How is it that I am so uninspired to write some blog posts?
Writing every day (almost every day) is MUCH more difficult than I ever thought that it would be. There are only so many interesting things that happen in my life. About once per week I will have a day like today where I have ZERO idea what I am going to write about. My husband would argue that it was more like one day a week where I do know what I am going to write about. I will start about 5 different blogs and just leave them pending because I can't figure out how I am going to fill an entire blog post about how my children love milk.
When I first started this blog I had a million different ideas. Actually, I had a list of about 30 different ideas for posts that I could actually write about. I had dreams of sitting down to write inspired blog posts and the words just flowing freely onto the page. This has rarely happened for me. I will admit that it is getting easy with the more posts that I write.
I still don't have a super clean vision of where I want this blog to go. I would love for this blog to turn into a place to share ideas, recipes, and interesting pages from the web. I love the things that I have been able to document so far, the experiences that I have had and I appreciate the feedback, comments and love that has been shown so far from this blog.
Thank you to everyone who reads so far! Some interesting posts are coming up!!
-Sara
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Bonus day
So, my department at work participates in an annual bonus plan. Today was payout day for that bonus! And it was payday so it was like a double bonus. I am grateful to work for such an amazing company that allows me to do something that I like to do and pays me for it even though I have very little past experience doing anything like this. In this time of job uncertainty and very little job security, you will never catch me speaking ill of the company that I work for.
This is the time of year that Corry and I evaluate what we have and what we need and/or want for the upcoming year that we might not be able to afford. We also look at what we might want to do now that we have some spare cash laying around since we also just got our tax return back. It seems like now that we have two kids there is always something on that list that is bigger and better than last year. This year there are several new items on the list including gun(s) and ammo, car parts, etc. One item missing from the list so far: something for me.
Corry explicitly told me this year to buy me something for myself. I have the hardest time with this. Why is it that, as parents, when we have children we develop this need to only buy things for our children? When does that stop? Or does it ever stop? I know that I am not the only mother in the universe that buys things for my children instead of buying things for myself. I am, of course, not talking about food, water, shelter, necessities, etc. I can go to Target or to the mall with the intention to buy myself something and I will come out later with toys and clothes for both kids and nothing for me. I don't intentionally not buy things for myself; it just seems more fun to buy stuff for my kids, I guess.
Corry and I are very lucky that we make enough money between our two jobs to not only pay our bills and provide us the stuff that we need to survive but also keep us well stocked with items that we want. Rarely do I have to think about a list of things that I want, and when I do I always end up drawing a blank. This year we are blessed enough to get to do a lot of different new things: garden, join a camping group, etc. I would like to round out this year and those items by re-learning how to buy things for myself and develop a healthy list of wants. I think that it seems like the right thing to do to help me get back to feeling like "me" instead of feeling like just some one's mother. Just typing that makes me feel selfish and judgmental, by the way.
I know that I am not the only relatively new mother who has a hard time coming to terms with this new person that I have become after having kids. Before I had my first child, I envisioned that I would stay like Me but I would just have a child. That didn't happen. The second that she was born I was a changed person. I can't explain it really well, but everything was different. I transitioned immediately into this new person whose every waking moment was consumed by this other living, breathing human and it was difficult to turn that part of my brain off enough to even sleep. I went back to work after three-ish months of being home and a new transition began to the 'working mom' which is the person that I have been ever since.
I have only recently determined that I really miss the person that I used to be. I love my kids and I wouldn't change them for the world, but I wish that I would have known how to keep more of me along with this mother title that I adopted. It seems like a lot harder to figure out how to get her back, but I would like to try and I feel like at least figuring out a list of things that I want for myself might help me to get part of the way there. I am going to update a blog in about a month from now (hopefully) with a list of items that I would like for myself.
This is the time of year that Corry and I evaluate what we have and what we need and/or want for the upcoming year that we might not be able to afford. We also look at what we might want to do now that we have some spare cash laying around since we also just got our tax return back. It seems like now that we have two kids there is always something on that list that is bigger and better than last year. This year there are several new items on the list including gun(s) and ammo, car parts, etc. One item missing from the list so far: something for me.
Corry explicitly told me this year to buy me something for myself. I have the hardest time with this. Why is it that, as parents, when we have children we develop this need to only buy things for our children? When does that stop? Or does it ever stop? I know that I am not the only mother in the universe that buys things for my children instead of buying things for myself. I am, of course, not talking about food, water, shelter, necessities, etc. I can go to Target or to the mall with the intention to buy myself something and I will come out later with toys and clothes for both kids and nothing for me. I don't intentionally not buy things for myself; it just seems more fun to buy stuff for my kids, I guess.
