Day of rest (?)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Do you love Sunday's? I used to. It used to be my favorite day of the week. I loved waking up and being lazy, listening to church music and making it a "different day".
When I was growing up, my parents did a great job of making Sunday a different day. I could tell a difference; I could feel a difference.
Now that I have children it has become one of my least favorite days.
I know, right? I should duck my head and prepare for the lightening strike. But, sadly, it's true.
When I was single and newly married it truly was a day of rest. I would go to church, come home, eat a little and then slumber. How can you argue with that? I loved everything about Sundays.
Now? Not so much.
I find myself wondering if my parents felt this way. Is this what it means when they say "you've grown up?"
Cause if so, I don't like it.
I have to nag and argue with kids to get them up and ready for 9am services. Then I wrestle with the baby during services. We have a very worn path around the halls and know which drinking fountains will offer the most entertainment.
It seems like it is the one day of the week where my children argue more than any other day. No matter how hard I try to have the Spirit in our home, it seems like it is just that far out of my grasp.
Drifting off into slumber land now is a risky venture because you never know, you might end up being a hostage when you wake up.
My nerves always seem to be {thisclose} to cracking. I find myself needing an excuse to "run to the store". Not because I really need anything, but because I need to get away from the chaos.
I hear people talk about Sunday's being their favorite day of the week, and I wonder why? Do their kids not argue? Do they really sit around all day holding hands singing Kumbaya? Or are they like me and wish they had a recording of Tibetan Monks chanting leave your siblings alone and please take your clothes off in your room?
I want to find the serenity that Sunday's are supposed to offer. I want to feel relaxed at the end of the day, not grumpy and thankful that everyone is heading off to school the next day.
Is it me? Probably.
Or is it the phase of life I am in? Probably.
I just know that I wish I could say that I love Sunday's, but I can't.
Maybe when my kids are all grown and gone I will find the serenity that Sunday's are supposed to offer me.
Now, please excuse me. I have to go.
The kids are tying the dog up with ribbons and I think I smell something burning. I hope its outside and NOT inside.
Oye vey.
When I was growing up, my parents did a great job of making Sunday a different day. I could tell a difference; I could feel a difference.
Now that I have children it has become one of my least favorite days.
I know, right? I should duck my head and prepare for the lightening strike. But, sadly, it's true.
When I was single and newly married it truly was a day of rest. I would go to church, come home, eat a little and then slumber. How can you argue with that? I loved everything about Sundays.
Now? Not so much.
I find myself wondering if my parents felt this way. Is this what it means when they say "you've grown up?"
Cause if so, I don't like it.
I have to nag and argue with kids to get them up and ready for 9am services. Then I wrestle with the baby during services. We have a very worn path around the halls and know which drinking fountains will offer the most entertainment.
It seems like it is the one day of the week where my children argue more than any other day. No matter how hard I try to have the Spirit in our home, it seems like it is just that far out of my grasp.
Drifting off into slumber land now is a risky venture because you never know, you might end up being a hostage when you wake up.
My nerves always seem to be {thisclose} to cracking. I find myself needing an excuse to "run to the store". Not because I really need anything, but because I need to get away from the chaos.
I hear people talk about Sunday's being their favorite day of the week, and I wonder why? Do their kids not argue? Do they really sit around all day holding hands singing Kumbaya? Or are they like me and wish they had a recording of Tibetan Monks chanting leave your siblings alone and please take your clothes off in your room?
I want to find the serenity that Sunday's are supposed to offer. I want to feel relaxed at the end of the day, not grumpy and thankful that everyone is heading off to school the next day.
Is it me? Probably.
Or is it the phase of life I am in? Probably.
I just know that I wish I could say that I love Sunday's, but I can't.
Maybe when my kids are all grown and gone I will find the serenity that Sunday's are supposed to offer me.
Now, please excuse me. I have to go.
The kids are tying the dog up with ribbons and I think I smell something burning. I hope its outside and NOT inside.
Oye vey.
Sunday Devotional
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Random randomness and them some tunes
Friday, January 22, 2010
Failure is not the worst thing in the world. The very worst is not to try. - Anonymous
I have that quote tattooed on my forehead so I'll see it whenever I look into the mirror. The hard part is reading it backwards. I didn't take that into account when I had it blazed into my skull.
I really do recite it to myself every. single. day. I think the biggest thing stopping people from achieving success is not the coming up with the idea, but the fear that the idea will flop and people will mock and scorn them. Rather than risk looking like a total doofus, they just don't try. That's easier, but in reality you've already failed if you take the road.
I love the line from the movie Elizabethtown where Claire tells Drew "You wanna be really great? Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you're still smiling."
What's the worst thing that could happen if you try something and it fails? It fails. That's it. It fails. People won't stop loving you. It takes courage to try and people admire that.
