What's at the top of my to-do list?
--This is my calendar this week:
-- Today...after Christmas shopping with Sisters and Mom. Eve--Ted has Blues Hockey game
Brother and Dad. Sam spends the night at Grandparents. Racetrack with them tomorrow.
--12/27...Sam and Abby Dental cleaning. Sister and her husband over for dinner.
--12/28...Ted has poker night with buds (really only happens once a year)
--12/29...Date night!!! Abby spends the night at Grandma and Grandpas and goes to see "Annie"
--12/30...Annual Game Night with Women's and Men's Groups
--12/31...New Year's Eve. Have sister and her family over?
--1/1...No plans. Whew
So, I need to figure out a meal for the 27th. I have a Peppercorn Pork Tenderloin in the freezer. I could have that. It's preseasoned. I hope it's good. I'll have greenbeanss and garlic bread and mashedpotatoess. I have this basil pesto that's been in my fridge and it looks really good. I'm going to try it on the green beans and a little on the garlic bread. I've never really cooked with pesto before and I looked up all the uses. It said it's mainly good on vegetables, bread, pasta and chicken. I'm knocking out two of the uses in one night.
--Also need to bring an appetizer to the game night on the 30th. I'll have to think about that one.
--Other than that, my main "to do" is to spend time with my family!!
What have I accomplished?
--We just celebrated Christmas, didn't we?? One major accomplishment!!
--After Christmas shopping produced a great start on Christmas shopping for next year!
What's bugging me?
--Mary bit off the pointy ends of all Ben's new, big crayons (not in one day)
--I wish our Christmas break wasn't so overbooked. I would prefer some more down time. We do have the daytime together at least.
--Sam is spending the night at his Grandparents tonight and I forgot his 2pm dental cleaning tomorrow! Do I reschedule? Ugghhh!!
--My friend Theresa has been in town since the 18th and I haven't been able to talk to her yet.
--My cycle is all screwed up. I need to go to my Gyno. TMI...I know....
What's my latest obsession?
--My new "Master Cook" software. I can enter a brand new recipe and it will calculate the nutritional info based on the ingredients and portions I enter. It's also a database of 8000 recipes!! It will create a shopping list for me based on my recipes I'll be making.
--Spending time with my family. Playing board games.
--Buying Christmas bargains! At Bath and Body I got a bunch of pumps of hand soap with gorgeous gift boxes. I will give them at the family get togethers where we need something small for each person (next Christmas). I'll also give them as Teacher gifts next year. They were only $2 each! I bought 15!
What's been making me happy?
--Ted is on Christmas vacation! He goes back 1/3.
--I got to go shopping today!!
--We have a date night coming up!
--Ted got all these gift cards: a huge one to Best Buy as a bonus for a contract signed, a $110 TJ Maxx one which he gave to me, and a $100 dinner to a nice steakhouse. He also got to take a couple of things out of their "Marketing cabinet"...a signed jersey by Marshall Faulk and a PSP. Neither of which he really cares to own, so we will probably sell them on Ebay. These are nice perks through his job.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Saturday, December 17, 2005
9 Year Old Boy Humor
The above picture is that of our dry erase board...handy for writing down whatever we have just run out of and need to get at the grocery store. My son, Sam, injects a little bit of his 9 year old humor..."POOPFARTS". He means "POPTARTS", of course (strawberry flavor).
Another good example of 9 year old boy humor...a website called " http://www.santasez.sig-ad.com/ " On this site you see a video of Santa. I guess you could call it an "interactive video". You can tell Santa to whatever you want and he does it! There are only a few things he will look at you like he didn't hear you well and not do the performed act. When Ted and I were on the site we thought of very boring things like sit, lay down, etc. Sam, however, with good 9 year old humor, had Santa farting, crying, doing cartwheels, handstands, taking off his clothes, peeing, throwing up, etc. All of this is done in good taste, though. You have to check it out. I've never heard Sam laugh so loud. You can even make Santa knock the tree down and give you a present. Oh, what Christmas fun. :-)
Friday, December 16, 2005
Productive? Or Counterproductive?
So much of what I do is counterproductive.
I started this morning with doing the dishes. Mary was climbing on the dishwasher door while I put the dishes in. I used to fight these things...not anymore. It just gets tiring. I found myself putting cups back in that she had taken out, trying to watch her and make sure she doesn't fall, all while loading the dishwasher. She started crying because I took something away from her and so I gave up. I took her off the dishwasher door and shut it. I'll come back later. So I sit with her on the couch. Give her some attention. She jumped off and started playing. Whew.
Ben wanted orange juice. I put a little in a cup and told him to stay at the end table. Mary grabbed the cup as I was on my way beck into the kitchen and spilled it on the carpeting. Ben cries at Mary for spilling his drink and asks for more. This time I was smart and put him at the kitchen table. I go to clean up the juice which will always leave a piece of itself with my carpeting, I'm sure. It's joining my nice collection of dripping sippy cups of milk and apple juice along with whatever ground in food is in there. In a way, it's a comfort knowing my carpeting is old and totally imperfect. I'm waiting for Mary to turn 4 before we replace it.
I finished up the dishes and then start on making some peanut butter balls. Notice I said "making" not "baking". That's because this batch is a no-bake treat. You've probably heard of it "Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Balls". Mmmmm...peanut butter mixed with butter and Rice Krispies and topped with melted chocolate chips. You cool them in the fridge and that's it! Well, Mary hunted me down and cried at my feet while I'm attempting to assemble these balls. I have peanut butter gook all over my hands and she's got her arms wrapped around my legs begging for attention. I continue on. Sometimes I just drag her along with me as I move about the room to accomplish my task. She was distracted with the cabinets a couple of times so that was good. But finally, she couldn't take it anymore. I finished the job and then held her.
Mary just seemed to be way to crabby and clingy. I decided to lay her down. Now I can get things done much easier! I decided the floor needed a good scrubbing. It was pretty gross. I have a laminate floor in my Kitchen and Breakfast Room. When it needs a good cleaning, I take a small bucket of hot water and get on my hands and knees. I use the Pampered Chef stone scraper (that thing has hardly ever seen a stone) and use it for all the stubborn, dried up stuff. It works wonders. Anyway, Ben comes along and wants his own scrubber. So I look around for one and can't find one. I end up giving him a scrub brush with a handle. I thought that would be fun. He's dunking his brush in the water and spreading puddles all over the floor. *sigh* (God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the peace of mind to get through it all!!!). I abandoned the project. When I leave, he will. He did. Then I came back and started again. So did he. I thought, oh well, I'll clean it up later...at least he's happy. I did get my floor clean. As best as I could anyway. My body was getting tired from all the elbow grease.
Now I'm taking a break. Writing this blog. There is peace in the house as Mary sleeps and Ben is fiddling with the VCR. I don't feel like checking this out. Oh...now he's playing his favorite train video. All by himself! Ahhh...God gives us little delights in the middle of a hectic day. It's like He's saying, "See! It's not all that bad!" Yes. And look what I accomplished!
It's just odd to know some people do these things with little thought at how easily they did it. I have a friend whose kids are all in school. ALL DAY! No one is at home but her! And she doesn't work! Can you imagine??? Sometimes she'll complain about all that she has to do and I think, "You have oodles of time to do this stuff and no one in your way! What are you complaining about?" To be able to have so much focus on what you want to accomplish....*dreamylook*. I know my time will come. I know they aren't young forever. In the meantime, I'll continue to shower with kids at my feet, eat my meals with a million interruptions of needs or someone in my lap, go to the bathroom while a child is playing with the toilet paper, do dishes or make dinner with a little ones arms wrapped around my legs, etc...etc...
It's not that I didn't get anything done. I did. And it feels good to accomplish these things. But I just wish it wouldn't have to be so hard to do the simplest things. Oh shame on you, Missy, for throwing yourself such a pity part! No one enjoys them but you! Even if it's a party of one, sometimes I just need to vent. Thanks for listening.
I started this morning with doing the dishes. Mary was climbing on the dishwasher door while I put the dishes in. I used to fight these things...not anymore. It just gets tiring. I found myself putting cups back in that she had taken out, trying to watch her and make sure she doesn't fall, all while loading the dishwasher. She started crying because I took something away from her and so I gave up. I took her off the dishwasher door and shut it. I'll come back later. So I sit with her on the couch. Give her some attention. She jumped off and started playing. Whew.
Ben wanted orange juice. I put a little in a cup and told him to stay at the end table. Mary grabbed the cup as I was on my way beck into the kitchen and spilled it on the carpeting. Ben cries at Mary for spilling his drink and asks for more. This time I was smart and put him at the kitchen table. I go to clean up the juice which will always leave a piece of itself with my carpeting, I'm sure. It's joining my nice collection of dripping sippy cups of milk and apple juice along with whatever ground in food is in there. In a way, it's a comfort knowing my carpeting is old and totally imperfect. I'm waiting for Mary to turn 4 before we replace it.
I finished up the dishes and then start on making some peanut butter balls. Notice I said "making" not "baking". That's because this batch is a no-bake treat. You've probably heard of it "Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Balls". Mmmmm...peanut butter mixed with butter and Rice Krispies and topped with melted chocolate chips. You cool them in the fridge and that's it! Well, Mary hunted me down and cried at my feet while I'm attempting to assemble these balls. I have peanut butter gook all over my hands and she's got her arms wrapped around my legs begging for attention. I continue on. Sometimes I just drag her along with me as I move about the room to accomplish my task. She was distracted with the cabinets a couple of times so that was good. But finally, she couldn't take it anymore. I finished the job and then held her.
Mary just seemed to be way to crabby and clingy. I decided to lay her down. Now I can get things done much easier! I decided the floor needed a good scrubbing. It was pretty gross. I have a laminate floor in my Kitchen and Breakfast Room. When it needs a good cleaning, I take a small bucket of hot water and get on my hands and knees. I use the Pampered Chef stone scraper (that thing has hardly ever seen a stone) and use it for all the stubborn, dried up stuff. It works wonders. Anyway, Ben comes along and wants his own scrubber. So I look around for one and can't find one. I end up giving him a scrub brush with a handle. I thought that would be fun. He's dunking his brush in the water and spreading puddles all over the floor. *sigh* (God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the peace of mind to get through it all!!!). I abandoned the project. When I leave, he will. He did. Then I came back and started again. So did he. I thought, oh well, I'll clean it up later...at least he's happy. I did get my floor clean. As best as I could anyway. My body was getting tired from all the elbow grease.
Now I'm taking a break. Writing this blog. There is peace in the house as Mary sleeps and Ben is fiddling with the VCR. I don't feel like checking this out. Oh...now he's playing his favorite train video. All by himself! Ahhh...God gives us little delights in the middle of a hectic day. It's like He's saying, "See! It's not all that bad!" Yes. And look what I accomplished!
It's just odd to know some people do these things with little thought at how easily they did it. I have a friend whose kids are all in school. ALL DAY! No one is at home but her! And she doesn't work! Can you imagine??? Sometimes she'll complain about all that she has to do and I think, "You have oodles of time to do this stuff and no one in your way! What are you complaining about?" To be able to have so much focus on what you want to accomplish....*dreamylook*. I know my time will come. I know they aren't young forever. In the meantime, I'll continue to shower with kids at my feet, eat my meals with a million interruptions of needs or someone in my lap, go to the bathroom while a child is playing with the toilet paper, do dishes or make dinner with a little ones arms wrapped around my legs, etc...etc...
It's not that I didn't get anything done. I did. And it feels good to accomplish these things. But I just wish it wouldn't have to be so hard to do the simplest things. Oh shame on you, Missy, for throwing yourself such a pity part! No one enjoys them but you! Even if it's a party of one, sometimes I just need to vent. Thanks for listening.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Snapshot Thursday
What’s at the top of my to-do list?
--I got three family gatherings this weekend. Two on Saturday and one on Sunday...arrgghh. Actually, I am looking forward to them...it's just a lot in one weekend. I need to make something for all three. The first party on Saturday I will do something simple since we won't be there long. I will bring pretzels bites covered with Almond Bark with Christmas sprinkles. It's so easy. I just throw a big bag of Sourdough pretzel bites into a bowl. On the side, melt half a brick of almond bark in the microwave (only takes a couple of minutes) and then I stir them both together til all the pretzels are covered. Then I spread them out on wax paper, sprinkle, cool and break apart. EASY. For the place we are going afterwards, I'm bringing buffalo wings. It'll be my first time frying them instead of baking. I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Here's the recipe: http://chicken.allrecipes.com/az/RstrntStylBfflChicknWings.asp . Sunday, we are celebrating my mom's bday and Christmas with my siblings. I'm bringing mostaccoli (I always forget how to spell that word), and garlic bread. My gifts are wrapped and ready to go. I can't think of anything else beyond this weekend. There are other things I need to do but I have to climb one mountain at a time.
--We need to see the Christmas lights at Tilles Park! We've waited too long. There is not a free night until Wednesday (unless we want to battle the crowds on Friday night) :-(
What have I accomplished?
--Finished Christmas shopping...ok...only one more present to buy...IT'S NEVER ENDING!!
--Finished painting Abby's room. It looks great! Everything has been put back in and pictures are hung! Yahhh!
--Christmas Cards went out last week.
--Adopt a Family stuff all packed and went out last weekend.
--Bought a binder to hold all my printed recipes from the web. Got those nifty dividers too...labeled with "main dish", "desserts", "veggies", etc.
What’s bugging me?
--The fact that I'm watching the kids in the bath right now and I NEED A SHOWER!!
--All the e-mails about stores taking the word "Christmas" out of their advertising. Really...does it matter? I know what it means to me...does it matter what words they use? Will it change how I celebrate my holiday? No. I'm not boycotting Target. I refuse.
--My house is a disaster. Mary was clingy while Ben watched Thomas videos because they scare her...so I haven't gotten anything done...except for blogging...I know I know...how did I do that?
--Ben's latest trip: Dumping Lincoln Logs!!!
What’s my latest obsession?
--Recipes on-line. I'm still obsessing about all the other stuff I've mentioned before.
What’s been making me happy?
--Christmas is almost here!! Ted's taking off a whole week!!!
--Playing with my kids... on the floor, on the couch, in my lap. Sneaking hugs and kisses with the older ones. Telling them they're cute and that I love them.
--Appreciating Mary's size and age while it's here. I know she will grow up before my eyes, quicker than I want to imagine. I love marveling at her little body parts. I clipped her toe nails today. They are so cute and adorable. Soon they'll be all gnarly and smelly like the rest of ours. *snort*
--Thinking about Ben's Christmas Program and "Mom's Day Out". He sucked his thumb through the whole thing.
--My flannel sheets. Hmmm....so warm and fuzzy!
--We are all healthy and thriving again!
--I got three family gatherings this weekend. Two on Saturday and one on Sunday...arrgghh. Actually, I am looking forward to them...it's just a lot in one weekend. I need to make something for all three. The first party on Saturday I will do something simple since we won't be there long. I will bring pretzels bites covered with Almond Bark with Christmas sprinkles. It's so easy. I just throw a big bag of Sourdough pretzel bites into a bowl. On the side, melt half a brick of almond bark in the microwave (only takes a couple of minutes) and then I stir them both together til all the pretzels are covered. Then I spread them out on wax paper, sprinkle, cool and break apart. EASY. For the place we are going afterwards, I'm bringing buffalo wings. It'll be my first time frying them instead of baking. I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Here's the recipe: http://chicken.allrecipes.com/az/RstrntStylBfflChicknWings.asp . Sunday, we are celebrating my mom's bday and Christmas with my siblings. I'm bringing mostaccoli (I always forget how to spell that word), and garlic bread. My gifts are wrapped and ready to go. I can't think of anything else beyond this weekend. There are other things I need to do but I have to climb one mountain at a time.
--We need to see the Christmas lights at Tilles Park! We've waited too long. There is not a free night until Wednesday (unless we want to battle the crowds on Friday night) :-(
What have I accomplished?
--Finished Christmas shopping...ok...only one more present to buy...IT'S NEVER ENDING!!
--Finished painting Abby's room. It looks great! Everything has been put back in and pictures are hung! Yahhh!
--Christmas Cards went out last week.
--Adopt a Family stuff all packed and went out last weekend.
--Bought a binder to hold all my printed recipes from the web. Got those nifty dividers too...labeled with "main dish", "desserts", "veggies", etc.
What’s bugging me?
--The fact that I'm watching the kids in the bath right now and I NEED A SHOWER!!
--All the e-mails about stores taking the word "Christmas" out of their advertising. Really...does it matter? I know what it means to me...does it matter what words they use? Will it change how I celebrate my holiday? No. I'm not boycotting Target. I refuse.
--My house is a disaster. Mary was clingy while Ben watched Thomas videos because they scare her...so I haven't gotten anything done...except for blogging...I know I know...how did I do that?
--Ben's latest trip: Dumping Lincoln Logs!!!
