Paperless Society?
There used to be lots of talk about becoming a paperless society, remember? With online banking and bill paying, the ability to fill out forms online, and even filing taxes electronically, you’d think anything sort of paper document would be quite scarce these days. I am here to tell you that paperless just isn’t happening! At least not the world I live in. On a weekly basis, I gather all sort of paper. Receipts from the carwash, the grocery store, the gas station, the drugstore and the library (the last one always gets me – since I know as a child, the librarian would simply stamp the due date in the book; no paper changed hands then!) Besides receipts, I might collect the church bulletin, a plethora of reminders scribbled on yellow sticky notes, coupons, and business cards from the dentist or hair salon with appointments on them. That would
Selective Hearing
I think Max has a hearing problem. Lately, it seems he hears only half of what I tell him. For instance, the other day as I headed out to work I reminded him of the several chores I wanted done since he had the day off from school. I spoke quite clearly to him when I looked in his room to tell him I was leaving. “Max,” I said, “Remember to do the vacuuming, run the dishwasher, do your laundry, and take out the trash.” He was still in bed at the time but he looked right at me and even nodded his consent. Max called me at work to see what time I’d be home so he could get the chores done before then, as is his way. I thought things were squared away. When I got home, I found they were not. I pointed out to Max that
Mom’s Annual Inspection
I took the van in last week for its annual inspection and emission test. For some reason that prompted me to wonder when was the last time I had a physical. A head-to-toe check with blood work. It is enough to say, “Not recently.” I like to think I’m fairly healthy. My diet may not be stellar but I do exercise most days every week. I actually like to push heavy weights at the gym. Even if the weight room is ringed with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. But thinking I am healthy is not the same as knowing I am. So my decision to get the physical (already done) along with the blood work and other tests (next week) was the fact that as a single parent I need to be at the top of my game. And if I want my kids to be proactive with their health as they become
Time for New Calendars
It is a brand new year and time to get going. Take in the cold, but fresh air, re-group, take inventory, purge some junk, organize the files, donate some coats and clothes not in use for the various reasons and begin planning the weeks and months ahead. I don’t know about you but for me, that requires a new calendar. Since I am lagging in the way of personal technology, I don’t yet possess an updated hand held smart phone or other such device to log in my moment by moment agenda items, thoughts, plans and dates. I continue to rely mostly on good ole pen and paper, numerous lists and lovely hard copy wall calendars to keep up with my life. Also, I carry with me at most times a spiral bound planning calendar for constant modifications, additions, cross checking, scheduling and reminding of everything going on in my life,
A Mother’s Long Winter Nap
On the last day of the year 2011, I retreated to my room for a nap. I figured I’d be resting for 45 minutes or maybe an hour, tops. Not quite. I went down for the count! That bit of a lie down turned out to be six hours of snooze time. I am not much of a napper; sleeping during the day always seems a bit odd to me. But I will happily lie down and read or look through magazines for a good long while which is what I normally do when I tell the boys I am taking a nap. But that afternoon I fell, and stayed, asleep. I got my flu shot a few months ago, so I’m not coming down with anything. I felt great all that morning, heading to the beach to walk in the warm sunshine and did the normal chores when I
