As of late, I spend most of my social media time on Instagram. I've recently discovered my love of organizing and creating uplifting spaces. I knew this was always inside of me, but I feel like somehow recently I discovered it in a new way. So I post organization tips and ideas as well as motivation for living with less and living more intentionally. You can check that out on Instagram via @orderamidstchaos.
Along this journey I have learned that I am deeply moved by the ideas of minimalism and essentialism as well as intentionalism. It's a struggle for me to be intentional at times. We live in a world full of distraction. Some good, some not as good. As a mother, there are always things coming at me, and I constantly have to access what is of value and what isn't. The benefits of minimalism are that idly is easier to be intentional and thus, be an essentialist.
I am in the process of re-decluttering my house. And organizing it again since moving in nine months ago. It feels good to rethink the ownership of items that were just stashed away on shelves when we moved in, or that were left behind. Although I do not regret buying the home we did, there are some disadvantages to having so many places to stow stuff... less reason to get rid of things we don't need. The items I struggle with most to shed: those that are physical/digital. This includes photos, recipes, and music. Part of me wants to just throw it all away. But I know that doesn't work either. It's these last few things that are really making my head spin. But making tough choices is good for me.
As I have studied minimalism in particular, and as I have been preparing to teach a class to my local Relief Society sisters, I have been drawn to the scriptures. There really is quite a bit of information that supports minimalism and living with less... mostly with the way we view possessions in general. I hope to create further posts on the scriptures that I have found, as well as quotations from General Conference addresses.
Friday, April 7, 2017
Monday, April 30, 2012
Simon and Garfunkel
I have loved Simon and Garfunkel for a long time. Ever since I was a young teenager singing it aloud in the shower to my parent's old cassette tapes. To me, it's pure poetry. Can you think of more poetic music than what these guys created? I mean, who else can name a song: A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) and get away with it? They even sing about poetry: "You read your Emily Dickinson, and I my Robert Frost..." and they expand on the mysterious world of Richard Cory, a supposed fictitious character brought to life though Edwin Arlington Robinson's 1897 poem.
Speaking of Robinson, try The Graduate. Before there was Dan in Real Life, (500) Days of Summer, and Friday Night Lights, Simon and Garfunkel did the entire movie soundtrack thing.
And back to poetry... bring on the nature.
"Hey Sunshine, I haven't seen you in a long time. Why don't you show your face and then mind mine?"
"But look around, leaves are brown now / And the sky is a hazy shade of winter. Look around,
leaves are brown / There's a patch of snow on the ground."
"April come she will
When streams are ripe and swelled with rain;
May, she will stay,
Resting in my arms again
June, she´ll change her tune,
In restless walks she´ll prowl the night;
July, she will fly
And give no warning to her flight.
August, die she must,
The autumn winds blow chilly and cold;
September I´ll remember.
A love once new has now grown old."
Just now I am realizing how many of these songs my mom sang to me growing up:
"Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme"
"Slow down, you move too fast. You gotta make the moment last..."
Not only is the music inspiring (ie: Anji) but the lyrics and vocals are uplifting.
Although difficult to choose a favorite, I think my all time favorite is The Sound of Silence with a close following by For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.
So what's your favorite Simon and Garfunkel song?
Speaking of Robinson, try The Graduate. Before there was Dan in Real Life, (500) Days of Summer, and Friday Night Lights, Simon and Garfunkel did the entire movie soundtrack thing.
And back to poetry... bring on the nature.
"Hey Sunshine, I haven't seen you in a long time. Why don't you show your face and then mind mine?"
"But look around, leaves are brown now / And the sky is a hazy shade of winter. Look around,
leaves are brown / There's a patch of snow on the ground."
"April come she will
When streams are ripe and swelled with rain;
May, she will stay,
Resting in my arms again
June, she´ll change her tune,
In restless walks she´ll prowl the night;
July, she will fly
And give no warning to her flight.
