Wednesday, March 2, 2016

"I Have a Plan"

 
You have a plan?  Oh, no!  Not again, Miss March.
What do you mean not again?  It's a very good plan.
Oh, I'm sure it is, but is it the same plan you had last month, and the month before that, and the month before that?
I do not follow you.  Of which plan are you talking?
Oh, you know!  The regular one.  The plan for turning over a new leaf.  For becoming responsible and productive.  Rising early.  Getting loads of work done.  Wasting less time.  Exercising...
Exercising does not feature in this plan.
Ah-ha!  Too much for you, eh?
Not at all.  It's just that I already have an exercise routine--and have had one for years--so there was no need to add one to this new plan.
An exercise routine?  You??  Who do you think you're fooling?
I resent that.   If you can't mind your manners and be polite I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Okay, I apologize.  No offense.
Offense taken.
Come!  You needn't be so sensitive about it.   I understand perfectly. Exercising is a complicated matter.  The only moderately consistent form of exercise you've ever done is to walk up and down the trail behind your house, and it is obvious that the weather plays a significant role in the practicality of that form of excursion.
Exactly so.  Quite right.  (You have more sense than I gave you credit for.)
Thank you.  Of course I do.   But honestly, everybody knows the weather conditions must be favorable for a walk.  You can't take a walk in three feet of snow, you know.  That would be ridiculous.
Precisely.
And the fact that there isn't any snow on the ground at the present moment really has nothing to do with it.  Now does it?
I detect a hint of sarcasm in that remark, and I have a feeling you will not be silenced until I give you proof of my current exercise routine.
Proof?  What do I need of proof?  I already know what your current exercise routine is.  Here, let me tell you.
 
 
Miss March's Exercise Routine:
 
In the Winter:  I need to exercise!  I'm getting far too lazy and fat.  It's too cold to do it now, of course, but in the summer I'm going to go on walks every single day!
 
In the Summer: Who could ever stand to walk in such heat?!  Walking in the winter would be much better than walking in the summer.  Sure, it's cold then, but at least you can bundle up and get warm by walking.  In the summer one wants to be cool.  Walking would never help to accomplish that.  In fact, I think fall would be the best time to walk.  Yes.  I'm sure it would.  I'll begin exercising in the fall.
 
In the Fall: Just as soon as the corn is cut down I'm going to start walking regularly.  It's too claustrophobic on the trail just now.  After the harvest it will be better.
 
In the Winter: Oh my!  Where has the time gone?  It's winter already!   Well, as I've said before no one could be expected to take regular walks in such freezing temperatures as this.  I know summer will be a better time.   I know it.  I'll start my new exercise routine when it gets warmer.


There.  What do you say to that?
You're cruel.
I know.  'And it makes me feel good ALL OVER.'
Stop quoting movies and pay attention.  I was talking about my new plan.
Oh, right.  I forgot.  How silly of me.  You don't want to talk about exercise anymore?
No.  I want to talk about my new plan.
Right.  Fire away.  ...Oh, but one question.  This is a new plan, isn't it?
"Shh.  Be quiet and let me talk."
"Alriiiight.  You needn't get huffy."
"Thank you.  As I was saying.  I have a plan.  And it's a very good one, too.  I've decided that I have not been using my time wisely, and so here's the deal: I'm going to turn over a new leaf.  I'm going to be productive and get a lot of things done every day.  I'm going to start getting up earlier and pursuing more varied activities and projects.  I spend too much time on the computer..."
...which is why you are sitting in front of it right now, and have been for the past three or four hours...
 
Would you be quiet?  I am attempting to say something.
 
'Well, you can say anything you like because nobody's listening.'
Where are you pulling all those quotes from?  Do you have a list or something?
'That...would seem to be...the mystery.'
Is there no way to turn you off?
Nope.
Grr.  I'm not talking to you anymore.
Suit yourself.
People of the blogging world, I address myself to you.  This is my little plan.
 
