Month: August 2008

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen – Painful Memories

Karen

Thirteen Painful Memories from my Past
(Not for the squeamish)

1. Feared I would never see my sister again when she got lost at an amusement park (she was like five!)

2. While sewing, accidentally got too close to the needle and stuck it through my middle finger (punched a perfect hole through my bone – it took five nurses to hold me down while they jerked it out. – it was more painful than childbirth)

3. Sliced the heel of my foot with a can lid (in the trash bag, on the floor, I simply stepped back and well, you get the picture)

4. Nearly sliced a big chunk of skin off my knuckle while washing a glass (the glass busted on my hand)

5. Fell out of my car (while driving), went skidding across a busy intersection in front of traffic on a busy Friday afternoon (this was on my 19th birthday). My sunglasses disintegrated on my face and sliced the skin on my forehead down to the bone – had to have those big ugly, thick, black stitches, I looked like Frankenstein for weeks. I have an ugly three-inch scar to remind me to WEAR MY SEATBELT! (remind me to tell this story sometime).

6. Smashed my pinky in a folding chair while on my honeymoon – lost the fingernail entirely a few days later.

7. Gave birth to my oldest son eight weeks early, no explanation, it just happened and didn’t know if my little guy would survive or not. He was born on my husband’s birthday. (Little stinker. lol)

8. Lost a few years off my life when my second son was born and they couldn’t get him to breathe.

9. Witnessed my oldest son fall and bust his lip on the edge of the chair. It bled a lot but we didn’t take him to the emergency room for stitches. He has a pretty big bump there now and I blame myself for making the wrong decision.

10. Nearly lost my mind when my youngest son had an asthma attack and literally couldn’t breathe because he was coughing so badly. To top it off, his pediatrician wouldn’t see him because he didn’t have an appointment. I had to take him to a walk-in clinic.

11. Lost my youngest, ON HIS BITHDAY, DURING HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY, and couldn’t find him for fifteen minutes. He had wandered down to a neighbor’s house – she brought him back to me.

12. Had a head-on collision with a woman who turned in front of me. I had JUST settled my youngest in the passenger side seat and buckled him in (he was very whiny, about three, and to quiet him, I told him he could sit up front with me – it was an older car, no air bag) when seconds later we crashed. If it had happened moments earlier, my youngest would have been thrown through the windshield.

13. Fell off a six-foot ladder, from the very top, while changing the marquee in front of Wendy’s on a Friday afternoon. Didn’t go to the hospital until I started peeing blood. Had to have SEVEN enemas before they could x-ray my kidneys to see what kind of damage had been done – they were merely bruised.

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Coffee Chat at writefromkaren.com
Another session of Coffee Chat starts soon!

Reflections

Reflections: Favorite Pastime

Karen

I really, really need to catch up on some work today, so I thought I would post an old Reflections piece that was originally published on my self-hosted blog February 18, 2006. In addition, this reflection piece is quite similar to what I’m looking for in Coffee Chat participants. Though you can interpret the prompts any way you wish (write an essay, nonfiction or fiction), this might give you an idea of the sort of things I’m hoping to accomplish with the Coffee Chat program. It’s fun, and REWARDING to remember (and confront) parts of our past – and then share them with one another. 🙂

Thanks for reading!

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Questions to help me remember the past –

What was your favorite pastime as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else?

I remember being really big into my Barbies. I won’t even tell you what age I stopped playing with them, that would be too embarrassing. Suffice it to say that I was old enough to keep quiet about it. I loved dressing them up. I loved making up scenarios and putting them into all sorts of crazy situations. I even made up entire soap operas with back histories and future episodes, etc. I loved dressing them funky and making my own fashion statements. It wasn’t so much the dolls that I loved it was the whole imaginary world I created. I loved making up stories even then, only I used the Barbies to bring the stories to life.

After I finally accepted the fact that it was weird for a teenager to still be playing with dolls, I discovered books. I’ve always read, but the first time I recall really getting “into” books was with the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. These books also coincided with the dorky TV show that used to air. Shawn Cassidy was Joe Hardy and I had the BIGGEST crush on him! I couldn’t get enough of those books. They are pretty hokey compared to what’s available in todays books, but I suppose they weren’t any more hokey than the Harry Potter series (though I will admit, I love Harry Potter).

I didn’t really get into romance novels until after I graduated from high school. I do remember staying up all night, quite a few times a week, reading a romance novel. I would start it after work, about dinnertime, and wouldn’t put it down until the wee hours.