What’s my latest obsession?
--Recipes on-line. I'm still obsessing about all the other stuff I've mentioned before.
What’s been making me happy?
--Christmas is almost here!! Ted's taking off a whole week!!!
--Playing with my kids... on the floor, on the couch, in my lap. Sneaking hugs and kisses with the older ones. Telling them they're cute and that I love them.
--Appreciating Mary's size and age while it's here. I know she will grow up before my eyes, quicker than I want to imagine. I love marveling at her little body parts. I clipped her toe nails today. They are so cute and adorable. Soon they'll be all gnarly and smelly like the rest of ours. *snort*
--Thinking about Ben's Christmas Program and "Mom's Day Out". He sucked his thumb through the whole thing.
--My flannel sheets. Hmmm....so warm and fuzzy!
--We are all healthy and thriving again!
Behind the Scenes
This morning I was putting some things in the kids' "special boxes". Each kid has his/her own box and anything deemed "special" gets put in there. For example, today I put in Sam's Iowa scores, a short story he wrote, a handprint Turkey Ben made (I'm a sucker for handprints), and a school paper of Abby's where she listed her favorite things. While I was doing this, I thought of all the things I do behind the scenes for them. Sometimes they'll realize what I did for them, sometimes they don't. Sometimes it's just expected or taken for granted...like picking up toys, doing their laundry, cooking their meal, refilling the toilet paper roll, changing their sheets, buying them clothes, buying their favorite food. They don't necessarily think about what went on behind the scenes to get them what they have. They know they have nice, warm, flannel sheets on their bed for the winter, they know that there is food to eat when they are hungry, the clothes are in their drawers when they need to get dressed, and somehow...they get exactly what they wanted for Christmas.
When I think about these things that I work so hard to do, I have one of two responses. Either I feel good that I'm doing a good job and they don't have to worry, or I feel taken for granted, underappreciated. Than I thought of our Father in Heaven. He knows exactly how I feel, because He's BEEN THERE. Think about it, who is the most underappreciated being?? GOD! I thought of all the things He does for me behind the scenes that I take for granted or come to expect. I can stay at home with our children, but I often complain about their behavior, or how I can't get anything done. I moan and groan about picking up the kids from school sometimes when there is a mother who was telling me how much she appreciates her part time schedule because she can pick up her kids from school everyday. She used to work full time. I've taken it for granted! What a gift! I roll my eyes when Ben wants me to carry him downstairs...yet I have working arms! I have legs that can go down the steps! I'm not in a wheelchair. I can care for my kids. I can be a mom. I have health, I have fun...and I take it all for granted. I worry about the future, when God has it all layed out for me. He has every detail figured out.
I will NEVER fully appreciate everything God has done for me because my mind can't fathom His scope. Sometimes, however, He'll give me a glimpse...like a glimpse through a porthole. I'm awed by what I see but I'm not even close to seeing it all. I'm hoping when I get to heaven, God will show me everything. Maybe it'll be just an instant understanding...or will it be scenes played out?
I know my kids will eventually get an idea of what's been done for them when they get older and have their own families. Until then, I hope that the next time I feel taken for granted, I realize I've done the same thing to God. I hope I start thanking Him for all He's done for me "behind the scenes". All the things He's done that I don't even know about yet. Ok...I probably won't do that...but it would be nice to try!
When I think about these things that I work so hard to do, I have one of two responses. Either I feel good that I'm doing a good job and they don't have to worry, or I feel taken for granted, underappreciated. Than I thought of our Father in Heaven. He knows exactly how I feel, because He's BEEN THERE. Think about it, who is the most underappreciated being?? GOD! I thought of all the things He does for me behind the scenes that I take for granted or come to expect. I can stay at home with our children, but I often complain about their behavior, or how I can't get anything done. I moan and groan about picking up the kids from school sometimes when there is a mother who was telling me how much she appreciates her part time schedule because she can pick up her kids from school everyday. She used to work full time. I've taken it for granted! What a gift! I roll my eyes when Ben wants me to carry him downstairs...yet I have working arms! I have legs that can go down the steps! I'm not in a wheelchair. I can care for my kids. I can be a mom. I have health, I have fun...and I take it all for granted. I worry about the future, when God has it all layed out for me. He has every detail figured out.
I will NEVER fully appreciate everything God has done for me because my mind can't fathom His scope. Sometimes, however, He'll give me a glimpse...like a glimpse through a porthole. I'm awed by what I see but I'm not even close to seeing it all. I'm hoping when I get to heaven, God will show me everything. Maybe it'll be just an instant understanding...or will it be scenes played out?
I know my kids will eventually get an idea of what's been done for them when they get older and have their own families. Until then, I hope that the next time I feel taken for granted, I realize I've done the same thing to God. I hope I start thanking Him for all He's done for me "behind the scenes". All the things He's done that I don't even know about yet. Ok...I probably won't do that...but it would be nice to try!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
One Last Time
Ok...making my picture smaller did not make the file size smaller so I had to downsize it before uploading...This is it...
Me
I know it seems vain...but I need a picture for my profile and the only way I know how to do it is to put it in my blog first.
*GASP* Yes...I'm Still Here
OK...so it's only been 6 days since I've posted last, but it seems like a long time to me. I was trying to post more often, but it's been a crazy 6 days.
Abby threw up in the middle of the night last Wednesday night. I guess she was running downstairs to tell us she needed to throw up and threw up her spaghetti all over the stairs. I would have preferred her telling the toilet first and then coming to tell me. Oh well...the slightly tinged pink stairs now match the orangish tinge outside Sam's door. She proceeded to puke on the hour for 3 more hours and continued the same pattern in the morning for another four times. Good thing she's a seasoned pro and knows to puke in the trashcan (the first one always throws her off).
I have two pukers in the family...Abby and Ted. Once is never enough for those guys. I kept Abby home Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Mary had some questionable spit ups. She doesn't usually spit up and these smelled sour. Sure enough, Saturday she throws up. She seemed fine despite these events, and didn't do any more after that.
Sunday, Ted started to feel sick (Oh No! My other puker!). Ted threw up Sunday and then crescendo'd with 3 more (actually, it was more like a "decrescendo" because the biggest one is always the first).
Sunday night I stayed up late, putting off sleeping in the same bed with the puker. For some reason I had a late dinner and ate a big one (leftover mannicoti his mom made) and some bread. What was I thinking eating a huge meal at 9pm!!?? I went to bed at midnight and at least had the satisfaction of knowing Ted would be staying home with me the next day instead of going to work...and maybe he'd skip Men's Group too! Boy...I didn't feel good at all. That mannicoti was sitting like a rock in my stomach. To top it off I had the worse diarrhea! I made runs to our freezing cold toilet seat about every 10 minutes (no lie!). That mannicoti wanted manni-OUTY!! The climax for me was puking. I hate to puke. I think it's the dread I hate more. The actual act is more of a relief, really. After puking, my body rested, it was 3:40pm and time to go to sleep!
Ted felt much better on Monday but stayed home to rest. Good thing he felt better because my body was worn out from all the calisthenics through the night. I was tired...and weak. I layed around. Ted did everything. I took long naps. Yesterday was more of the same. I was tired and crabby. Ted went to work to do some important things and then came back and I crashed in bed. Ahhh....relief. Today I feel much better.
If you are keeping track, 4 out of 6 people in our family were affected by this virus. Sam and Ben did nothing (*eyes to heaven* Thank you Jesus!!)...YET...anyway :-).
Because we were sick:
--Abby missed school for two days
-- Ted missed work for 2 days and missed Men's group
--I missed a Saturday night dinner at Ted's mom and dad and stayed home with the younger two because of Mary
--We canceled our babysitter on Sunday and I went to a Christmas lunch without Ted
--Abby missed a marketing appointment on Tuesday morning to give feedback on some toys since I didn't have the heart to let her miss any more school.
But now we're BACK. And ready for Christmas!!
Abby threw up in the middle of the night last Wednesday night. I guess she was running downstairs to tell us she needed to throw up and threw up her spaghetti all over the stairs. I would have preferred her telling the toilet first and then coming to tell me. Oh well...the slightly tinged pink stairs now match the orangish tinge outside Sam's door. She proceeded to puke on the hour for 3 more hours and continued the same pattern in the morning for another four times. Good thing she's a seasoned pro and knows to puke in the trashcan (the first one always throws her off).
I have two pukers in the family...Abby and Ted. Once is never enough for those guys. I kept Abby home Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Mary had some questionable spit ups. She doesn't usually spit up and these smelled sour. Sure enough, Saturday she throws up. She seemed fine despite these events, and didn't do any more after that.
Sunday, Ted started to feel sick (Oh No! My other puker!). Ted threw up Sunday and then crescendo'd with 3 more (actually, it was more like a "decrescendo" because the biggest one is always the first).
Sunday night I stayed up late, putting off sleeping in the same bed with the puker. For some reason I had a late dinner and ate a big one (leftover mannicoti his mom made) and some bread. What was I thinking eating a huge meal at 9pm!!?? I went to bed at midnight and at least had the satisfaction of knowing Ted would be staying home with me the next day instead of going to work...and maybe he'd skip Men's Group too! Boy...I didn't feel good at all. That mannicoti was sitting like a rock in my stomach. To top it off I had the worse diarrhea! I made runs to our freezing cold toilet seat about every 10 minutes (no lie!). That mannicoti wanted manni-OUTY!! The climax for me was puking. I hate to puke. I think it's the dread I hate more. The actual act is more of a relief, really. After puking, my body rested, it was 3:40pm and time to go to sleep!
Ted felt much better on Monday but stayed home to rest. Good thing he felt better because my body was worn out from all the calisthenics through the night. I was tired...and weak. I layed around. Ted did everything. I took long naps. Yesterday was more of the same. I was tired and crabby. Ted went to work to do some important things and then came back and I crashed in bed. Ahhh....relief. Today I feel much better.
If you are keeping track, 4 out of 6 people in our family were affected by this virus. Sam and Ben did nothing (*eyes to heaven* Thank you Jesus!!)...YET...anyway :-).
Because we were sick:
--Abby missed school for two days
-- Ted missed work for 2 days and missed Men's group
--I missed a Saturday night dinner at Ted's mom and dad and stayed home with the younger two because of Mary
--We canceled our babysitter on Sunday and I went to a Christmas lunch without Ted
--Abby missed a marketing appointment on Tuesday morning to give feedback on some toys since I didn't have the heart to let her miss any more school.
But now we're BACK. And ready for Christmas!!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Snapshot Thursday (A Little Late)
What’s at the top of my to-do list?
--Wrap and box up Adopt a Family gifts...we drop them off tomorrow.
--Finish painting Abby's room and hang pictures.
What have I accomplished?
--Cleaned Kitchen junk drawers
--Painted most of Abby's room (still need to do closet wall).
--Went through a bunch of Abby's toys. Got rid of all the little pieces she doesn't play with and organized what she does want to keep.
--Rearranged her furniture and got inspired to do new decor based on two letter paintings (one "M" and one "A" that will go over there beds. Decorating people say to always start with something you love and build an entire room around it. I think that's a good way to figure out where to start. Well I LOVE these "letter pictures" Maybe I'll post a photo of them.
Allow me to digress: Currently, I have some pretty bold colors in Abby's shelving, drapes, and bedding. Now I'm thinking about going with softer colors based on these pictures. I'll show the bolder colors later too. Luckily, the bold bedspread I want to get rid of was inflicted with dark green marker scribbles when Abby was three. And it was cheap...so I don't feel bad at all getting rid of it (after all she's 7 now). I held onto it because I wanted to make sure she was through the scribble stages (This is the same girl who tore her border in the old house, strip by strip). The curtains, were also cheap. They are two table clothes split in two to create panels and then hung on clip rings. They were purchased after valentines, on clearance, because they were supposedly valentine theme merchandise. I just loved the color. All of these things came from Target, BTW, my favorite store. The shelving is in great condition, however, and I feel a little bad getting rid of that. It was my little "splurge" for something that was very "kiddish" and would be outgrown quickly (I'm so darn practical that it's hard for me to buy things like this). But maybe total, I spent $50-$60 on 3 pieces. Maybe I can give them to someone.
I can't wait to see the final results. You will definitely see pics.
What’s bugging me?
--Poptart filling ground into my carpeting
--Stawberry applesauce on my white kitchen curtains
--The same strawberry applesauce stained on my white bedspread
--The fact that we took the time to read the Narnia books as a family so we could see it together as a family (minus Ben and Mary). That we bought our tickets in advance, got a sitter for the little ones and planned on going to opening night (tonight), then Abby got sick. She seems better today...but just 26-34 hours ago she was puking her brains out (pasta and koolaid...not pretty). We are 26 hours puke free. We are playing today by ear. She spent most of the morning on the couch, but now she is up and about. Those are the signs I look for. That, and appetite. She's eating again...thank God. We'll see...
What's my latest obsession?
--There is a CD out there called Master Cook ( http://www.valusoft.com/products/mastercook.html ). It has 8000+ recipes. You can do searches on keywords (whatever you want to make) and it will find the recipes for you. You can create a shopping list off of the recipes and you can import from the web. Doesn't it sound cool? All for $20 and it doesn't take up the space of cookbooks!
Dierbergs has one of these too with all of their recipes which many people rave about. Theirs is only $10. These are both on my Christmas list.
--I know I said this before, but I love my new Ostrich feather duster! I'm dusting more than I ever have because it's so much easier! No spray, and no knocking over knick knacks because it's so light. It gets into all the knooks acranniesy's (that just felt funny typing those words out...not sure I spelled them right).
--Microsoft Outlook!!! OMG. I'm doing all my organizing in this program. I thought it was just e-mail!! I had no idea you could organize your life on it! I have a to do list in "Tasks" and have put everything on the calendars which you could view weekly, monthly or daily. Every "task" has room to put additional information if you click on it. Then you have a separate "Contacts" sections where you can put e-mail addresses. If you click on the contact, you can see more info like mailing addresses, phone numbers, directions to that person's house, etc.
Everything is in one place! I used to use a paper planner, but I find this easier. I'm a quicker typer than a writer and I am on the computer a lot so it's a great fit for me. I print out my calendar monthly and post it on my fridge. I hang a more detailed, weekly calendar below it. I'm not writing things three times on three calendars. I just print the same calendar out as many places as I want it...like my purse. Or if someone wanted one at work than they'd print an extra for work.
Also, you can rank your tasks by priority or put deadlines on it and the computer will prompt you with a reminder when the deadline is nearing. You can use this reminder function in the calendars for daily activities like cleaning your house, monthly activities like meetings, and annual activities like birthday's, dental appointments, etc. So I haven't even got close to using it to it's full potential but I am planning to try. It's awesome...and it was hiding in my e-mail all along.
What's been making me happy?
--Thinking about Christmas and Ted's week off of work
--My friend Theresa is coming in town from Australia and I can't wait to see her
--Holding other peoples babies. Being happy to do so without the urge to have another of my own.
--Dusted surfaces
--The little heater we put in our bathroom...ahhh no more cold toilet seats and showers...
--The fact that I had a chance to write this blog! (Mary's much less clingy today)
--A wonderful outing with my mom to see Riverdance. It was awesome...and it was good bonding time with my mom. We had some great conversations in the car. I always thought because we are so different, that we could never be that close. But I realise now that I accept her as she is and she accepts me as I am...and we laugh a lot when we're together. I realised how much I love her...just the way she is. And sometimes, different is better.
--Wrap and box up Adopt a Family gifts...we drop them off tomorrow.
--Finish painting Abby's room and hang pictures.
What have I accomplished?
--Cleaned Kitchen junk drawers
--Painted most of Abby's room (still need to do closet wall).
--Went through a bunch of Abby's toys. Got rid of all the little pieces she doesn't play with and organized what she does want to keep.
--Rearranged her furniture and got inspired to do new decor based on two letter paintings (one "M" and one "A" that will go over there beds. Decorating people say to always start with something you love and build an entire room around it. I think that's a good way to figure out where to start. Well I LOVE these "letter pictures" Maybe I'll post a photo of them.
Allow me to digress: Currently, I have some pretty bold colors in Abby's shelving, drapes, and bedding. Now I'm thinking about going with softer colors based on these pictures. I'll show the bolder colors later too. Luckily, the bold bedspread I want to get rid of was inflicted with dark green marker scribbles when Abby was three. And it was cheap...so I don't feel bad at all getting rid of it (after all she's 7 now). I held onto it because I wanted to make sure she was through the scribble stages (This is the same girl who tore her border in the old house, strip by strip). The curtains, were also cheap. They are two table clothes split in two to create panels and then hung on clip rings. They were purchased after valentines, on clearance, because they were supposedly valentine theme merchandise. I just loved the color. All of these things came from Target, BTW, my favorite store. The shelving is in great condition, however, and I feel a little bad getting rid of that. It was my little "splurge" for something that was very "kiddish" and would be outgrown quickly (I'm so darn practical that it's hard for me to buy things like this). But maybe total, I spent $50-$60 on 3 pieces. Maybe I can give them to someone.
