10 Reasons Why: Cabin Fever Edition

10 Reasons Why I Can't Wait For Winter To Be Over


1. If the heat goes out in your vehicle it doesn't matter (A/C is a discussion for another day).

2. No more stepping, sock-footed, in puddles of dirty melted snow in the kitchen from wayward children's boots and a husband who does not feel the need to take off his shoes immediately after entry into the base habitat.

3. Sweaters, long pants, socks, coats, mittens, scarves, hats, boots, snowpants, etc.,...times five...multiplied by however many times a day. Can we say exhaustion?

4. The basement family room might actually become enjoyable to the whole family.

5. Some person(s), who shall remain nameless, might just finally start his/her/their decade of thirtysomethings and be able to say goodbye to the Turbulent Twenties!

6. Being able to exercise merely by living everyday life instead of carving out a time slot to go downstairs (not enjoyable, see number 4) and do contortive bodily expressions in front of a 20-inch glass screen.

7. Building a fence!

8. Trying out the new deck!

9. Trying out the new backyard! (are we sensing a theme here?)

10. SENDING THE CHILDREN OUTSIDE TO PLAY.

Ah, priceless.

10 Reasons Why: 1st Election Edition

I have finally found a candidate I can support,
as my two real supportable candidates never
had a chance in the first place*.

Ten Reasons Why I'm for Schrute in '08:

1. He has worked his way up to the position of Assistant Regional Manager (not, as commonly mistaken, Assistant to the Regional Manager) for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
2. He is the winner of the 2005 Salesman of the Year Award.
3. He is a former volunteer sheriff and highly trained in the art of surveillance.
4. He owns his own beet farm.
5. He has the ability to maintain a hidden arsenal of weapons at his desk, including pepper spray, nunchucks, throwing stars, a stun gun, a boomerang, handcuffs, a nightstick, a pair of brass knuckles, and a samurai sword--all of which were confiscated, and a Spud Gun--which was never confiscated.
6. He is a close personal friend of John McCain and was rumored to be top choice for his running mate.
7. He is a self-professed expert on sun hibernation.
8. He holds great interest in the representational arts of Japan.
9. He is the founder of Schrutanese and Schrute Bucks.
10. Bobblehead. Need I say more?

*In case you were curious, my two supportable candidates were Mike Huckabee and Dennis Kucinich. You may do a double-take at those names side by side. It's my split personality that allows me to be enamored with seemingly polar opposites.

But now that I think about it, they're actually not as diametrically opposed as one would think...

10 Reasons Why, Gratitude Edition

10 Reasons Why I am Grateful Today:

1. I am grateful for the cool breeze coming through my window at this very moment.
2. I am grateful for my three children, in happy times and in the frustrating ones.
3. I am grateful for my MacBook.
4. I am grateful for babbling babies.
   
5. I am grateful for candlelight.
   
6. I am grateful for help when it is needed.
   
7. I am grateful for millions of worlds at my fingertips, to be accessed whenever I so desire (aka the library).
   
8. I am grateful for a husband who tries to be the best he can be in all things.
   
9. I am grateful for a loving family of origin.
   
10. I am grateful for my safety and security.

What are you grateful for today?

10 Reasons Why: I Love the Internet

In no particular order:

1. Forums
2. Blogs, others'
3. Blog, mine
4. Email
5. iGoogle
6. Online shows
7. iTunes
8. Shopping
9. Research
10. Facebook
    

10 Reasons Why: Living in a Small Space...

...is OKAY, and even GOOD:

1. Less to clean. This would be stating the obvious.

2. We can pretty much see and hear the kids from anywhere. No baby monitors needed here.

3. We are forced to keep fewer material goods.

4. We can't get away from each other. You'd think this might be bad, but it forces a family to actually deal with each other instead of hiding away.

5. On a similar note, it creates more bonding opportunities. Everyone doesn't just go do their own thing in a separate space. We play games together in the same room, read together in the same room, and even when we are doing our own things, we're together doing them.

6. We have a lot of on-call help in the form of a gardener, snow-remover, pool-cleaner, lawn caretaker, electrician, plumber, and other prompt on-site maintenance...and all for FREE with a quick telephone call. This is specific to apartment dwellers, and not necessarily just small spaces, but it's both for us.

7. It is good for children to share bedrooms. In my not-so-humble opinion, anyway. I have Thing #1 reading over my shoulder at the moment declaring, "I don't LIKE to share a room. I want my OWN room!" See? It drives home the point for them that you can't always get what you want. Cue Rolling Stones music.

8. Decluttering is a must, and is much easier. Smaller spaces, simpler life.

9. Along with #3 and #8, having fewer material possessions and going through them more often is good because it forces us to determine what is truly valuable and meaningful and forget the rest.

10. And one of the biggest things is that it costs less. More money saved for our bigger goals in life.

10 Reasons Why (I Am a Homeschooling Mom)

Sometimes I really want to write in my blog, but I have no idea what to write about. Or, more accurately, I have too many ideas that take too much time to write about, and I get stuck because I don't have that time to spend. So in a moment of rare insight, I decided that making lists out of my favorite topics would be a quick and painless way to say what I want to say with little fuss and no transitions needed. Thus, my very first ever "10 Reasons Why" post. I hope to resurrect this idea often, and you'll know I have a lot on my to-do list when you see it ;-)

Why I am a homeschooling mom:

1. I always know what's going on in my children's education.

2. No rushing around like mad to get ready in the morning.

3. One-on-one instruction is priceless.

4. I actually like my kids and enjoy spending the day with them--and spending time together is the best bonding there is.

5. We can go places without the burden of the school day schedule looming over us.

6. We can take advantage of a nice-weather day at whatever time it arises.

7. They can wear leotards, pajamas, cat suits, whatever to school and no one minds.

8. I can wear my pajamas too, if it's going to be one of those kinds of days.

9. The kids get to be with their dad during the day when he works nights.

10. Choosing curriculum is actually pretty fun for geeky people like me!