It's Day One of my husband being out of town for five days for business travel and so far I'm feeling pretty good about the situation. Admittedly, was feeling a little nervous when I first became aware of this trip. And, yes, I do stay home with my kids the majority of the week on my own - so it was never a question of capability - more like a question of mental stability. Let's face it, while I love being home with my children almost every day, there are days when I have a running countdown to when my husband comes home from work and I can change the order of command to Daddy. (Mommy is on break!) I have always been in awe over single moms who don't have that outlet when they need it the most. So, on some level I was going into these five days with the mentality of a single mom. So far, this is how it has played out:
5:20am - hear husband's alarm clock go off and thank GOD I'm not the one who has to catch an 8:50 flight to Vegas.
5:45am - kiss goodbye from husband (still 70% asleep).
6:15am - Three-year-old (will now be referred to as TYO) is suddenly laying in bed with me. She's still and quiet so I don't care too much.
6:20am - One-year old (will now be referred to as OYO) is half talking, half crying in his room. Fab.
6:30am - OYO is quiet and TYO is asleep (God Bless!)
6:45am - Cell phone right next to bed starts ringing, VERY loudly for this hour of the morning. Scramble out of bed superfast (while still 70% asleep) so to not awake the TYO.
6:46am- Heading downstairs to retrieve husband's record number (written on a Post-It) for his flight for which he has an e-ticket and cannot check in without.
6:48am - Digging through trash for said PostIt. No luck.
6:55am - Following husband's directions to access his email to retrieve record number from his inbox. Success.
6:56am - Head back upstairs to bed (TYO is still sleeping soundly), but wait - OYO is up.
7:00am - Downstairs with OYO for breakfast.
7:20am - TYO stumbling downstairs crying b/c she couldn't find me. Good morning.
7:30am - TYO is eating yogurt for breakfast. Take opportunity to check email.
7:34am - TYO and OYO come down the hallway laughing, look up to see LOTS of yogurt in OYO's hair.
7:35am - Wipe yogurt out of OYO's hair with paper towel. Am not giving bath at 7:30 in the morning.
8:00am - Announce "PJ Car Ride" so Mommy can get her Starbucks fix.
9:15am - OYO is going down for nap, he was up early!!
9:30am - Get fantastic idea to paint master bathroom toilet closet (you know, the room where the potty is.) TYO is watching TV downstairs.
9:45am - Have all paint supplies assembled, ready to go. Have caught the attention of TYO who now wants to help.
10:00am - Am doing superb job simultaneously painting and talking TYO out of helping me.
10:05am - TYO has paint on bottom of foot. Must act immediately before paint footprints appear on carpet.
10:10am - Back to painting.
10:15am - Dry, clean roller that TYO has been playing with apparently now has a bit of paint on it - not so good for pretend painting anymore. Banish roller from TYO's hands and come up with Plan B for TYO...bath in Mommy's big tub!!
10:20am - TYO is playing with toys in Mommy's tub - which we are both equally thrilled about.
10:21am - Back to painting.
10:30am - Get phone call from Mom. Make plans to go to the pool together after lunch. Decide this is a great idea since I am hot, sweaty and speckled with paint. (And since OYO's hair was almost entirely covered in yogurt this morning.)
11:00am - Painting is done! Well, to be fair, what I wanted to accomplish today is done. Second part of painting will have to wait until later this week. And, OYO wakes up from nap...perfect timing!
11:15am - Downstairs fixing an early lunch for kids.
Noon - Grandparents arrive. Fun and relaxation at the pool begins. Aaahhhhhh! :)
Now we're home. OYO has been sleeping for about an hour. Many attempts at getting the TYO to sleep have been made (unsuccessfully at the moment - she is currently climbing on my back as I type.) We have the entire afternoon to do whatever. I feel productive (hello, the painting!!) and also like we did something fun today. So if we lounge around the rest of Sunday it's no biggie. Thinking about ordering pizza for dinner tonight. Make it easy, right? So, Day One has been good. But, it's only Day One...the fun has just begun!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
4 Mile Power Push
I am a runner. I tell myself that I like to run. I regularly run to (a) get outside, (b) have some time to myself and (c) stay in shape. But, the truth is that I don't really like running. Running is hard. It's hard to get yourself started and it's hard to stay where you are. Missing a week of running is like dropping out of school mid-semester and then sitting for the final exam - at least for me it is. When it's hot outside my head throbs with pressure and I sweat like a you-know-what in church. When it's cold outside my lungs feel like they are encased in ice, fighting for each breath. My left knee is starting to feel tender after too many consecutive days of running (perhaps a symptom of nearing the big 3-0?) Sometimes, after a particularly bad (or good, depending on your perspective) run I feel like throwing up. And, I occasionally get side cramps - although those usually are an outcome of missing a week or two of running.
So, you may be asking yourself, why do I run?!?
If my goals are to (a) get outside, (b) have time to myself and (c) stay in shape, there are other activities that satisfy those criteria without the garish side effects. Laying by the pool, getting a pedicure, taking a fun group exercise class are just a few that come to mind.
Believe it or not, I actually had an epiphany about why I run during one of my runs. I run because it is a challenge and it's not easy.
When I run I feel very powerful. My head is clear at the end of a run. My body has been put to the test and my mind feels like it has accomplished something great. Recently I drove my course to see how many miles I was actually logging. (Judgement of any type of distance is not exactly a strength of mine!) I was delighted to discover that my entire round trip run was exactly four miles!! This was much longer than I thought I was running and I was absolutely proud of myself for going the distance.
Since I've calculated the actual mileage of my run, I've found myself running extra streets and adding loops to my course to add distance and challenge myself even more. Maybe this is why running is a perfect match for me. I'm competitive - even with myself. I like to push myself, take on something new and give it a try. If my legs are running four miles comfortably, than heck, they should be able to run five, right? And when they do run five, it's a feeling of accomplishment that stays with me the entire day - no matter what obstacles that day holds in store.
In the end, to be entirely cliche, you could honestly say that I have a love/hate relationship with running. I hate actually running - but I'm in love with how it makes me feel!
So, you may be asking yourself, why do I run?!?
If my goals are to (a) get outside, (b) have time to myself and (c) stay in shape, there are other activities that satisfy those criteria without the garish side effects. Laying by the pool, getting a pedicure, taking a fun group exercise class are just a few that come to mind.
Believe it or not, I actually had an epiphany about why I run during one of my runs. I run because it is a challenge and it's not easy.
When I run I feel very powerful. My head is clear at the end of a run. My body has been put to the test and my mind feels like it has accomplished something great. Recently I drove my course to see how many miles I was actually logging. (Judgement of any type of distance is not exactly a strength of mine!) I was delighted to discover that my entire round trip run was exactly four miles!! This was much longer than I thought I was running and I was absolutely proud of myself for going the distance.
