New mom of the month

There is a new mom of the month on the business and diapers site.
www.businessanddiapers.com

Her name is Mireille Geus, she is a writer of children's books, has won several impressive awards and prices for her work and also teaches writing to adults.

By the way, Mireille does not work at home, although many writers do. Read more about her and her work on the site www.businessanddiapers.com, free downloads.

To-day's quote

HE WHO DOES NOT OBEY HIMSELF IS RULED BY OTEHRS.

Dr Phil

A friend of mine, publisher Marieke Hoogwout (of publishing agency REUNION in the Netherlands) recently pointed out something Dr Phil had said to a mother. It stuck to my mind: "if you love your children, take care of their mother".

Worth remembering...

Quote of the day

"Each human being is born three times. Once from his father, once from his mother, and once from himself" (Persian wisdom).

New mom of the month

To-day is All Saints Day, a day that has been described in Malcom Lowry's book Under the Volcano in a particularly haunting way. A day for special thoughts for loved ones who passed away. A day for visiting graveyards.

On a somewhat lighter note it it also quite simply the first day of a new month, which is why there is a new 'mom of the month'. This time it's Belinda Fallaux, mother of two and freelance journalist. She considers the combination of freelancing and motherhood to be ideal. I tend to agree with her (on a part time basis...).

Have a look at www.businessanddiapers.com, both at the home page and the download section, to find out more about Belinda, how she juggles play dates and deadlines.

Do you want to be father of mother of the month? Please contact met at vertaalslag@planet.nl

Autumn

"Days decrease and autum grows, autumn in everything." Robert Browning

Problem solving

When people ask me what kind of skills a work from home mompreneur needs I tend to put 'being good at problem solving' first. Indeed, when the computer is down and you have work to do, you'd better find a creative solution fast.

I've just returned from a few lovely days in France, but am now facing various IT 'issues'. It's important to be pragmatic in such situations and not let these troubles spoil the weekend. There usually is some solution, and putting things in perspective is key.

Having said that, I've got to go, got to do something about the computer.

The Yummy Mummy Manifesto

OIver the years it has happened more than once that I've picked up a book, read it and thought 'wish I had written this'. The feeling was strong when reading the diary of Bridget Jones, many of Nigella Lawson's great cookery books and more recently when I read Anna Johnson's book: THE YUMMY MUMMY MANIFESTO.

A great read, well written, with beautiful drawings by Anna Johnson herself, funny anecdotes and sound advice on what is a delicate balance between enjoying motherhood to the full on the one hand and retaining your identity and sensuality on the other.
Recommended reading for all mums!

Unsurprisingly,Anna also has a site:
www.yummymummymanifesto.com

Retail therapy

Bo Derek reportedly once said that anyone who committed suicide hadn't found the right places to go shopping. I am not sure she actually said that (and frankly, I hope she didn't, as it seems such a strange thing to say) and am not likely to find out. Incidentally, I think she is an absolutely gorgeous woman. I remember watching TEN in awe and crossing paths with Bo once in a hotel in Sri Lanka.

Anyhow, these last few weeks have been hectic and rather unpleasant. Turmoil within my family, the death of a colleague and the ceiling of my hall coming down (no, this is not a joke, but then again, I live in a house that is over a hundred years old)on the evening of my birthday a week ago. Last week was not great either, with water leaks on Tuesday and my computer crashing yesterday. Mmmm. Though heaven knows I tried, I have not managed to take things as well as I'd like to. But I am coping. Trying to keep in mind that things could be much worse, prioritizing, dealing with the various problems one at the time. Today I decided to go for some retail therapy and went to a shop full of nice notebooks, cards and small gadgets for the home. Decided to spend a bit of money on small treats to make me feel better. Whilst seeking solace in a shop I thought of Bo Derek and what she reportedly said about shopping. Well, unfortunately I don't have Bo Derek's good looks, fame or wealth. But even I was able to cheer up from a round of shopping.

Sultan

Yesterday I wrote about Sultan, here is his picture, as a picture says more than a thousand words.

I truly hope Sultan rests in peace.

Friends

Earlier this evening I walked past a house in which a friend of mine, Sultan, lived some er -it's hard to grasp-23 years ago. We were about 17 years old at the time or perhaps he was a few years older. His name was Sultan. A talended guy, with a lot going for him. His looks, his brains. He had a good sense of humor, he was articulate, he was lucky in love.

