Where do I go from here?

For this journey I won't need any luggage, a laptop messenger bag, or a passport.

When I started this blog the teen was in high school and like many of you, my life revolved around my kids activities. Our social life was completely intertwined with whatever he was participating in as indicated by my blog posts. I wouldn't change any part of that but it now leaves me at a crossroads.

The teen became the soldier this month. He is several states away starting a new life and our life, my life, no longer revolves around him.* That leaves me with more free time in real life and less blog fodder for this world.

I don't want to abandon my blog (I'm sure it seems I have some weeks) but I just don't feel like the name, Not Your Average Soccer Mom, describes me or my life that well. I'm still a Mom but not a full time one anymore. As he grows I feel like I should, and my blog along with it. I've thought about playing around with the Army Mom thing but to be honest I don't want my identity to revolve around "Mom" anymore.

So I'm looking for some inspiration. Some ideas. Some...something to put me in the right direction.


*Life may not revolve around him but we do anxiously await his phone calls. It's hard to be so far away & not talk to him every day.

Melancholy

I'm not sure if it's the approaching 35th birthday but I'm feeling quite melancholy today. It could be the clouds making my mood as gray as the sky. Maybe it could just be the winter blues.

Perhaps it's remembering a tragedy far too great for my nine year old mind to comprehend.



Makes me think no matter what I'm going through it cannot be that bad. Bless the Challenger crew, their families and everyone that was affected that fateful day in 1986.

Have a Craptastic Day!

Yesterday I woke with high hopes even tweeting "Happy hump day!". I was cheerful as I kissed S goodbye and as I sang along with the radio. Positive thoughts equal positive results right?!

Bullshit.

Upon setting foot in the office my day went to crap. It was a steady flow of problems from start to finish. After one fire was put out another exploded and landed in my lap. Eventually everything was resolved (sorta) but my positive thoughts & good mood had already gone away.

Reflecting back I now realize I set myself up for failure. Thinking it would be a GREAT day. That meant anything less than GREAT would be a sad disappointment. Twisting around in my head I've come up with a solution using reverse psychology.

This new thinking will solve my dilemma. My expectations will be so low even the slightest good thing will be an improvement. An "okay" day will turn into an exceptional day.

"Have a CRAPTASTIC day!" I say to one & all!

Only 4 days...

Until he starts a new journey.

Until we're "empty nesters".

Until another bedroom is empty.

Until dinner time is quieter.

Until his car sits still.

Until I cry.

Until the teen becomes a soldier.

Dyson and gone to heaven

There are few appliances that wow me. (Which in itself could be weird - that appliances wow me at all and/or that I'm so darn picky I only like such a small selection.) You may remember my love post written to Keurig last year. That little machine has revolutionised coffee in our household & I'm still every bit in love today as I was when I wrote that post 13 months ago.

Then there is my KitchenAid mixer. While I haven't professed my love in writing before now, I can assure you that it holds a special place in my heart, stomach and kitchen. Cakes, cookies, bread, pie oh my! This mixer has never failed me.

Onto my latest appliance crush - my brand new shiny yellow and gray Dyson DC14. Man this thing really SUCKS! (No really. It's a vacuum so it's supposed to.) Like most people I was hesitant to believe the hype. Especially when factored with the price, but a frugalista like me waited for just the right sale before making my move.













It was worth every one of those 29,900 pennies.

I was amazed (and slightly repulsed) by all the dust it picked up. Considering we vacuum once a week and I vacuumed with our old (crap ass) machine before using my Dyson one would think it wouldn't have much work to do. But that machine worked it's brush rotating magic on my floors like no other.

I promptly added it to my "cannot live" without list. What's on yours?

**These products mentioned in my post were bought by me. No one has paid me to pimp any of them out but machines of this magnitude deserve to be recognized. Of course if any one of these companies would like to send me some free stuff for my obvious loyalty, I wouldn't turn it down. Hint, hint...

I'm in total denial...

I cannot believe that Christmas is only 11 days away. Eleven. Days. You would think a certain someone who let Thanksgiving sneak up on her would be more prepared for the next holiday. Apparently not.

There's still shopping that needs to be done, treats to be made, cards to be mailed*, and presents to be wrapped. Lots and lots...and lots of presents to be wrapped.

I *finally* get our tree decorated this past weekend so I can scratch that off the list. (Please excuse the quality since it's from my cell. Add taking pics to the to-do list above.)



Have I mentioned that Christmas is only 11 days away?!

*Christmas cards did not make the cut this year. Thinking maybe I should start now on next years to ensure they make it in the mail. Ya think 375 days is enough time for a procrastinator like me?

Have you ever wondered...?

...how Ke$sha got a recording contract? Her lyrics are awful and the auto tone is apparent.

...why people slow down once they see a police officer or state trooper on the interstate? If you can see them it's too late dumb-dumb.

...if Elvis/Tupac/Michael Jackson are really dead? They sure make good tunes in their afterlife.

...what Tony Parker was thinking when he cheated on Eva Longoria? Dude, she's hot.

...if they will just ban fat people from McDonald's? It's all downhill after the Happy Meal toy law.

...why anyone would get a tattoo on their face? Two words: Mike Tyson.

...how The Event has not been cancelled yet? That show blows.

...when Lindsay Lohan's dad will shut the eff up? No worries he'll hold a press conference to let you know.

...what you're having for Thanksgiving dinner? Oh wait, that's just me...I want to know your plans. :)