Since I've calculated the actual mileage of my run, I've found myself running extra streets and adding loops to my course to add distance and challenge myself even more. Maybe this is why running is a perfect match for me. I'm competitive - even with myself. I like to push myself, take on something new and give it a try. If my legs are running four miles comfortably, than heck, they should be able to run five, right? And when they do run five, it's a feeling of accomplishment that stays with me the entire day - no matter what obstacles that day holds in store.
In the end, to be entirely cliche, you could honestly say that I have a love/hate relationship with running. I hate actually running - but I'm in love with how it makes me feel!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Perfect Puzzle
Sometimes I feel as though my life is a great big puzzle. At some point or another it seems like my puzzle is blissfully complete, and then, undeniably a piece goes missing or is taken away. The pieces that matter the most are always there: my loving husband, my incredibly smart and sassy daughter and my irresistibly sweet son. Likewise, there are pieces of me that belong to titles like daughter, sister, friend, mother, employee, etc. The list goes on and on. Lately, the two pieces that seem to puzzle me the most is the “Mom” piece versus the “Career” piece. It doesn’t seem like there is adequate space for both pieces in my puzzle and I just know that can’t be true.
So here's an age-old question for you: why is it that when you have children you are forced to make a decision between being a mom and having a fulfilling career outside of the home? I know there are millions of working mothers who are successful in their jobs and are great mothers to boot. But somewhere deep inside even the most organized, together, multi-tasking mommy there is some type of guilt associated with either her kids or her career. Why is the grass always greener?
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to be on both sides of the equation. I’ve been the full-time working mother who has to drop her children off at daycare in the morning, pick them up in the evening only in time for dinner, baths and bedtime. I’ve pined for a day with my kids where I can do nothing but clean the house, play with the little ones and make dinner for my family. Then, out of nowhere I got my wish. Well, in a sort of roundabout way called losing your job. All of a sudden I found myself home 24/7 with the kids and I loved it. Yes, there were incredibly glowing moments where I thought to myself how could I ever go back to work and leave these darlings with someone else again?? And, there were the insanely trying moments where I thought to myself I need a job NOW!! But overall, the glowing moments won out over the trying ones and I loved it.
Here’s what sucks about being a stay-at-home mom. The paycheck. This is undoubtedly the hardest job ever, and it pays nothing! So while I’m at home enjoying my children I can’t get rid of the nagging thought in the back of my head that if I went back to work I’d be providing for my family financially, which would lead to stability and security for my kids. What I've discovered though is it’s a catch 22. In my puzzle, to date, it seems like there are only two scenarios that fit:
a) We can have money in the bank and I'm providing a secure upbringing for my family, but I don’t get to take my three-year old to preschool. (In fact, in this scenario she doesn’t even get to go to preschool because it’s only a half day and I’d be at work.) I don’t get to watch my baby boy learn new things every day and I'd miss the moments that matter the most to any mother.
b) I stay home with my kids. I'm the one who makes daily decisions about how they are raised. I make memories with them, I work with them and play with them and take them to do cool things and provide them with an involved, loving mother. But, we're struggling to make ends meet. In fact, while I have all the time in the world to shuttle my kids around to sports and activities, we don't have the disposable income to enroll them in the first place. And in this scenario it's best to not even think ahead too far down the road to college - I would give myself an ulcer by the time my youngest turns two!
Arghhh!! See how frustrating this is?? It's so annoying because it's black and white and these days there is ample room for some gray area. I have a perfect solution in my head. In theory, I work a few days a week either outside of the home or from home doing what I love and what I'm good at. I'm earning pretty good money for a part-timer because I'm a trusted professional who is not sacrificing the quality of her work, just the actual hours she works. And, on my off days I am fully there for my kids, mind and body. With this solution comes financial support for my family, emotional support for my kids, professional fulfillment for me and a happy wife for my husband!! ;) WHY then is this so hard to find??
So I'm going to keep plugging away at completing my puzzle. I know that my puzzle will never be completely finished. I will always be changing and growing and wanting different things out of life that will adjust my perfect puzzle. But for now, I'm going to keep my eye on the prize and keep trying to land my dream situation. Taking a full-time job at this point seems like defeat. But not looking for any opportunities at all seems equally defeating. Here's to all the professional, intelligent, hard-working mothers out there trying to make everyone (including themselves) happy!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Secret Keeper
For as long as I can remember I have been the listener, the giver of advice, the mediator, and the keeper of secrets. I don't know why exactly people feel like they can come to me with their problems, frustrations and secrets...but it happens all the time. I've often quipped that I must have a sign on my forehead that says "tell me your problems" because I'm not just talking about my sister, my best friends, etc. - this happens with colleagues, acquaintances and sometimes even perfect strangers while standing in line at the checkout counter.
It's a role that I relish and despise at the same time. I cherish the fact that my friends and family think to come to me when they have a problem and seek my advice. I love that my loved ones know that I will genuinely listen to them and keep the details to myself. I hate that when a petty argument or even a legitimate fight breaks out among friends, I am the person both sides come to when they want to vent about the other. And, I despise when coworkers have nothing better to do than complain about someone else - you guessed it, because they complain to me - both of them, about each other nonetheless!!
Don't get me wrong, I'm no angel myself. I vent, I complain and I get upset over petty arguments. I know who and what my outlets are to release my stress when it's at breaking point. But I've also learned my lesson more than a few times in my nearly 30 years. And what I've learned is this: it's absolutely okay to vent your anger and frustrations to someone else. But, be forewarned that you should really know and trust your "ventee." Your work friends are tricky because you do spend many waking hours with them, but when push comes to shove, they are your work friends and they will always put themselves first when it comes to protecting their livelihoods. Furthermore, gossip grows like weeds when it comes to circles of friends - and I'm talking mostly about women here! If you choose to vent about one of your friends to another friend in your same circle - just know that more often than not it will come back to bite you in the butt.
I sometimes think about all the stuff I know about other people, because they've told me themselves. I'm not holding hugely earth-shattering secrets here, but in a lot of cases I have the inside scoop on what's going on around me. I think to myself that these friends and family members and colleagues and acquaintances of mine have been lucky. They are lucky because they have chosen to confide in me (whether they should or shouldn't have in the first place!) because I am trustworthy and I will keep the dirty little secrets to myself. If that's my God-given role, well, I'm going to be good at it.
It's a role that I relish and despise at the same time. I cherish the fact that my friends and family think to come to me when they have a problem and seek my advice. I love that my loved ones know that I will genuinely listen to them and keep the details to myself. I hate that when a petty argument or even a legitimate fight breaks out among friends, I am the person both sides come to when they want to vent about the other. And, I despise when coworkers have nothing better to do than complain about someone else - you guessed it, because they complain to me - both of them, about each other nonetheless!!
