Attention expectant mamas and those with babies/toddlers under age 18 months- please fill out this form to be considered for a fun opportunity!
I’m Ali, a mom of 3 with a full-time job and a neglected blog. I started writing My Suitcase Full of Tricks after friends said that my Facebook status updates were worthy of a book (or a reality show). A blog is more my speed. I love sushi, slushees and the dog hair tumbleweeds that cover my house.
Several weeks ago, Shell invited me to post on her blog via a very buttoned-up email containing her guest posting guidelines. After doing a little happy dance (true story), I told her I’d take a look. With that she commented “I finally figured out to just put the answers to the questions everyone asks in one spot instead of typing out a long email. I am lazy.”
“Shell lazy?” LAZY? Is she kidding?
I admit I don’t excel in many areas, but I’ve got Shell and probably all of you completely beat in the laziness arena. So in the true spirit of “Things I Can’t Say”…or better yet, “Things I Shouldn’t Say,” I, Ali, confess that I am LAZY. There I said it! I’m the Queen of Half-Assery.
My mother, husband and over 50 teachers will attest to the fact that I under-extend myself. There is family folklore that when I was finally old enough to babysit my siblings, I made them fetch magazines for me while I watched TV. I recall none of this.
In my defense, I’m not sure that “lazy” is a fair assessment. Perhaps “selectively motivated” or “hard work averse” or “gifted in resting” describe my talent more appropriately. I’m all for getting an important job done when absolutely, I mean ABSOLUTLEY, necessary, but I’m a firm believer that if I can get by with “good enough,” I will every time!
Here are a few examples of things I’ve done that might qualify as lazy. You be the judge:
- Rather than getting the milk out again, when Kid #1 finished his breakfast, I poured new cereal into his used milk and gave it to Kid #2. More than once.
- I’ve been known to type “Happy Birthday” onto a person’s Facebook wall and then copy and paste the same “Happy Birthday” for three other people. Lazy?
- My house cleaning philosophy for when company comes is “Just pick up the big chunks” – only the stuff people will notice. They’re not going to inspect the floor, so no need to mop it.
- I’d rather put a sweatshirt on over my shirt (one step) than to take my shirt off, put on a bra and then have to put the shirt back on. The fewer steps the better.
So why am I telling you all of this? There’s something I want you to consider about other moms like me: Her qualities that one might define as “lazy,” she might consider God-given talents supporting her true passion for rest. You might choose to exercise, scrapbook or read. The thing I truly love is relaxing. I should start a movement to make relaxing an acceptable hobby! It’s taken years of practice perfecting the skills of prioritization, delegation and hitting the snooze button with the lightning fast reflexes of a ninja.
I encourage you to all take a proverbial page out of my book. Of course it is a really short imaginary Cliffs Notes size book because I’d be too lazy to write an imaginary book any longer. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna go take a nap.
Be sure to leave Ali some comment love here and then go visit My Suitcase Full of Tricks!
Woo hoo! I love being the first one to leave a comment. Thanks so much Shell for having my here on your awesome blog. It’s like spending the day at a fancy hotel.
Ali recently posted..WTF Wednesday – The "Pinterest is Not For Spam" Edition
…and of course by “my” I meant “me.” Too early…
Ali recently posted..WTF Wednesday – The "Pinterest is Not For Spam" Edition
I love Ali! They totally should make relaxing a hobby.
Barbara recently posted..A day in the life…sans mots
And I love you too, but we established that long ago!
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I, too am hard work intolerant and gifted in resting! Great post!
Caitlin MidAtlantic recently posted..Buffet Closed
We should start a club. You’re in charge of getting the t-shirts printed.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I’m not sure if lazy fits anyone who works full time, blogs, and has 3 kids, but I love the term selectively motivated!
ilene recently posted..Boot Camp
OK, then we’ll switch “lazy” to “crazy!”
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
Ali, you and your passion for his enough are right up my ally.
Oh I rhymed. Ali. Ally. Ha!!
Also.
Who needs a bra anyway.
I certainly don’t. These 32 A tatas don’t really need to be contained.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I vote for resting as a hobby too!
Paula @ Simply Sandwich recently posted..My Story: How I Became a Sandwich
Come over to the dark side Paula.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
This post is awesome and so how I feel! We need to start a movement celebrating laziness. I noticed I just place the folded laundry on top of all the disheveled clothes in the dresser bc I’m too lazy to fix them…when I even get around to folding the laundry.
Leigh Ann recently posted..The experience of a lifetime
Eh. They get messed up anyway. Eventually they’ll get worn.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I’ll happily take a page out of your book Ali. It feels like I could use a good dose of just plain relaxation right now. As for using milk again… why waste it when another child will eat it???
