seven things and ten blogs

Quite a while ago, I was tagged by Libby and more recently, Florence to write seven things about me on here. While I was really honoured to be chosen in their list of blogs they enjoy, I must admit that I'd been putting off the seven things, both because I've done this one before (here and here) and because I feel as though this whole blog is pretty self-obsessed anyway, and I'm sure you don't need additional lists of details about me!

Also, over the last few weeks, I've been nominated for the 'you make my day' award by Cyndi, Ruth, Kate, and Suse which is a real honour- thank you! For this one, I have to give a list of 10 blogs I love but I can't possibly do that, because there are far too many!

So anyway, here are seven more things. I'll try to use these to answer some of the questions I've been asked in emails or comments lately. (Sorry I've been so bad at replying to those lately!)

1. We don't know how long we'll be staying here in Norway. We came for an adventure, and a different work experience for Tom, so, all going well, we'll probably be here for 1-2 years. I can't believe we're into our second month already- it's all been a bit of a blur really.

2. I don't much like having my photo taken, never have. I suppose it's a combination of vanity (I never look how I think I 'really do' when I see myself in a photo) and shyness. That's why I don't usually have pictures of myself on here. But I can assure you that I *don't* look like any of the models in that catalogue from yesterday. Thanks though, Fiona, for your nice comment!

3. The part-time job I started is only on Saturdays- once a week or once a fortnight, depending on how much I'd like to work. So I don't have to organise any childcare because Tom is home from school. So, for the rest of the week, I am at home with Keira who is too young to attend kindergarten here. I also have another job, caring for a baby two days each week, while her parents are teaching. K's enjoying being a 'big sister' so far, and the baby is growing to like me. She really didn't last month.

4. I worry that I sound far too confident and know-it-all on my blog. Like yesterday, about that job. Really, it terrifies me! And I should have been more clear about that. I tend to want to keep this space as a calm, inspiring one about the good things that happen in each day. I also hope (and trust) that people who read my blog know that there is a lot of craziness, unvacuumed rooms, chocolate-eating, dvd-watching, and real-world-avoiding that goes on 'behind the scenes'. Just so you know.

5. I am currently reading We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. I am finding it extremely harrowing, but I can't stop reading it. It brings up so many underlying feelings and fears that I have about motherhood. It's so cleverly written. There's a tension between wanting to read more, because it's good, but not wanting to get to the end, because I know what lies there.

6. Silverbirch trees are my favourite thing about Norwegian country-side so far.

7. I really appreciate your encouragement and support here on my blog. Have I said that lately? You're all really amazing, and have made our transition here to the other side of the world much easier. Thank you, a hundred times. xx

   

Comments

[Ruth]

Good to learn more about you,, and i don't think you sound 'know it all'. I found that my blog helped my transition too. I think it's the daily support from like minded souls...

[Lisa]

I was hoping there is craziness, un-vacuumed rooms, dvd watching and chocolate eating- -its normal right!

[kirsten]

i love this post - and i'm so glad you're doing well way up in norway!

(i've seen photos of you - you could totally look like those models!;)

[liz]

great post! i love those 7 things - it makes everyone seem so much more real, you know?
and i'm happy to hear about the 'behind the scenes' stuff - you always know it happens, but to hear/see it is so much more reassuring that we are all exquisitely un-perfect. and nice to kow that there are so many other crafty mamas out there just like me!

[janet clare]

I sometimes feel that my blog is actually nothing like my life at all- even though everything on there is genuine1 Glad to hear you don't hoover much like me. No-one ever lay on their deathbed and said 'I wish I'd hoovered more'!
That book was dramatised on Radio 4 (UK) and it was fantastic, but awful.I had a quick look on their listen again page but couldn't see it- might be there though.

[heidi]

oh i love silver birch! and you are one of my fav blogs, but you know that! i don't think i could ever narrow it down to 10!

[Megan]

I need to read that book. And that top photo is just stunning.

[Anja]

I've been reading your blog for few months now and I must say that it's one of my favourites. Because of you I know, I'll be just fine when we'll move to England on May (oh well we're going just for few months). You are my inspiration. Thank you.

[Julia]

So the book is good. I looked at it the last time we went to the city but didn't dare buy it.
The bird in the tree is beautiful. It smells like winter.

[lina]

Congratulations on your awards!

