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.