For a few years we shared an intense friendship. Long conversations about life and about love. It was a time that I will never forget, the time of experiencing first loves, first sexual encounters and forging one's identity.

I cared deeply for Sultan. We were friends, not lovers, but the friendship was extremely intense. One day, though, in winter, Sultan stepped in the ice-cold water of the sea. And kept walking.

He has been dead for some twenty years now. Like many of his friends and relatives I'm left with many questions, even after all that time. Could we have done something to help him? What would have become of him had he lived?

I am a mother now and it saddens me greatly that Sultan will never be a father. I sometimes see his father though, on his bike. It's a strange world.

The only thing left for me to do is remember Sultan, make sure to remember him, to keep the memories alive. Like Jacques Brel used to sing about his friend Jojo, six pieds sous terre, tu n'es pas mort.

Take the rough with the smooth

Working from home has many perks. I really relish being able to share many things with my son Thomas, in that way I feel as blessed as many a stay-at-home mum. I earn a very decent living and feel like a career woman at times, too. I carry out translation assignments in my own home, in a study that suits my tastes, in confy clothes, with music that I like as a backdrop.

But I do complain quite a lot about the pitfalls, I hate to admit. One of them is the fact that people (even those quite close to me, depressingly enough) do not always take my work seriously. Understandable in a way, they see me having coffee in town now and again when I have a break, they are not there to see me work till late at night in the weekends, which I also do on occasion. They do not see me struggle with my fluctuating income or with the renewal of an anti-virus programme on the computer. But I have resolved to take the rough with the smooth, what else can one do?

After all, I have never regretted my choice.

On being a mum

Yesterday I was feeling low, coming down with some kind of flue. Tired, feverish. I stayed at home watching telly, which is hardly the most inspiring way of spending one's Saturday. But what the heck...

I watched 'living with Fran', at a certain point Fran speaks to her son and he looks bemused. He asks 'do you want me to feel guilty or happy?', her answer: 'I am a mom, I want both'. It's hard to admit, but I sure know what she means...

Peace Palace

Last week I visited the Peace Palace here in The Hague together with my son's class, another class, a teacher and a few other moms. It was great to visit this famous building with the kids.
A young woman guided us along, providing lively explanations about the history of this building, in which the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice are located.
It was a sligthly peculiar experience for me, as I have been at the Palace more than one for interpreting purposes. It was nice to be there in another 'role'.
We saw quite a lot of statues during our tour. One of Carnegie, one of Gandhi. As we walked along another statue, one of the little boys asked me 'is that Hitler?', I bit on my lip to refrain from laughing and said 'No, he did not contribute to world peace'. 'O, that's right', the boy answered, 'it was the other way round with him.' He probably understood more than I initially thought.
After the tour of the premises, we were treated to lunch, after which the children participated to a workshop on human rights. A fruitful day by all means.

Old footage on Sri Lanka

I haven't written anything in this blog for a long, long time and I apologize for that, as it defeats the purpose of having a blog in the first place.

Times have been hectic at home -both because of happy and sad events-and writing came second.
However, I am now following a writing course in Amsterdam, working on legal translations, having fun with Thomas and preparing myself for a change: two little puppies, named Laïka and Spike, are going to become part of the household soon.

Anyhow, I have just begun writing a story about Sri Lanka. A troubled country, which is very dear to me. I lived there in the 80s and have very fond recollections of the country. I am in the process of doing some research, both online and offline and stumbled across this video:

Nobody knows

Yesterday, the Japanese movie 'Nobody knows' was on Belgian television. A heart-wrenching movie about four children abandoned by their mother and living on their own in an apartment in Tokyo. Yuga Yagira, who played the eldest brother, rightly won an award for Best Actor in Cannes 2004 for his outstanding performance.

The movie is based on a true story and, as one can imagine, is not exactly a 'feel good-movie'. However, there are moments of happiness, even in the lives of these kids. Watching the movie, one easily 'becomes' the oldest brother, desperately trying to cope, trying to stay afloat. The responsibility he feels, the struggle, but also moment os fun with other children, the relief when there is a bit of money or some other stroke of luck.

The movie shows one thing extremely clearly: 'making' children is one thing, taking care of them quite another.

