Might As Well Blog

The Seven Forms of Nagging

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 07:00:00 +0000

I recently read this sickeningly factual book by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson. Click here for review.

One of the most interesting parts was this excerpt from Kids as Customers, a book by James U. McNeal, professor of marketing at Texas A&M University. McNeal is known as America's foremost authority on successful marketing techniques geared at children.

McNeal classifies childhood nagging into seven categories. Please note the following information was found on page 50 of Schlosser's book. I've copied it verbatim.

The Pleading Nag. A pleading nag is one accompanied by repetitions of words like "please" or "mom, mom, mom."
The Persistent Nag. A persistent nag involves constant requests for the coveted product and may include the phrase, "I'm gonna ask just one more time."
The Forceful Nag. Forceful nags are extremely pushy and may include subtle threats, like "Well, then, I'll go and ask Dad."
The Demonstrative Nag. Demonstrative nags are the most high-risk, often characterized by full-blown tantrums in public places, breath-holding, tears, and a refusal to leave the store.
The Sugar-coated Nag. Sugar-coated nags promise affection in return for a purchase and may rely on seemingly heartfelt declarations like, "You're the best mom in the world."
The Threatening Nag. Threatening nags are youthful forms of blackmail, vows of eternal hatred and of running away if something isn't bought.
The Pity Nag. Pity nags claim the child will be heartbroken, teased, or socially stunted if the parent refuses to buy a certain item.

McNeal states: "All of these appeals and styles may be used in combination, but kids tend to stick to one or two of each that prove most effective…for their own parents."

Does this just completely disgust anyone else but me? I can't believe marketers are so quick to make a buck that they'd promote nagging in children. Ugh.

How I Cleaned My Washing Machine

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Let me begin this post by saying that I am under no obligation to endorse the Tide name or brand...I just have a really great experience to share! (And, I want to have the following information put in writing somewhere for future reference!)

Believe it or not, even the appliances we use to cleanse things need their own cleansing now and then. I would have thought that idea was a given but I was laughed at recently by a friend who insisted she'd never heard of actually cleaning a washing machine. Go figure.

So, for quite some time now my washing machine has been super stinky. I always had to make sure and get the clean clothes out of it right away before they began to take on that stinky sock smell.

I've scoured the internet looking for ideas. Several websites mentioned different concoctions of vinegar, lemon juice, bleach and more---and I tried all of them that I found---but none seemed to work. I checked with Heloise but her information wasn't much different from what I found online.

The above-mentioned conversation took place in the presence of a third friend who, at the time, informed me that there was an actual product out there called "washing machine cleaner". She encouraged me to look for it at Walmart.

I had been meaning to look for said product for the last several months but kept forgetting. The other day, I decided to check for it online. That's when I discovered Tide Washing Machine Cleaner.

According to the website, our washers get stinked up with all kinds of nasty things like oils from our skin, body and environmental odors, and filthy film from the dirt and grime on our clothes. These things rub along the inside of the washer and then rub onto each load of clothes we wash. The washing machine cleaner is designed to pull up all that nasty stuff, leaving your washer smelling great and free of the smellies.

I finally did go to Walmart and buy a box. It cost me almost $7 and came with three monthly treatments. According to the directions, if one hasn't used the product before then it should be used once a week for three weeks and then every month thereafter. After running a treatment through, I thoroughly scrubbed all surfaces outside the drum with 409 cleaner.

My washer is now sparkling clean and smells so fresh and nice! I think the product was well worth the price and am happy I bought it. The only problem now is the fact that my washer now smells so nice that I don't want to wash anything in it and risk getting it dirty again!

We Have a Winner!

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Please join me in congratulating Tammy, winner of this round of Bloggy Giveaways!

Thanks to everyone who participated! I'm glad to have many new readers!

Check back again next time around for another great giveaway!

It's Bloggy Giveaway Time Again!!!

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Yipee!!! It's my favorite Bloggy time of year---the Bloggy Giveaway Quarterly Carnival!

