Grab a cuppa - here's some fantastic reading for the weekend

I have two feedly accounts - one for home and one for work. The work one is for stuff I just read and skim - no further action is required. The home one is where I need to click through to read the full post (99% of blogs are blocked at work) or I need to comment (so all the personal blogs) or if they have podcasts I'm not subscribed to.

Anyway, that's a very long-winded way of saying because of this doubling up scenario, I have a TON of posts I want to share with you, so let's do this.



1. on how reading some blogs can make some women feel inadequate

my favourite quote from the blog post...

"if a blog is making you feel inadequate rather than inspired, it is totally okay to admit that you’re not strong enough to handle it.  Stop reading that blog and spend your internet time consuming material that fuels you and brings you joy instead".

I don't have this with lifestyle/ parenting/ photo blogs, but I do get like this with business stuff. There's a lady who started her online coaching thing the exact same month as I did. She is uber successful and here I am, still struggling to fill an 8-person workshop.

On that, I'm actually wondering whether it's time to let go.

not K's hands; they belong to some random child at a party

2. What's your organising style?

A post I wrote late last year for another blog and forgot to share here. When you've figured yours out, please comment and tell me about your style.



3. a fascinating read on spatial synthesia

This is definitely the most interesting read. I think I have a very mild form of synthesia - with numbers and some random things. Connor might have a bit of this going on because he told me the other day how his one finger was sad, and I remember thinking I used to think the same as a child. It's the way the finger looks.
  


4. We always read parenting posts from mothers, but here's one from a new dad. Honest and a wonderful read!



5. Speaking of parenting, here's a post on parenting as an introvert. I was fascinated because my D is an introvert. Right below that post, there's one on parenting as an extrovert :)

And that's it, folks!

Which is your favourite link?

What do you have planned for the weekend?

I'm going to finish a podcast and then jump into bed with my book and a big mug of hot tea :)

PS if listening is more your thing, I spoke about my 5 favourite podcasts on the Organising Queen blog today. Enjoy!

 

Life in South Africa and some {really great} reading for the weekend

This is my 15th "some reading for the weekend" post - amazing since I only do them once a month!

 



 

 

Anyway, I've got some good ones for you today.... and I constrained myself to only share 7 links!

 

1. I could have written this post....because this is one of my tricks too :)

 

2. I love being the boss lady. You?

 

3. Glennon does Sunday School.

 

4. I seriously LOVE this idea. When can we start?

 

5. It turns out I love the Bored Housewife type of books. What about you?

 

6. 10 career lessons from my favourite new (to me) blog, Cup of Jo

 

7. When it's time to break up with a blog... and authenticity on the internet

 

 

On one of our recent walks, I noticed that Connor was a teensy bit obsessed by electric fences. He talks about all the different types, etc, etc. (I just like flowers peeking out from amongst them...)

It then occured to me that this is probably not normal for kids outside of South Africa.

 

What kind of (normal to you) things are your kids obsessed with?

 

 

Which is your favourite link?

Surprising things about parenting around the world

I stumbled upon A cup of Jo recently because of one of her parenting around the world posts.

Be prepared to be a bit OCD like me and read ALL the surprising things about being a parent in Turkey and .... many other countries.

And if you're curious (again, like me), you'll even read some of the comments on each.

Enjoy - you are very welcome.

Which was your favourite post?

Best comments - England!
Place I now want to visit - Istanbul

Some reading for the weekend, and weird things South Africans say

 
Things multiples are tired of hearing

Proof that kids fight more when both parents are around

On 5th grade mean girls

Her definition of good friends

Weird things Australians say.

I commented on that last post but as usual, my comment is somewhere in Wordpress Neverland. (Right there is why I don't comment on many WP blogs I actually find interesting)

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We should talk about weird things South Africans say. We say "robots" for "traffic lights" and "tomato sauce" for "ketchup".

What else can you think of?

Which was the most interesting link?

