Blog is 1, and a few updates

A few weeks ago was the first birthday of this blog! For some reason I thought it was late March, but when I checked, my first ever blog post was actually March 1st, 2024.

Since that first post, I have written and published 90 blog posts. Reflecting on the last 13 months, I've definitely learnt some things along the way:

1. Blog posts take time to write - perhaps others are quicker, but it takes me about 45 - 90 minutes to write a post that takes 3-5 minutes to read. My original goal of 3 posts per week has been too much for most weeks, but 2 is about right on a typical week

2. It's already so much fun having a year's worth of reflections and memories to read back on.

3. Blog friends, and the blog community, are the best! I already have a few bloggers/commenters who are friends now, and the thoughtfulness and care from people in this community is truly special.

4. My number of readers (and commenters) of an average post has roughly tripled - this started low, and is still fairly low, but that's OK. I have done basically nothing to promote the blog in any way (other than be invited on a couple of guest posts of blog friends Elisabeth and Lisa - which was lots of fun!), and I don't post regularly enough to really grow - but that's OK for now. Maybe in another year or two when O is over 5 and I have more uninterrupted time.

A few updates:

I finished a re-read of Slow Productivity by Cal Newport - I really enjoyed it and found it calming and just the right message for me right now. Simplifying my priority list, accepting that there will be less productive (and more chaotic) periods, has been just the right strategy right now.

Cal’s best book yet, IMO. Also, how calming is the cover haha.

I drafted my Q2 goals for April - June. I realised with some days of leave as well as the public holidays, I only have 15 working days in April! Every week is short in some way or another. So I've adjusted (down!) my goals for April - or rather, there are more personal goals (Family fun at Easter/school holidays, mini-break for Al and I!) and less work goals in April. I have a big grant I'm writing which will be my main goal, a PhD student who is completing, and then my teaching work. May and June are more work-focused, and so my goals will reflect that. I may do a more in-depth post of my goals for Q2 if there’s interest.

We had a low-key weekend, and it was just what was needed. Friday night we did nothing - I was still feeling exhausted from the week of work, so I cooked us toasties and called it dinner!

Saturday it absolutely poured with rain - so we stayed home in the morning, kids played well and then a couple of hours of screen time. Then we took the kids over to mum and dad's for a playdate from 3-6pm and Al had an event to attend. I had a nap and finished Slow Productivity. It was lovely. Then Al and I headed over to mum and dad's for dinner. They had cooked a lamb roast- YUM! We had a nice evening and headed home about 8.30pm.

The next morning the kids slept in until 7.30, so I had a nice couple of hours in peace and quiet in order to do some Q2 planning. The weather had cleared up so I also had a walk in the morning, and then Al and I cleaned the house! The kids had a good play outside (our teen neighbour joined them for an hour too), and then we had some down time in the afternoon. Then it was the usual Sunday afternoon tidy/plan/fold laundry for the week ahead. Al took the kids to do grocery shopping and have a play, and then cooked dinner. And now its the start of a new week!

Random photos of the kids from the last few days.

She was dancing on the couch with a toy kangaroo, just because

This week involves:

a) two medical appointments for me (including one with the dermatologist!)

b) E's last week of school before a two week break

c) parent teacher interview this afternoon with E's teacher

d) Easter parade on Thursday at E's school (she needs to wear an Easter hat - do bunny ears count??)

e) O's day surgery for a hernia on Friday! This is a big one for us (involves a general anaesthetic and may take a few days of recovery). Al and I are both taking the day off, which of course then involves juggling other work days. Mum and Dad are having E on Friday which will be super helpful.

Any one else have a crazy looking April? What about this week? I hope everyone has a good week ahead. Wish us luck for Fridays surgery!