Just Being

Still waiting for fall. And waiting, and waiting. Beautiful warm sunny days and still not a sweater in sight.

I've been in my new studio for about a month now and I absolutely love it. It's so nice to sit by the window all day and watch the neighbourhood, listen to classical music and create, create, create. My husband's office has been relegated to the basement - his choice - don't forget, this was all his idea, and apparently he's lonely. I may say we can move everything back in a soothing voice, but really - I'm not going anywhere. And the dining room table is clear - and we've been eating there. That's great too. I find we spend a lot longer together over dinner - talking, laughing. I think this move has been good for us in so many ways. We only have dinner together as a family a few nights a week, so it really helps spending this extra time together.

In the fall and winter, I do find that I cocoon, and with the pressure of getting ready for the West Coast Women's Show (www.westcoastwomen.net) and the other upcoming Christmas markets, I have withdrawn a bit from the social swing of things. That's okay though - like I said, I think our focus right now is certainly more on family life. Family is the one constant and I am not about to take it for granted any longer. Friends come and go, mostly go really, and I am not a believer in the whole idea of a "BFF." As a family, we are making some decisions about some major changes in our lifestyle and location that will hopefully come to pass in the next two years. (Nova Scotia anyone?) Then it's only a hop across the pond to move to Europe in the future too. I don't want to grow stagnant by staying in the same city all my life, and I want my children to know more that this part of the world. I find it scary when you meet people that basically live down the road from where they grew up. Come on - get out of town. Start fresh with no baggage, no preconceptions of who you are supposed to be, and no pretending to be someone else just to hang onto a friendship.

I know that this all may sound a trifle negative, especially with regards to friendship, but it's not. I like having friends and I'm very loyal to them. It's just that I think that I have reached, finally, a place in my life where I am content with myself and my family, and they need to be the focus of my attention and affection. They are my world and I treasure my time with them.