A renewed hobby

For many years I have loved working on scrapbooks. As a military wife, I live away from my familly and I miss them. When I work on my scrapbooks, I see the pictures of them and of my children and husband when things were simpler. I have many finished books that I love to look at. When I look at the books and the pictures I only remember the fun times and the good memories. I never see the stress when I see my pictures.
So, with the craziness of the past few years and all the moving we have done(We moved 3 times last year alone), I have not had much time for working on my books. On friday, I was able to spend 4 hours at the USO working on my scrapbooks with some friends that I met when we got here. It has been hard for me to get out and meet new people. So, when I was invited to go and work on my albums, I took the chance. I packed up my bag, and packed a bag for my daughter who is not is school yet. We went and spent 4 hours having a good time working on our books and getting to know a few more people.
I am so glad for the chance to get reacquainted with a hobby that I love so much. I worked on our familly vacation to Florida and was able to remember the good time we had there. I feel so at peace when I work on my books, and I am sure that is something everyone can use more of in this crazy and hectic world that we love in.
In addition to scrapbooking, I have found a new hobby and interest that goes along with it. It is photography. I have a new digital camera and I have really enjoyed taking pictures that I can send to family and friends. A am even thinking of taking a photography class. I am not sure I can find one here in Germany, but I am sure I might be able to find something online. So on my road to rediscovery, I am branching out and trying new things as well as renewing old hobbies. It feels great.

Something for me.

Well, here I am at the end of another day. Filled with much of the same stuff as every other day. but, today was a little different. I took some time out for me. My husband, who was out of town on Valentines day, got me a gift package for a massage and a pedicure. Well, today I used them. We all drove to the salon, and then he took the kids while I went in to be pampered. This is something that doesn't happen too often. I always feel obligated to attend to everyone elses needs and not look out for my own.
I think this may prove to be a challenging road ahead. Learning how to take care of myself after years of neglect. I have noone to blame but myself. I also know that only I can help myself. I want to be able to serve my family, but not at the expense of time for myself.
So, this is my road to discovery. To spend time writing and trying to figure out what I need and what my family needs so that we can have more peace in our home with all needs being met. I love my family and I want to be able to give them my best.
Maybe I should begin with all the wonderful things they do for me. My husband is so very patient with me and respects me for who I am, and who I could be. He loves me no matter what. I am grateful for that. In fact, he has incouraged me for years to take time for me.
Now maybe in these quiet moments I can begin to figure out who I am and where my life is going.

Always room for something new

I have come to the conclusion that there is always room for something new in a persons life. My life is so full of things right now that I thought I didn't have time to start something new. But, I have discovered that if it fills a need in your life you will find time for it. I have a need in my life right now for an outlet. I am a stay at home mom, and I love my family and the work I do for them. I would also love to have some time for me.
We spent most of the past year moving around for my husbands job, and now we will be settled for at least 3 years. Not long, I know, but in my husbands work 3 years is a long time. We are living in Germany and trying to learn a new language. In fact, when I tried to sign up for this blog it came up in German and I couldn't read it.
But, I digress. I have been spending my time trying to make things easier for my husband, my children and everyone around me, but I have been forgetting myself. So, I started this as a way to take time for myself and help me contemplate my life. So, if you read this and are interested great, if not that is great too, because this is mostly for me.

mrsjake