bye-bye facebook

after some thought & much contemplating, I have decided to give up facebook.  At least for a while, but maybe forever.  When did we decide we needed to know every move or thought or gripe or praise someone else has? UGH! that's too overwhelming for me right now.  I don't even know how *I* feel about some things so why should I worry so much about every.one.else???

I deactivated it about 2PM yesterday afternoon & didn't reach for it once yesterday! I was honestly shocked b/c I in hindsight I now feel like I was always checking it.  Not so much reporting-I haven't felt I've had much to say lately but checking to see what everyone else is doing. WHY? I Have no idea! I have only reached for it 2x today.  The first was during my 'morning log on routine': check hotmail account, check yahoo email account, check facebook-oops nope! thankfully I didn't even get it typed in when I realized what I was about to do :), jump to #4 in the routine which is check bloglovin'! (my current way to read blogs & LOVIN' it! ;))  the second was later when I was waiting on breakfast to finish up to serve & I grabbed my phone to check it but TADA, I had uninstalled the app yesterday too so when I opened my phone to the home screen-there's a nice open empty space where facebook once was. I smiled & shut the phone back off &put it on the counter & went about busying my hands w/WORK.. dishes, laundry, diaper changing, something more productive than checking on my neighbor, friend, high school teacher or family! :)

in what I think was a knee-jerk reaction, Tim also deactivated his account but I think he misses his more than I miss mine as he's called to see if I am having withdrawal symptoms yet.   haha-nope, my mind actually feels freer, maybe a little less stressed already with out all of those thoughts & feelings & reactions floating around in there.  Maybe I was letting the negative nellies get to me more than I thought I was. 

So, if I am missing anything important on facebook, please don't hesistate to shoot me a text or email to keep me in the loop.  :)  Just no drama please.  IN the mean time, I think I have found a renewed excitement for blogging.. wondering already if facebook was taking away the drive to blog.  Maybe it was making me feel like I had already said everything I needed to, or it was making me feel like I didn't have anything worthwhile to say.  Either way, I have a list of posts to get to work on! (not all scrap related  :))

What or who have you given up, walked away from or said good-bye to lately? Inquiring minds want to know!

perception

IS everything a matter of perception? AS IN, if we believe someone to be well meaning in their chatter, are they repeating what they are as a way of helping or hurting?  IF someone hearing them talk thinks they are just gossiping, are they?  IF someone looks us square in the eyes, swears on the Bible that what they are telling us is the truth, is it?  IF someone else believes what they said to be false, is it?  IF someone practices yoga as a simple way to relax, is that all they are doing? IF someone else believes that yoga is something entirely different, is it? 

Sometimes I don't like Facebook because we all are entitled to our opinions & beliefs as well as are entitled to put them out there whenever we feel the need or urge and some people take that to extreme.  I have days, like today, where I am afraid to post anything for fear of being knocked down, argued w/, or otherwise proven wrong.  Twice lately, I have posted different things only to feel challenged-for lack of a better word- in my beliefs by someone I respected. But these challenges are threatening my respect for them as I feel they are implying that their views are the ONLY views to have & therefore I am wrong in all of my thinking & doing.  *sigh* I hate to dwell on the negative, I try to be cheerful & uplifting, I like to be a positive element in as many situations as possible, this recent situation, however, has me doubting myself & I hate that.  I work w/children all day that are emotionally & verbally beaten down to think that their way of thinking is wrong, dumb & rediculous & therefore many times they are afraid to make a simple decision that they may be disciplined or judged for.  Today, I feel that way. 

This is a lot to put out there, however, I doubt the offender takes the time to read my little blog so I feel safe putting it in blogland for my few followers to read :) AND THANK YOU FOR READING & FOLLOWING!!  Sometimes just typing it, getting it off my chest, also gets it off my mind & heart.  I am hoping so today. 

Please know I am not looking for sympathy, praise or support today, just sayin' :) thanks for letting me vent!! 

So Much!

SO much to be thankful for! this month I focus my facebook statuses on thankfulness. Each day for the entire month I post something I am thankful for, whether it be big or little they are all honest.  Some examples are a warm house as the temps dip outside, a hard working husband, the child care families, the farmer's market for their goods that fed us thru the summer & now will continue thru the winter w/what I managed to freeze, & the beef that we get from Grandpa today to fill the deep freeze. 

SO much to do today! I like to defrost the freezer every year and because that beef is coming today, today is the day! I loaded a grocery sack w/last year's beef & moved it to the upstairs freezer, the bananas & some pumpkin into the childcare freezer, & a full grocery sack of pumpkin/squash to the upstairs freezer temporarily.  I do the lazy way of defrosting, I turn it off (duh) then fill a pan w/hot water & set it on the middle shelf w/a towel in the bottom of the freezer & leave the door open. if I am in a hurry I wll chizel & chip or spray it w/water but so far today, its just the steam doing the work for me.

