Ever had one of those weeks where you were so busy, you wonder how you got to Monday? And were you so busy that when you got to Monday, all the stuff you did was a blur and you can’t quite put your finger on exactly what kept you so busy that entire time? That was my week, last week. And while I’m doing a lot of tasks that seem simple and mundane to the outside viewer, I find myself calmer and happier than I’ve been in a long time. Well, okay, except last Wednesday night, but I’m allowed the occasional exception to the rule.
Archive for October, 2009
Denial
October 19th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Uncategorized
The Kübler-Ross model, better known as the five stages of grief, can really be applied to all areas of life. For example, while writing my 101 goals in 1001 days, I was definitely in stage one, denial. It’s not that I was unrealistic in setting my goals; and even after a week’s contemplation I still believe I will meet and, in some cases, surpass my goals by July 2012. That said, I think I was smoking something illegal when I came up with a few of these goals. There is really no other explanation for it. And while those of you who know me might remind me that I’ve become the worst RW of all time since quitting cigarettes back in July of 2006 (July 7th, 2006 to be exact), maybe I inhaled someone’s second-hand smoke while writing these. Granted, my neighbors don’t look like crack-imbibing junkies but how well do you know people, really?
Halloween to Hoochie-ween (and really not much in between)
October 16th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Life
Shopping for Halloween costumes with my tween is akin to getting a root canal. I’ve never had a root canal but I know people who have and they never emerge from the dentist’s chair smiling. In fact, they often look like they are caught in that place between sheer, outright pain and Novocaine and it’s not a good place to be. And that’s the look on my face after visiting multiple Halloween stores and Party City. Because Drue is tall, she no longer fits into child-sized costumes. While they still fit her width-wise, length-wise we’re already in trouble. Long dresses and skirts hit her mid-knee and anything mini is micro-mini on her long body. And Drue wearing micro-minis is something I’m not prepared to deal with since the moment she emerges in one, Jason starts googling words like “gun store” and “shotguns”. Really, though, all I want is some transition for tweens and teens that meets somewhere in the middle between child sizes and slut.
Blog Action Day 2009 – Climate Change
October 15th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Uncategorized
I’ve spent the better part of the day reading about climate change. Sure, I already knew about global warming and its effects on the weather, fragile ecosystems, and our health. At any given time on any given news site or blog, I can read about tragedies around the world, be it flooding, poverty, or wide-spread diseases like hantavirus or malaria, that seem to be increasing as temperatures rise. I know the crucial number – 350 – and what it means. I know I should use less energy at home, drive efficiently and drive less often and buy carbon offsets. I know this. It’s been shoved at me on every website touting “eco-friendliness” out there. I know that on October 24th, there will be a 350.org campaign in 158 countries around the world. And I think all of that is wonderful. But, I have to ask myself as an individual, what can I really do day-to-day? When I hear terms like “use less energy” and “sustainable”, what do they really mean? And how do I motivate myself, much less others, to do more?
Blog Action Day 2009
October 14th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Uncategorized
This year, Lifeinflux, along with thousands of other bloggers around the world, will join in on Blog Action Day 2009. This year’s post will be about climate change. Right now, there are over 7000 bloggers registered to participate and these 7000 blogs have over 11 million readers. Won’t you add your voice and blog?
Thirty five is a very attractive age…
October 12th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Uncategorized
Thirty five is a very attractive age… At least, so says Oscar Wilde. I’m inclined to agree for purely personal reasons.
Of mice and bears… the story of adopting one Kodiak B-Bear
October 7th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Uncategorized
When we got home, I was twitching from lack of sleep, too much bad gas station coffee and the ringing in my ears from Kodi’s four hour bark-a-thon in the back of the car. I stomped around, flung open the hatchback and picked up his leash, ready to lose my mind all over my beast of burden, this albatross who sold me a bill of goods with his block head, slobbery ball and lab-ways. So I snatched the leash, ready to tear into Kodi while stuffing him into his crate where he would live for ALL ETERNITY. Well, the leash came with me but Kodi did not… because in-between his nose-whistles, barks and yodels, he was chewing his leash into pieces. I facepalmed myself so hard, I slapped myself into the next week. But then it dawned on me, he was home, we were insanely in love with him and wait for it… HE STAYED IN THE HATCH AREA all on his own! He could have jumped into the backseat with Drue any time after tearing his leash apart. BUT HE DIDN’T! At that moment, I just knew I had made the best, the right decision. There wouldn’t be any more problems because Kodi’s great in that better than chocolate cake way and because we love this dog and as John Lennon said, all you need is love!
Right?
A simple(r) life…
October 5th, 2009 | by Jeri | published in Life
There are so many good things that came from leaving the 9-to-5 grind that I find myself challenged to define the “best” one. Surprisingly, cutting back has become less of an obstacle and more of a challenge. Sure, I freaked out a little when I realized that dropping $50 a week on hair product that just sits on shelves was no longer going to be the norm. And by a little, I mean I sat in the back aisle of Ulta, clutching my basket filled with gel and spritz and hair wax in one hand and my iPhone in the other, looking at my bank balance while moaning that I sliced my toiletries budget way too much! I mean, I love my hair product.