August, die she must,
The autumn winds blow chilly and cold;
September I´ll remember.
A love once new has now grown old."
Just now I am realizing how many of these songs my mom sang to me growing up:
"Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme"
"Slow down, you move too fast. You gotta make the moment last..."
Not only is the music inspiring (ie: Anji) but the lyrics and vocals are uplifting.
Although difficult to choose a favorite, I think my all time favorite is The Sound of Silence with a close following by For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.
So what's your favorite Simon and Garfunkel song?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Food, Free Music, and God's Laws
My sister-in-law, Cami, sent me a book about a year ago entitled, Listography. She knows I think in lists, and this book is all about journaling via lists. So, right up my alley. I know. I think in lists, work in lists, and organize in lists. I have about a zillion things going on in my head today, so thus a list is born:
I recently learned that my local library offers free song downloads to card members each week. Three per week, which doesn't seem like much, but it does add up. Through Freegal, I have discovered many new artists and enjoyed getting new, free music every week. (Using my daughter's and husband's cards as well= nine new songs a week). They don't have it all, but they have a lot. New artists I have enjoyed as of late: My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, The Avett Brothers, Peter Bjorn and John, Bon Iver, Ray LaMontagne, Phoenix, and 2Cellos.
My exercising at home has not been going well since we got our new dog, had sickies, visitors, etc. Luckily, I have found the joy of dog walking. Yes, with the weather improving most rapidly to boot, I have been loving taking our Ollie for a walk every day. I use the time to think, reflect, indulge in my most recent musical downloads, enjoy the outdoors, and exercise of course. One day I walked to Lake Tye, around and back home. About 3 miles total. I know to all those marathon runners, etc. this is piddly, but it's a milestone enough for me.
I have really been trying to eat healthier. We love our carbs around here, so it's a struggle. But I have been more conscience about adding more veggies with dinner, eating more whole grains, and substituting sugars and fats. I've been eating smoothies, using Greek Yogurt more, substituting whole wheat flour for white, even a little at a time to adjust my tastes, steaming frozen veggies over our pasta noodles, and justifying the cost of produce over prepackaged snack foods. If you know me at all, I just really struggle with food. I love to eat, I need to eat, I like to cook at times, but it doesn't come easily to me. I'd rather bake. But baking usually doesn't create a meal. I don't even crave dinner foods per se. It's hard to come up with meal ideas on a regular basis for my family, let alone healthy ones. I have recently reorganized my personal cookbook and have enjoyed finding new ideas on Pinterest and Pasplore. Pasplore is an amazing website created by a friend of ours, and can grab recipes from the web and save them to your recipe folders. I love order like this (thus again: lists) and it's been nice to have a visual representation of the food we make, as well as a way to find new recipes to make. They continue to add new resources each day to the site, and it's been fun watching it grow. Some of my new fave recipes: Double Chocolate Chip Muffins, Pepperoni Pizza Rolls, and Homemade Granola Bars.
In key with that, for two weeks in a row, we have had Sunday dinner invites. I love it! LOVE it. I love to see what and how other people create food and meals for their families. I'm slightly obsessed with it in fact. I love to try new foods without the pressure of wasting it or the money to make it if it's unliked, and it's fun to add new foods to our repertoire. Of course, I also love not having to decide what to make nor getting it all together in a timely fashion. (Both weaknesses of mine)
I have been amazed at how my cooking abilities have evolved since I was first on my own. Of course the factors have changed since cooking for myself, then for my husband and me, and then adding two wiggly picky eaters in the mix. My tastes mature as times goes on. I make less chicken dishes that appall and am slowly adapting to creating an entire meal as opposed to just an entree. In fact, I make very few of the dishes I did when I was first married.