Have a good weekend.
Susi recently posted..Fill in fun and a weekend getaway…
I know. Some cow worked really hard to make that milk. That would have been an insult to the cow.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I am with everyone resting should be hobby and my four year old should want to participate in it.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Naughty Toes- Read.Explore.Learn
HA! You’re right. Let’s try to make a game out of our new hobby.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I agree relaxing should be a recognized hobby. I might take it a step further and call it an art form. With so much grabbing for our attention, it takes real skill to ignore it all and just chill. I am working on it and there are those who say I am quite good.
Seams Happy recently posted..At The Hospital Again
Yeah, a skill. I’m going with that!
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
Ha ha these are some great tips…I am taking notes from you Ali
It’s all about getting by right?
Natalie recently posted..Wordless Wednesday-Brotherly Love
You don’t qualify for part of the lazy club Natalie. You have an infant. You’re going to have to wait it out until he’s at least 2 before you can start neglecting him.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
So funny! I thought I was the laziest mom ever. I’m glad to be in good company.
Good company indeed!
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I would not call that lazy. I call it efficient and using resources wisely.
Jennifer recently posted..Sum It Up {Random Thoughts}
I like the way you think!!!
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
Gifted in resting!! Love love it! You should hurry and coin that term.
Emmy recently posted..Proud Mommy Moments: Drama, drama
I mean, really! I’m awesome at it. Coining it now. Feel free to use it.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
“Gifted in resting!” Ha! What a wonderfully P.C. term! I love it!! Since you are so lazy Ali, what is your secret to staying so slim then?
Maybe because I’m not eating when I’m resting? Nah, good genes.
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
Wait, doesn’t everyone know the awesomeness that is copy and paste??? I always do that on birthdays, but I have to think if any of the two birthdays know each other so I can change the “hope your day is terrific” to “hope your day is excellent” or something. Very rarely, I’ll say something else (like to a sibling.)
I do a lot most of the day, but LOVE that naptime, even with four kids, maybe especially with four kids!
We’re geniuses!
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I call it time management or conserving my energy (you know for when I really need it). The sweatshirt thing – I do it all the time! So much easier and more comfortable!
Making It Work Mom recently posted..Dress Drama and Being a Girl’s Mom
Except I live in Florida and I’m often wearing a sweatshirt in 90 degree heat
Ali recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: My Suitcase Full of Tricks
I can get on this lazy bandwagon.
Now, how can I get the kids to understand.
Jessica recently posted..Essence of Now: Expanding Our Brains
I am the same way, I enjoy relaxing. My motto…
Work smarter, Not harder.
Jenna recently posted..A look back
I am with ya 100%! But I like to use prettier words like instead of lazy, you are CONSERVATIVE. You conserved milk by reusing it. You conserve your energy by copy & pasting those Happy Birthdays. Conservation is all the rage! Embrace it!!
Cyndy recently posted..Happy Fragments
Relaxing is all about conserving energy. You are an environmentalist!!
angela recently posted..Chipped Nails and Fairy Tales
Genius! Love this post and love the idea of starting a movement pro-laziness… I mean, pro-relaxation.
She’s not “lazy”…She’s just “supporting her true passion for rest.” Love that. You should be a politician
Jen {at} take2mommy recently posted..Wordless/Wordful Wednesday: First Pitch
I also love to relax and I consider it as a hobby. I cannot resist it but relaxing makes me feel as a whole. My mind is intact and my whole being is entirely stress free
Danyelle Franciosa recently posted..Allkind Joinery Brisbane – Upholding a Proud Tradition
I’m not sure if you let men into your group but man my husband could be your token male…geesh he has made an occupation out of relaxing!! Lol lol Great post!!!!
Made me LOL!!
M
This is not exactly me… but this made me laugh because I am actually writing a post this week (eventually) about Rest. Someone recently told me I am really good at resting. I took a moment to consider if it was a compliment or an insult, but got bored, so I guess it was a compliment.
Great post! Perfect celebration of a positive character trait many people don’t encourage.
AJ Collins recently posted..What I am learning about Forgiveness
My husband has turned releaxing into an artform as well. I’m all about the good nap. It’s what’s been missing from my life this past week and a half. Wait. I think you just inspired my post for tomorrow. Thanks, Ali!!
Marianne recently posted..Surrender
I agree with you Ali, not necessarily “lazy”. You’re efficient!
just JENNIFER recently posted..Cuz you need something else to vote for
Cliff notes! I had forgotten all about those. They were my best friend in high school. I have to say that I really do need to take a page out of your Cliff Notes. I have been trying lately and it has helped over the last week to calm me down and not act so crabby. Notice I said “so” crabby?!
Kristen recently posted..Great Expectations with G*funk*ified