I pretty much suck at this blogging thing. Or the commitment thing. Whichever you choose to chalk it up to, I suck. I knew this would be tough for me because between school, work and running kids to and fro, I get pretty busy. In fact, the only reason I am making the time to blog now is because I am avoiding a paper I need to write.
Sometimes I'll do nearly anything to avoid writing. That's pretty sad for someone who is pursuing a career as a...oh, what was that again?..I say looking up and tapping my finger on my pursed lips. A WRITER. Oh, yeah. A writer who avoids writing. Great. I'm gonna be uber successful. Get my autograph now while you can.
The problem with the writing I need to be doing is that it's an assignment I hate. It's for an English writing course that I dread going to every single Monday and Wednesday. I have a generally bad attitude about the course. I can't really even pinpoint why I hate it so much. Maybe there are just so many reasons it's hard to narrow it down. Luckily for me, I still have tomorrow to get the paper done. And, maybe I've mentioned this before—I know I have on the Drake J70 blog—I do my best work under pressure at the last minute. So, I guess I'll wait until then.
So, I recently got an iPhone. I've resisted this for quite awhile now because I'm not a gadget girl, and because of the computer my husband already ignores me half of the time we're in the same room. I naturally assumed if he had an iPhone he'd have a handy excuse to ignore me all of the time no matter where we are. I was right. However, I have quickly become a pseudo gadget girl, so I ignore him back. I love that damn thing. My youngest daughter put it very eloquently when she said, "That is like having the whole world in your hand." I had to ask her to repeat it because I was ignoring her, too. I downloaded Pac-Man on it and life has never been the same since. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a joystick.
So, the reason I brought up the iPhone was not to have another gadget-gasm (I made that up. You're welcome.) It was to let you know I'm adding blogging to my iCal. One way or another I will blog on a regular basis. If this doesn't work, I'll ask my English instructor to schedule papers more often.
15 November 2008
27 October 2008
Commitment Issues
I told you way back in the beginning that I had commitment issues, right? So, I hate to say "I told you so," but I did. And the self-fulfilling prophecy has fulfilled. I am an uncommitted blogger. Sorry. That's just the way life goes, babe. ( I cannot believe I just wrote that. My husband would be so proud and I'm not even going to explain why.)
Anyhoo....I went to a meeting tonight about a trip my 6th-grader can take next summer to Japan. It's 14 days half way around the world. Ugh. Don't get me wrong, I SOOOO want her to go. But at the same time, I'd rather she not 'cause there is a whole world of things that could go wrong with this. I'm not going to even get into the list that's been running through my head. This is one of those moments when being a mother SUCKS. I simultaneously want her to go and grow and learn and be independent and never leave my side and never fly without me and never not be able to talk to me for more than the seven hours she spends in school.
Luckily for me, she hasn't decided herself if she's ready for this or not. It's kind of a shock for me because she is really mature and independent, but she's giving some serious thought to it. And even if she does decide to go for it, she has to go through this whole application process. There is a chance she may not even get picked. Nonetheless, in true motherly fashion, I am worrying about it. Sometimes I think I'm Catholic and someone forgot to tell me.
School is busy, busy. I feel like I am just barely keeping me head above water. And I hate water.
Work, on the other hand, is super. I just realized that maybe I've never explained my school and work thing. Short version: I'm a full-time mom (that might depend on who you ask), full-time student, part-timer at Meredith (I have an apprenticeship through school) working in Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications and sometimes I try to be a wife. I used to also be a maid, cook and laundry attendant, but I gave those up for Lent and have been feeling guilty about it ever since.
So, work is great. I have written four main edit stories—one for Beautiful Kitchens, two for Kitchen and Bath Ideas and one for Kitchen Makeovers. Oh, and one for Bath Makeovers. So, five and I am working on more. I love the work. If you ask my cubemate, Annie, she might tell you about how I complain that I'd rather jab a pencil in my ear than write one more word, or that I need a drink or I just can't go on. Ignore her. Work is great.
Did I mention that school is not so great right now. Well, it's going to get worse if I don't get busy on some homework. And on that note....
Anyhoo....I went to a meeting tonight about a trip my 6th-grader can take next summer to Japan. It's 14 days half way around the world. Ugh. Don't get me wrong, I SOOOO want her to go. But at the same time, I'd rather she not 'cause there is a whole world of things that could go wrong with this. I'm not going to even get into the list that's been running through my head. This is one of those moments when being a mother SUCKS. I simultaneously want her to go and grow and learn and be independent and never leave my side and never fly without me and never not be able to talk to me for more than the seven hours she spends in school.
Luckily for me, she hasn't decided herself if she's ready for this or not. It's kind of a shock for me because she is really mature and independent, but she's giving some serious thought to it. And even if she does decide to go for it, she has to go through this whole application process. There is a chance she may not even get picked. Nonetheless, in true motherly fashion, I am worrying about it. Sometimes I think I'm Catholic and someone forgot to tell me.
School is busy, busy. I feel like I am just barely keeping me head above water. And I hate water.
Work, on the other hand, is super. I just realized that maybe I've never explained my school and work thing. Short version: I'm a full-time mom (that might depend on who you ask), full-time student, part-timer at Meredith (I have an apprenticeship through school) working in Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications and sometimes I try to be a wife. I used to also be a maid, cook and laundry attendant, but I gave those up for Lent and have been feeling guilty about it ever since.
So, work is great. I have written four main edit stories—one for Beautiful Kitchens, two for Kitchen and Bath Ideas and one for Kitchen Makeovers. Oh, and one for Bath Makeovers. So, five and I am working on more. I love the work. If you ask my cubemate, Annie, she might tell you about how I complain that I'd rather jab a pencil in my ear than write one more word, or that I need a drink or I just can't go on. Ignore her. Work is great.
Did I mention that school is not so great right now. Well, it's going to get worse if I don't get busy on some homework. And on that note....
16 October 2008
Manic
I've been experiencing a high level of mommy guilt lately. If you're a mommy, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. If not, the basic idea is that it sucks. I'm working my a$$ off to go to school full-time, get nearly straight A's, work part-time at Meredith, write 3 freelance articles a month, run the kids to their activities two nights a week and still manage to breathe. I have been able to keep it up, for the most part, for half of the semester so far. But, and this is a big BUT...I feel like I've really lost touch with my girls because I don't have time to sit and ask them about their days. To make sure I ask them about homework enough times that they finally remember they have some. To be a mom. So, while I get a lot of praise for how much work I do and my good grades, I'm failing miserably at what matters most to me.
It sucks. I swear, if my kids screw up and don't go to college at a normal age and station in their lives, I'll....I'll....I'll say "hate to say I told you so," later when their whining on their blog about how hard it is. That'll teach 'em.
Another sad part is I've already resigned myself to the fact that there is no way in hell I'm going to get a 4.0 this semester. And I'm still being a sucky parent.
Talking to my husband about this is like telling the dog. He doesn't understand a word I'm saying. So, I'll just continue to cry about it here and hopefully just getting it out will help me feel better.
But I doubt it.
It sucks. I swear, if my kids screw up and don't go to college at a normal age and station in their lives, I'll....I'll....I'll say "hate to say I told you so," later when their whining on their blog about how hard it is. That'll teach 'em.
Another sad part is I've already resigned myself to the fact that there is no way in hell I'm going to get a 4.0 this semester. And I'm still being a sucky parent.
Talking to my husband about this is like telling the dog. He doesn't understand a word I'm saying. So, I'll just continue to cry about it here and hopefully just getting it out will help me feel better.
But I doubt it.
07 October 2008
A Tiny Bit on Politics
All I have to say on this subject right now is that I am so proud our upcoming election is unlike any other in our nation's history as far as the names and faces on the tickets. It makes my heart happy. I can't wait to walk to my local polling place with my daughters in tow and cast my ballot on Tuesday, November 4th. One thing makes me sad—I sure miss Tim Russert. I'm sad that he is missing this. RIP Tim.
27 September 2008
Making good on a promise
I knew as soon as I came home from the magazine conference I should have organized my notes and thoughts. But I was so crazy busy with school and freelancing. I just didn't have the time to stop for a minute. Until now. Truth be told, I really don't have the time now either. But I'm doing it anyway.
Here are the great things I learned at the conference in no particular order:
Photo editor from Backpacker says: Blogs are becoming more important and a Web site is definitely worth spending some money on.
Did you know that when you put your photos on Flickr you have signed away some of your rights to them?
And if you put them on Facebook, you have signed away ALL of the rights to them, and they can use them however they please.
The last two are important if say you go on a vacation and then want to write an article about it and supply photos. Sorry, you just lost the byline because they can't use your photos now.
When you are doing interviews for articles, always be thinking beyond just the article you are working on. All the editors and freelancers talked about repackaging. You might write about your summer abroad in Italy for one pub. Then later you might write about an Italian cooking class you took while you were there. Okay, that might be a lame example, but you get the idea. Get more bang for your buck whenever you can.
This is totally off-topic, but if anyone is considering a life as a photographer, I heard a really inspiring story. This woman whose work is sometimes in The New York Times, sold photos to one of those stock photo places....maybe Corbis or Getty... anyway, Disney liked her work and got in touch with her through the photo place. So she shoots their promotional stuff and their per day rate is $10,000. Yes, $10,000 per day she makes for taking pictures of kids and Disney characters. Not a bad gig.
Really important stuff about being a writer if you choose the freelance route per Michelle Theall (and embellished a bit by me), Founder and Publisher of Women's Adventure magazine, and author, writer, etc. Some of this stuff you've heard before, but a reminder never hurts:
Go. See. Do. Experience. LIVE.
Quit making excuses. Now.
I do have more. Yes, I got my money's worth out of the deal. I have a lot of info on book publishing if you're thinking of writing a book. Let me know and I'll be glad to pass it along. I have more tips for freelancers, too. If you want more, let me know. My poor little fingers are tired right now. And I really do have homework.
Oh, I've been meaning to tell you...I discovered that I am really sucky at pretty much everything required of me to be a writer. I am really bad at grammar and spelling and I can't type. I'm really slow and there are two words that I screw up every single time (not exaggerating): available and homework. They normally come out looking like this: avaiable and howmeork.
Every stinking time.
Alright, I'm done.
Here are the great things I learned at the conference in no particular order:
Photo editor from Backpacker says: Blogs are becoming more important and a Web site is definitely worth spending some money on.
Did you know that when you put your photos on Flickr you have signed away some of your rights to them?
And if you put them on Facebook, you have signed away ALL of the rights to them, and they can use them however they please.
The last two are important if say you go on a vacation and then want to write an article about it and supply photos. Sorry, you just lost the byline because they can't use your photos now.
When you are doing interviews for articles, always be thinking beyond just the article you are working on. All the editors and freelancers talked about repackaging. You might write about your summer abroad in Italy for one pub. Then later you might write about an Italian cooking class you took while you were there. Okay, that might be a lame example, but you get the idea. Get more bang for your buck whenever you can.
This is totally off-topic, but if anyone is considering a life as a photographer, I heard a really inspiring story. This woman whose work is sometimes in The New York Times, sold photos to one of those stock photo places....maybe Corbis or Getty... anyway, Disney liked her work and got in touch with her through the photo place. So she shoots their promotional stuff and their per day rate is $10,000. Yes, $10,000 per day she makes for taking pictures of kids and Disney characters. Not a bad gig.
Really important stuff about being a writer if you choose the freelance route per Michelle Theall (and embellished a bit by me), Founder and Publisher of Women's Adventure magazine, and author, writer, etc. Some of this stuff you've heard before, but a reminder never hurts:
- First, when someone asks you what you do, say "I am a writer." Don't hesitate or in some way try to qualify the statement. Own it. You are a writer.
- Make yourself learn to use Quickbooks.
- Set up a company. See an attorney and decide what is best for you—LLC, S-Corp, sole proprietorship?