A dream came true yesterday. The weather was delightful; the blossoms all out, giving the air sweet smelling goodness. I had a vague idea for dinner, but set out to the park around 5 pm with them to play in the glorious sunshine anyway. I painted my toes a delightful shade of orangey yellow, because I was wearing flip-flops (and shorts!), played, watched the girls play, and then my husband and dog joined in the fun after work. We arrived home later. They played in the backyard, counting how many of our peas had come up so far. I made homemade baked macaroni and cheese for dinner with broccoli. And strawberries and cream for dessert. We ate it outside. It was heavenly. Just enjoying a meal together outside. A dream come true.
A friend came over today, and I was telling her this realization I had awhile ago. Thought I'd share. There are two strict laws from God regarding life: no killing and no sexual relationships outside of marriage ie: procreation. As in no taking life away or creating life. Without His consent. He concedes when we are married to the creation of life. He also concedes to taking others' lives away in certain situations (ie: Nephi and Laban in The Book of Mormon). Only He can give us permission to alter life we may say. This is just fascinating to me. That's all.
I recently learned that my local library offers free song downloads to card members each week. Three per week, which doesn't seem like much, but it does add up. Through Freegal, I have discovered many new artists and enjoyed getting new, free music every week. (Using my daughter's and husband's cards as well= nine new songs a week). They don't have it all, but they have a lot. New artists I have enjoyed as of late: My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, The Avett Brothers, Peter Bjorn and John, Bon Iver, Ray LaMontagne, Phoenix, and 2Cellos.
My exercising at home has not been going well since we got our new dog, had sickies, visitors, etc. Luckily, I have found the joy of dog walking. Yes, with the weather improving most rapidly to boot, I have been loving taking our Ollie for a walk every day. I use the time to think, reflect, indulge in my most recent musical downloads, enjoy the outdoors, and exercise of course. One day I walked to Lake Tye, around and back home. About 3 miles total. I know to all those marathon runners, etc. this is piddly, but it's a milestone enough for me.
I have really been trying to eat healthier. We love our carbs around here, so it's a struggle. But I have been more conscience about adding more veggies with dinner, eating more whole grains, and substituting sugars and fats. I've been eating smoothies, using Greek Yogurt more, substituting whole wheat flour for white, even a little at a time to adjust my tastes, steaming frozen veggies over our pasta noodles, and justifying the cost of produce over prepackaged snack foods. If you know me at all, I just really struggle with food. I love to eat, I need to eat, I like to cook at times, but it doesn't come easily to me. I'd rather bake. But baking usually doesn't create a meal. I don't even crave dinner foods per se. It's hard to come up with meal ideas on a regular basis for my family, let alone healthy ones. I have recently reorganized my personal cookbook and have enjoyed finding new ideas on Pinterest and Pasplore. Pasplore is an amazing website created by a friend of ours, and can grab recipes from the web and save them to your recipe folders. I love order like this (thus again: lists) and it's been nice to have a visual representation of the food we make, as well as a way to find new recipes to make. They continue to add new resources each day to the site, and it's been fun watching it grow. Some of my new fave recipes: Double Chocolate Chip Muffins, Pepperoni Pizza Rolls, and Homemade Granola Bars.
In key with that, for two weeks in a row, we have had Sunday dinner invites. I love it! LOVE it. I love to see what and how other people create food and meals for their families. I'm slightly obsessed with it in fact. I love to try new foods without the pressure of wasting it or the money to make it if it's unliked, and it's fun to add new foods to our repertoire. Of course, I also love not having to decide what to make nor getting it all together in a timely fashion. (Both weaknesses of mine)
I have been amazed at how my cooking abilities have evolved since I was first on my own. Of course the factors have changed since cooking for myself, then for my husband and me, and then adding two wiggly picky eaters in the mix. My tastes mature as times goes on. I make less chicken dishes that appall and am slowly adapting to creating an entire meal as opposed to just an entree. In fact, I make very few of the dishes I did when I was first married.