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I played with my dolls by myself (my sister sometimes played but I would get frustrated because she wouldn’t abide by my imagination and I would kick her out of the game. How dare she try to use her own imagination! *grin*)

I was rather a loner growing up. I had friends, some even good ones, but it never bothered me to be alone and curl up with a good book. I suppose you could say books were my friends growing up.

Getting back to the romance aspect of the books I read. I’m older and wiser now and accept the fact that the romance theme of these books was rather unrealistic. Men just don’t act that way. Sure, they have the ability to be romantic, but not on the level that these books demanded. I think in a lot of ways, reading romance books growing up skewed my perceptions of relationships in general. It’s no surprise that I didn’t really have any serious relationships until I met my husband and by then I was ready for a serious relationship. The men in my past always failed to live up to the fantasy men in my romance novels. Was that unfair? Certainly, but as I said, my view on romance was skewed for a long time. Even after I got married it affected my expectations and it took me a long time to realize that the problems I imagined in our relationship was because of me and really had nothing to do with my husband. Once I realized this, I was happier, he was happier and we had a better life together.

Reading books is great and should be encouraged, but it’s important to step back and take a dose of reality and realize that life is not something we can make up – it’s real and our happiness depends on the choices we make.

*steps down off her soapbox*

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It’s fun!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday – Catching a Few Balls

Karen

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Want to play?

Boys Will Be Boys
(I played around with the sports setting on my Canon Rebel).

The husband and the boys went outside to catch a few balls over the weekend. This is EXTREMELY rare. But what’s funny is that even though this is the first time in YEARS the boys have played football, they still caught the ball like they had been doing it for years.

Must be a boy thing. 😀

Life

A Justifiable Theft?

Karen

So, gas is down. It’s currently $3.35 here.

WOW! THAT’S SO CHEAP!

Isn’t it sad that we think like that? You know raising gas prices to a nearly unacceptable level is a ploy by the government to train you to get used to the higher prices so that when it falls to a more reasonable level (though I still say anything over $3.00 is not really reasonable), we’re all like, “I can totally afford that! Let’s drive all over town to see if we can find the perfect Rocky Road ice cream! Gas is so cheap we can AFFORD to drive aimlessly around!”

(Hey don’t laugh, my in-laws used to do that – but then never had the time to oh say, sit down and read anything significant. Don’t get me started).

Though all kidding aside, I HAVE noticed more cars on the road since prices have fallen $0.50 cents.

Have you?

We don’t really drive unless we have to, anyway. We’re homebodies so the thought of getting out, just because, sort of turns me off. (Though I have been known to make a special trip to a Starbucks with a drive-thru simply because I was too lazy to change out of my sweats – but we won’t go there).

And I’m a bit annoyed that gas prices have fallen, if you want the truth. Why? Because I once again think it’s a ploy by the government (I really don’t harbor government conspiracy theories, honest) to divert our attention away from trying to find alternate energy sources.

I mean, it’s when gas prices are soaring and people start complaining do you REALLY hear about companies/individuals getting in there and researching alternatives. I, for one, am READY to drive electric cars. And I can’t wait for solar energy methods to come down in price (because you know eventually, they will) so that we can equip our houses and shift our energy needs to solar as opposed to coal. And if I didn’t think the neighbors would object? We’d TOTALLY install one of those wind mill thingies in our backyard. In fact, the husband has been obsessed with watching the Planet Green station lately to get ideas on how we can convert our energy-sucking house into something more energy efficient.

But now that gas prices have fallen, the motivation to do these things has ebbed somewhat. Notice I didn’t say the motivation has disappeared entirely, but our enthusiasm has died down, just a tiny bit.

And now that gas prices have fallen, we don’t have to worry so much about someone siphoning our gas.

Not that we have to worry about that now anyway; the husband bought a locking gas cap for his truck.

Let me ask you something – is there EVER a time that stealing is justified?

Here’s a scenario:

It’s time to get the husband’s 2000 Ford F150 tags renewed. So, he takes it somewhere to get it inspected. Only, it fails because the wheel bearings are going out and they can’t okay the truck until the bearings have been fixed.

But the price they quoted? WAAY too much.

So, the hubs takes it to a buddy’s garage. (M’s the drummer in my husband’s band [He’s the cute guy on the far right playing guitar]). Only, this guy’s garage? Is in a, um, less than desirable area of town.

But hey whatever, right?

