Living Simply

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How Not To Scream

Investors Wanted

As newlyweds, one of the things Elisia and I liked to do (other than what all newlyweds like to do…you perverts) was to fantasize about quitting our jobs. We figured that in a world that lamented high divorce rates and that egged on reality television, surely there was at least one soul who would be able to recognize the intrinsic value of a young couple in love. We thought if we could find that person it would be an easy task to convince him/her to invest in us. In return, we would guarantee the success of our fledgling marriage by doing all the things we did when we first started dating.  That is, we would vow to sleep until noon, read books for hours on end, sip wine, watch movies, and occasionally go dancing. It was a perfect plan. All we needed was some venture capital, a forward-thinking entrepreneur, and zero employers. This fantasy made us both smile.

Then our first boy came along. Continue reading →

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First Frame

First, this is not a bowling blog. If you were drawn here via Google while searching for all things bowling and you are now feeling betrayed, we offer you our apologies. Sorry. Go bowl. You’ll feel better.

There is a bowling metaphor being used here though, in case that counts for anything. It’s a bit of an inside joke with us, so first, just to get you acclimated, a little bit of setting the pins.

From about the time we had our first child in 2005 right up until just a few months ago, we were the pins. On a typical day, we were up at 5:30. We’d see each other for only enough time to complain about the time of day and make the bed. Then I would go down to start the breakfast while Elisia would put on her makeup. By 6:30, the mugwumps would be up, hungry, and wired for sound. A flurry of activity would then ensue. Clothes were fought over and eventually put on, teeth were cleaned, mouths were fed and wiped, fed again, wiped again. That food spilled on the floor would have to wait until evening because Elisia would have just run downstairs and by God, we needed to be out that door by 7:15 to catch that damned train. Continue reading →