04/52: The Photographic Writer, originally uploaded by lancelonie (catching up real slow).

Experts say that you shouldn’t bring technology in your bedroom.  The bedroom is the place where you should relax and sleep.  Being a tech-obsessed person, I usually ignore this and bring my laptop in while watching television.  It’s time that I stop!

I’ve noticed that lately, I am sleeping later, which throws me off the next day because I am exhausted.  When I lived with my parents, I couldn’t do this because A. They didn’t have a wireless network and B. They kids and I slept in the same room.

I need to break this addiction.  From now on, the laptop stays out of the bedroom.  It will give my brain time to slow down, so I can relax before sleeping.  The television is another device that I need to turn off.  When I was in high school, I would read for 30 minutes before bedtime.  It’s something that I want to start doing.

Tonight, I plan to start on this quest.  I might fall off the wagon a few times, but I know that I can do it.

There are sometimes when I crave to be alone.  Not have anyone around, but me.  I’m listening to my Ipod, typing on here, and watching the results on my muted TV.  I’m in a state of perfect bliss.

Yesterday, I went to the Salvation Army and Goodwill sites to find which had a center close to my place, so I could donate my son’s old television and clothes that no longer fit. After seeing that the Salvation Army had a store nearby, the children and I piled in the car and headed that way. When I arrived, I was shocked to realize that they did not accept donations. You have to call a number for them to come pick up the donated goods.

This is the second, or third, time that I have tried to donate something and have been given the runaround. What bothers me is that you try and do something good for other people, and the people to do that, make it so difficult. I can see why there are people who give up and decide just to throw away the items that could benefit someone in need. Why? Salvation Army and Goodwill making everything so difficult.

I remember one time my best friend and I headed to Goodwill to drop off some toys that I was going to give away. The guy was so rude. He kept yelling at us about the most minor things. It got to the point that my friend and I were both yelling at him in return.

I have books that I am donating, and I have decided to give them to my local library. I called them, and they are accepting donations.

If you are having the same issues that I am, check your closest library, church, or shelter to see if they need items. It might save you the stress and gas of having to go all the way to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, and find that it doesn’t accept donations (even though it says on their site it does).

I have started the dreaded task of dating.  Dating is something that I am not super fond of.  I haven’t been in a serious relationship with a man since 2005, so I am not sure how I will do in one now.  Nevertheless, I do want to get married and have two more children one day, so I guess it’s time that I venture out there.  The kids are ready for me to find someone as well because they keep talking about having a new baby sister or brother one day. 

I decided to try Yahoo! Personals after failing miserably with Match.  Match seems to be more for people that do not have children and don’t want to date anyone who has any.  I am not angry because everyone has their preference, and I want to find someone who is comfortable being around children.  One of my best friends found her fiancé on Yahoo!, so I took her advice and decided to give it a chance.  Yahoo! seems a better fit.  Thanks Dawne!

Right now there are three guys: a Scientist, a Lawyer, and a TV Producer. 

Scientist – He is the only one that I have met so far.  He is in his early 30’s, used to be a teacher and coach, adores his dog, and is very intelligent.  I think he is great (so far).  We’ll see what happens on the second date.  We are supposed to go to a Greek restaurant, so I am pretty excited.

Lawyer – Meeting him for lunch tomorrow.  He seems really sweet, good looking, own practice, smart, and funny.  However, he is ready to get married and have children, and I worry that he will just commit to anyone.  Another thing is that he is only 5’9.  Being a taller than average women who loves her heels, I wonder if he will be too short for me.

TV Producer – We talk all the time, and he is the one that I like most of all.  Cute, funny, English major, laid back, and cool.  He is all a Producer for Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, which are two of my children and I favorite channels.  However, he lives in MD (I hate MD!), and he is legally separated.  I usually would run the other way, but he said that in MD they can’t get divorced until they have been legally separated for a year.  It’s something I know from my older sister.  However, not even a year separated and already on the playing field?

I hate dating.  If someone knows how to work a crystal ball, please let me know.