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"Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful."
- Unknown

"That which does not kill you, makes you stronger."
- Handed down through the ages.

"Life's tough. It's even tougher when you're stupid."
- John Wayne



Sunday Morn

Ever have one of those days when it's GORGEOUS outside, and you're itching to get out in it and get great things done . . . but you feel like there's an iron weight in your head and you have NO compunction to get up off the couch?  Yup, that's me today.  Unfortunately.  I'm hoping I can snap out of it soon, here.

I have a huge mess of clean-up / admin to do on the blog, but let's first take care of the maple sap-to-syrup ratio poll I had going.  Obviously, I have a lot of brilliant readers (or cheaters who Googled the answer!), because, yes, the answer is 40 to 1.  To end up with a single 8 oz. cup of maple syrup, it would take 2 1/2 gallons of sap!

I was waiting to answer that because I wanted to write a big, long post about my first year maple sugaring . . . but too much time has elapsed.  Maybe we'll get to that in the quiet, drowsy late winter months next year as I prepare for the 2011 season.  (Hahahahahahahahaha!  "Drowsy, late winter months"?  Yeah, right!)


I think Maisy's gonna make it.  My mom and I (following some sleuthing by her and Dad) figured out that Maisy did, indeed, get into something that had surfaced in their yard after a winter of snow-covered dormancy.  Couple that with some fervent digging (and eating) in the compost pile, and you have one sick dog.  

She had no accidents in the car yesterday, fortunately, but she was still "getting rid of it" from both ends.  I called Tom in the morning to suggest that if he was going to work out / train for Denali by hiking with his 50# pack, that perhaps he could come to where I was nannying to pick the dogs up to take them with.  I thought that steady exercise might help move more junk through Maisy's system.  And, I think it did both dogs good.  They haven't had a good "run" like that in an age.  

Knowing she wouldn't be cooped up in any cars today, I gave Maisy an almost-full serving of food for breakfast this AM.  I'm keeping my eyes open to see how her tummy reacts.

I have a big post knocking around in my brain, but I'm not ready to write it yet.  Maybe I'll allow myself a "sit-down" this afternoon, and I'll write it then.  But, in short, I need advice.  How do those of you who work from home (or work independently from others) keep yourself motivated?  I know I require accountability (to someone else).  A self-imposed deadline, if you will, to keep plugging away at a task.  So, think about what wise pieces of wisdom you can throw my way.


Oh, and finally:  my 'Chickens with Mama' class at the local folk school is next weekend.  Part of a Sustainable Living symposium, it's a two-day course encompassing everything you might want or need to know to begin raising your own chickens.  There are still a couple of openings left . . . do YOU want to attend?  If so, let me know, and I'll get the info to you.  Braaaaawk, bawk, bawk, bawk . . . .

2 comments:

  1. Yes! I want to attend, but... LOL

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been working from home for years and I still struggle with motivation. Actually, I think it's more to do with prioritizing -- with so much to do, what comes first? I get overwhelmed, then underwhelmed, then end up getting nothing done! Deadlines help, but mine are usually imposed by someone else. Hmmm... maybe I should leave the advice giving to your other readers!

    ReplyDelete

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