A New Day, A New Blog

As my first sentence uttered on this blog, I will admit that I have lost count of the number of times that I have attempted to start a blog in the past.  Upon reflection, I realize that most of these failures stem from the fact that I never found a focus, never found my voice.  Without a voice and something to say with it, you are basically just hoping that your mom and grandma check in every once in awhile to see how you're doing....and let's face it, we now have Facebook for that!  How to find one's voice, then?  I am reminded  of the perennial interview/application question, "what one word do you think describes you?"  and the best word that I can think of is always "resourceful."  I am not totally certain how good of an answer this is in an interview, so don't "take my word" for it (aren't I punny).  However, it certainly does describe me, and leads me to what I have chosen to use my voice for in this blog.  

 

Let me explain.  I am one of those people who decides they want to do something, and just figures out how to make it happen.  Case(s) in point: 

 

1) I decided many years ago that I wanted to be able to eat really well at home, and I taught myself how to cook.  Now, I don't want to brag start off by bragging, but I seriously went from thinking that "cooking" entailed microwaving Easy Mac my freshman year of college, to being able to lay out a 3 course gourmet meal for 6-8 people.  It was fun, it was hard; it was delicious, it was fattening; I now consider myself an ever-evoloving cook.  I'm sure I will write about cooking plenty, because I derive great pleasure from finding a challenging and yummy recipe, finding the perfect ingredients, and of course enjoying the results.  I am also regularly humbled by recipes that didn't turn out quite perfect.....that is....that didn't turn out edible.  Such is the adventure of life!

 

2) One day as I was sorting through my junkmail (and likely eating junk food and candy, though I can't totally remember), I saw a notice for the start of a marathon training program, Team in Training.  To that point in my life, I was one of those people who sat outside and read books during recess, thought the mile run in gym class was torture, and derived most of my physical activity walking from the kitchen to the living room couch.  But for some unknown reason, I decided that day to complete a marathon.  And I did.

3) My husband and I bought our first home in April 2008, and promptly decided to being remodeling.  We ripped up carpet, bought wood laminate flooring, and installed it all ourselves.  We painted, patched, built, rebuilt, designed.  We were quite resourceful, and we are still quite proud.

I could go on, but the list would start to get boring.  That's why I'm starting the blog.  Because all in all, none of the above stories are quite that interesting by themselves.  But the process of discovering new interests and developing new skills is often one filled with hillarity, desperation, frustration and joy.  And I want to share with whoever happens to be interested!

So what am I "cooking up" as of late?  That is, what can you expect me to be writing about in the coming weeks/months/however long I can keep this up this time?

Well, I just got a sewing machine.  Because, you know me (kind of), I just decided I wanted to be able to sew!  The last thing I sewed was some strange looking plush circle with a face on it in sixth grade home ec (the only 6 weeks of home ec class I ever took).   I have stocked my house with clothing patterns, quilt kits, etc.....and am looking forward to training myself to sew.  I have yet to learn to thread the machine.  Be prepared for my adventures in sewing!

I have, as of 3 days ago, joined an exercise program called "Pure Barre."  This program is basically designed to make your muscles long, strong and lean, which my muscles have never been (remember, I have suffered through a marathon but I am certainly no athlete).  The first day I went, I literally felt like I had melted into a puddle and my muscles had liquified.  The second day I went, I did much better.  The third time . . . well, that is where I am headed as soon as I hit "publish," so I suppose I'll let you know more about the third time at a later time.

And the reason that I am so interested in toning up right now?  Well, I had my first baby, Evelyn Rose, in August.  And THAT has been the greatest endeavor of all....because I certainly didn't know how to be a mom.

With that, I will end my first blog post with a quote. 

 

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Because while I like to start life projects from scratch, I believe that every day really starts from scratch.....make of it what you will, and then get up and do it again the next day....or in the words of my cute grandfather, "keep on keeping on."