SO much to do today #2!  I am making a new recipe for tomorrow's dinner @ mom's.  I am always nervous when trying out a new recipe but I have fresh sweet potatoes from the farmer's market so I volunteered, yesterday, to bring them along w/Tim's (requested) pumpkin roll.  Online I found Pioneer Woman's Sweet Potato recipe & it looks pretty easy & different.  I think I will start it today so Tim can have the kitchen tonight.  I love traditions but when it comes to food, as long as its the same main ingredient, a few dishes can be changed up from time to time. :)

SO much to organize!  Even if its just mentally, I must get (or atleast feel) organized going into this holiday season.  Decorating: in the past couple I have gotten blue while decorating & couldn't explain it but that put decorating @ a stand still for a couple of days.  I am swearing not to do that this year.  If something is giving me fits, it goes back in the box  & maybe even out the door. I told the kids we'd put the small tree up in the childcare this year & they are pumped! I bought a container of new cookie cutters @ Wal-Mart last Friday & will string them upon ribbons for them to use as ornaments for their tree.  Gifts: I have just a few more gifts to buy & am going to try to limit my spending on them. Then there are the neighbor/bus driver/mail delivery/garbage pick up gifts.. I want to do the (pictured) wisk+hershey's kisses & a note that reads 'we wisk you a merry kiss-mas' but will c where I can find wisks on the cheap :) Another provider invited us to particiate w/her childcare families to adopt a family for Christmas.  We jumped on it. I have been wanting to do this for many years but never felt I could do 'enough' to justify. This year I am thankful to be able to participate!  Cards: I have Christmas cards to decide on, am I making them or ordering?  Girl's Night In:  OH & I decided to host a Girl's Night In the Saturday before Christmas! GET OUT, I KNOW! what was I thinking?? I had a great idea & wanted to do it NOW & the soonest Saturday I had open was that one.  So far there are 6 signed up. Scrapping, drinks, snacks, chick flicks YES PLEASE!   seee.. so much ;)

pretty boring stuff but yet So Much :)
Hope you & your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!!

Wow....November....

Already???/ Really??? sheesh! where has Twenty-Ten gone? 

I am feeling the need to make a list (big surprise I am sure ;)) of my accomplishments for the year:

• I started running
• I completed 2 races, a fun run & have a 3rd race on the calendar for this Sunday
• I lost 15# (then gained 3 back)
• I inspired a neighbor & another friend to try the c25k program
• I got back into reading
• I participated in 2 girls nights outs
• I quit coffee in the spring, then started again when the weather cooled
• I put up alot of fruits & veggies from the garden & farmer's market for winter
• I have continued to get more positive outlook on everything, being more & more of a duck 'letting it all roll off my back' -even being dubbed (& accepting it) 'Miss Silverlining' :)
• I successfully decorated (& Un-decorated in a timely manner) for each holiday
• I organized & held weekly field trips for the local childcare providers this summer-we hope to expand it w/the Clarke county mom's group in Twenty-Eleven
• I bought myfirst stainless water bottle-a Sigg- & proceeded to beat the tar out of it LOL
• I found & stuck w/a chiro that listens, as well as believes the same things I do
• I learned to sew, can & make freezer jams
• I used facebook for constructive communication rather than whining, complaining & rumor spreading
• I organized & pulled off 2 successful crops
• I am still addicted to list making ;)
• I am boycotting alot of store bought items, mixes, canned goods, high fructose corn syrup, soy, & toxic people/relationships

ok.. done ;)  What does your list for twenty-ten look like?

Thankful Thursday

I really like this idea...
http://ellesstudio.blogspot.com/2010/10/thankful-thursdays_28.html

So today I am thankful for:

• My facebook friends & family!! wow! this week has been a rough one starting on Sunday when we thought we were going to have to put our 14 y/o dog down but he turned around & thanks to my friends & family on Facebook yesterday I had the courage to bring it all to Tim's attention & insist we wait. :)
• Super thankful that Gus is better & doesn't have to be put down this week! *whew*  now, don't get me wrong, I am all for euthenazia when is necessary, however I had a horrible sick gut feeling we were cheating him. Super Super glad we don't have to now!!
• The sun is shining today! after 2 days of grey windy-ness, I was ready for some sunshine!

What are YOU thankful for today?? link me up!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I think I've been featured LOL... I don't know what to call it but YOU GOTTA LOOOOK!!!


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crafts-Sutch/152642714771012?v=wall

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE  

thanks Erin!!!!!!!!!!!

True Confessions Tuesday

its a little late in the day but better late than never right?