Welcome to my blog! Here you will find a mix of random musings and occasional tirades.

Need a winter pick-me-up? How would you like a Wintertime Cozy Package (cozy socks, writing journal, warm drink mixes and more)? Read on to find out how YOU can win!!

***PLEASE NOTE***: If you do not follow the instructions for entry, your entry will be deleted and will not be included in the final drawing on Sunday!!!!! You MUST provide a reliable means of contact (preferably an email address) if you'd like to be included!

To enter, please recommend your favorite website and tell me why you like it. This will earn you one entry into my drawing.

Here are two more ways to earn entries. You MUST leave a separate comment for EACH entry:

1: Subscribe to this blog. Please let me know that you have done so in a separate entry.

2: Visit www.bookcrossing.com, join, and list me, Elizardbreath, as your referring member. It's fast and free! Please let me know that you have done so in a separate entry.

Contest stays open until Sunday, Feb. 1st when one winner will be drawn and contacted by method provided. If you do not provide a means of contact, or do not respond within a few days, I will draw another name.

Good luck and please visit the Bloggy Carnival at www.bloggygiveaways.com for more great giveaways!

Ha Ha Ha...Very Funny....

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:42:00 +0000

So, I just got done, about an hour ago, writing up this post on one of my other blogs about supporting my husband and challenging myself to make sure I was nurturing our marriage and all this... http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/2009/01/michal-snotty-hottie.html.

Little did I know, I'd have the chance to rise to the occasion before the night was over...alas, before it had even begun.

We live about a half hour away, in another town, from my husband's place of employment. He had gotten home from work, gotten all settled with his dinner, and we'd turned on a movie---when his phone began ringing...and ringing...and ringing...

Finally, he answered it only to learn that he had to go back into town to turn off the screwy alarm system that has been giving him problems for a couple of weeks now.

So I, good wife that I am, put on my fake smile, choked back the impending tears and wished him safe travels as I kissed my husband, and my relaxing night with him, goodbye.

Isn't it just so funny how the Lord actually takes us seriously when we commit to something that will better our character...

A Year of Change

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Well, here we are in a brand new year; I, personally, feel a lot of hope and anticipation for this new season!

There are at least two big changes coming for our family this year. First, we will be welcoming baby #6 to the family in early March. Soon after that, we'll be gearing up for a move...somewhere... My husband has decided it's time for us to pursue buying our first home this spring!

I've made a few resolutions, six actually, that I will attempt to follow throughout 2009. Here they are:

1. Read 60 books

2. Read the Bible daily

3. Stay on Weight Watchers 3 consecutive months: start day to be determined after baby comes

4. Make monthly blogging goals and stick to them

5. Offer at least one fresh fruit and one fresh vegetable to my kids each day

6. Continue to make myself accountable to online group of friends for daily goals

Anyone else care to share their resolutions?

How to Make a Good Impression

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:47:00 +0000

"Vienna Rolls: Just the thing for the newcomer in the community to take to a church supper. Fame will follow her." --taken from The American Everyday Cookbook, 1955.

Well, too bad I didn't read that a few weeks ago! Here I thought I'd have to go get red and purple streaks put in my hair to make a memorable impression at the new church we recently joined. If only I'd read this recipe note first, I could have saved myself a good $200 or so!!

My mom passed this cookbook down to me just a couple months before I was married in 1998. It belonged to her mother, Betty, who received it from her husband, George, in 1955. This baby has been well-used, believe me!

I got a wild hair (no, no puns here...) tonight to browse through it as I hadn't opened it up for several years. Both my grandmother and my mom had written little notes throughout---births, deaths, divorces...x's by things that were good. On an inconspicuous spot on one of the first few pages, I found a little note: "Betty + George".

I couldn't help but add to the page my own little note for generations to come: "Sarah + Jamie".

Top Secret Family Thanksgiving Recipe...For Your Eyes Only!!

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:44:00 +0000

Great 80's Movies Awareness Question: Who is this guy and where do we meet him?