A dream came true yesterday. The weather was delightful; the blossoms all out, giving the air sweet smelling goodness. I had a vague idea for dinner, but set out to the park around 5 pm with them to play in the glorious sunshine anyway. I painted my toes a delightful shade of orangey yellow, because I was wearing flip-flops (and shorts!), played, watched the girls play, and then my husband and dog joined in the fun after work. We arrived home later. They played in the backyard, counting how many of our peas had come up so far. I made homemade baked macaroni and cheese for dinner with broccoli. And strawberries and cream for dessert. We ate it outside. It was heavenly. Just enjoying a meal together outside. A dream come true.
A friend came over today, and I was telling her this realization I had awhile ago. Thought I'd share. There are two strict laws from God regarding life: no killing and no sexual relationships outside of marriage ie: procreation. As in no taking life away or creating life. Without His consent. He concedes when we are married to the creation of life. He also concedes to taking others' lives away in certain situations (ie: Nephi and Laban in The Book of Mormon). Only He can give us permission to alter life we may say. This is just fascinating to me. That's all.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Choosing to be a Mother
As most of you know, I like movies, tv shows, music, and books a little too much. I just love how they create emotion and bring everything from life to life in concrete and unique ways. Have you seen Mona Lisa Smile? I just like that movie. And probably most for the scene below: (It's not very high quality, and cuts off... but you get the idea)
I have just been thinking a lot about choosing everyday what I choose. Every day I wake up and choose to be a good mother or a mediocre mother. A good wife or a mediocre wife. Being a homemaker is such funny job really. It isn't measured by yearly evaluations, nor by promotions or raises. (In fact, when we get promotions, we usually have to learn to live on less money as opposed to earning more). It's measured in the everyday little things. Smiles. Lack of tantrums. Happiness. Giggles. Attitudes. Compliments of "clean house!" "Great dinner," "Thanks for all you do!" and also from within.
Recently, I watched the Annual General Conference from our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And every time I watch our living prophets and apostles teach us, I am always struck by the simplicity of what they say. "Stop it!" and "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you" And afterwards, I always want to be a better mother, a better wife, a better person. It doesn't materialize as quickly as it does in my heart, but it does inspire me, and it does change me. If I choose to let it. Agency is crazy amazing, folks. Every day, every moment, we choose what kind of person we are going to be. And every moment we choose our attitude. I have had a bad attitude lately, and I think it could use some adjustments. And because I chose to stay at home with my children, there are certain things I don't do. There are certain things I do do. And there are things I don't regret, like "not using my degree." But surely, I wonder. Yet I also can guarantee that if I had chosen a career over motherhood, it would gnaw at me everyday. Thanks Joan, for putting it like it is...
I have just been thinking a lot about choosing everyday what I choose. Every day I wake up and choose to be a good mother or a mediocre mother. A good wife or a mediocre wife. Being a homemaker is such funny job really. It isn't measured by yearly evaluations, nor by promotions or raises. (In fact, when we get promotions, we usually have to learn to live on less money as opposed to earning more). It's measured in the everyday little things. Smiles. Lack of tantrums. Happiness. Giggles. Attitudes. Compliments of "clean house!" "Great dinner," "Thanks for all you do!" and also from within.
Recently, I watched the Annual General Conference from our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And every time I watch our living prophets and apostles teach us, I am always struck by the simplicity of what they say. "Stop it!" and "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you" And afterwards, I always want to be a better mother, a better wife, a better person. It doesn't materialize as quickly as it does in my heart, but it does inspire me, and it does change me. If I choose to let it. Agency is crazy amazing, folks. Every day, every moment, we choose what kind of person we are going to be. And every moment we choose our attitude. I have had a bad attitude lately, and I think it could use some adjustments. And because I chose to stay at home with my children, there are certain things I don't do. There are certain things I do do. And there are things I don't regret, like "not using my degree." But surely, I wonder. Yet I also can guarantee that if I had chosen a career over motherhood, it would gnaw at me everyday. Thanks Joan, for putting it like it is...
