Wiping my way up the corporate ladder

Thankful Monday.


No media for 2 days?
What was I thinking?
Seriously.
I must admit failure.

Why is it that something I was without for so long- way back in '07, before Internet graced the cables wrapped so ungracefully around my house- was so hard to once again not have- even for a measly 48 hours?

Through my husband's work, we have lap tops at our beckon call. There are 3 in the house right now.
It seemed every time I passed through my family room, they were taunting me. You know, like:
Camille, come to us....we are much more fun than dishes....or laundry........ we don't care if you stay in your pajamas all day. We will let your baby slobber on us.....we would love to waste untold amounts of your time......

So, of course, like the good, ambitious mother that I am, I snuck a few log-ins, checked a few blogs, perused a few fave sites and sent a few e-mails.

You all realize that the challenges I post each week are more for me, what I know I need to work on- not so much what I think all of the rest of you need. I am selfish like that.
I really needed this last one- but not necessarily so that I stop using the media- just to remind myself to prioritize a little better.
Why do I love blogging so much? My husband doesn't get it, but I think that I have finally figured it out.
Back in the day, I loved to go to work. I really did. It was fun. I thrived on the busy pace and in's and out's of the business world. There was always drama to hear about and new people to meet. I had great friends at work.
Ever since I joined the labor force as a teen, my social circles always included my co-workers. Meggan in high school. Amy in college. Debbie in my "career" days. Of course, I can't forget Lindsy, Breanne, Patty, Lori, Hillary........... you get the idea.
Then, I took an early retirement.....unfortunately, "retiring" at the age of 23 doesn't offer a pension plan........to be a stay-at-home-mom.
I moved across the state, and began my new life of seclusion with my children. And, don't get me wrong, I love it, and for me, staying home with my kids is very rewarding..... but I have missed the camaraderie of co-workers. Even after living in this area for 5 years, I still feel that my real friends are back home, the ones who I have experienced things with.

Voila. I discovered blogs. All of the sudden, I have co-workers again. Friends. Women out there doing amazing things in the corporate world and women doing amazing things in the home world. And, the best part is that we are all sharing it with each other- our feats, and our failures.

There are other women going through exactly the same things I am going through. We have the similar work hours. The pay scale is comparable (non-existent), there are unlimited available positions, and we all have the same glamorous duties of wiping.
Yes, that is right. Wiping.

I am thankful today, on the great Ponytail Challenge Thankful Monday, for you, my "co-workers" and of course, my wiping career. What is the job description of a Wiper you might ask- well.......'

The ability to wipe: poop, mud, (sometimes you are unsure of which), food, soap, and any other "smooshable" substance off of a variety of surfaces, including: skin, wood, walls, carpet, toys, leather, fabric, plastic or hair. If you are extremely skilled, the ability to wipe poop out of hair must be acknowledged, however, not monetarily rewarded. No further info available on this particular situation- which I surely have sent to my repressed memory.

So, co-workers: what are you thankful for today?
AND- what is your job description?

CHALLENGE............Media Meltdown

Just over 2 years ago, we moved our little family out of the ghetto in the city to a "fixer-upper" in the country. Since most of our budget was blown on the "fixer-upper" part of the equation, we cut out the "extra's." Out with Kellogg's and in with Malt O' Meal. Good bye bottled water, hello tap. We put a little more effort into opening the windows at night and not using the AC. We did not get the Internet.
And, really, truly, I did not even miss it all that much.....
until we got it back.

After 1 1/2 years off-line, we rejoined this century and justified the expense.
Of course, the plan was to bank on line, pay bills, be able to email.............. then I discovered the world of blogs. At 8 months pregnant with heartburn keeping me awake and nothing but infomercials on tv, I became a woman obsessed.
How had I missed so much technology change in such a short amount of time? And, my-oh-my, have I made up for lost time.
All of the sudden I felt like I had friends surrounding me. Blogging is like having co-workers to bond with. Being a stay-at-home-mom, living out in the country, surrounded by fields, the Internet all of the sudden connected me to the adult world again. I could have a much-needed girls' night out just by sitting on my couch and gabbing through the keyboard.
Fast forward 7 months, and my family seems to be constantly plugged in- one way or another. My children watch way too much tv while "mommy is working" on the computer, working, riiigghhtt. Once the evening news comes on, the TV seems to stay on much longer than needed and I check this blog for all of your lovely comments ridiculously often.

CHALLENGE..........Media Meltdown

Pick your time frame. (For me, it will be 2 days, a full 48 hours).
Go without any media for that time. No TV and no Internet. Depending on your situation, you might want to throw in Ipods, texting, etc.


I am hoping to use my new "free time" this week to play catch- up after the big family vacation. Besides housework, maybe I will be a better mom for a few days- read a few more books & play a few more games. Maybe I will be a better wife- a little calmer, a little more "on top of it." Maybe, and mostly what I want, is to be a better me for a few days- a little -A LOT- more productive and to re-align my priorities.

Can you do it? Will you even consider trying? How much do you rely on the Internet and TV in your life?