Thanks.
I'm joining blogging networks and trying to decide my theme.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
New Design
Just looking for thoughts on the new layout. Do you like it? Is it easy to read? Do you like the colors and theme? How about the title?
Thanks.
I'm joining blogging networks and trying to decide my theme.
Thanks.
I'm joining blogging networks and trying to decide my theme.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Quest for Perfection
The job of a mother and homemaker is the hardest job in the world. I think I could switch roles with a CEO of any major corporation in the world and they'd be begging for their job back by the end of the day. Love for my little one makes it easier, but my perception of how things should be and what other moms think is something I battle everyday.
Moms today are expected to be perfect. Our children must be clean, well-behaved, well-educated, polite, and extremely healthy. It's all on mom's shoulders to get it right. Pressure on mom goes back to the beginning of time. In the 1000's of years humans have walked the earth the pressure has evolved from protecting your children from wild animals and diseases to social networking predators and processed foods.
The age of the internet had helped create a bond between mothers and much as it's ripped us apart. (Add to that, being 1000s of miles from your family and you have a recipe for disaster. Something I'd know nothing about...) The same moms that offer support in the hard times are also the ones that tote organic diets and "I completely potty trained my child in 24 hours!" Most of this mom attacking is unintentional, but women have a tendency to want to one up each other. We use our children to show how great we are. In my unprofessional opinion, moms that do this often are likely insecure about their own identity and "greatness". I'm not saying there is anything wrong with either of these examples, but there is a problem with bragging about it.
Every book, magazine or internet article I read reminds me of the places where I am failing my child. Let's forget she's loved, safe, and secure. In the eyes of the media, that means I'm smothering her and setting her up for failure later in life. Oh, and her favorite foods are chicken nuggets, macaroni & cheese, and apple juice. *gasp* They all have meat, dairy and are processed. And guess who is to blame for ruining her child's health? Yup, that would be mom. If the child grows up to be a crazed serial killer or politician, blame mom.
Every time I read something like this, all I can think about is how I am a failure. My family should eat more or less of this certain food. We should exercise more, watch less tv, so on and so on and so on. Each reminder chips away a little piece of my sanity. We are an average family. I am on my quest for perfection because I feel nothing I do is ever enough and no matter how many times I try, I will fail. I hate failure. I can't live up to my own standard or the ones I perceive others have for me. This kind of thinking slowly gnaws at your soul and it's hard to escape.
I'm not condoning it in any way, but no wonder moms go ballistic and drive their kids into a lake. The pressure to be perfect is absurd. Some of us are more sensitive to it, but I can't imagine there isn't a mom out there who hasn't worried that their child doesn't have the right friends, clothes, books, diet, education, parents, etc. I suppose we should be grateful that these are the worst things we have to worry about.
I am still fighting this battle. I know I'll never be perfect and my family never will be either. Knowing I'm not doing absolutely everything I can to make us all the best is hard to come to terms with. I don't have answers for my problems. All I can do is remind myself everyday that I am a good mom; not the best, not perfect, but not failing either.
Moms today are expected to be perfect. Our children must be clean, well-behaved, well-educated, polite, and extremely healthy. It's all on mom's shoulders to get it right. Pressure on mom goes back to the beginning of time. In the 1000's of years humans have walked the earth the pressure has evolved from protecting your children from wild animals and diseases to social networking predators and processed foods.
The age of the internet had helped create a bond between mothers and much as it's ripped us apart. (Add to that, being 1000s of miles from your family and you have a recipe for disaster. Something I'd know nothing about...) The same moms that offer support in the hard times are also the ones that tote organic diets and "I completely potty trained my child in 24 hours!" Most of this mom attacking is unintentional, but women have a tendency to want to one up each other. We use our children to show how great we are. In my unprofessional opinion, moms that do this often are likely insecure about their own identity and "greatness". I'm not saying there is anything wrong with either of these examples, but there is a problem with bragging about it.
Every book, magazine or internet article I read reminds me of the places where I am failing my child. Let's forget she's loved, safe, and secure. In the eyes of the media, that means I'm smothering her and setting her up for failure later in life. Oh, and her favorite foods are chicken nuggets, macaroni & cheese, and apple juice. *gasp* They all have meat, dairy and are processed. And guess who is to blame for ruining her child's health? Yup, that would be mom. If the child grows up to be a crazed serial killer or politician, blame mom.
Every time I read something like this, all I can think about is how I am a failure. My family should eat more or less of this certain food. We should exercise more, watch less tv, so on and so on and so on. Each reminder chips away a little piece of my sanity. We are an average family. I am on my quest for perfection because I feel nothing I do is ever enough and no matter how many times I try, I will fail. I hate failure. I can't live up to my own standard or the ones I perceive others have for me. This kind of thinking slowly gnaws at your soul and it's hard to escape.
