web brained

As I was clicking through my blogs and RSS feeds this morning... I found a pair of rather amusing headlines. Well, independent of each other they are rather plain, but together I couldn't help myself from ROTFL. :P

The first one a wire copy story from Reuters headlined: Is surfing on the Internet altering your brain? An interesting read about how use of the Internet and cell phones is making us more skilled at decision making, especially under pressure. Hmmm... food for thought.

The second one was a small mention in the AdWeek blog entitled "Doing drugs can impair you web browsing". Sounds like no-duh, right? I highly encourage you to click on the link and see if you don't end up ROTFL too.

on second thought

Hunter "graduated" this week from high chair to kitchen table. Oh, my baby is getting so big!

But, on second thought, maybe it was too soon?

After this pic was taken, Hunter decided to be really wild and dumped his plate on his head.

On the one hand, I didn't have to clean spaghetti sauce out of the crevices of a high chair. The kitchen table was flat for easy cleaning. On the other hand, my kitchen table chairs aren't exactly machine washable.

Ahhhh, the joys of being mom.

purple polka dots

Blogging from Borders Bookstore at Town Square today... where I have just purchased a new purple polka dot pen. I know, I know, it's a silly thing to blog about. But after a few days of dragging, fighting off a new cold and headaches from digging into some rather complex research for my new client (it's intense stuff, but I'm seeing a lot of potential!), I needed a break with some lighter stuff. Think vanilla latte and InStyle - with a window shopping trip through Ann Taylor LOFT.

Back to the pen, I normally don't buy funky pens (give me a Bic and I'll be fine), but this one grabbed my attention. Not just because it was purple - my new inspirational color - but because it was polka dotted. How fun! Random dots, doing as they please. Like me? I hope.

It has been 5 weeks since I left the structured office atmosphere and kind of like a lost kids blankie, I'm missing its warmth. But part of me is glad for the freedom. When I hit a mental block I can go for a run. When I need a coffee break, my kitchen is downstairs... and when both collide at the same time, I can jog my way to Starbucks! (ha ha, try that in a suit and heels!)

I am not bound by any strategic plan to spend my days thinking about some of the worlds gloomiest subjects (methamphetamine, domestic violence, identity theft... to name a few). Instead, I am working on plans to help families and communities. What an inspiration.

And I'm also working on plans for me. To do the things I love to do. To be creative, to inspire and help others. And, best of all, to be me. After years of being silenced as a journalist (always tell both sides) and a political flack (only your boss' opinion counts), I am ready for my voice to be heard.

I can write subjects of my choice. I can be random, like the polka dots on my new pen!

Do you freecycle?

In preparation for our move, I decided to clean out the boys drawers and closets for clothes that don't fit. But when I was done, I was a little shocked to realize just how few clothes my boys have that actually fit. Since Andrew is going to private school, he really hasn't worn much other than his uniform and Hunter, well, he gets his clothes dirty five seconds after I get them on him, so I wasn't really paying all that much attention.

Oh, what to do what to do? The weather is changing and my kids need clothes.

But, thanks to a friend whose son is growing faster than mine and a woman on Freecycle -- I am now SWIMMING in boys clothes ranging from 12M to boys 8 - and today is the day I chose to sort through the mess. I have several piles. The wash for use now pile (winter clothes in 6 for Andrew and 24 Mo for Hunter), the summer clothes wash for saving pile (clothes that are a little big now, but its too cold to wear them), the too big clothes wash for saving pile (clothes that won't fit next season but I want to save for later), the too-small Freecycle bag (clothes that don't fit Hunter or won't fit next season that I will "pay it forward" and post on Freecycle), a donation pile (clothes that are in good condition but that I wouldn't like for my kids to wear - I'll drop them off for the local kids shelter) and a trash pile (clothes that I wouldn't wish on any other mother for the life of me!)

If you've never done Freecycle, you should! It's easy. You can read through posts of things people are giving away and respond if you'd like to pick up the item, you can post things you want to give away or you can post items you are looking for. Earlier this year I posted that I needed some planting pots for a little garden I wanted to plant in the backyard. A lady on the other side of town answered my post saying she had several and I was able to pick them up. Some people give away things like washing machines or televisions, others are as small as unused makeup or clothes. Save money, save room in the landfills. Good for you, good for the environment and excellent for the other person not wanting to spend money to dump things

When you have boys, the clothes are going to get ruined anyway, so why spend a lot of money on them! Of course, I do buy a couple sets of nice things for special occasions.

For a garage sale junkie like me, Freecycle is a dream come true and I am completely indebted now that my boy's drawers are brimming with fall clothes.

Thank you!!!

Back on the weight loss bandwagon

Since leaving the AG's office, I've somewhat fallen off the weight loss bandwagon. While I haven't gained any weight back (woo hoo!), my weight has been stagnant for the last few weeks. Since the beginning of the year I have lost more than 30 lbs! So this weekend I attempted to jump-start my weight loss journey again while walking in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for the Cure at UNLV. Andrew walked about half the walk with me and rode with Hunter in the stroller the other half of the time. Afterwards we hung out in the grass for a little bit and jumped in the bounce houses (okay, that was more Andrew than Hunter or I). During that time, Hunter got the camera away from me and took a couple rather funny pictures. I can't believe how thin I look in this picture. WOW!!! So inspirational!

new adventures

I have a new job, of sorts! YAY! And its one that will give us that extra push to move to Phoenix, as we've been planning to do for about six months now. I'll be doing freelance work for a small PR firm KWPR. It's a mother's dream job and I am so excited to start. I'll be working 10-12 hours a week from home to help the group with a new account. Eventually, I may be able to take on more accounts once I get my feet wet and show off my skills.

What this means for me professionally is that I'll get to slow down for a little bit. My career took off like a rocket ship and yes, while I am aiming for the stars, I'm okay with this side trip to the international space station. We'll dock there for a little bit and then readjust our aim when we're ready to move on.

Personally, I'm hoping for a lot less stress. I'll be able to focus more on the boys and keeping our house in order and also focus on me. Reevaluating what I want out of my life, where I want to go, how I want to get there. I'll be able to continue my weight loss journey and continue working to trading my old somewhat unhealthy habits for new healthier ones. I'll be able to do some more writing at home and work on hobbies like reading, scrapbooking and sewing.

Whew! I can't wait!