I can't wait to see the final results. You will definitely see pics.
What’s bugging me?
--Poptart filling ground into my carpeting
--Stawberry applesauce on my white kitchen curtains
--The same strawberry applesauce stained on my white bedspread
--The fact that we took the time to read the Narnia books as a family so we could see it together as a family (minus Ben and Mary). That we bought our tickets in advance, got a sitter for the little ones and planned on going to opening night (tonight), then Abby got sick. She seems better today...but just 26-34 hours ago she was puking her brains out (pasta and koolaid...not pretty). We are 26 hours puke free. We are playing today by ear. She spent most of the morning on the couch, but now she is up and about. Those are the signs I look for. That, and appetite. She's eating again...thank God. We'll see...
What's my latest obsession?
--There is a CD out there called Master Cook ( http://www.valusoft.com/products/mastercook.html ). It has 8000+ recipes. You can do searches on keywords (whatever you want to make) and it will find the recipes for you. You can create a shopping list off of the recipes and you can import from the web. Doesn't it sound cool? All for $20 and it doesn't take up the space of cookbooks!
Dierbergs has one of these too with all of their recipes which many people rave about. Theirs is only $10. These are both on my Christmas list.
--I know I said this before, but I love my new Ostrich feather duster! I'm dusting more than I ever have because it's so much easier! No spray, and no knocking over knick knacks because it's so light. It gets into all the knooks acranniesy's (that just felt funny typing those words out...not sure I spelled them right).
--Microsoft Outlook!!! OMG. I'm doing all my organizing in this program. I thought it was just e-mail!! I had no idea you could organize your life on it! I have a to do list in "Tasks" and have put everything on the calendars which you could view weekly, monthly or daily. Every "task" has room to put additional information if you click on it. Then you have a separate "Contacts" sections where you can put e-mail addresses. If you click on the contact, you can see more info like mailing addresses, phone numbers, directions to that person's house, etc.
Everything is in one place! I used to use a paper planner, but I find this easier. I'm a quicker typer than a writer and I am on the computer a lot so it's a great fit for me. I print out my calendar monthly and post it on my fridge. I hang a more detailed, weekly calendar below it. I'm not writing things three times on three calendars. I just print the same calendar out as many places as I want it...like my purse. Or if someone wanted one at work than they'd print an extra for work.
Also, you can rank your tasks by priority or put deadlines on it and the computer will prompt you with a reminder when the deadline is nearing. You can use this reminder function in the calendars for daily activities like cleaning your house, monthly activities like meetings, and annual activities like birthday's, dental appointments, etc. So I haven't even got close to using it to it's full potential but I am planning to try. It's awesome...and it was hiding in my e-mail all along.
What's been making me happy?
--Thinking about Christmas and Ted's week off of work
--My friend Theresa is coming in town from Australia and I can't wait to see her
--Holding other peoples babies. Being happy to do so without the urge to have another of my own.
--Dusted surfaces
--The little heater we put in our bathroom...ahhh no more cold toilet seats and showers...
--The fact that I had a chance to write this blog! (Mary's much less clingy today)
--A wonderful outing with my mom to see Riverdance. It was awesome...and it was good bonding time with my mom. We had some great conversations in the car. I always thought because we are so different, that we could never be that close. But I realise now that I accept her as she is and she accepts me as I am...and we laugh a lot when we're together. I realised how much I love her...just the way she is. And sometimes, different is better.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
This is the picture that's going out in our Christmas cards. Snapshot Thursday will have to be a day late. Mary was very clingy. It was a two child shower day. In other words, no break for mom. And Abby stayed home sick today with the stomach flu. Whew. Hopefully I'll be back in full swing tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
St. Nicholas Left Us A Light Dusting This Morning
Happy St. Nicholas Day! Here's a picture of the dusting we got this morning which totally got the kids excited. To the right are my newly painted "Cinnamon Cerry" doors.Ted woke me up at 5:30 this morning and said, "It's St. Nicholas Day". OMG!! How could I have forgotten?? Luckily, I had already figured out who was getting what in their stockings. Ted went out to the car and got the bags of presents from when I wrapped them at my Mom's (yes...they were STILL in the car!). I searched through them and pulled out the gifts. Thank God we remembered in time! Abby said something to Ted last night. I was at Women's Group all night so he forgot to tell me. We've been known to forget our duties as the Tooth Fairy. St. Nicholas day ranks about second as "most almost forgotten" duties. With the teeth, it's the most prominent thing in that child's mind. Put tooth under pillow...Tooth Fairy will come and give me MONEY!! What's going through our minds? Have kids do homework, go through back packs, have kids do their homework, make lunches for tomorrow, have kids brush their teeth, read books, say prayers, put kids in bed so we can RELAX!
Abby is the queen of remembering these things. Sam will come down and forget that his tooth was under the pillow to begin with. For Abby, however, it's the first thing she does after her eyes open in the morning. If there is no money, she comes down very depressed. We hang our heads in shame of what we forgot, then say, "Are you sure you checked really well??" We grab a dollar and head upstairs. You would think we were trained magicians the way we reach inside the pillow case saying, "OH! You didn't check the pillow case...sometimes she puts it in here." One time, Abby dictated a note to us for the Tooth Fairy that said, "Dear Tooth Fairy, You were right that I would lose a tooth very soon. Don't forget the tooth like you have before. From, Abby" Ouch. That note must have been after the magicians performance and she remembered to check her pillow case too. Our Tooth Fairy likes to leave notes. One other time we forgot, we wrote a note the next night saying something like, "Sorry I missed you last night. I was in China and Australia...there were a lot of teeth lost there. You get $2 instead of $1 because I was late."
This morning, as predicted, Abby rushed downstairs and said, "I'm going to check my stocking!!" Ted and I looked at each other with relief. Everyone was happy with their presents. It was a little hard to get them off to school.
It's hard to think of a day when we won't be the Tooth Fairy, or St. Nicholas, or Santa Clause. It kinda makes you feel like a Super Hero to have so many hats. Some day the magic of the holidays will be a little dimmer because these easily pleased kids will no longer believe in Santa and won't jump off the walls at the mere mention of a party with their cousins. They might even actually be bored. EEww. Yuck. I don't want to think about that. Right now I'll just enjoy their shrieks of excitement and joy...so I can be caught up in their euphoria...and it can spread a smile to my face too.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Kitchen Drawers Clean!!
BEFORE 
AFTER
Whew! Just looking at these pictures makes me feel better! And YOU held me accountable. I did the first drawer and in usual Missy form, I put off the second drawer and moved onto another project. I put off that second drawer until today when I knew that I had to clean it so I could post my after picture. There was so much in those drawers that just didn't belong there. I now have a place for coupons, rubberbands, scissors, note pads, and calculators. I started with containers for organizing...but somewhere along the line we got lazy. I want to stick with it this time. I found things that we need: Sam's "Progress Towards Ranks" chubbiest shirt tag, a game piece we've been missing, a Schnucks coupon for $10 off a $75 purchase. I threw away all the pencils with no erasers. I had to resist the urge to keep them because I thought I could go out and buy those eraser caps. Then, I told myself I might NEVER get around to doing that and that we always have plenty of pencils. I threw the Spiderman watch away because the new battery will never happen. Sam's getting a new watch for Christmas. It was someone else's junk given to me. Why do I always accept other people's junk?? Am I afraid of hurting their feelings? I need to be STRONG! Or be weak and take it and then get rid of it.
Either way, my clean drawers are a good motivator to keep them that way. The project I got distracted by was Abby's room. Abby has so many knick knacks that have accumulated. Stuff she never plays with. I threw out a bunch of this little stuff and organized all that she wants to keep. You see, we are in the middle of painting her room. Which, to me, is a GREAT excuse to organize her stuff. Since we had to pull everything out anyway, how could I put all that junk back in?? So I'm taking the opportunity to get it clean. In fact, I wish I did before and after pictures on Abby's closet. I bought some three drawer containers for her closet and boy has it made a difference! We had a lot of wasted vertical space in her closet. The drawers helped utilize the space so we could gain some floor space. I'm not finished, but it's already a world of a difference.
We are painting Abby's room now and all of the upstairs so we can be ready to replace the baseboards and doors which are all a cheap dark wood circa 1980. The white six panel doors and baseboards will totally brighten up her room. I'll try to find an old picture of her room so I can post before and after pictures. We need to do the whole upstairs. My sister asked me if I was crazy doing this during Christmas season. It's really not too big of a deal because I'm not hosting anyone at my house (well actually, I probably will have Theresa--visiting from Australia--over for dinner). My Christmas shopping is mostly done and presents are mostly wrapped...and it's upstairs. I don't have to stare at it. I don't know, maybe I am crazy. I just want to get it done this winter. And I know how we do things. If we never start chipping away at the big old block, it will never happen. I have to be the one to say, "OK! It's time...LET'S GO!" persistence pays off, and the end product is my reward. We've gotten a lot done on the first level and I know we can do the same on the second level. We just do it one income tax check at a time.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Clutter Spots
^^ BEFORE^^First of all, before I continue....I'm SO sorry I forgot to mention how much I got for my breast pump!! Ann told me last night (gradeschool friend that I went out with last night) that I left the little teaser out there (see previous blog) and totally forgot to tell you the amount it sold for. It sold for $127.50!!! Can you believe it? I'm telling you, if you have something of value and don't need it anymore....SELL IT ON EBAY AND MAKE MONEY!!! It makes you look at your things in a totally new light. Even my kids look different! (Mmmm....what could I fetch for Ben?) JUST KIDDING!!!!
Anyway...back to the topic. Wanna know what's in my clutter spots? I keep telling myself I'm going to get to these areas, but because they are mostly out of view I put them off. Here are my top clutter areas and the junk I'm having trouble just THROWING OUT! By showing you this I'm hoping it will motivate me to do something about it.
Kitchen Drawer: Scissors, tape measurer, screwdrivers, small scrap paper, dry erase markers, Thank You notes for the two boys Sam took out for his birthday and I NEVER wrote the thank yous (hangs head in shame), three staplers, chip clip, packing tape, way too many pens, pencils, highlighter, safety pins, a batteryless spiderman watch, index cards with chores written on them, a crumbled up drawer liner (no longer lining), kitchen timer, hair cutting comb, lip balm, 3 rubber pads for opening jars (I never use these!!!), matches with a toppless girl on them with her boobs scribbled out (from Dick's Last Resort in Chicago -- Great place we visited B4 kids...would that make those matches 10 years old???? ARggghhh), small hand lotion bottle, one expired coupon (by two years!) for Swifter Wet Jet (I already have one!).
Other Kitchen Drawer: Bully flyer, bandaids, birthday cards for future birthdays, Church bulletin, phone recharger, Abby's soccer portraits, a card from Theresa telling me when she's coming in town (I'm sorry your in my clutter drawer!!!! You are more important than this!), To Go menus, school pictures, pizza coupons, a Homeopathy catalog (never used it...won't use it), Chlor Out water treatment for fish we no longer have, rubberbands, marble run toy piece, medicine cups, die (singular for dice), Abby's lip balm, post it notes, Mary's socks, pokemon card, hot pink ruler...OMG I could go on.
I guess this is what you get for all those "drawer sweeps" I did when I needed a clean counter before people came over. I only did it about 3 times (I hate the thought of facing later), but there have been plenty of times a just threw the miscellaneous item in the drawer because I was too lazy to figure out where it needed to go. See, this is motivating me to clean these drawers. I will do a before and after picture. We can pretend this is Mission Organization, only for two drawers. Just wait, you'll see...and I'll tell you how I did it!
Anyway...back to the topic. Wanna know what's in my clutter spots? I keep telling myself I'm going to get to these areas, but because they are mostly out of view I put them off. Here are my top clutter areas and the junk I'm having trouble just THROWING OUT! By showing you this I'm hoping it will motivate me to do something about it.
Kitchen Drawer: Scissors, tape measurer, screwdrivers, small scrap paper, dry erase markers, Thank You notes for the two boys Sam took out for his birthday and I NEVER wrote the thank yous (hangs head in shame), three staplers, chip clip, packing tape, way too many pens, pencils, highlighter, safety pins, a batteryless spiderman watch, index cards with chores written on them, a crumbled up drawer liner (no longer lining), kitchen timer, hair cutting comb, lip balm, 3 rubber pads for opening jars (I never use these!!!), matches with a toppless girl on them with her boobs scribbled out (from Dick's Last Resort in Chicago -- Great place we visited B4 kids...would that make those matches 10 years old???? ARggghhh), small hand lotion bottle, one expired coupon (by two years!) for Swifter Wet Jet (I already have one!).
Other Kitchen Drawer: Bully flyer, bandaids, birthday cards for future birthdays, Church bulletin, phone recharger, Abby's soccer portraits, a card from Theresa telling me when she's coming in town (I'm sorry your in my clutter drawer!!!! You are more important than this!), To Go menus, school pictures, pizza coupons, a Homeopathy catalog (never used it...won't use it), Chlor Out water treatment for fish we no longer have, rubberbands, marble run toy piece, medicine cups, die (singular for dice), Abby's lip balm, post it notes, Mary's socks, pokemon card, hot pink ruler...OMG I could go on.
I guess this is what you get for all those "drawer sweeps" I did when I needed a clean counter before people came over. I only did it about 3 times (I hate the thought of facing later), but there have been plenty of times a just threw the miscellaneous item in the drawer because I was too lazy to figure out where it needed to go. See, this is motivating me to clean these drawers. I will do a before and after picture. We can pretend this is Mission Organization, only for two drawers. Just wait, you'll see...and I'll tell you how I did it!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Snapshot Thursday
Here is a snapshot of what is going on in my life:
What's at the top of my to-do list?
I really need to straighten up the house. My mother in law is coming over tomorrow to watch Ben and Mary while I go to my Mom's to wrap presents. I know...I'm lucky. She just offered to watch the kids while I Christmas shop, but I'm mostly done with that. So I get help while I wrap presents. Now I have to find where I put the wrapping paper I bought last year.
The next thing on my list is grocery shopping. I'm planning on having chicken enchiladas, ham steak and Tyson chicken (I love that precooked bird! I just put it in the microwave and thense-bonee it and it is delicious and easy!!). Left overs will fill in the rest.
What have I accomplished?
--I sold my breast pump on Ebay!!! See "What's been making me happy" for how much I got for it! (I'm such a tease).
--With the sales money from my pump I bought my crop table!!!!
--I did my first meal plan from allrecipes.com and printed out the grocery list. Such a cool feature!!!
What's bugging me?
--I stayed up really late the last three nights in a row and I'm really tired, but I have too much I need to do before bed.
--We bought a can of chocolate covered peanuts from Abby's Brownie troop and I pretty much single handedly ate them all. I'm so glad I could support the troop *smirk*.
--I have a really cute plate with ornaments on it on the table that I can't keep on the table because Ben keeps playing with the ornaments. I'm afraid he'll break them so I have them shoved in a corner on the counter top.
--I let Sam and Abby decorate our tree (really...I didn't help at all) and it's not pretty. In fact, it's really bad. I'm telling myself that it's ok...it doesn't have to be perfect and that it would be worse to be my Aunt who I have observed in action during the tree decorating. She wouldn't let her son or husband touch the antique ornaments and had to place them all herself. The kids will remember the tree they decorated more than any tree I perfectly display.
--Clutter, clutter and more clutter!
What's my latest obsession?
--Now that I've finished my Ebay run...I should have some more time on my hands. I've been watching my auction and watching people bid on my breast pump. I've decided I need to actually write down the meals I have planned on the actual day I intend to make them. I was just relying on memory and then I would think I needed to grocery shop when there were planned meals we hadn't eaten yet. My neighbor puts hers on a separate computer print out calendar. I'm thinkin' I could do the same. Duh. I know.
--Digital scrapbooking...looking into this. I love paper scrapping. I could never part with it. But I think I'm building the Great Wall of China! I now have 15 albums. I keep saying that when they go to school and get older, I'll have less opportunities to take pictures. For some reason, this hasn't happened. Is there a way I can do some digital albums along with my "tactile" albums? I don't know....
--I currently have a Franklin Planner...or now they call it Franklin Covey but anyway...this is leftover from my working days and I just don't use it like I used to. I use the address/phone number section and that's it. So I'm trying to figure out what new method I will use. Ted said Outlook has a great calendar on it. He uses it for his work appointments and reminders. Gee, if it's good enough for his work stuff, it's good enough for me. I think it would be cool to have a calendar as a screen saver. I need things staring me in the face, if you know what I mean. I need it be somewhere where I will see it daily. I'm on the computer daily...all day. We'll see how it works.
