And if you are me it's been out for way longer than just the last few weeks/days.
The prep and packing for the move and then the chaos swirl of moving, unpacking, new dog, visiting MIL, working away for weeks husband pretty much adds up to a big ol homeschooling FAIL for us.
The kids are doing some basic grammar, math, reading etc. most days but its not consistent and not terribly exciting.
I'm feeling tremendous pressure from myself to get a plan together for this coming year. To see if my slacking has caused them to fall behind in any area. To get my act together. Sadly I just feel completely unable to even figure out a starting point. I have no idea what to do or how I want to do it.
I'm feeling so uninspired with everything. What do you do when you feel like that? How do you figure out a jumping off place to kick start the other ideas?
I'm definitely feeling like a harried homeschooling housewife lately!
A penny for my thoughts
My blog isn't read by thousands or even hundreds... maybe tens on a good day. I doubt my little opinions, thoughts or whines mean much to anyone but it is a place for me to get out the stuff in my head without addressing it to any particular person.
I'm sure by now you have seen footage, read articles and formed opinions on the situation in the Gulf. It IS horrible, no two ways about it. It is a huge environmental disaster and BP has really seemed to screw up every attempt to solve the problem while not being honest about the severity. The impact of this screw up can't even be fully calculated just yet but it is obviously not good.
I am seeing tons of stop all drilling comments and slogans along similar lines. Screaming for alternative fuels.
I am a big supporter in alternative energy, saving the earth and basically not being a wasteful douche. But here is my irritation.... This isn't just about your car or changing a few lightbulbs. Do you have any idea how many products you use daily that contain some form of petroleum? Here are a few...
Ink, Dishwashing liquids, Paint brushes, Telephones,
Toys, Unbreakable dishes , Insecticides, Antiseptics,
Dolls , Car sound insulation, Fishing lures , Deodorant,
Tires, Motorcycle helmets, Linoleum , Sweaters,
Tents, Refrigerator linings , Paint rollers, Floor wax,
Shoes , Electrician's tape, Plastic wood , Model cars,
Glue, Roller-skate wheels, Trash bags , Soap dishes,
Skis, Permanent press clothes , Hand lotion, Clothesline,
Dyes , Soft contact lenses, Shampoo , Panty hose,
Cameras , Food preservatives, Fishing rods, Oil filters,
Combs, Transparent tape, Anesthetics , Upholstery,
Dice, Disposable diapers, TV cabinets , Cassettes,
Mops , Sports car bodies, Salad bowls, House paint,
Purses , Electric blankets, Awnings , Ammonia,
Dresses, Car battery cases , Safety glass , Hair curlers,
Pajamas, Synthetic rubber , VCR tapes . Eyeglasses,
Pillows, Vitamin capsules, Movie film , Ice chests,
Candles, Rubbing alcohol, Loudspeakers, Ice buckets,
Boats, Ice cube trays, Credit cards , Fertilizers,
Crayons, Insect repellent, Water pipes , Toilet seats,
Caulking, Roofing shingles, Fishing boots , Life jackets,
Balloons , Shower curtains, Garden hose , Golf balls,
Curtains , Plywood adhesive, Umbrellas , Detergents,
Milk jugs , Beach umbrellas, Rubber cement , Sun glasses,
Putty , Faucet washers, Cold cream , Bandages,
Tool racks, Antihistamines , Hair coloring , Nail polish,
Slacks, Drinking cups, Guitar strings , False teeth,
Yarn, Petroleum jelly, Toothpaste, Golf bags,
Roofing, Tennis rackets, Toothbrushes , Perfume,
Luggage , Wire insulation, Folding doors , Shoe polish,
Fan belts, Ballpoint pens, Shower doors, Cortisone,
Carpeting, Artificial turf, Heart valves, LP records,
Lipstick , Artificial limbs, Hearing aids, Vaporizers,
Aspirin, Shaving cream, Wading pools, Parachutes
So, are you totally innocent? I doubt it, no one is. Obviously we should make changes and do what we can but blindly bitching about the evil oil companies and workers makes you look at best shortsighted. We don't want them to drill "here", or "there" but we keep buying stuff and using stuff that requires this material. We create the demand they are filling. And unless you live totally off the grid in a fully sustainable lifestyle, which means you most likely would never see this blog, you are part of that demand.
