Contemplating the beginning of half term and the end of May and wondering how it slipped through my fingers so fast. Our perspective of time is often very skewed - the agony of watching the clock hands move through a double Maths lesson or the blink-and-it's-midnight sensation of a good evening out.
Tuesday was one of those speeded up days, but a glorious one, meeting Kristina for a coffee at the Nordic Bakery and then a scoot over to Loop.
To fondle the squishy yarns and loose ourselves in the woolliest of rainbows.
It was my first visit to Loop in it's new location (if you don't count the 5 minutes spent with my nose pressed up against the window the last time I passed by, finding it shut) and they've put their extra space to excellent use, with oodles of new temptation.
Resistance was futile, so despite the fact that I have two unfinished projects on the go, I succumbed.
Destined to become some new Toasty fingerless gloves (planning early for Autumn this year, clearly).
Then there was a walk through the perfect blue sky of the afternoon.
And somehow, even though the day flew and I had to scurry on home to pick up the boys from school, in the little spaces between the eating and shopping and chatting and wandering, there was time to rediscover a little bit of the essence of me that gets buried in the everyday bustle of life.
Misplacing that kernel always makes me feel inexplicably sad and adrift - I wish I understood better when and why it happens, or that I could find a safe spot for it, so it was always to hand. But then, I suppose I never have been a 'place for everything and everything in it's place' kind of person. And perhaps there's joy in the rediscovery of chancing upon it again.
Anyway, all I know is that it's back. And I'm grateful.
I understand that sense of mispacement Ali. Glad you've found what's been missing.
Posted by: Gina | 26 May 2011 at 15:09
It does look like it was time well spent. Make sure you take some more often! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | 26 May 2011 at 16:02
A lovely day, a lovely treat and oohhhh look at that Juno. I love Juno. I admire your restraint.
Posted by: mooncalf | 26 May 2011 at 16:06
Such a perfect day. And I know what you mean about that little bit of self. I think I rediscovered a bit of it on Tuesday too.
K x
Posted by: kristina | 26 May 2011 at 16:30
Lovely thought...kernel to seed, germination to sprout! I think spring and all the "newness" of it is a great time to remember self-nurture.
Posted by: Laura | 26 May 2011 at 17:47
Loop sweeties? Well, that's it, I clearly need to visit. Soon.
I'm glad you're feeling more centred. Wish I was!
Posted by: dottycookie | 26 May 2011 at 17:57
Glad you've rediscovered your you-ness. I love those skeins of wool! They just look so strokeable and full of potential.
And the reason this half term has disappeared so fast? It was only 3 1/2 weeks long. I was recently shocked to realise that Miss 7 will be Miss 8 in just over a week. (not that she hasn't been reminding us for the past 6 months...)
Posted by: Amanda | 26 May 2011 at 18:25
It looks like a wonderful day - gorgeous yarn. Glad things are falling into place.
Posted by: Louise | 26 May 2011 at 20:16
So glad to hear it, so glad. I have completely lost my own plot, if I had one to even start with.
You bring hope to us all.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 26 May 2011 at 20:20
Isn't is strange how that kernel gets lost sometimes? It seems that the more you look for it, the more difficult it is to find and then all of a sudden you chance upon it quite unexpectedly.
I found mine last week by the river. I'm so glad you found yours on a lovely day with a friend.x
Posted by: Helen | 26 May 2011 at 22:08
So, so good to read this post. I have been waiting anxiously for it.
Posted by: Alice C | 27 May 2011 at 08:10
oh you went to Loop!!! I must the be the only person on the planet that hasn't... sigh...
(Glad you've found your 'kernel again... keep hold of it... and... any news?)
Posted by: Monica | 27 May 2011 at 13:41
Ooooh, I love this post! I think it's a life well lived where we lose ourselves and then can feel the excitement of that re-discovery. Think of the boredom of the life where that cycle never occurs.
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 27 May 2011 at 14:22
Ali, I love your philosophical musings - they make me feel better about the world too, and how nice to get a lovely day out for you-time.
Posted by: Annabel | 29 May 2011 at 19:06
I've gone a tiny bit green with envy - a visit to Loop and the Nordic Bakery and in such good company too! You certainly deserved a lovely day and what a bonus that it resulted in you unearthing that little missing essence - hope you manage to hold on to it for a goodly long time x
Posted by: Julie | 29 May 2011 at 20:55
It's so good to know that you found that essence of yourself again, but not good to think you'd mislaid it, for any length of time. Here's hoping you don't lose it again anytime soon.
Posted by: Emma | 29 May 2011 at 21:46
re: your allotment comment on my blog - It's a small world! And even smaller because I visited Loop on the same day that you did! First trip to their new store, escaping baby for a few hours to stroke lovely yarn! Very much enjoying browsing your blog by the way.
Posted by: vicky | 08 June 2011 at 21:03