 
Miss March's Plan for Turning Over a New Leaf:
 
1. Get up at 6:30, or thereabouts.  (Notice she said 'thereabouts'.  That's important, people.  *wink*)
2. Chores and laundry and household responsibilities must not be neglected.  (Very sound advice, Miss March.  I hope you profit by it.)
3. Set aside mornings for computer work, and don't let it run into the afternoons.  (Don't cross your fingers, folks.  You don't want them to get stuck that way.)
4. Aim for publishing at least one blog post a week.  (What a tragedy!)
5. Don't waste time looking at random things on the internet while waiting for writing inspiration.  If you can't think of anything to write, just get off the computer.  (Hey!  That's a good one.  Just the sort of advice you need, Miss March.)
6. Write out an official book list and start reading more regularly.  ('The improvement of her mind by extensive reading.'  Very good.  She could use the improvement.)
7. Set aside a half-hour each day to work on writing a story.  (It's a fun thing to think about anyway...)
8. Try to be more intentional about spending time with your siblings.  (Oh!  Poor siblings.)
9. Don't stress out if you can't manage to accomplish all these things consistently.  (Well!  That's one way to get yourself off the hook.)
10. Find out how to turn off the second voice in your head so you can write something intelligent next time.  (Ha! Just try it!)
 


40 comments:

  1. *stifles giggles*

    Miss March, this is hysterical. ;-P The exercise routine especially -- I'm cracking up. How ARE you going to get rid of that persistent annoying voice inside your head?!

    Your plan for turning over a new leaf sounds like a very sound one. Best of luck!

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    1. Really? Oh, that's such a relief. I thought maybe I'd gone a tad too goofy on this one. :P Glad you enjoyed it. (I had fun writing it!) And about that annoying voice. I don't think there IS a way to get rid of it. That's my sarcastic and logical side, and it's pretty solidly stuck to me, I think. ;) Haha!

      Thanks! I have a feeling I'm going to need it. I'm rather horrible when it comes to keeping resolutions. :)

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  2. *giggling* This is HILARIOUS!!! Great idea and I wish you heaps of success with your new plan. :D (I'm actually kind of roughly in the same boat myself at the moment... ;P)

    P.S. And that Bertie picture took me utterly by surprise.... soooooo ridiculously perfect! *goes off grinning*

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    1. Aww, Heidi. THANK YOU! Your comment made so happy. :D Do you have trouble with spending too much time on the computer? Because that's my biggest problem right now. It's such a hard thing to balance. I don't like being on the computer for hours upon hours, but when I limit myself I get stressed because then I fall behind on my projects. How do you do your blogging and writing? Do you schedule out a certain time of the day, or do you just do it whenever you can find the time?

      Bertie! Yes! He has the best facial expressions, doesn't he? Glad you enjoyed that little insert. :D

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  3. Oh, I SYMPATHIZE. (The whole walking dilemma part made me laugh inside, because THAT IS SO ME.)

    Anyway. An excellent plan! And it seems doable :) I've been trying to get up earlier lately, and it's been really helpful. (But not as early as 6:30 every morning, there are limits ;D) But oh! Blue-y inner voice was mean to my Miss March! *hugs her protectively* Don't listen to it. You can do this :)

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    1. I KNOW! Isn't exercising such a bother? ;) Heehee.

      Yes, I tried very hard not to make it too difficult. However, I can see myself failing on no. 3 already. I probably should have worded that differently, as it really isn't possible to keep computer time strictly to mornings every single day, since there are some days when I'm busy in the morning and free in the afternoon. Ah, well. Whatever. :P

      Oh, doesn't it feel so good to get up early? (I mean, once you're actually up and fully awake. It's not so fun at the start.) Haha! And yes, there certainly are limits. I used to get up at 6:00...but now 6:30 is a stretch for me, and usually it ends up being more around 6:45 or 7:00 (at the earliest).

