Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
5 Minutes of Creative Writing Time
Jack is down for his morning nap, so let's see how much I can get blogged before he wakes up.
You know, about 4 months ago, I told Kevin that I'd really like to carve out some time for myself every week, in order to do some writing. I often feel like, when I do get a chance to blog, it's on the fly...it's hurried, sometimes (ok, usually) nonsensical and replete with incoherent ramblings about the kids. I have a lot more material, you guys. I promise. It's just that I can't find the time to sit down and put the words together the way I want.
So, that "time to myself" to write just hasn't happened. It's not that Kevin reneged on his promise, it's just that, when he's here and helping out with the kids, I'm running around like a maniac, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry or sometimes going to the grocery store. The bottom line is that my "time to myself" is very rarely much time at all, and certainly not "all to myself" (especially if you consider that I'm usually folding men's boxer briefs and kid pajamas).
All of this is leading up to this point: I know my blog is boring and lacks creativity. It's not for a lack of things to write about or imagination--it's as a result of lack of time. Which is weird because it seems like time goes by so slowly sometimes. (But did you know that an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba is only 22 minutes long? In that case, 22 minutes flies by) I always think of great things to blog about, but when these ideas hit me, I'm usually 1. driving 2. holding Jack (one-handed typing, which is my most common way of answering emails these days, is pretty frustrating) or 3. cooking dinner. As you can see, none of these scenarios are ideal for plopping down and putting my thoughts down. It's frustrating.
So, in more up-lifting, less "woe is me" news: We got a new car! Thanks be to God. Our old car was ok but it was beginning to give us problems (Have I told you about the giant rat that was living in our garage and eating our old Jeep piece--by expensive, labor-intensive--piece? That's a blog that I'll write during one of my "designated creative writing" times. Ha.). It also wasn't the safest vehicle on the road anymore, being that it was approaching 7 years old. So, we upgraded to a Jeep Commander. It looks like this:
Just like this, minus the roof rack and the mountainous terrain
You know, about 4 months ago, I told Kevin that I'd really like to carve out some time for myself every week, in order to do some writing. I often feel like, when I do get a chance to blog, it's on the fly...it's hurried, sometimes (ok, usually) nonsensical and replete with incoherent ramblings about the kids. I have a lot more material, you guys. I promise. It's just that I can't find the time to sit down and put the words together the way I want.
So, that "time to myself" to write just hasn't happened. It's not that Kevin reneged on his promise, it's just that, when he's here and helping out with the kids, I'm running around like a maniac, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry or sometimes going to the grocery store. The bottom line is that my "time to myself" is very rarely much time at all, and certainly not "all to myself" (especially if you consider that I'm usually folding men's boxer briefs and kid pajamas).
All of this is leading up to this point: I know my blog is boring and lacks creativity. It's not for a lack of things to write about or imagination--it's as a result of lack of time. Which is weird because it seems like time goes by so slowly sometimes. (But did you know that an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba is only 22 minutes long? In that case, 22 minutes flies by) I always think of great things to blog about, but when these ideas hit me, I'm usually 1. driving 2. holding Jack (one-handed typing, which is my most common way of answering emails these days, is pretty frustrating) or 3. cooking dinner. As you can see, none of these scenarios are ideal for plopping down and putting my thoughts down. It's frustrating.
So, in more up-lifting, less "woe is me" news: We got a new car! Thanks be to God. Our old car was ok but it was beginning to give us problems (Have I told you about the giant rat that was living in our garage and eating our old Jeep piece--by expensive, labor-intensive--piece? That's a blog that I'll write during one of my "designated creative writing" times. Ha.). It also wasn't the safest vehicle on the road anymore, being that it was approaching 7 years old. So, we upgraded to a Jeep Commander. It looks like this:
Just like this, minus the roof rack and the mountainous terrainI'm pleased as punch to have some extra space and a more safe vehicle to haul my family around in. We also did Mr. Dave Ramsey proud by financing only an itty bitty fraction of it and should have it paid off in a year or so...all the while, sticking money away in savings to pay cash for our next car.
And, in true fashion, Jack is awake from his nap, so "creative writing time" is official over. Lucky you because my next "Why You Should Get on Board With Dave Ramsey" rant was about to take off.
