Commitment Issues

So I wonder what it would be like to post to a blog more than 4 times a year?

I wouldn't know, evidently, as I haven't done that.  Not in years and years.

I have read a lot that the thing that successful blogs have in common is that they have a theme, or a focus.  Okay, so we can all agree that that particular goal may be a challenge for me.  I am open to hearing what any of you (of the 3 that may or may not actually read this thing) have to suggest as far as having a theme would be.

I could post the ridiculous things that happen in my house(some funny, some disgusting, some ironic in an Alanis-Morisette-it's-not-really-ironic-it's-really-just-a-bummer kind of a way).  I could post about the crafts & projects I do.  I could post pictures of myself reading blogs (because it's what I do best, I think, these days).  I think I may have turned boring.

I'm going to go hang out with these guys.

Now what?

Yesterday I got to spend a little while making jewelry with Loretta.  She wanted to make some earrings as a gift for a friend before they leave for school next month, and so we went to it.  We pulled all my boxes and bins of jewelry making stuff off the shelves and onto the table, sorted through what I have, talked about the design she wanted, and picked out the beads and findings to get the job done.  If I were any good at this blog thing, I would have taken a picture before she left with them. Sadly, I did not.  You'll have to take my word for it that they are adorable: French hook earring with two dangles: one, a pretty silver star with clear crystals on the front, and behind that a dangle with two small pink beads.  Very simple and very cute. She did a great job. I demonstrated for her how to create a wire-wrapped loop. Since we only did the one pair, she didn't get to actually do the loop - that will have to be for next time.  She has a really good plan brewing for her next project.

Source: rings-things.com via Lauren on Pinterest

That's not Loretta's, but aren't they pretty? (see source, above)

Last night's dinner: penne with homemade marinara topped with cheese, garlic bread on the side.  D had a friend over who has a selective palate, so I was pleased that he seemed to like it. He did not like the strawberry-banana fruit salad I served with it, but I feel like a .500 is pretty awesome with him.  T ate all of it, so really, I consider it overall successful. I thought it was delicious, but I'm the mom, and everyone knows that moms eat gross, weird stuff.

Tonight is pork chops in rice. Super elegant, eh?

Source: web.stagram.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Most of the way done with the quilting on the quilt I'm making.  (This is what it looked like with just the quilt top done.) Then all I have to do is trim it down and bind it. Super excited!  And I already have all the blocks to make another one ready and waiting, so either way I can give one and keep one!

New Design!

I've given the blog an overhaul.  I thought it was time to "uncutesy" the site -- while I do like the old colors and elements, it was too "scrapbooky" for my tastes.  I learned how to do a new header from a tutorial on MADE.  This is one of my favorite blogs, and I got my inspiration from one of the entries she posted on her contest to redesign her header on her own blog.  There were so many impressive designs on there -- for a person like me, a little intimidating.  But here's where I landed and I like it for now!

Cost Cutting

So we're cutting costs here.  I've always been kind of a cheapskate at heart, but a weird one... Penny-wise and pound-foolish.  But I feel like maybe I have a jump start with the penny-wise part; now all I have to get is pound-wise.

I'm considering what to do about the internet/phone thing.  I only have two options when it comes to internet: cable broadband or DSL.  I don't think the DSL is fast enough, not nearly as fast as cable internet. But I can't get the faster internet without the cable tv, and I want to be free of that.  Most television I want to watch, I can get on the internet, and the kids don't need unfettered access to the inanity that is E! and MTV (or Disney, for that matter).  Rounding back around to the internet issue: if I'm planning to stream all my tv and other stuff, I need a fast connection.

I still need a land line for a house phone.  I feel like with two small guys here in the house and crap reception in my neighborhood (thank you, Sprint), I really shouldn't try to rely on a cell as the house phone.  But it's tempting.

So I'm stumped.  And that's just the internet/phone/tv thing.  I'm screwed.

Let's All Go to the Drive In!

That's just what we did last night!  The boys and I cleaned out the van, grabbed some Popeye's (superyum!), and headed out to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes at the drive in.  Good movie, great dates. I recommend going if you have kids - or even if you don't.  It was fun. I do have some thoughts, though, and would do a few things differently next time:

1. Start earlier - This is a problem for me overall, but last night I wish I had started the process earlier. We were clearing out the back of the van still when we should have been hitting the road, and that set us back for the rest of the evening.
2. Ask for plates & spoons - Evidently they don't give this to you when you order the humongo family meals unless you ask for them.  And so we had delicious mashed potatoes, green beans, and red beans & rice that we couldn't eat.  Kind of a bummer. Well... as much a bummer as Popeye's can be.
3. The kid(s) will be wound up - Just deal.  Remember that they can either remember the awesome drive-in y'all went to, or they can remember the yelling ("Just throw it into the big trashcan!", "Get buckled up or we can't go anywhere!", "For the millionth time, grab your pillows and get inside!").  Maybe I'll make sure we go in jambes, or lay them out before we leave so they're ready to go when we get home.
4. Sit farther away from the people smoking pot - Don't know how to plan this, but seriously, this is not what you want for the kids.  Or maybe you do.  In which case... well, I don't know what to say about that.

We had a great time and the movie did spark some good conversations. Plus, D spotted Draco Malfoy in the movie - maybe he has the moviespotter gene? We'll see!

Figured it out?

I have figured out that if I keep some time in my day to be creative and/or inspired, then I'm much happier. To that end, I spend time online reading these blogs (here, here, here, here - are some recent ones I've found) and have learned how to quilt.  (Well, I'm stuck in the middle of an unfinished first quilt, but that detail is just a minor one...)  I take it where I can get it.  I've taken my sketch pad to work with me to get a few minutes in when I need a breather - drawing mandalas is surprisingly relaxing, and mentally very refreshing.  I'm exploring lots of traditional media that I've never really looked deeply into before, like paper art (sherenschnitte and quilling), quilting, embroidery, printmaking - primarily by reading about it.  I'm finding that I have an itch to sew, and if I could only get that stupid machine into the repair shop I'd be golden.

So this weekend I've spent a ridiculous several hours working on a photo that my boys want made. It's a composite of several sources and involved costuming, a brief photo shoot, and lots of Photoshop Elements. In the end, I suppose I'm ok with it - they boys are thrilled, though, and that's what really matters.  Not sure what we'll do with it, but they love it and it gave me an outlet.

New Love and One Around the Corner

Just found a new love.  Like most new loves, it's a timesucker.  It has potential.  It can either bring out the best, most brilliant parts of me, or it can quickly plunge me into the Neverland of "shiny".  And like most girls newly in love, I am betting on it always bringing me light and joy and inspiration and never bringing me down.  Pinterest!

I also have a thought that I might start another blog. But that will have to be a separate thing... I thought it might be a good way to keep focus on a weight loss goal.  Nothing like doing it in public to give a greater sense of accountability and nothing like needing to return to it daily (writing, posting, editing, generating ideas, etc) to give a prolonged sense of focus. So I am gathering ideas about starting it, and that should be just around the corner.  Might give a little fun to it!