Lost motivation...found.

(A little of what we've been up to lately.)

Well, it doesn't take the most alert person in the world to discover I've been missing from the blogging scene in a while. Yes, it's been far too long since my last post. Yes, I am aware that a blog is only interesting if one updates it on occasion. Yeah, I know. But for many, many weeks now, I just haven't been feeling it. I haven't felt like blogging. I haven't felt like scapbooking. I haven't felt like doing much of anything but taking a break when I found some free time on my hands. And free time? It's a luxury around here.

Life has been busy. Like it is for everyone else I know, life is always busy. The kids are both in soccer. My son is in baseball, too. They're both in school all day, every day. I'm working a new schedule that is taking some getting used to. I don't have Fridays off anymore, and that's throwing me for a loop. I also stop working a couple of hours earlier than I'm used to, when the kids come home from school, which means I'm working more evenings after they go to bed to make up the time. We're lucky to get laundry done, get to the grocery, clean the toilets on occasion, clear (or just move) the mail and newspapers and kids' schoolwork and random toys off the kitchen table long enough to eat a meal or two, get the kids to school on time, get our work done, get showers every day, etc. There just hasn't been a lot of time for doing the fun stuff, the creative stuff I need in order to keep my sanity.

Add to that the fact that my weekly routine of planned, scheduled scrapbook time with friends, which has been on my personal calendar since shortly after I got married 11 years ago (albeit with an ever-changing group of friends!), came to an abrupt halt recently, and the fact that my regular source of inspiration (my scrapbook magazines) have suddenly dropped from 10 and 12 to six and eight issues a year, and my creative juices have been suddenly sitting idle, longing for a little stir now and then.

I've been feeling the effects. I know I need a little creative time nearly every day to keep myself feeling square with the world. Not scrapbooking or making time to learn more about photography or take photos of my kids or organize my ever-expanding photo library has left me feeling blah.

But just in the last week or two, that little creative spark has returned. I can't put my finger on why. Maybe I just needed a little break after all of these years of scrapping. Maybe I just needed to settle into our new school-year routine. Maybe my brain finally got in synch with my body again. Who knows? But you know what? It feels good. I hope to be back to scrappin' and back to bloggin' with some sort of regularity again soon. Just not this week - or next. Work duties call, and I'm on deadlines! But I have a feeling the passion has returned...and will be sticking around for a while. So I'll find a way to squeeze 'em in.

*****

Scrapbook page sources:

• Chalkboard paper and pencil: Old School kit, Marcee Duggar, The Digital Scrapbook Place.
• Pink papers: Katie Pertiet, Catch a Rainbow, DesignerDigitals.com.
• Fonts: Marker Felt (headline and date line), unknown body font (I accidentally flattened my PSD and can't go back to find out!)

PS All of those odd white spaces in the journaling are where I've blocked out my daughter's friend's names and some other personal identifying stuff. Can't be too careful about privacy these days, right?

Comments

[Erica]

Glad to see you back. Hope everyone is doing well.

[Corie]

Thanks, Erica! We're all doing well. Kids are off to a great start for the school year, and Chad and I are keeping our heads above water as best we can. Hope you're doing well, too! Love seeing photos of your new town on Facebook. Wish we could figure out a way to make a trip out your way! But unless you're there three years from now, the chances aren't looking good! :o) So I'll continue to watch for photos from you. It looks like a beautiful town/city!

[Kelly]

Well, pat yourself on the back for getting back into things, Cor! As you can probably tell from my blank blog lately I am left with no time and little motivation. It stinks since I think blogging and scrappin' are great outlets for us busy moms! Well, maybe you'll motivate me and I'll be back in the swing of things soon! Love the K pics. Hard to believe E is that old. Where has the time gone? Hang in there!

[Corie]

Thanks, Kelly! I have been missing your blog posts lately, but I knew you had a lot on your plate, and I TOTALLY understand (obviously) about not having time or motivation. :o)

And I have NO idea where the time goes, but I wish with all of my might I could slow it down a little!