Corry and I are very lucky that we make enough money between our two jobs to not only pay our bills and provide us the stuff that we need to survive but also keep us well stocked with items that we want. Rarely do I have to think about a list of things that I want, and when I do I always end up drawing a blank. This year we are blessed enough to get to do a lot of different new things: garden, join a camping group, etc. I would like to round out this year and those items by re-learning how to buy things for myself and develop a healthy list of wants. I think that it seems like the right thing to do to help me get back to feeling like "me" instead of feeling like just some one's mother. Just typing that makes me feel selfish and judgmental, by the way.
I know that I am not the only relatively new mother who has a hard time coming to terms with this new person that I have become after having kids. Before I had my first child, I envisioned that I would stay like Me but I would just have a child. That didn't happen. The second that she was born I was a changed person. I can't explain it really well, but everything was different. I transitioned immediately into this new person whose every waking moment was consumed by this other living, breathing human and it was difficult to turn that part of my brain off enough to even sleep. I went back to work after three-ish months of being home and a new transition began to the 'working mom' which is the person that I have been ever since.
I have only recently determined that I really miss the person that I used to be. I love my kids and I wouldn't change them for the world, but I wish that I would have known how to keep more of me along with this mother title that I adopted. It seems like a lot harder to figure out how to get her back, but I would like to try and I feel like at least figuring out a list of things that I want for myself might help me to get part of the way there. I am going to update a blog in about a month from now (hopefully) with a list of items that I would like for myself.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Silas's first birthday party
Today was little man's first birthday party *tear*. Thanks to all who came for your presence and gifts! He had an awesome time and loved his cake. Post tomorrow with recipes of items made for the party - they were all a hit!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Teething baby + Sick Toddler = awesome day
Silas turned 1 on December 31st. He is my last baby. We will cover the sadness around that subject sometime in the future. For now, let's just say that he is enduring the worst part of baby/toddlerhood - teething. Specifically cutting molars. I have always told someone that if it was possible for babies to cut all of their teeth in like two days, I would much rather that happen. Unfortunately it does not.
We are currently on day 5ish of molars coming in. Let's regress a second and relive our lives months ago when Silas cut his other eight teeth in like two weeks. He gets a fever, is up ALL NIGHT, and just generally a ridiculously cranky baby for days. Isabella was never a problem with teething. No fighting, no crying, no whining or anything. We always attributed it to the amber teething necklace that she wore. I have told my husband that we should have Silas look like Mr. T with so many amber necklaces to combat his teething. We have one on him that he has worn solid since he was about 2 months. Please don't judge - I am the worst amber owner ever. I don't take it off of them ever... I don't wash it... I don't sun it... he just wears it. I am currently researching how I should go about washing it but I am kind of afraid to remove it because of how he will react. Currently he doesn't even seem to notice it and I don't want to draw attention to it in any form or fashion.
So, we are on about 5 days of not sleeping for Silas, me and my husband. Needless to say our house is in an awesome mood. Because the universe sometimes likes to throw all kinds of fun at you at the same time, Isabella woke up this morning and said that her ear was hurting. I got instantly anxious because she has had HORRIBLE double ear infections before and not said anything about pain. After a doctor appointment for the both of them it is determined to be nothing serious except teething for cranky baby, ear infection for Isabella and totally shot day for mommy.
Today is the day before Silas's first birthday party. I have a million and one things to do. I am finally getting a second to breathe after making a cake from scratch, cake balls, prepped fruit salad, prepper the dip for tomorrow, cleaned the kitchen, made the banners and got as much prepped as possible for the food tomorrow. I hope to be able to take some pictures and post them tomorrow. For now, I am going to pass out while the second cake cooks.
-Sara
We are currently on day 5ish of molars coming in. Let's regress a second and relive our lives months ago when Silas cut his other eight teeth in like two weeks. He gets a fever, is up ALL NIGHT, and just generally a ridiculously cranky baby for days. Isabella was never a problem with teething. No fighting, no crying, no whining or anything. We always attributed it to the amber teething necklace that she wore. I have told my husband that we should have Silas look like Mr. T with so many amber necklaces to combat his teething. We have one on him that he has worn solid since he was about 2 months. Please don't judge - I am the worst amber owner ever. I don't take it off of them ever... I don't wash it... I don't sun it... he just wears it. I am currently researching how I should go about washing it but I am kind of afraid to remove it because of how he will react. Currently he doesn't even seem to notice it and I don't want to draw attention to it in any form or fashion.
