Holy shit Batman--it's been too long....

Wow, I can't even remember the last time I wrote on this blog.  Sad, but true.  So here are a few random things from my life right now to catch me up....

• It's the end of another school year....my baby boy will be a senior next year and Kate will be leaving to go down to Carbondale as a junior.  Feeling my age right now.
• Eric was back this year--his first as high school principal.  It was a lovely year for me....not as much drinking because he keeps me relatively calm....but a rough one for the staff since they were used to no guidance whatsoever and didn't adjust well to change.
• New building is coming along nicely.  We moved out of our office the last day of finals (5/20/15) and into the guidance office for the summer.  New classrooms and office will be done mid-August--cross your fingers.
• One Little word for this year is Calm.....still struggling with it as anyone who knows me well knows that I am always wound up about something.
• Our oldest nephew,Jacob, was married this month, and his sister Meghan graduated from High School.
• Zach's basketball coach retired and they are on the hunt for a new one--I'm more than excited to find out who it will be.
• Zach has his first job this summer--helping the school district clean out the schools--moving boxes and furniture and whatever else they might need.  It's hard work.  7-3 every day.....He has to be up--haha.
• I'm done with work on June 4.....summer will be a long one.  Since the school is not getting turned over to us until about when we normally do registration we are postponing starting school until the day after Labor Day....September 8.  It will be a shock to all our systems....but make for a really long summer.  (My to do list awaits)
• We have 3 more weddings this summer and 2 basketball shoot outs.  Doug is taking the kids and some friends to Cedar Point sometime in July....and I am going to stay at home---ALL BY MYSELF! My kind of vacation.
• Salli and Scott are building a house here in Macon.  They will be moved in before school starts. 
• The whole lower level of our house has been repainted a color called "Stonington"--a nice beige.  It's beginning to come together nicely.  It really lightened and brightened everything up.  We changed out curtains and bought a few new pieces.  I'm very happy with it.  

Holy Smokes...It's been awhile

November was the last time I wrote here....Oh my.  A lot has happened since November.

• I made it through the school year...by the skin of my teeth.  As of Tuesday I was done for the summer.
• Zach did not play baseball this year.  Bummer for me--but exciting for him and Doug.
• I lost 19 pounds by doing something called Metabolism Miracle after the first of the year, only to fall off the wagon and gain 5 of it back because...hell, I don't know why.
• We are doing a vacation this year...a beach one and Kate and I can't be more excited about it.  Zach on the other hand....
• Summer basketball has started and Zach has done okay on Varsity....11 points in 2 games...Not his best but he needs to learn how to keep up with the big boys.
• Speaking of big boys, he has his license now...since March and I am just starting to get over the nervousness.
• Kate finished her first year at Richland and just started her summer job back up at the Collector's office.  
• We've been hanging out with a great group from the high school. A History teacher and his wife, the Guidance Counselor and her husband, a Science teacher and a Math Teacher along with my pal, Jody and her husband.  It's amazing how our friendships keep evolving.  This group is laid back, funny and cares a lot for each other. We always laugh with each other...my face and stomach hurts from smiling and laughing so much.
• I have mixed emotions about Jack retiring.  I am ready for him to go (June 30th is his last day) and I will be sad when he leaves also.  He's a great man and friend---boss not so much--well to me he was great, but to those who needed guidance/leadership--not so much.
•  I'm really looking forward to next year with Eric at the helm.  It will be a difficult transition year, but I know he will do a great job. I have faith in him.  I just hope I can get myself together and be more professional so I don't make him look bad.  I didn't care about that with Jack...what does that say about me.  Not much.  UGH.
• I am almost 44--will be in 3 months.  WOW.....I don't get as upset every year on my birthday anymore.  It is what it is. Me whining about it isn't going to change it.
• I've settled into a sort of "routine" with my parents and sister.  I see them at holidays and birthdays and occasionally text or email them...and I am okay with that.  I'm to the point where I don't want the hassles or to do the work it entails to get along all the time with them.  It's really sad to think about it, because if it were my kids it would tear me up for them not to talk to me or see me....but then again the relationships are different.  Always have been....I did it on purpose...created the kind of family I wished I had always had.  

