New Year's Resolutions

I've never really been big on New Year's Resolutions.  I suppose now I'm old enough to admit why:  1. I'm a terrible procrastinator and 2.  I very easily get bored and distracted!  I often have the very best of intentions, but have the hardest stinking time sticking with it.  I've found in life that deadlines can be my very best friends, as well as clients and friends who help keep me on track.  Sometimes I just need a little nudge in the right direction, "Megan, we need to do such and such today" . . . "Ok".  So working by myself has it's challenges.  I often wish I had an assistant.  And their only job would be to make sure I stay focused and get my work done in a timely manner.  I'm feeling spectacular today, b/c it's a Sunday so I'm not even supposed to be working, but this is kind of like work so I feel like I'm getting something done even though it's not technically work.  Good deal!  As my first post I feel like I should share a good bit about myself and why I'm starting this blog and what I intend for it to be about.  I'm sure it will take interesting turns along the way, but that's ok.  I have no rules for myself here other than do it.  I have so many things in my head that just need to get outta there in some sort of orderly fashion. 

So about me.  Well, the basics are that I'm 33 years old (I know, don't ask a woman their age . . .blah, blah . . .it's almost 2013 here and I always wonder how old folks are so there you go), I'm married to a wonderful guy (don't tell him I said that as I'm sure he won't read this and I don't want it going to his head or anything) and I have three lovely daughters.  I can't say don't tell them b/c the oldest will probably read all of these, the next will act like she read them, but will only read the first couple of sentences then think she got the gist of it, and they would both say the third can't read.  She's almost 10.  I assure you she can read, but doubt she'll enjoy reading this.  After all, they have to listen to me jabber every day, so why do it here, right?  Anyway, my kids are 14, almost 12, and almost 10.  We stay super busy with band, cheerleading, gymnastics, homework, and all the other exciting things that go on when you have three active children.  My husband is in the military, so I stay in charge of all the household functions b/c there are times when he has to be gone with no control over it.  Too hard to switch.  Mom's in charge.

More about me.  Hmm.   This is fun.  Don't know if anyone will read it, but I suppose I feel good getting it on "paper" and if anyone actually wants to read it they can maybe get a laugh at my silliness.  Let's see, I already mentioned I am very easily distracted.  I'm like a grown up who is really ADHD, but too tired to be the H so mostly just ADD.  But I'm also contantly accused of being OCD, so if I'm working on a task that I'm really into the clock and anyone who interrupts me are my eternal enemies.  And yes, I know there are folks out there who say you shouldn't throw the whole OCD thing around willy nilly.  No, I'm not clinically diagnosed.  That's mostly b/c I refuse to go to the clinic to BE diagnosed.  I already know I'm two scoops of crazy, and not always the easiest person to be around (or to work around) so it's a free country . . .if you don't like me, you're welcome to not hang around me.  I have extremely high standards.  Some would call my standards "perfection" and claim that they are not possible.  Not true.  My philosophy is this:  If something is worth doing, it's worth doing with excellence.  If you aren't going to do it your very best and strive for excellence, don't do it at all.

About my work.  Well I call myself a home designer because I feel like that's the title that best fits what I do.  I'm technically a drafter and more specifically an architectural drafter.  My formal training is mostly in mechanical drafting, and regarding architecture I'm mostly self-taught.  Many folks call me an architect, and depending on the situtation I correct them or don't.  The truth is I'm an architect at heart, but a drafter on paper.  I'm not a licensed architect, but what I do on a day to day basis is very similar to what an architect does.  So the longer I do what I do, the more I think of myself as one and I go back and forth on the whole topic of going back to school (would be the second time for me to go "back" to school) to attain the proper degree and work towards licensure.  But for now I'm content doing what I do.  I don't want this to be a shameless promotion of my business, but hey, this is my blog and I can do what I want to do!  Truth be told, when I tell people what I do they think it's so fabulously cool that they just line right up to hire me.  Ok, I'm bending the truth a little bit there, but people do tend to think it's pretty amazing and do often wait for several months to use me instead of going with someone else.  Why?  One word.  3D.  Is that a word?  I'm not really sure, but you get the point.  In case you haven't picked up on this by now, I do home design, but I don't just do the design  . . .I also do the blueprints.  That's a little bit backwards, b/c I started out just drawing the blueprints and didn't have a clue in the world how to design.  People would bring me their sketches after finding a builder and I would make them into nice neat construction documents for them with the occasional timid input regarding design, layout, etc.  The longer I do this (and after building my own home . . .sometimes dream, sometimes nightmare . . .but that's another post, well another blog in an of itself) the more confident I become with the design input.  So now I feel like most of my clients want me for my design capabilities.  Ok, I'm feeling a little bit confident with that statement . . .I know that people really want me for my program's 3D capabilities.  I actually model the house in 3D in the computer then generate the 2D construction documents off the 3D model.  So people get to see what their house looks like before they build it.  It's such an invaluable tool that I can't even put it into words.  I know I seriously need to update the images on my website, and I will do that in due time, but if you're reading this you can take a look at some of the pictures if you haven't already.  Now tell me it's not a bazillion times more helpful to see a project in 3D in the computer before building it instead of just looking at some floor plans and elevations.  Yep.  See, I told you so!

