These Are The Days Of My Life

We've been busy.  Crazy busy.  Working on the house, trying to maintain the garden and its harvest, organizing our "schoolroom", wrangling kids, hugging kids...you get the point.  And in the midst of it, I've been busy being pregnant and planning the start of our new school year. 


So you'll probably be seeing quite a bit of talk from me about pregnancy, being mommy, and homeschooling over the next month or so.   'Cause really, these are the things that make up the days of my life.  And I'd be willing to guess the drama of each could give any old soap opera a run for its money any given day. *smile*

Online...I Think

I thought about channeling a little Willie Nelson and singing you a little tune I like to call Online Again, but then I'd have to braid my hair and that would require a little more effort than I'm willing to give right now.

Come on, I am incubating a person here.

Now that you know you've been saved from my budding career as a parodist (at least temporarily), you might be disturbed to know that I now have a working computer back in my hands. *insert creepy organ music here*

Through a family friend, God has blessed me with a cute, little laptop and now I can get back at the ol' blog.  I love hand-me-downs. *smile* I mention that it is small, because it tends to strain my eyes rather quickly and that will limit the amount of time I spend online.  It might also explain why you might think I'm looking at you funny the next time I see you, please don't be offended just blame burnt retinas. 

Unfortunately, pictures will still be extremely limited.  The CD drive is broken and I'm concerned that loading my camera software will send the laptop into a coma.  I look forward to the day I can post pictures of my babies and whatever weird stuff I can torment share with you.

So, anyway...just thought I'd warn you that the erratic, sporadic, phlegmatic musings that pour out of this cranial mass will be resuming.

Stay tuned.   I dare you.

Still Offline

Just touching base while I have access to a computer to let you know that my computer finally quit on me and it's going to be a little while longer until we're back online.  No blogging, no searching, no e-mailing for me since mid-May.


If you need to get in touch with me, you're going to have to pick up the phone and call.  So old fashioned, I know. *grin* 


I've really missed being able to pollute contribute to cyber world.  I miss documenting for my kids and I miss the opportunity to write and process what's going on in my life.   


And life amazingly does go on with a computer or not.  Samuel turned four, Abigail just turned two, and we're trying to work on the house in hopes of putting it on the market by the end of summer.  In a case of what could only be temporary insanity, we doubled the size of our garden and Richie has done a beautiful job taking care of it. 


In the biggest family news, we're expecting our fourth little one in January 2011!


Maybe we'll have the computer issue worked out before then... Hope you are having a wonderful start to your summer!

Catching My Attention

You may or may not have noticed that a month or two ago I added something new to my right sidebar.  I'm not quite sure why, but I decided to add a link to some bookmarks I've saved in a Delicious account.  

And because variety is the spice of life and what makes this mama tick, the links cover a wide spectrum of topics.  Although right now looking at them, I see an underlying theme that we won't talk about right now, m'kay?

Anyway, if you ever want to comment or chat on something you see there, this would be the place to do it.  For the record, just because I link to something, it does not necessarily mean I agree with it.  It just caught my attention.   

Soooo...

It looks like I'm back to regular posting.

Maybe.

I've missed blogging, but have been trying to reestablish my priorities and get a few special projects done. As grown up as that sounds, please don't be impressed. I've mostly been cleaning the house. Not that you'd be able to tell.

I've also been trying to work out a better schedule for us. A term I use loosely. I'm hoping I can squeeze a few posts in each week (2-3?) and will just see what happens. Living on the edge remains a priority for me so I'm starting to blog again at the beginning of baseball season.

Pictures of the family will continue to be sparse until we can do something about the computer. Which basically means until we get a new one. New to us anyway. It's still all about perspective around here.

I looked at my account this morning and realized I have quite a few draft posts waiting anxiously for their 15 minutes of fame. I'm thinking I might actually try to get them out after doing some proofreading. Whatever that is.

Would you believe that they go back over a year?! Pathetic, huh?

I'm also s-l-o-w-l-y making some changes around here. To the kind soul who humors me by reading the grammatically incorrect verbiage I write (Hi, Mom!), please bear with me as I try to mess everything up in a timely manner, hopefully within a month. Please don't hold your breath, a year is a long time to go without air.

So, *insert creepy music of your choice*, this is my official, "I'm baaa-aaack."

I think.

No Time Like The Present

Dabbing my toes back in the bloggy water. Seeing what it feels like. Wondering if I have the motivation or desire to continue. Well, more motivation than desire. Or maybe it's something else.

I've had a quadrillion (as opposed to my usual gazillion) blog posts throughout the summer that have never quite made it on here. Some started and sitting in draft mode just waiting for a chance. Poor things, sitting the bench will never be trendy. In fact, this post was started about three weeks ago. Timeliness has always been one of my best qualities. *insert huge guffaw*

I could attribute the lack of blogging to many things. Some good. Some not so good. Some just downright insane. All truthful.

