So, What's This All About?

Oh hai there. How are you? 

So you might have noticed that there have been a lot of changes going on over here. The little old blog has done a bit of growing,  Mama Muesli Bar is now Amelia O'Connor Photography.  I wanted to offer a bit of an explanation to all of the things you may have been noticing. I know I am a little bit late with this post, but better late than never right?

Before I start some long winded rambling post, I wasted to say a massive THANK YOU to all of you guys for subscribing to my little old blog. It seriously fills my hole (figuratively speaking of course), people actually have a read and sometimes even comment on my little ramblings. I find blogging a very cathartic process. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than therapy and it's an opportunity for me to make connections with other like minded people in the world. I do not blog for anyone other than myself. For me it is like having a deep and meaningful conversation with a friend. I guess technically in a way, I am having a deep and meaningful conversation with many friends. 

Shall we start from the beginning? I think we should, it's usually the best place. 

I am relatively new to this 'mother' gig. It is coming up to three years since we moved back to Adelaide with our new baby, our horses, and the entire contents of our home on the back of a truck. Queensland was my home for only a very short time, it will always be a very special place to me, I fell in love there and brought a child into the world. Let me tell you one thing, coming home (and I mean home to your hometown) as a grown up (with a partner and baby), is bloody hard. Harder still if you have not really dealt with everything that I guess you could say that you were metaphorically 'running away from' -death of a parent, lost connections with old friends, general anxieties that were probably issues for years and years which you didn't really think were issues at all. Yeah, all of that. Well it bites you in the backside BIG TIME.

Anyway, we moved to a beautiful town called Lobethal, an old house with a couple of acres for the horses, beautiful gardens beautiful William to run around. A loving partner who was the one person I could be completely honest with. Gradually the negative took over the positive, I had isolated myself from everyone and everything (with the exception of a few). I felt like I was failing as a mother, as I though I had no real idea what the heck I was doing. Plus, I didn't really have anyone I could turn to - not that I would have anyway, I was far too proud to admit that I was struggling with life in general.

One day I remember doing an online search for motherly advice, mother bloggers, mother groups, mother anything... something. I needed women. I needed to not feel like I was being judged, which was a massive thing for me back then. Guess who's blog I stumbled on? First cab off the rank - Baby Mac. This lady literally reached through the screen and wrapped her arms around me, she stroked my hair and told me that she is there and not to worry anymore. Within hours I had made four friends that I will honestly treasure forever - Cat, Eden, and Bianca. Thank goodness I found these brilliant women. You know I have never ever met these ladies in the flesh, but they are my mates, they make me a better me, they make me a better mum and a better wife and for that I will love them forever. I decided to create my own space, a little place for me to go and write - this is how Mama Muesli Bar was born.

Fast forward two or so years. There is a new house, a new baby, a husband (don't worry - its the same guy) and a new outlook and self belief. Keith and I talk often about life, family, love and independence. He is always the first person to believe in me, sometimes before I do.

ByTim

One evening, we were having a night out on the town, enjoying a lovely leisurely dinner. He turned to me and said
'What makes you happy?'
'Where I am at this point in my life' I said
'No, I mean you, as an individual. What makes YOU happy?'
'Well I guess it would be taking photos' I said very hesitantly, almost embarrassed to say out loud.
'Well that is what you should do. You have the talent, and I know you can be a great success if you put your heart and soul into something for yourself'.

Bloody Keith.

'Look at Timmy, look at what he has achieved in such a short time. You can do this.'

My very first thoughts were 'no flipping way could I ever do this'. It settled in my mind, it processed and eased it's way into my possibilities.

Yes, maybe I can do this.

So here we are, at the end, which is only the beginning. It is a slow learning process, and I am super excited to be dipping my toes, ever so slowly, into the water. I intend to keep this blog a combination of personal and professional, I think it is important to have somewhere to express my thoughts and also connect with my peers. My life is an open book and I believe it is important to continue be myself.

Many thanks and big love,

Amelia