      "Blue-y inner voice was mean to my Miss March!" Oh, Olivia! You're the sweetest! *HUGE big hug* This last part of your comment made me smile so much when I read it. And I was still smiling about it later in the day! :)

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    2. It really is ;)

      Yeah. I think it's good how you switched it; that makes more sense, and it should be more practical, right?

      Haha, yep. One feels so accomplished (or at least, I do) :)

      Dawwwwww *blushes and returns with a big bear hug* Well, good! I meant it :)

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    3. We must be on the computer at the same time! I was just responding to your other comments and this one appeared. :D

      Yes, I think it will be more practical that way. Now I just have to be careful not to make endless excuses for myself, and fall right back into my old bad habits. ;)

      Awwww. I needed a hug tonight! Thanks so much, Olivia! You're such a dear friend. :D

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  4. My, I don't believe I've ever read a post like this before! It was most amusing! ;) I know what it's like having debates inside your brain. Even though I'm an extrovert (and people tend to think only introverts do it), I often have debates inside my brain. Hehe. Although, generally, they're not as long as this! ;D
    I love the way Armand says "Oh...you...'ave a plan!" in the movie. :D
    Oh, and you obviously entirely forget about exercising during spring because...well, too many other things to do, right?! ;)
    Well, your plans for turning over a new leaf sound quite good. :D I have a rough schedule for a normal weekday stuck on my bed post, but every day is different to the other, there really is NO such thing as a 'normal weekday'. Haha. ;) But good luck with your schedule! ;D
    Since spending less time on the computer is also on MY list, I must be going... ;)
    ~Miss Meg

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    1. Yeah, it was rather strange, wasn't it? I was a little surprised by it myself! ;) Haha! Glad it was amusing, though.

      Oh, yes! The way Armand says "Oh...you...have a plan!" He's so utterly skeptical. It's hilarious. And then how Percy sets him straight by showing him the ring and Armand just stares at him dumbfounded! :)

      Uh, yeah. I did sort of forget about Spring, didn't I? Well, I'll go with what you said...there's too many other things to do during that season, one really can't be exercising. ;) Haha!

      That is so true. There is no such thing as a 'normal weekday.' Thank you for reminding me of that. Indeed, a rough schedule is the best way to go because every day is different, and you never know what a new day will bring.

      Thank you, Miss Meg! And good luck with your list, too! :D

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  5. :D :D :D This post!!!

    Sir Percy! So good to see you here sir. And I see, among others, that Mr. Bennet might have been involved in this post as well.

    Odds fish my dear, Miss March! This was a splendiferous post!! It's good to know that the other voice in your head is about as sarcastic as my own.

    As for exercise, *clears throat*, yeah...I totally understand THAT conversation. ;P
    "Cordy's been meaning to exercise more since she was ten years old." (Can you name that line? I may have personalized it to much...)

    ~Cordy

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    1. :D

      Yep, gotta have Sir Percy! Hmm...Mr. Bennett? I don't remember quoting him, but maybe I did it unconsciously. Let me see...I've looked down through my post and the only quote I can find from Pride and Prejudice is Mr. Darcy's quote, "The improvement of her mind by extensive reading." Is that the one you were thinking of, or am I missing something?

      Aww. Thanks, Cordy! (And sink me, if you aren't talking like Sir Percy! Heehee!)

      What? Is exercise not one of your favorite things, either? My, but we're hopeless. I got it! I got it! It's from Emma 2009, isn't it? "Emma's been meaning to read more every since she was ten years old." Am I right? (I know, there are so many quotes. I could be way off.)

      ~Miss March

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    2. Maybe you didn't mean to quote him, and it isn't a direct quote. Four lines down reminds me, in part, of Mr. Bennet when he says: "I have not the pleasure of understanding you, of what are you talking?" It is modified in the post but it was close enough that when I read it, I heard Mr. Bennet's voice in my head. No, I caught the Darcy quote! :D

      Indeed!

