Zip30306.com

Here I was planning to tell you all the scoop about my "Big Project" I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago, and the next time I looked up, it is already time to go meet 8yo ADHD Phenom for the walk home from school!

Here is where I am hanging out lately, the new "Big Project" -- stop by for a visit:

www.Zip30306.com

It has turned out to be a huge undertaking, loving every minute of it!
I have a big deadline coming up: Monday, October 6th, so I'm working like a crazy-person to do something amazing here and launch a new business, perform a little community service and make a little $$ to contribute to my family & household.

I'll tell you more in the next Random Rebel Update--

The End of Freedom & Independence

I am sitting here feeling worthless today (just a little bit), because I.can't.seem.to.get.anything.done...and, of course, the infamous 'To Do' list is long, and I only have THREE (3) Days of School left and I pretty much have to be at school every day for something for the rest of the week until The Big Day on Friday...

And I think I just figured it out, so I'm feeling better already:
#1 - I'm a Rebel, so all that gotta do, should do, must do, perfectly-perfect stuff...well, that's all the stuff I'm rebelling against in the first place, so therefore...the basics are covered, the family is fed, we've got groceries, we are all reasonably clean and clothed and we are on top of (for the most part) all the million little end-of-school things for three kids, i.e. textbooks and library books found and returned; teacher gifts bought and ready or donated toward; parties, events, parades and honors ceremonies calendared and designated snack/party items at the ready.

#2 - I realized while I was out & about, running around this morning, feeling guilty about the Rebel Review I haven't finished; the book group follow-up I haven't yet followed-up on; the BookReporter.com promo I still need to promo; the summer camps for which I have not yet completed registration; emails yet to answer and everything else...this is my very last day of freedom and independence, so I should probably calm the heck down and enjoy it, and you should, too. (Yes, you know who you are.)

Life goes on, anyway, and it's all good, moment by moment.
(There's Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now slipping out!)

Even during the space of writing this blog entry: My best friend called to catch up and plan our end-of-freedom & independence lunch date tomorrow, commiserating over the whole summer camp and (lack of) planning issues; My mother stopped by to pick up craigslist print-outs, which I pulled up for her and printed out because she doesn't have a computer or a car, and she really needs a new car (long story); and I got a package!

My wonderful sister-in-law sent me a brand-new pair of shoes, stunningly-fabulous gold sandals (flats) which fit perfectly and I love, love, love -- thanks, Kelly, you high-fashion best of the reps (Cutter & Buck and Born), high-powered working mom!

Working Outside The Home - Writer's Workshop

I have been Working Outside The Home this week, all day long for three days at the 17th Annual Writer's Workshop at our middle school. It has been a wonderful experience, teaching classes, talking to the kids about writing as a career; showing off my most-favorite all-time writing tool (my trusty-not-so-dusty Thesaurus); and demonstrating the massive difference between VIVID LANGUAGE -- using words that are imaginative, informative, engaging, and sparkle with pizzazz -- and ho-hum writing or communication (Gee, it's a nice day. (Yawn)). We do Mad-Libs as our writerly-activity, at the end, and the kids get SO involved and excited! They can really see the difference in ho-hum vs. creative language -- and the power of negotiation, compromise and editing as a group activity (which is a lot like publishing a book or writing for the magazines or newspapers).

I look forward to the Writer's Workshop every November.

However. I don't know how women who work outside of the home do it -- especially teachers! I honestly don't (and I know that's a cliche, because I hear it all the time, in reference to working from home with three children). I don't know how any of us modern women survive the day-to-day turmoil and chaos with some measure of sanity and grace (more or less, in my case), but I can tell you, in the three days I haven't been home all day (and I'm so tired by the time I get home):

• The 3 kids are all out-of-whack, especially the older two, with the homework.
• The dog is getting fat because I haven't been here to walk.
• The condo is a disaster.
• I haven't done any writing or work of my own.
• And we have been eating Workshop leftovers (fantastic catering, by the way!) and/or Domino's Pizza for dinner every night.

If I do go back to school in the Fall, I think we need (at least): a housekeeper/nanny, a dog walker/doggie daycare, a personal shopper and a personal chef! No, that's not going to happen -- but wouldn't it be nice???

CAMP MOMMY: Casual Friday

I have a Blogging Mom friend, Char at Casual Keystrokes , who started up "Casual Friday" online, which I love, Love, LOVE:

"It’s Friday again and we are taking it easy today! Won’t you join us? There are no real rules, just leave a comment to join the conversation - it’s that easy. We can talk about anything you want. Ask a few questions, tell a story, share a tip - your choice...Last week’s Casual Friday was a lot of fun - there were 44 comments! Thanks to Yvonne, Eliza, AgentSully, Laura, Ariane, Denise, Kendra, Matthew, Gayla, Sherri, and Jane."

Here's The Rebel Housewife Casual Friday Comment (after only ONE (1) cup of coffee):

Yay! I love Casual Friday! I am just popping in before the day-camp run and the day begins. This is the end of Week #3 (of 11) for us already on Summer Break. Sometimes I think I may be too old for Camp Mommy!

We saw Ghost Rider last night. It was a little intense. We saw Shrek 3 when it came out, but haven’t managed to get to Pirates or Surf’s Up, and then 9yo Daughter and I are excited about Nancy Drew.

Here’s two things I am thinking about at the moment:
1) There is an article in PEOPLE Magazine this week called “Big Love” - "With 16 kids -- and one on the way -- Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar leave family planning to a higher power." Oh.My.God. The mother is 40, Dad 41 -- I can’t even imagine! (And just the thought of one more child, to my three, makes me shudder!)

2) I recently subscribed to MORE Magazine, because I’m almost 40 (gasp!), and I am kind of ambivalent about it (the magazine) -- MORE is for old chicks, right?! Anyway, I have been reading a really interesting article about going back to work (outside the home) after taking time off. I have a new book to review about that very subject. It’s certainly very enticing to think about, every once in a while, when everything and everyone is going nuts around here...

Gotta run!
Sherri

Sherri Caldwell - The Rebel Housewife wrote @ June 15th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Oh P.S., as far as going "back" to work (outside the home)...the assumption is these women all seem to have something high-power to go back to, working off their former experience and careers. I haven’t exactly figured out what’s the what if you don’t have anything to go "back" to -- I pretty-much hated my career position and I suspect I may have become completely unemployable over the last 13 years!!!

The MORE Magazine article is "Back in Business" by Leslie Morgan Steiner.
The book I have for review on this issue (Rebel Review in August):
BACK ON THE CAREER TRACK:
A Guide For Stay-At-Home Moms Who Want To Return To Work

94 Ways to Keep Kids Busy!

I am off to school in a little bit for the first in the year-end whirl of parties, events, performances and activities for three kids that will consume us over the next three days...and then, thankfully, it will be over.

We are SO going to sleep in everyday and do NOTHING next week!!

I am gearing up for our 3rd summer of CAMP MOMMY, and I'm actually very excited -- for the first summer in three years, we're not planning a move, AND we have easy access to a swimming pool in our condo development (all of the benefits, none of the maintenance issues!), a first ever for us in our life with kids.

If you are getting a little nervous about the long, hot summer days ahead with kids at home, my friend Wendy P. at eMomsatHome.com posted a fabulous resource on her blog today, definitely worth a visit:

94 Ways to Keep Kids Busy...

I'm going to go print it out now...