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The soundtrack of life
Have you ever noticed how some music just goes with certain backgrounds or surroundings? I absolutely love music in movies and television shows and I feel that some people are truly talented in creating amazing feelings through this medium.This is one reason I like Smallville. My life has a soundtrack too. Of course I have posted about this many years ago, and I even have a playlist on my iPod entitled Soundtrack of my Life, which is always earning new songs as I grow older and new songs enter my realm or create a background to my life.
You see, I grew up traveling a lot. Since my dad was a school teacher, we took summer vacations. Meaning, we went on vacation almost all summer long. We also just traveled a lot in the car, and I have great memories associated with the music we listened to in the car as we drove through the enchanting greenery of Olympic National Park. the breathtaking Smoky Mountains, and the endless corn fields of Iowa. Narada comes to mind as the most prominent car music. Some Enya. But Enya usually graced the living room. And when I thought no one was watching I was dancing, making up stories in my mind to the sounds of Watermark. Orinoco Flow, or as I called it Sail Away, was by far my favorite. Now it is, hands down, Caribbean Blue.
Now, however; Narada has become "sleepy music" according to my husband. And I guess he's practically right since I usually turn it on to calm down at night and eventually trance me into sleep. But it will always be car music to me, or National Park music.
I think there is some music meant for certain backgrounds. As we just traveled to Utah, I tried to share this with my husband by playing Band of Horses in the Pacific Northwest and in Utah. It doesn't work the same in Utah. Band of Horses paints the perfect backdrop to the PNW scenery. And on that note, I am looking forward to playing Thanksgiving in the coming months. The best was driving up West Lake Sammamish Parkway by Marymoor Park when the leaves were all aglow with Autumnal Splendor. I digress... Can anyone think of some really good Utah driving music?
This is why I think Create is one of the most beautiful Mormon Messages I have ever seen. I also love to create in this way. for instance, I made some video montages made up of photos put to music late last year. It was delightful. However, I have not finished them. They are in my head though.
My girls each have songs. Actually they have a few songs. They both have Nick Drake songs. Ella's is Saturday Sun, which also happens to be the most listened to song on my iPod. Abby's is Northern Sky. I wish I could explain the deep meanings they have for me, but you'd have to know my children like I do, and basically be me with all my memories of them. I also have songs that I sing to them. Ever since Ella was a baby, I have sung her You Are My Sunshine. I can't even describe what that song means to me. Maybe another day. As for Abby, it started a bit later in her life; but nevertheless, Dream a Little Dream of Me.
I also have my own theme songs. And they change, just like they changed the theme song for The Cosby Show every season. At one point my theme song was On Top of the World by Juliana Theory. Other points in time, Tori Amos' Spark, Bic Runga's Sorry, and of course the original, acoustic Walk Alone by Brian Webb. Recently it is I Feel it All by Feist. And it's funny how I was saying how amazed I was by how some people can really draw you in by their abilities to meld the visual and the audio, and how much I dislike the music video for I Feel it All. In fact, when I started watching it, I had to stop. I didn't want it to ruin the song for me.
And we all know that most couples have songs. "Our song," you know... is playing. Our song, which we planned but did not dance to at our wedding, is It's Your Love by Tim McGraw. I know; cliche. But we have our reasons. And I think our "theme song" has changed too over time and it will continue to, just as my own personal ones have. Shakira's Tu is a really good choice for us post-country-courting.
Do you think your life has background music? What about theme songs... am I the only weirdo that has them? What are you opinions on "our songs" and do you have one, or do you have one you always wished was yours? (Iris by Goo Goo Dolls for me!) Thoughts?