- Track your queries, submissions, jobs and deadlines. Many days it may seem that you do more "business" than writing, but if you don't you will lose more business that you maintain from not managing your business
- Maintain a database of industry contacts. Create a spreadsheet or whatever will work best for you, but when you meet someone new, make a note to yourself about them so you'll have a potential talking point when you see them again.
- Build a portfolio. And do it online so it can be accessed by editors anywhere and everywhere.
- Market yourself. This goes along with owning what you do. Now, tell everyone and show them how good you are at doing it.
- As your business grows, keep tabs on what kinds of queries are working for you and what's not. Look for patterns.
- Master the art of networking. (Insert groan here.) Yes, I know you hate it, but if you want to work, you have to do it. So put on your big girl panties and quit your whining.
Go. See. Do. Experience. LIVE.
Quit making excuses. Now.
I do have more. Yes, I got my money's worth out of the deal. I have a lot of info on book publishing if you're thinking of writing a book. Let me know and I'll be glad to pass it along. I have more tips for freelancers, too. If you want more, let me know. My poor little fingers are tired right now. And I really do have homework.
Oh, I've been meaning to tell you...I discovered that I am really sucky at pretty much everything required of me to be a writer. I am really bad at grammar and spelling and I can't type. I'm really slow and there are two words that I screw up every single time (not exaggerating): available and homework. They normally come out looking like this: avaiable and howmeork.
Every stinking time.
Alright, I'm done.
Life is tumbling down around me
So, you know it's really bad when an avalanche of magazines is happening right next to you almost in slow motion and you do nothing about it.
My desk is a disaster. I can't work like this anymore. I have been toiling with this desk problem for awhile now. I've tried different desk arrangements. I've tried different desks. Nothing is working for me so far. Maybe I'm just a slob. I think bills are my problem. I get so damn many of them and they just clog up my space. I may attempt creating a bill paying station separate from my work area. Maybe I can just have the mailman deliver my bills to the neighbor or something. Why do I even get the stupid things? Everyone is always siphoning money out of my bank account. Can there really be more that need to be paid? Geez.
Oh, and there are the receipts. My husband is self-employed, as am I sometimes. So we have to save receipts for everything. And I'm not so much a filer. I'm apparently a piler. What's a piler to do? I'd entertain any organizing tricks you have.
My desk is a disaster. I can't work like this anymore. I have been toiling with this desk problem for awhile now. I've tried different desk arrangements. I've tried different desks. Nothing is working for me so far. Maybe I'm just a slob. I think bills are my problem. I get so damn many of them and they just clog up my space. I may attempt creating a bill paying station separate from my work area. Maybe I can just have the mailman deliver my bills to the neighbor or something. Why do I even get the stupid things? Everyone is always siphoning money out of my bank account. Can there really be more that need to be paid? Geez.
Oh, and there are the receipts. My husband is self-employed, as am I sometimes. So we have to save receipts for everything. And I'm not so much a filer. I'm apparently a piler. What's a piler to do? I'd entertain any organizing tricks you have.
18 September 2008
Meaningless Correspondence
Dear Blogosphere,
I am sorry for my prolonged absence. I am very busy with school and freelance projects right now. I do promise to divulge the super secret insider information from the magazine writing conference. Soon.
Must. Breathe. First.
I miss you. Back again soon.
I am sorry for my prolonged absence. I am very busy with school and freelance projects right now. I do promise to divulge the super secret insider information from the magazine writing conference. Soon.
Must. Breathe. First.
I miss you. Back again soon.
15 September 2008
I've returned from paradise
I've been back since about 2:30 in the morning, and I am so tired. The weekend was long, but so inspiring and productive. I am compiling some notes to share about the conference. Some great ideas I picked up and some outside validation of things I've heard in school.
It's going to take me a couple of days to get it done because I'm super busy this week. I have a main edit piece for work due Friday, and three freelance articles and a sociology paper due Monday. And, the normal flow of homework for the week. So, things are crazy as usual. I need to get in a few solid hours of uninterrupted work, then I'll get some great info together for you.