*****
Moxie has learned how to say high five, only it comes out "Hi-Fi" . After the Hi-Fi, she then insists on "dones". Which took me forever to figure out she was meaning "bones" (or knuckles). Thank you endless teenagers for teaching my 22 month old how to do "bones".
She has had a complete word explosion lately and while it's exciting and fun, it makes me sad. I'm sort of NOT OK with this baby being my last baby.
*****
I thought of another thing that drives me nuts while I was sitting in the McDonald's drive through this morning (don't judge!): People that take too long to order at the drive thru window. Srsly people. The menu hasn't changed since you were there yesterday. Why do you have to read THE ENTIRE BOARD before you say "I guess I'll have the extra large diet coke and a sausage mcmuffin." Really? I thought you were ordering for a herd because of how long it took you to order.
I also love/hate that they leave your order up on the little screen in the drive through. That way the people who come along behind you have the tools to mock you more effectively.
*****
I adore quarters. ADORE THEM. I get all giddy inside when I see them laying around my house. I scoop them up and laugh manically "They're mine! All mine!"
*Muwah-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha*
I'm not sure why I have such a love for quarters, but sometimes I think it might be a little unhealthy. For example, when I get gasoline? I have to make sure that the amount ends either on a 25, 50, 75 or 00. It really chaps my hide when I work to get it to the nearest multiple of 25 only to have it go to 26, or 51, 76 or 01.
Crap!
When that happens, I have to hope that pushing it to the next multiple won't result in gas spilling all over my shoes.
Which happens. A lot.
*****
Typically by this time in the phase of winter, I am beside myself with gloom and doom. I really dislike all the gray and cold and gray.
This year hasn't been too bad (knock on wood). I haven't felt like screaming at the heavens or looking for property in Phoenix this year.
That's a good sign.
While I get that we need the snow, Estelle-the crazy lady who lives in my brain-- thanks the gloom and doom Gods for skipping me this year.
*****
When my bonus track came on today, I just couldn't help but doing a little jig in my big ole chair. I am a closet disco junkie. It's true. I totally DIG it. Whenever I hear Disco, it makes me want to shake my bon-bon.
I was in a sandwich shop yesterday with Thing 1 and Moxie and we were waiting for our turn to order, when this song came one. Moxie gasped, pointed to the ceiling and then started shaking her booty. So you know what I did? I danced with her too. Right there in the middle of the sandwich shop.
Thing 1 was DYING.
But you know what? Life is too short to NOT dance through it. Even if the need to dance hits you in the middle of a sandwich shop.
*****
Have a great weekend peeps! Make sure you register for CBC10. Th0se tickets are going faster than I had thought they would. You wouldn't want to miss out on the party of the century. You should SEE the entertainment we have lined up! Get your tickets, before you can't. You'll feel all bad and weepy when you see everyone posting all their pictures from CBC10, and you missed out!
There are several of you who have emailed me and said "I can't go to stuff like this. I would have to go all alone and that makes me feel dorky. We all know that women travel in packs, and I wouldn't have a pack. I really WANT to come, but pack-less makes me scared." (or something to that effect).
Here's the deal. You can be in MY pack. I don't have a pack, so lets make the Anti-pack and hang together, shall we?
*****
1. Jails & Bombs - Amos Lee
2. Free Of Me - Joshua Radin
3. All At Once - Jack Johnson
4. Hold You In My Arms - Ray LaMontagne
5. Turn Me On - Norah Jones
6. At This Point In My Life - Tracy Chapman
7. How Am I To Be - The Watson Twins
8. You May Know Him - Cat Power
9. I've Been Let Down - Mazzy Star
10. War Is Kind - Jakob Dylan
Bonus: Best Of My Love - The Emotions
I have that quote tattooed on my forehead so I'll see it whenever I look into the mirror. The hard part is reading it backwards. I didn't take that into account when I had it blazed into my skull.
I really do recite it to myself every. single. day. I think the biggest thing stopping people from achieving success is not the coming up with the idea, but the fear that the idea will flop and people will mock and scorn them. Rather than risk looking like a total doofus, they just don't try. That's easier, but in reality you've already failed if you take the road.
I love the line from the movie Elizabethtown where Claire tells Drew "You wanna be really great? Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you're still smiling."
What's the worst thing that could happen if you try something and it fails? It fails. That's it. It fails. People won't stop loving you. It takes courage to try and people admire that.
*****
Moxie has learned how to say high five, only it comes out "Hi-Fi" . After the Hi-Fi, she then insists on "dones". Which took me forever to figure out she was meaning "bones" (or knuckles). Thank you endless teenagers for teaching my 22 month old how to do "bones".
She has had a complete word explosion lately and while it's exciting and fun, it makes me sad. I'm sort of NOT OK with this baby being my last baby.