Book tip of the week

Although admittedly books are not the answer to every question in life, I believe great comfort can be found in them. Whether one is looking for escapism or learning, for thrills or handy hints, for beautiful pictures or beautiful turns of phrase.

My advice this week is:
Take a look at : What Would Budha Do at Work? By Franz Metcalf and BJ Gallagher Hateley, a book full of practical wisdom and inspiring quotes.

We all need new inspiration from time to time, and inspiration comes from many places. From other human beings and from nature, notably. But also, quite simply, from books.

Mess is more

In the weekend I read a funny article in the Dutch magazine 'VIVA' about how being untidy is not as bad as one thinks and how being tidy is vastly overrated. The title of the piece was "MESS IS MORE".

Well, I'm not so sure. At the moment, all of my house qualifies as 'mess is more'. I am painting items of furniture and doing this in my bedroom (bad for my health, apart from anything else), my son Thomas is re-arranging his room in his own way, I am in the process of moving stuff to the attic, the stuff is in transit on the staircase and the disorder in my study and my living-room is utterly depressing.

I'm constantly on edge, constantly looking for thins. I think a little bit of a mess (think: pile of magazines on the floor next to the sofa) can be relaxing, but a lot of it is definitely not something I would recommend. Less is more, more or less.

Truth & Fiction

I am writing this story about a homeless man and his friendship with a young boy. Well, in fact, 'writing' is overstating things. I have begun writing it, my friend, the artist Gurli Feilberg (www.feilberg.nl)
has already made a beautiful drawing about it, but the story has been on the shelf for quite some time now, due to my busy professional and private lives.
Funny thing is that the main character of this story, the homeless man, keeps popping up. In real life, that is. This is hardly surprising, as I got the idea from real life in the first place.
It nonetheless feels strange, every time I see somebody who reminds me of my main character, Anton. A few days ago I was walking past Florenzia (a place in the Hague, where you can get great ice-cream, not that you'd care, but still...) and I saw a bike parked outside, with large plastic bags hanging from the bike handles. Anton's bike. Anton's belongings.
Well, even though I am finding it difficult to carve in time for writing, my characters find time to remind me they are still there.

New site

My new site about working from home and being a parent is online!
Part of it is under construction but I believe it's already worth a visit.
Check it out at http://www.businessanddiapers.com
and let me know what you think, what's missing, what you like or dislike about it...

Life

To-day I went to the museum with a new friend/acqaintance/colleague of mine, her daughter and my son. It was great to leave the deadlines behind and to enjoy a day off, chatting away, enjoying ourselves. She's a remarkable woman.

All too often working from home means being home-bound. Being there mainly means being there for the computer. It's a tough job for my new friend and I to remind ourselves that the well-known saying "nobody says on their deathbed 'I wish I had spent more time at the office'" is also applicable to the home office.
The nice thing about getting older is that I am finding it a lot less difficult than I used to.

"I have ceased to question stars and books; I have begun to listen to the teaching my blood whispers to me." (Herman Hesse)

I don't know how she does it

Sometimes I wonder how we mums manage. To take care of our kids and our finances. Of our partners and friends. Of the housekeeping and the gardening. How we keep fit and in touch.
Fact is...many of us don't manage. I, for one, am always running behind in several departments. Sometimes business is good, but I don't pay Thomas enough attention. Sometimes I spend a lot of time keeping house, but have no time to socialize, at other times I see a lot of friends, but the house looks like it has been bombed. Reading about other mums who are not quite able to cope helps put things into perspective. That's why I recommend Allison Pearson's book 'I don't know how she does it' to any mum who has her moments of doubt and pain.