- Michelle (Venus)
*vegetarian
*eco conscious
*wife of an oil industry worker on a natural gas rig
I'm sure by now you have seen footage, read articles and formed opinions on the situation in the Gulf. It IS horrible, no two ways about it. It is a huge environmental disaster and BP has really seemed to screw up every attempt to solve the problem while not being honest about the severity. The impact of this screw up can't even be fully calculated just yet but it is obviously not good.
I am seeing tons of stop all drilling comments and slogans along similar lines. Screaming for alternative fuels.
I am a big supporter in alternative energy, saving the earth and basically not being a wasteful douche. But here is my irritation.... This isn't just about your car or changing a few lightbulbs. Do you have any idea how many products you use daily that contain some form of petroleum? Here are a few...
So, are you totally innocent? I doubt it, no one is. Obviously we should make changes and do what we can but blindly bitching about the evil oil companies and workers makes you look at best shortsighted. We don't want them to drill "here", or "there" but we keep buying stuff and using stuff that requires this material. We create the demand they are filling. And unless you live totally off the grid in a fully sustainable lifestyle, which means you most likely would never see this blog, you are part of that demand.
- Michelle (Venus)
*vegetarian
*eco conscious
*wife of an oil industry worker on a natural gas rig
Crafty Spaces
Many people consider me a crafty person. So if I'm so damn crafty why am I a total blank on how to set up my new craft room?
Well, blank is exactly the right term... I have thoughts, ideas, inklings but I'm just not sure where to start or where to go with it. Plus it needs to be on the cheap.
I'm just unsure so feel free to give me your opinions.
I have the one window pictured and a closet. The room is about 10x10
Well, blank is exactly the right term... I have thoughts, ideas, inklings but I'm just not sure where to start or where to go with it. Plus it needs to be on the cheap.
I'm just unsure so feel free to give me your opinions.
I have the one window pictured and a closet. The room is about 10x10
Swimming Upstream
I'm really struggling with some issues lately.
I feel like I really don't have anyone to talk to that can understand or advise so I'm on my own. It's so hard to have Chris gone so often... not that I know he could help but you know, he married me so he has to listen to me.
There is so much that I want to accomplish. I feel like I'm on the verge of some big things and I'm just not sure where I'm going to end up... I guess that's part of the adventure.
John Burroughs is totally my man right now.
Leap, and the net will appear.
I feel like I really don't have anyone to talk to that can understand or advise so I'm on my own. It's so hard to have Chris gone so often... not that I know he could help but you know, he married me so he has to listen to me.
There is so much that I want to accomplish. I feel like I'm on the verge of some big things and I'm just not sure where I'm going to end up... I guess that's part of the adventure.
John Burroughs is totally my man right now.
Leap, and the net will appear.
Full of Potential... or salad
I can see a glimmer of normalcy on the horizon. Chris will be home Saturday and he is going to finish building the furniture which will get rid of lots of boxes... I swear I hate boxes right now.
Mostly right now my days are spent dealing with The Dude. It is like having a 60+ pound toddler, fun in some ways but holy cow a seriously exhausting amount of work.
I got a new camera and while I really have no clue how to use it I haven't let that stop me. Flowers are, in my opinion, a great practice subject. They don't wiggle, squirm, whine or run away. Those the windy days lately were tricky. lol Here is my nature album of my trying out my new camera.
 |
| From Nature |
I'm also at a point where I'm finally ready to deal with my weight and eating habits. I haven't had soda in almost a week and no candy/sweets in 3 days (I pigged on Easter). I'm slowly adding in exercise at a level that I can maintain. Once the pool is ready for Summer I will also be swimming daily which I hope helps. Today I was inspired to start a visual food journal. I take a photo of most of my dinners anyway for the veggie blog so why not take it another step. This is for me the ultimate accountability. If I put it in my mouth I have to be willing to share a picture of it with the world. I've thought about making it a separate blog but for now it is just a flickr album, we'll see what happens in a few days/weeks. There are a few earlier pics on there but the full programs starts today April 8.
Ok, it didn't even take a week. I started the blog lol I need to find a new template and pretty it up and add my pics but here is the addy. http://whatinom.blogspot.com/
Randomy Randomness
I posted this on a msg board last night and thought I'd share it here so I can remember it...
We've been in the house for 18 days.