I've decided to share with you a tidbit from my vault of family secrets! Here is a recipe for Date Nut Pudding, a family favorite for four generations now! This is to be eaten with your Thanksgiving meal and placed on your plate right next to your turkey. But don't be confused...you are not to place this next to the turkey that is in between the mashed potatoes and stuffing---the turkey that you cover with the same gravy that you cover the afore mentioned items with. You are instead to place it next to the other turkey that you've placed right next to the cranberry sauce that you place on your fork first before stabbing a hunk of the non-gravied turkey and eating it all with one bite.

Now that we have that straight, lets continue...

Date Nut Pudding

(from the current kitchens of Christy Virgil and Sarah Coller and the former kitchen of Betty Piper)

2 c. chopped dates

1 c. chopped nuts

2 c. miniature marshmallows

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 12 oz. container Cool Whip

Stir them all together well and press down into a 9" square pan. Sprinkle more graham crumbs on top and chill overnight.

Yum!

Raspberry Delay

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:13:00 +0000

Quick! What song is going through your head right now? (Sorry...)

I finally thawed out all my frozen raspberries this past Saturday and made some jam. YUM! It was the best I've ever made.

Those berries had been in my freezer since I went on a kick and bought $60 worth of them last MAY!

Just in case you aren't hearing Prince in all his annoyingness wheezing in your brain by now, I'll just post you a little link: http://www.last.fm/music/Prince/_/Raspberry+Beret

Random Candy Awareness Fact: Did you know they now make Sugar Free Chick-O-Sticks? I just snagged one from my son's candy bag. I was so excited to find it but once I saw the Sugar Free label, I lost interest.

Dewey Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Dew

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Last night my husband and I were watching the Stargate episode where Sam's new boyfriend is teasing her about quirkiness. He makes a comment that goes something like: "as long as you don't have alphabetized bookshelves...".

My husband looked at me and grinned his "you have weird quirkinesses" smile.

You see, I not only want my bookshelves alphabetized---I want them arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System. This has been a dream of mine ever since I began collecting books in my early childhood.

People keep telling us we need a bigger place because we have a lot of kids. They're all only half way right. Yes, a bigger place is needed...but not for the kids' sake. If we were to have one more bedroom than we have now, it would not be for kids---it would be for my dream library.

All arranged as Dewey would do it.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:57:00 +0000

This morning I was informed that this is National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo). This new venture excites me for more than one reason. Besides the fact that the acronym sounds like something the Nox would eat for breakfast, I have needed an encouragement just like this to get me writing in my blogs more.

So I figured that since I would be part of this nationwide effort, I'd need some sort of badge to make myself known. I borrowed this cute typewriter lady badge from Dory: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42wallabyway/2989196747/

When I first saw this picture, it made me wonder about the lady. The badge was obviously made from an old photo found online somewhere. Dory surely discovered this photo that someone had posted for a different reason and took the liberty to alter it to make it her own. I wonder how long this photo has been circulating and in what arenas. Most of all, I wonder who the woman is. Is she still around? What was the original purpose for the photo being taken? Does she know that her image is now circulating all over the internet?

I guess this just goes to show that you never know how you'll make your mark in this world! Some people are remembered for their prized apple pie, some are acknowledged generation after generation for a moving speech they made, and others...others are preserved in green---a testimony forever to the end of the finger wave and the birth of ready wear.

Sci-Fi Awareness Bonus Question: Tell us who the Nox are and in what way to we first come to meet them?

Bloggy Giveaway Winner Announced!

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Congratulations to Jinxy and Me, winner of this quarter's Bloggy Giveaway!

Enjoy your Fall Package of Goodies!

Thanks to everyone who played...see you in January!

The Bloggy Giveaway Carnival is Here! Yippee!!!!

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY AND CONTACTED VIA EMAIL. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED...SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!

It's here! Woo Hoo! The Bloggy Giveaway Carnival has come to town!!!

