The Curse of the Multi-tasker!

Picture the scene: I'm having a relaxing bath trying to unwind my back and chill a bit... I've got my feet raised up on the taps as I've just finished painting my nails (multi-tasking) and I'm reading a great book about how to dominate the world of Google (multi-multi-tasking) - oh, and I have a note pad beside the bath for when I have a genius idea or something I need to remember to do later (that'll be multi-multi-multi-tasking then). Add into the mix the fact that Amy has now bustled in and wants to brush her teeth and I'm telling her not to forget "the ones at the back" and suddenly I don't feel as if I'm all that relaxed really. In fact, I feel like it's now starting to feel damn inconvenient that I'm lying in water and I need to get out and start DOING THINGS...

So, that is my curse: I can't stop mult-tasking. For example, while I'm typing this I keep stopping to check my emails and I'm on Twitter. I've made my computer crash twice this morning because while it was loading something I wanted to use the time it took for me to wait by trying to open two other programmes. I think my computer is a man - he can't multi-task at all!! I shall name him "Keith"...

Is multi-tasking a bad thing? Does it stop me from being able to knuckle down and get things done? Or does it actually mean that I'm squeezing every available minute out of my day, and keeping the massive work/home ball rolling along?

I think it does help me to be more efficient (most of the time), but I don't think it does much for my sanity sometimes. I think I need to write "Daydream more..." on my To Do List.

So, if you find yourself brushing your teeth with one hand and cleaning the sink with the other, whilst mentally planning your day and keeping an eye on the clock - join the club, you are very, very welcome! (Mind you, wasn't it one of the Marks Brothers who said "I don't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member"?!)

And my toes look lovely by the way: I've gone for a dark blue this time...

Sarah x

Sticks & Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails!

So, the latest news on Freddy (aka "The Fang") is that basically nothing in this world is safe - everything, pretty much, is fair game when it comes to the Freddy Taste Test...

We have discovered that this is a puppy that will eat anything. From Polly Pocket to apples off the tree, from Doggy Twiglets (otherwise known as sticks) to stones - he'll give them all a go. His particular favourite are the special stones he finds in the garden - the ones which are crunchy on the outside, but have a soft and squirty centre. Worked it out yet? OK, his dad was a poodle which I guess makes him half French(ish), so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise that he eats snails really. Yeurgh, but it makes us all shudder - especially when you find discarded ones in the middle of the living room... (Are your toes curling yet?)

He has also discovered the joy of the word "Walkies"! Just mention it to him and he leaps about in excitement. Put his lead on, however, and he immediately lays down on his back with all four legs in the air. It's official - we seem to have one of those dogs that people in the street laugh at - not in an unkind way, you understand, just in a "oh look, that dog is barking at his own reflection in that shop window" kind of way!

But he's loveable, soppy, daft, loyal, soft and fluffy - and I can't remember what it was like not to have him around (OK, if I'm honest I can - it was in the days when my carpets stayed clean all by themselves and the dog food aisle in Tesco was just a shortcut to the tills). And in the words of Emily & Bagpuss: we love him.

Sarah x

Where on earth do I start...!!!!

Wow, it's been AN AGE since I was last here - just look at those cobwebs! I'm now left with the dilemma that I simply have too much to tell you about - seriously, I have SO MUCH to tell you. I'm going to have to ration myself to one or two a day or this could end up being the longest post in blogging history!

Mother & Baby Mega Giveaway! So, first up, let me tell you about this fantastic giveaway being offered by Monica at My Funny Bunny. This is an awesome freebie, you need to read this! The Giveaway contains over 20 great gifts from contributors such as KnitWits, The Pink Fairy Cake, Rainbow Totz, Peggy's Knits, Baby Not Included, Be-Fabulous, Julie's Booties, Lactivist, Icklebabe - oh, and of course, PhotoFairytales! Find out more by visiting Monica's blog.

Loads of New Stuff at PhotoFairytales! The reason why I've not been here for so long (apart from the summer holidays, of course) is because I've been working like a mad thing getting tons of new things onto the website. There are loads of new designs, including some great ones for Autumn & Halloween, plus an entire page devoted to Christmas. I also now have some lovely Gift Vouchers available, and I now sell really high quality personalised greeting cards so you can turn your finished image into a unique card - take a look! I've also started selling some truly amazing and crazy gift balloons in a box - you've got to see them! Oh, and if you're interested in selling any of my products on your own website, take a look at the brand new Trade Page too. I can supply you on an easy dropship basis, and offer you a trade price.

So, sadly, no I haven't been sunning myself and relaxing. I've actually rubbed just about all the remaining letters clean off my keyboard now - the only ones left are the "z" and the numbers! Still, on the upside, it means at 6 years old Amy can now all but touch type (and as an added bonus I have the fun of watching my husband's look of utter confusion when he borrows my computer - well, he's got his own, so hand's off!).

Love to all,

Sarah x

Mum? Mum? Muu-ummm, I'm bored.....

OK, so, the summer holidays have only just begun and if you - like me - work from home you may be finding things a little (ahem) stressful...

As I type this, I have Amy sitting beside me constructing a castle. Love her, she is trying not to disturb me, but if I have to find the end of the sellotape or "hold this a minute" one more time I may start getting a little frantic!

So, how am I going to cope for 6 and a half more weeks? How are you going to cope? How can a child with a house full of "stuff", a puppy and a garden be bored already? Is being bored actually a good thing for a child once in a while? (Personally, yes I think it is! Without it Amy wouldn't have come up with the idea of making a castle out of cardboard boxes...)

Well, I'm planning on trying to get into a routine of: morning is work, afternoon is Amy time, evening is catch up time. Other than that I'm not really sure how to do this. It's so easy to feel guilty - shouldn't I be taking her out on day trips and picnics? Getting down on the floor and building cushion dens? Making the most of the weather (today is glorious)? I don't know... I guess the most important thing I can do this holiday is not to get stressed out by stuff.

If you have any ideas or tips you can share - or maybe you need to off load a little stress yourself - it would be great to hear from you so do please leave a comment! Right, it's now nearly 11am (so much for my morning of work idea!) and I really need to get on - oh, the castle turret won't stay on, hang on....

Sarah x

I've had an interview!

I've been lucky enough to get a great feature article by Joycellyn at www.motherswhowork.co.uk take a look, it's at: http://tinyurl.com/lbm2yw I just wish I'd remembered to brush my hair for the photo! Oh well...

Apart from that, I'm having a stressful day today - lovely Freddy (otherwise known as "Fang") has managed to chew through the cable from my external disk drive, meaning I can't get to over half my files today. A lesson learned I guess, yet more things to tidy away when I leave him alone in the room! Apart from that, in the last week he's learnt his name, how to sit, how to fetch, and (almost) how to lay down. Now, if I can just teach him to "drop it" we'll be laughing....

Have a great day, Sarah x