New Years Resolution

The first year of this blog I had 102 posts. The second year it dropped to 47. A direct correlation between the decreased Blogger activity and my increased activity on Facebook. As I've confessed before, my creative energy was focused on short little status updates. Last year, despite good intentions, it dropped to only 41 posts. Perhaps I'm being hard on myself, but that's just sad.

So this month I'm trying a little experiment. A month of daily posts. Everyday I will attempt to post something...and if I miss a day, then I have to make up for it the next time. I can't promise they will all be lengthy editorials, but I will try to keep them interesting, colorful and witty even if they are just a recent photo, a link to something I found of interest or an insightful quote from the girls. I don't expect to keep up a daily post for the whole year, but I do hope it will get me motivated to write more regularly. If all goes as planned, I'll at least have 31 posts by the second week of February --73% of my total 2010 posts!

(And look at that...I just did two today! I'm already inspired!)

Ten cubed

I don't really have anything to write about today. I just wanted to have a post for the record books on 10/10/10. So there you have it!

El nino

It is March 9th and we're having another stormy, cold day. I know that talking about the weather seems really mundane for a blog post...especially for all of you that live places that have weather on a regular basis. But out here in the desert...rain makes the evening news. In March, we're accustomed to an average high of 75 and .9 inches of rain. According to the National Weather Service website, the Phoenix Rain Index is 4.98" since January 1...and did I mention there was hail!? So I'm going to go ahead and take the liberty of writing a note about it. Despite it feeling like the wettest winter in the thirteen we've lived here, it isn't. Back in 2004-05 we had 7.76 inches. I was mothering an infant and a three year old back then. So either I was too busy to notice or have blocked that period of time from my long term memory.

As much as I appreciate the importance of rain...enough already...bring back our sun!

Detox

I'm trying to detox from Facebook. I joined FB in November 2008 and I even blogged about how much fun it was at the time. But the numbers over on the right definitely confirm that the FB outlet has crimped my blogging. Those twenty words or less status updates are just so easy and right up my alley...but I found myself always thinking in quips whereas two years ago I was enjoying the outlet of creative writing on this blog. I won't be able to quit FB entirely. I still love the convenient medium FB allows me to keep in touch with new and old friends...but I want to get back to capturing our lives and my reactions to this amazing journey in a more meaningful way.

Based on that very idea, I introduce a published copy of Desert Doers...



Slurping up our blog through blurb.com...it gave us a published hard-copy of the first year of our blog. I gave this first one as a Christmas present to Steve with an extra copy ordered to save so the girls will each get a copy later in life. It suddenly became very apparent that focusing on the blog, instead of FB, will allow me to share a hard-copy of memories and photos with our daughters versus just a collection of status updates out in cyber-space.

Go ahead, call me old-fashioned. Then after that, stop by and catch up with us here at the blog. We'd love to have you.

Catch up...

I've neglected the blog. I know, it happens. As Steve just said, "I'm a desert non-doer." I could give you a gamut of excuses about how busy we've been these first two months of 2010 but instead I've summed up just a few of the things that have been keeping us busy...

Me and my "old lady" shoes

I fall into that category of women that admittedly loves shoes. I don’t buy a pair in every available color, Imelda Marco’s like, but I do enjoy shopping for and finding the perfect pair. My latest search has been for a black wedge sandal that’s comfortable enough to walk around NYC in. Earlier this week I was at Macy’s and decided to look around. I was gravitating toward the “comfort” brands of shoes. The young gentleman that was helping me kindly retrieved my size in a couple pairs. I tried on a particular pair of Aerosoles and he says with a surprised tone, “Oh, those are actually nice.” He goes on to say that when the comfort sandals arrived he and his colleagues were surprised that the shoes were not more “old lady like.” After rolling my eyes, I graciously pointed out to the sweet young man that I had reached a pinnacle age that I actually desire a comfortable shoe…but still want it to be stylish. So based on his thoughtful comments I assumed I had found the perfect pair and reluctantly gave the young whipper-snapper some sales credit. Let me know what you think…

Carnivores Welcome

After tonight's dinner of yummy meatloaf, Megan declares, "I like all meat all day." This immediately made our long list of family catchphrases. Perhaps it can also replace the National Cattlemen's Beef Association motto...you know the one, "Beef. It's what's for dinner.".