--I need a notebook or something for my "Control Journal" for Flylady. In it contains: Morning routine, afternoon routine and evening routine. I need something not too small and not too big. I don't know if I want a binder. I need something I won't mind staring at so I can keep it out as a reminder to keep looking at it. Maybe that's on the computer too? Hmmmm... still pondering this one.
--I bought an ostrich feather duster from Target! It's the Micheal Graves line and was only $7.99. I love it already. It's so light and easily gets into the grooves. I don't have to pick things up to dust, I just go right over it. It's so light and fluffy it doesn't knock anything over.
What's been making me happy?
--I have finally started my period again. I'm happy my body is in working order. I didn't miss my period. I should have started a LONG time ago when Mary was around 7 months (now she's almost 13 months). That's when it usually comes back for me. When they eat more solids and nurse less. I think it didn't return because of the Zoloft. As soon as I started weaning from the Zoloft, it came back. There is no medical proof the Zoloft delayed it...just my own theory.
--I've been on a sort of high lately. I'm not sure why. My life seems cheery, joyful. I'm taking delight in the simple things. Ben is getting absolutely adorable. Things always get easier at 2 1/2. Mary is in that cute one year old stage before they get to the ugly 2's...which for my kids, starts at 1 1/2 and ends at 2 1/2. My boys seem to get it worse than the girls. For Abby, it hit at 3. We'll see what Mary does.
--But back to the joy, I'm doing things like setting routines for our family: Shower nights, Game nights, etc. One new routine is that every night before bed, we pray a decade from the rosary. I've never been a rosary prayer. But Sam was doing it a school and started doing it on his own every day (a decade). I always thought of the rosary as the whole thing...not just doing parts. So I think that's one of the reasons I avoided it (that...and I'm better with spontaneous prayer). But amazing things happened when we started praying it together. I just feel this love when we are praying all the words out love together. I feel a oneness with my kids. It's magical. It's simple. It's not worshipping Mary. I focus on the mysteries. It always bugged me that the Hail Mary's outnumbered the Our Father's. Shouldn't the Big Guy get more?? It doesn't matter what we say, we are joined together in prayer and God is present. And He fills the room with love. My kids enjoy it. I think they feel "it" to.
--I'm looking forward to Christmas. I can't wait for the kids to open their gifts. I think they will really like them!
--It may sound funny, but I'm just happy to be happy! When your sad, you feel sad that you are sad and it just digs you deeper. So the opposite is true to. And being free from Zoloft, I know it is a true happy.
--I've got an all day crop Sunday at my friend's house and a Girl's Night Out with my gradeschool friends tonight. I love these get togethers! I love getting a break from my home to be able to focus on having fun and socializing! At home I'm always "stealing" breaks not knowing how long I'll be able to get away with it. When I'm out, it's a gift. It's my time to spend however I want. No stealing. The crop is a result from our weekend crop and commitmentment to get together more for all day crops. Yaahhh!!
Was that a "snapshot" or a 3 part miniseries made for TV???? I'm not good at brevity.
What's at the top of my to-do list?
I really need to straighten up the house. My mother in law is coming over tomorrow to watch Ben and Mary while I go to my Mom's to wrap presents. I know...I'm lucky. She just offered to watch the kids while I Christmas shop, but I'm mostly done with that. So I get help while I wrap presents. Now I have to find where I put the wrapping paper I bought last year.
The next thing on my list is grocery shopping. I'm planning on having chicken enchiladas, ham steak and Tyson chicken (I love that precooked bird! I just put it in the microwave and thense-bonee it and it is delicious and easy!!). Left overs will fill in the rest.
What have I accomplished?
--I sold my breast pump on Ebay!!! See "What's been making me happy" for how much I got for it! (I'm such a tease).
--With the sales money from my pump I bought my crop table!!!!
--I did my first meal plan from allrecipes.com and printed out the grocery list. Such a cool feature!!!
What's bugging me?
--I stayed up really late the last three nights in a row and I'm really tired, but I have too much I need to do before bed.
--We bought a can of chocolate covered peanuts from Abby's Brownie troop and I pretty much single handedly ate them all. I'm so glad I could support the troop *smirk*.
--I have a really cute plate with ornaments on it on the table that I can't keep on the table because Ben keeps playing with the ornaments. I'm afraid he'll break them so I have them shoved in a corner on the counter top.
--I let Sam and Abby decorate our tree (really...I didn't help at all) and it's not pretty. In fact, it's really bad. I'm telling myself that it's ok...it doesn't have to be perfect and that it would be worse to be my Aunt who I have observed in action during the tree decorating. She wouldn't let her son or husband touch the antique ornaments and had to place them all herself. The kids will remember the tree they decorated more than any tree I perfectly display.
--Clutter, clutter and more clutter!
What's my latest obsession?
--Now that I've finished my Ebay run...I should have some more time on my hands. I've been watching my auction and watching people bid on my breast pump. I've decided I need to actually write down the meals I have planned on the actual day I intend to make them. I was just relying on memory and then I would think I needed to grocery shop when there were planned meals we hadn't eaten yet. My neighbor puts hers on a separate computer print out calendar. I'm thinkin' I could do the same. Duh. I know.
--Digital scrapbooking...looking into this. I love paper scrapping. I could never part with it. But I think I'm building the Great Wall of China! I now have 15 albums. I keep saying that when they go to school and get older, I'll have less opportunities to take pictures. For some reason, this hasn't happened. Is there a way I can do some digital albums along with my "tactile" albums? I don't know....
--I currently have a Franklin Planner...or now they call it Franklin Covey but anyway...this is leftover from my working days and I just don't use it like I used to. I use the address/phone number section and that's it. So I'm trying to figure out what new method I will use. Ted said Outlook has a great calendar on it. He uses it for his work appointments and reminders. Gee, if it's good enough for his work stuff, it's good enough for me. I think it would be cool to have a calendar as a screen saver. I need things staring me in the face, if you know what I mean. I need it be somewhere where I will see it daily. I'm on the computer daily...all day. We'll see how it works.
--I need a notebook or something for my "Control Journal" for Flylady. In it contains: Morning routine, afternoon routine and evening routine. I need something not too small and not too big. I don't know if I want a binder. I need something I won't mind staring at so I can keep it out as a reminder to keep looking at it. Maybe that's on the computer too? Hmmmm... still pondering this one.
--I bought an ostrich feather duster from Target! It's the Micheal Graves line and was only $7.99. I love it already. It's so light and easily gets into the grooves. I don't have to pick things up to dust, I just go right over it. It's so light and fluffy it doesn't knock anything over.
What's been making me happy?
--I have finally started my period again. I'm happy my body is in working order. I didn't miss my period. I should have started a LONG time ago when Mary was around 7 months (now she's almost 13 months). That's when it usually comes back for me. When they eat more solids and nurse less. I think it didn't return because of the Zoloft. As soon as I started weaning from the Zoloft, it came back. There is no medical proof the Zoloft delayed it...just my own theory.
--I've been on a sort of high lately. I'm not sure why. My life seems cheery, joyful. I'm taking delight in the simple things. Ben is getting absolutely adorable. Things always get easier at 2 1/2. Mary is in that cute one year old stage before they get to the ugly 2's...which for my kids, starts at 1 1/2 and ends at 2 1/2. My boys seem to get it worse than the girls. For Abby, it hit at 3. We'll see what Mary does.
--But back to the joy, I'm doing things like setting routines for our family: Shower nights, Game nights, etc. One new routine is that every night before bed, we pray a decade from the rosary. I've never been a rosary prayer. But Sam was doing it a school and started doing it on his own every day (a decade). I always thought of the rosary as the whole thing...not just doing parts. So I think that's one of the reasons I avoided it (that...and I'm better with spontaneous prayer). But amazing things happened when we started praying it together. I just feel this love when we are praying all the words out love together. I feel a oneness with my kids. It's magical. It's simple. It's not worshipping Mary. I focus on the mysteries. It always bugged me that the Hail Mary's outnumbered the Our Father's. Shouldn't the Big Guy get more?? It doesn't matter what we say, we are joined together in prayer and God is present. And He fills the room with love. My kids enjoy it. I think they feel "it" to.
--I'm looking forward to Christmas. I can't wait for the kids to open their gifts. I think they will really like them!
--It may sound funny, but I'm just happy to be happy! When your sad, you feel sad that you are sad and it just digs you deeper. So the opposite is true to. And being free from Zoloft, I know it is a true happy.
--I've got an all day crop Sunday at my friend's house and a Girl's Night Out with my gradeschool friends tonight. I love these get togethers! I love getting a break from my home to be able to focus on having fun and socializing! At home I'm always "stealing" breaks not knowing how long I'll be able to get away with it. When I'm out, it's a gift. It's my time to spend however I want. No stealing. The crop is a result from our weekend crop and commitmentment to get together more for all day crops. Yaahhh!!
Was that a "snapshot" or a 3 part miniseries made for TV???? I'm not good at brevity.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Going Digital...More Than I Already Have!
Does anyone every use that movie function on their digital cameras? I'm starting to dig it now! I used to think, "Why do a short video on my camera when I can have a higher resolution with a my video camera?". Yes, they take up a lot of space on the camera, and the flow is choppier and the resolution is lower, but you know what? I've found some uses for it!
The video from your camera is much easier to store on your computer because it's in smaller pieces than the ones on your video camera. Because of this, there are more uses. For one, I can e-mail someone a short clip. Sam discovered a short video of himself doing a golf swing. It was cute because he was only about 7 and he totally missed and almost fell down. He e-mailed it out to people and had a good laugh over it. Yesterday, I did a short video of the kids playing different parts in a "band" (drums, guitar, vocals, etc). I put this in their journals in my journaling software called "Footprints" (footprints.com). Footprints lets you insert audio clips, video clips and digital pictures into your computer journal. It's so cool! Now I have an applicable place to put these short videos!! Another use: If I couldn't be with someone on their birthday and they live far away, it would be fun to send a short happy birthday message using the video option and e-mailing it. Wouldn't that be cool to receive? I'm going to be using this feature more often!
I'm lucky, mine has sound and allows zooming during the video. There are different versions of this feature. Many don't allow you to zoom during the recording, but will allow you to zoom closer before recording. Even with some of these options missing (although I think sound is pretty important), I think it's highly entertaining.
It just makes me wonder...What other new technology is out there that I have already written off as useless? These are the ones I'm thinking about: Digital Scrapbooking, flash drives, mp3's. I especially want to learn more about digital scrapbooking. I am an avid "tactile" scrapbooker. How does this digital scrapbooking work? Do you print out the finished product? Or keep it online? Is it cheaper than buying all the supplies for a physical album? Hmmmm....something to research...
The video from your camera is much easier to store on your computer because it's in smaller pieces than the ones on your video camera. Because of this, there are more uses. For one, I can e-mail someone a short clip. Sam discovered a short video of himself doing a golf swing. It was cute because he was only about 7 and he totally missed and almost fell down. He e-mailed it out to people and had a good laugh over it. Yesterday, I did a short video of the kids playing different parts in a "band" (drums, guitar, vocals, etc). I put this in their journals in my journaling software called "Footprints" (footprints.com). Footprints lets you insert audio clips, video clips and digital pictures into your computer journal. It's so cool! Now I have an applicable place to put these short videos!! Another use: If I couldn't be with someone on their birthday and they live far away, it would be fun to send a short happy birthday message using the video option and e-mailing it. Wouldn't that be cool to receive? I'm going to be using this feature more often!
I'm lucky, mine has sound and allows zooming during the video. There are different versions of this feature. Many don't allow you to zoom during the recording, but will allow you to zoom closer before recording. Even with some of these options missing (although I think sound is pretty important), I think it's highly entertaining.
It just makes me wonder...What other new technology is out there that I have already written off as useless? These are the ones I'm thinking about: Digital Scrapbooking, flash drives, mp3's. I especially want to learn more about digital scrapbooking. I am an avid "tactile" scrapbooker. How does this digital scrapbooking work? Do you print out the finished product? Or keep it online? Is it cheaper than buying all the supplies for a physical album? Hmmmm....something to research...
Sunday, November 27, 2005
How Do You Raise Them Right?
I just read an article in People magazine about a 14 year old girl, Kara Beth Borden, whose parents were murdered by her 18 year old boyfriend, David Ludwig. Apparently, the parents were angry with their daughter after she was gone all night with her boyfriend. The parents called the boy to come over immediately. They argued for about 45 minutes, telling the boy he could no longer see their daughter. As they showed him to the door, he shot them both in the head.
She came from a well-to-do family, was homeschooled in a strong Christian environment with 4 other siblings. Her boyfriend was also homeschooled. Usually, when people homeschool their kids, they are doing it to protect their kids. I look on it as total control of your child's education. It's often done by strong Christians with strong convictions. I would think you have a greater opportunity to teach your kids right from wrong and protect them from negative outside influences.
Kara and David weren't exactly your wholesome and innocent couple. They were sneaking sex late at night in her parents home. People magazine said, "They would exchange 'inappropriate images of one another' over their computers and cell phones." They found a video on David' s computer of him with a friend, armed with rifles, and discussing how to kill family members. Do you think this is what his parents were trying to protect him from when they homeschooled him? When he was younger, doing cute toddler things, did their parents ever dream their son would have sex with a 14 year old and eventually kill her parents? It's every parents worse nightmare!
Now, I don't believe these are your typical homeschooled kids...but I do believe it proves that no matter how you educate your kids, private school, homeschool, public school...there is so much more to raising them right. And EVEN when you do the best you can, you can still have problems. I look at my parents. We were raised in an expressive, Christian home. We went to Catholic grade schools and private high schools. I would say the three girls escaped without much damage but my brothers...ohhh my brothers...fires, stealing, lawn jobs, bad grades, drugs, etc. My parents barely made it. It was hell on our family. Now, they seem to be doing a little better, but they still have problems with pot, poor credit and none of them are married. They are between the ages of 41 and 31. It goes without saying, there is not one church-going bone in their bodies. Whereas the girls in my family all have very strong faith in God, attend church regularly, have strong marriages and all finished college (none of the boys set foot in a college classroom...in fact, two never graduated from highschool).
I hope this all doesn't sound so high and mighty. I don't think going to college is always a big measure of success. I know many religious people who are very judgmental and narrow minded. I'm mentioning those things because sometimes they go along with success, but in the long run I feel this is what truly matters: I feel successful people are happy, can keep a job, can manage a long term relationship, can help provide for a family, and believe in a power greater than themselves.
It's always been something that puzzles me. You can be raised by the same parents and each person gets something totally different out of it. Which shows that nature is just as strong as nature (if not stronger). Meaning, we are who we are. Our parents can influence us, but ultimately we are going to respond to our world in our own ways.
My goal in raising my kids is to help them get in touch with who they are. I want them to know themselves well, their strengths, weaknesses, interests, dislikes. I want them to learn how to live with their weaknesses and make up for them and accept them. I want them to enhance their strengths by using them. I want them to like themselves and enjoy life! I want them to find healthy relationships. I want them to have a strong faith in God. I want them to always realize they are blessed. That many people have it much worse than them. I want them to understand that if they are a "have", then your job on earth is to give to the "have nots".
So much of what I teach them HAS to be by example. But I like to talk about what we do so they know why we do what we do. Most things are explainable by action, but some need some words to go with it because it's not obviously seen...like money. They see us pull money out of a bank, like it's free. We explain that we put the money there to begin with...that Daddy works hard for that money. Also, kids learn they are important by their parents showing them they are. Am I constantly brushing my kids off like I don't have time for them but then say I love you at bedtime? What's going to speak louder? The words? or the actions of brushing them off? We can't be perfect all the time but I'm just trying for majority here. I like to have fun with the kids. I like showing them my laughter, joy and freedom. I want them to be able to express that side of themselves. I don't want them to feel too self conscious. I like acting goofy...but then also show seriousness when needed. One important thing I really try not to do is judge them. A parents judgment is so strong to a kid and I don't want them to start hiding things from me because they, are afraid of my judgment. I want them to always feel like they can talk to me about anything. I'm sure this will get harder later. I'll deal with those harder issues when I get to them. I want them to be able to see me angry, just not all the time. I want them to see me cry, so they know it's ok.
I don't feel like I have all the answers. In fact, this blog feels like a total jumbled mess of thoughts. But most of us don't have the answers and like guidance from those who've "been there". I love talking to mothers. I talked to one last night who just married off her "difficult child". She said that they always butted heads with her younger son, but got along well with the older son. Later, her older son thanked her for all that she did for him. That he now realizes how difficult he was and how right she was all along. Isn't that what every parent wants to here? I would love to go out there and interview a bunch of experienced Moms, whose kids are grown and out of the house. What would they change about how they raised their kids? What did they do well? Are they happy with how their kids are now doing as grown adults? What tips do they have for us? I especially like talking to moms who have more than three kids. They have more examples of outcomes. At least one child will not turn out perfect, therefore they don't have a false "My kids turned out perfect because I knew what I was doing" mentality.
