Change

Change. In certain aspects of our life, we all want it. We ask for it. But do we have the discipline to do something about it? What do you want to change? Do you make New Year's resolutions just to dismiss them weeks later? Or do you pass over making resolutions all together because after-all "what's the point?" Or are you really good at making and keeping goals and resolutions?

I didn't make any New Year's resolutions for 2010. I didn't give it much thought really. To tell you the truth, now I'm thinking on it. I know, I know, it's almost February, but it is still a new year so I figure we still have time.


Resolution One: - b o r i n g - I know. It's a resolution that everybody picks, but it's necessary to be healthy. "Consume less sugar."

Ahhh, Sugar; it is delicious and addictive. I like it in my coffee, tea, cereal, wine, dessert, snacks, etc... I would be a pretty healthy eater if it weren't for this devil in disguise. No wonder Edmond was deceived by the old witch in The Chronicles of Narnia; she kept dangling Turkish Delight in his face. Have you ever had Turkish Delight? It's a square of jellied sugar covered with powdered sugar. Personally, I don't care how much I love sugar, I detest anything that is jellied. Excuse me while I gag. But the point is, that Edmond was controlled by his addiction to sugar.

Resolution Two: "Exercise more."

If we could count housework and constantly on the go as a legitimate exercise, then I would be good. Apparently someone sitting in a nice leather chair up in Washington making all these decisions has decided that legitimate exercise has to make our heart race until it feels like it's about to pop out of our chest.

So it appears that I need to change my ways; less sugar, more exercise. This is certainly obtainable if I can be disciplined enough to say no to the good stuff and yes to the sweaty stuff. My overall goal is to just live a healthier life.

So, the sugar reduction is just a matter of replacement; finding a healthy alternative. And the exercise is a matter of utilizing the gym at my school and the beautiful walking trail around the lake. Sounds easy on paper, right? Well, I will keep you updated on my progress.

Did you make any new year's resolutions? Do you have a goal you are trying to meet? How are you being disciplined in order to meet your goals?

Too Much To Do

There's always something to be done, isn't there? I mean, do we ever wake up and find all the laundry done, all the calls made, all the bills paid, homework done, can goods organized alphabetically, cars washed, dog groomed, Aunt Sally's birthday card in the mail, weeds pulled, grass cut, socks sorted, and dinner in the oven. We should be so lucky, right? American culture! We're so dang busy. And I'm sure all that busy stuff is important; after all we wouldn't be doing it if it were not. I didn't say we were idiots, just busy. Yes, you are right. Some people can be classified as a busy idiot, but that's not the topic for today.

So what do we do about it? How do we balance school, work, housework, spiritual time, social time, puppy time, me time, bill paying, exercise, a good night sleep, and oh yea 8 full glasses of water per day. That's alot of "stuff" to do! How do we prioritize everything so that it all gets done with a little time left over to just do "nothing?" We won't even mention Facebook, American Idol, and blogging.

On top of all that mandatory busy stuff mentioned previously, I also have short-term goals and long-term goals to throw a monkey wrench in the mix. Personally, I want to polish up on my piano playing, and further my piano playing skills. I want to lose about a 1000 pounds off my lard arse. I want to spend more time reading my bible (ironic that I should put that after using an Irish swear word - I have issues, you will see). I want to vacation in Ireland, Switzerland, Australia and Africa. I want to learn the Spanish language fluently. I want to learn sign language. I want to plow up my garden for Spring planting. I want to crochet a blanket, and I want to sew a duffle bag using my new pattern from Handcock Fabric.

Geez, I'm tired already. So how do we fit all this madness into a reasonable planner?

Wait, just a minute, I just thought of some really great things to cram into that endless list of "stuff" I want to do: "read another novel, bake a pound cake, and organize my hall closet."

Ok, where were we? Oh yes, I think first and foremost, I need a planner for my brain. My thoughts and ideas are out of control.