So, we are on about 5 days of not sleeping for Silas, me and my husband. Needless to say our house is in an awesome mood. Because the universe sometimes likes to throw all kinds of fun at you at the same time, Isabella woke up this morning and said that her ear was hurting. I got instantly anxious because she has had HORRIBLE double ear infections before and not said anything about pain. After a doctor appointment for the both of them it is determined to be nothing serious except teething for cranky baby, ear infection for Isabella and totally shot day for mommy.
Today is the day before Silas's first birthday party. I have a million and one things to do. I am finally getting a second to breathe after making a cake from scratch, cake balls, prepped fruit salad, prepper the dip for tomorrow, cleaned the kitchen, made the banners and got as much prepped as possible for the food tomorrow. I hope to be able to take some pictures and post them tomorrow. For now, I am going to pass out while the second cake cooks.
-Sara
Thursday, January 3, 2013
52 in 52 Pinterest Project #1 - Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Pinterest project - 1
Pinterest projects to go - 51
I am always on the look for a breakfast recipe that I can "cook" overnight. This has been my second failure so perhaps the universe is trying to tell me something.
I was perusing Pinterest the other day and came across this pin for overnight apple cinnamon Oatmeal - original website/recipe found here: http://bestfoodpins.com/archives/7022
Several things immediately struck me with this pin:
1. I LOVE using the crock pot. I had never cooked anything overnight in it, but I figured that there has to be a first time for everything.
2. I LOVE apple cinnamon oatmeal.
3. I had all the ingredients on hand and none of them were "weird" or seemed like they needed to be babysat. I'm not sure if anyone else does this but anytime I read the ingredients to a recipe I always skip over it if it has an odd ingredient or requires too much attention, like stirring constantly for over 10 minutes - who has time for that?
So we begin our journey. I pull out my trusty crock pot, assemble ingredients exactly as stated except that I used steel cut oats - what I had on hand. After an hour I put Saran Wrap over my crockpot under the lid because my pot doesn't seal as well as I would appreciate.
Our one year old crying woke my husband and I up approximately eight and a half hours into cooking time, which should have been fine. Upon opening the lid, the most amazing aroma was released. It smelled like a hot apple pie... *drool*. I spooned it into a container to take to work and my husband took a bite. At this point, even though we have been married 4 years, I wasn't totally sure how he felt about oatmeal, but he didn't seem impressed. He said it needed sugar, which I thought was odd because it seemed like enough while I was putting it together and I used a sweeter apple. I figured that it was just his lack of appreciation for oatmeal and went on to work.
Opening the container while at work, I noticed that the aroma did not travel with me to work, which was disappointing. First bite - it's glue-y. And tasteless. And like wallpaper paste with chunks of apples in it.
I want to cry. My first Pinterest project is a failure! I have had such success with different pins in the past and the first one that I am going to document is a miserable failure. Normally I would try to make it again to see if I could tweak the recipe to obtain a better outcome, but this one seems so hopeless that I don't want to waste the ingredients trying it again. Let's hope that the next 51 have a better outcome.
- Sara
Pinterest projects to go - 51
I am always on the look for a breakfast recipe that I can "cook" overnight. This has been my second failure so perhaps the universe is trying to tell me something.
I was perusing Pinterest the other day and came across this pin for overnight apple cinnamon Oatmeal - original website/recipe found here: http://bestfoodpins.com/archives/7022
Several things immediately struck me with this pin:
1. I LOVE using the crock pot. I had never cooked anything overnight in it, but I figured that there has to be a first time for everything.
2. I LOVE apple cinnamon oatmeal.
3. I had all the ingredients on hand and none of them were "weird" or seemed like they needed to be babysat. I'm not sure if anyone else does this but anytime I read the ingredients to a recipe I always skip over it if it has an odd ingredient or requires too much attention, like stirring constantly for over 10 minutes - who has time for that?
So we begin our journey. I pull out my trusty crock pot, assemble ingredients exactly as stated except that I used steel cut oats - what I had on hand. After an hour I put Saran Wrap over my crockpot under the lid because my pot doesn't seal as well as I would appreciate.
Our one year old crying woke my husband and I up approximately eight and a half hours into cooking time, which should have been fine. Upon opening the lid, the most amazing aroma was released. It smelled like a hot apple pie... *drool*. I spooned it into a container to take to work and my husband took a bite. At this point, even though we have been married 4 years, I wasn't totally sure how he felt about oatmeal, but he didn't seem impressed. He said it needed sugar, which I thought was odd because it seemed like enough while I was putting it together and I used a sweeter apple. I figured that it was just his lack of appreciation for oatmeal and went on to work.