So, I follow the husband over one morning to drop his truck off before work. Only when we reach the garage, that is smack dab in the middle of a low-income residential area, and park his truck, there is no drop-off box for his keys. He puts his keys in the mailbox. And as he’s walking back to my car we notice a neighbor, sitting on his front porch, watching our every move.

Okay, NOW we’re nervous. What’s to prevent this guy from stealing my husband’s truck as soon as we leave? Nothing but his scruples, that’s what. We couldn’t stick around to keep an eye on this guy until the garage guy showed up because the husband needed to get to work.

We reluctantly left it there swallowing the boulder-sized butterflies in our stomachs because it was very possible there wouldn’t be a truck TO fix when the garage guy arrived.

But you know, you can’t live your life in fear. And just because the guy lived in a low-income part of town didn’t automatically mean he was a thief, right?

We swallowed our uneasiness and went about our day. The husband called the guy, told him his truck was there and he kept in touch with the guy the rest of the day.

The guy fixed the wheel bearings (for about $150 less! Woot!) and the hubs picked his truck up after work that day.

No harm, no foul.

That was on a Thursday. He drove his bike to work on Friday (he saves us about $10 every time he drives his motorcycle to work, not only on the gas he saves, but because he takes his lunch and eats in the kitchen at work. He’s such a GOOD husband. *grin*)

On Monday, he drove his truck to work. And about halfway there, he calls me.

“Guess what,” my husband asks in his sexy I’m-not-quite-awake morning voice.

“What?” I ask while pretending I’m not stuffing a waffle into my mouth.

“I think that guy on the porch siphoned the gas out of my truck.”

“Wha…??”

“When I dropped my truck off at M’s, I had a full tank of gas. Now, my low-gas light is on. I haven’t driven it all weekend … what else could have happened?”

So, the creepy dude staring at us when we dropped the truck off? Most likely sucked $50 worth of gas out of my husband’s truck.

Granted, it might not have been him. It might have been someone in M’s garage. But considering it was M himself working on the truck and the husband and M are buds, it’s unlikely.

Possible, but not probable.

No, what most likely happened was the guy on the porch moseyed on over after we dropped the truck off, siphoned out the gas and moseyed on back to his house before M arrived.

There’s nothing QUITE like the feeling that someone has stolen from you. Sure, there’s the feeling of being violated, but it’s a disappointment really, in mankind, that someone could stoop so low as to cross that line to begin with.

Interestingly enough, we weren’t really that upset. I mean, I can UNDERSTAND someone stealing gas. Prices are high. People are on fixed incomes. And if you don’t have gas, then how can you get to work to MAKE the money necessary to live on.

It’s a catch-22 situation. I know this, I understand this. But it doesn’t excuse the fact that it’s stealing – however well intentioned it might be.

We talked this situation out with the boys. We always use situations like this to open the lines of communication up with the boys – to teach them a little something about life. And we discussed how there is really never an excuse to steal from someone else. Though there may be people better off than you, they still had to work very hard. It’s never right to take something that doesn’t belong to you, no matter the situation.

BUT even though we can’t condone the behavior, we can certainly understand it. And perhaps … that understanding makes it a bit easier to look the other way if/when it happens. You know?

Of course, that will never happen to us again, the husband put a locking gas cap on his truck. But it was a lesson we needed to learn and an opportunity to teach our boys about what people might do if desperate enough.

Stealing is wrong. But sometimes … understandable.

VideoPlay

A Moment in Time: Exercise Update

Karen

I’m still doing Turbo Jam. In fact, I’ve gotten into the habit of doing the 20 minute Turbo Jam session first and then walking for 90 minutes – so I’ve been working out nearly two hours at a time. I’m literally soaking wet when I finish and my arms and legs are jelly but WOW, I feel so …. ALIVE afterward. It’s quite a high, actually.

I’ve been alternating this routine with doing Punch, Kick and Jam one day and then the sculpting another day. My body is really starting to tone up and judging by the looks the husband is giving me – all of this sweat and work is REALLY paying off. I can’t tell you how good I feel, both physically and mentally – I feel strong and attractive. It’s been worth the time and effort and because I’m seeing such good results, I’ve been even more motivated to keep it up. I’ve been buying some new clothes too, which has been adding to my overall sense of accomplishment.

I try to workout every day, but I do skip days sometimes because I’m just so tired. Oh, don’t forget to eat a lot of protein – salmon, eggs, tuna, etc. I can’t tell you how MUCH that helps when you’re on a work out schedule. First, it gives you the energy to work out and then it helps replenish that energy after you finish.