Don't get me wrong, I'm no angel myself. I vent, I complain and I get upset over petty arguments. I know who and what my outlets are to release my stress when it's at breaking point. But I've also learned my lesson more than a few times in my nearly 30 years. And what I've learned is this: it's absolutely okay to vent your anger and frustrations to someone else. But, be forewarned that you should really know and trust your "ventee." Your work friends are tricky because you do spend many waking hours with them, but when push comes to shove, they are your work friends and they will always put themselves first when it comes to protecting their livelihoods. Furthermore, gossip grows like weeds when it comes to circles of friends - and I'm talking mostly about women here! If you choose to vent about one of your friends to another friend in your same circle - just know that more often than not it will come back to bite you in the butt.
I sometimes think about all the stuff I know about other people, because they've told me themselves. I'm not holding hugely earth-shattering secrets here, but in a lot of cases I have the inside scoop on what's going on around me. I think to myself that these friends and family members and colleagues and acquaintances of mine have been lucky. They are lucky because they have chosen to confide in me (whether they should or shouldn't have in the first place!) because I am trustworthy and I will keep the dirty little secrets to myself. If that's my God-given role, well, I'm going to be good at it.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Almost 30
My 30th birthday is still nearly four months away. To be honest, I have not been that concerned about it. I don't understand people who freak out with the onslaught of another birthday and double the freak out mode when that birthday is considered a "milestone." To me 30 is just a number. It has nothing to do with how I feel, how I look or how I live my life. Well, I should say I thought that until very recently.
Perhaps 30 does mean something more to my body. After all, for as long as I can remember I've been able to not really worry too much about diet and get away with it. I mean, I'm not hanging out 24/7 at McDonald's, but I do enjoy a good dessert once in a while (read: several times a week.) But lately I've noticed that my body is betraying me!! It is no longer letting me get away with these shenanigans. Could it be possible that my body knows it is about to turn 30 and has decided it has done enough work for me for a while and now I need to put forth some effort?? I have a sinking feeling this is true.
I've always been pretty active - although raising a one-year old and a three-year old is significantly cutting into my workout time - but now I'm going to have to make an actual effort to be more conscious about consumption. What do weight loss books and TV shows always say? Oh yeah, it's not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. So, you could say I began the first day of my new lifestyle just yesterday.
To begin, I started writing down what I eat and am making a valiant effort to keep myself in check. In only 36 hours into this little experiment I've realized that being more conscious about my food choices is both eye-opening and challenging. Eye-opening because I'm learning that even the "good-for-you" foods can pack quite a punch to the gut if you eat too much of them! Take almonds for instance. Almonds contain the "good" fat that your body needs and are supposed to keep your sharp, especially in the afternoon. (Sounds good to a stay-at-home-mom of two youngsters!) But, the calories can really add up if you eat more than say 10, which I definitely do! And, challenging because being conscious of the food I eat is causing me to constantly think about FOOD! I mean c'mon - I'm blogging about food!
Then there's that other factor. Being a mom. Well, more precisely, being pregnant and having given birth to two babies. No doubt that has taken a toll on my body. Does that play into this sudden backlash I'm getting from my own body? Or do 30-year-old women who don't have any kids yet still face the same fate? If these are the permanent side effects of multiple pregnancies and births, it seriously and selfishly makes me reconsider my want for a third!
Long story short, I guess that 30 is one of those "milestone" birthdays for a reason. Even if you don't quite feel "grown up" in every aspect of your life, your body is absolutely grown up. And, this body is expecting me to start acting like a responsible adult! (Ugh!)
Perhaps 30 does mean something more to my body. After all, for as long as I can remember I've been able to not really worry too much about diet and get away with it. I mean, I'm not hanging out 24/7 at McDonald's, but I do enjoy a good dessert once in a while (read: several times a week.) But lately I've noticed that my body is betraying me!! It is no longer letting me get away with these shenanigans. Could it be possible that my body knows it is about to turn 30 and has decided it has done enough work for me for a while and now I need to put forth some effort?? I have a sinking feeling this is true.
I've always been pretty active - although raising a one-year old and a three-year old is significantly cutting into my workout time - but now I'm going to have to make an actual effort to be more conscious about consumption. What do weight loss books and TV shows always say? Oh yeah, it's not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. So, you could say I began the first day of my new lifestyle just yesterday.
To begin, I started writing down what I eat and am making a valiant effort to keep myself in check. In only 36 hours into this little experiment I've realized that being more conscious about my food choices is both eye-opening and challenging. Eye-opening because I'm learning that even the "good-for-you" foods can pack quite a punch to the gut if you eat too much of them! Take almonds for instance. Almonds contain the "good" fat that your body needs and are supposed to keep your sharp, especially in the afternoon. (Sounds good to a stay-at-home-mom of two youngsters!) But, the calories can really add up if you eat more than say 10, which I definitely do! And, challenging because being conscious of the food I eat is causing me to constantly think about FOOD! I mean c'mon - I'm blogging about food!
Then there's that other factor. Being a mom. Well, more precisely, being pregnant and having given birth to two babies. No doubt that has taken a toll on my body. Does that play into this sudden backlash I'm getting from my own body? Or do 30-year-old women who don't have any kids yet still face the same fate? If these are the permanent side effects of multiple pregnancies and births, it seriously and selfishly makes me reconsider my want for a third!
Long story short, I guess that 30 is one of those "milestone" birthdays for a reason. Even if you don't quite feel "grown up" in every aspect of your life, your body is absolutely grown up. And, this body is expecting me to start acting like a responsible adult! (Ugh!)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Dreams of Winning Big
In this day and age it seems like everybody wants more. If they have a house they want a bigger, nicer house. If they have a car they want a pricier, flashier one. If they have money in the bank they want to spend it. And I'm not just preaching from a high horse, I am certainly not immune to this wanting disease.
Unfortunately, very often I find myself wanting more. I love our house, but wouldn't it be nice to have a bigger and better one with a big yard and luxurious amenities? I have a pretty nice wardrobe, but wouldn't it be fun to shop all day at Nordstrom's and not worry about how much you are spending? It's even come to the point that I have a very specific plan in my head regarding what we would do with millions of dollars - by winning the lottery, of course - and we don't even play the lottery!