I think I will start by putting my plan on paper, listing first all that crap that I "have" to do, such as laundry, stopping for gas (I hate stopping for gas. No that's stupid. That's not going on the list) dinner, school work, housework...you get the picture.

Then I will list all the things that I "want" to do, such as reading, baking, crocheting, gardening.

Then maybe I will make a note by each on how long it will take to complete the things I want to do. Are you with me? Sound good so far? Then I'll have to decide which ones are more important than the other.

Wait, wait, wait...let's take a break. Let me tell you what the problem is so far with this plan. It all looks good on paper. And let me tell you, I will be in heaven spending hours writing and sorting and prioritizing. I love that stuff. I'm what you call a Staples Nerd. I love Staples (the store; you think I like real staples?). I love to organize, sort, create, fluff it up, put it together, and stick a bow on it. The problem we have here is, once the planning and prioritizing is done then you have to be disciplined to stick with the plan. Otherwise, you wake up a month down the road and find yourself back in the same chaos and blogging and whining about "too much to do."

So it appears that the moral of this story, or the blog is: discipline; discipline to stick to a plan.

So where do we buy that? Can I get it in a bottle at the pharmacy? Only two payments of $19.99 As Seen On TV? The discipline I know is when I got whipped with a belt for stealing a tube of lipstick at K-Mart on Cleveland Ave when I was 10. Believe me, I never did that again; steal lipstick or go to the K-Mart on Cleveland Ave. It's scary over there.

So what am I to do? I certainly can't whip out a belt whenever the schedule goes to hell. I mean I could, but that might be a little awkward if witnessed. :-/

Should I set up a reward system for sticking with the plan? And who decides the reward? Forget I asked that. I'm making up my own rewards. : ) In other words, how am I held accountable for my actions? I'm almost 40 years old. Do I really need a baby sitter? I think not.

So the new moral of the story, or the blog: Make a Plan, Stick To The Plan, and Be Held Accountable

Alright, what do you think? Do you think I have too many "wants?" Should I forget about learning sign language, or plowing my garden? What about being held accountable? Any volunteers?

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm completely incapable of accomplishing a single task. The issue is, that there are alot of things that I want to make time for, but I have alot on my plate already. Currently, family, housework, schoolwork, and spiritual time have to be on the priority.

So, how do you manage your time? Do you sacrifice things you want to do because your plate is full with the things that you have to do?

Why Blog in the First Place

I just decided to create a space to blog because I have so much to say, and frankly I don't want to be a Facebook Status over user. I mean really. Who wants to see someone's status every ten minutes that takes up the whole page. Well, I have a very colorful personality, I like to share my thoughts, opinions and experiences, but only for those that want to hear it.

So I created "Shut Your Pie Hole Marsha" for those that want to take a peak and read what I have to say. This way I can get it out there and not be so annoying to my fake friends on Facebook.

"Gasp!" Did I really just say fake? Out loud? Come on! You know the ones... the friends that send you a friend request, or the ones that accepted yours but you really don't care at all about each other. I guess the send or the acceptance was just for the number maybe. And you know the ones that meet the criteria. They are the ones that never ever ever comment anything you have to say, or any pictures you post. I guess I would be considered a fake facebook friend to some if I completely and utterly ignored someone all the time.

Well my friends, I am what you call an equal opportunity commenter. I try to do my best to spread the love by commenting people's status without being a stalker. Not because I have to, but because I do care about people's crumby feelings. I actually use that little suggestion box to the right that says "keep in touch with xyz and write on their wall." I see a name and think, ya know they are right, I need to say hello to xyz, so I do. Sometimes I just write, "hello" but at least I do. If you are on my Facebook friends then you know that I either love you, like you, think you are pretty cool, or well I don't have any ill feelings toward ya. So there, my commenting is strictly out of love and not charity.

So begins "Shut Your Pie Hole Marsha" to keep all my fake friends happy that don't really give a shmack about what I have to say. To all others, God Bless you for entertaining me a bit.