I taped the part of Punch, Kick and Jam that nearly kills me every time. Luckily, it’s at the beginning of the session when I have the most energy so once I get past that part it’s downhill from there, but WOW, it’s really effective – hard, but effective.

Maybe I’ll tape myself doing Turbo Jam sometime … that’s a big maybe.

If you’ve been thinking about starting an exercise routine, I can’t stress to you enough that it’s really, really, really worth it. If you want to shape up you can’t be lazy – just get in there and do it – no bitching, no excuses – it’s not going to happen if you don’t get off your butt. Find something that is fun and you don’t mind doing. Whether that’s walking, jogging, riding bikes, swimming, aerobics … whatever. If you don’t like doing it, then you won’t continue doing it. I like Turbo Jam because it’s a combination of aerobics and dance and the music is really awesome.

I’ve also been wearing my weighted hand gloves. Not only during Turbo Jam but when I’m walking as well as holding my normal three pound hand weights. That’s a total of about five pounds per arm during my walks. I’m seeing definition in my arms for the first time since my 20’s. I think once I master the Cardio Mix session I’m going to order these next.

I won’t say I’m in the best shape of my life, but honestly? I’m getting close.

I watched three movies this week during my walks:

1. Reservation Road – slow, but pretty good.
2. My Mom’s New Boyfriend – silly, but cute.
3. Nim’s Island – Jodi Foster was absolutely adorable in this film. Her anixety was over-the-top silly and yet, it worked.

Did I mention I LOVE my treadmill set up? Here’s a picture of it if you haven’t seen it.

Treadmill Area

How is your work out routine coming along? Are you seeing results?

Monday Stuff

Marriage – For Real

Karen

This Monday’s writing prompt is from Absolutely Bananas and man, is it a doozy. Are you ready to hear about REAL LIFE marriage? Excellent, then take off your rose-colored glasses and let’s get started.

First of all, I’m not an expert on marriage. I’ve been married for 18 1/2 years and though we’re very happy now, we have traveled down some really bumpy roads to reach this level of happiness. The advice and experiences I share with you are my own – every relationship is different – but if you learn anything from my advice and/or mistakes, then my job here is done. 🙂

The Prowl – Stage One

Though not technically in the marriage realm, searching for a perfect suitable mate is crucial to a happy marriage. And for those careful readers out there that noticed I crossed out “perfect?” You get a gold star for the day. *slaps a gold star on readers’ forehead*

Repeat after me: There is no such thing as a perfect mate.

Did you say that out loud? No? Then do it now … I’ll wait.

Excellent. Now let me explain. Potential mates are human. Potential mates change over time. Potential mates assume a persona when it suits him/her. Potential mates are moody. Potential mates …

Well, you get the idea. Everyone has “days.” When you’re on the prowl, you must accept the fact that your potential mate is very, very, VERY human and he/she will have faults – it’s guaranteed. The question is, can you LIVE with those faults for like, the rest of your life? Choose wisely, we’re talking about your future here. If you can’t live with this person’s faults? Break it off and look elsewhere. Seriously. It’s not WORTH being saddled with someone who makes you unhappy – move on to the next potential mate candidate.

And just for the record? People may change their behaviors over time, but overall? People do not change. If he’s a deadbeat boyfriend while you’re dating, you can pretty much guarantee he’ll be a deadbeat husband/father. Is that what you really want?

And for Pete’s sake, if you can’t laugh with the man/woman, then move on. Because later on, down the marital road when the passion ebbs and you’ve settled into a comfortable existence, humor is the only thing that keeps you going.

(Case in point from my past: I dated my “best friend” in high school for a time. We certainly got along well and I was comfortable being around him. BUT, the guy had no sense of humor at all – none. And in fact, lost his temper over the stupidest things. After a while, it depressed me and I couldn’t stand being around him any longer. But rather than stick it out with him because I was worried that no one better would come along? I broke it off. And guess what? Someone better DID come along and I thank God for him every day).

The Early Years – Stage Two

Congratulations! You’ve found someone you love; someone you can be yourself with; someone who makes you laugh and who shares the same interests as you. And you marry. And it’s a glorious day – one of the best in your life (as it should be). The first two years are (typically) the best years of your marriage. You’re in that euphoric stage where everything is “cute” and seemingly nothing bothers you. The fact that he kicks his shoes off wherever he feels like it? Adorable. The fact that he drinks the milk straight from the jug? Sweet – now you can share even more germs together. How romantic.

