Who Put me In this Minivan?

The Offspring...

From a hike about a month ago...such cuties....

Community

When Matt first began recording this show, I thought it was o.k.  Nothing hilarious, but funny.  The more I watch it the more I laugh out loud.  Last night's show was really good.

There will be a "Community" marathon on the Monday after Christmas on NBC.  Check it out!

Shammalammadingdong....

http://www.nbc.com/community/video/clips/comparative-religion-preview-2/1182085/

The Password Is...

Starting in one week, this blog site will be password protected.  I have no real pressing security concerns, and this blog has never been one that can be accessed by a general search engine search, per my privacy settings.  I have gotten to know some great folks who have accessed my blog by my comments on other blogs.  That's basically how new folks come here.  Otherwise, I've never tried to "promote" it except to family and close friends.

Still, in the wee hours of the morning, a nagging voice in my head tells me to make it password protected.  And so I shall.

Please email me at threesweeties@knology.net and I will give you the password next week so that you might still check in on me and the family as you wish. If you still even come here.  (I don't see very many comments so honestly I don't know if anyone still checks in now and then, but if you do,  I'll still be posting.)  Just putting up a wee bit more protection for those I hold most dear. 

The blog goes all secure and stuff on Wednesday, December 16th.  I do hope if you've stuck with me you'll continue to visit here.  I'll be glad to give you the SECRET WORD!!  Oooh, now I get to go think of a secret word!  Fun!!

Getting all secure and whatnot,

The Bloggy-Guard

Thanks for understanding.

Resolved

Yes I realize it's not even Christmastime yet.  But I've been wishing for a new year since last January.  That sounds horrible, but let me explain.

Do you ever look at a year ahead and say to yourself...oh boy...this one is NOT gonna be my favorite?  That's how I felt about 2009.  The reason I felt this way was complicated...but it boils down to a few main reasons...some life and role changes, commitments I wasn't happy about being tied to, and basically rethinking my real focus of my days.  I had no real or dire issues to contend with, and all of our basic needs are more than fully met, so please don't feel this is a whine-fest.  But personally, this hasn't been one of my most fulfilling or enriching or contented years as an individual, and I think it's every individual's right to own that feeling from time to time.  And so I own it.

This was the year my baby started real school.  This was the year people began again with "what do YOU do?"  This was the year when, quite frankly, I didn't and still don't know "what I do." What I was doing seemed like enough and a lot, and I do know that I have never worked harder in my life.  It just seems that it still is unrecognized as real "work" sometimes,and that still bugs me.

This is yet another year I struggled with issues of my own faith and other folks' expectations of me in that capacity.  This was the year when I came to peace with what I know in my heart to be true for me, but still face how that will manifest itself in the future for those nearest to me.

This was the year I felt people notice or assume that I had more "discretionary" time and thus, in their minds, more time to help/organize/fix/volunteer/DO whatever it was they felt needed doing.  This was the year I had various and other commitments that my heart and soul just were not invested in and yet still needed doing.  This was the year I started to say no, and stopped pleasing people so much, and that's not always the most fun position to be in.  But it's necessary for my family my sanity.

This was the year where I reached out for help in different areas, specifically health-related, and felt I had to beg to even be seen or heard or validated.  And quite frankly I threw my hands up in several cases and accepted that that was not going to happen. 

This was the year I watched my children struggle with this and that and tried to help but wasn't always effective as I had hoped to be.

This was the year I had so many plans and so much less time to complete them than I thought. 

This was the year I occasionally, bravely actually sought  out advice or a listening ear and was flatly dismissed.

 This was yet another year my little family members' time was pulled here and there and Matt and I continued to fight the fight to keep some sacred "down" time for my family intact. And we realize the older they get, the more difficult this will be. 

This was the year where again the school system infuriated me with their useless teaching methods and ridiculous work load for my children.  And this caused/causes me still to rethink my decision to plop them so readily in public school and assume I could enrich their education sufficiently. 

This was the year I attempted to take time to take better care of myself and figured out that what works for so many others does not work for me.  And in overdoing it and injuring myself, I felt like a failure.  I now know better what is my best method to be healthy.  I just need to focus on doing it.