Some reading for the weekend

Charlotte, North Carolina

I realised I'd better start sharing all these links I keep collecting.

So here they are - there's something for everyone.

Sharing finances in a marriage

I love stationery

Adventures with boys made me laugh

This is how I'm currently spending my days

Infertile women in the Bible

Another view on the currently popular green smoothie 

Which was your favourite link?

PS it's the shortest day of the year. Louisa's been waiting for this one!

Some reading for the weekend

There's such a lot of good things around, don't you find?

The key for me is to balance the reading with doing. By balance I mean a lot more doing than reading about doing, and first doing then reading, in the case of blogging.

Do you battle with the balance at all?

I used to, until I set myself a little rule - first blog, then read blogs, and that seems to work for me.


And now, some other loveliness I found on the internet.


This post made me think hard about parenting.

I think I need to start playing more with my iphone.

Genius idea, especially because I normally kill plants.

This is just plain old inspiring.

And last but not least, look at this gorgeous photography. Bee-yoo-ti-ful


Which is your favourite link?

Some reading for the weekend

Friends, some of these links are from last year because I've been saving them forever....even though I haven't posted any!

Since we talk a lot about friendship on this blog, this is a good litmus test

I love this post about designing your life. Sometimes it's the small things.

This one on marriage gets quite heated in the comments. However, I agree with the post.

I love, love, LOVE this idea to keep your word of the year top of mind.

Ronnie's making over her life. I could add about 5 things from her list to my goals list :)


Which was your favourite link?

Is there a link you think I absolutely should read this weekend? Leave it in the comments.

I haven't done this for awhile

I forgot to mention yesterday that I'm teaching a course at the church.

It's to train people to be able to sit with a church member and help them to discover their passion, gifts and personal style. As you can guess, right up my alley.

In fact, I ran that ministry for 6 years and it was the best 6 ministry years of my Christian life :) The course is 5 weeks long and if I wasn't in this current role, I'd jump back in!

I started this little series last year and checking my archives, I only did 8 posts.

Oh well, time to start again.

They didn't prove very popular but I liked being able to find some things I really liked reading, so I'm at it again.

With that said, here's some reading for a Sunday night:

Here's the engagement shoot and here's the wedding - these are my absolute favourite photoshoots ever!

This post made me laugh although school choices are not actually a laughing matter and a topic I totally avoid talking about.

I think I could never do this... but I kind-of have, with work clothes.

I 100% agree with this entire post on slowing down. It shouldn't surprise me since she's an ESTJ like me and a blog friend.

A really good reminder in our "documenting every moment" current reality. This is a new blog to me and I LOVE her heart!


Which is your favourite link?

PS Do you ever get the Sunday night blues? I do. And then it's a vicious spiral of denial, staying up too late, realising one more thing at 11:30, reading til 12:30 and a rushed Monday morning. hmmm.

Some reading for the week

A brief look at how I organise my photos (while you're there, please note - finally, my blog makeover. The people I hired were SUPER fast, easy to work with and I will always use them again!)



Mini goals for September 

The decision to log off Facebook



I'm sure I could make this, except I don't really like cats. Do you?(MandyE, are we still friends?!)

A beautiful city hall wedding 

and last but not least, a post on

Homework
 
Which was your favourite link?

This "leaning in" business :)

I had a coffee yesterday with my ex-boss who, on the 8th will be my ex ex-boss :) Only four working days left in the current role!

As we do, we got onto subjects about things I've read around the internet.

So I asked him what he thinks of all these Leaning In blog posts and he didn't know what I was talking about.

"ooohhhh, you're a man" I said :)

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook. I think it's awesome and if she can make that kind of powerful position work together with being a wife and mother (no matter HOW she does it), more power to her.

I personally love my relaxation time too much to make the same choices but she's doing it and doing it well.

The thing I never get about women is how we like to tear one another down.

What is the deal with that?

It's madness.

