NaBloPoMo | BulgingButtons

November 15, 2013
by BulgingButtons 3 Comments

My Poor Aching Hamster Paws

I feel like that proverbial hamster on a wheel, the faster I go, the faster I have to keep going so I don’t get flung off into oblivion. I’m afraid I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew, here at the midway point of November. Yes, I have blogged every day for NaBloPoMo and yes, I have added to my word count every day for NaNoWriMo, and yes, I have showed up on time for work each and every day of this month (and all the months before, thank goodness), but how am I really doing at each of these things? Fair to middling, I’d say. But I won’t give up. I can do this!

Lucky me, I have a great support team at work and at home. These people pick up the slack without as much as a grumble (to my face, anyway). They know I will step up my game soon, and they will hold me to it, but in the meanwhile they’re cutting me a little slack. I love these people. Instead of making me feel like an incompetent jerk they grease the skids of my life. How fortunate am I?

So now I will take a deep breath, clear off another pile of paper from my table, and dig back into my work. Thanks, guys. You know who you are, and you know I am the luckiest person on earth because of you.

November 14, 2013
by BulgingButtons 11 Comments

Some More Small Things

Since originally posting about the small things in life that make me happy, I have been noticing them all over the place. This is a very good thing, as being mindful and finding the positives in life have a way of making life more pleasant and emotionally fuller.

In fact I’ve been mulling over these small things so much that I’m toying with the idea of making the small things a regular feature of the blog. While I wrestle with that momentous decision, I would like to offer you five more from the depths of my heart.

1. Blowing the fluff off a dandelion. Yes, I know these are weeds, and yes, I know that this is how you spread their seeds, but something about that whoosh of air releasing those soft white puffs into a million delicate paratroopers is just magical.

2. Pitching a penny into a fountain and making a wish. Growing up we NEVER did this. A penny saved is a penny earned, after all. However, taking the time to stop for a moment and give some thought to my wishes is worth more than the cost of the penny to me, and sharing that moment with my son is far more valuable than that.

3. The scent of lemons. It takes me right back to junior high school and Love’s Fresh Lemon fragrance. I never did like the Baby Soft scent, though.

4. Pop-up books. They are so clever and engaging and beg to be enjoyed again and again.

5. The text I get from my sweetheart each day telling me to have a good day and reminding me that he loves me. Each day it’s slightly different and he’s made up a million cute little names for me that are only used in those messages. They are silly and sweet and fun, and they just make me happy.

What small things make you happy? Surround yourself with happiness and maybe it will catch on.

November 14, 2013
by BulgingButtons 7 Comments

To Follow Stats or To Ignore Them?

In education there is a huge trend toward examining data. Test scores are valued so highly that we have meetings to discuss them virtually every week. At times it’s overwhelming, and frankly, something of the spirit of the child gets a bit lost in these discussions.

I won’t get all soap box on you, but my point is, the data isn’t the whole picture. That being said, it does have value. I just think a balanced approach is probably best.

The balanced approach is usually best, in my opinion. All or nothing rarely works out well, in my experience, especially when it comes to diet and exercise (this is where I get into trouble, but this isn’t THAT kind of post). Moderation is key. You know, balance?

That’s why I more or less ignore the debate amongst bloggers about statistics. Some live and breathe them, others say ignore them completely. I’m in the middle camp (is there a camp in the middle?). I enjoy taking a peek at them, and I get a not so secret thrill when I see lots of activity on the blog. But do I obsessively examine them for trends? Do I throw in random asides to generate more traffic? Do I cross post all over the internet? No. I do not. I don’t have the time or the desire to do those things. If you do, I have no problem with you, it’s just not my thing.

Still, I was thrilled to see this number. Two hundred. It stands for two hundred follows. I feel like I’ve been waiting for a while to see it. I set a goal, visualized it, and it happened. How cool is that? So even though I know some of those follows are from people trying to pad their own numbers, I’m okay with it, because I know there are loyal readers, and many of you slog through each post and take the time to offer feedback. That’s what I find so rewarding about blogging, and for that, I thank you.