Real Life

I love Spring. That is not a surprise to anyone who knows me. Warm weather and being outside makes my soul happy. It makes me want to be a better person. Nights like Wednesday are so fun...most of the night anyway. As I took pictures of what we did; watched Daddy cut a dead tree into fire wood with his chainsaw, load it up in to Packy's Gator, eat a delicious Rachel Ray meal, and finish the night off at Baskin Robbins for 31 cent a scoop cones, I see the big picture. I hope I am making memories for my children. But what you don't see in the pictures are the in between times, the real moments. The moments when I get so frustrated with the "I can't" attitude during homework time that I lose my temper. The sibling fighting and screaming that can take any peace you might have had and thrown it out the window. The "you hate me" that is thrown in my face when I am disciplining. These are the moments God uses to bring me to Him. When I want to give up He reminds me that I am in training right along with these children He has blessed me with. I must rely on His strength and not my own because I can not do it on my own. Then He blesses me with the moments that are picture worthy; working together to load the gator, trying a new dish and not saying "gross", and sharing bites of ice-cream since everyone got something different. Big picture.

Ten on Wednesday

I know it's supposed to be Ten on Tuesday but I'm late.

1. I am addicted to blogs. The three I read the most (The Pig Bear , My life....just not the road I expected, and Fly through our window ) have all become friends and it's kind of freaking me out. "Worlds are colliding", right George?

2. I am easily overwhelmed by all of the stuff I want to do. Right now that list includes making a quilt, learning Photoshop, scrapbooking, eating local, and taking more pictures.

3. I drove to Forsyth today to get local strawberries but I didn't read the sign that said they were open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

4. I refuse to buy any more sodas.

5. To me the low 70s is cold. I have on a jacket. I like it hot. Macon summer hot.

6. I am amazed at how much less trash we had today. One can that wasn't even full. Recycling is working.

7. The only way Packy gets a nap is in the car in the carpool line, Mimi picking him up from school and going to her house, or on the couch watching TV.

8. I love that Jason plays the guitar now. I think he is really good.

9. I have been sober for over a year. Thanks be to God.

10. I am really sad that LOST will be ending in a couple of months.

Still going...

It has been a couple of days since Earth Day. I am amazed at how much recyclable stuff we have in just a few days. I am putting it out in the garage but I probably will need to refine my system.

Food update. Learning tons about organics and local on the Internet and through a friend who has already done a lot of research. I am starting slow and just replacing stuff as I run out not throwing stuff out. I am not going to buy any more granola bars. Making them seems like a good and easy way to start. I ate some lettuce out of my mom's garden today and delivered a tomato plant and eggplant plant to her. I don't have a garden...yet. I am not the best at watering which my houseplants can attest to. I bought my children steel water canteens and told them I will no longer buy Capri-suns. My next goal is to get on the local egg and milk train.

One thing I started doing a few years ago is trying not to use paper towels. I bought a big bag of rags at Sam's and use them to clean up in the kitchen. So I don't have to throw anything away, just wash with towels.

And the journey continues...

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day.

I am a embarrassed to say that the Birdhouse does not recycle. We have tried in the past but when the garbage men quit picking up the little I remembered to put out I gave up.

But today is a new day and we are going to do our part.

We also watched Food Inc. last night.

Wow.

Looks like I will be frequenting the Farmer's Market and Mia's more than I used to.

It's a new year. Let's see what can happen with a little effort.