So she's written this book called Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. I haven't read it yet because at the moment the Kindle price is still too high (my money boundary is $10) but I'm so insanely curious I might just "splurge" (not be cheap) and get it.

All over the internets I'm seeing both sides - people liking her message and people tearing her down because she's rich and she can afford nannies. Um, what? My life's work is about making things work easier for people. For you. And if you have the money to pay to make your life easier, then USE it.

Yet... other women are jealous and I've seen some of that "she's not a real mother" business happening which is SO old, I wish people would give it a rest already!

Anyway!

In an effort both to share things you might not have seen around the internet and for me to pull it all together in one place, here are my favourite posts about this Sheryl Sandberg/ Leaning In business.


Watch this video - Sheryl's TED talk in 2010 - we need to discuss point two some more on this blog about male/ female household tasks :) :)

Leaning in: my 2 cents and 2 quibbles

Sit at the table

10 things Sheryl Sandberg gets exactly right in Lean In

Working from Home, Leaning In and All That Jazz

And of course, Brazen Careerist's take on things (I don't agree with what she says about SS and her kids but I do like what she says about most of us in corporates not being able to live that life)

Which is exactly what I've been thinking about a lot lately.

I always assumed early on in my career that my career path was up, up and up some more. But now it's very obvious - I'm sooo not cut out for senior management (exco) but that does leave me wondering where I'm likely to end up.

I'm a strange paradox - ambitious but I also like work/ life balance. I suppose I work hard and play hard :)

I'm a bit hesitant to even voice these thoughts aloud.

Do you think about these things? Where you'll be in the world at, say, age 50... 55.... 60.... 65?

In the interview for the job I start in April, I'll be team member 8. The manager's been there for 2.5 years. The average length of time worked for the current team members is about 6 months. 6 months!

He said the turnover is about 2 years...or sooner.

So something I have to think about is a next move and I honestly don't know where that will be or what that will look like. I do know this experience will be very good for me.

Anyway, this article on not wanting to be the CEO really talks to me. Anyone relate?


So, dare I ask?

What do you think about this leaning in business?

Are you senior management material?  

There are people who read three times as much as I do and some reading for the weekend

My reading goal is 5 a month although in Jan I read 8 and in Feb I read 7 books.

And you guys always tell me I read a lot and how do I find the time to do that.



Well.

Imagine what went through my mind when I came across two bloggers who read about 17 books a month.

I actually searched and looked through the blog to find the one person's contact details because you all know I hate WP - it just never accepts the first comment of mine on any WP blog.

That lady wrote back and said something like she's a SAHM, and she reads every night from 7 pm.

EVERY NIGHT, people.

I was inspired.

I also read a post recently by Leonie Dawson (she of the lovely yearly planners a lot of you liked when you saw it on my facebook feed) who read over 100 books last year.

How?

By not reading blogs, social media, etc.

Okay, so I'm not totally mad (I need my blog fix) but I can certainly be more intentional about it, right?
 

I'm bringing back my 2 hour blog reading thing in full force!

And hopefully that still happens WHEN I get the new job because about 30 mins of my daily blog reading happens at work while I eat. More on this later...

Nevertheless, it raises a very good question:

If you didn't spend as much time reading blogs or social media, what could you accomplish that you say you don't have time for?

I have so many links for you to read but I'm going to only link to a few.

1. This wedding in Dublin is perfect.

At first when I was looking, my eyes narrowed and I thought, "this is not an American wedding". It was so normal and yet so stylish and let's face it, these days weddings seem to me to be way over the top.

2. on raising your introverted child

3. I love posts like this - on outsourcing

4. And this one on how nannies are not slaves is equally interesting

5. Last but not least, a very favourite post from my current favourite personal finance blog on the anti-budget

And now, I'm taking my own advice, getting off the computer. D and I have a Seinfeld night :)

How was your Saturday?

Decluttering feed readers and some reading for the weekend

I don't think I mentioned but early in February (after the pile-up of posts in my Google Reader from the holiday) I decided to declutter my subscriptions.

