Posted on

My poor neglected third child

Despite Emily’s assertion that I’m spending more time on my kids, my poor little Jonah boy is seriously suffering from third-child syndrome.  We have taken, like, 12 pictures of him on actual camera since he was born.  We’ve got plenty of camera-phone pictures like this gem:

But no real ones!  It’s pretty sad, and I’ve GOT to get it taken care of right away!  But geez I don’t even have time to talk to Emily on the INTERNETZ much less photograph the baby.

So, I am really happy about this little thing we have now called the smartphone.  And it’s pal, the You Tube.  Because last night my hubby got this a-freaking-dorable video of Jonah finding his voice, and if a picture is worth a thousand words, I think this video is worth 1,001.  Enjoy!

Post to Twitter

Posted on

Going Green – A Giveaway

At our house, we recycle. We wash our clothes in (Tide) cold water. We have an energy-efficient furnace (because our old one bit the dust). Other than that… we are not all that green.

But we would like to be!

So when Apartment Guide contacted me about their “Green Up a New Space” blogger challenge, I thought this would be the perfect time to make some adjustments to our home.

I wasn’t sure where to start, so I checked out the articles on ApartmentGuide.com and I found a few ideas I’d like to incorporate in our lives.

Here are a few things I plan to try:
— Green cleaning. Baking soda keeps sinks and countertops shiny, and vinegar can be used for just about anything. I already pour vinegar into the bottom of my dishwasher before running it, and it works better than expensive rinses.
— Energy-efficient appliances. Our refrigerator is on its last leg, and when it finally kicks the bucket, I’ll be looking for an energy-efficient replacement. I’ve also started using a toaster oven a lot – so much more efficient (and quick!) to make something fairly small.
— Gardening. Ok so anyone who knows me will probably laugh at this, as I don’t *exactly* have a green thumb. In fact, I am not good at even keeping plants alive. But I do love cilantro, and I think it would be fun to grow some, so I’m going to give it a try. If it works out, I’ll invite you all over for salsa.

I also plan to get a house plant – I read years ago that one house plant can make the air cleaner in an entire house. I had one, and then I let it die. But I’ll do better this time!

Apartment Guide has a ton of great tips – whether you live in an apartment or not! “Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for real-time tips and updates on making the most of your space.

Want to make your own home a little greener? Enter to win a green-themed prize pack of eco-friendly household items like cleaning products and sustainable-material household items. To enter, “like” Apartment Guide on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter , and leave a comment here letting me know you did so.

The contest will end on March 31 at 5 p.m. EST and a winner will be selected randomly. Good luck!

*********
Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Green Up a New Space” Blogger Challenge. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used for the “Green Up a New Space” Blogger Challenge. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Post to Twitter

Posted on

Get with the program, Rapson.

In the last few months, a number of life- (or at least routine-) changing things have taken place in Jenny’s world.

Sophie started preschool.

Jenny’s started focusing on doing one thing at a time.

Jonah was born.

And that’s just part of the list.

So those things on their own seem pretty innocuous, right? Positive changes, even.

But I am here to tell you that the combination of these tweaks in Jenny’s daily life have had a DISASTROUS effect.

On me.

Before Jenny started all this “good mom” business, I could get in touch with her just about any time I wanted to. She was always a tweet/IM/email/text away. And she RESPONDED to me instantly. INSTANTLY, I tell you.

Now? Not so much.

I’ve been noticing this for a while… the breakdown in the unwritten constant-contact clause in our contract. It’s been gradual, happening so slowly in a time that we’re both so busy that we’ve not had time to think much about it.

But today was different.

Today, I didn’t communicate with Jenny once.

No emails, no tweets, no IMs, no DMs, no PMs, no texts, no phone calls, no facebook status updates, no smoke signals.

Nothing.

I am NOT amused. And really, I don’t think the universe appreciates being so out of balance. So Jenny, I’m sure no one would mind if you dropped this real life crap and got back to having your laptop as an extension of your arms.

Seriously, Cousin, it’s time to prioritize.

Post to Twitter