One thing I've heard and it really makes sense to me: You can't take credit for the things they do well and you can't take the blame for what they don't. I know it's more than me that makes my kids who they are. It's their DNA, their own experiences and exposures...it's God, walking them through places they have to walk through. I'm hear to help as best I can. An imperfect person trying to figure out my own life, while trying to help them figure out theirs. Hopefully, we'll survive with few scars!
She came from a well-to-do family, was homeschooled in a strong Christian environment with 4 other siblings. Her boyfriend was also homeschooled. Usually, when people homeschool their kids, they are doing it to protect their kids. I look on it as total control of your child's education. It's often done by strong Christians with strong convictions. I would think you have a greater opportunity to teach your kids right from wrong and protect them from negative outside influences.
Kara and David weren't exactly your wholesome and innocent couple. They were sneaking sex late at night in her parents home. People magazine said, "They would exchange 'inappropriate images of one another' over their computers and cell phones." They found a video on David' s computer of him with a friend, armed with rifles, and discussing how to kill family members. Do you think this is what his parents were trying to protect him from when they homeschooled him? When he was younger, doing cute toddler things, did their parents ever dream their son would have sex with a 14 year old and eventually kill her parents? It's every parents worse nightmare!
Now, I don't believe these are your typical homeschooled kids...but I do believe it proves that no matter how you educate your kids, private school, homeschool, public school...there is so much more to raising them right. And EVEN when you do the best you can, you can still have problems. I look at my parents. We were raised in an expressive, Christian home. We went to Catholic grade schools and private high schools. I would say the three girls escaped without much damage but my brothers...ohhh my brothers...fires, stealing, lawn jobs, bad grades, drugs, etc. My parents barely made it. It was hell on our family. Now, they seem to be doing a little better, but they still have problems with pot, poor credit and none of them are married. They are between the ages of 41 and 31. It goes without saying, there is not one church-going bone in their bodies. Whereas the girls in my family all have very strong faith in God, attend church regularly, have strong marriages and all finished college (none of the boys set foot in a college classroom...in fact, two never graduated from highschool).
I hope this all doesn't sound so high and mighty. I don't think going to college is always a big measure of success. I know many religious people who are very judgmental and narrow minded. I'm mentioning those things because sometimes they go along with success, but in the long run I feel this is what truly matters: I feel successful people are happy, can keep a job, can manage a long term relationship, can help provide for a family, and believe in a power greater than themselves.
It's always been something that puzzles me. You can be raised by the same parents and each person gets something totally different out of it. Which shows that nature is just as strong as nature (if not stronger). Meaning, we are who we are. Our parents can influence us, but ultimately we are going to respond to our world in our own ways.
My goal in raising my kids is to help them get in touch with who they are. I want them to know themselves well, their strengths, weaknesses, interests, dislikes. I want them to learn how to live with their weaknesses and make up for them and accept them. I want them to enhance their strengths by using them. I want them to like themselves and enjoy life! I want them to find healthy relationships. I want them to have a strong faith in God. I want them to always realize they are blessed. That many people have it much worse than them. I want them to understand that if they are a "have", then your job on earth is to give to the "have nots".
So much of what I teach them HAS to be by example. But I like to talk about what we do so they know why we do what we do. Most things are explainable by action, but some need some words to go with it because it's not obviously seen...like money. They see us pull money out of a bank, like it's free. We explain that we put the money there to begin with...that Daddy works hard for that money. Also, kids learn they are important by their parents showing them they are. Am I constantly brushing my kids off like I don't have time for them but then say I love you at bedtime? What's going to speak louder? The words? or the actions of brushing them off? We can't be perfect all the time but I'm just trying for majority here. I like to have fun with the kids. I like showing them my laughter, joy and freedom. I want them to be able to express that side of themselves. I don't want them to feel too self conscious. I like acting goofy...but then also show seriousness when needed. One important thing I really try not to do is judge them. A parents judgment is so strong to a kid and I don't want them to start hiding things from me because they, are afraid of my judgment. I want them to always feel like they can talk to me about anything. I'm sure this will get harder later. I'll deal with those harder issues when I get to them. I want them to be able to see me angry, just not all the time. I want them to see me cry, so they know it's ok.
I don't feel like I have all the answers. In fact, this blog feels like a total jumbled mess of thoughts. But most of us don't have the answers and like guidance from those who've "been there". I love talking to mothers. I talked to one last night who just married off her "difficult child". She said that they always butted heads with her younger son, but got along well with the older son. Later, her older son thanked her for all that she did for him. That he now realizes how difficult he was and how right she was all along. Isn't that what every parent wants to here? I would love to go out there and interview a bunch of experienced Moms, whose kids are grown and out of the house. What would they change about how they raised their kids? What did they do well? Are they happy with how their kids are now doing as grown adults? What tips do they have for us? I especially like talking to moms who have more than three kids. They have more examples of outcomes. At least one child will not turn out perfect, therefore they don't have a false "My kids turned out perfect because I knew what I was doing" mentality.
One thing I've heard and it really makes sense to me: You can't take credit for the things they do well and you can't take the blame for what they don't. I know it's more than me that makes my kids who they are. It's their DNA, their own experiences and exposures...it's God, walking them through places they have to walk through. I'm hear to help as best I can. An imperfect person trying to figure out my own life, while trying to help them figure out theirs. Hopefully, we'll survive with few scars!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
A Nice Cup of Blog
The past couple of days have been so crazy, I decided to sit down for a nice cup of blog. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I picture myself with that cozy, relaxed feel as I sit here and type. I've never seen anyone enjoy her coffee more than my friend, Ann. She wraps her fingers around her coffee with both hands and holds it close to her, like she's relishing in the warmth it brings. I'm relishing in just sitting here.
The past couple of days I've been an eBay bidding fool. I'd been bragging about my purchases of digital cameras for the kids when my Dad asked if I could find a camera for them. Of course this excited me to have another reason to shop on eBay! And with someone else's money! I've researched, I've bid, I've won, then discovered it was misrepresented, so I e-mailed, was refunded, bid some more, researched some more, lost some more....then....I WON! When I used that last phrase with my sister, Becky, she was like, "You won what??". Which, technically, she's right. You're not WINNING anything. You are BUYING it. Competitive buying.
Anyway, all of this stuff takes time, absorption and focus. So I've been neglectful of my children. The peak of my neglect was yesterday after picking up the kids from school. We pulled in the garage and Ben refused to get out. I could have forced him, but my mind was moving onto other things. I let him play in the car, planning on checking on him occasionally. Well...I forgot to check on him. I even forgot where he was! I woke out of my glazed "eBay state of mind" and said, "He's still in the car!!". He was no longer happily playing, but crying hard. Please don't call DFS on me. I love my children and I want to keep them! I felt so bad. Bad Mom. How could you forget your child?? You are spending too much time on this eBay stuff! Shame on you! You've learned YOUR lesson!", I admonished myself. "What would other people think if they knew you did this??". *SIGH*.
I did accomplish that final camera purchase and thought I was all done...when Ted said last night in bed, "Now what can we sell?". Oh No! Yes. I have something listed. I'm selling my Medela "Pump In Style" Dual Electric Breastpump. I originally paid $180 for that thing and THAT was a good price because the it went up right after my purchase. I'm hoping to get $100 for it. It's in really good condition and I'm selling lots of accessories with it. Luckily, selling doesn't require quite the amount of time that bidding does. Thank goodness. With the extra money, I hope to get my crop desk!
The past couple of days I've been an eBay bidding fool. I'd been bragging about my purchases of digital cameras for the kids when my Dad asked if I could find a camera for them. Of course this excited me to have another reason to shop on eBay! And with someone else's money! I've researched, I've bid, I've won, then discovered it was misrepresented, so I e-mailed, was refunded, bid some more, researched some more, lost some more....then....I WON! When I used that last phrase with my sister, Becky, she was like, "You won what??". Which, technically, she's right. You're not WINNING anything. You are BUYING it. Competitive buying.
Anyway, all of this stuff takes time, absorption and focus. So I've been neglectful of my children. The peak of my neglect was yesterday after picking up the kids from school. We pulled in the garage and Ben refused to get out. I could have forced him, but my mind was moving onto other things. I let him play in the car, planning on checking on him occasionally. Well...I forgot to check on him. I even forgot where he was! I woke out of my glazed "eBay state of mind" and said, "He's still in the car!!". He was no longer happily playing, but crying hard. Please don't call DFS on me. I love my children and I want to keep them! I felt so bad. Bad Mom. How could you forget your child?? You are spending too much time on this eBay stuff! Shame on you! You've learned YOUR lesson!", I admonished myself. "What would other people think if they knew you did this??". *SIGH*.
I did accomplish that final camera purchase and thought I was all done...when Ted said last night in bed, "Now what can we sell?". Oh No! Yes. I have something listed. I'm selling my Medela "Pump In Style" Dual Electric Breastpump. I originally paid $180 for that thing and THAT was a good price because the it went up right after my purchase. I'm hoping to get $100 for it. It's in really good condition and I'm selling lots of accessories with it. Luckily, selling doesn't require quite the amount of time that bidding does. Thank goodness. With the extra money, I hope to get my crop desk!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...
I just love my new mirror message!! I keep a message on my mirror and I read the message/prayer every morning. I change the message when I realize that I'm no longer looking at the message, therefore defeating the point of the message. This new message thing really works for me and my short attention/need to mix things up personality. Anyway, I want to share my new mirror note:
"Gracious God, Thank you for the gift of today. May my living reveal your goodness. Refresh me, invite me, to discover your presence in each person that I meet and each event encountered. Teach me when to speak and when to listen, when to ponder, when to share. In moments of challenge and decision, attune my heart to the whispering of your wisdom. As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks, give me with simple joy."
Man, I love that. Maybe you can make it your mirror message too? I'm a very distracted person, but on things I do as a habit, I'm pretty consistent. Since I shower and brush my teeth every morning, the bathroom mirror is my perfect prayer place. I have found since I've committed to this, God has given me a new message whenever I'm in need of one. This one came from my table leader on my ACTS retreat. I'm sorry...I don't know who the author is.
A long time ago I had a message from Mother Theresa on my mirror:
"Spread love everywhere you go:
first of all in your own house.
Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor . . .
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be the living expression of God's kindness;
kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."
I really love that one too. A lot of times all I had to ask myself was: Did I leave that person better and happier? You don't have to affect the whole world...just the people around you. It's such a simple message. "...kindness in your face....kindness in your warm greeting...". I mean, you can do that with pretty much ANYONE. I still try to live by this even though it's no longer on my bathroom mirror.
"Gracious God, Thank you for the gift of today. May my living reveal your goodness. Refresh me, invite me, to discover your presence in each person that I meet and each event encountered. Teach me when to speak and when to listen, when to ponder, when to share. In moments of challenge and decision, attune my heart to the whispering of your wisdom. As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks, give me with simple joy."
Man, I love that. Maybe you can make it your mirror message too? I'm a very distracted person, but on things I do as a habit, I'm pretty consistent. Since I shower and brush my teeth every morning, the bathroom mirror is my perfect prayer place. I have found since I've committed to this, God has given me a new message whenever I'm in need of one. This one came from my table leader on my ACTS retreat. I'm sorry...I don't know who the author is.
A long time ago I had a message from Mother Theresa on my mirror:
"Spread love everywhere you go:
first of all in your own house.
Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor . . .
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be the living expression of God's kindness;
kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."
I really love that one too. A lot of times all I had to ask myself was: Did I leave that person better and happier? You don't have to affect the whole world...just the people around you. It's such a simple message. "...kindness in your face....kindness in your warm greeting...". I mean, you can do that with pretty much ANYONE. I still try to live by this even though it's no longer on my bathroom mirror.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Streams of Consciousness...and Urine
Todays Adventures:
I was upstairs cleaning up legos with Ben. He had just had a bath and had no diaper on. All of a sudden a stream of urine sprays out while he was squatting. He was deathly afraid of this foriegn body of liquid projecting from him. I was deathly afraid of how this was drenching my carpeting and the Legos. How do you clean Legos?? I thought of the dishwasher, but they are too small for even my little cases that hold small stuff. So then I thought about a good, old fashioned tub of soapy water. I'm thankful that this carpeting isn't new. I think it's been around a while. This is exactly why I don't want to buy new carpeting for a while, even though we have spots everywhere. Of course, all of this would have been prevented if I just put a diaper on the boy. But he likes freeballin' sometimes after a bath. And I THOUGHT it would be good potty training. Hahahhaha. It just tells me he's not really ready yet. I've learned that, AND... he pees like a racehorse!! There was NO stopping this stuff once it started flowing.
Odd Thought of the Day: I've decided that if you can talk a full conversation without someone on the other end, you would be good at writing a blog. For example, I'm known for being long winded on answering machines. I can talk forever without anyone responding! This must be some sad state of too much to say and no one to say it to! I have full conversations in my head. I have to admit, the upside is that I'm NEVER bored with myself. I find myself quite interesting to be around. Does that sound pompous?
I Like it When...My mom calls and says, "Do you want to go out today? Dad can watch the kids..." Yes...she did this today...is there anything more joyous than that? A combined invitation with pre-set up, FREE babysitting is the SAHM dream come true! AND I don't have to pick up the kids from school today. It's my neighbor's turn. WoooHooo! Paaarrrrtttyyy!
I Like....."....'s". Because then I don't have to worry about sentence structure problems like run-on sentences. I just throw in a couple of dots and it all flows like a conversation. Because that's how I write. My friend Theresa always told me I write like I talk.
I wish I could blab more...but I have to clean up my house! My parents are coming over soon!
I was upstairs cleaning up legos with Ben. He had just had a bath and had no diaper on. All of a sudden a stream of urine sprays out while he was squatting. He was deathly afraid of this foriegn body of liquid projecting from him. I was deathly afraid of how this was drenching my carpeting and the Legos. How do you clean Legos?? I thought of the dishwasher, but they are too small for even my little cases that hold small stuff. So then I thought about a good, old fashioned tub of soapy water. I'm thankful that this carpeting isn't new. I think it's been around a while. This is exactly why I don't want to buy new carpeting for a while, even though we have spots everywhere. Of course, all of this would have been prevented if I just put a diaper on the boy. But he likes freeballin' sometimes after a bath. And I THOUGHT it would be good potty training. Hahahhaha. It just tells me he's not really ready yet. I've learned that, AND... he pees like a racehorse!! There was NO stopping this stuff once it started flowing.
Odd Thought of the Day: I've decided that if you can talk a full conversation without someone on the other end, you would be good at writing a blog. For example, I'm known for being long winded on answering machines. I can talk forever without anyone responding! This must be some sad state of too much to say and no one to say it to! I have full conversations in my head. I have to admit, the upside is that I'm NEVER bored with myself. I find myself quite interesting to be around. Does that sound pompous?
I Like it When...My mom calls and says, "Do you want to go out today? Dad can watch the kids..." Yes...she did this today...is there anything more joyous than that? A combined invitation with pre-set up, FREE babysitting is the SAHM dream come true! AND I don't have to pick up the kids from school today. It's my neighbor's turn. WoooHooo! Paaarrrrtttyyy!
I Like....."....'s". Because then I don't have to worry about sentence structure problems like run-on sentences. I just throw in a couple of dots and it all flows like a conversation. Because that's how I write. My friend Theresa always told me I write like I talk.
I wish I could blab more...but I have to clean up my house! My parents are coming over soon!
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Snapshot Thursday
What's at the top of my to-do list?
---I need to make up a menu before I go shopping. This is my new thing. I'm trying to go prepared with a menu. I'm thinking Lasagna one day, maybe a Ham Steak another day and I need to come up with the rest. I've just joined allrecipes.com (someday I'll learn how to do link words in HTML).
From the allrecipe.com website....
Top Reasons to become a Member
1. Join the Fun
Rate and Review Recipes
Create and Share Recipes, Photos, Meal Ideas, and much more
Publish a Cook's Profile
2. Get Organized
Save and Organize favorite recipes to your online recipe box
Plan meals and print detailed shopping lists
3. It's FREE!
Doesn't that sound GREAT??? Wow. I can see a lot of obsessive time forthcoming! Like I have soooo much time to kill!
--Ted and I are going to create a loose budget. His paychecks vary so much because of his salary depending heavily on commission, that we don't have a good guideline on spending. The need to do this stemmed from the other day when I was at a shop looking at a table to be my crop table. I called him and he didn't feel great about me spending the money. HUH? I got all the way here and NOW you tell me? So, I came home...deflated...and we discussed. Of course, all of this is following 3 fall birthdays, big dinner parties for each, Christmas shopping, and a $2500 car repair *ouch*. We use Quicken and on-line bill paying so it's easy to run report and get a great snapshot of our spending...but do we do it? Not often enough. I think it's a good wake up call to see where we are spending. Even if you feel like jumping into a lake afterwards...