I think it's time to step back and think about what I already have and how really the most important things can't be bought with lottery winnings in the first place. I have a great family with supportive parents and in-laws that actually all get along really well, how many people can say that?!? :) I have a fantastic sister (and new brother-in-law) and equally fantastic sisters-in-law that I know I can count on. I have a great husband who loves me unconditionally and (in my opinion) the cutest, sweetest and smartest little kids a person could ask for!! My family is healthy, active, fun and loving and who wants to jeopardize that with the greed that comes with having money? Can you tell I've thought long and hard about this? :)
Have you ever watched one of those "Curse of the Lottery" shows on E!? Give ordinary people extraordinary wealth and it's like watching a train wreck. Even the most good-intentioned people have to deal with "long-lost relatives" and "long-lost friends" coming out of the woodwork looking for a piece of the pie. Then, think about how one would go about looking for somebody trustworthy and experienced to handle this new found wealth. It exhausts me just thinking about it.
So while I will continue to dream about what we would do with millions of dollars, I'm going to put that dream in the "fantasy" pile and try not to invest too many of my thoughts on something that isn't very healthy to think about. Instead, I'm going to start counting my blessings and focus on what I already have which is honestly more than I could ever hope for.
But, I still might buy a lottery ticket today...! :)
Unfortunately, very often I find myself wanting more. I love our house, but wouldn't it be nice to have a bigger and better one with a big yard and luxurious amenities? I have a pretty nice wardrobe, but wouldn't it be fun to shop all day at Nordstrom's and not worry about how much you are spending? It's even come to the point that I have a very specific plan in my head regarding what we would do with millions of dollars - by winning the lottery, of course - and we don't even play the lottery!
I think it's time to step back and think about what I already have and how really the most important things can't be bought with lottery winnings in the first place. I have a great family with supportive parents and in-laws that actually all get along really well, how many people can say that?!? :) I have a fantastic sister (and new brother-in-law) and equally fantastic sisters-in-law that I know I can count on. I have a great husband who loves me unconditionally and (in my opinion) the cutest, sweetest and smartest little kids a person could ask for!! My family is healthy, active, fun and loving and who wants to jeopardize that with the greed that comes with having money? Can you tell I've thought long and hard about this? :)
Have you ever watched one of those "Curse of the Lottery" shows on E!? Give ordinary people extraordinary wealth and it's like watching a train wreck. Even the most good-intentioned people have to deal with "long-lost relatives" and "long-lost friends" coming out of the woodwork looking for a piece of the pie. Then, think about how one would go about looking for somebody trustworthy and experienced to handle this new found wealth. It exhausts me just thinking about it.
So while I will continue to dream about what we would do with millions of dollars, I'm going to put that dream in the "fantasy" pile and try not to invest too many of my thoughts on something that isn't very healthy to think about. Instead, I'm going to start counting my blessings and focus on what I already have which is honestly more than I could ever hope for.
But, I still might buy a lottery ticket today...! :)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Perpetually Picking Up Peas
I was bitten by the cleaning bug today. It is May 15, so perhaps a little late for actual spring cleaning...and I only got one room done. But, any sort of actual cleaning (not just picking up) with a one-year-old and a three-year-old in the house is huge!!
Now, my house isn't messy. In fact, most people who visit my house will probably tell you it is clean. But clean is such a funny word...it means different things to different people. My house is not CLEAN. Meaning the absence of dirt! Things are put away and there isn't clutter (the biggest annoyance in my life), but there is dirt. The miraculous thing is that dirt isn't quite so obvious when things are put away. Thank God! :)
I decided to clean today as I was cleaning up after my son Connor's lunch. You guessed it, he had peas. Loves them. I love them too. Well, for him I love them. They are easy to prepare, he can eat them by himself and they are healthy. However, peas are messy. As I was bent over picking up forlorn peas on the floor (I should just let my cat eat them up, she likes them!) I find my three-year-old taking my (white) flip flop and smashing the peas into the tile. She's smashed about three by the time I discover what she is doing and put the kibosh on it. As I'm down on my hands and knees on the floor this time wiping up pea mush...I discover that yes, my floor is DIRTY! And this astonishes me because ever since I left my full-time job I have put a cleaning schedule in place and I stick to mopping my floor once a week. (Let me state for the record that when I had a full-time job I honestly actually mopped my floor maybe once a month.) But my floor is still always dirty!!
So cleaning up pea moosh turned into hand cleaning spots on my floor with disinfectant wipes. Which led to wiping down the baseboards, then the window sills and then washing the windows. (Just the kitchen and family room windows mind you...I am NOT superwoman!!) Followed by wiping down the cabinets and then reorganizing the cabinets, cleaning the refrigerator and clearing off our hutch (which in our house serves as the catch-all for anything "important.")
Thank God for the rainy day we're having, otherwise I'm pretty sure I would have cleared every item out of my cabinets and then decided I'd rather be outside enjoying the sunshine! Long story short, my kitchen is clean. Really clean. Well, except for the floors, I actually didn't get around to mopping - I'm too tired!! :)
Now, my house isn't messy. In fact, most people who visit my house will probably tell you it is clean. But clean is such a funny word...it means different things to different people. My house is not CLEAN. Meaning the absence of dirt! Things are put away and there isn't clutter (the biggest annoyance in my life), but there is dirt. The miraculous thing is that dirt isn't quite so obvious when things are put away. Thank God! :)
I decided to clean today as I was cleaning up after my son Connor's lunch. You guessed it, he had peas. Loves them. I love them too. Well, for him I love them. They are easy to prepare, he can eat them by himself and they are healthy. However, peas are messy. As I was bent over picking up forlorn peas on the floor (I should just let my cat eat them up, she likes them!) I find my three-year-old taking my (white) flip flop and smashing the peas into the tile. She's smashed about three by the time I discover what she is doing and put the kibosh on it. As I'm down on my hands and knees on the floor this time wiping up pea mush...I discover that yes, my floor is DIRTY! And this astonishes me because ever since I left my full-time job I have put a cleaning schedule in place and I stick to mopping my floor once a week. (Let me state for the record that when I had a full-time job I honestly actually mopped my floor maybe once a month.) But my floor is still always dirty!!
So cleaning up pea moosh turned into hand cleaning spots on my floor with disinfectant wipes. Which led to wiping down the baseboards, then the window sills and then washing the windows. (Just the kitchen and family room windows mind you...I am NOT superwoman!!) Followed by wiping down the cabinets and then reorganizing the cabinets, cleaning the refrigerator and clearing off our hutch (which in our house serves as the catch-all for anything "important.")
Thank God for the rainy day we're having, otherwise I'm pretty sure I would have cleared every item out of my cabinets and then decided I'd rather be outside enjoying the sunshine! Long story short, my kitchen is clean. Really clean. Well, except for the floors, I actually didn't get around to mopping - I'm too tired!! :)
Friday, February 20, 2009
Book Club Babble
My friends and I recently started a book club. I love to read, but given the fact that I held a full-time marketing job spliced with a full-time mom job, it had probably been a good six months since I picked up (and finished) a book. Now, that I'm working only one full-time job (the mom one) I've had the relished opportunity to feed my reading habit.