*****
I thought of another thing that drives me nuts while I was sitting in the McDonald's drive through this morning (don't judge!): People that take too long to order at the drive thru window. Srsly people. The menu hasn't changed since you were there yesterday. Why do you have to read THE ENTIRE BOARD before you say "I guess I'll have the extra large diet coke and a sausage mcmuffin." Really? I thought you were ordering for a herd because of how long it took you to order.I also love/hate that they leave your order up on the little screen in the drive through. That way the people who come along behind you have the tools to mock you more effectively.
*****
I adore quarters. ADORE THEM. I get all giddy inside when I see them laying around my house. I scoop them up and laugh manically "They're mine! All mine!"
*Muwah-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha*
I'm not sure why I have such a love for quarters, but sometimes I think it might be a little unhealthy. For example, when I get gasoline? I have to make sure that the amount ends either on a 25, 50, 75 or 00. It really chaps my hide when I work to get it to the nearest multiple of 25 only to have it go to 26, or 51, 76 or 01.
Crap!
When that happens, I have to hope that pushing it to the next multiple won't result in gas spilling all over my shoes.
Which happens. A lot.
*****
Typically by this time in the phase of winter, I am beside myself with gloom and doom. I really dislike all the gray and cold and gray.
This year hasn't been too bad (knock on wood). I haven't felt like screaming at the heavens or looking for property in Phoenix this year.
That's a good sign.
While I get that we need the snow, Estelle-the crazy lady who lives in my brain-- thanks the gloom and doom Gods for skipping me this year.
*****
When my bonus track came on today, I just couldn't help but doing a little jig in my big ole chair. I am a closet disco junkie. It's true. I totally DIG it. Whenever I hear Disco, it makes me want to shake my bon-bon.
I was in a sandwich shop yesterday with Thing 1 and Moxie and we were waiting for our turn to order, when this song came one. Moxie gasped, pointed to the ceiling and then started shaking her booty. So you know what I did? I danced with her too. Right there in the middle of the sandwich shop.
Thing 1 was DYING.
But you know what? Life is too short to NOT dance through it. Even if the need to dance hits you in the middle of a sandwich shop.
*****
Have a great weekend peeps! Make sure you register for CBC10. Th0se tickets are going faster than I had thought they would. You wouldn't want to miss out on the party of the century. You should SEE the entertainment we have lined up! Get your tickets, before you can't. You'll feel all bad and weepy when you see everyone posting all their pictures from CBC10, and you missed out!
There are several of you who have emailed me and said "I can't go to stuff like this. I would have to go all alone and that makes me feel dorky. We all know that women travel in packs, and I wouldn't have a pack. I really WANT to come, but pack-less makes me scared." (or something to that effect).
Here's the deal. You can be in MY pack. I don't have a pack, so lets make the Anti-pack and hang together, shall we?
*****
Catch ya on the Flip side!
1. Jails & Bombs - Amos Lee
2. Free Of Me - Joshua Radin
3. All At Once - Jack Johnson
4. Hold You In My Arms - Ray LaMontagne
5. Turn Me On - Norah Jones
6. At This Point In My Life - Tracy Chapman
7. How Am I To Be - The Watson Twins
8. You May Know Him - Cat Power
9. I've Been Let Down - Mazzy Star
10. War Is Kind - Jakob Dylan
Bonus: Best Of My Love - The Emotions
Things that Bug me.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
1. Businesses that text messaging me with a "coupon code". Seriously? Don't!
2. People ordering food at fast food restaurants. People! There is a HUGE sign. Make up your mind BEFORE it's your turn, not WHEN it's your turn.
3. People driving like its a Sunday afternoon in the fast lane on the interstate. Speed up people! I have important places I need to get to. Like Target. (Everyone likes Target!)
4. Liars. Need I say more?
5. Women who pluck their eyebrows only to draw them back on. Eww and Ick!
6. People who can't stay on track in meetings and decide that as a PTA we should solve ALL the worlds problems. Including and not limited to the amount of caffeine we are all consuming. (I may or may not have told them "Lets get badges and be the Word of Wisdom Police")
7. That I have to live through the fashion of the 80's TWICE. The Madonna gloves, the neon-bulky jewelry, break-dancing and legwarmers. Oye vey.
8. People talking on their cell phones WHILE in the public bathroom. In a stall. Doing there 'thang'. Srsly. HANG UP. I want to do MY thang without having to listen to you talk about Aunt Shirley and her nasty toe fungus.
9. People who park crooked. You know who you are and you need to knock it off. When I got out of my car, I could open my door. But when I come to get back in my car I have to climb through the passenger door? Yeah. Go back to parking school.
10. Follower/friend whores. You know the ones, right? They would follow/friend a Zebra if it meant making their numbers higher. Totally dumb and I refuse to play that game. Being a non-conformist has its benefits.
The NOT to do list for 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Everyone has been making lists of what they are going to do this year. Being the contrary person that I am, I decided to make a list of the things I'm NOT going to do.
