Declaring Technology Bankruptcy Thursday, Mar 5 2009

This has nothing to do with my post. It is hlarious though...

While I am a big fan of technology and email, sometimes I have realized I just need a break from it all.  I always feel obligated to check work and personal email and find myself a tad stressed out when I let too much time go by without “checking in” on my emails.  This is something I have declared I will work on!

Thinking back on the vacation that husby and I took last March, I was a little freaked out before we left knowing that the entire time I would be without email or my cell phone (a laptop and a phone won’t do you much good on a cruise in the middle of the ocean).  After getting over the habitual reach for my phone at certain times of the day, I started to embrace not having to worry about making calls or checking email.  I started to feel sort of… free!

In an effort to regain a fraction of this feeling of technological free-ness, I’m laying down some ground rules for myself to see how things go. 

Here they are:

• No checking work email after 7:00 pm.
• No checking work or personal email at any dining or entertainment facilities (yes, I am that person who checks email at the table in a restaurant) or family gatherings.
• No checking of work email on Sundays AT ALL.  Sunday is going to be my email free day.  I may relax in front of the computer to read my favorite blogs on Sunday morning, but after that I am refusing to check email or stress over anything.  Sundays will be my total relaxation days.
• No phone calls or email checking in the morning while I’m getting ready for work.  I’ve noticed that this causes unnecessary stress so if my phone rings I’m not going to answer it (unless I get the feeling that it’s an emergency and see that someone is calling me that never calls me in the morning.  If the phone rings and it’s from my mom, I’m NOT getting it in the morning because she calls me way too often for no apparent reason in the morning.  Sorry Mom).  I’m not checking email either because I’ve noticed it sets a negative tone for me because I start to think about what I need to do for the day and how I am going to schedule and structure my day.  My morning time at home is mine and I will wait until I get to work to start worrying about how I will get my work stuff done.

We will see how my new rules pan out.  I’m not expecting myself to follow them perfectly (although I will try), but I want to establish boundaries for myself because, like I’ve said before, balance is the key to everything.  I would love to be able to balance everything in a healthy way and think that there’s no better time to start than today.  Once my rules become habits, I won’t need rules anymore– everything will be second nature.  I’m looking forward to this

…Because I’m addicted to email and I need help…

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A Picture I LOVE Tuesday, Nov 11 2008

Winter Trees III Art Print by Ilona Wellman

Every single time I see this picture I cannot help but stare at it.  Something about it is breathtaking to me and I hope to buy it someday.  I can see myself sitting on the sofa next to this picture drinking a steaming cup of hot chocolate.  Just the thought of this makes my happy.

…Because surrounding yourself with little things you love allows you to truly enjoy every moment you spend at home.  This, really, is what is so beautiful about being at home…

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Rain, Rain: Don’t go Away! Friday, Sep 26 2008

As much as rain can be an inconvenience at times, a conversation with my friend Kristen about the potential for heavy rain this weekend got me to thinking: sometimes there’s nothing better than a rainy day. 

So many drops!

My friend Ryan used to say that every time he had a job interview and he put on a suit, it would rain.  Now I think of him when I look out the window on messy days.

I am learning to appreciate a rainy day for what it’s really worth.  I just hope that next time it pours I can cuddle up in bed, make some popcorn, relax, and watch a movie while I listen to the raindrops. 

…Because there’s nothing better than a lazy rainy day at home…

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Moderation is the Key to…Everything! Wednesday, Sep 24 2008

I am learning every day how important moderation really is.  I know it seems obvious, but sometimes the most obvious things are the most overlooked things in life. 

My dog Merlin would sort of look like this if we put him in a box...

 This has been a big lesson for me over the past few days because Mark and I moved to a new house.  As much as I want to make our new home perfect as soon as possible, I am starting to realize that it makes more sense to do what I can each day and just finish the rest later.  Killing yourself to achieve something that can be more fun and more practical over a longer period may not be a good idea. 

We may have boxes in our living room for a few weeks, but we’ll be happier and have more fun because of it.  In this case, time is not of the essence.

…Because sleeping more and stressing less is a good combination…

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A Quote I Love! Thursday, Sep 18 2008

“One’s home is like a delicious piece of pie you order in a restaurant on a country road one cozy evening– the best piece of pie you have ever eaten in your life– and can never find again.”

~From Horseradish  by Lemony Snicket

…Because even after 2 beautiful weeks traveling around Europe, it STILL feels great to be back home…

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I Love Traditions! Saturday, Aug 30 2008

Yes, I’m a sucker for traditions.  I think they give you something fun to look forward to every year and are a great way to properly celebrate things that happen in life.  I love to make up my own.  For example, birthdays are “free pass days” at home.  In my family, we have a rule that you can never yell at or get mad at someone on their birthday.  The birthday person also is allowed to get whatever they want for the full 24 hour period– so if it’s my birthday and I wake up at 3:00 am wanting mint chocolate chip ice cream, all I have to do is ask and I shall receive.  It’s great!!

mmmmm...chocolate

Speaking of ice cream, I was talking to Len the other day at work about a tradition he heard about that we both agreed was really great– ice cream for dinner day once a year!  I guess it can work for anyone, but it’s most fun for families with small kids and makes great memories for everyone to look back on later.  Why not, right?  Like my dad used to say, “Ice cream really is okay for any meal.  It’s got milk, eggs, calcium…”.  My dad was really great at creating traditions (for example, my Thanksgiving doesn’t feel complete without my no-mushroom stuffing and a football game to watch!).  He is also a great cook and makes wonderful food on holidays.  Because he moved far away, we now have a tradition of going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast every time I visit him.  Not nearly as good as seeing him all the time– but definitely delicious.

