… by’ this’ I mean that horrible 20,000 word dissertation I’m writing. I use the word ‘writing’ in the loosest possible sense.

2 months until deadline. I can almost taste the freedom. Here’s what liberation will bring…

1. Being still. At length ~ Ever since I started my MA back in October of last year I feel like I haven’t stopped. Life has been about rushing. Rushing out of the house in the morning, rushing to classes, rushing towards deadlines. I cannot wait to just stop and do nothing. I mean, not nothing, because there’s no such thing once you have children, but, comparatively speaking, life will seem positively motionless.2. A life laundry ~ I have such a strong urge to de-clutter, sort and organise the house. There’s a wardrobe full of clothes that could be sold on eBay, bags of old toys that should find their way to new homes and corners of the house filled with piles of stuff that needs to disappear quickly or risk sending me permanently crazy. I guess, you could say things have descended into chaos in recent months. I cannot wait to remedy this situation and regain a little order.

3. Nesting ~ Once the life laundry is out of the way I’m hoping there will finally be time to give our little home some TLC. We’ve been here almost 5 years now and the place could certainly use a lick of paint. I really wish someone had had a conversation with me about painting all the walls white when we moved in. With 2 small children, what was I thinking?! The grubby hand prints and smudges almost look like an unusual wallpaper print in their own right. Top of my list of projects will be the children’s bedroom, the hallway and the lounge. Nothing too grand, just a little love and attention.

4. Wedding planning ~ The ‘to do’ list isn’t getting any shorter. I’m desperate to throw myself into all the little tasks that need completing but deep down I know what the priority is right now. Post-hand in it will be all about addressing invitations, ordering pretty things like ribbon and hunting for Mr. LA’s suit.5. Painting my nails ~ I like to think I do a pretty good job of keeping myself well groomed, maybe even a little glamorous, despite the many demands on my time. But, I am, after all, only human. I can probably count on one {unmanicured} hand the number of opportunities I’ve had to slap a bit of polish on my tips over the last year. Bar the odd coral, red or hot pink shade used for my tootsies {you just can’t skip a pedi in high summer}, my collection of polishes sits unloved in our bedroom, just crying out to be used. I plan to paint my nails on an almost daily basis once the studying is out of the way. 6. Reading for pleasure ~ The fact I haven’t had time to read anything non-course related for the last year doesn’t seem to have deterred me from buying books. I have a stack of paperbacks beside my bed longing to be read and I can’t wait to start working my way through them.

7. {Re-}connecting with friends ~ I feel like I’ve been neglecting some of the most fabulous people in my life of late. Obviously, they’re so fabulous that they completely understand. But I miss them and I can’t wait to give them the attention they deserve.8. Watching old movies ~ I. Am. Sick. Of. War. Films. Research for my dissertation has involved watching what feels like every film ever made about the Vietnam War. When I’m done, I’m going to have an Audrey marathon. Breakfast at Tiffany’s first, followed by Funny Face. Then I’ll have a little Marilyn Monroe, perhaps in the form of Some Like it Hot. Fred and Ginger to finish. There will also be popcorn.9. Writing ~ I am going to write until my arm falls off. Not lofty, academic prose. It might not even be worthy of being read. I just want to use words for something other than getting marks or pleasing lecturers.

10. The future ~ Not sure how this one is going to turn out just yet. We’ll see, I guess.

Loveaudrey xxx