A moment of inspiration

So I felt inspired the other day, inspired to be creative, which is rare… okay, maybe not that rare, but the fact that I actually did something about it is unusual.

I have to admit that I am not very artistic. Art courses that were suppose to help pull my grades up in school, actually pulled them down, so I basically decided to focus on non-artistic pursuits instead. I didn’t really mind, but I have always wished I was more artistic and crafty. My grandmother was one of those people who can look at something and then reproduce it, and add her own signature to it; my sister can do this too. I on the other hand, just admire people who can do this.

Anyway, the other day, I was visiting one of my favourite sites - http://www.ohdeedoh.com - and noticed that people were making lots of cute play kitchens for their little ones. And then I thought, hey I can make something too. It will not be as elaborate as most of these, but I think I might be able to come up with something.

So I made this:
I had an old packing box lying around – it used to be a tunnel for my little one – I cut two openings in it – one for the ‘oven’ and another for a ‘cupboard’; coloured in the range with a sharpie; cut a hole to put a ‘sink’ in (an old take out container); and finally used old wine corks for door knobs and oven knobs.

The knobs even move. We used screws and washers to put the knobs on so that they can spin (my husband helped me with this part as I had no clue where our screws and washers were).



My little one seems to like to play with it, and now she cooks with me while I make our lunch and dinner.

I think this little project, though it was very simple, made me feel a bit proud of myself. That I am not completely artistically inept… and I can now proudly say… Look! I made this!

The weather is changing

The weather is getting colder now… I guess this means less walks to the park and going outside to play. Now I have to think of more indoor activities to do, at least until the snow comes. So I guess it also means more time to think…

Lately I have been thinking about my complete lack of wanting to go back to work. Before my darling one came, I thought I would be back at work by now, but I remember as her one year birthday approached, the more I dread the thought of looking for a job and going back. I am extremely happy just being at home and watching her discover something new each day. I am very lucky in that I have a choice to not go back to work. Actually, I think for us, it would actually cost us money if I went back to work, as I do not think I can find a job that will justify the daycare costs. And then there is the cost of time. I do not think I want to be away from her all day and miss out on the funny little things. On the other hand, there are days when I feel very tired, and she is being extremely bad that I think to myself… mommy is going to get a full time job right now… and then she will smile and give me a kiss, and I am once again so glad that I am at home.

Is it really so bad to not want to work? Sometimes I feel like I am being lazy. Other women are able to balance being a working mother and raise perfectly happy and well-adjusted children, my mom did it. Am I wasting the many many (and many) years that I have spent in school? Sometimes I feel like I am being selfish. I just want to spend as much time as possible with her, because I know one day soon she will not really need me anymore. I guess there will never a right answer to this going back to work or staying at home question… And I will just take it one day at a time.