      Nope. Not even close! Yes, very hopeless I'm afraid. Haha. It is from Emma!! You got it! Good, good. Capital, capital! ;)

      ~Cordy

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    3. Oh! That makes sense. No, I wasn't directly trying to quote him, but I wouldn't be surprised if his tone of voice had been in my head when I wrote that! This is so cool! You catch even the subtle quotes that I didn't even know I was quoting! Haha! :D

      Oh, yippee!! I got it right! I love how we've seen so many of the same movies that we can recognize each other's quotes. It's just way too much fun! :D

      ~Miss March

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  6. Arguing with one's self can be difficult at times. ;)
    Bravo!
    -The Girl with the Gold Pen

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    1. Haha. Yes, indeed. Quite an ordeal, really. ;)

      Aww. Thanks!

      ~Miss March

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  7. I LOVE AND RELATE TO EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS POST. Except, there is no way I could word it like you. Your blog posts are SO funny and witty! Eek, I just love this. I'm going to read it to my mom. ;) She'll find it amusing since I have the same problem with getting up early, staying off the computer, getting my work done...:P

    *My* plan is to start getting up at 6:30 (or thereabouts ;)) during the summer. Because it's practically impossible to do so in the wintertime. It's cold. So I need to stay in bed. Makes sense, right?? :D haha

    Anyways, as usual, this was a GREAT post, Miss March!! I hope you can succeed in shutting off the little voice in your head (although, I have to admit, she is very amusing :)) and accomplish your plans!!

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    1. Seriously? Wow. And I thought this might be one of those posts where everyone scratches their head and wonders "what in the world she's babbling on about." Haha! Do you really have a problem with getting up early, staying off the computer, and getting your work done? Oh, I'm SO glad!! (Don't tell your mom I said that. heehee.) No, but seriously. I am glad I'm not the only one. :P

      Yes, indeed. That makes perfect sense. Of course in the summer one doesn't have school, so that's a good reason to sleep in, too, isn't it? Come to think of it, I don't think there's ever a time that's truly meant for rising early. Haha! :D (Don't let your mom read the comments. I think I'm a bad influence. ;))

      Awww. Thank you, Natalie. Just between you and me (and anyone else of course who happens to be reading this), I rather like that little voice, too. ;) He puts a bit of a reality check in there and let's you all know that I very possibly will not succeed in accomplishing all of these things. I like that, because then if I fail I don't have to feel too bad since I already acknowledged that failure was quite possible. If that makes any sense. :/ Oh, and then, too, it's always nice to be able to blame such a ridiculous, unintelligent post on someone other than myself. Haha! ;D

      Thank you for your comment, Natalie! I REALLY appreciated it. :)

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    2. Haha, yes! I relate very much. :)

      I am NOT a morning person. At all. I dreadfully wish I was one, but I'm just not. And yeess. Eesh. Limiting my computer time has been an on-going "area" I need to work on. I like to think I'm better now, but there's always room for improvement. ;) Hmm, very true. But nope, I won't let you dissuade me from my summer goal. (My mom would be so proud haha)

      I know what you mean. :) It is good having a reality check. But yes. Haha, it is rather an excuse, isn't it? "Well, I didn't accomplish my goal, but that's okay because my little voice told me I wouldn't anyways..." heehee!

      Aww, you are so welcome!

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    3. I can't decide if I'm a morning person or not. I enjoy getting up early because I feel more energized and ready to accomplish things, but when I'm REALLY tired...oh, it's a struggle. (I also am not one to go to bed early, so that doesn't help matters very much.) Limiting computer time is so hard, isn't it? I really struggle with that. Time just slips away from me when I'm starring at a computer screen. :/ It's awful.