It's going to take me a couple of days to get it done because I'm super busy this week. I have a main edit piece for work due Friday, and three freelance articles and a sociology paper due Monday. And, the normal flow of homework for the week. So, things are crazy as usual. I need to get in a few solid hours of uninterrupted work, then I'll get some great info together for you.
12 September 2008
The clouds hath lifted
The sun shone bright here in beautiful Boulder this afternoon. From my couch in the hotel room, where I spent most of the afternoon reading (for classes, not for fun), I could see the foothills and a couple of snow-covered peaks way off in the distance.
Tonight was the opening cocktail party for the conference. I really, really hate those kinds of situations where I know no one in the room and have to try to introduce myself and engage in conversation with strangers. It is so hard for me to do. Really hard. There is a couple here that have made a life out of traveling together, and have built a business doing slide show presentations in schools around the country teaching kids about the places they've seen. I swear there is no place left for them to go. And, most of it they've done on bicycles. Their first trip was literally around the world—like 14,000 miles they rode. Amazing. They've been to far away, remote places that I couldn't even dream of going.
So, that was the kick-off. Tomorrow is a day of lectures from 8:30am until 8:30pm. I'm very excited to be here, but a tiny part of me really wants to take a nice hike tomorrow. It's going to be sunny and 72 degrees. Good thing I didn't bring my hiking boots.
Tonight was the opening cocktail party for the conference. I really, really hate those kinds of situations where I know no one in the room and have to try to introduce myself and engage in conversation with strangers. It is so hard for me to do. Really hard. There is a couple here that have made a life out of traveling together, and have built a business doing slide show presentations in schools around the country teaching kids about the places they've seen. I swear there is no place left for them to go. And, most of it they've done on bicycles. Their first trip was literally around the world—like 14,000 miles they rode. Amazing. They've been to far away, remote places that I couldn't even dream of going.
So, that was the kick-off. Tomorrow is a day of lectures from 8:30am until 8:30pm. I'm very excited to be here, but a tiny part of me really wants to take a nice hike tomorrow. It's going to be sunny and 72 degrees. Good thing I didn't bring my hiking boots.
For $200 bucks a night
Preface: This post is kinda boring until the last big paragraph. I'm in a mood or something.
Jeremy (my hubby,for those of you who don't know) and I left Des Moines yesterday shortly after noon headed for our beloved Colorado. We made it to our hotel in Boulder around 10:30 Boulder-time last night. I hate getting here late because I can't see the mountains on the way in. And sadly, I can't see them this morning either. It's a bit drippy out and overcast. The clouds are perched right on top of the foothills, obscuring my view. It's plenty bright out, so I know there's a gorgeous sun up there somewhere.
I am in Boulder for this magazine conference. Jeremy left early this morning to head up into the mountains to ride motorcycles with some friends that live out here and to do trail work. He called around 8:00 this morning from Leadville where he stopped for a coffee. It was 35-degrees. He said when he went through the Eisenhower Tunnel, there was three inches of snow up there. Since his plan was to camp up there, I anticipate he may be back here at the comfy Marriott before his planned arrival Sunday afternoon.
I don't feel much like writing right now. Can you tell from how dry I am?
I do have to rant about something for a minute, then I'll be done. So, I am generally what you might call a cheap person. I don't stay at the Marriott. I stay at the $89/night place whenever possible. Cheaper if I can find it when we're on the road. But, since this conference is here, I decided to suck it up and pay the nearly $200/night rate. And, I must say, I may never sleep a wink on any other bed as long as I live 'cause this thing is pretty damn comfy. But I was completely annoyed this morning to find out there is no wireless Internet in the rooms. You either have to go into the Business Center or down to the lobby to get free Wi-Fi or pay $9.95/day to plug in to this archaic cord thing coming out of the desk. What the hell? I am paying $200 already. Now you want another $9.95 to plug in to a damn cord that is already here? It's not like I'm asking you to send a guy with a tool belt in to wire the place just for me. Even the cheap places I stay all have free Wi-Fi. What kind of crackpot place is this?
