Violet's Secret Garden

I was talking to a friend today and I realized something big! My life would be so much fuller and I could be as helpful as I like to be if only I had a clone of myself. 

That's right, I went there, A CLONE!

What could I do differently, you ask? Well for starters, I could have one of me take care of my children while the other gets sleep, so I wouldn't be overtired. But that is not all, oh not, that is not ALL!

I could also watch my own kids while I ventured out with friends for tea or lunch or drinks... it's not that I don't like to take them places, but there is a time and place for everything, and having relaxig tea and a good chat with someone while trying to keep track of two squirmy noisy kids isn't fun for anyone!

I could quickly go to the store to buy groceries or whatever is needed, as well as dropping Ingrid off at school and picking her up,without having the big production entourage. 

I could help out a friend that needs housesitting if I were cloned, as well. I could go to Reiki share even if Peter isn't home. I could play with my kids and take a nap at the same time. I could take my husband out on a date!

It's not that I can't get a babysitter for any of those things, but sometimes it'd be vastly more convenient if it was just me, here already, knowing exactly what I want or needing nothing beyond an "I'm leaving now." 

Posted by Karen Backman at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I must say, there's really no excuse for how complacent I have become on so many subjects. I just took a small step to becoming a better citizen of my community and of the world. I am aware that it is a very small step, but all roads have to start somewhere. 

What did I do, you ask? I started ordering organic produce from a farm. I suppose I'd do one better if I just got on the bus, went to Pike Place and got organic produce from there. I say, maybe one day, but my baby steps make it less convenient for me to pack the kids in the car, try to find parking, and all that hub bub. 

On top of the trying to consume more locally, I am also pondering making other changes. We're almost in a position to pay a premium for humanely made/distributed items and I'd certainly rather have less than know that I was contributing to the horrific conditions I've been reading about in the past few days which is degrading our society. 

I'm not going to be all high and mighty and say that everyone should stop consuming things in the US that aren't made ethically, but I don't want to be part of the problem, so I'm thinking from here on out, whether something is cheaper on Amazon.com or not. I'll try to find it locally from a non-box store before I look there. I just wish there was a simple solution to make our communities take car of the people that support them, instead of exploiting the people that support them. 

Time to start shopping more at the local PCC, and Orange Blossom, and Farmer's Market. As always I'm open to suggestions on how to change for the better. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today I went to the party store and got some decorations for the boychild's second birthday party on Saturday. I think I'm going to try and make something resembling a Blue's Clues paw print for a cake. I'd have just bought one, but apparently they don't sell those in stores anymore, that I can find. That's okay though. I am the cake master!

We've been sso lucky with the spring-like weather that I feel like I'm going to be all sad if it goes back to being super cold.  It's not predicted to be as warm over the weekend. I was hoping the kids could play outside. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Karen Backman at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have been reading the Hunger Games series and just finished it within the last hour. Then I commenced a half an hour cry. 

It wasn't because it was sad really. Just some days I feel utterly cold to the world around me. 

Some days I don't know why I read dystopian fiction, but I always seem to find it and read it and get wrapped up in it.  I'm sure there's a lot of it out there that I haven't read, but I have read a lot of it and even taken a class in college on it. 

I wonder if I read it because I had a screwed up childhood and I try to remind myself that as bad as it was, there are worse things that could happen? I wonder if I read it because I wish I could figure out what would make a utopia work and so you have to delve into all the things that DON'T work? Some days I feel utterly detatched from the world. Is reading dystopian fiction a way to make the inner feelings feel more normal? 

Or it could make me so sad because I so identify with the character...Had to grow up before she was supposed to, very poor, not particularly friendly or trusting of stangers, abrasive or ill spoken words when trying to help, someone people followed, naieve, used as a pawn, never wanted to have kids so that what was done to her was not done to her kids...  I'm sure there's a bunch more.

But this is all the energy I have to talk about now.  

Posted by Karen Backman at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)