--I just bought 2 digital cameras for my kids on Ebay! They were 41 and 50 dollars. Pretty good, huh? But it took me forever to research, figure out what a good deal was, and what cameras were good quality because I can't just buy any stinkin' toy camera. I gotta have one that's gonna last and be worth it! (I think I'mborderlineg Type A...is there an A-?)
What have I accomplished?
--All the nooks and crannies in my house have been vacuumed. See "latest obsession" to find out why.
--I've updated my lovely Excel spreadsheet on Christmas purchases and know where I stand. I don't have too much more shopping to do. (I told you, I'm an A-!)
--I'm fully weaned off of Zoloft.
What's bugging me?
--Mary's lack of naps and clinginess. Those molars are coming in and they aren't fun!
--The fact that the kids are asking me all kinds of questions right now....while it's MY free time and they should be in BED (or at least settling in their rooms)!
(Actual dialog>>) Sam: Mom, what's this? (looking at paper's on the counters) Me: Dad's.
Sam: Abby, did you make this? A: Yah! S: What did you try to draw...Pikachu? A: Yah.
Sam is eating snacks because he's "huuunngry!" while Abby is digging through her crafts.
Me: Abby, what are you doing? A: Just like...getting some stuff...
What's my latest obsession?
I know, you were on the edge of your seat waiting for the answer. I'm hot and heavy into my brand new, 2005, see-through plastic DUSTBUSTER! OMG...why didn't someone EVER tell me how awesome these are??? I just bought one the other day and I'm constantly cleaning up little spills with my dustbuster. This is especially good for me, and you should know if you are a faithful reader of my blog (and I think maybe there are two people out there who are *blowkisstoAnnandTheresa*), that my little ones scream in terror whenever I turn on the vacuum cleaner and cling to my legs to be held. Needless to say, my carpets don't get vacuumed much....UNTIL NOW! I'm using this thing way beyond it's design I think. I vacuumed my whole staircase, so EASY! I got into all the nooks and crannies that were full of dust bunnies. Even when the cable guy came by and moved my entertainment center forward to get to the back, I drew out my dustbuster like a woman in the old west! The little ones love it! They get right next to me and watch me do it all! Abby and Sam both took it up into their rooms and did their floors! I don't have to watch something hit the floor and wonder when it will ever come up. It's the cordless feature that makes you want to whip it out at a moment's notice. And the fact that it's small makes you look at vacuuming in a whole new light. I don't feel like I'm dragging out a huge appliance. I'm surprised FlyLady doesn't sell her own version on her website! She sells ostrich feather dusters, after all. I'm going to fly much better now with this dustbuster.
(Actual dialog>>) A: Mom, how do you spell "remember?" (If there's one thing I do a lot for her...it's spell words)
What's been making me happy?
--Duh! My dustbuster!
--Keeping my house clean makes me happy. It's not always clean...but I'm happy when it is.
--Having a meal plan makes me happy. I want to collect good, solid recipes to put on a rotation for meals. I've heard people say they have enough for 6 weeks and then start over. I think that's a good goal. Theresa, Ann, do you have any good family recipes or crowd pleasers?
---I need to make up a menu before I go shopping. This is my new thing. I'm trying to go prepared with a menu. I'm thinking Lasagna one day, maybe a Ham Steak another day and I need to come up with the rest. I've just joined allrecipes.com (someday I'll learn how to do link words in HTML).
From the allrecipe.com website....
Top Reasons to become a Member
1. Join the Fun
Rate and Review Recipes
Create and Share Recipes, Photos, Meal Ideas, and much more
Publish a Cook's Profile
2. Get Organized
Save and Organize favorite recipes to your online recipe box
Plan meals and print detailed shopping lists
3. It's FREE!
Doesn't that sound GREAT??? Wow. I can see a lot of obsessive time forthcoming! Like I have soooo much time to kill!
--Ted and I are going to create a loose budget. His paychecks vary so much because of his salary depending heavily on commission, that we don't have a good guideline on spending. The need to do this stemmed from the other day when I was at a shop looking at a table to be my crop table. I called him and he didn't feel great about me spending the money. HUH? I got all the way here and NOW you tell me? So, I came home...deflated...and we discussed. Of course, all of this is following 3 fall birthdays, big dinner parties for each, Christmas shopping, and a $2500 car repair *ouch*. We use Quicken and on-line bill paying so it's easy to run report and get a great snapshot of our spending...but do we do it? Not often enough. I think it's a good wake up call to see where we are spending. Even if you feel like jumping into a lake afterwards...
--I just bought 2 digital cameras for my kids on Ebay! They were 41 and 50 dollars. Pretty good, huh? But it took me forever to research, figure out what a good deal was, and what cameras were good quality because I can't just buy any stinkin' toy camera. I gotta have one that's gonna last and be worth it! (I think I'mborderlineg Type A...is there an A-?)
What have I accomplished?
--All the nooks and crannies in my house have been vacuumed. See "latest obsession" to find out why.
--I've updated my lovely Excel spreadsheet on Christmas purchases and know where I stand. I don't have too much more shopping to do. (I told you, I'm an A-!)
--I'm fully weaned off of Zoloft.
What's bugging me?
--Mary's lack of naps and clinginess. Those molars are coming in and they aren't fun!
--The fact that the kids are asking me all kinds of questions right now....while it's MY free time and they should be in BED (or at least settling in their rooms)!
(Actual dialog>>) Sam: Mom, what's this? (looking at paper's on the counters) Me: Dad's.
Sam: Abby, did you make this? A: Yah! S: What did you try to draw...Pikachu? A: Yah.
Sam is eating snacks because he's "huuunngry!" while Abby is digging through her crafts.
Me: Abby, what are you doing? A: Just like...getting some stuff...
What's my latest obsession?
I know, you were on the edge of your seat waiting for the answer. I'm hot and heavy into my brand new, 2005, see-through plastic DUSTBUSTER! OMG...why didn't someone EVER tell me how awesome these are??? I just bought one the other day and I'm constantly cleaning up little spills with my dustbuster. This is especially good for me, and you should know if you are a faithful reader of my blog (and I think maybe there are two people out there who are *blowkisstoAnnandTheresa*), that my little ones scream in terror whenever I turn on the vacuum cleaner and cling to my legs to be held. Needless to say, my carpets don't get vacuumed much....UNTIL NOW! I'm using this thing way beyond it's design I think. I vacuumed my whole staircase, so EASY! I got into all the nooks and crannies that were full of dust bunnies. Even when the cable guy came by and moved my entertainment center forward to get to the back, I drew out my dustbuster like a woman in the old west! The little ones love it! They get right next to me and watch me do it all! Abby and Sam both took it up into their rooms and did their floors! I don't have to watch something hit the floor and wonder when it will ever come up. It's the cordless feature that makes you want to whip it out at a moment's notice. And the fact that it's small makes you look at vacuuming in a whole new light. I don't feel like I'm dragging out a huge appliance. I'm surprised FlyLady doesn't sell her own version on her website! She sells ostrich feather dusters, after all. I'm going to fly much better now with this dustbuster.
(Actual dialog>>) A: Mom, how do you spell "remember?" (If there's one thing I do a lot for her...it's spell words)
What's been making me happy?
--Duh! My dustbuster!
--Keeping my house clean makes me happy. It's not always clean...but I'm happy when it is.
--Having a meal plan makes me happy. I want to collect good, solid recipes to put on a rotation for meals. I've heard people say they have enough for 6 weeks and then start over. I think that's a good goal. Theresa, Ann, do you have any good family recipes or crowd pleasers?
Monday, November 14, 2005
Ahhhh....Young Love
When I say "young" here, I don't mean age. I mean "young" as in "new" love. I'll get to that in a moment. I love the fact that I have a variety of friends--some old, some young, some single, some divorced, some married, some with children, some without. I need this variety in my life.
When I'm around the single people, I envy their freedom, times in solitude, and abilities to focus on their own desires. But then I don't envy their needs to find "handy men" when they have to get something done, going to bed alone at night, and the fact they are still waiting for Mr. Right to come along...almost like their life hasn't really begun until he does. And children! They are wondering if they'll ever get them.
When I'm around my divorced friend, (really their is just one I keep in touch with), I enjoy hearing about her dating adventures, but would never want to be a single mom raising three young children. She has to wait til it's her "free night" without the kids to do anything (unless she wants to spend the money on a babysitter). She dates a divorced man with children which makes it doubly impossible to see him. She has all the craziness of being a SAHM but no spousal help. YUCK!
My married friends with no children have it made because they don't have to time sex for late at night when you are exhausted. I remember the early married days when you could wake up, make love, take a shower and get ready for work. I have much more energy in the morning! (hope that's not too much info :-) Again, they have more freedom in the evenings, but are definitely tied down to a full time job because they have NO excuse to stay at home! They can spend oodles of time with their spouse, and have date nights on a whim. But they want children and worry about timing, money, and affording to stay at home at least part time with their kids.
And then there is the double income with kids friends. They remind me of how fortunate I am to be at home, no matter how crazy it gets. That it's a gift many working moms long for. They may have more spending money, but they work on a much tighter window of free time than I do. They have to balance so much and squeeze in what they can for themselves...guilt free. Which is basically impossible.
My married friends with kids are great for sharing the joys and struggles with. They understand! They've been there. It's like family. You don't have to talk to them, explain, justify. They know. They know you love your children more than anything. That life would be empty with out them. They know you feel complete and full, but sometimes too complete and too full with room for nothing else.
And then their are my friends with older kids. Ahhhh what wisdom can be gleaned from them! They've been there and done that...and they warn of what's to come. They don't sweat the small stuff because they learned a long time ago that it's not worth it. Their kids are all in school so some of them are working themselves, while juggling the kids in school. They are struggling to keep all the balls in the air. They drive to and fro for every little activity. They worry about the directions their kids are about to take...will they make good decisions? They think about college and how they will afford it.
I didn't mean to go on and on about variety and how much it means to me. But there it is and that may be what needed to be said. However, I do need to talk about my friend who lives alone and watches romantic movies always wishing she could be the one to be whisked away. She's always lamented, "Why can't I have a guy like that??". She's never really dated because there seems to be a big paranoia among guys of having an overweight girlfriend. I've always known my friend would be a great catch, though. She's full of spunk and life. She can always make us laugh. She's consistent and loyal. A friend for life. Well, to get to the point, she's been friends with this guy she has pined for for three years! Yes friends. She's read into every gesture, statement and look, trying to figure out if he would ever be interested in more. We've all been there...you know how it is. It's agonizing but exciting at the same time. Well, she was happy to report to me yesterday that they are officially an item. They had their first real kiss. *sigh*. And it was magical. The kind of magic that you feel when you've waited, and dreamed, and wished for something and it FINALLY happens. And it's real. And it's comfortable. After this kiss, they decided they were starting something and they would take their time. They're not defining it. They're just doing it. Well, not doing IT. But you know what I mean. She's 37 and this is her first real relationship, and it started as a friendship. He's 30 and we think it's his first relationship too. Some people just move slower, but it's those people who mean what they do. They don't rush things, they don't do them with every Tom, Dick and Harry (or Tina, Jane and Mary). When they make a commitment, it's not taken lightly. I like those kind of people.
So I'm enjoying my friends, budding relationship, and remembering the excitement I had when I met Ted. While I would never want to go back and do it all over again, their is something to be learned by a new relationship. How truly a treasure it is to have someone to share your life with, who is looking after you, wants you to be happy and shares your dreams. It's not to be taken for granted!
When I'm around the single people, I envy their freedom, times in solitude, and abilities to focus on their own desires. But then I don't envy their needs to find "handy men" when they have to get something done, going to bed alone at night, and the fact they are still waiting for Mr. Right to come along...almost like their life hasn't really begun until he does. And children! They are wondering if they'll ever get them.
When I'm around my divorced friend, (really their is just one I keep in touch with), I enjoy hearing about her dating adventures, but would never want to be a single mom raising three young children. She has to wait til it's her "free night" without the kids to do anything (unless she wants to spend the money on a babysitter). She dates a divorced man with children which makes it doubly impossible to see him. She has all the craziness of being a SAHM but no spousal help. YUCK!
My married friends with no children have it made because they don't have to time sex for late at night when you are exhausted. I remember the early married days when you could wake up, make love, take a shower and get ready for work. I have much more energy in the morning! (hope that's not too much info :-) Again, they have more freedom in the evenings, but are definitely tied down to a full time job because they have NO excuse to stay at home! They can spend oodles of time with their spouse, and have date nights on a whim. But they want children and worry about timing, money, and affording to stay at home at least part time with their kids.
And then there is the double income with kids friends. They remind me of how fortunate I am to be at home, no matter how crazy it gets. That it's a gift many working moms long for. They may have more spending money, but they work on a much tighter window of free time than I do. They have to balance so much and squeeze in what they can for themselves...guilt free. Which is basically impossible.
My married friends with kids are great for sharing the joys and struggles with. They understand! They've been there. It's like family. You don't have to talk to them, explain, justify. They know. They know you love your children more than anything. That life would be empty with out them. They know you feel complete and full, but sometimes too complete and too full with room for nothing else.
And then their are my friends with older kids. Ahhhh what wisdom can be gleaned from them! They've been there and done that...and they warn of what's to come. They don't sweat the small stuff because they learned a long time ago that it's not worth it. Their kids are all in school so some of them are working themselves, while juggling the kids in school. They are struggling to keep all the balls in the air. They drive to and fro for every little activity. They worry about the directions their kids are about to take...will they make good decisions? They think about college and how they will afford it.
I didn't mean to go on and on about variety and how much it means to me. But there it is and that may be what needed to be said. However, I do need to talk about my friend who lives alone and watches romantic movies always wishing she could be the one to be whisked away. She's always lamented, "Why can't I have a guy like that??". She's never really dated because there seems to be a big paranoia among guys of having an overweight girlfriend. I've always known my friend would be a great catch, though. She's full of spunk and life. She can always make us laugh. She's consistent and loyal. A friend for life. Well, to get to the point, she's been friends with this guy she has pined for for three years! Yes friends. She's read into every gesture, statement and look, trying to figure out if he would ever be interested in more. We've all been there...you know how it is. It's agonizing but exciting at the same time. Well, she was happy to report to me yesterday that they are officially an item. They had their first real kiss. *sigh*. And it was magical. The kind of magic that you feel when you've waited, and dreamed, and wished for something and it FINALLY happens. And it's real. And it's comfortable. After this kiss, they decided they were starting something and they would take their time. They're not defining it. They're just doing it. Well, not doing IT. But you know what I mean. She's 37 and this is her first real relationship, and it started as a friendship. He's 30 and we think it's his first relationship too. Some people just move slower, but it's those people who mean what they do. They don't rush things, they don't do them with every Tom, Dick and Harry (or Tina, Jane and Mary). When they make a commitment, it's not taken lightly. I like those kind of people.
So I'm enjoying my friends, budding relationship, and remembering the excitement I had when I met Ted. While I would never want to go back and do it all over again, their is something to be learned by a new relationship. How truly a treasure it is to have someone to share your life with, who is looking after you, wants you to be happy and shares your dreams. It's not to be taken for granted!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Snapshot Thursday (A little early)
What’s at the top of my to-do list?
--Get ready for my crop weekend! I can't wait! Friday night I go to a friend's for the weekend to do nothing but crop. Focusing on one thing is a total treat I don't take for granted. Ted loves golf weekends....I love crop weekends. I guess I enjoy the process when their is company but what I really enjoy is the sense of accomplishment. So anyway, to get ready, I need to organize my pictures and maybe crop as many as I can before the weekend. It will enable me to get more pages done that way.
--Take Mary to get her one year pictures taken today.
What have I accomplished?
--Yesterday I uploaded all my digital pictures at Walmart.com. I need to pick them up today. I uploaded about 170 dating from June through October. That's about 38 pictures a month (Thank God I'm digital). When I was figuring how many pages I'll need this weekend, I figured that in my family album I need about 50 a year. In my kids albums, I need 12 a year. I'm a numbers gal, can't you tell? And because I don't do fancy pages, I can accomplish a full year of pictures put on pages (embellishing and journaling at another time). We'll see what I report next Thursday.
What’s bugging me?
--Ok...last week it was my tweezers (they're still lost) now it's my blush. Where is it?? Did Ben or Mary relocate them to a different spot in the house? I have no color in my face! I need my blush! My mom gave me an extra set of tweezers so I could erase away my new bush woman look.
What’s the buzz?
--Getting ready for Christmas! I need to start thinking about teachers and babysitters...those people who forget about until the last minute!
What’s my latest obsession?
--Do you think it's changed yet? Flylady of course! (at Flylady.com). The zone this week is the kitchen. I've scrubbed my stove and it looks so much better. I was supposed to mop my floors but I haven't yet. Arrgghhh.
What’s been making me happy?
--I'm a week away from being done with Zoloft.
