Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Looking for a few simple and easy ways to cut back on your family's every day water usage? Check out my latest Mother's Shade of Green at Birmingham Mommy:

A Mother’s Shade of Green: Simple Ways to Conserve Water

While you're there, take a minute to add any additional ideas in the comment section!

Bloggers without Borders

So far, Monday is giving me a great start to the week. I'm feeling inspired, motivated, and finally, even a good bit accomplished!

I found this awesome Web site today, and had to share:

Bloggers without Borders

The non-profit group is made up of bloggers who work with other bloggers from all over the country in hopes of raising awareness, funds, and as much good as possible. If you have a project, need, or are the victim of heartbreaking tragedy, Bloggers without Borders may be able to work toward helping you achieve your goal, raise funds for a worthy cause, or even get you closer to mending a tattered spirit. Check them out, they're going to do awesome things, I can just feel it.

Intuition

I was running a bit behind schedule this morning, and knew that I probably wouldn't have time for a run. But after dropping Juliana off at school and heading back home, I suddenly found myself turning the car toward the direction of the park. My mind was nudging my body, telling it to go and run, get out and move-despite anything else.

So I listened.

No dogs today, just me and the tree lined path. There is a creek that stretches through the park where I run, and a bridge that hovers over the water. This is my favorite part of the trail. The trees reach high over my head, and the temperature drops as soon as I begin to make my way over the small wooden bridge.

When I get halfway across, I look down below at the creek, and instantly, I'm refreshed. My eyes seem to drink in the cool shallow water. Stones and rocks of all sizes rest just below the surface.


I think about bringing Nate and Juliana here to play this past summer.
I can almost hear their laughter as they splash and swim in the cool clear water. As simple as it is, it's one of my most favorite memories from this summer...















At the end of the bridge, I keep moving, and run back out into the sunshine. I breath deep, and feel more alive than I have in a while.

Today, I'm thankful for my intuition, and for the reminder to do what is good not only for my body, but for my spirit as well.

Inspiration

For months now I've been trying to create the perfect space for myself where I can write and be creative. As of now, I have a great desk, with a fabulous window view, and unfortunately lots of piles of "stuff" sitting all around me. A few days ago, however, I finally collected some of my most favorite creative and necessary books to have on hand as resources for when I work. I like being surrounded by books as I work...now let's just hope they can provide the much needed inspiration around here!

Prepping for Fall...

I spent the weekend working in the yard and garden, pulling weeds, adding new pine straw, and pruning here and there. I know it sounds like a lot of work to some, but to me, it's something to which I look forward. Pete watches the kids and I have the chance to day dream, to unwind, to give serious thought to all that weighs on my mind...and lately, that seems to be a lot. I love it.

Jules and I also planted some new seeds for our fall/winter garden...spinach; carrots; lettuce; winter squash; peas; baby choi; and more...

Looking forward to what this week will bring....

Back to Grind!

So long lazy, wake up when we want to, get dressed at 10 am, swim and ride bikes all day, camp in the backyard, and read under the stars days of summer...

School is officially back in session.

Although I'll miss the carefree hours spent hanging out with Nate and Jules, I've  learned that this procrastinator  girl prefers absolutely and desperately needs structure and routine in her life! Juliana begins her last year of preschool and is attending a new school for five days a week this year. I have mixed feelings about it, as I know I'll really miss having that extra one on one time with her for an extra day or two each week. But I know it is for the best. She loves school, and aside from her being very social, she is really incredibly bright.

So, along with the structure and routine of school for Nate and Juliana, comes the very same for me. My goals are simple:

1. Work 25 hours /week-freelance writing
2. Create a new Web site for potential clientele showcasing my experience, skills and examples of my published work
3. Dedicate 30 min. to run each morning (did it today-yeah!)
4. Post on this blog each day...(I know, I know, I've been such a slacker this past year)
5. Somehow squeeze in time to get all of  the household chores, grocery shopping, etc...done while the kids are at school (AS WELL, as all of the above...um hum, we'll see...)

Here's to a great "new" year full of motivation, creativity, and of course, lots of success for everyone.

Cheers,
Kate

My Fearless Boy

With school starting in less then a week, I've been trying to do a few extra special activities with the kids...for their sake and for mine as well!

This morning we loaded up the car and headed downtown to the skateboard park across from the city's new and fabulous Railroad Park. We've really enjoyed spending time at this new and incredible green space in downtown Birmingham. But of course it wasn't long before Nate spotted the far more interesting skateboard park across the street. Before I knew it, he decided he needed to add it to his growing bucket list!

On our first visit several months ago, I noticed a sense of fearlessness about him that I hadn't yet seen. The majority of the other skaters and bike riders were much older then him, and had great skills, courage, and some serious speed as well! 

But that didn't intimidate Nate. Nope, even at his young age, he just thought he was one of the guys, doing his thing, just like them.

Over the last few months he's really become quite good. He's able to balance really well, turn his board all around, and even do a few tricks. His latest thing however, is riding down the ramps and half pipes.

I have to admit, I love it! I'm not the average, "I'm going to get freaked out super easily if my child is doing something a little too adventurous" kind of mom. I've been known to be a little bit daring here and there myself!

In fact...there was once a time when I too loved to skateboard. As a "tween" growing up in York, Maine, my friend Casey and I spent all kinds of time riding our very own skateboards, and begging a neighborhood boy to let us ride his half pipe.

Yup, let it be heard here, girls too, can skate! It wouldn't surprise me if one of these days I discovered Juliana hoping on her brother's board. Even as girly as she is, she has that same sense of adventure, that same fire in her belly...

But for now, I'm content with just one of them taking part in extream sports. I'm super proud of Nate, but as a mother I'll admit it...each time I watch him come down that ramp my heart skips a beat!

Here's to that irreplaceable and firey spirit that is present in so many little boys...may my sweet Nate never lose it.

Summer Rewind

If you haven't noticed, I haven't been around a whole lot lately...I've had a little bit of a creatvie block been taking time to enjoy the summer!

Here are a few of my favorite memories....