There are big brownie points up for grabs here, everyone: do you remember the verse one opening line of All Saints’ seminal 1997 hit, Never Ever?
…No?
Come on! You’re missing out. It’s poetic and supremely relevant stuff:
My head’s spinning
Boy, I’m in a daze
I feel isolated
Don’t want to communicate
Too right my head’s spinning and I feel dazed, isolated, and sick of trying to communicate like a real, live, adult human being. Take for example my experience over the holiday period. While everyone was busy chatting about what they were cooking for Christmas dinner, I was (see: am) sitting at home, staring at the desolate interior of my fridge, and trying to decide what to have for our own normal, run-of-the-mill, non-festive evening meal.
Leftovers again. Yep. More bland, beige food for the kids.
The last third of 2017 was an absolute whirlwind for us, so it’s no surprise my brain is shutting down. Looking at this list, 2017 really was no mean feat:
- We made the decision to move to the United States after months of debate, research and flip-flopping amongst different options
- Cam and I planned a small, last-minute wedding… and we did it!
- We applied for (and were granted) our visas
- I got made redundant from my job on the same day Cam accepted his new one
- Our family of five moved house four times in as many weeks
- We said goodbye to our dear Australian friends and family, and goodbye to our brilliant kindergarten and childcare friends and teachers
- We hosted a fake fourth birthday party for Clara in Australia, and a real one for her in Palo Alto once we arrived – lucky girl!
- We had our own farewell party
- We sold our car and got a new one
- We bought new furniture to fill the new house
- We went slightly nuts, obviously
And all whilst juggling between us the girls and their daily routines. Cam and I practically had to write ourselves notes just to remember to celebrate Christmas. Our tree went up only one week before!
Now, if you’re rolling your eyes and asking me if I think I deserve a medal, the answer is yes. Yes, I do. And so does Cam. This relocation business has been one hell of a ride. I know plenty of people who pack up and move countries, but do they have in tow three children under school age as well? Unlikely.
So yes. Medal, please.
What am I usually like, you wonder? I’d say a pretty intelligent, high-functioning, reliable person, to be honest. Send me a text or email and you’ll get a prompt response. Need a favour? You can ask me, and I’ll do it. Need a cocktail? I’m your girl! I’m never late to events. I’ll bring you a birthday card and gift, and I’ll even bring one for your kids! Hell, I’ll probably volunteer to organise the whole bloody event along with everyone’s gift contribution!
That was me. Until now.
Now, I can’t keep up with the notifications on my phone. I’m drowning in texts, emails, WhatsApp messages, and Instagram posts. Want to get in touch? Try me. But whatever you do, DO NOT CALL! I never check voicemails and I’ll forget to get back to you. I’m doing my best to keep up. I promise. But my response time really is slowing.
My head’s not just spinning. It’s in some weird, wild, and sleep-deprived tango and I’ve no way of getting out of it.
Think I’m exaggerating? Well, consider this: I’m ashamed to admit it, but I didn’t even go Christmas shopping. What an embarrassment I was to American Christmas culture! I didn’t even go birthday shopping for Clara.* Thankfully, however, she never even asked for a gift. All she wanted was cake (thatta girl!) and the few new friends we did invite completely over-spoilt her. I’m grateful for that, I have to admit.
So do you believe me yet? Have I lost control? Is this mess-of-a-post not proof enough?
Please. Heed my call: forgive me if my eyes glaze over when you talk to me about your Christmas lunch, your recipe plans, and the myriad gifts your children are getting. I can’t bear the though of a mundane luxury like your next spa appointment or trip to the nail salon. But it’s not personal. I promise. It’s just that I’m probably trying to figure out what day it is, what I’m going to put in Clara’s lunchbox, or to whom I owe those thousand damned emails.
New Year’s resolutions? Maybe I need a weekly goal instead of a yearly one. Something simple. Something achievable.
How about: cook a semi-interesting meal with whatever’s left in the fridge?
Wish me luck.
* Okay. I did actually buy Clara a little dinosaur finger printing art set, but I totally forgot to give it to her. I found it with her card, both still wrapped in plastic, in my pile of admin and paperwork. A week ago. Good try, Clare.
A flavour of our last few months….. (with captions for context)
Big Little Lives 
I think life is pushing you into moment by moment living Clare – embrace it I say! And take Clara’s lead, it sounds like she has it all sorted 🙂 Lovely photo’s as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting perspective, Sam! Thank you for that and thanks for reading 🙂 One day at a time! xx
LikeLike
These are some lovely photos! It sounds like an exciting period in your life, good luck!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for reading! I was just checking out your blog. I do love a good cocktail. I’ll be following to hopefully get some Bloody Mary inspiration (my favourite) 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww thank you! I love a Bloody Mary too! I’ve definitely got plans to make one of these in the next few weeks! Just need to perfect the recipe first. :*
LikeLiked by 1 person
So long as it’s massively spicy, it will get my vote! I can’t wait. And give my love to that fabulous city of London.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this (mainly) honest and very human post, you do deserve multiple medals and I think it’s awesome Clara enjoyed her non material bday. To be honest we should all be doing more bdays like that, not just cos we are living an overwhelming life with a recent move OS, but bc how much stuff do we really need!?? (Why do I say mainly honest? BC despite all of the above chaos you two/five are still being insanely organised and high functioning – refer to awesome multi-element nail-on-the-head pressie we received in the international post a couple days ago! Even at “low functioning” you pull off a lot) ;D
LikeLike
Thank you, Kelly! Well, to be honest, I like people to receive their newborn gifts super promptly when baby is born – like in the first two weeks – so the five or six weeks it actually took was me being disorganised! But thank you for awarding me a medal. You’re so right about the birthdays. And honestly Clara has no idea about gifts – she’s just focussed on the cake (although she never bloody eats it). Cam and I tend to not buy each other anything for Christmas – we normally make each other something, although this year we did neither as we were too disorganised. Anyway, thank you again. Lots of love to you and R and C xx
LikeLike