--I got to hold a new baby at Women's group Monday night. I loved it without wanting another for myself. I feel so good about where I am right now. Mary is one and I'm enjoying the extra freedom. Thank you God! I'm totally content about the size of my family.
--My Wednesdays with Ben at Mother's Day Out!!!! I'm loving this free day! Ok...I still have Mary but I actually get a break when she naps!
--Get ready for my crop weekend! I can't wait! Friday night I go to a friend's for the weekend to do nothing but crop. Focusing on one thing is a total treat I don't take for granted. Ted loves golf weekends....I love crop weekends. I guess I enjoy the process when their is company but what I really enjoy is the sense of accomplishment. So anyway, to get ready, I need to organize my pictures and maybe crop as many as I can before the weekend. It will enable me to get more pages done that way.
--Take Mary to get her one year pictures taken today.
What have I accomplished?
--Yesterday I uploaded all my digital pictures at Walmart.com. I need to pick them up today. I uploaded about 170 dating from June through October. That's about 38 pictures a month (Thank God I'm digital). When I was figuring how many pages I'll need this weekend, I figured that in my family album I need about 50 a year. In my kids albums, I need 12 a year. I'm a numbers gal, can't you tell? And because I don't do fancy pages, I can accomplish a full year of pictures put on pages (embellishing and journaling at another time). We'll see what I report next Thursday.
What’s bugging me?
--Ok...last week it was my tweezers (they're still lost) now it's my blush. Where is it?? Did Ben or Mary relocate them to a different spot in the house? I have no color in my face! I need my blush! My mom gave me an extra set of tweezers so I could erase away my new bush woman look.
What’s the buzz?
--Getting ready for Christmas! I need to start thinking about teachers and babysitters...those people who forget about until the last minute!
What’s my latest obsession?
--Do you think it's changed yet? Flylady of course! (at Flylady.com). The zone this week is the kitchen. I've scrubbed my stove and it looks so much better. I was supposed to mop my floors but I haven't yet. Arrgghhh.
What’s been making me happy?
--I'm a week away from being done with Zoloft.
--I got to hold a new baby at Women's group Monday night. I loved it without wanting another for myself. I feel so good about where I am right now. Mary is one and I'm enjoying the extra freedom. Thank you God! I'm totally content about the size of my family.
--My Wednesdays with Ben at Mother's Day Out!!!! I'm loving this free day! Ok...I still have Mary but I actually get a break when she naps!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Poop Everywhere
When Mary woke up from her nap, I went up to get her. As soon as I opened her door a flood of poop stench came towards me. Whew! Must be a nasty one. As I approached her bed, the scene unfolded in pictures like the famous Psycho shower scene. (Play the sharp stabbing music in background while reading ahead)...Poop on Mary's fingers...poop on the crib railing...poop on the sheets...poop on the blankets...a trail of poop on the wall where it leads to a glob of poop on the floor...Mary's diaper, removed from bum, sitting on sheets perfectly clean. The only thing missing was the Psycho scream...but it played in my head. Mary was none to happy. She must have taken off her diaper before she napped...because this poop had been sitting there. YUCK. Anyway, you get the picture.
Ann, I know you read my blogs while eating your lunch. I hope I haven't ruined your appetite!
:-)
Ann, I know you read my blogs while eating your lunch. I hope I haven't ruined your appetite!
:-)
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Snapshot Thursday
What's at the top of my to-do list?
--Get gifts for two birthday parties this weekend.
--Cook some meals and freeze
--Get ingredients for a salad I need to bring to a dinner party on Saturday
What have I accomplished?
--Mary's 1st Birthday party!!!!
--Taking "babysteps" with Flylady
--Shopped with a meal plan for a change.
What's bugging me?
--Who took my tweezers??? I'm looking like a bush woman!
--I just discovered Ben's been using my bathroom cup for scooping water out of the toilet and pouring it in his potty chair. Hmmmm...feces receptacle to another...lovely....
--People complaining about our school. Nobody's perfect...could any of us do a better job? If so, interview for it! I just don't like a lot of complaining. I think it's counterproductive and spreads ill will. I'm not saying I never complain. I just usually don't complain about organizations I'm a part of... church, school, sports. I'm so grateful for people who take leadership responsibility and I understand it's a hard job so I guess I just don't get to picky about how things are done.
--Need to get back to eating healthier. Too much chocolate is in the house!!!
What's the buzz?
--Still Flylady. It's mostly what's on my Christmas list. I want her calendar, her duster, and a couple of books...one written by her and the other written by her inspiration. Me and my peers are also talking about what to get our kids for Christmas, we're drawing names, giving each other ideas.
What's my latest obsession?
--Still organizing my house.
--Having a meal plan (inspired by Flylady)
What's been making me happy? (New one)
--(Glance around to see if anyone is looking) Ummm...my kids seem a little easier. I'm allowed more freedom around my house right now. We'll see how long it lasts.
--Ted took off work tomorrow (he surprised me! GASP) to celebrate our dating anniversary of 20 years. Yes, we still celebrate it because we dated for 6 ½ years before marrying! (We met young). His mother is coming over to watch Ben and Mary while Sam and Abby are at school and we are going to spend the afternoon however we please (lunch, movie, shopping). Wow. What a treat!
--I've got a weekend crop coming up!!! I'm so excited. I need to prepare for it though!
--I took Sam, Abby and our neighbor Katherine to church on All Saints Day for a holy day of obligation. This makes me happy for a couple of reasons. This was teamwork in practice. My neighbor Mary went to the 6:30am by herself and then she watched Ben and Mary while I took her daughter and my older two to the 9:00am. We were both tickled pink! Her daughter wouldn't have wanted to go to the 6:30am and I got to pay attention without the younger ones in tow! Another thing that makes me smile is that Sam brought his "Magnifikids" which is a kids version of the "Magnificat" and he got to follow the whole mass along with his book. It was very cute and I could tell he felt more involved with the mass.
--I played a full game of indoor soccer injury free!! It felt so good.
--I'm weaning off of Zoloft. It takes two weeks. I've basically just put it off. I've been doing well for a while. It was for mild postpartum depression.
--Get gifts for two birthday parties this weekend.
--Cook some meals and freeze
--Get ingredients for a salad I need to bring to a dinner party on Saturday
What have I accomplished?
--Mary's 1st Birthday party!!!!
--Taking "babysteps" with Flylady
--Shopped with a meal plan for a change.
What's bugging me?
--Who took my tweezers??? I'm looking like a bush woman!
--I just discovered Ben's been using my bathroom cup for scooping water out of the toilet and pouring it in his potty chair. Hmmmm...feces receptacle to another...lovely....
--People complaining about our school. Nobody's perfect...could any of us do a better job? If so, interview for it! I just don't like a lot of complaining. I think it's counterproductive and spreads ill will. I'm not saying I never complain. I just usually don't complain about organizations I'm a part of... church, school, sports. I'm so grateful for people who take leadership responsibility and I understand it's a hard job so I guess I just don't get to picky about how things are done.
--Need to get back to eating healthier. Too much chocolate is in the house!!!
What's the buzz?
--Still Flylady. It's mostly what's on my Christmas list. I want her calendar, her duster, and a couple of books...one written by her and the other written by her inspiration. Me and my peers are also talking about what to get our kids for Christmas, we're drawing names, giving each other ideas.
What's my latest obsession?
--Still organizing my house.
--Having a meal plan (inspired by Flylady)
What's been making me happy? (New one)
--(Glance around to see if anyone is looking) Ummm...my kids seem a little easier. I'm allowed more freedom around my house right now. We'll see how long it lasts.
--Ted took off work tomorrow (he surprised me! GASP) to celebrate our dating anniversary of 20 years. Yes, we still celebrate it because we dated for 6 ½ years before marrying! (We met young). His mother is coming over to watch Ben and Mary while Sam and Abby are at school and we are going to spend the afternoon however we please (lunch, movie, shopping). Wow. What a treat!
--I've got a weekend crop coming up!!! I'm so excited. I need to prepare for it though!
--I took Sam, Abby and our neighbor Katherine to church on All Saints Day for a holy day of obligation. This makes me happy for a couple of reasons. This was teamwork in practice. My neighbor Mary went to the 6:30am by herself and then she watched Ben and Mary while I took her daughter and my older two to the 9:00am. We were both tickled pink! Her daughter wouldn't have wanted to go to the 6:30am and I got to pay attention without the younger ones in tow! Another thing that makes me smile is that Sam brought his "Magnifikids" which is a kids version of the "Magnificat" and he got to follow the whole mass along with his book. It was very cute and I could tell he felt more involved with the mass.
--I played a full game of indoor soccer injury free!! It felt so good.
--I'm weaning off of Zoloft. It takes two weeks. I've basically just put it off. I've been doing well for a while. It was for mild postpartum depression.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Pantry Organizing
I have a pantry that has food on one side and junk on the other. I've moved some of the junk (lightbulbs, cleaning supplies, etc) and moved it to a closet upstairs to free up some much needed space. The bins are for when I find something of the kids, I can through it in the respective bin, instead of letting it pile up on the steps (the curse of the two-story). The paper bin is for school memos, projects in progress, etc. The kids know exactly where their stuff is when they are looking for it and I'm happy that I can't see it! Now I just need to work on those other shelves :-). I'll post more pictures in a different post (Blogger wouldn't let me post more than one...I guess they are too big)
Snapshot Thursday (A Little Late)
What's at the top of my to-do list?
--I need to come up with some appetizers for Mary's party on Sunday
--I need to bake her birthday cake
-- I'd like to go through the kids clothes and store what they've grown out of and give away what we no longer need
What have I accomplished?
--Made chili and froze it for Mary's party
-- Started going through Abby and Sam's clothes
-- Painted front doors
-- Did the two picture walls (bedroom and breakfast room)
--Put bins with each child's name on them to put items they like to have access to and don't want to go upstairs for everyday (Game Boys, toys that need to be brought upstairs, etc.) Also did a paper bin for school work in progress, and school info.
What's bugging me?
--Mary has a runny nose and all week she would wipe it on my jeans when she was on the floor and on my shirts when I was holding her.
--My messy closets. I really want to get some deep cleaning/organizing done!
--My brother has not come over yet to seal our swingset! I called and he didn't return my call!
--I spent 9 hours (with interruptions) making a nun outfit and 5 hours making a Pope outfit and I wish I could have spent a little extra money and bought the darn things but I'm too cheap! I DON'T HAVE 14 hours to kill!
What's the BUZZ?
--Flylady.com --Great site for getting your house organized! I'm getting the e-mails which are way overwhelming, but she says I don't have to do anything yet, I just need to read them to get a feel for the flow and attitude. I've done this before and stopped because I didn't have time to fly! And I got too many e-mails from her! But I'm doing it again because I'm desperate to get my house in order.
What's my latest obsession?
--Organizing my house!
--I need to come up with some appetizers for Mary's party on Sunday
--I need to bake her birthday cake
-- I'd like to go through the kids clothes and store what they've grown out of and give away what we no longer need
What have I accomplished?
--Made chili and froze it for Mary's party
-- Started going through Abby and Sam's clothes
-- Painted front doors
-- Did the two picture walls (bedroom and breakfast room)
--Put bins with each child's name on them to put items they like to have access to and don't want to go upstairs for everyday (Game Boys, toys that need to be brought upstairs, etc.) Also did a paper bin for school work in progress, and school info.
What's bugging me?
--Mary has a runny nose and all week she would wipe it on my jeans when she was on the floor and on my shirts when I was holding her.
--My messy closets. I really want to get some deep cleaning/organizing done!
--My brother has not come over yet to seal our swingset! I called and he didn't return my call!
--I spent 9 hours (with interruptions) making a nun outfit and 5 hours making a Pope outfit and I wish I could have spent a little extra money and bought the darn things but I'm too cheap! I DON'T HAVE 14 hours to kill!
What's the BUZZ?
--Flylady.com --Great site for getting your house organized! I'm getting the e-mails which are way overwhelming, but she says I don't have to do anything yet, I just need to read them to get a feel for the flow and attitude. I've done this before and stopped because I didn't have time to fly! And I got too many e-mails from her! But I'm doing it again because I'm desperate to get my house in order.
What's my latest obsession?
--Organizing my house!
If I Had $50,000...
If you had $50,000, and were forced to spend it…what would you spend it on? I love doing this. I love pretending I have huge sums of money and figuring out how I would spend it. I lot of my figures are estimates....but it was a fun exercise.
New wedding ring--$3000?
Replace blacktop driveway with concrete--$6000?
Update upstairs (new paint, baseboards, doors and bathroom)--$3000
New furnace and air conditioner—I have no idea $5000?
New roof--$8,000?
Put hardwood floors in the Dining Room, Breakfast room and Kitchen. $8000?
Dining Room furniture (the room is still bare)--$3000
Build custom storage (shelving and cabinets) in the hall to my bathroom-$2000
Take a trip to Disney World as a whole family (no camping, fly)--$5000
Save the remaining $7000, to replace as much carpeting as I could, when kids get older and aren’t so messy.
Can you tell I have a 25 year old house that needs some work?
Now it's your turn...where would YOU spend it??
New wedding ring--$3000?
Replace blacktop driveway with concrete--$6000?
Update upstairs (new paint, baseboards, doors and bathroom)--$3000
New furnace and air conditioner—I have no idea $5000?
New roof--$8,000?
Put hardwood floors in the Dining Room, Breakfast room and Kitchen. $8000?
Dining Room furniture (the room is still bare)--$3000
Build custom storage (shelving and cabinets) in the hall to my bathroom-$2000
Take a trip to Disney World as a whole family (no camping, fly)--$5000
Save the remaining $7000, to replace as much carpeting as I could, when kids get older and aren’t so messy.
Can you tell I have a 25 year old house that needs some work?
Now it's your turn...where would YOU spend it??
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
My Baby is Turning One!
This is my baby. Well...she's not much of a baby anymore. Babies drink from a bottle, don't walk, can't feed themselves and can't call for "Momma". They don't know how to defend themselves from big, toddler brothers, they don't have a favorite TV show and they don't have a bunch of teeth! What happened to my baby? My baby is turning one. She'll be one on November 2nd.Meanwhile, I'm preparing for a party and thinking that's what it's all about. I'm NOT thinking about how my little, baby girl is becoming a full blown toddler with a mind of her own! That in one year she has gone from a blank staring baby with cradle cap to a beaming, walking, little girl who knows what she wants and whose personality is slowly being revealed like a blossoming flower.
She knows how to get my attention when I'm distracted (by screaming), she knows how to slow me down in my tracks when I'm running around cleaning the house (wraps arms around legs), she knows how to show me she's done eating (throws food on the floor), she can get me to put down Ben and pick her up (by crying louder than him), and she can get me to kiss her all over just by looking at me. All this started with a single cell. Amazing.
I feel like I've had so little to do with what she's become and will become. Yes, I know...I fed her, changed her, loved her and taken care of her every need. I just know that this is a small part compared to what her Creator has done. And I know that the plans God has for her are greater than any I could have for her. I know that who she becomes as a person will have not as much to do with me and more to do with who God created her to be.
This morning I greeted Mary with my usual shower of kisses and had a realization that she won't always be like this. She won't always be totally accepting of my shower of kisses. I look at Abby, and yes, she likes to snuggle, but she's always on the go! Her cheeks aren't as full as Mary's so they aren't beckoning kisses like Mary's are. She doesn't fit in my lap anymore and never requests to be there. She doesn't want to be held, but does like a hug and a kiss every now and then. I kiss Mary's feet because I love baby feet, but I don't think I would ever want to kiss Abby's anymore. And yet, Abby was once like Mary, couldn't get enough of me, never wanted me to leave the room and loved my shower of kisses.
I think I will treasure this time with Mary (and Ben). As I'm cooking this pot of chili for the party, I'm challenging myself to not just think about the party, but to think about my little ones who won't be little forever.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Snapshot Thursday
Every Thursday I'm going to do a "Snapshot" of what's going on in my life. I will answer the questions: What's on my To Do List, what have I just accomplished, what's really bugging me, what's the "Buzz" (meaning what are me and my friends talking about), and what's my latest obsession. These are off the top of my head. It might change as I go along.
What's at the top of my To Do List?
--Mary's First birthday party is in 10 days. I need to get ready for it. Figure out who is bringing what and get the house ready.
--We need to paint the front doors. I'm using Behr paint and chose the color Cinnamon Cherry. This has been on my to do list since we moved into this house 1 1/2 ago.
What have I accomplished?
--I finally ordered pictures (through Walmart Photo Center) to update my picture wall in my Breakfast room and Bedroom. I will take pictures of them when I'm done so you can see it. I also helped my mom by setting up her picture wall and ordering pictures for her.
--I invited everyone to come to Mary's Bday party.
What's bugging me?
--Mary keeps getting into the moss on my fake ficus tree. This really bugs me. It's almost gone. I'll have to remoss when she's past this stage.