I've got THREE different giveaways going on this week on my blogs. You can check out the other two at: http://www.bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/ and http://www.elizardbreath8.blogspot.com/.

Now for the details for this one. The handful of you who have been following this blog from the beginning know that it started out with an Ode to Stargate: www.boyiloveolivegarden.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-dont-i-have-blog-yet.html I am still obsessed with the gate, however since that first post I've been able to obtain all 10 seasons of the series as well as the 3 movies. While there's nothing I like better than to sit and watch SG-1 all night long, I know there's gotta be more great shows out there!

So, in order to enter this drawing, you'll need to recommend a great tv or movie series and explain why you like it. Please keep in mind that I don't like shows with LOTS of gore or profanity but have a wide range of interests so don't stay just within the sci-fi genre. I like oldies, 80's...anything, really!

The winner will receive a package of fall goodies! Please make sure to leave your email address so I can reach you if you win!

More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Revenge on the Raccoon

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:43:00 +0000

Wanna hear about my scary dream last night? Ok, but first let me fill you in on some back story from real life.

A couple of days ago, I was standing at the sink looking out the window, when I spotted an odd-looking cat climbing up the neighbors tree---about 12 feet from my window. As I studied the strange cat, I realized it was not a feline at all, but a raccoon (though my daughter tells me that a raccoon is actually part of the cat family...don't know about that one...). So, inquisitive one that I'm usually not, I grabbed the camera and headed outside to try and snap a shot of this creature. He alluded me, of course, by hiding in the uppermost branches of the tree. Still, I was able to watch him for awhile before the strain on my neck became to much and I retired inside.

I mentioned to my husband that day that I thought I knew what our cat had recently gotten into a fight with (he--the cat--is still healing from an encounter that ripped off the left side of his bottom lip). I told him about the raccoon and we both had a laugh.

Last night I told him--my husband--that I was too afraid to go check on the cat (who resides in our laundry room) because I was scared that the raccoon might be in there. My husband, being 2 hours away at the time and unable to come to my rescue, said 'don't worry about it--the cat--' and that was the end of the conversation.

So...my dream. Last night I dreamed that I was driving alone in my Suburban up a steep hill that I recognized as being in Granite, Oregon. All at once, a raccoon leaped on to the car and began scrambling around to find a way inside. At first, I was just mildly irritated at this annoying little critter but when it insisted on bashing it's furry little fist into my windshield, I became furious.

I figured my only course of action was to try to destroy this overgrown rodent. I slammed on the brakes and began backing down the hill at a super-speedy pace. When I stopped at the bottom of the hill, the raccoon was nowhere to be found. I figured he must have fallen off and since I couldn't see him anywhere, he was surely under the car. I backed around to the right a little ways, put it in drive, closed my eyes and gunned it.

I didn't feel a thing as I raced right over this troublesome faux-feline but when I stopped the car and looked behind me, there he lay, still and serene.

I got out of the car and went over to assess the damage. But when I looked down at the ferocious beast, I realized that he was only a cork-filled knick-knack whose plastic was now cracked all over from my careless racing around this former Oregon boom town.

Planting Imperfections

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:13:00 +0000

This morning I realized why in the 10 years that I've been married I've never had a garden. Each spring, I look out into the spot where my imaginary garden grows and consider the weeds. Then I reconsider the gardening idea.

I've had several potted flowers and plants sitting in my driveway for a couple weeks now. I have a big bowl of various seed packets sitting in my laundry room. This morning, I did something completely out of character.

I looked out onto my weedy yard. I surveyed the garden spot that my husband cleared for me last week; still there, muddy and bare. Then, instead of reconsidering, I grabbed my seed bowl and headed outside.

I planted seeds all over that muddy garden spot; marking their new homes with colored popsicle sticks. I went out to that weed-filled corner of the yard and stuck raspberry bushes in the ground, right amongst the weeds.

The way I figure, if I'm trying to change this habit of perfectionism that always leads me to procrastination, I'm going to have to do things differently. In the case of today, backwards.

I can weed and level and beautify some other day. Today was about cultivating imperfectionism!

