Life: Version 2.0 » life

Raising children & remembering what is truly important

Susan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:03:37 +0000

Raising children is really hard sometimes. These days, whenever I get caught up in the day-to-day struggles with grades, chores, and other stressful challenges – I try to remind myself of who my children really are:

1. They are kind, caring and insightful.

2. They are respectful of others

3. They are not mean-spirited, or obnoxious

4. They are kind to each other, and animals

5. They find joy in their world

6. They have great imaginations

7. They inspire me every day

8. They have a good sense of humor, and know how to laugh

Check out my new semi-serious blog

Susan — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:37:40 +0000

http://virtualanything.wordpress.com

I am still working on a better domain, and better categories. All suggestions are welcome.

Why is my blog so random?

Susan — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:25:30 +0000

I have been reading back through some of my blog posts and realize how extremely random this blog is. I think I have something that a coworker calls “IDD” – Information Deficit Disorder. This blog is proof of my inability to focus on any one thing for long. I read blogs by other folks that have a theme or topic. When I try to figure out what that would be for me, I am at a total loss. What is wrong with me?

Technology and a day in real life

Susan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:20:04 +0000

There is something very un-Zen about all of this. No wonder why I want to move to the mountains and live like a hobbit.

It is probably questionable whether the spiffy electronic coffee pot can be considered technology. Or the microwave. Or the high-performance dishwasher. Either way, these are just one example of a day in my oh-so-plugged-in life.

5:00 am: cell phone wakes me up with ringtone: ’Hedwigs Theme’ from the Harry Potter soundtrack

5:30 am: spiffy electronic coffee pot begins to grind n brew all on its own, gotta love that self timer!

6:00 am: audiobook on iPOD gets me through my commute, hopefully arriving at work a little bit smarter than when I left home earlier that morning

6:15 am: built in navi is on just in case I need am exit strategy

6:15 am: cell phone wakes up the teenager (at least it tries)

6:45 am: arrive at work, plug in iPOD, Laptop and Blackberry (side by side, of course)

6:55 am: Microwave oatmeal

7:00 am: Check email, RSS feeds, Blog Comments

7:00 am – 3:30 pm: Do cool stuff on the Internet (it’s my job)

8:00 am: text message from teenager re: no lunch money left on card

8:01 am: Log on to mylunchmoney.com and put money on the card

8:02 am: Text message back to the teenager: lunchmoney now full

10:00 am: high-performance dishwasher starts at home on its own (due to 4 hour delay setting)

10:30 am:: in the office kitchen pressing buttons on fancy-pants keurig coffee machine (not because I like the coffee, just because it’s fun)

12:00 pm: eat lunch, track points so far today on weightwatchers.com

2:00 pm: receive mail from my childs school “keep in touch” alert email system regarding potential inclement weather

3:30 pm: get ready to leave, check the DMV website to see which office has the shortest wait time (yes! Virginia DMV actually has connected its take-a-number system to their website, with calculated wait times based on the number of people in the lobby - so you can choose the best branch to visit. This is genius!)

5:00 pm: get recipe from allrecipes.com, cook dinner while listening to favorite podcast

7:00 pm: Blog (if the muse visits)

10:00 pm: TiVO records Ace of Cakes

List of things to look forward to in 2008 (version 1)

Susan — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:29:31 +0000

Personal overnight retreat in Middleburg with Marybeth to work on plans for the future
Annual Lord of the Rings Trilogy marathon at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
Birthday weekend trip with my best friend Dawn – vineyard tours, hikes in the Shenandoah, day at the spa, shopping, and staying at a B&B built in the early 1800′s.
Learning to use my new Canon Digital Rebel XT and taking amazing photos
Hiking more
The 2008 summer Olympics
Finding a cause to support with my time and skills
Weekly shopping at the farmers market starting in May
Taking long walks with Jasper
Electing a new President
Weekend adventures with my kids
Reading more
Growing a garden in my back yard
Watching my daughter play soccer, and my son skate