You see, I grew up traveling a lot. Since my dad was a school teacher, we took summer vacations. Meaning, we went on vacation almost all summer long. We also just traveled a lot in the car, and I have great memories associated with the music we listened to in the car as we drove through the enchanting greenery of Olympic National Park. the breathtaking Smoky Mountains, and the endless corn fields of Iowa. Narada comes to mind as the most prominent car music. Some Enya. But Enya usually graced the living room. And when I thought no one was watching I was dancing, making up stories in my mind to the sounds of Watermark. Orinoco Flow, or as I called it Sail Away, was by far my favorite. Now it is, hands down, Caribbean Blue.
Now, however; Narada has become "sleepy music" according to my husband. And I guess he's practically right since I usually turn it on to calm down at night and eventually trance me into sleep. But it will always be car music to me, or National Park music.
I think there is some music meant for certain backgrounds. As we just traveled to Utah, I tried to share this with my husband by playing Band of Horses in the Pacific Northwest and in Utah. It doesn't work the same in Utah. Band of Horses paints the perfect backdrop to the PNW scenery. And on that note, I am looking forward to playing Thanksgiving in the coming months. The best was driving up West Lake Sammamish Parkway by Marymoor Park when the leaves were all aglow with Autumnal Splendor. I digress... Can anyone think of some really good Utah driving music?
This is why I think Create is one of the most beautiful Mormon Messages I have ever seen. I also love to create in this way. for instance, I made some video montages made up of photos put to music late last year. It was delightful. However, I have not finished them. They are in my head though.
My girls each have songs. Actually they have a few songs. They both have Nick Drake songs. Ella's is Saturday Sun, which also happens to be the most listened to song on my iPod. Abby's is Northern Sky. I wish I could explain the deep meanings they have for me, but you'd have to know my children like I do, and basically be me with all my memories of them. I also have songs that I sing to them. Ever since Ella was a baby, I have sung her You Are My Sunshine. I can't even describe what that song means to me. Maybe another day. As for Abby, it started a bit later in her life; but nevertheless, Dream a Little Dream of Me.
I also have my own theme songs. And they change, just like they changed the theme song for The Cosby Show every season. At one point my theme song was On Top of the World by Juliana Theory. Other points in time, Tori Amos' Spark, Bic Runga's Sorry, and of course the original, acoustic Walk Alone by Brian Webb. Recently it is I Feel it All by Feist. And it's funny how I was saying how amazed I was by how some people can really draw you in by their abilities to meld the visual and the audio, and how much I dislike the music video for I Feel it All. In fact, when I started watching it, I had to stop. I didn't want it to ruin the song for me.
And we all know that most couples have songs. "Our song," you know... is playing. Our song, which we planned but did not dance to at our wedding, is It's Your Love by Tim McGraw. I know; cliche. But we have our reasons. And I think our "theme song" has changed too over time and it will continue to, just as my own personal ones have. Shakira's Tu is a really good choice for us post-country-courting.
Do you think your life has background music? What about theme songs... am I the only weirdo that has them? What are you opinions on "our songs" and do you have one, or do you have one you always wished was yours? (Iris by Goo Goo Dolls for me!) Thoughts?
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Cosby Show
I love the Cosby's. It's funny that I say that though because I don't really love the Cosby's; I love the Huxtables. This lovely made-up family of five children and two hard-working parents brings humor into my life whenever they show up on our TV. We just completed Season 2, and I was amazed at how many of the shows I had seen growing up, considering that the show started when I was born. And they are just as funny as ever! They just don't make TV shows like this anymore! What ever happened to good old clean comedy? All the sitcoms these days are filled with sex, lies, and a breakdown of the family. At least it seems that way.
Do I love The Cosby Show? Yes. Is it realistic? Probably not unless you have a dad like Bill Cosby. But I think the sibling interactions are pretty spot on, as well as the potential for marital bliss and strife portrayed by Heathcliff and Claire Huxtable. I do not believe, however, the lack of tiredness on this show. Both Cliff and Claire work full time jobs while trying to maintain a family of five busy children. Sure, they have enough money for whatever they need, which has the potential to save time. I just want to know how Claire comes home looking freshly powdered and gracefully smiling after an 8-hour day at a law firm with loads full of energy to make dinner and help the kids with their homework. Is it that there are no small children in the home who wake her up in the middle of the night for midnight feedings? When the show begins, the youngest is in Kindergarten I believe. And what of Cliff? He seems to only have a few all nighter baby deliveries, and seems to be puttering around the house from one thing to the next with few interruptions, as I don't imagine a real-life OBGYN is able to accomplish.
