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.