--Ben keeps taking the lids off the markers and is drawing on the table, counters, windows and his own body. The markers are all dried out now so I threw them out. Note to self: Put new markers out of Ben's reach.
--The fact that the kids never have socks in their drawers and have to hit me up for them every morning. Note to self: Buy more socks or get laundry done. Scratch that...buy more socks!
--I injured myself in my first soccer game and haven't been able to play since! Meanwhile, my 8 week postpartum friend with 6 children is out there playing her heart out!
What's the Buzz?
--Knifty Knitters! http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=nw0229 and http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=nw0121 . My sister and neighbor are going crazy making scarves! My sister is making them for all of her sisters in law (she has 5). I'm giving them to Abby for Christmas. My neighbor's poor daughter is wondering when SHE can play with her own birthday gift!
--Pure Romance party http://www.pureromance.com/ . My sister went to this party where *gasp* "toys" were passed around and other things like lotions, etc. that might help in the bedroom (I don't want to use the "S" word because every perv will do a search and get my blog...I'll still can't shake all the people searching and getting my "My Milkshakes..." blog ---http://fourintow.blogspot.com/2005/08/my-milkshakes-bring-all-boys-to-yard.html ). I had a good laugh with my mom discussing this bedroom stuff. I placed an order for some mild stuff (I need all the help I can get...please don't pass judgment:-).
What's my latest obsession?
--The Food Network! I want to learn, learn, learn, more about cooking. I want to watch this channel and record some shows. HGTV is out...Food Network is in!
What's at the top of my To Do List?
--Mary's First birthday party is in 10 days. I need to get ready for it. Figure out who is bringing what and get the house ready.
--We need to paint the front doors. I'm using Behr paint and chose the color Cinnamon Cherry. This has been on my to do list since we moved into this house 1 1/2 ago.
What have I accomplished?
--I finally ordered pictures (through Walmart Photo Center) to update my picture wall in my Breakfast room and Bedroom. I will take pictures of them when I'm done so you can see it. I also helped my mom by setting up her picture wall and ordering pictures for her.
--I invited everyone to come to Mary's Bday party.
What's bugging me?
--Mary keeps getting into the moss on my fake ficus tree. This really bugs me. It's almost gone. I'll have to remoss when she's past this stage.
--Ben keeps taking the lids off the markers and is drawing on the table, counters, windows and his own body. The markers are all dried out now so I threw them out. Note to self: Put new markers out of Ben's reach.
--The fact that the kids never have socks in their drawers and have to hit me up for them every morning. Note to self: Buy more socks or get laundry done. Scratch that...buy more socks!
--I injured myself in my first soccer game and haven't been able to play since! Meanwhile, my 8 week postpartum friend with 6 children is out there playing her heart out!
What's the Buzz?
--Knifty Knitters! http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=nw0229 and http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=nw0121 . My sister and neighbor are going crazy making scarves! My sister is making them for all of her sisters in law (she has 5). I'm giving them to Abby for Christmas. My neighbor's poor daughter is wondering when SHE can play with her own birthday gift!
--Pure Romance party http://www.pureromance.com/ . My sister went to this party where *gasp* "toys" were passed around and other things like lotions, etc. that might help in the bedroom (I don't want to use the "S" word because every perv will do a search and get my blog...I'll still can't shake all the people searching and getting my "My Milkshakes..." blog ---http://fourintow.blogspot.com/2005/08/my-milkshakes-bring-all-boys-to-yard.html ). I had a good laugh with my mom discussing this bedroom stuff. I placed an order for some mild stuff (I need all the help I can get...please don't pass judgment:-).
What's my latest obsession?
--The Food Network! I want to learn, learn, learn, more about cooking. I want to watch this channel and record some shows. HGTV is out...Food Network is in!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Pizza Party!!
Sunday we had the family over for a big pizza party celebrating Sam's 9th birthday. I followed an episode on the Today show: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9683196/ . I followed it to a "T" except I used store bought pizza dough. I bought wheat, garlic & herb and regular pizza dough. I used their recipe for the red and white sauce. The toppings I served were pepperoni, sausage, bacon, chicken, red onions, green and red peppers, basil pesto, red pepper pesto, mushrooms, artichokes, black olives, and of course, lots and lots of mozzarella cheese. It was delicious! I also had regular store bought pizza sauce because I didn't feel I had enough of the homemade. I personally felt the store bought was fine and in the future I would just use this instead of making my own. I baked all the pizza dough in advance and spread them out in two long ovals on each cookie sheet (jelly roll pan). This is the way the author of the cookbook, Pam Anderson, suggests. She says it ensures that middles cook through and you can fit more pizzas in the oven at the same time. Brilliant, I say!
Then, when it was time to eat, I let everyone dress a pizza or half a pizza. They LOVED this part. Once the pizzas were dressed, they went back into the oven at a lower temp for about 10 more minutes. Ted and I used the garlic and herb crust and topped it with white sauce, chicken, and mushrooms (onions or peppers could have been good too). This one was really good! My dad was very grateful that I had wheat crust available and had a whole one to himself, topped with lots of veggies and no meat. The pesto really helped to give the pizza some zing. The kids really enjoyed dressing their own pizza too! Many of us have to sacrifice what we really love in order to share pizza with others or because you are ordering it where every topping costs extra. The sky was the limit here!
I also had Pam Anderson's (no...not the busty blonde) caesar salad with homemade croutons. The croutons were scrumptious, but I probably would have been happier with store bought dressing instead of what her recipe called for. But NOTHING, beats homemade croutons.
I had about 10 adults and 11 kids and we went through about 5 pizza dough balls or 10 pizzas (because I split each ball of dough into two pizzas). My mistake was that I had quite a few pizza crusts left over. But I gave half of them away and froze the rest for future meals.
I recommend this meal for a birthday party because it pleases everyone and I didn't have to bake something different for the kids.
Then, when it was time to eat, I let everyone dress a pizza or half a pizza. They LOVED this part. Once the pizzas were dressed, they went back into the oven at a lower temp for about 10 more minutes. Ted and I used the garlic and herb crust and topped it with white sauce, chicken, and mushrooms (onions or peppers could have been good too). This one was really good! My dad was very grateful that I had wheat crust available and had a whole one to himself, topped with lots of veggies and no meat. The pesto really helped to give the pizza some zing. The kids really enjoyed dressing their own pizza too! Many of us have to sacrifice what we really love in order to share pizza with others or because you are ordering it where every topping costs extra. The sky was the limit here!
I also had Pam Anderson's (no...not the busty blonde) caesar salad with homemade croutons. The croutons were scrumptious, but I probably would have been happier with store bought dressing instead of what her recipe called for. But NOTHING, beats homemade croutons.
I had about 10 adults and 11 kids and we went through about 5 pizza dough balls or 10 pizzas (because I split each ball of dough into two pizzas). My mistake was that I had quite a few pizza crusts left over. But I gave half of them away and froze the rest for future meals.
I recommend this meal for a birthday party because it pleases everyone and I didn't have to bake something different for the kids.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Exclusive Interviews With Abby and Sam
ABBY (Age 7)
If you had a magic wand and could make any wish come true, what would you wish for?
I wish that we would have a dog.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A mom.
How many kids do you want to have?
500. Just kidding! Four.
What kind of husband do you hope to have?
Like helpful... I like Danny in my class. He's funny. At recess he's always trying to get me to chase him and I say, "No". Today I heard he has a crush on me.
Who'd you hear that from?
Joey.
What's a crush?
It means like umm...somebody loves you.
What do you think he loves about you?
I don't know.
What do you like about yourself?
That God made me special...and I'm funny. I'm lucky to have a sister and two brothers. Actually three sisters and two brothers (including her sister that died in utero at 23 weeks).
How did God make you special?
I have bangs and not too many people have bangs. And I'm lucky to have a Dad that works for Charter.
Why?
Because sometimes he brings home some cool stuff and now we can do Charter On Demand.
Mom, can you please stop asking me questions because I really want to watch the movie.
How about one more question...What do you hope to do tomorrow?
To play with my friends and play with Jessica because I don't get to play with her that much.
Thank you for spending this time with me. I love you.
(Blows me a kiss)
SAM (Turns 9 in 3 days)
If you had a magic wand and could make any wish come true, what would you wish for?
Uhhh...A million dollars. LOL (at the way I typed "Uhhhh")
What would you do with a million dollars?
Spend it on video games (SSX III), a house, and a lap top.
What do you like about yourself?
Uhhh...I don't know...My glasses?
What do you like about your personality?
What does that mean?
The way you act and the way you think...
Being funny.
What can you do better than most kids your age?
Maybe Math..Spelling...run...
Is there anything you wish you could change about yourself?
To not have as many fears. I guess I don't have that much but...
What do you hope to get for your birthday this Sunday?
An SSX III.
What kind of wife do you want when you grow up?
I want her to be nice.
How many kids do you want to have?
A million! Just kidding. LOL. Stop copying everything I say!
This is an interview...I'm supposed to write everything you say!
LOL.
How many kids do you want?
Four.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A builder.
What do you want to build?
A house.
What is your favorite thing to do when you come home from school?
Play Playstation II.
What do you hate with the greatest passion?
When Ben's screaming.
Thank you for taking this time with me. I love you.
(Looked at me and smiled)
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Leftovers
My husband gets the leftovers...and I don't mean meals. He gets my leftovers.
We have a great relationship. I love him more than I ever have. We hardly ever fight. We really enjoy just being with each other. It all sounds good, but at the end of the day, he walks in the door...I give him a half-smile and a kiss and continue to go about my duties.
I remember when I first saw Ted. I was in orientation at McDonald's, paying attention to the Manager when I saw him walk by in his polyester duds. He was carrying frozen fry boxes. I was attracted to him right away. I was 16 years old when I first saw my husband. He was 17. Eventually I got to know him at work. I loved it when I saw that we were scheduled together. I would happily anticipate my shift. We even exchanged some heated words: "I need a six piece please!" and "No more cheeseburgers in the bin!". I remember talking to him in the break room. I found out he played soccer and went to CBC, a local, private, all boys, Catholic highschool. Have I died and gone to heaven? (Back then I didn't know I should be looking for a great father and husband. I thought that a soccer jock with muscular legs and a great smile was all I needed!). He was easy to talk to. We played on the McDonald's softball team together. I would stare at his legs from the outfield while he was on first base. Besides being attracted to him, I saw something in him that was different from the other guys. He wasn't trying to put on a show. He was comfortable in his own skin. He didn't act cocky or fake.
One night, after close on a summer weekend, I looked up his house in the phone book. There quite a few Naumann's but I thought I would look for one that was close to our McDonald's. I didn't know his parent's name, so I didn't know if I had the right house, but I thought if I just drove by, I might see his car and know where he lived. I think my McDonald cookies fell or my visor or something...and I went to pick it up, and horror of horrors...I crashed straight into a street cleaning truck! My face slammed against the steering wheel (we had no airbags back then) and I bit into my tongue. I was freaking out! I climbed out of the car and knocked on the door of the house that I crashed in front of. Would you believe that his Uncle answered the door? It was NOT his house! I went to gradeschool with his cousin and I crashed in front of HER house!!! And her last name was not Naumann because it was her mother that was a Naumann. There was an unrelated Naumann next door or something...but anyway, I digress.
So here I am, bleeding mouth, 2:00am in the morning, letting Ted's uncle (whom I knew from church and being in his daughter's class) know that I needed help and he was in his underwear!!!! They checked out my tongue and called my parents. My sister and mom came over right away. While we were waiting, they asked what I was doing over there. I was totally embarrassed, but I told his cousin (who also worked at McDonald's) that I was looking for Ted's house (I never was a good liar). So anyway, I was taken to the ER and they gave me 12 stitches in the tongue.
I talked pretty funny after that. I remember talking to him in the break room afterwards and telling him about my accident all the while thinking, "You have NO idea this was all because of you!" His parents found out because, of course, their niece told them (what was I thinking telling HER!!!).
Eventually I told the McDonald's gossip queen that I liked Ted and she told him. He needed to break up from this girl he didn't like all that much and asked me out while I was on a "lobby break". Well...he thought he asked me out, but he never used the words. I figured what he meant, eventually. We started dating after that. Ted was the center of my universe! I wanted to see him all the time. We had the manager schedule us together whenever he could. I was passionate about this boy! I saw no wrong in him. Everything was rosey. We would close together and then kiss afterwards in his car with the creepy maintenance guy watching us from inside. We couldn't get enough of each other. We have plenty of love notes and momentos from our dating years.
Little did we know what we would start together. Now we have a mortgage, 4 kids, real jobs and responsibilities. It's hard to juggle it all. We know that somewhere underneath it all is a young couple who stole kisses in drive thru and the deep freeze. But for now, most of my kisses land on the little ones cheeks while my husband is out earning a living. It's real life. I know our passion isn't over. I see my parents. Boy are THEY passionate! It's a little sickening. And they had a ROUGH time raising 6 kids. I know I won't have to wait that long for our passion to come back. I do miss it.
In the meantime, I am making an oath. I want to do little things to show my husband I love him. I don' t want him to always feel like he gets the leftovers. I think a little more affection will go a long way.
We have a great relationship. I love him more than I ever have. We hardly ever fight. We really enjoy just being with each other. It all sounds good, but at the end of the day, he walks in the door...I give him a half-smile and a kiss and continue to go about my duties.
I remember when I first saw Ted. I was in orientation at McDonald's, paying attention to the Manager when I saw him walk by in his polyester duds. He was carrying frozen fry boxes. I was attracted to him right away. I was 16 years old when I first saw my husband. He was 17. Eventually I got to know him at work. I loved it when I saw that we were scheduled together. I would happily anticipate my shift. We even exchanged some heated words: "I need a six piece please!" and "No more cheeseburgers in the bin!". I remember talking to him in the break room. I found out he played soccer and went to CBC, a local, private, all boys, Catholic highschool. Have I died and gone to heaven? (Back then I didn't know I should be looking for a great father and husband. I thought that a soccer jock with muscular legs and a great smile was all I needed!). He was easy to talk to. We played on the McDonald's softball team together. I would stare at his legs from the outfield while he was on first base. Besides being attracted to him, I saw something in him that was different from the other guys. He wasn't trying to put on a show. He was comfortable in his own skin. He didn't act cocky or fake.
One night, after close on a summer weekend, I looked up his house in the phone book. There quite a few Naumann's but I thought I would look for one that was close to our McDonald's. I didn't know his parent's name, so I didn't know if I had the right house, but I thought if I just drove by, I might see his car and know where he lived. I think my McDonald cookies fell or my visor or something...and I went to pick it up, and horror of horrors...I crashed straight into a street cleaning truck! My face slammed against the steering wheel (we had no airbags back then) and I bit into my tongue. I was freaking out! I climbed out of the car and knocked on the door of the house that I crashed in front of. Would you believe that his Uncle answered the door? It was NOT his house! I went to gradeschool with his cousin and I crashed in front of HER house!!! And her last name was not Naumann because it was her mother that was a Naumann. There was an unrelated Naumann next door or something...but anyway, I digress.
So here I am, bleeding mouth, 2:00am in the morning, letting Ted's uncle (whom I knew from church and being in his daughter's class) know that I needed help and he was in his underwear!!!! They checked out my tongue and called my parents. My sister and mom came over right away. While we were waiting, they asked what I was doing over there. I was totally embarrassed, but I told his cousin (who also worked at McDonald's) that I was looking for Ted's house (I never was a good liar). So anyway, I was taken to the ER and they gave me 12 stitches in the tongue.
I talked pretty funny after that. I remember talking to him in the break room afterwards and telling him about my accident all the while thinking, "You have NO idea this was all because of you!" His parents found out because, of course, their niece told them (what was I thinking telling HER!!!).
Eventually I told the McDonald's gossip queen that I liked Ted and she told him. He needed to break up from this girl he didn't like all that much and asked me out while I was on a "lobby break". Well...he thought he asked me out, but he never used the words. I figured what he meant, eventually. We started dating after that. Ted was the center of my universe! I wanted to see him all the time. We had the manager schedule us together whenever he could. I was passionate about this boy! I saw no wrong in him. Everything was rosey. We would close together and then kiss afterwards in his car with the creepy maintenance guy watching us from inside. We couldn't get enough of each other. We have plenty of love notes and momentos from our dating years.
Little did we know what we would start together. Now we have a mortgage, 4 kids, real jobs and responsibilities. It's hard to juggle it all. We know that somewhere underneath it all is a young couple who stole kisses in drive thru and the deep freeze. But for now, most of my kisses land on the little ones cheeks while my husband is out earning a living. It's real life. I know our passion isn't over. I see my parents. Boy are THEY passionate! It's a little sickening. And they had a ROUGH time raising 6 kids. I know I won't have to wait that long for our passion to come back. I do miss it.
In the meantime, I am making an oath. I want to do little things to show my husband I love him. I don' t want him to always feel like he gets the leftovers. I think a little more affection will go a long way.
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