1. do not: Volunteer for everything. There is a beautiful word--NO. Use it often.
2. do not: Answer the phone if you don't want to talk on it. You own the phone, not the other way around.
3. do not: Use Duct Tape for home repairs.
4. do not: Compare your house, your spouse, your kids or your dog to anyone else. Especially strangers blogs.
5. do not: Let a single day go by without telling your family members that you love them.
6. do not: Be so busy that you forget to play. Playing keeps the soul young.
7. do not: Keep stuff that can't love you back. Purging your house will also purge your soul.
8. do not: Eat cold cereal for dinner every.single.night. because you didn't plan anything. Plan your meals ahead so you won't be a grumpy-pants and your family will eat healthy.
9. do not: Stay up late just because you're a grown-up. Going to bed early once in a while is blissful.
10. do not: Put everyone before yourself. You'll forget who you are. You have to have interests and likes beyond changing diapers and folding laundry. Your mental health is important for the survival of the family.
11. do not: Yell at your children when they are throwing the freshly washed, folded and put away clothes all over their bedroom. Someday you will always have a clean house because they are gone. Today enjoy the mess they just made. Again.
12. do not: Worry so much about other people. They don't think about you. AT ALL. You ARE good enough, and smart enough, and dog-gone-it-people DO like you.
13. do not: Let a day pass without speaking with God. You have much to be thankful for.
14. do not: Spend so much time with technology. Turn it off and engage more with your family.
15. do not: Let a month go by without reading a book. Remember a well-educated person will read a book a week. Shoot for the sort-of-educated and read a book a month.
What's on your NOT to do list?
Sunday Devotional
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Random randomness and then some tunes.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Insert{witty comment about Jesus
by Jack Handy }Here
by Jack Handy }Here
I had the best random 10 friday post done for today. I had been collecting stuff all week long and let me tell you it was hilarious. Hee-LAR-EE-ous.
Then my laptop battery died. Which really shouldn't have been a problem because blogger had been saving the post all along, right?!
Wrong.
When the laptop died stupid blogger ATE my post. Ate it. Consumed it. It's gone.
Which is really sad because I wrote about the Nazi-esque PTSA members that are trying to control the amount of Caffeine we all are consuming. For reals. "Law enforcement is trying to pass a new law that enables them to pull you over and test your caffeine levels!"
Really?!
I mean REALLY?!
I may or may not have said IN THE MEETING something to the effect of "Lets all get badges and be the Word of Wisdom Police".
sheesh.
I also may have written a very touching story about why I blog-- and I even had THE BEST ever ending line. Which said line may or may not have been quoted on KSL Studio 5 by girlfriend, Annie yesterday.
Bummer for you, cause when I edited it was STELLAR. And, I wept.
I also may have said something to the effect of "this weather blows, yo". But I could be mistaken. Actually what I really said was "this weather TOTALLY blows, yo. "
But you wouldn't know that because STUPID BLOGGER ATE MY POST.
The End.
Then my laptop battery died. Which really shouldn't have been a problem because blogger had been saving the post all along, right?!
Wrong.
When the laptop died stupid blogger ATE my post. Ate it. Consumed it. It's gone.
Which is really sad because I wrote about the Nazi-esque PTSA members that are trying to control the amount of Caffeine we all are consuming. For reals. "Law enforcement is trying to pass a new law that enables them to pull you over and test your caffeine levels!"
Really?!
I mean REALLY?!
I may or may not have said IN THE MEETING something to the effect of "Lets all get badges and be the Word of Wisdom Police".
sheesh.
I also may have written a very touching story about why I blog-- and I even had THE BEST ever ending line. Which said line may or may not have been quoted on KSL Studio 5 by girlfriend, Annie yesterday.
Bummer for you, cause when I edited it was STELLAR. And, I wept.
I also may have said something to the effect of "this weather blows, yo". But I could be mistaken. Actually what I really said was "this weather TOTALLY blows, yo. "
But you wouldn't know that because STUPID BLOGGER ATE MY POST.
The End.
1. Night Swimming - R.E.M.
2. Day Dreams - Adele
3. Shout Out Loud - Amos Lee
4. Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams
5. Sleeping To Dream(live) - Jason Mraz
6. Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer
7. Without You - Ayo
8. Hush If You Must - Brooke Waggoner
9. See The World - Gomez
10. Something Good This Way Comes - Jakob Dylan
Bonus: The Fear - Lily Allen
National Delurking Day (?)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Did you know there was a National Delurking Day? Yeah, me neither.There is and it's today. I'm not one to miss out on a party so I've joined the delurking craze that's sweeping the blogosphere.
Come on out little buddies.
Tell me how we found each other.
Don't be scared. I won't bite. (much)
Leave a comment as to how you found me, how much you love me (or not) and what your favorite candy bar is.
Yummm.... Candy...
