today, but it's been a really wonderful day. Took the kids and grandparents to the zoo - where the weather was kind, came home to a sunny garden and got lots of useful jobs done while the kids were entertained and then met a really great WI and tried out a new talk on them - which was successful.

Off to bed now, and to say a passing 'hi' to my husband in case he forgets what I look like...

Does working for myself count?

I've just spent well over an hour completing a talk for tomorrow night - I know it was work, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm really pleased with the outcome. PowerPoint can be a bit dry and boring, but with some tasteful animation and a nice design layout I think the talk and slides are really interesting (but then I'm biased). It's a new group I haven't spoken to before, so it's always nice to meet new clients and hopefully get further bookings.

Of course, this does mean there is a long list of things I haven't done... like made the bed for my guests that are now looking quite tired (they are family who stay a lot so working was ok - I promise). It also means the dog hasn't his evening walk yet, the toys haven't gone away, the dishwasher hasn't been emptied etc. etc. But sometimes I think it's ok to let those things wait while something more important takes place.

I often teach about the difference between important and urgent - and how important often gets left and left. I enjoyed allowing important to take the lead tonight, and the toys will still be there in the morning. I will however go for a quick, and wet, walk with the dog...

Spoke too soon...

Well today didn't go to plan on the 'My Hour' front - but Monday is always a crazy day for us. I was very productive and efficient, just not able to get time to do my own thing - also failed in my other goal to be in bed by 10pm to try and catch up on some sleep.

Today was a good day however, teaching a Coping with Loss course was draining, but very satisfying. Catching up with my son's key worker for a nursery Parent Evening was weird at such a young age, but it's always nice to hear that all is well. Then off to one of my reading groups - childcare mix up so only able to drop off the cake and say 'hi' before two very tired children lost interest in attending. Then back to put tired ones to bed, do the tax return and eat. Food shopping got delivered and put away, the most basic tidying up and I'm fit to drop.

One of the exercises I introduced the students to today was listing 3 things about the day that were good, and one hope for tomorrow. In the spirit of practicsing what I preach:

• The group today were really great to teach, keen and engaged and good at feedback.
• The dog hadn't eaten anymore CD's by the time I got home.
• My son is progressing as he should be - he's totally normal.

My hope for tomorrow is that I finish my talk for Wednesday night in time!

Made it - day one at least...

I decided to start with something really simple - so phoned a good friend who I rarely talk to. We live quite far apart, and only get to meet up about twice a year, but she's the sort of friend that is so easy to catch up with. We spoke for 59 minutes which was a real joy - we didn't talk about anything very deep and meaningful, but it was nice to chew the cud and check in with each other. I felt far more satisfied than if I'd just watched tv for that hour.

W is a special person, we are both similar in our low-key attitude to life, although she is far better at the practicalities (that's a polite way to say she's a clean freak...) but she's special to me as she is the person that drove me to the hospital a few years ago now and held my hand when the nurse said there was no heart beat on the monitor... and that I would miscarry my first pregnancy over the next few days. As an Army wife I was on my own at that time, and no family close by. W had left work with no explanation and just did everything I needed for that day - and most valuable to me was that she actually listened to what I wanted. When I said I wanted to be left alone for the night she just checked once and left - she trusted my judgement and I will always be grateful for that.

Friendship isn't always about the time you spend with someone, but the quality and equality of those interactions. We have remained good friends, despite the distances and lack of regular contact. I hope she doesn't read this I as expect she would be most embarrassed by my emotional tale - I also suspect I have never told her how precious she was that day.

Day One

My latest mission is to find on hour in every day to do something just for 'me'. I realise that this appears a completely self centered desire, but it's surprising how other roles in life mean that being just me gets harder and harder. I love the other roles to bits, but I miss me too.

So, here goes.