So enough about their cheery demeanors. More about Claire. I think she is a great role model for women in general, and she has amazing strengths and wonderful wit. She also wears the pants in the family. Take that any way you'd like. However; I feel that her expectations of her husband are sometimes too high. Does she really expect her husband to remember the name of the song that was playing on the radio the first time they went out? Or the color of her outfit when he proposed? I think these are things women focus too much while forgetting that most men are not into such details. Of course, she does this all in jest, but I feel that it hits an all true problem that many women face today. Our expectations are too high of our spouses.
We really need to focus on the things that matter... does your spouse/significant other remember the things about you now? I only remember what I was wearing when my husband proposed because of photographs of the occasion, not because I was paying attention to such things. (Heck, I was oblivious to almost everything that day) I surely don't recall what I was wearing the day he first kissed me or what song was playing on the radio during our first date. Like I said, in the Huxtable home, it was all in jest. And that is the best part about The Cosby Show, the fun, the humor, and the good times.
One more note, I am pretty sure that we will be the same with our kids about BYU-Idaho as the Huxtables are about Hillman.I just find this to be a very true thread in the show. Who knew you could create such an alliance with a fictional college?
What are your views of The Cosby Show?
Do you think there are any equally clean sitcoms out there today to enjoy?
Do I love The Cosby Show? Yes. Is it realistic? Probably not unless you have a dad like Bill Cosby. But I think the sibling interactions are pretty spot on, as well as the potential for marital bliss and strife portrayed by Heathcliff and Claire Huxtable. I do not believe, however, the lack of tiredness on this show. Both Cliff and Claire work full time jobs while trying to maintain a family of five busy children. Sure, they have enough money for whatever they need, which has the potential to save time. I just want to know how Claire comes home looking freshly powdered and gracefully smiling after an 8-hour day at a law firm with loads full of energy to make dinner and help the kids with their homework. Is it that there are no small children in the home who wake her up in the middle of the night for midnight feedings? When the show begins, the youngest is in Kindergarten I believe. And what of Cliff? He seems to only have a few all nighter baby deliveries, and seems to be puttering around the house from one thing to the next with few interruptions, as I don't imagine a real-life OBGYN is able to accomplish.
So enough about their cheery demeanors. More about Claire. I think she is a great role model for women in general, and she has amazing strengths and wonderful wit. She also wears the pants in the family. Take that any way you'd like. However; I feel that her expectations of her husband are sometimes too high. Does she really expect her husband to remember the name of the song that was playing on the radio the first time they went out? Or the color of her outfit when he proposed? I think these are things women focus too much while forgetting that most men are not into such details. Of course, she does this all in jest, but I feel that it hits an all true problem that many women face today. Our expectations are too high of our spouses.
We really need to focus on the things that matter... does your spouse/significant other remember the things about you now? I only remember what I was wearing when my husband proposed because of photographs of the occasion, not because I was paying attention to such things. (Heck, I was oblivious to almost everything that day) I surely don't recall what I was wearing the day he first kissed me or what song was playing on the radio during our first date. Like I said, in the Huxtable home, it was all in jest. And that is the best part about The Cosby Show, the fun, the humor, and the good times.
One more note, I am pretty sure that we will be the same with our kids about BYU-Idaho as the Huxtables are about Hillman.I just find this to be a very true thread in the show. Who knew you could create such an alliance with a fictional college?
What are your views of The Cosby Show?
Do you think there are any equally clean sitcoms out there today to enjoy?