What Does BLOG mean?

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:49:00 +0000

This afternoon I am allowing my mind to come up with meanings for the word BLOG. What is a blog? Why do I feel so unladylike when I say it? Today BLOG stands for: Boy,I Love Olive Garden.

Looks Like I'm Goona Look Into It

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:25:00 +0000

This post was moved over from another blog. I've included the comments below.

I 'spose this picture doesn't really have much to do with the subject....but I just found it and it's cute so hey...

Anyway, after a not-as-lengthy-as-I-thought-it-would-be discussion with Jamie, we've decided that it is important for me to go ahead and go back to school part time.

One thing that I didn't really make clear in my last post is that this will be via Distance Ed so I will be doing all of my work online. That will give me lots of flexibility as to when I actually do my homework. I think this will be good.

And...I agree that one doesn't need to be in school to learn. In fact, I think an organized and systematic education can actually be a detriment to the joy of learning in some cases. However, that little piece of paper that says, "I know this", is usually a necessity if one wants to be employed. Especially if one is to be employed at home and if one has been a stay-at-home mom most of her adult life so far!! :)

Jules said...
Good for you! I think you will enjoy the challenge and it seems like a degree is important to you so enjoy it! When do you think you will start? Also what are you going to be taking?I wish Bob had a degree area that he could do online classes, but if he wants to go back to get his bach. degree we have to move to any of the following cities: Bozeman, MT or Pullman, WA or Corvallis, OR or Klamath Falls, OR. Those are all a little further away than I'd like to move.:( boo hoo So we wait to figure out what to do. He is in Civil Engineering and that is a hands on degree evidently.;)
March 6, 2008 7:39 AM

Charlyn said...
Good for you! Go for it!
March 6, 2008 2:11 PM

1lilbookworm said...
never give upas a published writer (poet) , all I can say is believe in your dreams and go for it !

I Think I Wanna Go Back To School

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:21:00 +0000

This post has been moved over from another blog. I've included the comments below.

Ok, what do you think about this??? (Nevermind that I don't know who "you" are...this is kinda like "Dear Diary"....)

I've been back and forth to school several times since leaving college when I was 20. I have this desperate hunger to learn---I feel like I'm bored and wasting a decent brain if I'm not learning regularly. So, am I just destined to be like Lindsey's friend, The Lifetime Student??

I mean, what will happen when I finally do graduate with a degree of some sort? Will my thirst for knowledge then be satisfied? I've got a good 20 years here at home...and that's assuming that I won't have anymore kids to extend that 20 year time span...(which I'm sure will not be the case).

Is it possible to have your own life running concurrently with that of your kids? Do I really have to wait until they're all grown and out of the house before I pursue some of my dreams?? OR--is there room for me to be going after my dreams while still keeping up on my responsibilities??

Now I'm making it sound like I don't have any "family dreams" and that's not true at all...realistically, I want it all to run concurrently. But is that possible?? What do you think? (Yes, this is the part I want comments on!!! :)

One thing that I keep telling myself is that there are other states (and countries) where a parent must possess a degree to be allowed to homeschool their kids without government interference. While that's not the case yet here in Oregon, it could someday be...or who's to say we'll stay in Oregon forever? I still have dreams of living in Canada someday!!

So, I guess I need to listen to my husband's answer that he gives everytime I talk to him about this. I need to make a decision and stick to it either way. So, help me out here diary (and real people), give me some feedback!

