I don't know why it is so hard to keep this thing updated. I will think of some story or comment I am going to post, but by the time I think of it again I am either busy or in a weird mood or something, so I don't get on here and do it.
There is one funny story I was going to post. The other night I was putting some spoiled food down the disposal in the kitchen, and Heath kept commenting, kind of teasing me, "You are stinking up the whole house! That smells terrible! Do you think you can quit stinking it up in there?" Finally, Jacob says to me, "Mommy, go poop!" It caught us off guard and we thought it was hilarious.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Apparently, I act my age....
| You Are 28 Years Old |
 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
Thursday, October 06, 2005
a very useful engine
I thought of a chore I like!!!
Throwing away papers. I get such a thrill out of it. Whether I am throwing away a whole trash can full after letting it build up (as I too often do), or if I am just sorting and throwing away 3/4 of the daily mail, I find it very satisfying. I also enjoy the paperwork side of being a housewife, like making a shopping list or balancing the checkbook, but I have never felt like I could count those as chores since they weren't actually cleaning. But throwing away papers - I think that counts.
As I started cleaning the kitchen this morning, I thought, oh this is so boring; it is painful! But once I got started, in a rhythm, and turned on some music, it wasn't so bad. I think the anticipation of the housework and just breaking the soil - finding a place to start - is much worse than the middle and end. I actually like the end. It makes me feel very useful and good about myself to look at my spotless kitchen. I like looking at the cabinet doors and knowing that behind them everything is organized and in place, and seeing the counters swept clean. For a moment, I get a sense of completion, if only until the next meal time. This is rare in the life of a stay-at-home mom.
Saying that I felt useful made me think of Jacob's Thomas the Tank Engine videos. I thought they were so funny at first, but now they have become very endearing to me. The topmost values on the island of Sodor (the location of Thomas's rail line) are being useful, being on time, being dependable, working hard. Not such bad values for the rest of us. I think it actually is very important to feel useful - even if it means doing housework to get there. :-)
Throwing away papers. I get such a thrill out of it. Whether I am throwing away a whole trash can full after letting it build up (as I too often do), or if I am just sorting and throwing away 3/4 of the daily mail, I find it very satisfying. I also enjoy the paperwork side of being a housewife, like making a shopping list or balancing the checkbook, but I have never felt like I could count those as chores since they weren't actually cleaning. But throwing away papers - I think that counts.
As I started cleaning the kitchen this morning, I thought, oh this is so boring; it is painful! But once I got started, in a rhythm, and turned on some music, it wasn't so bad. I think the anticipation of the housework and just breaking the soil - finding a place to start - is much worse than the middle and end. I actually like the end. It makes me feel very useful and good about myself to look at my spotless kitchen. I like looking at the cabinet doors and knowing that behind them everything is organized and in place, and seeing the counters swept clean. For a moment, I get a sense of completion, if only until the next meal time. This is rare in the life of a stay-at-home mom.
Saying that I felt useful made me think of Jacob's Thomas the Tank Engine videos. I thought they were so funny at first, but now they have become very endearing to me. The topmost values on the island of Sodor (the location of Thomas's rail line) are being useful, being on time, being dependable, working hard. Not such bad values for the rest of us. I think it actually is very important to feel useful - even if it means doing housework to get there. :-)
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
I haven't posted for a while because I guess I haven't thought of anything profound or humorous to say. But I thought it was time for an update, anyway.
I was talking recently with the girls at my Bible study about how hard it is to make friends once you have kids. Moms can get together during the day, but so much energy is focused on monitoring the kids that not a lot of bonding can take place. And husbands are not fond of being left alone with the kids in the evening while we make new friends (wives aren't either when the situation is reversed). Once the kids are in bed, we want to have time with our spouses. I am starting to understand why so many couples seem to not have friends they hang out with during their child raising years. Family life can be so consuming, and it certainly should be the priority. But yet we need friends to lean on and to laugh with. So, I am going to make more of an effort. I think I will call one or more of the girls I have met to set up play dates. Or maybe our families could get together for dinner.
The interesting thing about starting over in a new city is we can be whoever we want to be, in a way. We have joked about how the new Jenny can be a great housekeeper and always on time, and the new Heath can be... well I forget what we said about Heath. That shows that I don't see his shortcomings nearly as easily as I see mine! But anyway, stereotypes are gone. We could completely change our interests, and no one would know. It is an interesting exercise to think of how we would recreate ourselves given the chance. Only time will tell if it is really possible.
I was talking recently with the girls at my Bible study about how hard it is to make friends once you have kids. Moms can get together during the day, but so much energy is focused on monitoring the kids that not a lot of bonding can take place. And husbands are not fond of being left alone with the kids in the evening while we make new friends (wives aren't either when the situation is reversed). Once the kids are in bed, we want to have time with our spouses. I am starting to understand why so many couples seem to not have friends they hang out with during their child raising years. Family life can be so consuming, and it certainly should be the priority. But yet we need friends to lean on and to laugh with. So, I am going to make more of an effort. I think I will call one or more of the girls I have met to set up play dates. Or maybe our families could get together for dinner.
The interesting thing about starting over in a new city is we can be whoever we want to be, in a way. We have joked about how the new Jenny can be a great housekeeper and always on time, and the new Heath can be... well I forget what we said about Heath. That shows that I don't see his shortcomings nearly as easily as I see mine! But anyway, stereotypes are gone. We could completely change our interests, and no one would know. It is an interesting exercise to think of how we would recreate ourselves given the chance. Only time will tell if it is really possible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)