A shout out to the library system
There are a few things you should understand about me. For one, I haven't been to a movie since my youngest was born. Maybe one; but it's long enough ago I don't really remember. Do I like going to the movies? Sure! Do I like paying all that money out? (not to mention the added popcorn & soda that are a must when you go to the theater) No. I am a fairly frugal person. Do I rent movies? Occasionally. But I do watch a lot of movies. We also don't subscribe to any instant streaming television or cable TV. I watch a lot of TV shows too, though. So, how, you may ask, do I watch all of these movies and television shows? The good old library, my friends.
I am unsure how popular media entered the mainstream library system, but I am not complaining. I "rent" cds so that I can check out the music before I buy. Or I just listen to it until I get my fill. I get practically all the movies and television shows I watch from the library too. This means I am usually a few years behind (if not decades) before seeing the latest popular media, but I have learned to wait. Mostly because it's free. And I appreciate free.
Since moving to Washington, I have been highly in love with the library systems out here. The two I have been a part of (King County and Sno-Isle) are both county wide systems. I simply can go online, search what I am looking for, and place a hold request for the items. Some items I have to wait months to get, while others I get immediately. The Sno-Isle is especially wonderful because you can keep items for 3 weeks (even DVDs), which is a beautiful alternative to a one-week checkout. (I mean seriously, who can watch a 26-epidosde season of a television show in one week?) So, this may mean I have to wait a little bit longer to get what I want, but I have learned to wait. Besides, I usually have so many requests at any given time, I usually have one or two really good things come up every week.
What I miss about the Utah libraries? The abundance of LDS books and other media. I actually only read them occasionally, but it was nice knowing they were there. I have found a few here, though. And that has been sufficient for my needs.
So currently, I have a lot of books, cds, movies, and television series on hold. I have been steadily watching Smallville and 7th Heaven, and for a good family time, The Cosby Show. Remarks to come on said shows. We also get a lot of books from the library. I go through phases in life of doing projects, reading books, or watching shows. I have been in the later lately (which often coincides with projects). Mostly, we get children's books. So reviews of those will be abundant as well.
Do you use the library system in your town? Do you like it?
Do you watch TV? If so, how? What are your favorite shows to watch?
Do you go to the movies or prefer to rent?
I am unsure how popular media entered the mainstream library system, but I am not complaining. I "rent" cds so that I can check out the music before I buy. Or I just listen to it until I get my fill. I get practically all the movies and television shows I watch from the library too. This means I am usually a few years behind (if not decades) before seeing the latest popular media, but I have learned to wait. Mostly because it's free. And I appreciate free.
Since moving to Washington, I have been highly in love with the library systems out here. The two I have been a part of (King County and Sno-Isle) are both county wide systems. I simply can go online, search what I am looking for, and place a hold request for the items. Some items I have to wait months to get, while others I get immediately. The Sno-Isle is especially wonderful because you can keep items for 3 weeks (even DVDs), which is a beautiful alternative to a one-week checkout. (I mean seriously, who can watch a 26-epidosde season of a television show in one week?) So, this may mean I have to wait a little bit longer to get what I want, but I have learned to wait. Besides, I usually have so many requests at any given time, I usually have one or two really good things come up every week.
What I miss about the Utah libraries? The abundance of LDS books and other media. I actually only read them occasionally, but it was nice knowing they were there. I have found a few here, though. And that has been sufficient for my needs.
So currently, I have a lot of books, cds, movies, and television series on hold. I have been steadily watching Smallville and 7th Heaven, and for a good family time, The Cosby Show. Remarks to come on said shows. We also get a lot of books from the library. I go through phases in life of doing projects, reading books, or watching shows. I have been in the later lately (which often coincides with projects). Mostly, we get children's books. So reviews of those will be abundant as well.
Do you use the library system in your town? Do you like it?
Do you watch TV? If so, how? What are your favorite shows to watch?
Do you go to the movies or prefer to rent?
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