Sunday, July 20, 2014

Coffee and Blogs No. 7



Ben and I took this weekend off of adventuring.  We're focusing on errands: upgrading our phones, getting the boys bike helmets, clearing the back porch to prepare for a  remodel this week.  We had ice cream for dinner and Elliott is fighting a fever.  We're bumbling along at our own pace.  It's one of our only obligation-free weekends for the rest of the summer, and I'm loving taking it slow.

Here are some things to check out if you find yourself on the couch with strong coffee, buckling a helmet on your pajama'd son and feeling an early morning chill cool enough to pull a blanket over you lap.  Real life can start in an hour.

My friend Cait is my mama soul mate.  We did theater in college together and her son Vedder is a few months older than  Milo.  I love her thoughts on why she lets her son play with toy swords and guns.

"The kids aren’t eating enough vegetables. I’m not eating enough vegetables. I can’t remember the last time I actually scrubbed the bathroom floor. There are tiny balls of my hair in every corner of the house. I always say I’m going to organize all the papers on my desk but I never, ever do."  I love this writing, and how it could absolutely be a page DIRECTLY FROM MY LIFE.  Urine smell and grocery store parking lots included.  Blog added to reader, check.

Despite being exposed to a fair amount of untimely death in my life, I struggle deeply with knowing what to say or how to act when people I love or even like are grieving.  These tips on long-term support of people who have lost love ones were helpful to me.

This is definitely aimed at people who live in New England, but I found a Boston Globe article explaining the situation with the Demoulas family and the infighting over the control of the Market Basket grocery stores.  I've heard that there could be protests or walkouts by employees!

My all-time favorite clips from Mr. Rogers include a trip to the peanut butter factory and this video about how crayons are made.  I've honestly pictured this in my adult mind yearly when I fill my classroom's shared crayon bucket.  

I'm super into creating a mission statement right now, especially where my life is shifting from full-time-survival mode into a slightly more free place.  Here are one, two, three resources for being intentional and crafting a mission statement.  I'm hoping to gather more on my be your own lady Pinterest board.

I've done next to nothing to work on writing (outside of blogging) this summer.  I hoped to pitch articles to blogs and magazines, or at least to flesh out fiction stories that I'm always narrating in my mind.  I need to use this thoughtful schedule for people who freelance, which gives some structure to creative endeavors.  

Speaking of writing, here is some word craft for you: emotional vs. academic words, and commonly misused words (with explanations for correct usage!)

The Psychology of Colo(u)r is so interesting.  I believe this is used for marketing, but I like thinking of the effects in a paint color, or blog design.

This is what I was blogging about one year ago, two years ago, three years ago, and four years ago,  and five years ago, and six years ago.  Holy shit.  I have six years of July posts to look back on.   Blogging is a weird mirror to look in, and a pretty cool gift.

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6 Comments:

At July 20, 2014 at 4:05 PM , Blogger Becky Goerend said...

Oh, that "I'm gonna bash you" post came at the perfect time with a run-in we had a few weeks ago. Thank you for sharing!!

Becky
@bybmg

 
At July 20, 2014 at 7:06 PM , Blogger ashlie said...

I'm so glad you liked it! I'm "looking forward" to the bash/hit/slap phase- I look to Cait for guidance in pretty much all things :)

 
At July 21, 2014 at 3:47 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

home remodel! now you know I need to hear more about this :)

 
At July 22, 2014 at 10:48 PM , Blogger ashlie said...

Ah, I know! Our back porch is finally getting converted to a den! Ben and I will have our desks and BOOKS AND DVDS back there! Ben worked really hard to pick a contractor and get our financing. It's slated to be done this week! I can't wait to show you pictures.

 
At July 23, 2014 at 7:27 PM , Blogger gillian claire said...

OH my gosh, the video from Mr. Rogers on how crayons are made - I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! That is imprinted in my mind as well. So cool. :)

 
At July 24, 2014 at 12:53 PM , Blogger ashlie said...

Isn't it crazy!? I can hear his voice and see the weirdly liquidy wax PERFECTLY. I love you, Mr. Rogers!

 

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