I stomped off before, because having completed my last three ways to spoil myself, the network at work crashed (blogging at work? I was not! Who says so?) and I lost my post.

So... ways I slooooooow down and pamper myself.

3. Guilt-free creative time.  Time that is set aside for making art and I can just enjoy it. I make art other times too of course, in snatched moments. It isn't the same though when your to-do list is lurking over your shoulder coughing ominously.

4. My Mum calls me MapHead. I love strolling around cities, whether I know them well, am exploring new areas of London or visiting a new city (if I feel safe of course!). I love soaking up the buzz of a city, watching people go about their daily business, wondering where they are headed. I am quite lucky in that I am able to carry the map around in my head and translate my surroundings reasonably well and get to where I want to go.

5. Bonus time! This is time where I expected to be elsewhere, but am not. Like if I get home before five, my work to-do list is abandoned for the day, and I don't feel I need to start my home to-do list yet. It's bliss! It used to happen when I did babysitting too, and a family would cancel. Bonus! Free evening.

In response to a challenge by Ching of ukscrappers, I have taken a moment to think about 5 ways that I love to slow down and pamper myself.

1. Reading in bed. I always have a book on the go, and that's a small pleasure, sometimes just one more thing to fit into the day. But for real luxury, I need to take to my bed when it's not even bedtime, curl up with a cat and a quilt and immerse myself in the world of the book. If I have a bag of caramels and an obliging man to bring beverages, so much the better.

2. Breakfast on the deck. Mornings are hard for someone who enjoys the night as much as I do. But. Sometimes. I am awake before the house gets busy, and I take my mug of coffee, some fruit and a muffin out on the deck at Dad's or at the cottage and soak up the day. (this year I was defeated by four spiders and three wasps at Dad's - but managed it at the cottage)

more later...

Been playing here: The Enchanted Alchemist  (via  truly playroom)
It reminded me to think about the need for the spiritual, an aspect that has been neglected and stunted in my life of late. I collect my spiritual moments here and there: from the feeling that envelopes me if I hear "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" sung in harmony; from the small buddha spotted, tucked in a friend's flower bed this week; from the Haida prayer songs I heard in BC in the summer.

I found my brief and shallow encounters with the West Coast native cultures inspiring me on towards learning more about them. A wonderful moment shared when I was moved to tears by the Hiada prayer songs at Cappilano and noticed at the end of the dance the older Haida woman had to wipe away tears, as did the young woman student dancing with them. I felt we had shared something so powerful and beyond words. Another thing that spoke to me was the concept of spirit strands. Although so simple in concept, and nothing I couldn't create myself, I bought many for women I know as a tangible representation of the wishes I hold for them. For my youngest, on-the-brink sister - growth and centering; for another sister, middle sister, little sister, there-through-it-all sister - centering and tranquility; for my friend-sister-type-person - healing; and for myself - growth, centering and friendship.

And the books I am lost in at the moment? Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series, in which the Seeker of Truth, communes with spirits, confronts leaders of different faiths, seeks balance, pursues destiny, and of course... the truth.

Listening to... Home (Michael Buble); Sitting, Watching, Waiting (Jack Johnson); Wash Away (Joe Purdy)