The premise of the book club is that one person will choose a title, host a monthly meeting* at their house and create a list of questions for the group to discuss. (*The term "meeting" is held lightly here, as this meeting will most likely be overflowing with wine and food, but I digress...)
The first book chosen was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Pausch was a college professor with a young family including three children under the age of six who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He wrote this book about his last lecture given at his university in which he professed on life lessons, experience, love and advice. According to the author, the lecture and the book was really meant for his children, who would most likely have few memories, if any at all, of their father. Since the book was published Pausch has passed away.
The book was a short read. I read it in two days. The book felt almost like a journal with short chapters filled with great knowledge and inspiring tales. The overarching theme of the book was "fulfilling childhood dreams." What amazed me was that this man did live out all of his childhood dreams in one way or another. He dreamed of being an astronaut, and when that didn't pan out he "settled" for a turn in NASA's "Weightless Wonder," a plane that helps astronauts get used to the feeling of being in zero gravity. It made me realize that just because a dream seems too far out of reach, it is not unattainable as there are multiple ways to achieve your dream. The other thing about this man's experiences is that many of them happened later in his life. That's a soothing thought to an unemployed mom of two who is about to turn 30 this year!! :)
Of course, the book also touched on more fundamental pieces of advice that seem a given but many people actually need a refresher course on. Bits like working well with people, going the extra mile to say thank you and the importance of being earnest. Sounds like an elementary school report card because it is that basic and yet it is so important and often so forgotten.
I didn't mean for this blog entry to turn into a book report! :) But, reading Randy Pausch's words made me view my own life in bigger terms, inspired me to keep pursuing my own long-lost dreams and gave me a new perspective on what is really important during our short time here on Earth.
And, now I have my "homework" done for my book club tonight too. God, I love multi-tasking! :)
The premise of the book club is that one person will choose a title, host a monthly meeting* at their house and create a list of questions for the group to discuss. (*The term "meeting" is held lightly here, as this meeting will most likely be overflowing with wine and food, but I digress...)
The first book chosen was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Pausch was a college professor with a young family including three children under the age of six who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He wrote this book about his last lecture given at his university in which he professed on life lessons, experience, love and advice. According to the author, the lecture and the book was really meant for his children, who would most likely have few memories, if any at all, of their father. Since the book was published Pausch has passed away.
The book was a short read. I read it in two days. The book felt almost like a journal with short chapters filled with great knowledge and inspiring tales. The overarching theme of the book was "fulfilling childhood dreams." What amazed me was that this man did live out all of his childhood dreams in one way or another. He dreamed of being an astronaut, and when that didn't pan out he "settled" for a turn in NASA's "Weightless Wonder," a plane that helps astronauts get used to the feeling of being in zero gravity. It made me realize that just because a dream seems too far out of reach, it is not unattainable as there are multiple ways to achieve your dream. The other thing about this man's experiences is that many of them happened later in his life. That's a soothing thought to an unemployed mom of two who is about to turn 30 this year!! :)
Of course, the book also touched on more fundamental pieces of advice that seem a given but many people actually need a refresher course on. Bits like working well with people, going the extra mile to say thank you and the importance of being earnest. Sounds like an elementary school report card because it is that basic and yet it is so important and often so forgotten.
I didn't mean for this blog entry to turn into a book report! :) But, reading Randy Pausch's words made me view my own life in bigger terms, inspired me to keep pursuing my own long-lost dreams and gave me a new perspective on what is really important during our short time here on Earth.
And, now I have my "homework" done for my book club tonight too. God, I love multi-tasking! :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Absolutely Necessary
Today my baby boy is showing signs of a late winter cold. Baby colds are so sad because you can't really do much for them. Babies can't take cold medication and they can't even blow their nose. So all you can do is set up the humidifier, get the booger sucker out and slather vapor rub all over their warm pink bodies. And of course, when babies have a cold they are terribly agitated because all they want to do is sleep. But could you sleep if you had trouble breathing, snot running all over your face and no NyQuil to knock you out? So, for the majority of the day I've been trying to make my baby boy comfortable and just get through this. It's funny that it is the days like these that make me want to be a permanent SAHM (as opposed to the temporary, unemployed type) even more.
Of course, the good days are memorable as well. Fun times at the park, playing outside, an especially cute remark on a playdate, etc. But, the sick days when your little one needs extra TLC make just as compelling of a case to be a SAHM. I wouldn't want anybody else giving my little guy the extra love he needs when he's not feeling well, I want to be the one to do that! I want to be home with my kids on their good days and their bad days and I don't think that is too much to ask.
The question becomes how to make it happen. There are tons of families all over this country that survive on one income. Why can't we? I'm not saying it wouldn't be challenging. Some difficult decisions would have to be made for sure. When it comes to my particular situation it seems like the only viable option would be moving to a more affordable house in a more affordable area. There would be sacrifices we'd have to make. But in the end we would be living a life that we want for our family and isn't that what matters the most?
I think sometimes when the mom petitions to stay at home with the kids it comes across that she doesn't want to work anymore. That couldn't be further from the truth. Staying home with your kids 24/7 is a daunting task that certainly takes a physical and emotional toll. As for brain power, well, playing with toddlers doesn't take that much. However, managing the finances, getting the most out of your shopping and keeping the social and medical calendars does! Not to mention, it certainly is a LOT of work! :) But after spending this much time with my kiddos I absolutely couldn't bear to go back to a 9-5, 5 days a week type of job. I mean, I could and would do it if it was absolutely necessary, but I would be miserable and I think my kids wouldn't thrive as much too.
I guess the "absolutely necessary" condition is a subjective one. To one person "absolutely necessary" means you need to get a job to earn an income because you can't afford your lifestyle and to another "absolutely necessary" means you've exhausted all other options and you have no other choice. I'm a person of the latter variety. I want to exhaust all other possibilities before I have to make the choice to go back to a full-time job and put my kids back in daycare.
There are other possibilities...if you think outside of the box that is.
Of course, the good days are memorable as well. Fun times at the park, playing outside, an especially cute remark on a playdate, etc. But, the sick days when your little one needs extra TLC make just as compelling of a case to be a SAHM. I wouldn't want anybody else giving my little guy the extra love he needs when he's not feeling well, I want to be the one to do that! I want to be home with my kids on their good days and their bad days and I don't think that is too much to ask.
The question becomes how to make it happen. There are tons of families all over this country that survive on one income. Why can't we? I'm not saying it wouldn't be challenging. Some difficult decisions would have to be made for sure. When it comes to my particular situation it seems like the only viable option would be moving to a more affordable house in a more affordable area. There would be sacrifices we'd have to make. But in the end we would be living a life that we want for our family and isn't that what matters the most?