Lindsey said...
I think as moms we make a ton of sacrafices for our families. A lot of times we take great joy in doing that, but we still have to have a piece of ourselves. And that means following our dreams. As long as our dreams don't overtake the family priorities then I think it is awesome to pursue them. It keeps us feeling alive.And as for being a lifetime student, I think if you go into it knowing you love to learn then great. My friend has a phobia of "real life". She simply goes to school because it is comfortable and if she graduates she has to get a job and face growing up. BIG difference between you and her, lol.
March 1, 2008 1:05 PM

Char said...
It's the balancing act we all struggle with, isn't it? Especially homeschooling Moms. Do I have to give up "me" in order to do this?(That's one of those rhetorical questions we all have to answer our own way.)Personally, I love to learn too. I feed my brain by reading things on the internet and in books. I get mini-obsessions and learn all I can about the subject (although I don't go as far as some of us ;-)). I don't feel the need to be in school to learn. But, that said, if a degree is important to you- that piece of paper that says "You Did IT!" then go for it but realize it may take awhile so enjoy the journey.
March 1, 2008 8:16 PM

Jules said...
I am with Char because I also love to learn and I obsess about things until I figure it out and then move on, I LOVE to learn as well but I did not like the resricted part of school and the workloads. I still have NO idea what I would go back to school for (except maybe cosmatology/hair etc)I think life is one big learning experience so I am not feeling at this point I need to go back to school. Although a degree might be nice.I love how my dreams get to change, I can be anything I want to, I can change my roles with the seasons and happenings in our families. Isn't it funny how we really have a lot of freedom to persue anything we want to really and we end up finding excuses like $, kids, husbands etc, whereas if we really really wanted to do something we'd find a way,:) HAHA
March 2, 2008 4:42 PM

Audra Marie said...
I think God gives us dreams, but sometimes they aren't for now. There are seasons and maybe your hearts desire is for another season or maybe not even for this side of heaven (if all our dreams came true here, why would we long for 'home')? It's important to pray and seek His will always.That being said. In the natural side, we should write down what our dreams for our families, and for ourselves. As long as we keep our priorities in line with God's will and our desire for our family, I think we can fit in pursuing our goals, too.I'm taking a writing course this month because it fits with my dreams, I'm able to do it in this season of my life, and it feeds my need to learn. :) That's just one example.I couldn't go to college outside of my home, but I can certainly take courses via the internet and still do what is a priority for my family - educate them, train them, love ON them, etc. :)There will come a time too soon where my kids don't need me and I'll have a lot of time to go after my dreams more. For now, I do it in snippets as I can.Just my thoughts. :)
March 5, 2008 5:34 PM

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:18:00 +0000

This post has been moved from another blog. I've included the comments below.

What do you want to be when you grow up? What are your dreams?

The earliest answer to this question that I remember is from the fourth grade: I wanted to be a teacher. This answer remained constant until late high school when I added some specifics: I wanted to be a high school English teacher. In fact, my plan was to wait until I was about 27 to get married...and IF I had kids, it would be after 30. After I got to college and discovered that it was cool to respect your instructors, I did a little revising: I wanted to be a college English instructor.

Half way into my first year of college, my boyfriend convinced me that I should marry him---so that summer I was married and my first child came a year and a half later.

I continued to attend college while writing for a local newspaper for another year and a half. During this time, my dream was once again revised. I decided I wanted to homeschool my kids so I figured I could be a work-at-home journalist.

In the past 10 years, I have taught both preschool and kindergarten at a private school, worked as a journalist for a community newspaper and served as editor of a city newspaper. I am now a full-time homeschooling mom.

So, now that I've fulfilled all my goals, what next? I have two new goals: I would like to write professionally and I would like to speak at Christian women's functions. I wonder how these will come about?

Audra Marie said...
I can't wait to see how your two new goals come about. I have similar goals. :)
March 5, 2008 5:19 PM

When I Lose MY Weight

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:15:00 +0000

This post has been moved from another blog. I've included the comments below.

Yikes! Do I really want to post this picture??

Yes, I do. Because one day soon we'll be able to put it next to a recent one and be amazed at all the weight I've lost.

I'm going to do this, you know.

For those of us who are overweight: Have you ever thought about how we use the term, "my", when talking about our excess weight? "When I lost MY weight last year"..."I need to lose MY weight...". I have mixed feelings about using this term of ownership.