1. I was happy to get invited to join a new Facebook group
2. I am super excited about being asked to host healthy challenges on said facebook group
3. I haven't been on the treadmill since Thursday-going to try tonight!
4. I have been baking a sweet treat (cake, cookies, lemon bars, etc) on Sundays lately to tide us over for the following week- lemon bars FAIL this week
5. We skipped our walk last night since Tim had been running a shovel all day & I was just lazy
6. I didn't walk the kids this morning, instead turned them loose in the backyard but then itty bitty wouldn't let me be productive.. totally wish we had walked!
7. I bought 2 4 packs of frappuccinos on Friday @ the grocery store. I bargain shopped them, does that count? :) plus I have only had 2 of them since then!
8. 21 days- I haven't taken my vitamins once & here it is, the 4th of the month already! sheesh.
9. 21 days- I need to get more f/v in! I focused on it today & did much better!!
10. 21 days- 30 minutes of exercise --really? wow.. thinking I should rethink that one!

So thankful!

I missed the first few days but have been doing the facebook thankful list for a couple of weeks. Every day I change my status to something I am thankful for. Its usually something little -every day type things that we usually take for granted but its been a good exercise in being grateful! (linky @ left of post)

Today I am most thankful its my Friday as I went to bed & woke up w/a headache even w/600mg of ibu. I am ready to sleep in for 4 days IN A ROW! yes that means sleeping some of my time off away but HEY its my time off too :) We also have a pretty hefty to-do list for the long weekend. maybe even tackling the Christmas decorating!

Short & Simple today :)
Hoping you have a great Thanksgiving weekend!!

TGIF!

why break a good run now?? (another list)

• busy busy weekend!! Date night, SGK walk, PC party, Shelter, At Home party!
• productive week!! :)
• I got re-energized about working out last night! chatted w/a friend on FB for 2 hrs about walking to running! wish me luck!
• SO when I realized my start time was later today, i worked on digging out that treadmill :)
• which cut into my net time
• which explains the late post
• & oh so boring! sorry!

have a great weekend!! :)

AHHHH musinex!

I have to admit I was a bit confused by the label that read 'expectorant' & 'cough suppressant' how in tarnation can it do BOTH @ the same time??? well, for me it doesn't. but my coughing is now productive YAHOOOOOO I am realllllllllllllly rattley now which feels SO much better than aimlessly coughing! :) I just wish I didn't end up w/a serious headache @ the end of the 12 hr dose. I guess I should focus on being thankful for productivity :)

I need auto spell check on my blog. I feel sorry for you trying to read thru my typos.

So I log on this morning & Read on Facebook that Patrick Swayze passed away yesterday. :( super sad! he was an icon.

Wow I am out of things to talk about. interesting! well, interesting things to talk about. I have a crazy 2 weeks ahead of random things -one child is having 'therapy' during child care one morning, Dart league, I am getting my flu shot delivered & administered, I have a chiro appt, & finishing up SP goodies.

I will quit rambling & wish you all a GREAT TUESDAY!! :)

feels so good

to be back to normal on the good laptop!! :) amazing how slow that other one was but I limped 'er thru. its gonna be list form today b/c I cannnot focus on full sentences!

• the movie for child care for today got cancelled so we are going to the park instead
• I had to send out 20+ texts & make 15ish phone calls letting people know it was cancelled
• also had to post it on my facebook -just didn't want to have anyone showing up to a no show
• I have 7 confirmed guests for SCRAP PINK over on my facebook event!
• I love facebook!
• I am ready for a boating weekend
• Tim has an eventful semi-stressful day planned-wish him luck-deets when I can
• I think its going to be another hot day
• I picked a tiny red tomato, a carrot & 2 hungarian wax peppers from our garden last night
• After going to the Farmer's Market & getting -2 white onions, a box of yellow tomatoes, a bag of green beans, & a cantalope OH & a groovy new cloth bag! :)
• Have I mentioned my addiction to the Farmer's Market? LOL
• I did chop up the cantalope as soon as I got home tho
• Got a call from Gpa that our beef will be harvested (thanks for the term Shanen!) in September this year to prevent the $ crunch @ Christmas time! YAY!! 600# of beef WHOHOOOOOO!!
• there are others available if anyone is interested in a 1/2 or full just Let me Know.
• I have to recreate all docs I had on this computer
• I keep finding things I need to recreate or reload on here-fun times

ok.. need to get busy.. I could make lists all day long.

its a good day

or so I am trying to convince myself. I feel the day stacked against me so moving very slowly as there are some bright spots...

*I am down 2 children
* that makes it easier to deal w/the headache that is trying to beat me down
*I am incredibly addicted to facebook! never thought I would be. not sure how I feel about that
*I am going to try to do some more tax prep when I get a spot cleared on my desk
*YOGA TONIGHT!! yehaw!!!
*so happy its Wednesday -I really hate wishing weeks over but this one is killing me

ok enough randomness!

accountability: 96 oz of water yesterday but no exercise

appreciate: I appreciate the parents that called in today -key word is CALLED in instead of figuring I'll 'figure it out when they don't show up' THANK YOU! I appreciate the days w/o headaches now that I have one again. I appreciate the warm temp this morning knowing its going to dip back into the FRIGID IOWA WINTER temps tonight YUCK!!