Day 1, we unloaded the uhaul.
Day 2, Dude got fixed and stayed overnight.
Day 3, Get Dude... less than 2 hours later he's bleeding and has removed his stitches. The vet meets us and takes him back.
Day 4, Dh leaves to go back to work. Get tv/internet
Day 6, Dude comes home... full of crazy.
Day 11, finally get wireless network running,
my laptop Dh home around 11pm
Day 12, MIL arrives
Day 13, Dude starts training classes
Day 18, waiting for MIL to leave for airport. Dh leaves in the morning for another week.
Days that weren't listed often went like this....
So here I sit on the morning of Day 19. The Dude is for now quietly playing in the back yard... probably destroying something or chewing on rocks, yep he does that.
I didn't sleep so well last night and I'm the only one awake so far, it's kinda nice to have these moments to collect my thoughts and prepare for the day.
My number one goal for the next few days is to regain some kind of routine. I really haven't had a chance to settle in even though it has been almost 3 weeks. I do not like being in limbo, my friends know this and constantly point it out... thanks. lol We have most of the rest of the furniture that we need but it was delivered yesterday and Chris leaves today so odds are it's not going to be set up in time. Now yes, hear me roar, I guess I could try to put the computer desk and bookcases together but let's get real here and realize that I'm probably NOT going to do that.
I'm going to focus on getting into my kitchen and cooking meals, getting the kids back to bed at decent hours, working on Dude's training.
Eventually, I know everything will be set up and ready and the house will be settled. I just wish it was sooner.
We've been in the house for 18 days.
Day 1, we unloaded the uhaul.
Day 2, Dude got fixed and stayed overnight.
Day 3, Get Dude... less than 2 hours later he's bleeding and has removed his stitches. The vet meets us and takes him back.
Day 4, Dh leaves to go back to work. Get tv/internet
Day 6, Dude comes home... full of crazy.
Day 11, finally get wireless network running,
my laptop Dh home around 11pmDay 12, MIL arrives
Day 13, Dude starts training classes
Day 18, waiting for MIL to leave for airport. Dh leaves in the morning for another week.
Days that weren't listed often went like this....
So here I sit on the morning of Day 19. The Dude is for now quietly playing in the back yard... probably destroying something or chewing on rocks, yep he does that.
I didn't sleep so well last night and I'm the only one awake so far, it's kinda nice to have these moments to collect my thoughts and prepare for the day.
My number one goal for the next few days is to regain some kind of routine. I really haven't had a chance to settle in even though it has been almost 3 weeks. I do not like being in limbo, my friends know this and constantly point it out... thanks. lol We have most of the rest of the furniture that we need but it was delivered yesterday and Chris leaves today so odds are it's not going to be set up in time. Now yes, hear me roar, I guess I could try to put the computer desk and bookcases together but let's get real here and realize that I'm probably NOT going to do that.
I'm going to focus on getting into my kitchen and cooking meals, getting the kids back to bed at decent hours, working on Dude's training.
Eventually, I know everything will be set up and ready and the house will be settled. I just wish it was sooner.
Home Sweet Home
*deep sigh* The worst is over, I think.
We have moved, it is officially over... all of our stuff is here and we've closed on the house. We need a few big pieces so we can finish unpacking (bookcases, entertainment center, etc).
The house is amazing, which we knew. It is 20 years old so of course it needs some work but we expected that.
Thursday 3/25, My mother in law is flying out for a week so the new routine will have to wait until April 1. I need to get back on track with a lot of things... cooking, blogging, school, crafts. I feel too up in the air with all of this recent upheaval. I need my constants to ground me and make me feel centered. I will get up and clean the kitchen in the morning and that is one of my most zen moments of the day... I want, no, I NEED more of those.
We have moved, it is officially over... all of our stuff is here and we've closed on the house. We need a few big pieces so we can finish unpacking (bookcases, entertainment center, etc).
The house is amazing, which we knew. It is 20 years old so of course it needs some work but we expected that.
Thursday 3/25, My mother in law is flying out for a week so the new routine will have to wait until April 1. I need to get back on track with a lot of things... cooking, blogging, school, crafts. I feel too up in the air with all of this recent upheaval. I need my constants to ground me and make me feel centered. I will get up and clean the kitchen in the morning and that is one of my most zen moments of the day... I want, no, I NEED more of those.
