now is the time...

This winter has been long and lonely 

It has left me listless

A bit numb

+

A tad empty

In the past {almost} three years I have been either pregnant or nursing without reprieve.

Except for that one afternoon Mike and I left Poppy with "Dam" and" Baba" so we could go to our favourite Indian restaurant we have had zero breaks.

I love being a mama.

Why do I feel the constant need to defend that fact?

I would give my last breath to my children.  They have taken love to another level.

They take me to the edge and break me down yet they are still what make me gather my bones to center and rise again.

I love being a mama.  I do.

But in my love and whole-hearted parenting, I have managed to isolate myself completely and deny the girl inside me.  The girl who loves to dance and twirl her hips to bad dance music and wear pretty scarves and big earrings.

My sanity is hanging by a thread.

The last couple of weeks have been bad.

Teething, a wicked cold, and sleepless nights have moved through our house like a wicked wave.  

By the end of the day I am covered in dried snot and tripping over the bags under my eyes.

I am a zombie and yet I don't want to escape my children and responsibilities, but yearn to find a community to share the burdens and joys of being a woman, wife and mama.

I have been thinking a lot about the kind, strong, and inspiring people scattered throughout my life {both online and in the real world}and have been wanting to form a sort of circle by connecting them all together somehow.  I am having a hard time defining this so bear with me.

For the Local Folks:

Many of the women I am thinking of have small children, are, like us, planning on homeschooling and are in need of a non-judgmental playgroup for the children to get more socialization and group playtime.  We could meet at different kid friendly locations or homes for this.  This, of course wouldn't be limited to just homeschoolers, or just parents for that matter, but for anyone looking for a playgroup where the parents have a little more in common than just being a parent.

I also thought it would be great to do a workshop or structured activity together on a regular basis {perhaps one of Rae's many offerings}.  Other ideas include, but are not limited to drumming circles, mass preserving and baking bees, building bees, bonfires, potlucks, yoga, belly dancing, field trips, the list could go on

For the Online Folks:

Many of us are bloggers.  

I am at a bit of a loss as to how we would form a blog circle, but I am thinking it may be interesting to have a communal blog to which the group could post ideas, issues, thoughts and projects they are working on.

Ideas include, but are not limited to online workshops, tutorials, diptych pairings, photo/craft swaps, bartering systems etc.

I guess what I am saying is that I am trying to create a community of mamas, papas, men, women and children.  Artists, craftspeople, musicians, teachers and runners.  A group of 'salt of the earth' people to rally around those in need.  A group to celebrate with, find comfort in, listen to and learn from.

It feels a bit awkward to "start" a community as it is something I always felt should and would happen organically, but in a way it has in the form of a rather disorganized smattering of wonderful people sprouting up and into our lives for years now.

If you are interested in being a part of this or have ideas for structuring etc, please leave a comment or write to me at applesforpoppyanne@hotmail.com with "now is the time" in the subject line.

go gently + be wonderful

e.