I think sometimes when the mom petitions to stay at home with the kids it comes across that she doesn't want to work anymore. That couldn't be further from the truth. Staying home with your kids 24/7 is a daunting task that certainly takes a physical and emotional toll. As for brain power, well, playing with toddlers doesn't take that much. However, managing the finances, getting the most out of your shopping and keeping the social and medical calendars does! Not to mention, it certainly is a LOT of work! :) But after spending this much time with my kiddos I absolutely couldn't bear to go back to a 9-5, 5 days a week type of job. I mean, I could and would do it if it was absolutely necessary, but I would be miserable and I think my kids wouldn't thrive as much too.
I guess the "absolutely necessary" condition is a subjective one. To one person "absolutely necessary" means you need to get a job to earn an income because you can't afford your lifestyle and to another "absolutely necessary" means you've exhausted all other options and you have no other choice. I'm a person of the latter variety. I want to exhaust all other possibilities before I have to make the choice to go back to a full-time job and put my kids back in daycare.
There are other possibilities...if you think outside of the box that is.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What Did I Do With My Time?
Time is such a funny thing. Some days it goes by in a flash and others it drags on and on. When you have two small kids time takes on a whole new meaning in your life.
"It's time to eat your breakfast."
"Time out!
"It's time to put your coat on."
"Time out!"
"It's time to say good-bye."
"Time out!"
"It's time to take a bath."
You get the gist of it. What I'm wondering is what exactly I did with all my free time before I had kids. I'm sitting at my computer right now because both of my little ones are fast asleep at the same time - something that rarely occurs in this house. What did I do? Well, I cleaned a little - no, a lot. Really quickly too, so I could get a bunch of stuff done before somebody woke up. I did a few tasks on my to-do list that I didn't think were going to get crossed off today. And then, I painted my nails...woo hoo!! So, as I'm waiting for my nails to completely dry I'm wondering, back in the day when all I did was work and come home - what did I do with all that time?
Now that I'm thinking about it I think I went to the gym a lot. Not the make-shift gym I have in my unfinished basement, but a real gym with group classes and other people and everything! :) I went shopping when I was bored...heck, I had extra money back then, why not spend it? I always had well polished finger nails and had took the extra time for masks and pedicures and tanning. Hmm, that's why I look so good in my photos from years ago! ;) Back then time didn't fly by. It didn't drag either (unless I was at work of course!) but it seemed like there was time enough for everything. Now, my baby is about to turn one in a month, my almost 3 year old daughter is registered for preschool and I don't know where the time went!
One would deduce that according to the old saying "time flies when you're having fun," I must be having the time of my life! :) And, I am!
"It's time to eat your breakfast."
"Time out!
"It's time to put your coat on."
"Time out!"
"It's time to say good-bye."
"Time out!"
"It's time to take a bath."
You get the gist of it. What I'm wondering is what exactly I did with all my free time before I had kids. I'm sitting at my computer right now because both of my little ones are fast asleep at the same time - something that rarely occurs in this house. What did I do? Well, I cleaned a little - no, a lot. Really quickly too, so I could get a bunch of stuff done before somebody woke up. I did a few tasks on my to-do list that I didn't think were going to get crossed off today. And then, I painted my nails...woo hoo!! So, as I'm waiting for my nails to completely dry I'm wondering, back in the day when all I did was work and come home - what did I do with all that time?
Now that I'm thinking about it I think I went to the gym a lot. Not the make-shift gym I have in my unfinished basement, but a real gym with group classes and other people and everything! :) I went shopping when I was bored...heck, I had extra money back then, why not spend it? I always had well polished finger nails and had took the extra time for masks and pedicures and tanning. Hmm, that's why I look so good in my photos from years ago! ;) Back then time didn't fly by. It didn't drag either (unless I was at work of course!) but it seemed like there was time enough for everything. Now, my baby is about to turn one in a month, my almost 3 year old daughter is registered for preschool and I don't know where the time went!
One would deduce that according to the old saying "time flies when you're having fun," I must be having the time of my life! :) And, I am!
Monday, February 9, 2009
How Far Would You Go To Get What You Want?
This past weekend there was gossip abuzz within my small group of friends. Turns out that one couple got a fantastic opportunity in the form of a job offer that was pretty hard to turn down. Problem was - it was in Texas. They had a very short amount of time to decide if they were going to uproot their young family, try to sell their house and move away from family and friends toward something brand new that offered huge opportunity for success and stability but was shrouded by the unknown.
That got me thinking. How far would you go to get what you want? What I want right now more than anything is a stable and secure scenario that allows me to stay home with my children full-time. For the past few months I have been scouring my brain to find a way to make this happen but all thought processes lead me back to the same reality - it just doesn't work out. Moving never even crossed my mind as a possibility. For one, my husband and I both have family in the area. Very close in the area actually. No given family member is more than 20 minutes away in any direction. For two, we have great friends here. Friends that are like extended family that you can count on and trust when you're in a pinch. For three, we love our house. We built our house with the intention that this house would be where we would stay for a very long time...til our kids were moved out at least. We are very happy where we live and if it all worked out would stay here forever.
But everything has a price. What if you could live a lifestyle that you've always wanted, but you had to be a few hours away from the very family and friends that you lived your whole life being only a few minutes away from? Is it worth it?
Call it thinking outside of the box. Call it being proactive to move ourselves out of a precarious situation into a more stable one. Call it just dreaming of something new and a little bit exciting. Whatever you call it, I think it's empowering to allow yourself every option this world has to offer. Doing this makes you feel like you have a little bit of control when you're feeling so out of control.
That got me thinking. How far would you go to get what you want? What I want right now more than anything is a stable and secure scenario that allows me to stay home with my children full-time. For the past few months I have been scouring my brain to find a way to make this happen but all thought processes lead me back to the same reality - it just doesn't work out. Moving never even crossed my mind as a possibility. For one, my husband and I both have family in the area. Very close in the area actually. No given family member is more than 20 minutes away in any direction. For two, we have great friends here. Friends that are like extended family that you can count on and trust when you're in a pinch. For three, we love our house. We built our house with the intention that this house would be where we would stay for a very long time...til our kids were moved out at least. We are very happy where we live and if it all worked out would stay here forever.
But everything has a price. What if you could live a lifestyle that you've always wanted, but you had to be a few hours away from the very family and friends that you lived your whole life being only a few minutes away from? Is it worth it?
