Multi-tasking....or.. notsomuch

Today, similar to many other days, I try to get some household chores done. I'm not the kind of person who keeps an immaculate house at all times, it's just not a priority to me. I usually try to clean 1-2 areas a day, or at least keep the mess at a category 2 tornado. So when I find some down time during the day I will try to throw some laundry in, or clean the kids bathroom, or tidy up the kitchen. I've noticed though, that I start one thing, like walking to the laundry room intent on starting a load, but pass the kids bathroom and start cleaning in there...totally side-tracked from the laundry I was going to do. Then I'll check my email (as I do about 20x a day), and get caught up in some other project in my bedroom. Today the kids were begging to get in the pool, so I was going to get my book I'm reading (The Circle Trilogy, by Ted Dekker), my cell phone (it notifies me when I get a new email), and the house phone in case someone called. So I'm in the kitchen looking for the house phone and realize it's in our bedroom, so I walk down the hallway and see the laundry sitting there, and figure I could start a load real fast. Then I head back to the kitchen in order to proceed outside. Then I remember that I needed the phone, and where the heck had I put it after I'd gotten it out of the bedroom....oh yeah, I never made it to the bedroom. So, I go back to our bedroom and get the phone, but oh, while I'm in there, I might as well check my email...and I had a work email I needed to deal with, so I sit down and do that. 2 minutes later I'm walking back to the kitchen to proceed outside. Where is the dang phone??? Right, sitting on my desk in my bedroom where I had moved it from the bed. Back I go, to the bedroom, but by this time I was quite focused and slightly annoyed that I'm so easily distracted.

Drum roll please.......

My husband, my dear husband, who actually made fun of me when I told him I had started a blog...my dear husband who has snubbed his nose at sites like Face*book for quite some time now...this same dear husband who just signed up for Face*book, and yesterday STARTED A BLOG.

Yes, it's true. Although I must say, I had to help him with the blog, so if you like it, thank you :) If you don't like it...he did it. Don't go rushing over there just yet, as he hasn't actually written anything. The "testing" was my doing in order to get a new template up and running. He wanted a little help getting it going since he says I'm the more "technical" one, despite him being in I.T. (Side note, yesterday I also had to program our new car's built in garage door opener after he had tried several times, because I seem to be better at things like that). I think he mentioned that his first post would be about his new quest to spreadsheet all the books he's ever read...including how many pages. Yep. Hold on to your pantaloons it's going to be a fun ride!!

I love you honey! :)

He hasn't signed yet.....

If I had a dollar for every time my dear husband said he was going to "cut back" or "cut out" or otherwise reduce the consumption of a whole gamut of unhealthy foods, or increase the consumption of healthier foods, I'd be rich. No seriously. So I decided to make him sign a contract.....

Vows to Health

I, _____, do solemnly swear to pay my beautiful beloved wife one dollar every time I say that I am going to eat better and/or am going to “cut out” any unhealthy food out of my diet. I also agree to pay said amazing wife seven dollars for every week where I do not workout at least 2x per week, and when my food intake is less than 80% healthy, and/or includes more than 2 of the items I vowed to “cut out”. All proceeds from this contract will be kept in a secret location, and will only be returned in the event that I obtain a six-pack as verbally agreed upon on the ___ day of ______, 20__. I agree that my wonderful wife will keep all proceeds for a duration of no longer than 6 months, at which time they are non-refundable, and may be spent at the discretion of my thoughtful wife. If at any time a payment is not made, my caring wife will be allowed to confiscate any “man toys” that she deems fit.
I fully understand that my loving wife is doing this in the best interest of her wonderful, but mostly unhealthy husband, because she hopes he sticks around long into our golden years. At no time will I complain or whine about the rules and/or definitions given with said contract. This contract, once signed, never expires, is non-negotiable, and non-transferable. Signing of this contract does not imply that I can pay myself seven dollars per week if the rules are followed, as the reward of a six-pack (and increased health and fitness that comes along with such a physique) is exponentially more than any monetary value can produce.

Important definitions:
Workout: A period of time, no shorter than 30 minutes, of intentional increased activity, including body weight exercises and/or cardio. Walking, mowing the lawn, weeding, hunting, playing paintball, and sex are NOT considered a workout.
Healthy: A healthy diet will not include daily iced kickers, regular soda, cookies, candy, Ritz crackers, pizza, anything fried (including chips), and no fast food.
Six-pack: this shall not, under any circumstances, be associated with strapping beer cans to one’s stomach and/or airbrushing with tanning products.

Signed ___________________________
Date____________

Witness ___________________________
Date____________

**© by Kristen :)
Hubby says he's having his "lawyers" look this over before he signs.

A conversation my kids just had

Maree (age 4) talking to her brother: I'm half beautiful and half sassy!

Aaron (age 6) : Well, mom is whole beautiful.


I don't know where Maree gets it, but she just cracks me up! Aaron, God bless him, I just love that boy!!

Seriously??

I'm speechless.

"The Shack"

All I can say about the book "The Shack" is that it is a MUST READ. As in, get in your car, drive down to your local book store, and buy it immediately, do not delay!! I have never been so enthralled and uplifted by a book, ever. It is a book I want to read over and over, and I NEVER read books more than once. My advice though, is to NOT read the back of the book before reading it. I never read the back of books, but I would have been particularly disappointed if I had read the back of this one prior to reading it...it just gave too much away in my opinion. But, you know, do what you want :)....just read it!! It's not a huge book, and will only take 5-6 hours to read. What are you waiting for, get in your car...seriously...quit reading blogs....gooooooooooo!!!!!

Storytelling a la Maree

On the way to our big "fishing" trip, Maree told us MANY stories!! Not enough emphasis can be placed on MANY, since we were in the car for about 1.5 hours. Here is one I captured on video. I couldn't edit it, as my editing program kept crashing...the funniest part is at the end in my opinion.



Who knew Jesus had big teeth.