I started with 109 and ended up with 85. Isn't that fantastic? I can't even remember which ones I unsubscribed from which is as it should be.

And I'm back up to 94 now - I just checked. So I want to get that figure down to 80 or thereabouts again.

More in another post on how I find blogs because it's interesting (at least to me) 

How many subscriptions do you have in your Google Reader?

I'm stretching myself with some night photos - view from rooftop of Bedford Centre

I subscribe to Simple Mom and she does a linky every Sunday. I must tell you, I know before I even sit down with my cup of tea that I'll want to click on each and every one of those 5 - 6 links.

I like to think my links are also always click-worthy :) :)

1. This cake makes me so very happy. Seriously, I smiled SO BIG.
2. When our personal goals change and she also wrote an excellent Project Life post for the non-crafty :)
3. I love the mindset part of this post more than the how-tos
4. Susannah Conway on the 3 layers of self-care. Oh how I loved this post.
5. I wrote two great posts (well, I loved them!)on the organising blog. How I find time to do things when the babies are awake and a review of what successful people do on the weekends.
6. and this post is why I realised I need to declutter more blogs because I'm spending too much time on energy type 3 and 4

Then, obviously I'm a full-time working mother and I've recently stumbled upon a whole stack of blogs by very clever working mothers. Would some of you be interested in me linking to some of those posts? I am FASCINATED by how other people do the work/ life balance thing plus all the yahoo stuff going on around the internet. It sure beats the stuff going on in my country :)

Which was your favourite link?

While I wilt in this heat...

how long do you suppose I can keep trotting out beach pics?!

So last night when I started unpacking my stuff from the holiday, I realised that all my clothes felt just a little bit damp.

Isn't that disgusting?

I chucked everything into the tumble drier to dry it all properly.

How quickly we forget the humidity at the sea!

There were 3 mini-piles of ironing to do and I did another 2 loads of laundry today. It's the PERFECT day to dry washing on the line. PERFECT.

Dear Lord, thank you for the DRY Joburg heat, even if it is 30 degrees and I'm wilting.

I went just a little bit mad this morning - I told the kids to pack their toys away and if I got to 3, I was removing everything I saw.

Well.

K started packing up her stuff and C looked at me defiantly while I tossed!

I won't throw it all out (that would be wasteful) but there are a few things which will leave. And his scissors have been removed for a week because he cut the elastics from his slippers :)

There is now a laundry basket full of toys banished to the cottage and I feel like I can breathe in that sunroom again.

I went a little mad in Mr Price Home too. I went in for pillows (I can't be the only one that is obsessed with sleeping on NICE pillows all the time, right?) as the kids' ones are looking just a little bit sad, especially after the lovely bedding in the Ballito flat.

Well, the pillows cost R200 and I came out with R1000 worth of who-knows-what? Lovely decorative pillows, tea towels, photo albums (Mr P Home now sells photo albums), etc.

I also returned some more of the clothes I bought that day at Pick and Pay - 3 items for R260, so I'm trying to be responsible. And I have a pair of shoes in my car to return to Woolworths.



Question before I share this week's links: do you like seeing these or is it too much?

I love them because it's a glimpse into what I star in my Google Reader (as if you care), I can share a pretty pic and a new font (the one above is called cinnamon cake) and I can share some linky love.

1. 14 photographers, 1 post - you are my wild - I would love someone (volunteers) to put together something like this and we can share one pic for the week of our kids :)
2. Passion, action and money (I read blogs like this for fun)
3. I really liked this one about ambition and anxiety
4. Sex before dinner :) for a certain dot dot dot blogger. It makes sense... but what about cleaning the kitchen :) A little-known fact about me - I was once quoted in a magazine as saying "a clean kitchen is like
5. And this is why I love Susannah Conway
6. A personal fun list for 2013. We could all do this, right?
7. Being happy despite Pinterest pressure

What kind of heat do you prefer? dry heat or humidity?
Which was your favourite link?
Have you started reading any new blogs because of my links?