(Get thee hence high fructose corn syrup! I've got 35 lbs to loose by May 28th. For that little thing called CBC '10)
*idea and graphic stolen from my good pal MomBabe
Actual Conversation
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Jefe and I took the kids to stay in a Condo recently for a long weekend. It was a much needed relaxing weekend. We were a bunch of lazys-- laying around reading, sleeping... just vegging.The condo was crazy Mac-Daddy nice! The bed was gigantic and fluffy. We decided after sleeping in that bed all weekend it was time to get us a Mac-Daddy bed too.
Apparently I took both sets of my keys and inadvertently left one in the condo. I had no idea until the owner of the condo called me to see if I wanted them back.
No. I'll let you keep them. Then you can come and stalk my family.
OF COURSE I want them back.
Sheesh.
Condo Man: Motherboard? You left your keys in our condo. Would you like to get them back?
Me: I did? Holy Cow. Yes! I do want them back. Can I come and get them?
CM: I can mail them to you. Where do you live?
Me: 5768 Crazytown USA
CM: How serendipitous! (yes he did. He totally said that) I am going to be in Crazytown tomorrow night doing a presentation. Why don't you swing by the home I'll be at and pick them up then.
Me: Sure. What's the address?
CM: 3409 Crazytown USA. Do you know this person? Crazytown isn't that big. I'm from LA so nothing is as big as where I live.
Me: {bristling a bit} Uhh. It's pretty big and I have no idea who that is.
CM: What does your husband do for a living?
Me: {getting really irritated} He is a partner at a law firm.
CM: And what is your career?
Me: I'm a SAHM.
CM: {he launches into a LONG boring diatribe about a stupid MLM)
Me: Huh. Sounds like its been really good to you.
CM: Well. It's perfect for YOU. I mean you're JUST a stay at home mom, so you have TONS of time to do this. You could make a lot of money to help your family. I usually charge $100 to come and listen to me speak, but I'll let you come and hear me for free. Then after you sign up, I'll give you your keys.
**Crickets chirping. **
OH. YES. HE. DID.
He was totally holding my keys hostage.
Come listen to the goon speak and I'll get my keys.
Avoid him like the plague and lose my keys.
Thank heavens Home Depot makes copies.
Wordless Wednesday
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday's Trailers
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Kate Gosselin's new look
Monday, January 11, 2010
Kate Gosselin.
Have you seen her new look?
Did you recognize her?
Cause, I didn't.
I did a double take and then did a donkey to princess stare into her eyes. Just to see if I could see that ___ (insert your favorite adjective here) inside her. Maybe this pretty thing ATE that nasty thing. You know?
Kate's old spiky hair doo made her look Itchy-Bay. And scary. I had actually planned on dressing like her for the 2010 Halloween. Now I'm going to have to come up with a new celeb to dress like.
Heidi Fleiss maybe?
Those long locks of Kate's make her almost look like she might be a nice person.
Almost.
Did you hear she paid 7k for that hair and it only lasts 3-4 months?
Can you say: Celebrity Bankrupt here we come.
Sunday Devotional
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Random randomness and then some tunes. On Saturday.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges. - Jack Handy
Whenever I realize we are going to be at the same place, I have to gear myself up by doing my Daily Affirmation:
I'm good enough!
I'm smart enough!
And dog-gone-it!
People like me!
*****
Hello. Remember me? I sort of fell off the face of the planet. I haven't written anything for the blog for several weeks. I had the bucket fillers written and posted until December 31st and then I sort of just walked away and never looked back.
I had two things that were inhibiting me from writing. The first was a serious case of writers block. I used to scoff at people who would say they had writers block. Really? How do you get writers block, I used to think. I always have something to say.
Then I was infected with it.
It's kind of like an unwanted squatter in your brain, and really hard to evict. I think it set up camp because of how stressed out I have been. Mostly because of reason number two.
The conference. Have you heard about it? My partner and I have been working diligently on launching the first ever Casual Blogger Conference. It's my brain child that MomBabe has helped me bring to fruition.
The tickets went on sale yesterday, and I have been pleasantly surprised with the amount we have sold!
Have you have ever wanted to go to a Blogging Conference, but the cost looked daunting and intimidating so you just said Bag it?
Yeah. Me too.
That's where the idea for The Casual Blogging Conference came from. I figured there was probably others who felt the same and would love to network and learn about their favorite hobby. But the cost and intimidation factor was just too high.
MomBabe and I have worked really hard to make the conference affordable and approachable-- to take the intimidation factor out. It's for the casual blogger who just wants to learn more about their favorite hobby, but not necessarily become a "professional" blogger.
There will be classes on photography, writing and digital design-- all from some of the industries leading experts. We even have some of the Nielsen Top 50 Bloggers presenting.
'Nuff said. You should come.
Now that the tickets are launched I'm thinking the writers block is starting to lift.
*****
Jefe and the boy went camping in -3 temperatures.
