Temporary? Insanity

I really, really need to read the manual.
Only 6500 words to go!

So I’ve been trying to get a picture of the girls, together, in matching dresses, both smiling. As you can see, I’ve had varying levels of success. Every photo session ends with Becca crying (see number five) and Emma laughing maniacally. I quit.
And as I have two days to write 10,000 words, today’s post consists of a poll. Which of the above pictures would you choose for me to send out in my Christmas cards?

Which[...]

I’ve recently been blessed with some fabulous, fascinating reads, and because I’m the wonderfully generous gal I am, I decided to share them with you. Aren’t I a sweetheart? (Answers to this question should be written in essay format and submitted by email)
Thud, Terry Pratchett

I’ve never read a Terry Pratchett book that I didn’t enjoy on some level, but there are certain of his books which I feel like I enjoy on all levels. Thud certainly covers a broad range[...]

This past year has been one of struggle, self-awareness, and redefinition. I’ve skimmed through my archives, noticing recurring themes, posts with different titles but similar messages. I’ve learned that happiness is a choice, that being a Mom isn’t enough for me, and that my tendency to be a social hermit makes me miserable.
I tackled all three of those issues yesterday. I had a party. This may seem like a simple thing to do, but the aforementioned social hermit in me?[...]

Have you ever been too happy to write? Too wrapped up in savoring a moment to intrude upon it with the banality of mere words?
I will describe this feeling for you. Tomorrow.

…instead of writing a brilliant blog post.
Went to church.
Packed up Halloween stuff and unpacked Christmas stuff.
Decorated the house.
Reorganized the basement.
Cleaned out Becca’s closet.
Pulled out and packed up all the girls’ “too small” clothes.
Cleaned the kitchen.
Messed up the kitchen – while making yummy ginger snaps.
Reorganized the mud room.
Wrote a chapter of my novel.
Folded four loads of laundry.
Felt guilty about that whole keeping the Sabbath Day holy thing.

“There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.” Oscar Levant
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein
“Insanity — a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.” R. D. Lang
“Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children.” Sam Levenson
“Insanity destroys reason, but not wit.” Nathaniel Emmons
“The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.” – Unknown
“The statistics on sanity are that[...]

My regular readers know that I am completely mental. As in mad. The stark raving version.
But they put up with me because a) I have cute kids b) I’m unfailingly honest c) the aforementioned honesty causes me to sacrifice my dignity and make them feel better about themselves and d) did you see the pictures of the cute kids?
The most recent addition to the mounting pile of evidence? The degree to which my mental to do list[...]

Emma. My first. My most challenging. My nemesis. My sweetheart.

This year has been a trying one with Emma. I often pause to remind myself that her stubborn nature will serve her well later in life. The strengths she exhibits in her quest to drive her mother mental will some day carry her through difficult trials. Like, say, the trial of raising a strong willed child.

Oi.

There have been days when after greeting Neil with the usual[...]

This is a small peek at the mantel of our living room fireplace. On it, you see a piece of carved stonework from a local gift shop. Sometimes, I find myself smiling at it, or arching my eyebrows cynically. I’ve even thought about tucking it away somewhere, because I’m trying to escape my former self. The self who embodies all things cheesy and eye roll worthy.
And I got to thinking about how sad that[...]