Today I did some searching, not soul searching, but certainly up there on importance. My husband couldn’t find a very important part for a job coming up. We searched the house, assuming the kids took it, which would have been deserving for having left it in their reach to begin with, something I still do.
Though I wasn’t the one to lose the part, I’m still half owner in the company, so it is going to cost me time and money not to find it. I searched every room in the house. I even played pick-up sticks with the toys in the toy box, removing each one very slowly and quietly as the baby was sleeping 4 feet away. He didn’t even stir. I was always good at that game, and card houses.
It was trash day. I couldn’t risk the part getting thrown out, so I pulled the two weeks worth of trash bags off the curb and gloved up. Didn’t find the part, though I did find my eyeliner, some money, my kid’s race car, and some scrapbooking supplies I couldn’t find yesterday.
It was NO WHERE in the house or garage. The only place left to look was outside...on the deck...in the kids’ drawing easel. If only I could’ve check the last place first, I wouldn’t be debating on whether to keep my eyeliner or not...
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Small town behavior
I took my in-laws to the post office today so they could ship their back-up winter clothes they shipped here, in case it snowed, in June. They were still putting tape and labels on their 40-lb box, out of the line, when a man walked in and waited behind them. They politely let him know they weren't in line yet. His response was "Well, maybe by the time the two people in line get done you'll be ready. I'll save your spot just in case."
Within 5 minutes they were done and ready to get in line as 6 people had come in behind him. He still gave them their spot, which put them first in line. They took a while at the counter, inquiring about every price combination there was. As we left, we thanked the man, who then responded, "Hey, what's the point of living in a small town if we can't do things like this?"
The thing about living in a town with a population of 4000 is that you are guaranteed to see the same people all over the place. If you are rude and impatient, you'll be branded and remembered that way. If you are nice to every one who crosses your path, you'll hardly be noticed, which is a good thing, because then you belong.
Within 5 minutes they were done and ready to get in line as 6 people had come in behind him. He still gave them their spot, which put them first in line. They took a while at the counter, inquiring about every price combination there was. As we left, we thanked the man, who then responded, "Hey, what's the point of living in a small town if we can't do things like this?"
The thing about living in a town with a population of 4000 is that you are guaranteed to see the same people all over the place. If you are rude and impatient, you'll be branded and remembered that way. If you are nice to every one who crosses your path, you'll hardly be noticed, which is a good thing, because then you belong.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Shifting the blame
Why is it that we automatically blame other people for, well, everything?
For example:
*Trips over shoe in the middle of the night*
(Screams in head) “HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL....oh, I guess those aren’t my husband’s Jimmy Choos in the middle of the floor...”
Is it just me that does this? Or do we all do this with people we love and see all the time? Interestingly though, we will blame ourselves, make ourselves look like the bad guy, when we hope to never see the person again. For example: “It’s not you, it’s me.” Oh, really? Yet, we have no problem blaming our husbands/wives/brothers/sisters on default, even if it’s never spoken out loud. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Not really surprising, though, when you look back to our first parents.
God: ‘Adam, you ate the fruit I told you not to.’
Adam: ‘It’s not MY fault! It’s that woman YOU gave me that got me to eat it!’
Hmm...maybe the forbidden fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree?
For example:
*Trips over shoe in the middle of the night*
(Screams in head) “HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL....oh, I guess those aren’t my husband’s Jimmy Choos in the middle of the floor...”
Is it just me that does this? Or do we all do this with people we love and see all the time? Interestingly though, we will blame ourselves, make ourselves look like the bad guy, when we hope to never see the person again. For example: “It’s not you, it’s me.” Oh, really? Yet, we have no problem blaming our husbands/wives/brothers/sisters on default, even if it’s never spoken out loud. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Not really surprising, though, when you look back to our first parents.
God: ‘Adam, you ate the fruit I told you not to.’
Adam: ‘It’s not MY fault! It’s that woman YOU gave me that got me to eat it!’
Hmm...maybe the forbidden fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree?
Saturday, June 23, 2012
New superheroes in town
Trying to train my children to clean up after themselves sometimes feels like an impossible task. Good teachers know their stuff, are masters of their subjects. I feel more like a Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-none.
My nickname as a kid was Messy Jessie. There’s a big difference between messy and dirty. I wasn’t a dirty person, but I absolutely loathed picking up after myself, which made living with my sister, who was a perfectionist, a 17-year long argument over my things decorating her side of the room. I had figured that I shouldn’t waste time cleaning when I could be playing. It wasn’t until I had kids that I really, deep down, felt a need for everything to be in it’s place, such a need that if it didn’t have a place, I made one in the trash bin for it.
It applies in cooking also. Cooking is my biggest hobby. When most people have a long, hard day, the last thing they want to do is go home and cook. Me? That’s therapy. It’s only been recently, with thousands of ‘reminders’ from my husband over the years (and tons from my mom growing up), that if I clean as I go, things will just be easier all in all. My nickname in the kitchen was “The Hurricane” and you can guess why.