They came home 4 hours after they left. They said it wasn't because it was cold, but because the boy burned his hand pretty good.
I guess that makes them feel better, right?
Jefe said it was so cold the blowup bed froze and exploded when he tried to blow it up.
Jefe's ear plugs were frozen solid.
They rolled in around 1:30am. I think they were glad to be home.
*****
Typically I get along with everyone I meet. I am super easy going, not easily intimidated, and pretty easy to talk to.
At least I think so.
I rarely meet a person that I don't like because I have a belief that every person has something to offer, you just have to look for it. Sometimes a little harder than others.
However.
I am acquainted with a person who I see occasionally. We have met numerous times, and every time I see them my eye twitches. I just don't trust this person. Mostly because they intimidate the snot out of me and I'm not sure why. This person is no more successful than I and yet I feel as though they look down on me because of who I am... a stay at home mother and not a working mother.
I had two things that were inhibiting me from writing. The first was a serious case of writers block. I used to scoff at people who would say they had writers block. Really? How do you get writers block, I used to think. I always have something to say.
Then I was infected with it.
It's kind of like an unwanted squatter in your brain, and really hard to evict. I think it set up camp because of how stressed out I have been. Mostly because of reason number two.
The conference. Have you heard about it? My partner and I have been working diligently on launching the first ever Casual Blogger Conference. It's my brain child that MomBabe has helped me bring to fruition.
The tickets went on sale yesterday, and I have been pleasantly surprised with the amount we have sold!
Have you have ever wanted to go to a Blogging Conference, but the cost looked daunting and intimidating so you just said Bag it?
Yeah. Me too.
That's where the idea for The Casual Blogging Conference came from. I figured there was probably others who felt the same and would love to network and learn about their favorite hobby. But the cost and intimidation factor was just too high.
MomBabe and I have worked really hard to make the conference affordable and approachable-- to take the intimidation factor out. It's for the casual blogger who just wants to learn more about their favorite hobby, but not necessarily become a "professional" blogger.
There will be classes on photography, writing and digital design-- all from some of the industries leading experts. We even have some of the Nielsen Top 50 Bloggers presenting.
'Nuff said. You should come.
Now that the tickets are launched I'm thinking the writers block is starting to lift.
*****
Jefe and the boy went camping in -3 temperatures.
They came home 4 hours after they left. They said it wasn't because it was cold, but because the boy burned his hand pretty good.
I guess that makes them feel better, right?
Jefe said it was so cold the blowup bed froze and exploded when he tried to blow it up.
Jefe's ear plugs were frozen solid.
They rolled in around 1:30am. I think they were glad to be home.
*****
Typically I get along with everyone I meet. I am super easy going, not easily intimidated, and pretty easy to talk to.
At least I think so.
I rarely meet a person that I don't like because I have a belief that every person has something to offer, you just have to look for it. Sometimes a little harder than others.
However.
I am acquainted with a person who I see occasionally. We have met numerous times, and every time I see them my eye twitches. I just don't trust this person. Mostly because they intimidate the snot out of me and I'm not sure why. This person is no more successful than I and yet I feel as though they look down on me because of who I am... a stay at home mother and not a working mother.
Whenever I realize we are going to be at the same place, I have to gear myself up by doing my Daily Affirmation:I'm good enough!
I'm smart enough!
And dog-gone-it!
People like me!
*****
I have a post I'm working on with regards to my pet-peeves. (apparently the flood gates have been opened with regards to writing ideas. yay!)
One of my biggest pet peeves?
Businesses sending customers text messages. It seems rather presumptious of that business to assume that everyone has unlimited text messaging. A lot of people don't. So their little Advertising ploy very well may have cost their intended client twenty-five cents. That's not a lot, but when they do it on a regular basis? It can add up fast.
That's irritaing.
I also hate it when church groups use text messaging to "get the word out" about events. Seriously people. Have we completely lost the art of communication?
*****
Watching Law & Order --all 900 versions of it-- is like watching a train wreck. You know you shouldn't but you just can't help it.
It sucks you in and then uses mind control powers so that you can never escape.
Help! I'm stuck in a Law & Order marathon and I can't get out!
*****
I hate grocery shopping with a passion. I also hate working out with a passion. However, with my new little present that Jefe gave me for Christmas I have found myself looking for excuses to do both.
Mostly because when I go to the store I listen to one of my stations on this and when I go walking (cause lets face it. I can't even run to the mailbox) I listen to this.
I really like that last one because its 1hour of solid exercise music that is made specifically to help you get "in the zone" or as the Dj says--a trance-- where you totally aware of your body and what its doing. You will match the speed of your run or walk to the BPM of the music. I have listened to a bunch of the podcasts and I have to say that I have not found one yet that I don't like.
It is FANTASTIC work-out music.
*****
Have a great weekend!
Catch ya on the flip-side!