Enjoy these years. Enjoy each other. And remember this happiness because you will be forced to draw upon those happy years, perhaps even analyze them later, in your marital life. (This is assuming, of course, that they are happy years to begin with. If they are not … well, that goes beyond the scope of this post. But keep one thing in mind – if the beginning years are not happy, chances are, later years will be worse. There are exceptions, but the vast percentage is not looking good).

You’re laughing, you’re having a good time. Live it up.

The Children – Stage Three

(This is assuming you have children. If you choose not to, or it doesn’t happen for whatever reason, then you can pretty much skip the next few stages).

Here’s where it gets sticky (or stinky, whichever applies).

Pay attention: CHILDREN CHANGE EVERYTHING. They change who YOU are. They change your STATUS. They change your PRIORITIES. They change your MARRIAGE … they REALLY change your marriage.

Having children is not like having a pet. When they are babies, they will suck every last ounce of strength from you. They will tire you out. They will demand your attention. They will command your heart. They will be the center of your universe for a while.

That’s normal. But in the meantime? You have a spouse. A person who was used to your attention, your energy, your presence BEFORE the kid came along. It would really behoove you to remember that, AND to share each other’s strength. You will both need it.

Children are worth the pain, the sacrifices, the adjustments. And both you and your spouse will absolutely, positively HAVE to support each other, both physically and emotionally, during the children’s early years. You’re both adjusting and trying to juggle several things at once. In addition, your sense of self has just split into a whole new existence – you’re now more than YOU, or someone’s HUSBAND/WIFE, you’re now someone’s MOTHER/FATHER.

You can not be selfish during this time period. You can not be lazy during this time period. You must pick up where your partner has left off or someone is going to be left out in the cold; it’s just a fact of life.

Men – your sex life will change. Accept it. If you will support your wives during this VERY TRAMATIC emotional/physical shift in her life, it will be worth it. She will appreciate you in more ways than you can imagine.

Women – though he didn’t give birth to the child, he’s still struggling to handle the change. He’s not sure what to do with this little person – be patient with him. A lot of men aren’t programmed with the maternal instinct. You must teach him what to do. You must ALLOW him to do things his own way. You must respect the fact that he’s confused and feeling awkward. Belittling him, chastising him or goading him will only drive him further away. He will help, if you will show him how to help.

Again, I’m speaking from experience here. And don’t forget, you have a sense of humor buried under the diapers and fatigue – find it and use it – use it often.

The School Years – Stage Four

Things tend to level off at this stage. Your children are beginning to develop their own interests and don’t need you quite so much. (Note to parents: this is normal. LET GO).

You now have the energy and the time for you and your spouse. Use it wisely. Plan a weekly lunch/dinner date. Spend some time together. Get re-acquainted. I’m betting you’ll be surprised by the shift in attitudes and interests while you were consumed with your babies/toddlers.

The trick, at this stage, is to adjust to these changes in attitudes and interests. As mentioned, people change over time. What once used to bother them, doesn’t anymore. Or vice versa. Whether you agree with these changes is rather a moot point. Your spouse is interested and you must respect, and support that. (Assuming of course, it’s nothing perverted or potentially dangerous – use common sense, for Pete’s sake). And above all, never, ever, EVER, tell your spouse that his/her ideas are stupid. Trust me – NOT a good move. In essence, you’re calling that person stupid for feeling/thinking that way. If you disagree, say so, but don’t belittle him/her.

Again, speaking from experience here.

The school years are another time you must make adjustments. They may not be as big as the children years, but trust me, you will be forced to adapt to yet more changes. Be flexible. Be fair. Be respectful.

And don’t forget that sense of humor thing!

The Middle-Age Years – Stage Five

The kids are now teenagers, and though there are still problems and issues that must be addressed, they are problems and issues that will most likely involve your teenage children. THESE are issues and problems you can address together. However, be careful. You must agree on these issues and solutions to problems together or your very clever teenage children will use that disagreement as a wedge to pry you apart.

Do not let them.

You must remain a united front at this stage. It’s crucial for your marriage and it’s crucial as parents.

However, life has now become more comfortable. You’re still responsible for caring for your children, but not on the same levels as before. (Hence the beauty of cell phones and Facebook accounts – you can keep track of your offspring without exerting all of your energy. *grin*)

But your relationship has mellowed by this time. You’re now quite used to each other and your comfortable being around one another. You finish each other’s sentences. You develop a sixth sense and find yourselves calling each other at the same time. You start thinking alike and your sense of humor becomes a private joke that leaves outsiders scratching their heads.