Straight from the heart

Why would I tell you about my day yesterday?
How I finally understood what my friend Madeleine has been telling me for years, that tasks such as housekeeping can be enjoyable. Everything worth doing, is worth doing well.
How I finally found someone I can trust with the small tasks that need to be done in this old, almost derelict house of mine I love so well.
How I felt my heart would overflow, many times. When the twins Lara and Julie came by. Two years old. Real sunshine, those kids. Which was welcome, as it was particularly misty.
How lovely it was to introduce them to my mother and stepfather and to see my three year old's nephew's startled reaction when he saw those two...and how sweet Thomas is to them. And how kind their mom is.
How I had an open conversation with my friend Gurli Feilberg (www.feilberg.nl), a remarkable person. A remarkable artist. And last but definitely not least, a remarkable mom.
How the mist hid the church towers from view and spring seemed suddenly so very far away.
How Thomas, in spite of his age (ten), climbed on my lap and whispered '" I've always wanted to ask...what kind of music did you like, you know, way back...when you were young." And how he shuddered slightly when I admitted I liked ABBA in those days (he's into metal).
How I took a long bath in the evening and washed my troubles away (as it had not only been plain sailing, and calls, messages and deadlines had generated quite some stress).
How I stood near Thomas' bed while he was sleeping, and said 'I love you' because I believe this has a positive impact, subconsciously. Because I want him to feel loved.
How the moon was a mere sliver. And how quiet it was, here, in town.
And how the night covered us in its cloak of darkness and peace.

Money matters

There is something about me and money. Earning money is challenging enough, but spending it wisely (and keeping some apart) is even a bigger issue. At lunch to-day, Koen, a friend of mine said: "there are two things that have a huge impact on my temper: lack of sleep and lack of money." I know what it feels like. And though lack of sleep comes with the territory of (single) working motherhood, lack of money is not a necessity. I know other single entrepreneurial moms who manage their money and do not encounter problems in that field, although they don't necessarily earn more than I do.
At the moment I am rereading an interesting book on the subject: 'Your money or your life' by Joe Domingez. Well worth reading. One of the key items in the book is that people tend to see money as separate from their lives, whereas it is a part of life.
The aim is to get to the point where, if someone was to say: 'your money or your life', you answer 'I'll take both, thank you.'

Raising boys

'Raising boys' is the title of a book by Steve Biddulph. Highly recommended!

My son Thomas is at the stage where he is educating me, instead of the other way round.
As he is becoming increasingly independent, I asked him 'How would you feel if I went to the gym for one or two hours in the weekend?', adding 'as you're such a big boy now' (turning the question into a decidedly 'leading question').
Thomas did not hesitate for one second. His reply was clear: 'I wouldn't like it at all, that's not cosy, I don't want it.' When he saw my disappointed face he said: 'well, mom, if you don't want something, you should not ask it.'
Right, I'll try to remember that.

Cabo Polonio

Photograph by M Isarrualde

The last few days I haven't been online.

It was nice to be away from the computer for a few days. Enjoyed a dinner party with girl-friends, a lot of time with Thomas. And a lot of plain laziness.

Got rid of my to-do lists, ignored the chaos on my desk (which has, predictably, piled up again), ignored the dishes as well. Made the most of these sunny days. It's as if spring has started already.

Been daydreaming a lot, about Cabo Polonio for instance, a place that I have never visited. But the pictures I have seen are simply mesmerizing. Have a look at http://www.cabopolonio.com/ if you're interested.

For just plain being, Cabo Polonio seems ideal to me. While I'm saving money for a trip to my dream place, there is nothing to stop me from just being now and then, even amidst the urban jungle. Thomas enjoys it a lot too and has been chatting to me about all sorts of stuff, ranging from basket ball to music, from girls he likes to what he'd like to become when he's an adult.

And now it's time to slowly but surely get ready for the weekly routine again.

Perks & Pitfalls

Like most things, working from home has its perks. And its pitfalls.

Strange but true...the perks can sometimes become pitfalls.



A few examples:



* I relish being able to work in my old clothes. Trouble is...I'm always wearing old and comfy clothes nowadays.

* As a work-at-home parent I am always there for Thomas, also when he is being a nuisance.

* As a work-at-home parent, my schedule is flexible. This means I can help out at school and other places, if required. Trouble is...if I am too flexible, my work doesn't get done.

* With the Internet I am able to work at any time of the day or night. Trouble is...taking time off becomes a challenge, as work is near at hand, only a mouse click away...



Having said that, I still definitely feel the perks outweigh the pitfalls. It's just a matter of making the most of the situation, really.

Pregnant

I'm pregnant. Well, no, I am not, not in the literal sense (more's the pity).
But I feel kind of pregnant, as I am working on a new project. Soon, I'll be launching an English site: www.businessanddiapers.com

My web developer showed me what it could look like to-day and I was very enthusiastic. He's good at his job and created the crisp look I was hoping for.
The site will be mainly aimed at work-at-home moms (or in any event at moms working indepently), but will hopefully appeal to all kinds of moms, as it will deal with issues as raising children and keeping house, and not only with business.