1. My Girls - Animal Collective
2. Sweet Dispostion - The Temper Trap
3. Two Weeks - Grizzly Bears
4. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. 1901- Pheonix
6. Lucid Dreams - Franz Ferdinand
7. Infinity - The xx
8. King Rat - Modest Mouse
9. Walkabout [w/Noah Lennox]
10. Wilco (the song) - Wilco
Bonus: Kettering - The Antlers
One of my biggest pet peeves?
Businesses sending customers text messages. It seems rather presumptious of that business to assume that everyone has unlimited text messaging. A lot of people don't. So their little Advertising ploy very well may have cost their intended client twenty-five cents. That's not a lot, but when they do it on a regular basis? It can add up fast.
That's irritaing.
I also hate it when church groups use text messaging to "get the word out" about events. Seriously people. Have we completely lost the art of communication?
*****
Watching Law & Order --all 900 versions of it-- is like watching a train wreck. You know you shouldn't but you just can't help it.
It sucks you in and then uses mind control powers so that you can never escape.
Help! I'm stuck in a Law & Order marathon and I can't get out!
*****
I hate grocery shopping with a passion. I also hate working out with a passion. However, with my new little present that Jefe gave me for Christmas I have found myself looking for excuses to do both.
Mostly because when I go to the store I listen to one of my stations on this and when I go walking (cause lets face it. I can't even run to the mailbox) I listen to this.
I really like that last one because its 1hour of solid exercise music that is made specifically to help you get "in the zone" or as the Dj says--a trance-- where you totally aware of your body and what its doing. You will match the speed of your run or walk to the BPM of the music. I have listened to a bunch of the podcasts and I have to say that I have not found one yet that I don't like.
It is FANTASTIC work-out music.
*****
Have a great weekend!
Catch ya on the flip-side!
1. My Girls - Animal Collective
2. Sweet Dispostion - The Temper Trap
3. Two Weeks - Grizzly Bears
4. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. 1901- Pheonix
6. Lucid Dreams - Franz Ferdinand
7. Infinity - The xx
8. King Rat - Modest Mouse
9. Walkabout [w/Noah Lennox]
10. Wilco (the song) - Wilco
Bonus: Kettering - The Antlers
Wordless Wednesday
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
A trip down memory lane
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Everyone always talks about the six degrees of separation. I totally have a testimony of it. I have gotten emails from people saying: "I had no idea who you were, and I have been reading your blog for ages now... THEN!
{dun dun dun dun}
You posted a photo of you (or your family) and I TOTALLY know you..."
More than once this has happened and it sort of freaks me out.
The first time it happend, it turns out the person who had been reading me, not knowing who I was, was the daughter of a family I lived with when I was a missionary. I knew this woman and I knew her well. Over the years we had lost touch... but blogging helped us reconnect.
The six degrees of separation gets knocked down to the second degree of separation when you add My Church into the mix, and blogging. It really is an amazing phenomenon.
Jefe has been working at his law firm for almost 5 years now. Today he makes the connection with one of the other employees that we both lived (are from) Illinois. BUT. Not only are we both from Illinois, we lived in the same town. AND. The same ward. AND. His mother was my 1st counselor when I was the Stake Primary President.
Crazy, huh?!
{dun dun dun dun}
You posted a photo of you (or your family) and I TOTALLY know you..."
More than once this has happened and it sort of freaks me out.
The first time it happend, it turns out the person who had been reading me, not knowing who I was, was the daughter of a family I lived with when I was a missionary. I knew this woman and I knew her well. Over the years we had lost touch... but blogging helped us reconnect.
The six degrees of separation gets knocked down to the second degree of separation when you add My Church into the mix, and blogging. It really is an amazing phenomenon.
Jefe has been working at his law firm for almost 5 years now. Today he makes the connection with one of the other employees that we both lived (are from) Illinois. BUT. Not only are we both from Illinois, we lived in the same town. AND. The same ward. AND. His mother was my 1st counselor when I was the Stake Primary President.
Crazy, huh?!
Please indulge me whilst I take a trip down memory lane.
Rock River Illinois
Rock River, Illinois
Steak & Shake, Rockford
Belvidere High School
Edwards Apple Orchard
Edwards Apple Orchard
Edwards Apple Orchard
Winter Quarters Temple
Rock River, Illinois
Loves Park
2004 - Moving Day
Aldeen Park, Rockford
Aldeen Park, Illinois
Loves Park
Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park
This is what we look like today. 
Now, wasn't that fun?
New Digs
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
I feel pretty bad for those of you that read my blog ONLY in Google reader. You are missing out on my new digs! They are totally rockin' and smokin' hot!
You should pop in and see what you think. Then, take a looksie over in my side bar and see if you don't see something REALLY cool. It's sort of an announcement.
No.
I'm not pregnant.