A year in words and pictures

February 7th has come and gone...and with it the one year anniversary of this blog. I believe that calls for a gift of paper, don't you think? Although, I suppose paper would be somewhat contradictory to celebrate the anniversary of an online journal.

It is hard to believe it has been a year already, but I seem to say that about a lot of anniversaries these days. We've covered a lot over the past twelve months...lost teeth, visits with friends and family, music, a golden anniversary, communing with nature, the loss of a loved one, a historical election and even a Super Bowl run. It's been a fun ride and I appreciate the comments from our loyal followers.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Desert Doer antics. I suspect I'll continue to have plenty of inspiration.

Facebook Freak

Since I’ve been blogging, I’ve been introduced to a number of other hip internet channels. Like Twitter. Twitter seems like fun. A public forum for all my trivial random thoughts? Perfect! But I’ve resisted because I knew I’d become obsessed with it.

Recently my dear friend Kristin sends me an email suggesting I join Facebook. I respectfully ignored it for the same reason I have resisted Twitter. And because I remember losing hours of my life on classmates.com before my high school reunion. Kristin’s email has sat in my inbox…tempting me. Then we had dinner with a friend and she is on Facebook. It helps her keep in touch with both family and friends. Then I spent the weekend with an amazing group of women and at least half of them are on Facebook. They love it…and you can monitor who can see what…and there’s groups and networks…blah, blah, blah. That was the straw that broke this camel's back.

The last two days I’ve been crazy obsessed with it. Searching out and finding old, and current, friends. Reading and posting on walls. Adding photos. Lucky for me…and my productivity…my employer blocks the site on the office network. Otherwise I’d be on it even more than I am now. Steve came home the other night while I was on it. He casually informs me he is signed up on it for networking, but never goes on it. My reaction, “What?! You are?! You have to be my friend!” Did I mention crazy obsessed? But it really is fun getting reacquainted with old friends. I just found an old friend from Schenectady. That seems like a lifetime ago...oh wait...it's actually two-thirds of a lifetime ago. So I’m thinking that once this initial finding old friends part slows down, the novelty will wear off? Maybe??

In the meantime, if you know me…you can find me there. I’d just love to be your friend. ;-)

Hope

So today I find myself in a strange place. It has been difficult for me to find the appropriate words to express the feelings I’ve had over the last 24 hours. As the poll results came in from PA & OH last night, I admit to feeling disappointment. But then I began to feel elation. You see, although I do not agree with all of his political positions, I do admire his accomplishments as a human being. This man – a grandson, a son, a husband and a father to two young girls – has defied the odds. This man has broken down a barrier that sadly has remained in many corners of this country far too long. And for that I commend him. And that feeling…the one that I feel for him as a human being and for what he will represent forever in our history books…perhaps that is a feeling of hope.

The 42nd President

When I picked Emily up from school today she excitedly told me that her class is doing reports on the U.S. presidents. This could be fun as I mentally scan through a few...Lincoln, one of the Roosevelts, Kennedy, Eisenhower perhaps? Her choice was between Gerald Ford and William Clinton. She picked Clinton because "he was president more recently." Alrighty then. When I told Steve that she will need to share what his major contributions were during his term, we shared a knowing look across the dinner table. And we made a committment to keep the report appropriate for a second grade class. We promise there will be no mention of a dress.