I'm not condoning it in any way, but no wonder moms go ballistic and drive their kids into a lake. The pressure to be perfect is absurd. Some of us are more sensitive to it, but I can't imagine there isn't a mom out there who hasn't worried that their child doesn't have the right friends, clothes, books, diet, education, parents, etc. I suppose we should be grateful that these are the worst things we have to worry about.
I am still fighting this battle. I know I'll never be perfect and my family never will be either. Knowing I'm not doing absolutely everything I can to make us all the best is hard to come to terms with. I don't have answers for my problems. All I can do is remind myself everyday that I am a good mom; not the best, not perfect, but not failing either.
Monday, June 27, 2011
$$ Saving tip (#1)
We've all had that one idea, the moment where the lightbulb goes on, and we say to ourselves, "Why didn't I think of that before?!" Lucky for me, I have a blog and can share my genius (okay, just average) thoughts with you.
I'm not one of those women you'd see on "Extreme Couponing". I don't steal packets from McDonald's to refill my ketchup bottle or buy ten years of toilet paper in bulk from Costco. (BTW, it is proven that buying paper products like that is not saving any money) It may be cool for you, but it's not my cup of tea.
My ideas are simple and you'll probably say to yourself the same thing, "Why didn't I think of that?!"
Anyone out there use the Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair
? We keep one on the back of the couch. My husband thought it would be a good idea to share his seat with the dog. Now he sneaks up there in the middle of the night. (The dog, not my husband) And we're at the end of shedding season. Needless to say, it gets full rather quickly. The label says, "Dispose the sweeper when full and no longer picks up hair". Emphasis on "dispose". Of course I'm going to throw it out when it no longer picks up hair, but why would I toss it just because it is full?! That is $5.75 down the drain. I think I read on the box something to the effect of "do not try to open". But while vacuuming gobs of dog hair off the floor this evening, I decided to stick the nozzle detachment into the fabric sweep and voila! it's empty again!
Simple, money saving, obvious. Why didn't I think of it before?!
I'm not one of those women you'd see on "Extreme Couponing". I don't steal packets from McDonald's to refill my ketchup bottle or buy ten years of toilet paper in bulk from Costco. (BTW, it is proven that buying paper products like that is not saving any money) It may be cool for you, but it's not my cup of tea.
My ideas are simple and you'll probably say to yourself the same thing, "Why didn't I think of that?!"
Anyone out there use the Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair
? We keep one on the back of the couch. My husband thought it would be a good idea to share his seat with the dog. Now he sneaks up there in the middle of the night. (The dog, not my husband) And we're at the end of shedding season. Needless to say, it gets full rather quickly. The label says, "Dispose the sweeper when full and no longer picks up hair". Emphasis on "dispose". Of course I'm going to throw it out when it no longer picks up hair, but why would I toss it just because it is full?! That is $5.75 down the drain. I think I read on the box something to the effect of "do not try to open". But while vacuuming gobs of dog hair off the floor this evening, I decided to stick the nozzle detachment into the fabric sweep and voila! it's empty again!Simple, money saving, obvious. Why didn't I think of it before?!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Why, hello there!
It's been a long time. Five hundred and thirty-seven (537) days to be exact. That is one year, five months and 21 days. Obviously we haven't just fallen off the face of the planet. It's just that Facebook is my primary means of communicating with friends and family. Ya'll are the only ones who read my blog anyway.
So, why now? Since I got my iPhone, I've been taking more photos of my time in Japan. It's also become easier for me to share my experiences and thoughts online. I have Rockmelt which has connected me to Facebook even more. I use Camera+ to share my photos online. I also have a new obsession with tiltshift photography.
Japan is a place that most of my American friends and family haven't visited. It is a uniquely different society and I'm fascinated by it, so I want to share my love of this country with you.
Now, this blog is shifting focus. I don't plan on writing long posts about my day, or every little thing our family is doing. Although I will make those posts occasionally. My goal is to make it a little less personal. While I don't have a problem with writing some private things on Facebook, I just don't want to do it here. Don't be surprised with any changes I (hopefully am motivated to) make in the next few days and months. This is only the first step. If you have any suggestions or requests, please share. Any blog title suggestions would be welcome too. The current is a place holder.
Until next time, matta ne.
So, why now? Since I got my iPhone, I've been taking more photos of my time in Japan. It's also become easier for me to share my experiences and thoughts online. I have Rockmelt which has connected me to Facebook even more. I use Camera+ to share my photos online. I also have a new obsession with tiltshift photography.
Japan is a place that most of my American friends and family haven't visited. It is a uniquely different society and I'm fascinated by it, so I want to share my love of this country with you.
Now, this blog is shifting focus. I don't plan on writing long posts about my day, or every little thing our family is doing. Although I will make those posts occasionally. My goal is to make it a little less personal. While I don't have a problem with writing some private things on Facebook, I just don't want to do it here. Don't be surprised with any changes I (hopefully am motivated to) make in the next few days and months. This is only the first step. If you have any suggestions or requests, please share. Any blog title suggestions would be welcome too. The current is a place holder.
Until next time, matta ne.
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