I helped my kids clean up their room today. The 4 year old gets sudden ADD when it’s time to clean up. The 1 year old comes behind me and undoes everything I just accomplished. They think they can fly and fight bad guys, so I have deemed them “The Destroyers”. But, will they have that name for the next 20 years? Unfortunately one of my superpowers isn’t predicting the future.
My nickname as a kid was Messy Jessie. There’s a big difference between messy and dirty. I wasn’t a dirty person, but I absolutely loathed picking up after myself, which made living with my sister, who was a perfectionist, a 17-year long argument over my things decorating her side of the room. I had figured that I shouldn’t waste time cleaning when I could be playing. It wasn’t until I had kids that I really, deep down, felt a need for everything to be in it’s place, such a need that if it didn’t have a place, I made one in the trash bin for it.
It applies in cooking also. Cooking is my biggest hobby. When most people have a long, hard day, the last thing they want to do is go home and cook. Me? That’s therapy. It’s only been recently, with thousands of ‘reminders’ from my husband over the years (and tons from my mom growing up), that if I clean as I go, things will just be easier all in all. My nickname in the kitchen was “The Hurricane” and you can guess why.
I helped my kids clean up their room today. The 4 year old gets sudden ADD when it’s time to clean up. The 1 year old comes behind me and undoes everything I just accomplished. They think they can fly and fight bad guys, so I have deemed them “The Destroyers”. But, will they have that name for the next 20 years? Unfortunately one of my superpowers isn’t predicting the future.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Do you have the time, sir?
When I lived, well, anywhere else besides Alaska, guns had a negative/violent significance. Here, they are very common place. In fact, we own 4, something I never foresaw. It’s all about prospective really. What are you protecting yourself against? Gangsters....or bears. I do not hike without a gun, I want to make it to the end of my hike and back.
My neighbor shared with us some of the wild rhubarb from his yard. To return the favor, I made him a rhubarb crisp, that he apparently ate in two sittings, within 3 hours. He came over to return the pan, and I saw that he had his favorite handgun on his hip, in a holster. I chuckled about it, because it didn’t scare me, and I didn’t even look twice at it. It’s a useful accessory, like a watch, you don’t even notice them anymore. He happens to like his “accessories”. He’s definitely a neighbor I’ll be glad to keep happy.
I think we live on the safest block in town.
My neighbor shared with us some of the wild rhubarb from his yard. To return the favor, I made him a rhubarb crisp, that he apparently ate in two sittings, within 3 hours. He came over to return the pan, and I saw that he had his favorite handgun on his hip, in a holster. I chuckled about it, because it didn’t scare me, and I didn’t even look twice at it. It’s a useful accessory, like a watch, you don’t even notice them anymore. He happens to like his “accessories”. He’s definitely a neighbor I’ll be glad to keep happy.
I think we live on the safest block in town.
Stating the obvious
"A day without sunshine is, you know, night" -Steve Martin
You don't get a whole lot more obvious than that.
Welcome to my blog. This is my first post on my first blog. I decided to start writing one because, today, I was inspired. A good friend of mine, Ivy, started writing a blog about women's involvement in men's fashion. It was brilliant. It was then that I thought, "I should write one" but didn't really know what to write about. Another good friend of mine, who I've known my entire life, suggested Alaska.
Well, DuH!?! Why didn't I think of that. I live in Alaska. It's truly a unique experience, really. 6 years ago I lived in sunny Florida. Now I live in a place where the sun doesn't set in the summertime. I am looking forward to sharing with you my experiences of living in Alaska as well as sharing my experiences of living in several states throughout the US.
I will be posting some random things that come up, and yes, I have children, so you'll occasionally hear about them too. :)
I've had a lot of questions come by me like, "Do you have street lights in Alaska?", "You mean there are restaurants?" Alaska is unique and yet has a lot of similarities to everywhere. People live normal lives here. (Define normal?)
You'll see.
Then you'll come visit.
You don't get a whole lot more obvious than that.
Welcome to my blog. This is my first post on my first blog. I decided to start writing one because, today, I was inspired. A good friend of mine, Ivy, started writing a blog about women's involvement in men's fashion. It was brilliant. It was then that I thought, "I should write one" but didn't really know what to write about. Another good friend of mine, who I've known my entire life, suggested Alaska.
Well, DuH!?! Why didn't I think of that. I live in Alaska. It's truly a unique experience, really. 6 years ago I lived in sunny Florida. Now I live in a place where the sun doesn't set in the summertime. I am looking forward to sharing with you my experiences of living in Alaska as well as sharing my experiences of living in several states throughout the US.
I will be posting some random things that come up, and yes, I have children, so you'll occasionally hear about them too. :)
I've had a lot of questions come by me like, "Do you have street lights in Alaska?", "You mean there are restaurants?" Alaska is unique and yet has a lot of similarities to everywhere. People live normal lives here. (Define normal?)
You'll see.
Then you'll come visit.
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