Opening the container while at work, I noticed that the aroma did not travel with me to work, which was disappointing. First bite - it's glue-y. And tasteless. And like wallpaper paste with chunks of apples in it.
I want to cry. My first Pinterest project is a failure! I have had such success with different pins in the past and the first one that I am going to document is a miserable failure. Normally I would try to make it again to see if I could tweak the recipe to obtain a better outcome, but this one seems so hopeless that I don't want to waste the ingredients trying it again. Let's hope that the next 51 have a better outcome.
- Sara
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
52 in 52
Pinterest. Simultaneously upon hearing that word most men groan and roll their eyes and most women get instantly antsy wanting to tell you about something awesome that they say on that website the other day. I have to admit that the months following my discovering this site my mother and my sisters could be heard uttering the words 'I saw the coolest thing the other day on Pinterest'. Who am I kidding - we still do this...
I am a self proclaimed Pinterest lover. It really is addicting and, at times, overwhelming. It's easy to get into the black hole of pinning a ton of awesome projects, yummy recipes and cute ideas and never doing anything about it. I actually do what I can "Pinterest projects" right now, whether that be crafts or recipes, but one of my resolutions is to do that more.
I was inspired by Youtube mommy vlogger dreamflight6000 Amy. She is an awesome mom to two young children who has made a few videos where she details making and reviewing a recipe that she has found to be popular from Pinterest. It has been informative, inspirational, at times hilarious, and definitely amusing
My first pin project has already happened and I am going to spoil it and tell you that it turns out horrible. The idea was so awesome, but the end result was something that I wouldn't even feed to the dogs. More details tomorrow...
I am a self proclaimed Pinterest lover. It really is addicting and, at times, overwhelming. It's easy to get into the black hole of pinning a ton of awesome projects, yummy recipes and cute ideas and never doing anything about it. I actually do what I can "Pinterest projects" right now, whether that be crafts or recipes, but one of my resolutions is to do that more.
I was inspired by Youtube mommy vlogger dreamflight6000 Amy. She is an awesome mom to two young children who has made a few videos where she details making and reviewing a recipe that she has found to be popular from Pinterest. It has been informative, inspirational, at times hilarious, and definitely amusing
My first pin project has already happened and I am going to spoil it and tell you that it turns out horrible. The idea was so awesome, but the end result was something that I wouldn't even feed to the dogs. More details tomorrow...
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013 Resolutions
Ok so one of my 2012 resolutions was to write on this very blog more ... and it failed miserably. This year I am going to take a new approach. In order to accomplish the resolution this year I am going to write every day around the same time. That way it makes it like a job ... a more enjoyable version of a job, I suppose. Here's hoping that I can do it. I am also taking on more than one blog. There are some topics that I would like to discuss or get assistance with that I understand that the general public will not be interested in so I will not bring them here. Once I establish those other blogs I will link them here..
So, my first post will be my 2013 resolutions. They are numerous but should be easy to accomplish. Because I am a list maker, I have organized them into categories. Later in the week, I will detail how I feel that I will accomplish them.
Personal
1. Be more "girl"y, i.e. wear makeup, do my hair, etc.
2. Blog everyday.
3. Go on more dates with my husband.
Home
1. Do 52 "Pinterest" projects for the year.
2. Stock freezer with prepared meals once per month.
3. Create a monthly budget and stick to it.
4. Save more money every month.
5. Do 52 acts of preparedness.
Health
1. Stop drinking sodas.
2. Do some form of exercise 5 days per week.
Once every week or so I will update on my progress. Eventually I hope to have more of a schedule to my blog about what kind of post gets posted on a certain day of the week.
Happy New Year!!
So, my first post will be my 2013 resolutions. They are numerous but should be easy to accomplish. Because I am a list maker, I have organized them into categories. Later in the week, I will detail how I feel that I will accomplish them.
Personal
1. Be more "girl"y, i.e. wear makeup, do my hair, etc.
2. Blog everyday.
3. Go on more dates with my husband.
Home
1. Do 52 "Pinterest" projects for the year.
2. Stock freezer with prepared meals once per month.
3. Create a monthly budget and stick to it.
4. Save more money every month.
5. Do 52 acts of preparedness.
Health
1. Stop drinking sodas.
2. Do some form of exercise 5 days per week.
Once every week or so I will update on my progress. Eventually I hope to have more of a schedule to my blog about what kind of post gets posted on a certain day of the week.
Happy New Year!!
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