Call it thinking outside of the box. Call it being proactive to move ourselves out of a precarious situation into a more stable one. Call it just dreaming of something new and a little bit exciting. Whatever you call it, I think it's empowering to allow yourself every option this world has to offer. Doing this makes you feel like you have a little bit of control when you're feeling so out of control.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Welcome Back To Reality
Before I even start this post, I do acknowledge the fact that my daily blog has been not so daily lately! So here's the deal, I will aim for daily blogs. However, knowing that I have huge responsibilities in life (a 2 year old, a 10 month old and a husband) I am accepting the fact that daily will not always be possible. If I did force myself to sit at this computer before I could finally relax in my comfy bed after an exhausting day, this blog would become a venting outlet and that is not really the point! Just so we're on the same page.
Yes, the past few days have been busy, but what has really been keeping me away from this computer (and my laundry, my household to-do list, etc.) has been a really good book. Do you ever find yourself so engrossed in a book you can't put it down? Even if it's two hours past your normal bedtime, you have to get up early in the morning, your eyes feel like they are going to just shut out of pure protest, you find yourself continuing on to the next chapter. A good book is definitely an escape from reality. Anything that will take your mind off your struggles for a good couple of hours is worth the time. However, this particular book was the last of a four-book saga. To be fair, my total "escape time" reading these books probably adds up to a full week of my life! While I enjoyed my mental journey through this tale, it feels good to finally be at the end and reclaim my life back! I feel like I'm free to get back to getting things done. It was a nice little vacation, but welcome back to reality...as a matter of fact I'm hearing reality waking up from their naps upstairs right now!
Yes, the past few days have been busy, but what has really been keeping me away from this computer (and my laundry, my household to-do list, etc.) has been a really good book. Do you ever find yourself so engrossed in a book you can't put it down? Even if it's two hours past your normal bedtime, you have to get up early in the morning, your eyes feel like they are going to just shut out of pure protest, you find yourself continuing on to the next chapter. A good book is definitely an escape from reality. Anything that will take your mind off your struggles for a good couple of hours is worth the time. However, this particular book was the last of a four-book saga. To be fair, my total "escape time" reading these books probably adds up to a full week of my life! While I enjoyed my mental journey through this tale, it feels good to finally be at the end and reclaim my life back! I feel like I'm free to get back to getting things done. It was a nice little vacation, but welcome back to reality...as a matter of fact I'm hearing reality waking up from their naps upstairs right now!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
If Only a Diet Was Like a Blog
It's day four of my daily blogging habit and it's feeling like one more thing on my to-do list that needs to get done before I can relax. This wasn't really the point of starting this blog, although I knew that making it daily was going to be a big commitment. Perhaps it's because it's a weekend - and my family is always busy on the weekends - that I'm just now sitting down to do this.
I feel compelled to write something because even though I know only a few people are reading this, I did say state my intentions in writing to post some thoughts everyday and it is only day four. I can't possibly miss a day! If only a diet was like a blog. I'd be accountable to everybody and would feel guilty if I indulged a little too much! Funny how that is. I'm feeling guilty for possibly missing a day of blogging because I would be "letting down" the less than a handful of people who read this, but Lord knows I wouldn't feel that guilty for overindulging on Superbowl Sunday when it's only myself I'd be letting down. Hmmm, interesting thought.
Maybe I'll cut myself the tiniest of breaks and still post something on Saturday and Sunday - but something a little shorter and a little lighter. Sounds like a good plan to me!
I feel compelled to write something because even though I know only a few people are reading this, I did say state my intentions in writing to post some thoughts everyday and it is only day four. I can't possibly miss a day! If only a diet was like a blog. I'd be accountable to everybody and would feel guilty if I indulged a little too much! Funny how that is. I'm feeling guilty for possibly missing a day of blogging because I would be "letting down" the less than a handful of people who read this, but Lord knows I wouldn't feel that guilty for overindulging on Superbowl Sunday when it's only myself I'd be letting down. Hmmm, interesting thought.
Maybe I'll cut myself the tiniest of breaks and still post something on Saturday and Sunday - but something a little shorter and a little lighter. Sounds like a good plan to me!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Adopting a Toddler Mentality
I have a 2 year-old who is at best energetic, fearless and fun-loving and at worst wild, crazy and untamed. Every Friday myself and a bunch of other exhausted parents get our hyperactive toddlers together for a few hours to play (and hopefully tire them out for their afternoon nap.) These couple of hours are usually filled with laughter, crying, yelling, time-outs and of course, snacks. Amidst the chaos this morning it occurred to me that although we have a lot to teach toddlers about manners, respect and kindness - there are a few things we could learn from them.
This thought first occurred to me when disciplining my daughter. I don't know how many times I had to threaten no cupcake at snack time to get good behavior out of her. Of course, it didn't even work. Why? Well, all toddlers care about is what's happening at that very moment. Threatening a cupcakeless snack time in a half hour just doesn't cut it. Now, I know it's important to teach children about consequences, but sometimes living in the moment is just what the doctor ordered. As adults we are constantly thinking ahead of ourselves. We have so much to do that it's only natural to start thinking about what's next on our list instead of focusing on what we're doing right now.
Right now I am at home with my children. I am doing what I always envisioned myself doing - being a stay-at-home mom. However, it's not under the circumstances I envisioned and for that reason I am not letting myself live in the moment and enjoy this time. (I'll spare the bad economy details, it's rough out there for a lot of people right now, but you get my drift.) The point is my 2 year-old couldn't care less if she had a vaccination-filled doctor appointment looming on her schedule in the afternoon - she won't let it ruin her morning. And that toddler mentality is something we could all benefit from now and then.
Let's face it, I can't predict the future. I don't know if I'll have this time with my kids for another two weeks or six months, but whatever my professional future holds I want to be able to look back and say that I was able to slow down, relax and enjoy my children during this time.
This thought first occurred to me when disciplining my daughter. I don't know how many times I had to threaten no cupcake at snack time to get good behavior out of her. Of course, it didn't even work. Why? Well, all toddlers care about is what's happening at that very moment. Threatening a cupcakeless snack time in a half hour just doesn't cut it. Now, I know it's important to teach children about consequences, but sometimes living in the moment is just what the doctor ordered. As adults we are constantly thinking ahead of ourselves. We have so much to do that it's only natural to start thinking about what's next on our list instead of focusing on what we're doing right now.
Right now I am at home with my children. I am doing what I always envisioned myself doing - being a stay-at-home mom. However, it's not under the circumstances I envisioned and for that reason I am not letting myself live in the moment and enjoy this time. (I'll spare the bad economy details, it's rough out there for a lot of people right now, but you get my drift.) The point is my 2 year-old couldn't care less if she had a vaccination-filled doctor appointment looming on her schedule in the afternoon - she won't let it ruin her morning. And that toddler mentality is something we could all benefit from now and then.
Let's face it, I can't predict the future. I don't know if I'll have this time with my kids for another two weeks or six months, but whatever my professional future holds I want to be able to look back and say that I was able to slow down, relax and enjoy my children during this time.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What's In An Accomplishment?