It's a horrific cliché to talk of projects as being your babies, I know, but that's the way it feels. And a blog wouldn't be a real blog without some bold honesty here and there.

Quotation

What I tend to do when I'm too busy is not write about myself, but look up an appropriate quote.
To-day is one of those days...

The quote comes from the book 'Mompreneurs online, using the Internet to build work at home success', by Patricia Cobe and Ellen Parlapiano.

"I'am a mom. I'm also a businesswoman. For the most part, I wear both caps at the same time. I've learned to leap tall buildings in a single bound and cook dinners while the files upload. Like most work-at-home moms, I get to work half days...either the first twelve hours or the last twelve hours! Did I mention I wouldn't have it any other way?"Linda Caroll, mother of three, www.lindacaroll.com

Buddy Holy, count your blessings

As a work-at-home single mum I sometimes tend to dwell on my problems, losing my sense of perspective.
Sometimes a 'reality check' helps. On the news I saw terrifying images of an orphanage in Bulgaria, which made even my son Thomas (who tends to be quite 'tough') cringe. The children were skeletal, it was horrifying. Extremely sad. It definitely made me come to terms with the fact that my house is on the shabby side. I can't offer Thomas a perfect home, but compared to that of those poor children his life is heavenly.

On the third of February 1959, Buddy Holy died in a plane accident, after a concert in Iowa. 23 years old. Yet again, tragic. And yet again a reminder that it might be a good idea to stop complaining, to stop whining about my failures and cherish the things that go well.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

Shopping with kids is not exactly bliss

To-day I met up with my sister Florine, she had spent a harrowing morning shopping with her youngest son David, 2 years old...and had gone through all the usual moves when children decide they are not enjoying being in a shop: screaming, laying down on the ground, making a racket and the rest.
While we were having coffee Florine told me she had grown absolutely indifferent to reactions from outsiders.
I couldn't help thinking 'gee, I am so glad that period is over', but had to readjust a couple of hours later. I went shopping for groceries with Thomas, but he spilled all the cream I had just bought. As a result we had to return to the shop, leaving a white trail behind us. I was mad. I was tired, wanted to get dinner started and the last thing I felt like doing is queuing up again. I looked angry and stern and saw people looking at Thomas in pity. Wish I could feel as indifferent as my sister when those times hit.
Anyway, after a while anger subsided and I talked to Thomas who, in turn, had decided to be mad. A tiring afternoon, all in all. Thank God it's over.

Balance / To-day's quote

BALANCE
Lately I've started working for a firm of civil law notaries very near my home. I interpret for them when they have French or English-speaking clients who purchase a home in the Netherlands. When the deed of transfer and the mortgage deed are being read out and explained by the civil law notary, the interpreter tanslates the content.
Makes sense, as people would otherwise run the risk of signing something without knowing what they are getting in to.
For me it's a welcome 'diversion' and extra source of income. I do the work during school hours, which is great, as this new situation has no negative impact on Thomas whatsoever. It's nice work, because it's all about people. And, to be frank, I tend to miss people a bit, here in the comfort zone of my study. Moreover, it can be quite touching to be present (and provide a little assistance, no matter how modestly) when people enter into an important agreement, as buying a house is not something you do every day.
TO-DAY'S QUOTE
Whenever the blues hit me, I try to find solace in friendship, nature, a leisurely bath or a positive quote. Perhaps it can help you too.
To-day's quote is a Chinese proverb:
"Reduce big troubles to small ones, and small ones to nothing."
Worth trying, I'd say...

Discipline

Self-discipline is one of those traits a work-at-home mom really needs.
People often ask me how I muster the discipline of getting down to business instead of paying endless phone calls to friends, watching tv during the day and Lord knows what else.
The funny thing is that my problem with discipline is altogether a different one, as I find it difficult NOT to work.
In order to achieve a better work/balance I have stopped working on Wednesdays -although I do the admin on that day-and try to steer clear from my home office at least one of the days of the weekend. Indeed, countless studies have shown that home workers spend more time working, not less.
Yesterday I did not work. I did not even update this blog. I spent time with Lara and Julie, two-year old twins. They are such fun, they are so cute. It's really difficult to become mad at them, even when they are tearing down the house. I also spent time with the apple of my eye, aka Thomas, we worked on his homework together. After a period of huge indifference with regard to school matters, he is now taking things a lot more seriously (thankfully), it's sweet to see the efforts he makes.
Come to think of it...I did work, but it was only one hour of interpreting at a civil-law notary's office. The Dutch law stipulates that when foreigners buy a property in the Netherlands, an interpreter must be present to translate the deed. This makes sense, as otherwise they might not know what they are getting into and a mortgage has far-reaching consequences.
Anyway, I really had to force myself to stay away from the computer, in the evening too, and enjoy time off.
"Nobody said on their deathbed: 'I wish I had spent more time in the office'", this quote, often mentioned in management books, is one I have to keep in mind, as it also applies to the home office...