About this blog.  Well, if you haven't noticed, there's just a lot of stuff and ideas and such bouncing around in my head, and I really like to talk!  But we live in a crazy busy world and it's just not so easy to find or make the time to sit around and jabber to my heart's content.  This is my permanent jabber!  For the whole world to see!  Whew.  That made me a little nervous.  I suppose I shouldn't be nervous.  Right now I have no followers, so therefore no critics.  I generally pride myself on being a grammar and spelling stickler, but I'm not writing a thesis here or anything, so if I have a few typos or grammatical errors, please forgive me.  I should be good with all but the pickiest proofreader!   I will do my best to stay on topic, but I've already given the disclaimer that I'm easily distracted . . .sometimes one thing makes me think of another thing and I can't help but divulge.  If I'm smart I may jot that down for a future post topic.  I promise I will try my very best to keep my posts and my thoughts "organized", but again . . .no rules, so my format will most certainly NOT be anything that would be acceptable for a book, or a newspaper article, or probably anything else.  I am very fond of using dot dot dot, you know . . . . . . .but only ever three.  I feel like it best punctuates my thoughts.  I know it's not proper, but it's me, so there you go.  I'm from the south.  Well I'm originally from Minnesota, but I've lived in Arkansas since I was eight, so I'm pretty darn southern.  I use words and phrases such as "y'all" (but I spell it "yall" because I'm too lazy to put in the aposhtrophe) and "good deal".  I'm not exactly sure what "good deal" means, but it's something like "roger", which I also say a lot (Army wife . . .can't help it).  I'm also really cool, but in a dorky way . . .my family would say that I'm a dork, but in a cool way.  Ok, they would just say I'm a dork.  And a nerd.  And a geek.  Because those are all different, you know.  Anyway, I do say "awesome" a lot with an occasional "rock on".  Again, everyone has the freedom to not read my blog if you feel this is too long or too dorky or whatever. 

More about this blog.  I've been asked how often I'm going to post.  Don't know.  Don't care.  My Mom writes a weekly gardening column for our local paper.  I love what it allows her to do, but the idea of a weekly deadline freaks me out so this is perfect for me.  I will post when I dadgum feel like it.  (I just remembered I say dadgum a lot as well).  I'll probably loosely shoot for once a week or so, but may be more when I feel chatty and may be less if I'm super busy (which is often).  I'll just have to see how it goes!  I have a few future topics in mind that include how to properly set up a guest bedroom (and bathroom) to make your guests feel as comfortable and welcome as possible and how to milk your heat pump for all it's worth in very cold weather in the south.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'm totally up for it.  Although I may tell you I don't like it and I don't want to write about it.  Or that I don't have an opinion on that.  Although that's not likely to happen considering I have an opinion on most everything.  I will however refrain from political posts and dicussions and although I feel very strongly about politics and my own beliefs, this is a design blog and anything political in nature is strictly banned from this area b/c it stresses me out and hinders my creativity.  And I have to be creative to work, so if anything messes with that it usually is forthwith bannished.  Also no potty mouth.  I won't use it on here and I also ask that it not be used in any comments (supposing I have any!).  If you use potty mouth on here you will be scolded and have to edit it.  And you'll have to do push-ups in the main isle where everyone can see you . . .wait, forgot where I was for a minute.  Ok, so I suppose that's about it.

As far as the title of this post, I have many things that I'd like to do better with in the upcoming year, but only one that I really want to hold myself to:  This blog.  This blog IS my New Year's Resolution!  Why?  I feel like it gives a glimpse into my life that gives it just the hint of transparency that I need to force me to follow through on all the other things I am too frightened to actually claim as resolutions.  You want a picture of me on here?  I used to be skinny, and now I'm not, so I need to drop a few pounds before I post one.  You want to see pictures of my house and tips on organization?  Well that means I need to organize first!  That may not work out all that well, but a girl can hope, right?

Wish me luck and let me know if you have any requests for my next post.  Please only good reviews.  If you don't like it, just exit the blog quietly from the back and don't crush my dreams.

Let the fun begin!!!

As ever . . .devoted to design,
Megan Musgrove