      "You're a good girl, Amy." (Don't ask me why I've got that quote of Mrs. Clenham's in my head. Heehee.) Seriously though, I think your goal for getting up at 6:30 in the summer is a VERY good idea. And looking at it from another angle, getting up earlier in the summer should actually be easier than in the winter because then you've got the morning sun shining through your window to wake you up. :) Yes, I think it's an excellent idea, and I would never dream of dissuading you from it. (Honestly. I'm not being sarcastic this time. :))

      Uh, well...yes. I suppose it is a bit of an excuse. (Heehee.) :) But also, for me, it's a guard against stress, because if I say adamantly that I'm going to do something I always feel really guilty if I don't actually do it. So putting a slight disclaimer at the beginning helps me not to feel like I failed to keep me word if for some reason I don't accomplish everything I planned to. (Does that make ANY sense?)

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    4. I know! I have the same problem! I'm sorry you have that "problem"...but I'm happy to find someone who relates. ;)
      Heehee, I always seem to make resolutions to go to bed by 9:30-but then, oh look, it's 10:00 already. Oh well. May as well stay up till 10:30 now. :P
      It truly is awful how easily time is wasted on a computer. :(

      Heehee, thank you. I do hope I can stick to my plan...at least most days! The sun shining in is definitely a big plus on my side...I'm also hoping that the warmer it gets, the easier it will be to roll out of bed. It won't be so chilly outside of the covers!
      Thank you so much. :D

      Oh don't worry, that does make sense. I feel the same way. If I say "I will definitely do such and such" rather than "I will hopefully so such and such" it makes me feel more guilty if my plans don't come to fruition.

      Such as not emailing you chapters 3 and 4 yet. Cough. :(

      I think we have a lot in common. ;)

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    5. Haha! Well, if it makes you feel any better 10:30 is actually a rather early bedtime for me. I don't usually get to bed until 11:00 or 12:00--sometimes even 1:00--except, of course, when I have to work the next day, then I'm usually in bed by 10:00. Ha! I know all about making resolutions. ;)

      Oh, indeed. I think warm weather really is easier for getting out of bed, because sometimes you're so hot lying there you just want to get up!!

      I'm glad that made sense. Sometimes I wonder about myself. ;) Thanks for understanding. :)

      Oh my goodness! Don't worry about it, Natalie! I know life gets busy! And anyway, if we're going to talk about e-mailing...*cough* I'm rather guilty on that score myself. I started responding to your e-mail last week, but didn't finish it and now I think I need to start it all over because it was getting too long and confusing. ;P I DO plan to do it soon, though.

      Aww. I've thought the same thing myself. You always seem to be able to relate in some way to what I'm talking about. And I feel like I can always count on you to understand even when I'm not making myself perfectly clear. I'm so glad I met you, Natalie. :)

      ~Miss March

      P.S. By the way, I LOVE your new profile picture! It's so HAPPY! :D

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    6. Haha, I've done 11:00 but unless I'm reading a reaaally good book (cough) or we stayed up late for a special occurrence, I hardly ever stay up til midnight! :D But you mentioning working. Do you have a job? I've been thinking for applying for some sort of part-time job in our town, but I'm not quite sure yet. :)

      Yes, exactly! :D

      Heehee, no problem. :)

      Aw, thank you! Al though the chapters have now been sent out (yay!) I'm thankful for your patience and understanding. And, of course, I hardly need add that I understand about the email! :D

      Thank you!! I'm so glad I met you too. :) As we said in ANOTHER blog conversation, there's always so many smiles and such going around. Our conversations never fail to brighten my day! :D

      Thanks!! I do too! :D

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    7. Yes, I do have a job. It's a VERY part-time job, though. Just one day a week. I work at an indoor market which has a number of different stands selling things such as produce, baked goods, prepared food, jewlery and knick-knacks...etc. There are two vegetable stands in the market and we work at the largest of the two. My dad manages the stand, and has for several years, and ten of us kids so far have had the opportunity to work there as our first part-time job. I've worked there sort of off and on since I was around 14, with a baby-sitting job in between, and then periods of not working at all but just being at home. It's not my favorite job in the world (getting up at 2:50 in the morning is one mark in it's disfavor) but I'm getting more into the groove of it lately, and it is nice to have so many days at home. Also I get to work with four of my brothers, so that's fun! :D (Sorry, that was a rather long explanation.)