Life is good once more. Your relationship has developed that soft, supple feel to it – like a wallet that has been carried around in a back pocket for years. It’s comfortable. It’s fulfilling. And your happy.

But bored.

Be careful not to allow things to settle into too much of a routine. Shake things up once in a while. And I’m not just talking about in the bedroom. Write an occasional love note and stick it in your spouse’s purse/wallet/car. Tell each other that you love one another – a lot. Show your appreciation for the things he/she does around the house.

And laugh – a lot.

The Twilight Years – Stage Six

I’m afraid I must stop at this stage; we haven’t reached it yet. Therefore, I do not have any wisdom to share with you. But my marriage so far? Has been WORTH the sacrifices, worth the good times and bad. My husband is my lover, my best friend and quite possibly the only man on this planet who had the balls to put up with me through all of these stages.

I thank God for him every day; I truly do. And I pray each and every one of you find the happiness that I’ve been blessed with, too.

Good luck.


writefromkaren.com

General

Upcoming Events at WFK

Karen

Saturday, I mentioned that I had a few annoucements to make.

Are you ready?

1. I have a berry-red raincoat to giveaway.

raincoat

I went through the boys’ closets this past week. Though I give most of the boys’ clothes they have outgrown to one of my nephews to wear, I didn’t realize until after I had already dropped the clothes off that I had this raincoat, too. But instead of giving it to my SIL (who I don’t think wants it anyway), I thought I’d offer it to one lucky reader.

The raincoat is from Lands End. If you have any experience with Lands End, then you KNOW they sell quality stuff. Though both of my boys wore this coat, it’s still in great shape. It doesn’t have any rips, snags or tears, though it does seem to have one slight discoloration patch on the front (you can see it in the picture). There is a reflective strip on the back of the coat.

It’s a small, size 7/8. (It’s too small for MK, of course. But he was a good sport to model for me).

If you would like the coat, here’s what you need to do:

Leave a comment. I’ll leave this drawing open all week to give more readers a chance to put their name in the comment pot and I will draw a random name on Friday, August 22nd. If you would to subscribe to my feed, I will put another ticket for you in the comment pot – so you’ll have TWO chances to win the coat. (If you subscribe to my feed, please let me know in the comment section so I can add another ticket for you). You must be willing to give me an address so I can mail it to you and I’m sorry, but I’m only opening this up to U.S. addresses only – I simply don’t have the money to ship it overseas. I’m terribly sorry.

2. Coffee Chat writing project begins August 30th.

Coffee Chat at writefromkaren.com

The writing prompts for this Coffee Chat are:

A. What do you remember MOST about being a kid?

B. Long before you met your significant other, what did you picture your future mate would be like?

Feel free to go ahead and write a blog entry on one, or both, writing prompts, if you wish, but you must wait until August 30th to begin submitting links. You can find out more info about the program here. Please, only submit links to CURRENT blog entries – nothing older than 30 days, please. This group writing project is a chance for you to write something fresh and fun for your blog.

Also, please feel free to copy and paste the code to the Coffee Chat buttons on your blogs, too.

I will be posting links to all the particpants on September 15th as well as drawing one winner from all the participants – he/she will win a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate!

3. Carnival of Family Life

If you don’t know what the Carnival of Family Life is, you read more about it here.

It will be my turn to host the Carnival next Monday, August 25th. So, if you would like to submit a family-related article to put in the carnival, please do so here.

You can see an example of a current carnival here at Frugal Homesteading Blog.

This is an EXCELLENT opportunity to relax after dropping the kids off at school; just grab a cup ‘o joe, kick your shoes off and read some GREAT articles about all things family related!

4. Results of the next photo contest poll.

It looks like school won the poll. It was a CLOSE race between school and autumn, but school won. So … take some school pictures and pick the very best for the October 4th photo contest.

In addition, I wanted to ask your opinion on something:

I put that poll on a static page of my blog. In essence, the static page is like a sticky post, only it’s not a post, it’s a page. Did you like how I set that up? My husband didn’t care for the set up. What about you? Does that bug you when you visit a blog and they have a static page so you’re forced to click over to current entries? In essence, it’s like a “splash” page on a website – you know, one of those annoying “skip intro” pages you have to click through to get to the meat of the website.

If you didn’t care for that setup, let me know. I don’t want to do anything that irritates readers. 🙂

By the way, if you would like to know how I set that static page up, you can find the instructions here.

Thanks for sticking it out and I hope you’ll consider participating in one, or all, of these fun activities!