I have always been about accomplishing. Not the formal kind of accomplishments that deserve a trophy or plaque - although those are nice too - but the kind of accomplishment that makes you feel good about your day. The nice thing about these kinds of accomplishments is that it doesn't matter how small they are. As long as it is significant to you, it matters. Perhaps this is why I'm a huge list-maker. I do like emptying everything out of my brain onto a piece of paper - this makes my mind less accountable for forgetting something! But, what I like the most is crossing off each task. Each one is a tiny accomplishment.
The best part about these little milestones throughout your day is they often aren't planned. When my kids were newborns (and heck, sometimes even now) taking a shower was my accomplishment of the day! Today, for instance, I'm considering my accomplishment that I was out with my kids playing with friends and being active at the museum and they watched very little TV. That's an accomplishment.
The bigger (although not always better) accomplishments do take a little planning. Exhibit A: I want to be able to pay for my kids college tuition without them having to take out student loans like my parents did for my sister and I. That's a huge accomplishment that takes years of planning. Personally, I want to be in a position of doing something I love for a living. And that will most likely take a series of accomplishment (big and small) to come to fruition.
For now, I'm satisfied with accomplishments of the smaller variety - my two year-old taking a nap, good bargain shopping at the grocery store, getting an interview for a job. The things that are seemingly small, but make up a bright day and a bright future for my biggest accomplishments of all - my family.
The best part about these little milestones throughout your day is they often aren't planned. When my kids were newborns (and heck, sometimes even now) taking a shower was my accomplishment of the day! Today, for instance, I'm considering my accomplishment that I was out with my kids playing with friends and being active at the museum and they watched very little TV. That's an accomplishment.
The bigger (although not always better) accomplishments do take a little planning. Exhibit A: I want to be able to pay for my kids college tuition without them having to take out student loans like my parents did for my sister and I. That's a huge accomplishment that takes years of planning. Personally, I want to be in a position of doing something I love for a living. And that will most likely take a series of accomplishment (big and small) to come to fruition.
For now, I'm satisfied with accomplishments of the smaller variety - my two year-old taking a nap, good bargain shopping at the grocery store, getting an interview for a job. The things that are seemingly small, but make up a bright day and a bright future for my biggest accomplishments of all - my family.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Don't We All Have Writer's Block?
This is my first blog...ever. It seems that everybody and their brother has a blog, so why not me too? I'm starting this blog to make an effort to write everyday. You see, getting a book published ranks in the top five on my "bucket list." A good, compelling book at that. I would even put it out there that my dream is to have a best-seller, of course. But, the goal is to have a book period. This phantom book has been on my mind for a very long time. For the first time ever I'm attaching a timeline to this goal though. Let's say by 40. That gives me a tad more than 10 years to get this thing done. And this daily blog is going to be my way of getting back into writing. Yes, I said daily. That's a big commitment, I know. But, let me explain what I'm thinking.
For years I have thought about writing a book. I've concocted stories in my mind that either start off with promise and turn into blah, or sound suspiciously like something I already read or saw in a movie. My excuse for not starting this book has been 1. time and 2. writer's bock.
Time. Ahh, the mother of all excuses. Nobody has time for anything anymore. And I'm not being arrogant - it's unfortunately true. Between waking up at the crack of dawn to work out, getting yourself ready for the day, getting the kids ready for the day, working all day, running errands to the grocery store and the post office on your lunch break, picking up the kids on your way home, making dinner, cleaning up dinner, throwing in some laundry, giving the kids baths, reading the kids books, putting the kids to bed (sometimes over and over again), changing the laundry, folding the laundry, picking up the house, paying the bills, preparing your sack lunch for the next day, talking to your husband and having some brief quality couple time if you know what I mean (and by the way, this rarely happens) and finally hitting the sack early enough to get a few solid hours before starting the whole thing over again - who has time for anything? But, this book is my dream, so if I need to sacrifice 30 minutes out of my sleep cycle to blog - so be it!
Writer's block. The other convenient excuse. What have I done to overcome this one? Well, in the past I've read (or skimmed) many books on how to write a book. Stuff like "The Idiot's Guide to Publishing a Book" hoping for some tip that will propel me to John Grisham status. I don't know if that is even a book - but you get my point. The most ironic thing about this is excuse number one - hello, when did I find the time to read these books in the first place?? Anyhow, in my extensive "how-to" research I have come across two pieces of advice to aspiring authors that have stuck in my head. 1. Write about what you know - your life. Who the heck wants to read about my life? My life is more or less spelled out in that run-on of a sentence in the previous paragraph - hardly compelling. 2. Write everyday. Everyday. Which brings me back to this blog.
So this is my oath to myself and to my dream. I will update this blog daily with some sort of thought to get my brain started and my fingers typing. I just know the fabulous ideas will start flowing. Here's to ending writer's block...
For years I have thought about writing a book. I've concocted stories in my mind that either start off with promise and turn into blah, or sound suspiciously like something I already read or saw in a movie. My excuse for not starting this book has been 1. time and 2. writer's bock.
Time. Ahh, the mother of all excuses. Nobody has time for anything anymore. And I'm not being arrogant - it's unfortunately true. Between waking up at the crack of dawn to work out, getting yourself ready for the day, getting the kids ready for the day, working all day, running errands to the grocery store and the post office on your lunch break, picking up the kids on your way home, making dinner, cleaning up dinner, throwing in some laundry, giving the kids baths, reading the kids books, putting the kids to bed (sometimes over and over again), changing the laundry, folding the laundry, picking up the house, paying the bills, preparing your sack lunch for the next day, talking to your husband and having some brief quality couple time if you know what I mean (and by the way, this rarely happens) and finally hitting the sack early enough to get a few solid hours before starting the whole thing over again - who has time for anything? But, this book is my dream, so if I need to sacrifice 30 minutes out of my sleep cycle to blog - so be it!
Writer's block. The other convenient excuse. What have I done to overcome this one? Well, in the past I've read (or skimmed) many books on how to write a book. Stuff like "The Idiot's Guide to Publishing a Book" hoping for some tip that will propel me to John Grisham status. I don't know if that is even a book - but you get my point. The most ironic thing about this is excuse number one - hello, when did I find the time to read these books in the first place?? Anyhow, in my extensive "how-to" research I have come across two pieces of advice to aspiring authors that have stuck in my head. 1. Write about what you know - your life. Who the heck wants to read about my life? My life is more or less spelled out in that run-on of a sentence in the previous paragraph - hardly compelling. 2. Write everyday. Everyday. Which brings me back to this blog.
So this is my oath to myself and to my dream. I will update this blog daily with some sort of thought to get my brain started and my fingers typing. I just know the fabulous ideas will start flowing. Here's to ending writer's block...
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