just be ...

Poolside.

 

 

Poolside.

 

 

For the love of chores.

Do you have one chore that you actually dont mind doing?  Do you find that you might look forward to this chore?  Find its mindless work that actually relaxes you?  Yeah, me too.

My favorite chore is Laundry. 

 

I could do it all day long, and never complain about it.  I used to hate it with a passion.  But since I've been on my own in my own home, laundry took on a whole new meaning.  Now with Max, that meaning changed again.  Pre-Max, laundry meant taking care of myself.  Post-Max, laundry now means taking care of me and Max or I can now say, my family. 

I cant put my finger on this exactly, but since Max has arrived and blended so nicely into my life (or I should really say how my life has blended with Max), I feel like I have a purpose now.  My life has a purpose.  Doing laundry has a purpose (other than making sure we have clean clothes).  Its one of those 'Mom' things.  Moms do the laundry.  Moms make the meals.  Moms kiss the boo-boos. 

In the last 10 weeks, I've made sure that the laundry was done, and put away.  I've made sure the sheets on the beds (mine and his) are changed weekly (if not more, him).  I've made sure that bottles are made every night before I go to bed.  All of these chores, as much as some people cringe at the thought of them, I enjoy them and they make me feel like I am doing atleast one part of the Mom job correctly. 

For the love of chores.

Do you have one chore that you actually dont mind doing?  Do you find that you might look forward to this chore?  Find its mindless work that actually relaxes you?  Yeah, me too.

My favorite chore is Laundry. 

 

I could do it all day long, and never complain about it.  I used to hate it with a passion.  But since I've been on my own in my own home, laundry took on a whole new meaning.  Now with Max, that meaning changed again.  Pre-Max, laundry meant taking care of myself.  Post-Max, laundry now means taking care of me and Max or I can now say, my family. 

I cant put my finger on this exactly, but since Max has arrived and blended so nicely into my life (or I should really say how my life has blended with Max), I feel like I have a purpose now.  My life has a purpose.  Doing laundry has a purpose (other than making sure we have clean clothes).  Its one of those 'Mom' things.  Moms do the laundry.  Moms make the meals.  Moms kiss the boo-boos. 

In the last 10 weeks, I've made sure that the laundry was done, and put away.  I've made sure the sheets on the beds (mine and his) are changed weekly (if not more, him).  I've made sure that bottles are made every night before I go to bed.  All of these chores, as much as some people cringe at the thought of them, I enjoy them and they make me feel like I am doing atleast one part of the Mom job correctly. 

Wednesday, Inspired : Pop-up Photo Diorama.

Remember when we had to make the shoe box dioramas in school?  And how the more elaborate and life-like the better?  I recall a friend of mine, who was very artistic, had painted her shoebox an ocean blue and strategically added about 100 fish cutouts to make it appear as a school of fish.  It was amazing!  (obviously so if I still remember it 30 years later!)  I think I was more amazed at her talent at such a young age! 

So here's the modern day version of the diorama.  Find two photos of your liking.  One of them will be the background/frame and the other will be the main object.  Print to 8x10 size.  See my selections - a visit with the boys, a prairie walk and some blueberry picking.  The end result?  Charlie blueberry picking!   

Link - http://content.photojojo.com/diy/make-pop-up-photo-diorama/

 

The instructions are super easy and it took me all of 10 minutes to complete.  I do highly recommend adding cardstock to the back of the scenic picture for support.  Helps with allowing the diorama to stand freely. 

Charlie in the Blueberry Patch diorama:

*this capture doesnt do the diorama justice.  Its actually very cute!  I will send this and one I will make of Tyler to them for their bedroom.   
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This week's inspiration isnt really all that free.  If you have the photo paper at home, then sure this could be free, but if you send the pictures to be printed, then you'll have a small expense.  I had these photos printed at Walgreens. 

Wednesday, Inspired : Pop-up Photo Diorama.

Remember when we had to make the shoe box dioramas in school?  And how the more elaborate and life-like the better?  I recall a friend of mine, who was very artistic, had painted her shoebox an ocean blue and strategically added about 100 fish cutouts to make it appear as a school of fish.  It was amazing!  (obviously so if I still remember it 30 years later!)  I think I was more amazed at her talent at such a young age! 

So here's the modern day version of the diorama.  Find two photos of your liking.  One of them will be the background/frame and the other will be the main object.  Print to 8x10 size.  See my selections - a visit with the boys, a prairie walk and some blueberry picking.  The end result?  Charlie blueberry picking!   

Link - http://content.photojojo.com/diy/make-pop-up-photo-diorama/

 

The instructions are super easy and it took me all of 10 minutes to complete.  I do highly recommend adding cardstock to the back of the scenic picture for support.  Helps with allowing the diorama to stand freely. 

Charlie in the Blueberry Patch diorama:

*this capture doesnt do the diorama justice.  Its actually very cute!  I will send this and one I will make of Tyler to them for their bedroom.   
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This week's inspiration isnt really all that free.  If you have the photo paper at home, then sure this could be free, but if you send the pictures to be printed, then you'll have a small expense.  I had these photos printed at Walgreens. 

Return to Work.

 

Today I've returned to work.  I've left Max at my mother's house for her to spend the day with him while I come here and contribute to the company's success.  People have asked, 'Are you ready?', 'How are you feeling about going back?'  My answer to all questions, 'I have to.' and 'Since I know I need health insurance and a solid income, I know I have to work.' 

And so it is, me here putting forth an effort into a job that I do enjoy, that was my life for the last five years.  This company was very fortunate to have me give what I gave without complaints or asking for anything in return.  Now, I should say they did give me awesome opportunities of travel all around the world, and a decent maternity leave. 

The balance between work and personal lives is like a teeter-totter, and the last five years its been real heavy on the work side.  Now its starting to weigh heavy on the personal side.  I do imagine I'll need to find a good balance.  Luckily for me, my company is filled with working mothers that I can look to and find guidance.  And at the end of the day, I'll feel good about working (and collecting the paycheck) and more importantly, I'll be super excited to see Max and hug him and kiss him non-stop!

Return to Work.

 

Today I've returned to work.  I've left Max at my mother's house for her to spend the day with him while I come here and contribute to the company's success.  People have asked, 'Are you ready?', 'How are you feeling about going back?'  My answer to all questions, 'I have to.' and 'Since I know I need health insurance and a solid income, I know I have to work.' 

And so it is, me here putting forth an effort into a job that I do enjoy, that was my life for the last five years.  This company was very fortunate to have me give what I gave without complaints or asking for anything in return.  Now, I should say they did give me awesome opportunities of travel all around the world, and a decent maternity leave. 

The balance between work and personal lives is like a teeter-totter, and the last five years its been real heavy on the work side.  Now its starting to weigh heavy on the personal side.  I do imagine I'll need to find a good balance.  Luckily for me, my company is filled with working mothers that I can look to and find guidance.  And at the end of the day, I'll feel good about working (and collecting the paycheck) and more importantly, I'll be super excited to see Max and hug him and kiss him non-stop!

Summertime.

 

Summertime.