And, in true fashion, Jack is awake from his nap, so "creative writing time" is official over. Lucky you because my next "Why You Should Get on Board With Dave Ramsey" rant was about to take off.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Now with 97% less clutter
If you follow my Tweets (the Twitter sidebar, over yonder) you know that I've become a Freecycle fanatic. While I've never acquired anything from Freecycle, I've been Freecycling our stuff on a regular basis. I try to Freecycle at least one thing a week. If you're not familiar with Freecycle, it's essentially an online network for offloading the stuff that you don't want anymore. I used to be a regular charitable organization donater. I would collect the stuff that we needed to purge and usually call Purple Heart every few months to come and pick the stuff up. It would be gone in one fail swoop and I never knew what became of our stuff. With Freecycle, it's more a case of divvying up our stuff and dispensing to individuals. I really like the idea of getting to choose who I give my stuff to and I like hearing back from the person, after they've picked up, letting me know what they plan to do with the stuff. It's a great system and I've Freecycled such oddities as my underwear (Un-worn, new undies, thankyouverymuch) and such treasures as my stash of scented candles (burning candles + toddler = 911 + Texas Children's Hospital - expensive insurance ER co-pay +/- CPS getting called).
I've really become addicted to the concept of living clutter-free. I'm proud to report that currently, you can open most any drawer or closet in our house and find only the bare necessities and/or the things that we treasure. It's a wonderful, wonderful feeling. This new clutter-freedom came in super handy last week, when we had new carpet installed in all of the bedrooms. While the workers would move the furniture, I was told to get everything off of the floors on the closets. Ordinarily, this task alone would have been a weekend-long event. These days though, that task entailed moving a couple of Rubbermaid containers of kid clothes (baby girl clothes awaiting the next baby girl to be born in the family--come on Jill--go team Pink!) and picking up some shoes. It took about 30 min to clean out all of our bedroom closets.
Freecycle itself has become an addiction for me. As soon as I freecycle something, I start scouring the house for other things to purge. When I go on one of my "tears" the kids and cats always look at me in fear (luckily for them, you can't freecycle living creatures).
This image has always struck me:
These are the only belonging that Gandhi had at the time of his death. While we're still a far-cry from this, we're doing so well.
"But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”--Mohandas Gandhi
I've really become addicted to the concept of living clutter-free. I'm proud to report that currently, you can open most any drawer or closet in our house and find only the bare necessities and/or the things that we treasure. It's a wonderful, wonderful feeling. This new clutter-freedom came in super handy last week, when we had new carpet installed in all of the bedrooms. While the workers would move the furniture, I was told to get everything off of the floors on the closets. Ordinarily, this task alone would have been a weekend-long event. These days though, that task entailed moving a couple of Rubbermaid containers of kid clothes (baby girl clothes awaiting the next baby girl to be born in the family--come on Jill--go team Pink!) and picking up some shoes. It took about 30 min to clean out all of our bedroom closets.
Freecycle itself has become an addiction for me. As soon as I freecycle something, I start scouring the house for other things to purge. When I go on one of my "tears" the kids and cats always look at me in fear (luckily for them, you can't freecycle living creatures).
This image has always struck me:
These are the only belonging that Gandhi had at the time of his death. While we're still a far-cry from this, we're doing so well."But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”--Mohandas Gandhi
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
An actual post...
with real words coming soon, I promise.*
In the meantime, enjoy this:
Jack flirting with Granny
*"Promise" subject to change depending on the napping (or lack thereof) of children in the coming days. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details.
In the meantime, enjoy this:
Jack flirting with Granny*"Promise" subject to change depending on the napping (or lack thereof) of children in the coming days. Restrictions apply. See dealer for details.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Average Thursday evening in Houston
I just checked the website for the Houston Chronicle to make sure that I hadn't missed any breaking news during the day. I saw the following 3 headlines:
Back to your regularly scheduled programming...
- Crosby Pastor Accused of Molesting 2 Teens
- Harris County Woman Shot Man During Foreplay
- Vidor Man Gets 45 years For Abduction While Wearing Pink Panties
Back to your regularly scheduled programming...
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Alligator Wrestling
Our little Cajun Prince did this for upwards to an hour last night. He had a ball and kicked that alligator's ass (as well as bit the alligator's ass repeatedly). The alligator was sopping wet once the cage match was over and we'll be having fried alligator tail for dinner tonight. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
(That seahorse better look out--Jack's comin' for you next)
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