Instead, I've decided that I just want to categorize it as my life being very full. Which is not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all. And it makes me feel good. Like I made good choices.

Or maybe that's just leftover from being exposed to the D.A.R.E. program in elementary school. I will always carry certain things with me. D.A.R.E. and "Give a hoot, don't pollute" are two of them.



Seriously, my mom heard me quote that slogan in my sleep when I was little.

Anyway, I've managed to keep myself from getting too sucked up in the vortexes of cyberspace this summer. The vortexes that devour two hours of time like me when I'm left alone with rice crispy treats. Or peanut butter ice cream. Or...you get the point, in nothing flat.

So I'm proud to say that I've actually gotten quite a bit accomplished. Of course, not even an eighth of it would have happened if it weren't for Richie and the fact that he was home more this summer than in the past to lend a helping hand. Or two. What a guy! He was quite the taskmaster, I mean motivator. *wink*

But, I'm hoping to get back to blogging at least twice a week. I enjoy it and I really would like to have something fun for the kids to look at when they get older. It will still be unpredictable in content and purpose, because, well...if it weren't, then it wouldn't be me. *grin*

How Do You Store Your Digital Pictures?

I need help. Okay, okay, we established that a while ago...that's a different story.

I'm trying to decide what to do with all my digital pictures and videos now that I've got my camera and computer talking and I'm having a hard time choosing what to do with them. Flickr? PhotoBucket? Snapfish? Good, old fashioned cd's?

Help! I'm overwhelmed, frustrated, and am the proud owner of a computer ready to go on strike at any inconvenient moment.

Would you help a girl out and share what you use? Would you mind sharing the pros and cons you've found if you have a minute?

I'll be forever grateful.

In fact, I pledge to never take a picture of the gifts of affection my cat keeps leaving for me to find (preferably not under my foot or in a child's hand). Nope, no dead animal halves. Or entrails. I promise.

Happy Unblogiversary To Me

I'm feeling lame. So lame that a cricket with a broken leg could beat me in a jumping contest. Yeah, I don't know, I just made that one up.

Forgive me. Even the jokes are lame. How much more convincing do you need?

I had totally meant to make sure I posted on my one year blogiversary. Um, that was six days ago.

I'm so efficient and thorough I astound myself. Really, I can hardly stand it.

Lame-o. That's my name don't wear it out.

But then again, who decided that it should be a huge deal that I've been polluting the blogosphere with my cranial throw-up for a whole year through 180 posts?

So, maybe it really comes down to some unconscious rebellion against the system. Yeah that's it. I'm anti-establishment and it's in my blood to go against the grain. That's why I didn't post on the 23rd.

But, then I'd be lying about it, so I just have to confess my lameness. Because that's what I do. Confess my transgressions to you in pursuit of a transparent life.

So if you're still reading this, then you've been able to wade through the sarcasm and shield your heart from the shock of it all. You deserve something. And since this post is about being lame, there's no giveaway. Cause that would be unlame.

How about more bloggy confessions...

• Would it help to admit that I sometimes get excited when I receive a comment? Human contact, what a nice thing...
• Or how I struggle with not trying to qualify everything I say because I don't want to be misunderstood? It could also just be that nasty religious spirit hanging on when it comes to spiritual matters.
• That dropping off the face of the blogosphere in this season has been a little difficult because I enjoy it, but it's been one of the best things for me?
• For some weird reason I get kind of embarrassed when someone tells me they read my blog?
• That I just had to look up whether there was one "r" or two in the word embarrassed?
• And while we're at it, I should inform you that I never use the word "lame". Unless maybe I see an animal that's, well, lame. I shall now retire it from my vocabulary.
• Now I'm wondering if it's even okay to use that word. Somebody help me, do you see what I go through? Go reread the second bullet, I'm wrapping this up before it gets any uglier.

So, here's to one year of blogging. If nothing else, my spelling is better for it.

Thanks for hanging out with me! I'm hoping to be regularly posting again soon!!

Finally

Finally. Finally. Finally. I got my camera and computer to talk. And I am so. stinkin'. excited. I can hardly stand it. Finally I can share pictures of whatever I want.

Like a picture featuring a wonderful pair of toddler feet that I love so much. I could just kiss them. And if you remember my aversion to feet, you know there's something special about them.

Or I can show you Abigail's newest feats. Like pulling herself up, which she's been doing for about 2 weeks now.

Or maybe even Caleb's latest style, which happens to change almost daily. And yes, he calls it a style. When I asked what this style was he replied, "Adventure with my friend style." Please note, remember to use a rope as your belt when you want to have an adventure with a friend.