I suppose using the word MY means that we are taking responsibility for the weight gain...we are owning up to the fact that it is there and is real. But on the other hand, isn't it also a term implying that we are comfortable in this state? If something is MINE, (especially to one who lacks self-control or hoards), then I want to make sure I keep what is mine. I wallow in it and enjoy it and make it my life.

I recently read, Passing for Thin by Frances Kuffel, where Kuffel replays her weight loss journey to half her original size. This was such a well-written book---it was REAL. In it, Kuffel uses the terminology, "this body", when referring to her new self. She has a hard time claiming it...believing that it is hers and real and is going to stay.
I wonder if that is a roadblock for me---facing reality and not being in denial anymore about the fact that I really am overweight. Ok, let's be honest, the fact that I am SERIOUSLY overweight.
My life won't suddenly become drastically different when I lose the weight. It is not the magical cure-all catalyst to a better attitude, more organization, happiness, great sex, cute clothes---all the things I'm dreaming of. Those things will come during a seperate, yet concurrent, journey that I have to choose to make daily.

Char said...
The hard part? You are still the same person inside, thin or overweight. Where ever you go- there you are. But I think the person inside is pretty neat.
February 29, 2008 6:15 PM

Why Don't I Have A Blog Yet?

elizardbreath8@yahoo.com (Sarah) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:00:00 +0000

This post has been moved from another blog. I've included the comments below.

So, why don't I have a blog yet? I've been asked this question on several occasions lately.

Well, I guess I just never realized how rewarding a bloggy life could be. Never have I taken the time to imagine how my life would change after the blog-shaped hole in my heart was filled.

I tell myself that it's because I don't have the time for blogging. I have so many other important things to do during my day. After all, I am a young mother of 5; desperately trying to keep a house running, a homeschool functioning, a husband happily satisfied.

Do you want to know the truth? Dare I admit it? My real honest-to-goodness reason for avoiding blogging is that it might cut into some really precious quality time. You see, I have an addiction. It's not a substance. It's not an action.

About two years ago, I was introduced to the wonders of science fiction via my brother-in-law's Stargate SG-1 DVDs. My husband was itching for a movie night one evening and went over to Jason's to borrow a couple of DVDs. He came home with Season 1 of SG-1 and begged me to just give it a shot. I thought the whole thing was ridiculously below me but indulged him for the evening.

I now admit that I am shamelessly addicted. If I don't have my nightly dose of two or three episodes, I tend to become quite shakey. Sweats and breakouts are likely to follow. The occasional seizure or blackout is possible.

When we first moved 2 hours away from Jason's house, I was comforted by the brand new copy of Season 10 that I had bought online for an incredible amount of money. Now that I understand that the series can be purchased from other outlets besides cheating, scamming ebayers, we have increased our collection to include Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. We just watch these over and over and over again--and fill in the missing years from our imaginations. We can't give it up and therefore have not much of an interesting existence other than that which exists within the SGC. We have not had cable television since we were married 10 years ago and so our view of the outside world is much distorted by the laws of wormhole physics and the possibility of an infinite number of alternate realities.

However, since all my friends are doing it, then I guess I should join in. So, here's my blog. It may not be updated much. It may not be interesting. It may make you not like me anymore. But it's me---in all my glory.

Jules said...
Congrats on starting a blog!! It is so much fun I wish I had started one much sooner. I hope you have a great time with it. You are such a great writer it will be fun to read I am sure!Welcome to bloggy world!
February 29, 2008 3:36 PM

Char said...
I am drawn to the Giant Time Sucking Monster of TV myself. I like Sci-fi too! We don't have cable- only antennas up in the air. I am afraid too much time would be spent watching it if we had more. I am addicted to the internet, myself. The information, the communication. It draws me in and before I know it- time has evaporated.Welcome to the Good Ship Blogger- glad to have you aboard!
February 29, 2008 6:22 PM

Audra Marie said...
I happen to know I'll love it and it will be interesting. :) And no chance of me not liking you.As for Stargate, you might be able to get the missing years on netflix lol. Along with many OTHER educational dvds. :)
March 1, 2008 8:41 AM