General Babble

Monday was a holiday this week. Many of us were able to stay home from work, school, or avoid other obligations due to this special holiday Monday. For reasons that are yet unclear, Monday got mad this week. Perhaps it was lonely. Whatever the reason, Monday has been pouting and stomping its feet over my whole week and for that matter, my children have been knocked around a bit as well.

So, I was listening to old installments of my favorite podcast Wise Counsel last weekend and South Beach diet was mentioned and heavily recommended. I've always ignored South Beach diet because of the name. I mean really, it's a dumb name. It screams fad so I completely ignored it. Yet, it's been around for a few years now. I don't hear anything about Adkins or Carb Addicts anymore so maybe this is the real deal. Hmmmm. I decided further investigation was warranted. The result: I found it appealing right away. During Phase 1 you avoid carbohydrates. This is just a 2 week period. The purpose is to eliminate cravings. During Phase 2 whole grain, high fiber carbs can be reintegrated into your diet.

The Process

Weekly

My neighbor gives me his inserts from the Sunday paper so I can clip coupons. I go through them hunting for the products I use while trying to avoid noticing awesome coupons for expensive products that I won't be able to afford without the coupon. They're so sneaky!

Shopping Day

Coupons: ChoysterI go through my coupon holder pulling out coupons that

• have expired
• are on my list
• will be added to my list
  

I write a note on my list "Don't forget coupons" and put them in my purse.

Moments Before Getting in Line

I spend so much of my life composing 140 character statements for twitter that my grammar has become atrocious so don't expect too much.

I started my grad school program toward a marriage and family therapy license at the end of April. The first course is successfully behind me. This past Thursday was the 1st class for the second course. I will admit right now that I'm totally freaked out by the syllabus. There's a test every week, a take home quiz every week, a 5-page paper, and a group project in just 5 remaining weeks. *Freaked Out* I'm taking a 5 min break from study right now. No time to reread. No time to concern myself with cool language. Just dropping a line to my blog and anyone that may come for a visit.

For anyone that may be dropping in, how about a little Picture Caption Fun. My sister in law captured the following picture and the hilarious expression on Maddie's face. Think of a funny caption and add it in the comments. Have fun.

The Diva: Lots of pics taken of Maddie in this outfit. She never seemed upset but Chelle definitely caught an irritated moment.

I thought I'd just copy this to our website for no particular reason.

1.I'm feeling brave so I'll give this a shot. I hope I can come up with more than 10!
2. I'm wondering if I have to do like 150 things based on the number of times I've been tagged.
3. I live 10 minutes from downtown Nashville, TN. I love it and I don't ever want to leave.
4. I haven't seen snow accumulate since 2004! YAY!
5. My husband is from Kansas and he played the Cowardly Lion in a play when he was younger. How great is that?
Jensen6. Everybody knows I have 2 kiddos because I shove pictures under their noses every chance I get!

ProcrastinationIs procrastination a euphemism for laziness? Or perhaps it indicates lack of commitment to a goal? Ooo, ooo, I know, it's an illness that we can't avoid.

I've been a procrastinator my whole life. Not about all things. Just about things I didn't want to do. Imagine that! It's time to kick the habit. I'm nearly 40. It's time to grow up. This is NOT a New Year's resolution. It's a life resolution.

So, I'm asking for some help. Share with me why you procrastinate and how you motivate yourself to conquer procrastination. Do the yucky stuff first? Make lists? Ask someone to hold you accountable? What works for you?

Halloween 2007Well, it’s that time of year again. Goblins, ghouls, and Star Wars characters will be roaming the streets begging for candy. I’ll admit it right up front; I’m the Ebenezer Scrooge of Halloween. I just don’t like it. Didn’t like it as a kid either. Bah humbug to booos and vrrrmm vrrrmmms (light saber sound effects).

Now, that being said I will confess that I have enjoyed 2 Halloween’s in my life. One was my junior year in high school when I hung with a group of about 10 kids from my class. We went to Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers and numerous haunted houses that year. Both things are completely out of character for me. I detest horror films and being scared in general so haunted houses are out too. There was something about the camaraderie in that group of people though that gave me the strength to participate and yes, to even enjoy nearly fainting from fright.

MelIt’s “About Me” time. I’ve been dreading it. Not because I don’t want you to know me because of course I do. I’ve been dreading it because part of the function of this blog is to help me to determine who I am.

There are some easy things so we’ll start there. I’m a mother and lucky enough to stay at home with our wonderful son and daughter. I’m a wife and a barely adequate housewife (I didn’t really volunteer for that one – Jamie says it’s part of the stay at home mom gig, blech).

Kiwi: photo by Kormmandos at zooomr.comA little incident the other day caused me to start contemplating my dependence on computers. Not really in a bad way. I don’t care. I don’t intend to make any changes. It’s just curious how life has changed. I didn’t have a computer prior to 1996. 12 years later and this little box holds proof of my life.