But instead, I think I'll just show you a recent random drawing from around our house. Drawn by none other than Richie. He said he can't draw the face of an elephant. I'm wondering if he's trying to send me a message...

100th Post

So, this is my 100th post. And from what I gather, this is supposed to be a momentous occasion in my bloggy world.

I've got a gazillion different other things I would like to get down before I forget, but I will take a moment of reflection and jot a few things down for the sake of posterity about my blogerrific thoughts.

1. I could get so caught up in this whole blog world. Too much of a good thing is bad. It's wild to think I didn't know (or really want to know) that this world existed 6 months ago. Really, the last thing I need is something else to distract me from my home, my family, and my God. Yet, here I am...

2. I hate to even admit this, but I feel like I'm connected in some sort of weird way. (Seriously, how excited should I be when I see a comment - pathetic, I know.) It's odd. It's encouraging to know that there are other women going through many of the same things I am and to see how God is working in and through them. Let's be honest, being at home full-time is not easy and it can be lonely, no matter how much you enjoy it.

3. In defense of lurking...insecurity still remains in this virtual world. That doesn't define all lurking, but I'm not too quick to come out of my anonymity. It's made me wonder how in the world this happened...I used to be so wide open. And really, it's still way too easy to compare yourself to others, something else I don't need.

4. I am seriously contemplating my direction and whether I should keep posting. This is why I do:

• My hope is that one day my kids will be able to look back and see what their mom was about, her struggles, her thoughts, her love, etc. I don't know if I'm capturing it or not.
• My hope is that my friends and family will have an small idea of what's going on with us and how to pray for us. That they can share in our laughs and trials.
• My hope is that someone, somewhere will receive encouragement through my life. Which in typing that, I just feel the weight of that comment. My knee jerk reaction is that no one could ever possibly gain something from it. But, I know that God isn't done with me yet and I'm confident that He will continue working on me until the end. Now that's encouraging! :)

Ah, my thoughts. What a challenging, perplexing bit of me. So, here we have it. My 100th.

Under Construction

Do you remember that blog makeover I won from Sassy Chic Designs...what do you think?!
I love it! Thanks so much, Melanie! And if you happen to be looking for someone to spice up your blog, I would highly recommend checking her out. It was a fantastic experience working with her.

At the same time, after five looooooooong months of waiting, my kitchen is getting its makeover. All the stuff from my cabinets has been out since June (thanks again, Joy, you're the best!), and it has not been fun.

BUT, my new cabinets got put in this weekend and we're hoping to have it completed in the next two weeks. A neighbor friend called it a turning point and I'm grabbing hold of that! 'Cause honestly, I have not been doing too well lately. And then kicking myself about not doing too well. Not pretty.

Kind of like a dog chasing its tail.

I do believe a bit of it - it being the discombobulated mess that is me and my tail kicking - is due to the disaster that is my house. Seriously. My kitchen has been spread out through five different rooms in my house the past two weeks. Not too bad you're thinking...well, I have a seven room home.

That's bad.

And yes, I have pictures to share. Oh, do I have pictures. But you'll have to wait until I can get them developed.

Hey, I can see you on the edge of your seat waiting. Stop that, you should not be salivating over the anticipation of viewing another woman's mess.

Although, I may hold back due to my concern of social suicide. Being kicked out of homeschool co-op. The whispers. Being shunned at church. The knowing stares. My children having no friends.

Yes, I've already admitted to having an active imagination, but you haven't seen what I have...

Blah, Blah, Blog

Okay, obviously I've been messing around with my blog. Not what I want, but since I already did this much, it's what I'll stick with for a while. I already miss my green and white design from before! What do you think?

I was just trying to go for something a little simpler. Less busy. I like this one, but it's not quite me. So, we'll try again in a couple months I'm sure. :) The ongoing search for "Jo Ann" in a blog, without paying for it. Brighter colors, stripes, polka dots, ribbons. I have an idea in my head, but I need time to learn and put it together. And patience.

I got this off of The Cutest Blog On The Block. I needed something quick to work off of. They have some adorable designs!

Frustration - Blog Be Thy Name

Do you ever feel this way? I do!

So, I've been out of town taking care of family stuff (more on that later) and it has provided a good break from this blog. I am frustrated and totally wishing I knew anything about HTML.

Yeah, never thought I'd say that. :) Definitely wishing I had left it the way it was. So, those of you who currently read this blog will just have to endure with me...lucky you.

Oh yeah, and my camera broke. I was already having a hard time getting pictures up, now more so. Bummer!

And to think this is an issue when 3 months ago, blogging was not a part of my world. Hmmm...