The small business blues

In my study (which, I know, I should call 'home office') I keep a diary about being a mom and the owner of a small business. My life has been so hectic and chaotic lately that the diary ended up at the bottom of a stack of documents.

Yesterday, my accountant rang, urging me to do something about the VAT-admin (deadline: 30 January!). I am late, as ever. So I spent considerable time checking all the invoices, receipts and other financial stuff from the last three months. Nothing to write home about. One of the advantages was, however, that I combined this particular chore with tidying up my study. The diary turned up again. Depressingly enough the last entry (November 07) was about my financial 'mismanagement'. Sometimes it seems as if we're stuck, unable to change.

In a book on Time Management I found a quote that was eerily appropriate:
'If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.'

Indeed!

But I also read somewhere that it's possible to make a fresh start every day, I'll try to keep it in mind.

On writing, escapism, chaos, being a mother

One of the many things I enjoy about writing is the fact that you are able to travel to other worlds without leaving the comfort of your home (well, the degree of comfort of my home is debatable, but that's another issue). It's sheer escapism in a sense and very comparable to reading or enjoying a good movie. At the moment I'm working on several modest writing projects: for one of those, I imagine living on one of the Aran Islands. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I live in the urban jungle of The Hague, the Netherlands, but it is definitely enjoyable to image another life, lived in a stone cottage with a thatched roof, amongst green fields and near the ocean. The Internet has made it so easy to find information on places you've never been to yourself, it's amazing. Although I must say...I am becoming so interested in the island of Inis Meain that I probably will travel there in the not too distant future.

For another project I get to imagine being a small boy (which, again, requires the necessary imagination, as I am a woman, and forty years old at that) for some parts and an old bum for others (another leap of the imagination).

The other perk of writing is that you set your own hours (which, as a mom, is an invaluable advantage!) and that the investment requirements are very limited. A notepad and a pen. A computer. A few dictionaries and grammar books.

To-day I am not writing anything, I am being lazy. There is a huge amount of tidying up to do as chaos is thriving in my home. But what the heck, to-day is for relaxing and for reading. I am reading 'The stress-free home' by Jackie Craven. A nice book. Inspiring, well-written and with good pictures. I am figuring, I will probably never be stress-free, but perhaps I can get started on making my home stress-free...

Chaos

The chaos on my desk equals the chaos in my head.

Sometimes I feel kind of overwhelmed, if truth be told. There are so many messages to answer, books to read, things to do, documents to translate and people to see that I skip cleaning house (well, not entirely, but almost...), keep cooking extremely basic and forget about tidying up my desk, as the picture above is bound to demonstrate.

Anyway, I guess that, in a not too distant future, I will have time and energy for tidying up my desk. But for now I intend to be a couch potato.

Thomas is playing with his friend Sybren and I tend to make the most of that kind of opportunity. Seize the day, as Saul Bellow would say. Capture the moment, more like it, in WAHM-terms. Anyhow, I'm off...

Being in business, staying in business

If you surf the web, you can find all kinds of free information on starting a business. It's great to have all that free info available at the click of a mouse.

Surprisingly enough, there is much less info about staying in business. How do you make sure you thrive?

There are two tricks of the trade I'd like to share with you:

1) Love your customers:
Many WAHMS choose to build their business gradually over time and to keep their business relatively small (making it easier to combine with motherhood). This offers the opportunity for a personal and customized approach. I don't like my customers, I love them. I am interested in providing them with a good service, but that's not where my interest ends. I am also truly interested in how their careers are developing, what they consider important, how they are doing at a more personal level. It makes my work more pleasant and has turned out to be a business tool as well.

