Monday, August 31, 2009

A Break



The Chesapeake Bay Children and I are trying to squeeze the last bit of life from summer this week, and in order to do that I need to take a break from blogging. Please understand that just typing the last three words of that first sentence cause me to convulse and break into a sweat, but I have to face facts, and the fact is I don't own a laptop (or as my father calls it, a flaptop).

Although I debated pre-loading enough posts to carry me through this week, I never got around to it, so I have to do another thing that causes me to convulse--not post until next Sunday or Monday. Yes, I am breaking my streak.

Please enjoy the break from my rambling thoughts, run-on sentences and mindless, one-way banter and consider it my end-of-summer gift to you.

To encourage you to come back here each day in spite of no rambling drivel regular posts, I'm declaring this Tell Me Three Things Week. Each day you can leave a comment with three things, anything you want. An observation, a complaint, a random thought, whatever you want.

Tell me three things each day.


I'll start:

1. I wrote an article on Short Lane Ice Cream in Gloucester for Chesapeake Style, a free, local publication. It's coming out in the September issue. This is the first time I've ever been paid to write something. Yay!

2. I have a million ideas on ways to earn money doing things I actually enjoy, but due to the job that pays the bills I don't have the time to pursue them.

Some of these ideas include selling pictures (and making my own frames using lumber from old structures around here including our barn next door); partnering with the local visitor center and businesses to create interesting package deals for visitors; making a documentary or a film about Mathews which would entail interviewing many of the older citizens and having them talk about days gone by; writing a book; and the one that I really want to do the most: developing a weekly TV series that would focus on local topics of interest - such as metal detecting historic homes; touring the local churches; the seafood industry and earning a living off the water; farming; boating; etc. etc. My ideas on this TV series alone are absolutely endless, and I really think I could make it interesting and funny.

But I don't have time to pursue any of it.

3. I hope that you all have a great week and a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

24 comments:

Annie said...

1. Well, I hope you have a wonderful break then! Good on you squeezing the life out of summer (?)
2. I do hope your dreams of making a movie/weekly spots about Mathews comes to fruition..
3. We just have to find the right person for you to talk to. Surely in the internet world there is someone who knows someone.
4 Have just put the little family back on the plane for NY. Very sad. And then I had to go sleep. To catch up!

Pueblo girl said...

I'll really miss your posts, but hope you have a good time.

Your ideas about alternative work all sound fantastic - and achievable. I did something similar (but nowhere near as ambitious) 18 months ago, which resulted in a long time doing two jobs at once and ended in a (probably stress-related) hospital stay. I know that doesn't sound very encouraging, but I survived, got my project off the ground, and have been able to leave my personal paying hell (which also involved long commutes).

For me, the hardest thing was to find something I could do - sounds like you already have that one sussed. So I'm crossing my fingers you find a way to cook up some time to get your projects off the ground. Even if it's baby steps at first.

Ann Marie said...

1. I have no desire to ever show my fat butt on TV but would love to pursue behind the scenes local stuff for a show.

2. I have the same desire to take local photos and frame them with things such as barn lumber and old windows

3. No one would ever pay to take my rambling crap about anything I am so proud of you..

you may not have time... I may not have time.. but I am wondering if two Mathews County Girls together would have plenty of time to make some of this stuff happen!

Mental P Mama said...

!. Have a wonderful week.
2. Where can I get a copy of your article??? That is wonderful!
3. I think the tv show should feature all the visitors;)

Caution/Lisa said...

1. Congratulations, paid writer!
2. Hope you sqeeze every single second out of this week.
3. If I had the resources, I would absolutely bankroll your dreams. You are that talented.

Daryl said...

1. I think I had ice cream at Short Lane when we were in Gloucester for that wedding in Oct'07

2. The idea for the TV show is excellent, I would look into local cable TV opporunities, I am serious .. most cable providers offer public access .. its an inexpensive way to start

3. Please do not use any of the old barn til I get back to take more pix

Meg McCormick said...

1. You need the break. Enjoy it. We're not going anywhere, don't worry.

2. I totally think you could take your photographs and frame them, or make note cards or prints, and sell them locally - or open yourself a nice Etsy shop.

3. I have a friend in Buffalo who specializes in reclaiming old woods, including old barns, and repurposing it into building materials that are much in demand. Before it was cool, in 1985, my mom took barn boards when we moved away from our farm and paneled a couple of walls in our townhouse basement with them. She recently moved out of that house and was sad to leave the barn-walls behind.

Unknown said...

1. Have fun!

2. Take pictures, notes and a random video.

3. Give the kids lots of junk food and spending money.

4. I heard that! and yes, I'm a trouble maker.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

1.Have fun!
2.Who said ice cream?
3.Yeah I have that job problem too!

Angel Mama said...

1. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, fun week with the kids! School is comin...

2. I will miss reading your blogs, though.

3. I think you should go for any/all of your money making ideas. I had thought of selling pictures, too.

4. Did I mention my hubby broke the camera? :(

5. My Angel dog is in the hospital, she will probably be OK, but still scary, going back to the vet to check on her in a hour.

Meg McCormick said...

Hey, did anyone feed the cats? I'll water the plants...

Ann Marie said...

1. I had a hard time writing today.
2. I am a bit tired... and for no good reason.
3. I am dreading Thursday for a couple of different reasons.

Mental P Mama said...

Who's watching Twinkie? I better get down there right now.

Ann Marie said...

1, I have killed three trees in the last day printing stuff for work... 1500 pages... 250985 to go.

2. I am going to miss my therapy session tomorrow.

3. I will be drugged to a point of not caring by 2 pm tomorrow and I am thinking of having a bottle of wine or two when I get home to top it off!

4.. oddly enough my keyword today is Kocks... considering the body part post I had today.. it is quite funny.. funny enough I snorted out loud on a work call.

Meg McCormick said...

1. Come!
2. Back!!
3. Soooon!!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry you weren't able to blog but I'm glad to you came to the beach. Otherwise I never would have learned how great Mathews is.

The weather hasn't been perfect everyday but anyday at the beach beats a day at work.

Hope to hear more about Mathews...

Ann Marie said...

1. I missed therapy last night but supplemented the evening with an Oxy a valium and a large Jose...

2. The Dr appt went well I think... then again see above I may not be the best one to ask how it went.

3. I really hope you are having a great time!

Maria from NJ said...

1. I'm glad it's Friday

2. I'm glad tomorrow is one of 3 days off

3. I should play the lottery so it's one of a million days off.

Anonymous said...

1. I have missed you more than you will ever know.

2. Hope you have had a wonderful week.

3. Husband has worked the whole holiday weekend at the Kitty Litter plant so Annie Ree is taking me to the island today but you and her shall reapt the bennys cause I have spent the cash already hehehehe!!!

Anonymous said...

why is it that i can never type a post without a typo!!

kl

Ann Marie said...

1. I found the perfect craft for us to do.. it is easy and we can sell them at market days next year.

2. Best part it REQUIRES the consumption of A LOT of wine.

3. I know you are thinking... ARRGGGGHHHHH something ELSE??? but did you read #2???

Anonymous said...

I sure miss you. Come back soon!

Pueblo girl said...

Hell, my mornings just aren't the same. And not in a good way. Come back!

Country Girl said...

1. How did I miss this post?
2. It's Labor Day and I spent it like I wanted to.
3. Come home safe. And happy. And rested.