We need to talk about Kevin was the first book for my book club this year. I found it very harrowing too but a gripping read which has turned out to be one of my best reads for a long time. I'm also going back to work in a few weeks (16 hours a week) for the first time in 5 years. The anticipation and anxiety is killing me, so I've decided not to mention it on my blog. Oops. Now I've just mentioned it!

[Barbara]

You mean someone else besides me has unvaccuumed rooms? LOL!!

[Rachael]

How exciting and scary for you all making the big move. I dream of lving in Europe again... The clothes are gorgeous - why are there not more shops like that in Australia. Perhaps thats a good thing...

I love that you don't always hoover - I am quite the expert in un-hoovering (as in it has been hoovered and quite quickly I can un-hoover the house). Between sewing and the toddler Minnie, I don't have too much hoovering time set aside. Pretending to be a dinosaur or hooving? There is no competition...

[lissilulu]

Melissa, I always feel you are a real person and not at all a know-it-all.
glad to hear your house isn't perfect either. LOL!
thanks for coming over to my blog and saying hi the other day,
lori

[sarah]

OMG! I can't believe you get to work at Noa Noa! I loved their stuff when I was in Norway, but could never afford any! i have since bought a boiled wool jacket of theirs from ebay,but its too hot to wear it here in Oz! Glad to hear all is going well for you over there. I might be returning to Oslo later this year for a job, and I'm looking forward to it already :)

[sallyd]

hello tinyhappy.. thank you for sharing about your life in the blog & these 7 things help me know you a little bit more.. thank you for being so honest.. i really enjoy reading your blog - love all the crafty, little one & new experiences that you share, especially being a new mum, as i have only recently found this crafty-blog community & it makes my new days at home more enjoyable, whilst realising there are so many other people out there like me.. norway looks amazing - enjoy!!

[Victoria]

Wonderful answers/facts. Your blog is always a place to come for beauty and peace, and don't worry I don't think anyone imagines that's the way your whole life is. I have been enjoying how your style/focus is the same but the scenery is a different now that you're in a new country. I like what you said about how the baby didn't like you but is starting to now! That's just so cute and funny and true of babysitting babies.

[Taimarie]

Ahh- don't we all have those unvacuumed corners and real life avoiding behind the scenes? No one shows them, but we all know they are there. I don't read your blog because I think you're perfect- I read it because you seem a very down-to-earth mama who makes lovely things and notices beauty in her world. And aren't silver birch lovely?

[alison]

RE: point number 2 - actually, I beg to differ. You do look a bit like the model in the first photo but with lighter hair- so there!

[Pia]

hi,
this isent related to this post but i say this on etsy and as iv read you like red cardinals i thought you should check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9419900

[Ange]

Hi lovely Melissa ... just to let you know that Harper Rothwell Graham was born at 2.42am on February 5th. He's got lovely long hands and feet, lovely thick black hair and dark blue eyes, and his top lip disappears somewhere when he gets upset. He makes lovely coos and gurgles and we all just think he's aces.
Poor Sweeney can't see the point of the fuss - Harper doesn't purr when you stroke him and he fills up my arms so I can't provide on-the-spot cuddles like I used to.
They're home now, settling into their new life - tired, dazed, completely absorbed.
I'll be putting some photos of him on my blog when I get to posting again in the next day or two.
So good to read about your own new adventure. I'm really rather inspired to pick the family up and plop us all somewhere completely new and exotic

love, A.

[Fiona]

There! I'm not the only one who thinks that way. :)
I've been wanting to read something new. Will try to look for the book you mention at the libraries here.

[Sissel]

Hi, I stumbled upon your blog looking for sewing insspiration. I hope you enjoy your stay in Norway.

[raspberry]

We read the Kevin book for our book group, and I loved it, I thought it was an incredible book, it split our book group, you either loved or hated it really, very black and white. Maybe if we had some members who were not mothers it would have made a difference. Being a mother and reading such a book certainly changes the way you view it. Another such book is Lord of the Flies, most people read it at school, but read it as a parent, and your views really change!

[kat]

Norway is a beautiful country to live in! My husband's sister and best friend both live in Oslo. We have visited and just love it there. Enjoy your stay :)

[Chara Michele]

I loved reading your 7 things. It is neat to be able to get to know you a bit more :)