{Praise Allah!}
You should pop in and see what you think. Then, take a looksie over in my side bar and see if you don't see something REALLY cool. It's sort of an announcement.
No.
I'm not pregnant.
{Praise Allah!}
This is NOT a year in review post
Monday, January 04, 2010
Everyone is doing recaps. Recaps of Christmas, New Years, the decade.
I would do it too, but it seems rather blasé. I mean why would I want to remind you about that silly movement I started, or how I had my own personal Belliagio.
I don't.
I could tell you about my morning time Epiphany or my Nighttime serenade. But why would I do that? It's boring.
I could remind you all of how you failed miserably at the name game, or how I wrote a poem once.
But that would be SO dumb.
I could remind you of my infomercial plot or my visit to the confessional. Boring you say? Well. What about that one time I had a deep thought? Or all those posts where I took some crazy good photos?
I could tell you about the first graders and getting a Google testimony, but again... SNOOZE fest.
Nope. I decided to most definitely NOT do a year in review post. No one wants to hear about the Ghetto Walmart, the Worlds Cutest Baby and most definitely NOT that one post about the massive dragon fly. Nope. I'll refrain.
You are dancing with Glee aren't you that I didn't even mention Estelle? Not even one time. Nor did I mention Moxie or Thing 1's pesky cell phone or those dumb, silly teenagers or crazy parents.
Nope. I'll not being a 2009 review post.
They're dumb, over done and narcissistic.
Wait.
Those all describe me?
Well dang! Good thing I hooked ya up then, right?!
I would do it too, but it seems rather blasé. I mean why would I want to remind you about that silly movement I started, or how I had my own personal Belliagio.
I don't.
I could tell you about my morning time Epiphany or my Nighttime serenade. But why would I do that? It's boring.
I could remind you all of how you failed miserably at the name game, or how I wrote a poem once.
But that would be SO dumb.
I could remind you of my infomercial plot or my visit to the confessional. Boring you say? Well. What about that one time I had a deep thought? Or all those posts where I took some crazy good photos?
I could tell you about the first graders and getting a Google testimony, but again... SNOOZE fest.
Nope. I decided to most definitely NOT do a year in review post. No one wants to hear about the Ghetto Walmart, the Worlds Cutest Baby and most definitely NOT that one post about the massive dragon fly. Nope. I'll refrain.
You are dancing with Glee aren't you that I didn't even mention Estelle? Not even one time. Nor did I mention Moxie or Thing 1's pesky cell phone or those dumb, silly teenagers or crazy parents.
Nope. I'll not being a 2009 review post.
They're dumb, over done and narcissistic.
Wait.
Those all describe me?
Well dang! Good thing I hooked ya up then, right?!
how i rocked 2009
Saturday, January 02, 2010
See? Sometimes I can be funny. When I want to.
Apparently I did more than I thought. Or remembered.
(yes. i see that i misspelled my name. don't mock.)
Apparently I did more than I thought. Or remembered.
(yes. i see that i misspelled my name. don't mock.)
One Little Word
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Ali Edwards is one of the blogs that I have been reading since the beginning of time. Or at least blogging. I love everything about it-- her writing, her photography and her projects. She is a true artist. The kind that I long to become.
For the last 3 years, at the beginning of each year, she has been doing a one little word post. In that post, she encourages everyone to pick one little word and then try to live it. Document it.
One little word can have major power in your life if you open yourself up, and allow yourself to feel the word. A word that means something to you.
Not to your spouse. Or mom. Or kids. Or boss. Just you. Your word.
This was last years word:
For the last 3 years, at the beginning of each year, she has been doing a one little word post. In that post, she encourages everyone to pick one little word and then try to live it. Document it.
One little word can have major power in your life if you open yourself up, and allow yourself to feel the word. A word that means something to you.
Not to your spouse. Or mom. Or kids. Or boss. Just you. Your word.
This was last years word:
It's a great word.
BE.
There is so much that you can do with it . . . but honestly? I really didn't do much or document much with my word. I rarely even thought about it.
It was just BEing in the back of my mind.
I have given a lot of thought to what I want the word for this year, 2010, to be. I have ideas of who I want to BE; What I want my family to BE; What I want my blog to BE; What I want my business to BE . . . when I realized what my word needed to be . . .
BE.
There is so much that you can do with it . . . but honestly? I really didn't do much or document much with my word. I rarely even thought about it.
It was just BEing in the back of my mind.
I have given a lot of thought to what I want the word for this year, 2010, to be. I have ideas of who I want to BE; What I want my family to BE; What I want my blog to BE; What I want my business to BE . . . when I realized what my word needed to be . . .
just BE.just BE happy.
just BE patient.
just BE kind.
just BE prayerful.
just BE.
Care to join me in my adventure with One Little Word?
(yes i know it's two words. but its pretty and it works. you can cheat if you want to)
(yes i know it's two words. but its pretty and it works. you can cheat if you want to)