      Here, here! I'll second that! Our conversations always brighten my day, too! :D

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    8. That sounds like such a fun job! Especially that you get to work with your family. Haha, I'm sorry you have to get up so early, though. We both know how hard that is! ;)

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    9. Yes, working with my family is the best part of it. :)
      Haha. We do indeed. ;)

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  8. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . I LOVE THIS!!!!

    Seriously. It made me laugh :-) And I know all about that Annoying Voice. It's really quite a nuisance sometimes.

    And Bertie Wooster made an appearance!! Wahoo!!!!

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    1. Awww. THANK YOU, JESSICA! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. :)

      And yes, Bertie Wooster!! How could I not include him when he fit so perfectly? *grin* (I love Bertie.)

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  9. *shrieks of laaaaaaughter*

    Oh Miss March, this was so PERFECTLY HILARIOUS!!! That blue second voice!! Ach, so sarcastic :D And how it kept quoting movies!

    I loved the exercise part. It sounded just like me, excusing myself all year round for sleeping in late! Wonderful job, friend!!

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    1. THANK YOU, Rosie! Wow. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the reception this post received. I was afraid it was going to be a bit of a dud. Haha! :D I'm so happy it amused you.

      Oh, I know! We come up with so many excuses, don't we? :) It's terrible. ;)

      Thank you, Rosie! :) By the way, I just noticed that Jessica's comment was published only six minutes before yours! Did you plan that? Or was that pure coincidence for me to get both sisters' comments at the same time? Just curious. ;)

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    2. Oh no, it was awesome!! You should do that sort of thing more often - you have real talent!

      I know :P

      Ohhhhh, no, we didn't plan it, but I was reading the post and screaming with laughter, and she was like, "What's so funny?" So I told her to go check out your blog as your newest post was SO HILARIOUS. And since we were both on laptops on opposite sides of the room, it ended up that our comments popped up at almost the same time :P

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    3. Aww. Thank you, Rosie. You girls are way too encouraging. :)

      Oh, that's how it was. For some reason I thought Jessica was at college, so I wasn't sure if you were together or in two different places. But that makes sense that you were both in the same room and reading it at the same time. :)

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    4. She is at college, but it's a state college, only thirty minutes away, and so she commutes every day :) We do share a room . . . We have since like forever, almost! It's fun.

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    5. Ah. That makes sense. :)

      That's like me and my sister (the one just above me in age). We've shared a room and a bunkbed for most of our lives. And yes, it certainly is fun! :D

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  10. Such a funny post:) And I can relate to every single sentiment - especially the grand plan for spending time more wisely, I make those myself on a monthly basis;)

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Rose! I'm glad you can relate to this. And, oh yes! The plan for spending time more wisely. Haha. I have a feeling that's a plan we'll be making for the rest of our lives. ;)

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  11. YOU LIVE ON A FARRRRMMM?????

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    1. Weeeelll...not exactly. We live in an old farm house and there are corn fields in the back of the house and to the one side of the house, but we're actually situated in a very developed area. The street in front of our house is quite busy, and there are businesses and shopping centers, houses and whatnot all around our little plot of farmland. (And actually, it's not our farmland at all. We rent our house, and the fields are rented out separately to a local farmer.) The trail behind our house of which I spoke actually leads to a small housing development, but if the corn is grown up and you stay on the trail, you can almost feel like you're in the country. (Whew. Long explanation. Sorry about that.)

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    2. I can picture it - thanks for explaining. I would DIE to live in a farmhouse and near cornfields??? *clutches heart dramatically* Cornfields are so oddly romantic.

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    3. Yes. It is so nice to have a bit of country about you. Even if it is only a bit! ;)

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