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So I’ve been writing this blog for a few weeks and there are many benefits, I’ve found. First of all, I can complain and get paid for it. Second, I can complain and people actually seem to listen, unlike when I complain at home and everyone in my family goes on screen saver. Third, there is a shared misery thing that happens when I complain about something and five people immediately chime in and either say they feel my pain or tell me a story about themselves that is even worse. And finally, I get to “meet” visitors to my blog who post comments and whose lives sound so interesting compared to mine. (Just imagine: I’m usually writing blog posts in my office, which is usually either too hot or too cold, and eating something at the computer as a little voice inside my head says, “You should be at the gym, or at the very least standing up while you type.” Either that or I’m writing my posts on my Blackberry on the train, looking exactly like all the other psycho commuters furiously typing on their Blackberries or Treos around me. What are we all doing that is so important?!?!?) Anyway, here is just a glimpse of a life. Staci, I apologize for putting you in the spotlight, but your comments are always so enjoyable. Here’s part of a particularly good one, from November 16: “I myself am having a ta-da moment right now! (It's a small one — but I think it counts) I am sitting at my computer in the middle of the day eating ROLOS (leftover from last night's Bunco party) — NO CHILDREN asking for snacks — just me in the solitude of our house and I mean it is quiet and I love it! (If you are wondering if my children are ok, they are with my dear husband having the time of their lives riding on the golf cart and feeding the fish down at our pond!)” OK, so here are the things that intrigue me as I sit in my midtown Manhattan office: - Bunco. My sister used to play that. I think it has something to do with cards. I know it is a big thing, and was always envious of my sister’s Bunco games, which involved a lot of alcohol and always sounded like fun. - Golf cart. Who has a golf cart? And what could be cooler than having a golf cart at your disposal? - Feeding fish down at the pond. This sounds like a little slice of heaven, if you ask me. I’ve never had much of a thing for fish but I wouldn’t mind having a pond. When I lived in the city I used to walk around our neighborhood at night and marvel and the number of people who never closed their shades. I am a dedicated shade-closer because of people like me, who will peer into any window, given the opportunity. When you look into someone else’s window at night, you get a little slice of their lives, which, if you have an active imagination, you then gild until the person you’re seeing has just about the most fabulous life you can possibly imagine. This is what the blog does for me: Staci, the little slice of your life makes it look just perfect. You know it’s not; as for me, I’ll just keep imagining.
Posted by: Staci| December 03, 2007 at 01:52 PM Oops, sorry about the typos, etc.. and I totally left out the part that I don't TOUCH the fish! That's my angel of a husband's job! Off to finish up the decorations on the front porch...that, by the way, nobody sees because we live in the country! Oh well! Hi, Golf carts are fun! I would rather ride in a golf cart than play golf. And Rolos is a very good candy! That is EXACTLY what is so great about blogs (having one, reading them). That and to carve out a place that's all your own. Kristin, thank you for writing your blog. I so enjoy reading it (among other blogs)! The magazine's pretty good, too! ;-) Oh my, I've searched for blogs I can relate to, and I've pondered blogging as well, but I'm happy to say my search has ended. Speaking of the RS website - it's a top 10 visit for me, particularly the meals section but also cleaning...but you know what would be awesome to have bound? A "Fake It Don't Make It" cookbook - or even better is one that you could access on the internet by subscription or on your BB because those recipes are the ones I keep in my car in the sunvisor to pick up quickly during the week. And...my other thought of the day, is my friends and I love Real Simple Family. It's a great book to get, I keep it around most of the year. Kristin, I'm so glad you enjoy writing your blog. I've enjoyed reading it, too. Had I chosen a different fork in the road of my life, I'd be at Real Simple's door with my resume, looking for an editorial position. Instead I exercise my journalistic muscles with writing and management of trade and corporate publications. I think that has something to do with why I so appreciate the glimpse into your life -- it makes me feel even more connected to one of my very favorite magazines. You're blog is right up there in my bookmarks along with friends I actually know. ;) My mom used to play Bunco with a group of ladies in CT a few years back (when I was still in high school) ... I'm not sure what ever happened to that. I've been intrigued by the game ever since but have yet to learn how to actually play it. Your "letter from the editor" in the Real Simple magazine is usually the first thing I read in the magazine, followed by the photo with a quote. When you notified "the few of us who read your letter" that you were going to start a blog, I was anxious to get on and check it out. I used to work for a small magazine and our editor was always wondering if anyone read her letter-from-the-editor inclusion. Because of that I've become a faithful reader of editor's pages and am glad to be following along with your blog. The authentic, fresh thoughts on "real" life for women are refreshing. Thanks! I, too, enjoy your blogs because they are a slice of real life. I think that we would all trade our lives in for a day ... but I hope that at the end of the day most of us would return to our "routine" existence, realizing that the grass really isn't greener over someone else's fence. For me, I have been learning that all I have is all I really need. I love your magazine and I love it even more now that you have your blog. It's amazing how similar people's lives are even though on the surface they appear so different. I was thrilled to see too that Real Simple also has a Japanese version. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I don't know what we did before blogs. I still e-mail friends and talk on the phone, and even send the occasional "real" mail every now and then, but blogging has become such a fabulous way to keep in touch and get little glimpses into other people's lives. People we would never meet otherwise. My blog is such a *release* for me, a diary without a lock. The comments that pop into my inbox throughout the day make me giddy. And your blog makes me happy in the same way your magazine does - just *real*. Love that. Kristin, Thank you for writing the blog! I have been reading Real Simple for a couple of years now after picking the magazine up in an airport waiting for a delayed plane (again). Your blog is my "lunchtime escape" as I sit in my office trying to eat lunch in between ringing phones and email messages. By the way, I had just reminded my husband this morning as I was driving down the street after putting #1 child on the school bus (as he was on his way to work after dropping #2 child off at preschool) to remove the pumpkins from the front steps :) It clashes with the decorations we did manage to get up this past weekend. Or could we just start a new tradition of combining all holiday decorations together so we are never out of sync? First of all, thanks for writing the blog! I agree with so many of the previous comments that it's so much fun to know that your life is just as crazy as mine is! Thank YOU for this blog - it is the only blog I read, though I rarely post a comment b/c I always get interrupted, I do so like it -- it is entertaining and insightful and considerate. As for me, I love peering in windows too (Malborough Street in Boston is the BEST for that). And I've always wondered about Bunco. I generaly don't like women-only gatherings (I have nothing against women, being one myself, but just have never felt the need to join one of those outings). By the same token, though, I am envious of the comraderie that is the end-result ... not enough to take what little time this working mom has away from my 3 kids and my husband, though. But sometimes I do think how nice it would be ... I was delighted along with the others to see your adventure into blog-land. Your blog has become a highly anticipated email giving me a peek into your magical life. I smile and laugh and truly enjoy your posts. You remind me that even the fabulous editor of Real Simple packs lunches (or not :) and wipes noses and has rotten pumpkins which helps me to remember my life is fabulous as well, though I live in a small southern town and my office is a far cry from midtown Manhattan. Keep on typing :) Kristin, Kristin, I'd just like to add one more "Thank you!!" to the comment list. Just like everyone else, I so look forward to reading your blog. I considered subscribing to the feed, but I actually enjoy the excitement of pulling up the page with my fingers cross as I anticipate a new post. I love these "peeks into your windows," seeing what really goes on behind the closed curtains of the neat, grammatically synched magazine. Plus, the fact that you publicly/willingly/knowingly put pictures of your rotting pumpkins on the site makes me feel much less creepy than driving by your house to scope them out would make me feel! Thank you for reminding all of us that even the romantic and fascinating dream life you lead is filled with the so many of the same chaos that our small town girls lives are filled with (For me, right now, that's trying to get the house decorated, organized, and cleaned before all of the out-of-towners come in for the holidays. However, I'm loving the procrastination permission granted by knowing that if I clean too soon, I'll just have to do it again before they come--and I can guarantee you that won't happen!) ha! Life's little circles, indeed . . . I was in New York for the first time in my life (51 yrs old) and I was completely captivated by all that is the Big Apple. But, most especially, I was floored by all that is Manhattan! I didn't just peer in windows of the beautiful homes around Central Park and beyond - I gawked - completely full of wonderment and fantasies of the lives held within. (Think 'Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen) And, by the way, a big thank you for sharing your honest appraisals of life. Finally, OMG! as I scroll down the looooong list of replies, I can't help but wonder if this blog will become a burdon? Now, just how do you manage to read all these replies? Elsje, I've been thinking about you! I'd love an update if you ever have time to email me one. Kristin I just had to share this. I just received a gift, a new product called a Chilly Jilly and as an avid reader of Real Simple, I wanted to share it with you. Most likely you already know about it. This product is a wrap made of micro fiber and in comes in a small drawstring bag. I keep it in my purse and then when I'm freezing in air conditioning, I just whip it out and it works! At first I doubted it could do the job because it's so lightweight but it really does and I'm thrilled. I think it's a must for every woman who has ever been cold in an air conditioned restaurant. I love it! A simple idea that really works. |
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Kristin, first off, I'm flattered to be in your "spotlight"! I had just a moment while my boys were eating their lunches--I say lunchES because of course they won't eat the same thing-- to check your blog because I was just sure you would update it today! I was right! Anyway, it's funny that you found that post interesting. I thought as I was typing it that all these wonderful people that visit your blog would think I was a country bumpkin! So, I'll expound a little! 1) Bunco--we play with three die and your goal is to roll all sixes! It's really a mindless game that you basically just get together with your friends and talk and drink! I thoroughly enjoy my Bunco friends! I look forward to the 4th Thursday of every month.
2) The Infamous Golf cart--and our's is not just any old golf cart--we call it the "sport utility golf cart" ! This was a present from "Santa" 2 years ago and we have THE most fun with it! Hard to admit, but it was my husband's idea! I thought at the time, it seemd very silly but it's the highlight of everyone's visit to our home! My 5 year old knows how to drive it better than I do : ) 3) Feeding the fish down at the pond--well, I'm kinda with you on this one. We have 30 acres and this pond is among one of the parts of I love the most. I'm not a fisherman--or is it woman? But I do love to watch my boys cast their little lines and of course get them tangled and hope that they don't take out one another with a lure. But all in all, this pond is a santuary!
So yes, that's a glimpse into my life. What's funny is that I think, "wow, to ride a train to work and then get to sit in a Manhattan office!" Well, back to reality...kids are finishing up lunch and who know, we might just load up on that golf cart for a little ride to the pond! Not a perfect life..but a very good one! A very blessed country bumpkin! P.S. I must add that I don't have any raffia or country board bunnies with writing on them, saying "hey ya'll!" Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that... just not my taste! I'll try to post a pic of our golf cart on our family blog soon! Have a great day no matter if your in an office or out in the country!