Construction zone

I was overdue for a change. The swimming pool season is drawing to an end and we busted out the halloween decorations weeks ago. The colors are definitely a work in process. Since I've been staring at the screen for awhile trying to remember how to make a stinkin' masthead in Photoshop...my eyes are too tired to tell if this is obnoxious or not (they all look obnoxious). So I'm walking away and will look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to weigh in whether it gives you a migrane or not. xoxo

Time to buy a lottery ticket

You know those annoying people that say, "I never win anything" after they've just won something? Well, I rarely ever win anything until recently. We played bingo at church last week (complete with Napolean Dynamite background music) and I won both bingo and the raffles several times. Go figure. And then I get an email from Mrs Fit saying I won their website giveaway from a couple weeks ago. I'm enjoying the Snacktrition fruit & nut mix right now. Mrs Fit wasn't kidding, it's yummy. Even the dried cranberries and blueberries are tasty. Perhaps I should give raisins another chance. Or not.

Women's Lingo

A client sent me this list today. How many do you use on a regular basis? I admit to lots of 'fines' and 'nothings'. I'm sure I've thrown in a hand full of 'go aheads' and 'that's okay's' too.

9 WORDS WOMEN USE

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to stop talking.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. 'Five minutes' is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with 'nothing' usually end in 'fine'.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission.

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about 'nothing'. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of 'nothing'.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. 'That's okay' means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' .. that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying 'screw you'!

(9) Don't worry about it, I've got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Nothing cures "ouch" like some cowbell

Em survived. And for being just a three day work week I must admit to feeling a little haggard by the end. Sheesh. Came home and let loose with a refreshing fermented beverage and this oldie but goodie updated for your viewing pleasure courtesy of this clever fellow named Barrester.

Gone fishin'...

and swimmin' and hikin' and just plain ol' relaxin' in the cool pines of the Sierra. We're heading out on the semi-family vacation to Kyburz, CA. (I say "semi-" only because Steve's breaking off for a few days on his annual "Guys' Golf, Gas & Gambling" trip in Tahoe. But the 20+ hours in the car makes up for any time apart). Looking forward to the time away to recharge. Even hoping I don't have Blackberry service up there...a girl can dream.

Since we won't be back until Tuesday...I'll leave you with this funny clip courtesy of Jill's brother to keep you amused while I'm gone.



A shout out to gregariousred...when you were a purchaser for the ship builder were they using rigorous "maritime engineering standards?" Were you ever directed to purchase any cardboard derivatives by chance? Hmmm?

Injustice

I'm a little bit disappointed this morning. I just checked out the list of the 600 Starbuck stores closing...and only one Arizona store is listed. One. In Eloy, (a town off the 10 that I am only familiar with because there are signs for it when you are driving to take Interstate 8 to San Diego...which is fortunate enough to lose 10 Starbucks). I'm one of the 226 people in the United States that thinks the earth will continue to rotate on it's axis just fine with a few less Starbucks on it. In fact, I thought the Valley could use one or two less. Oh well. I guess I'll go sulk over another cup of home-brewed-grocery-store-purchased-beans-cup-o'-joe.

Is this what little sisters feel like?

It seems like almost every one I virtually stalk follow on the blogosphere is at BlogHer '08 right now. Held in my favorite city no less. They are all posting about eating great food, meeting and enjoying the company of new and old friends. Suddenly I feel like it's middle school again I was left out of all the fun. I'm still new at this so may be I'll be brave enough to tag along next year.

Paid time off

Being home sick allows for the time to do all those mindless activities that are shuffled to the bottom of the to-do list. Below all those more pressing items like, go to work, feed the kids, and get a minimum of 6 hours of sleep.

So yesterday I spent getting into a book I received from Lisa for my birthday in January. Playing Diner Dash, a computer game we borrowed from my mom (cursed thing). Re-watching the season finale of Lost that was still stored on our DVR (gained just a tidbit more insight watching it again). And viewing 360 pictures from this set on Flickr (I couldn't stop...I found Ann's writing to be brutally honest and enjoyed seeing how her creativity and artistry developed over the year).

snifflingsneezingcoughingachingstuffyheadfever

Home sick with a kick-my-butt cold today. Thought it was just allergies from the high level of pollutants that come with our desert city dwelling...but pretty sure this is the real deal. Blech. Something ironic about having a "cold" when it's 108 degrees outside, don't you think?