Reboot . . .

I am not a blogger, not an avid one, anyway. I just don't have the heart of a writer. I have started this blog over and over . . . and I never find the motivation, the time or the inspiration needed to keep up with it. I envy those who do. I have many blogs I love, most of them in the cooking or crafting realm (though I admit that I craft vicariously though the bloggers), and I am always amazed at how creative they are and how they have so much to share. I, myself, can't even bring myself to update my staus on Facebook, much less keep up with blogs or Twitter (sorry to the 19 poor souls who currently follow me).

What can I share with you today? I'll start with my name. My name is Nicole . . . fair start. I am 33 years old, married and a mother of 3 . . . there, now you know even more about me.

I love to cook, but rarely follow a recipe exactly and rarely write down any of my own cooking experiments that work, which often makes my cooking successes one-of-a-kind.

I love photography and took a few classes in college, but never really followed up with it and I would love to start up again and really try to learn something this time around.

I am an actress who has not been in the theater since before my first child was born about 8 years ago . . . another thing I would love to get back to if I ever find the time.

I have Crohn's Disease. I was diagnosed when I was 16 years old and it is not very well controlled at the moment, though I am have learned to live with it. I am forever in pursuit of weening myself off of all the medication in favor of a better diet/exercise program that will help me take control of my symptoms. Really, the meds aren't working and the side effects are often as bad as the disease itself.

Right now, I am reading "Crazy, Sexy Diet" by Kris Carr. If you aren't familiar with Kris, you should get to know her work. She is funny and inspirational, two of my favorite traits in a person. I am half-way through the book so far and have learned very valuable tips for taking control of your life in the face of chronic illness. Though I will admit that a lot of what she advocates just isn't feasible in my world, the information is very valuable and I have found ways to tailor it to my needs (and my budget) so far. Definitely a worth-while read.

Well, this ends the sharing portion of our program for the evening. In the words of George Carlin, "Toodle-loo, go with God and don't take any wooden nickels."

Ah, Motivation, how you mock me . . .

Well, I continue to weed through my magazine collection - it's amazing how little I really needed most of them. Sure - there is a recipe here, an exercize there that I would love to recall or actually USE (ha ha ha, right) later . . . but mostly it's just intersting tidbits I read, find facinating and then quickly forget. Apparently, my brain is better at clearing mental clutter then I am at clearing physical clutter.

Also, it has been a month full of Christmas in our household . . . last week was mostly devoted to decorating, this week is filled with baking and planning menus. Yesterday we made Chocolate Lacies and Swiss Cinnamon Crisps . A word about the cinnamon crisps . . . these things are seriously addictive. This was our first batch ever and we have already declared them the Greenwood Family's Favorite Cookie EVER. Seriously. That's saying something. Getting two adults and 3 children to agree to ANYTHING is miraculous in itself, but these . . . wow. Try them. NOW.

Yesterday we also made the dough for ice box sugar cookies and cream cheese thumbprint cookies - both of which will be baked tonight. On deck for tomorrow is julekake, a tradition in my husband's family. With all this baking, I find it easy to go into info overload - so many blogs w/ so many delicious looking recipes to try . . . so few days left until Christmas.

A Confession . . .

My life is too cluttered with help. What do I mean by this? Well, I am a self-help junkie. I have tons of books on how to be a snappy dresser, a gourmet cook (while still cramming in the requisite amount of healthy grains and produce), a financial whiz, a buff goddess (so I can look good in all those snappy clothes), an interior decorator, a bon vivant, and still earn the title of the "World's Greatest Mom". And if you move on from the bookshelf, you will find a regular periodical library - magazines on parenting, cooking, make-up, exercise . . . because, really, who has time to read an entire book these days? Let's not even discuss the myriad of bookmarks in my FireFox favorites file for the tons of blog articles I have read and wanted to remember and have never checked again. Too Much.

Do I think there is something wrong with me? Well, not really - no more than that average woman, I am willing to wager. But don't we all want to be "that woman"? You know the one - who keeps her house, car and life immaculate, despite her 1.5 perfect children. Yes, she is a myth. And all the info in the world won't make me "that woman". But there is something soothing in thinking that a little bit of perfection is attainable. So the clutter of perfection collects and piles up in my life - a constant reminder of what I have yet to achieve.

Well - no more! Am I going cold-turkey? No way! I still need my blog carnivals, after all. But it will no longer take over my home. I am clearing it out - starting with the magazines. In what is sure to be a longer task than I am anticipating, I am making it my mission to go through all my magazines, read what I want from them, then toss them in the recycle bin. Sounds so easy and so small - but believe me when I say this is a Herculean task I have before me. Wish me luck.

I LOVE Naked Juice!

Ok, anyone who know me knows this: I am a HUGE fan of Naked Juice . . . especially their Green Machine . . . mmmmmmm! Yesterday, I discovered a new flavor of Naked Juice: Chai Spiced Cider. I am a big fan of apple cider, but I am usually pretty leery of things marked "chai flavored". They tend to be to strong for me in the spice department. So I bought this flavor fearing that I may have found the one variety of Naked Juice I absolutely hate . . . WRONG! OMG, love, love, LOVE this stuff! It's a perfect blend of spices that isn't overwhelming. If you liek spice cider, you love this - delicious! Highly recommended!

I'm back!

Okay, I never really went anywhere, but finding time for a blog has proven difficult, to say the very least. Three kids, a job and moving . . . yes, we are in the process of moving, too. Crazy.

So I have noticed something recently. We, as a society, have an interest in steps. Not stair step, checklist step. Step-by-step steps. Goals achieved by breaking then up. Self Magazine has even added a section based on this idea. Improve your beauty routine In 30 Days . . . become an environmentalist is 30 days . . . you get the idea. There is the 100 Push-Up Challenge. The 90 Day Challenge. Does anyone try these? I like the idea, but I don't have time for even "step-by-step", it seems. Isn't that sad? I may try a few, but I am not hopeful that I have the motivation to stick with it for long. We shall see.

Anyway, Happy Election Day! Go vote!

My Girls Enjoying Archaeology Day at the local Half-Price Books :)

Yet Another Poem That I Love . . .

INVITATION

If you are a dreamer, come in.
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer . . .
If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire,
For we have some flax golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!

from "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein