Friday, June 19, 2009
Who Blogs
My blogging life began with weekly emails (back in the 90’s before blogger) when I moved away from loved ones and needed an efficient way to keep in touch. As I collected more to share (I moved to a new and interesting place, had three children who do noteworthy things each day, etc.), it seems technology advanced to suit my needs. I love that I have a central location to post stories and photos from my life, and link to all my dear ones who are doing the same thing.
I happen to know that my grandparents check their family’s blogs at least once every single day. I think of that often when I set aside computer time for myself. I really do try to find something to post for them (and time to post it) every day. Sometimes I have a lot to say—my own opinions, things weighing on my mind; other times I have great stories or photos of the kids. Sometimes I have nothing to say but I am still alive. The point is, I know that my loved ones are looking for word from me because I am looking for word from them. I am genuinely interested in their everyday lives. In fact, I am genuinely interested in most everyone’s everyday lives. People, in general, are totally fascinating to me. I love reading how similar others are to me. I love reading about lives that are totally different from mine, too—lifestyles and adventures I will never know. It’s like blogging was made for me—it saves e a lot of trips to the library for biographies!
So then I was thinking about the kinds of people who say the kinds of things about bloggers that lump us together as arrogant and self-centered nut jobs (which is not entirely untrue, I’m just saying it’s a pretty broad generalization, which I will answer with a pretty broad generalization). I think I know this “type” of person. I think there is a certain degree of projection involved in one’s attitude about blogging. People who love blogs and blogging are “people-persons,” and especially “family-people,” and they expect to find others with the same attitude online. People who hate blogs and blogging tend to be uninterested in the lives of others, and just don’t connect with the private or mundane side of life. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. You know, different strokes for different folks and all. You get what you give. you know.
I just write to share my daily life with people whom I wish were a part of it. Since we can’t be neighbors and all up in each others’ bidness (and maybe that’s for the best), we can do it virtually via the blog. I am not asking or assuming that what I write will be of interest to anyone but my loved ones with whom I have shared my address, and who have taken the time to log on and read up. And even then I’m not making any promises! And I, for one, DEVOUR all the news, thoughts, and photos posted by y loved ones. To my critics (if there are any critics of “the family blog”), I mostly feel like saying "If you don’t like it, don’t read it." It’s pretty simple.
LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Too Much iCarly...
Many Moons, Many Junes...
He's also a fun Uncle...Rich & Ally-Bug, December 2001
Daddy & Addie, Summer 2003 in MO
Daddy & Addie on his birthday, June 2003 at Pine Creek
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
We Survived Crafters Club!
I have been running around like crazy all morning, so my hair looks a little sad, but I caved and got blonde highlights. I was trying to be more natural, but let's face it: my natural hair now is a hideous brownish gray that is just plain sad. Depressing, even. So I will keep it lighter while I can, cuz, hey, it's sunny (my hair, the weather, AND my disposition--heh, heh)!
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Monday, June 15, 2009
huh?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Mediocrity
Right now the thing I suck at most is personal grooming. I am in the throes of busy momhood, and I am the poster girl for Letting Yourself Go. Part of me cares, but part of me cares more about my family life and THEIR grooming and cuteness. Don't get me wrong--I am still good about hygeine. I smell decent, my nails are ALWAYS cut and polished, my teeth are brushed at least twice a day, etc. etc. But I rarely "do" my hair (it requires a blow-out after each shampoo). I usually get up, put on yoga pants and a t-shirt and a headband, telling myself that AFTER I exercise and AFTER I get teh house clean, I will freshen up and put on an "outfit."
You've probably guessed that the sweaty chores never end. The yoga pants and Tshirts never get changed. The makeup bag gathers dust. I DO apply vitamin E oil to the lashes and I swear by clinique city block after the morning face wash--at least it evens the skin tone and provides sunblock. That's gotta count for something, right?
The thing is, I do a decent job at a LOT of things, but I excell at pretty much nothing. I am undisciplined in a lot of ways and that's why I can't sight read or sew or bake well. Or, like the Innocence Mission song, "I know nothing about so many, too many things..."
The Day That Kicked My Tail
The new main exhibit is about Pirates and treasure, so the kids got to watch clips of Goonies, control an underwater video camera by remote, use metal detectors in a big sand box to find stuff, put on a pirate puppet show, play a treasure hunting game, measure their weight in gold (James is worth $378, 000 and I am over 2 million--yikes) and other fun little activities. Of course we went to see our old friends the dinosaurs and played in the discovery room a little bit.
Sorry about the glare, but this is a sheep herding family living in their covered wagon, playing guitar in 1939!
Modern Shepherd--this pose reminds me of all those "Good Shepherd" paintings of Christ.
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After the museum, we had a few errands at Costco and Target (for upcoming baby shower, Rich's bday, Fathers Day). I was so DAWG TARD when I finally loaded up my brood and headed home at 3pm, I thought I would fall asleep at the wheel! Luckily, my coughing kept me awake! ;) I was driving Rich's hybrid, which was quite a contrast to my regular daily errand-running. I expressed the oddness on facebook like this: I had a moment today--I usually drive around in my van listening to talk radio (we don't get music here) and that's kinda 'my life.' But today I got to take our little hybrid, which has an ipod dock, so I had a moment at a stoplight singing along to Tigerlily where I thought, "this is kind of opposite of my daily grind--big van, conservative radio vs. tiny hybrid, hippy rock..." and yet still so very Me. Weird.
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I got a little run down, so Rich gave me the day off from the ranch today and I am instead doing Primary stuff and housework ALL BY MYSELF. Yay. Gotta go change loads, so TTFN.
Friday, June 12, 2009
It's Already Friday...
FAMILY LETTER 07.28.19
Dear Loved Ones, We have just ...