This was the year I had less patience in general.  I think you reach an age where you just don't want to be treated like a child or a moron, particularly when the advice is unsolicited.  You are better able to say "no" or disengage from those situations.  But the frustration with those instances is still there, as it was for me.

This was the year when people just would not shut UP about politics.  The fervor and vitriolic spirit in this country in politics is discouraging and kind of disgusting.  And I, for one, am sick of it.

This was the year I saw example after example after example of shoddy parenting and irresponsibility and really felt deep concern for the generation of children parents are bungling into adulthood.

There were some really wonderful things about 2009, no doubt about it.  But for whatever reasons I felt it, I did feel discontent.  I still do.  I am hoping to come to peace with the changes of 2009 and the feelings I have had about all these situations. I guess others handle it better than I do or just keep quiet about it.

But don't you ever get tired of just keeping quiet and going along?  Don't you want to own your own life on your own terms?

So here in mid-December, I am making some New Year's resolutions.  For me.  For my happiness.  And for my peace of mind.

* I resolve to try and worry less about what people think of me and my beliefs.

*If you have a problem with that TOO BAD.

*I resolve to continue to seek my own personal faith in whatever form it takes, or doesn't take for that matter. 

*I resolve to always keep plenty of free/family time on the books.  While all the families around me are losing their heads, I will not lose mine.  I resolve to continue to listen to what my children want to do and are interested in always.

*I resolve to do far less of what I do NOT want to do and more of what I do.  And in that way, my path for the years my children are growing up might become clearer.  In the meantime, if anyone is concerned for my status of employment, feel free to pay me and I will be glad to figure out something to do for you.  Otherwise, respectfully, shut your piehole.

*I resolve to take better care of myself so that I can take better care of those around me.  I need more sleep.  I need more exercise.  I need healthier food.  And then I need to not worry about it.

*I resolve to say no when I need to so that I can say yes to what works better for me.

*I resolve to speak when I have an opinion instead of stewing in silence more often.

*I resolve to ignore those who just won't shut their damn mouths.  Especially about politics, religion, and sports.  SHUTUPALREADY!

*I resolve to limit my computer time and up my time elsewhere.

*I resolve to wash my windows/blinds in the spring.  I think it will make me a better person.  It bothers me so much!!  (I also resolve to stop feeling jealous of the neighbor's cleaning lady.  Sigh.)

*I resolve to take more time for Maisy who is lonely with only me in the house all day.

*I resolve to screen more calls (caller i.d. is awesome!)  Family time is so much more important than chatty time.

*I resolve to do whatever I need and want to do to keep my family happy and my heart content.

Phew! 

Glad that's off my chest!

Off to 2010 (or at least to make dinner.)

The Resolute One

Little Miss Firecracker

Our non-stop bundle of energy took a break to pat Ruby, the farm dog, while at the farm on Thanksgiving.  She's hard to stop when her dear cousins are around, but a little quiet time with her is a rare and precious gift.  I'm taking her out to Christmas shop and do a little treasure hunting at an antique/vintage store today.  Have a great Saturday!

My Sunshine

Aron patting Legend, his Uncle Butch's horse, while having fun at the farm over Thanksgiving.

Aron is so sweet and kind!  I love him so much!

Your Daily Dose of Bubs

Sometimes he's so cute I want to kiss his whole head. 

Sweet Cousins

Aron, Hannah, and James are most thankful for Rachel, Claire, and Anna! 

Typepad is Ruining my Holly Jolly...

All I want for Christmas is a blog server that allows me to upload more than one picture before it crashes. Typepad, I'm about to close down this blog and reopen for business elsewhere.

In the meantime, enjoy the one picture I can manage to get this blessed site to accept. My little cherubs at Dollywood. Aren't they cute?

Typepad makes me Scroogish,

Ebenezer

Nie Nie Today Today!!

http://community.todaymoms.com/_news/2009/11/23/3535906-mommy-blogger-and-burn-victim-stephanie-nielson-to-speak-on-today