Heather says:
It’s a chilly rainy, November morning and I’m trying to get up the wherewithal to head to church across town. When it’s not my turn with the kids, I sometimes have a very hard time forcing myself to head to Mass even though I know I’ll feel better having gone. It’s more of an inertia problem than an I don’t want to.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these, right after my first vacation was the last, I think.
Life isn’t the perfection of magazines, TV, and Instagram. All of those platforms are framed and lit to show the best (or worst if that’s what you’re into) of a situation. No one is perfect. We all have our faults and insecurities. The Sunday Confessional is a chance to admit some of those faults rather than trying to live up to the impossible ideals of the media we subject ourselves to.
Here are the ridiculous things I do that I just want to put out there (and maybe learn some of you do the same?):
I add any old book title to my 7 year old’s stupid reading log. That child reads more than I do. There are books in every corner of my house, the car, and in her bookbag. It’s rare not to catch her reading and there is no way on God’s green earth I’m going to make her recount to me the title and author of every thing she has read that day. I don’t have time for that crap, it’s annoying. She’s met the quota.
Last weekend as part of my job at FeedBlitz, I created a screencast demonstrating how to create what’s called a re-engagement campaign. This a process publishers can use to make sure the people in the newsletter are actually reading and interacting. Ho hum… except I was using my own account to create the demo and the list associated with this website to populate the campaign, just to show how it really works. I finished my project and went back to my weekend and I completely forgot to turn off the dummy automated email I had scheduled as part of the project. And it gets worse, I also forgot to turn off the automated scheduled mailings of the posts here on this site. /facepalm So not only did everyone receive a fake We Missed You, they also received two copies of the post. Good job, Heather.
I am getting rid of a piece of furniture via Craig’s List. Because I am ridiculously ashamed of the state of the fixer-upper, I’ve made my boyfriend handle the interactions. When a couple came over to look at it last night, I went and hid in the bedroom until they left. The house is clean, I just haven’t gotten to any of the rooms you see when you walk in the front door. The squatter did a number on the walls and door frames and I can’t deal with people thinking I did that my home. Even people who I’ll probably never see again.
Speaking of Craig’s List, I got all excited when Craig Newmark and I talked on Twitter not too long ago (I’m a big geek)
And the final one, the big and true one. . . I need to fix my priorities. The last few years I buried myself in work, it was easier than facing the mess of everything. Now that my life is in order and I have the ability, head and heart-space to do so, I need to work on showing my friends how much they matter to me, by making them a priority, too. How do you show your friends they matter to you after you’ve neglected them for too long?
What do you have to get off your chest?
Thanksgiving is coming. As I grow older ,I’ve lost a few along the way. Its important to tell people you love them. And what it is you love about them. Even one’s that are just known from a blog. I love you Heather for your honesty, your perseverance You make me laugh. You help me get thru the doldrums that life can sometimes be. You help make life easier & be able to go about the act of everyday living with a good sense of humor. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words, Kacey.
I’m glad you appreciate my quirky sense of humor. If I couldn’t laugh, I’d cry
Hi Heather! Sunday morning hugs to you. Can I just say, I can relate? In so many ways I know exactly what you mean…and I feel for you deeply. I was being so smart this morning, and unsubscribing to all those emails that I really don’t need…then realized I deleted 2 of the ones I enjoy the most. Yours, and another one. However, although I remember it is one I enjoy, I can’t for the life of me remember which one I unsubscribed from…yet! I’ll figure it out eventually. A few more cups of coffee and the most inopportune moment, and I’ll get it! I know I will. Keep the faith darling. I came back to you, you came back to us. All is good <3 Love and hugs to you!
I completely understand the remembering at an inopportune moment. There will be a word on the tip of my tongue and then a week later I’ll shout it randomly when it finally hits.
Getting old is going to be a treat, no?
I’m glad you came back, too 🙂
You are a real person! In a good way. Keep it up.
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate the encouragement. 🙂
Real is underrated. Hugs to you. And a short, handwritten note to a friend can go a long way. 🙂
Thank you, Kelly. That is a good suggestion.
So I came home last night to find a huge package on our dining room table. I can’t tell you how tickled I was to see Home-Ec 101 as the sender! It was like Christmas, except just in time for Thanksgiving dinner! As rough as things have been for you these past few years (and I know that’s the world’s biggest understatement), I hope sending it felt like a victory (however small) and that this holiday season brings nothing but peace, joy, and fond remembrances to you and yours.
And I hope it brings yummy southern eats to me and mine! ;p
Getting that mailed was a big deal, in my head anyhow. I was just really hoping that you hadn’t moved as I’ve moved twice in that interim.
It has been a rough ride, but things are so much better now. I hope you enjoy the book. I wish you all the best.
I was impressed you still had my address! You rock!
I am so over the planning and execution of birthdays for children. I don’t even do big pay-for-the-hall/restaurant/adventure things or party favors, and not even themes anymore. I don’t decorate the cakes anymore.
I just don’t care. *sigh* My 8yo’s party was last night, and while it turned out to be really fun, I dragged my feet getting it set up. I feel like a terrible mom.
I think what I resent the most, overall, is anything that I am the sole responsibility for achieving. If I don’t do it, it won’t happen.
Your 8yo had a cake? Knew that people thought they were special?
I’d say that’s really all that matters for a kid.
Pinterest may disagree, but it doesn’t have to be over the top to matter.
I know I can’t find enthusiasm when I’m tired -which happens a lot. For the first time in forever I’ve got the energy to do things happily with the kids rather than begrudgingly. Hang in there, make sure you’re taking care of you and the tide will change.
Yep. I set a time and date, got a cake, fed people, managed to remember our gift and card, and wrapped before the middle of the party. lol
She is so very loved- that’s plenty. Thanks. 🙂