So, I hope you are all satisfied that I have spent $9.95 just to write this post.
Jeremy (my hubby,for those of you who don't know) and I left Des Moines yesterday shortly after noon headed for our beloved Colorado. We made it to our hotel in Boulder around 10:30 Boulder-time last night. I hate getting here late because I can't see the mountains on the way in. And sadly, I can't see them this morning either. It's a bit drippy out and overcast. The clouds are perched right on top of the foothills, obscuring my view. It's plenty bright out, so I know there's a gorgeous sun up there somewhere.
I am in Boulder for this magazine conference. Jeremy left early this morning to head up into the mountains to ride motorcycles with some friends that live out here and to do trail work. He called around 8:00 this morning from Leadville where he stopped for a coffee. It was 35-degrees. He said when he went through the Eisenhower Tunnel, there was three inches of snow up there. Since his plan was to camp up there, I anticipate he may be back here at the comfy Marriott before his planned arrival Sunday afternoon.
I don't feel much like writing right now. Can you tell from how dry I am?
I do have to rant about something for a minute, then I'll be done. So, I am generally what you might call a cheap person. I don't stay at the Marriott. I stay at the $89/night place whenever possible. Cheaper if I can find it when we're on the road. But, since this conference is here, I decided to suck it up and pay the nearly $200/night rate. And, I must say, I may never sleep a wink on any other bed as long as I live 'cause this thing is pretty damn comfy. But I was completely annoyed this morning to find out there is no wireless Internet in the rooms. You either have to go into the Business Center or down to the lobby to get free Wi-Fi or pay $9.95/day to plug in to this archaic cord thing coming out of the desk. What the hell? I am paying $200 already. Now you want another $9.95 to plug in to a damn cord that is already here? It's not like I'm asking you to send a guy with a tool belt in to wire the place just for me. Even the cheap places I stay all have free Wi-Fi. What kind of crackpot place is this?
So, I hope you are all satisfied that I have spent $9.95 just to write this post.
08 September 2008
What's in a name?
I changed my blog address if anyone cares. I decided it would be better for potential employers to find me this way.
07 September 2008
Daily Progress
I have gone from old dog to piddling-on-the-carpet-with-excitement puppy this morning! I just figured out how to edit my html to make my in-text links open in new windows. I don't want to run the risk of someone linking out, getting lost and never finding their way back to my blog. That will never happen now. I'm giddy.
Look out, blogosphere, this old lady is on fire.
Look out, blogosphere, this old lady is on fire.
04 September 2008
I've lost that reading feeling
My brother is a blogger. He is officially a multi-blogger. I think I just made up that term so don't steal it. It may make you sound stupid. Anyway, he blogs about his life for the most part, and by life I mean bicycling. Sometimes there are other topics, but not many. A couple of days ago he started a new blog about books. So, as I was reading his first post, and it made me think about two things. 1) Did he take my copy of Kite Runner? 2) I wrote a paper in Comp I that I need to revisit.
I wrote the Comp I paper about 3 weeks in to my return to college a few years ago. It is funny to read it now. The fifth sentence says this: Well, I am not a writer. The writing is a bit clunky, and I see a lot of edits I would make today. But my voice was already making itself heard. Even in the words: Well, I am not a writer.
It was in that class, not much later, I discovered I wanted to be a writer. Dare I say, I discovered I was a writer? I was inspired by my instructor, Rose Hoffman-Toubes.
Enough with the touchy-feely stuff. The point of the piece I wrote was about reading. (See, there is some method to my madness.) In the book, In Fact: The Best of Creative Non-Fiction by Lee Gutkind, in the introductory sections, Annie Dillard says, "You'll have time to read after college." That sentence made my neck hairs stand on end. It was like she was standing over my shoulders whispering in my ear. I was only three weeks in and I already felt like I would never get to read anything but a textbook again.
Now I'm three years in and still feel that way.
I wrote the Comp I paper about 3 weeks in to my return to college a few years ago. It is funny to read it now. The fifth sentence says this: Well, I am not a writer. The writing is a bit clunky, and I see a lot of edits I would make today. But my voice was already making itself heard. Even in the words: Well, I am not a writer.
It was in that class, not much later, I discovered I wanted to be a writer. Dare I say, I discovered I was a writer? I was inspired by my instructor, Rose Hoffman-Toubes.
Enough with the touchy-feely stuff. The point of the piece I wrote was about reading. (See, there is some method to my madness.) In the book, In Fact: The Best of Creative Non-Fiction by Lee Gutkind, in the introductory sections, Annie Dillard says, "You'll have time to read after college." That sentence made my neck hairs stand on end. It was like she was standing over my shoulders whispering in my ear. I was only three weeks in and I already felt like I would never get to read anything but a textbook again.
Now I'm three years in and still feel that way.
03 September 2008
Just so we're clear
Okay, I wrote my original post. Then I let it sit. Then I wrote the second, but posted it as the first. Then posted the first as the second. Clear as murky Saylorville Lake water? Great.
Just wanted to make sure you knew that I knew the first post is really the second. Or whatever.
Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into?
So, I just made a promise to my editing class to start this blog. For real. Ugh.
Here goes nothin'.
12 August 2008
The Beginning
Even as I write this very second (woo-hoo, I'm on a roll) post, I feel a sense of dread coming over me. I have put this off for...ummm...ever. First, I was really unsure of my focus for this blog. What could I possibly have to say that is of any interest to anyone outside of my family. Oh. Wait. They don't even listen to most of what I say.
So I found a focus for my blog—I still hesitated to begin. This time because of a fear of commitment. I have a commitment problem. I'm committed to my husband, my kids, my dogs. Everything else—it's a crapshoot. Exercise. Yeah, I'm committed this week. Not eating out so much. For now, but I know I'm about to fall off that chuckwagon. Cleaning the house. Not so much.
So, I've made a commitment to myself (wink, wink) to update this blog twice each week. Even if it's just a little something.
And without further ado....
I've decided to go without a focus. It's just my life.
I am currently a student at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm 36 and finally getting a degree so I can get a job. My husband has been the sole bread winner in our home for the past eleven years. He's looking forward to a break. I have stayed home and raised our two beautiful children. I use the word "raised" rather liberally here. Hey, they've been fed most of the time and they're fairly clean. What more do you want? They're just kids for crying out loud.
I'm majoring in magazine journalism and would love to land some cool gig at Backpacker or Women's Adventure. They both happen to be published in Boulder, Colorado. We love Colorado, my family and I. We plan to make it our home someday soon.
This blog will chronicle my life in school, my apprenticeship at Kitchen and Bath Ideas magazine and my hectic schedule trying to keep my head on straight and the kids at the right activities on the right days. Together, we'll see how it goes.
So I found a focus for my blog—I still hesitated to begin. This time because of a fear of commitment. I have a commitment problem. I'm committed to my husband, my kids, my dogs. Everything else—it's a crapshoot. Exercise. Yeah, I'm committed this week. Not eating out so much. For now, but I know I'm about to fall off that chuckwagon. Cleaning the house. Not so much.
So, I've made a commitment to myself (wink, wink) to update this blog twice each week. Even if it's just a little something.
And without further ado....
I've decided to go without a focus. It's just my life.
I am currently a student at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm 36 and finally getting a degree so I can get a job. My husband has been the sole bread winner in our home for the past eleven years. He's looking forward to a break. I have stayed home and raised our two beautiful children. I use the word "raised" rather liberally here. Hey, they've been fed most of the time and they're fairly clean. What more do you want? They're just kids for crying out loud.
I'm majoring in magazine journalism and would love to land some cool gig at Backpacker or Women's Adventure. They both happen to be published in Boulder, Colorado. We love Colorado, my family and I. We plan to make it our home someday soon.
This blog will chronicle my life in school, my apprenticeship at Kitchen and Bath Ideas magazine and my hectic schedule trying to keep my head on straight and the kids at the right activities on the right days. Together, we'll see how it goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