One tradition that my “Grammy” started that I now miss (she passed away 4 years ago) was to always call me on my birthday– first thing in the morning– to sing happy birthday to me.  I loved it and I now do the same for my family if I can’t be there in person to sing to them on their special day.  Today is actually her birthday.  She would have been 90 years old today, if she were still with us.

Anyway, I’m always keeping my eye out for new traditions.  It’s never too late to start!!

…Because having traditions make special moments even better; you know what to look forward to for the next year!

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Listen to the Inner Voice! Thursday, Aug 28 2008

The more time I spend around people (and the older I get), I realize more and more that it’s so important to stick to my intuition.  Sometimes I get a gut feeling that something isn’t right or I have an idea or plan that other people may not understand.  I need to ALWAYS trust my feeling. I’m not saying to ignore everyone else, but, weigh their opinions carefully. 

Only you can understand you and learning to trust your instinct will guide you at all times.  There have been so many past instances in which I have tried to ignore that dreaded “gut feeling” and have learned now to embrace the feeling and listen to it.  This way you end up with no regrets.

One example that inspired this post happened just this morning: In the process of remodeling our kitchen, we have ended up with a lot of random items that we have decided to sell on Craigslist, if possible.  I created a post for an old cast-iron sink that we no longer need and waited to see if anyone was interested.  I was happy to see an email from someone in Maryland this morning telling me that he would love to come pick it up and asked me to call him to set up a time.  I called him and left a message, giving him my cell phone number in the process so he could call me back.  He immediately called back and I got a strange feeling in the first 10 seconds of our conversation. 

The man started to ask me questions and told me that it would be hard for him to pick up the sink at night since he lives in Baltimore.  When I asked him what time would typically work for him he didn’t give me a straight answer.  He asked me where I worked and I told him “Arlington” and he suggested I bring the sink to work and he could come pick it up during the day and meet me at my car.  When I told him that his plan essentially made no sense because I live about a mile and a half from where I work, he started to ramble on.  I also told him that it was too heavy for me to lift into the car and bring to work (this thing is probably 90lbs) and he suggested I get someone to put it in the car for me. 

Then, he asked me for my address.

At this point I said “my husband can call you and give it to you if you set up a time to meet him, but I can’t do it.” and ended up getting off the phone really quickly.  Afterwards I was really glad I didn’t just give him information unnecessarily.  Sure, he can probably do a reverse look up on my cell phone and he could find some things out about me… but he certainly isn’t ending up with my home address.  What a weirdo.  This could have amounted to nothing OR it could have ended up being dangerous. 

You never know– so listen when you are trying to tell yourself something!!

…Because you listen to yourself talk all day anyway.  You might as well listen to your inner thoughts.

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A Painting I Love… Tuesday, Jul 15 2008

“The Butler” by Jack Vettriano

This makes me happy!

We have this painting in our living room and I love it more and more every time I look at it.  I think it’s perfect.

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Where the Heart is! Tuesday, Jul 15 2008

I think that having a home that you love is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself. 

Love living where you live!!

You don’t have to have really expensive furniture and accessories in your house in order to create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.  Buying classic pieces that will last a long time, as well as mixing and matching things that you collect over time can make your house really interesting and will allow you to surround yourself with things that you love looking at.  I am a big fan of Craigslist because it allows me to sell things that I no longer need and find some really great stuff.  I found a pair of mini-chandeliers that are fun and unique.

I saw a great post on The Nest about making your home cozier.  It said:

1. Go botanical. Mounting a series of botanical prints on your walls is the quickest way to give them some stylish sophistication. Pictures of leaves, flowers, and even fruit bring in the outdoors and capture the spirit of all four seasons.

2. Update your curtains. Buy an inexpensive pair of plain curtains (we like pleated ones), and amp them up with some grosgrain ribbon trim sewn vertically down the edges. The heftiness of grosgrain will make them look expensive, and the subtle embellishment will turn forgotten-about curtains into a unique focal point.

3. Soften with slipcovers. With basic sewing skills and inexpensive organdy or muslin, you can give uniform style to your seats, turning them into a well-dressed family.

4. Splash up the sink.Create a playful backsplash with a line of flea market or melamine plates inspired by the season.

5. Bring nature in.Celebrate lazy beach days by displaying sandy finds in a guest room or living room. Shells of a similar color draw attention to the subtle variations in hue and form. During cooler months, the bright colors of gourds, crab apples, rosehips, feathery wild grasses, and nonpoisonous bittersweet announce the season, welcoming you and your guests into the room.

Home, Sweet Home.
“Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home. 
A charm from the sky seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek through the world, is ne’er met with elsewhere.”

(by John Howard Payne)

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