Homemanagement Binder...will it change my life?

I've been working on a Homemanagement binder. Simply put, it's a notebook with everything in one place that I need to manage our home. Calendar, schedule (ok, I'm more of a routine kind of gal than a schedule persay), resources for budgeting, shopping, project ideas...anything I might need to manage our home. I've found a wonderful online resources and lots of examples for inspirations. Of course there's the flylady's control journal...but I don't really like the idea of controlling as much as managing. Anywho, I'm going to give it a try and will see if it changes my life. I'm even going to schedule myself some exercise time and perhaps get more in touch w/my spiritual side. It was interesting that many of the online sites where I saw sample binders were from women who identified themselves as christian women. I think it's interesting that they seem to put more focus in to caring for their home and family. Not to say that I don't consider myself a christian...I do, but I don't think that would be the primary identifier I'd use if you asked me to tell about myself. I might say I'm female, a wife, a mother...but not necessarily a christian. I was also fascinated by alot of the passages they quoted on their blogs that represented being a wife and how important it is to care for one's family. I think I'm going to take this year (now and into 2008) to read the Bible. I've never read the entire thing. I have several, but I've never read more than select passages. Anyway, even if I end up not loving the binder, I think I'll get something out of the experience.

Animal, Vegetable...Miracle?

So I'm reading the Barbara Kingsolver book about living on a farm and trying to return to a simplier time, eat what our local earth provides and supporting an effort to make less of an environmental impact with the choices we make. It's enlightening. I think about this stuff constantly. So I think I'm going to make more of an effort. I mean hey I'm making other changes so why not this one too. I don't know about the whole organic thing, but I think I will look into being part of a CSA and also shop more at the farmers market. Things are so delicious from there. I love the freshness and that it helps keep the livelihood of local farming alive.
On another note. I'm planning on resigning my position on the parenting board. I'm a bit sad, but it's time. I'm not getting anything out of it and I have such a limited amount of time that I truly don't want to waste it on that board.

Not again

I changed my blog name. I think it's cause all the cool ones are taken. I actually liked the zoo one, but then I thought, this blog is really a slice of the pie that is my life. The little morsels that make it the confection that it is. So...I changed the name. Hey, I'm just trying to capture the true nature of what I'm trying to do, what this blog represents. Lol! We'll talk again, next time I change the name.

Under Construction

The painter is coming today! WooHoo. I'll have to post a picture of a finished room after for the full effect. I'm excited that my "to do list" is getting shorter. I'm working on the slipcovers, but it's slow slow going. I don't get much time to sew. Things have started back (school, JLR) and I'm slowly getting into a routine. It's funny how life can be so hectic when all I really want is to slow down.
Oh, I got a raise at work. It will be nice to have a little more funds to put away. A & I are planning for a European vacation for our anniversary. I'm going to start putting money in there in October. I hope we can make it to Greece and Italy, I've always wanted to go.
I started reading the Barbara Kingsolver book "Animal, Mineral, Vegetable". It's good so far.

So busy...

Well things have been so busy here. Two of the kidlets are back in school and one more will start after labor day and then it will just be me and the princess.
I've been working hard on home improvement projects in an effort to embrace and love the home we're in. I just cleaned out my pantry. I'm thinking maybe I hadn't done it since we moved in...imagine. Anyways, it's quite empty now. Now, I'm going to reorganize the kitchen and clear off the counter space. It's so liberating to declutter. I mean I took 3 bags of expired and dusty food items to the dump. I will probably have 2 more bags when I completely finish with the other shelf. Woohoo, we got the new floors! They look fanfreakintastic! No more soiled smelly carpet. It opens up the entire space too! I highly recommend wood flooring to anyone.
Things are advancing well in the project me arena. More on that later.

On Motherhood

So, I've been reading (okay, listening to it while I sew) Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner and I have to say the angst she writes about in regards to being a SAHM is spot on. I find myself nodding in agreement or chuckling at the character Kate's despair of leaving her life as an independent New Yorker to waste away her days in the burbs hanging at the playground with a bunch of competitive catty mom's who have channeled all the expertise they formally employed as professional into raising perfect little kidlets. But the irony is I live in the burbs, and I eh...know these women. What is it about motherhood that makes us crazed? I was at B&N yesterday and the section on parenting is overwhelming. Did our parents have anyone beyond Dr. Spock advising them? I think we turned out pretty well. Ok, some of us, but you know what I mean. Now we're so bogged down in doing it right instead of connecting with our children's need and listening to our guts. Even on Oprah yesterday they had mom vs. mom wars. The judgment, the superiority it was all a little much. I don't think any mom gives birth and looks at their child and says "I can't wait to fuck this little sucker up" I mean come on! Don't we all want the best for our broad? Aren't we all just trying to do it the best way we know how?

Me...under construction

I'm in the process of making a major life change. It's a decision I've contemplated in the past, but now the stars seemed to be aligned in my favor and I'm pursuing it. I don't want to talk about it too much as I'm still processing everything and trying to work all the particulars out.I'm hopeful that when I enter 2008 it will be with a fresh outlook! Here's to a brighter future, one I can share with my family and really enjoy to the fullest.