Some reading for the weekend and a really nice pic

SIL and Kendra - I love this pic! They've bonded so nicely this holiday

I only have a few links this week mainly because my Google Reader is very full and unread :( *ahem* 182 *ahem*

Four personality types by Gretchen Rubin (good thing I'm not at work otherwise I'd have read all the comments too!)
Culinary traditions from Artsyville
A very cute birthday party which I may just have to copy :) :)

And that's it for this week's reading. Be prepared for a bumper edition when I get up-to-date with my reading :)

Which is your favourite link?

PS feel free to tell me about the favourite link you came across this week in the comments

{Friendship Friday} & I think I may be a cold person

When I checked my starred items in Google Reader, I see I have quite a bit this week. I'm going to post them all anyway because some will appeal to different people.

Go get a nice cup of tea :)

This post made me very sad. Please go send some love.
This made me laugh.
This video is apparently making people cry. Not me. That's why I think I'm cold.
However, this one did. LOVE it all.
This post reminds me of my word for the year.
I also need to write some rules for my life.
How to pick a husband if you want to have kids - talks to my MBTI nerdiness :)

Right, despite my very best intentions, I have still not stopped FF.

I had a wonderful time on Sat with my two twin-mom friends at the half birthday celebration.

And later today I'll be in the Joburg CBD carousing with two others where we'll be taking pics.

There is a 100% chance of rain today according to the Weather SA app - I'm hoping for overcast weather while we're out and about and rain once I arrive home :)

Although I have my purple umbrella with me and I may just beg them to take some pics of me with my umbrella like this one :)

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Janet on Pinterest

Which was your favourite link?
Did any of those videos make you cry? 1 or 2?



A tiny bit of {Friendship Friday} plus a new little feature

Can I just say how it warmed my heart to see all of your 3 goals for January in the comments over here?

People are embracing the New Year. I so hope we can continue this throughout the year. I'll be here blogging away but it will be nice if others join me besides my faithful goals sidekick, Mandy.

Are you starting with your 3 goals this weekend?

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I know I've officially stopped the regular Friendship Friday BUT I actually have two friend things to talk about this week.

I went back to work on Wednesday and it was a beautifully grey and overcast day.

While driving, I thought to myself, "oh God, you know just how to cheer me up with the grey skies" and so when I was at work, I took a pic and Instagram/ Facebooked it. (I don't post all my instagrams to FB by the way).

And then dear Lesley sent me the most awesome scripture in a FB comment which I made into a little print :)

Beautiful! I was on a HIGH! Thanks again, Lesley, for listening to God and encouraging me accordingly.

And then later that day the messenger brought me a package they'd been keeping for me.

A gift from MandyE.

When I opened the card and looked through everything, I cried. Seriously, I cried. Thank goodness there was no-one in the office.

You see, Mandy made me magnets with each of the places we'd been together - the hotel, two places we ate at, my word for 2011, and maps of Charlotte and NYC.

She also got an ornament made for me which I will treasure forever.

Everytime I think about it, I get all teary.

Isn't it the most special thing ever?

(I wrote her a very soppy email too once I could hold it together :))


Did anything special friend-wise happen to you this week?

(I loved being at work these 3 days - quiet, lots of parking, and my phone only rang 3 times the whole time, one of them being SIL)

Charlotte skyline

This is a new little something I'm starting on the blog.

It's not going to be every week, only if I have some good stuff to share.

People often tell me I find the best links. I honestly do! I read a big variety of great blogs and I declutter regularly to keep my inspiration fresh.

Here are some links I loved reading this week:

a New Year's ritual

There was a time

The most awesome gift for a kid (Mandy can do this)

She gets my thing about the New Year

I've ordered some of these business cards... just for the heck of it :)
Let me know if any of those links resonated with you.
What are you up to this weekend?

I want to finish my year-in-review book tonight so I can take pics tomorrow. Yay!