2) Always, always overdeliver:
I've read this piece of advice in a Dutch book on working from home ['Handboek Succesvol Thuiswerken, Edith Hagenaar] and I've taken it to heart. I always try to deliver my work way before the deadline - to the extent possible within my line of work, as the deadlines tend to be very short-and to walk an extra mile. Doing a little extra feels good and is remembered, believe me.

What about you lot, any advice on staying in business?

Thomas and the twins

On Wednesdays we often receive the visit of two lovely twins: Lara and Julie.

They are two years old and extremely cute, which makes it difficult to get mad at them, even when they are being naughty.

Thomas is very sweet to them. It always amazes me how tiring it can be to hang around small children ("One hour with a child is like a ten-mile run, I read somewhere), and how enjoyable at the same time. What also strikes me, time and again, is how different I feel after spending quite some time with small kids (exhausted, but that type of exhaustion is easily solved by a good night's sleep) and after marathon translating sessions (exhausted, but no amount of sleep seems to help).

A writer's tools

A writer's tools (non-exhaustive list):

*Imagination
* Life experience
* Memory
* Sensitivity
* the Internet
* A camera
* A note pad and pen
* A computer
* The 5 senses
* Books (novels, dictionaries, grammar books, you name it)

Anyone any advice on other things a writer can put to proper use?

Quote

As I am in a bit of a hurry, to-day's blog is limited to a quote:

"Wow! I get to give birth and change diapers!"

It's on a notepad I bought from Chronicle Books, who also published 'Another day in paradise' by Anne Taintor inc, see the photo on the right.

Fun stuff.

Upside down

As a WAHM you don't always work conventional hours. Although I am a strong believer in having some kind of schedule as a guideline, with set working days and hours, to help establish boundaries between your professional life and your personal life...in practice things do not always go according to plan.

This Monday is a case in point. For the first time in weeks there was no deadline looming and I intended to work on answering the email messages that have been piling up in my inbox and do some admin. Admittedly not a very exciting prospect, but I looked forward to having the time to do it while Thomas was at school.

But yesterday evening I first watched 'Messiah' on BBC, then read for a long while and then found I could not get to sleep at all. At one o'clock in the morning I was still wide awake. When I was finally becoming somewhat drowsy, around two in the morning, I suddenly had an idea for a story I am working on. As experience has shown that these ideas tend to vanish overnight if I don't write them down I got out of bed and enjoyed a few hours at my desk till the crack of dawn. Then slept an hour or two, had breakfast with Thomas and then got back into bed, only to wake up at lunch time. Bye shedule, bye admin, by empty inbox.

But what the heck, there is always to-morrow...

Detectives

One of the problems of working from home is that boundaries between one's professional life and one's private life tend to become blurred. Whenever I have an assignment outside the home (as an interpreter, in my case) I relish the feeling I have when I return home and feel the working day is done and I am 'allowed' to enjoy my spare time.
Strangely enough it is quite difficult to allow yourself spare time when you know the work is piling up on your desk, even if you have been working like a maniac.
Anyhow, I am trying to mend my evil ways and have stopped working in the weekends and evenings, unless there is absolutely no other option.

In the weekends I enjoy spending some time reading and watching telly (admittedly not the most exciting leisure activities, but still...), and I particularly like watching detective series, like Dalziel and Pascoe, Inspector Lynley and the like.

Some research has been carried out in the matter and it turns out that people suffering from anxiety and depression often benefit from reading detective stories or watching detective series. That's probably because it is a safe way of confronting one's fears. I am lucky this weekend, yesterday I enjoyed a new Dutch series called Deadline (which reminds me of my legal translation work, but what the heck) and the Swedish Wallander and this evening I'll be enjoying the BBC's Messiah.

Business and diapers

www.businessanddiapers.blogspot.com

You might think the title is a bit strange, I mean, business and diapers?
In their book on working from home, Patricia Cobe and Ellen Parlapiano aptly describe work as a mompreneur: "you are both chief diaper changer and CEO". That's what made me choose this title.

Now my son is already ten, so the diaper changing days are well and truly over...But I still relish the variety life as a WAHM brings. I deal with deadlines and with play dates, with homework and turnover figures, with business proposals and the new Harry Potter, sleepovers and admin. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

New blog

This is my new English blog about the reality of being a work from home mum.