It's been almost 5 months...

Holy cow...how does that happen.  I was just sitting here reading blogs and realized how much I miss writing.  I miss mind dumping everything here every once in a while.  So without further ado...here are 10 random things about life right now.

1.  Weather has been crazy lately...no real fall this year...which sucks for me...since that is my favorite season.  Last week only about half the leaves were down when it snowed.  Holy smokes...snow...not ready yet.

2.  Have the itch to clean everything...we are talking wash all decor and curtains and blankets and woodwork. Need to embrace it and everything can be clean before the holidays.

3.  Still struggling with the whole work thing.  I am really missing Eric and his level head.  I'm ready for Jack to go.  I am finding myself not caring more and more and I hate that. 

4.  Basketball is about to start.  My boy needs to step it up this year...more kids act like they want it more than he does.  He may be a good shot, but if he doesn't show the coaches that he wants it he probably won't play. 

5.  I'm almost done Christmas shopping for my kids.  November 18th baby...mark it down....and I stuck to my budget for them this year.  Another feat for me.

6.  Not getting enough alone time...I wish we were rich and we had a little weekend getaway that I could sneak down to.  A book and some music and no one else.  Freaking heaven.

7.  Haven't had a routine at home lately.  Stepping back and letting others take over the stuff that drives me crazy.  I don't know if it's working but I am less stressed.  Whatever it takes.

8.  I don't really want anything for Christmas this year.  Oh, I'll take a level head and some will power but that's not easily found....

9.  Trying not to think about my weight for once in my life. I do better when I feel my pants getting tighter--I lay off the junk until I can breathe again.  I still binge though--donuts anyone?  I'm doing better though and not going to worry about it for a little bit longer. 

10.  I want to paint our whole living area and hallways.  But I want to go lighter and can't find the right shade of gold. It will be a slight change but lately I've found my style and just need to tweak things here and there.  Can you say the same comforter for the last 6 years????  It's a miracle--problem is that it is about worn out and I can't part with it because I love the look. 

June Randomness...

• Yesterday was my last day of work until August.  As much as I struggled this year I know I will miss the guys in the office.  I'll have to sneak over there every few weeks and get my fix.
• Bridal shower this weekend and then a wedding next weekend--which is going to be a kid free weekend for Doug and I.  So looking forward to that.
• Kate graduated last month.  Still have to keep repeating that to myself.  It will hit home next school year when I go back to work and she isn't there.
• The State of Illinois finally came through with Meridian's money.  That means the classrooms and rest of the school will get built.  Hope to be in by Christmas 2014.  Holy cow...that isn't very far away.
• Had our house appraised this week--hoping to do some cosmetic changes--roof and siding.
• Went out for supper and bitching with my BFF last night.  Love doing that.
• Kids are going with Doug to Six Flags on Saturday while I go to bridal shower.  A whole day to myself--with only a couple of hours planned--what to do--what to do.

I'm still struggling...

Having a rough time this year with coming to grip with the fact that people do not think I lead a life outside of work.  They call me at home to ask me questions about school...those who had my cell phone text me at all hours to ask questions about school...and today a friend from church called my mother in law to get my cell number (hmmm...mostly mad because she called Darlene I think) to talk to me about school---after she had already spoken to me twice at work.  People, I have a life and it doesn't revolve around school. I started not answering at home, not texting back and unfortunately tonight pretending that I didn't have my phone with me.  Maybe that is one of the reasons we went ahead and got rid of our home phone--not to mention the cost. 

Going to have to make some more hard choices for next year...my assistant principal is moving to the grade school to be principal and that means some changes in the office for next year.  I'm going to have to let a lot of stuff go by the wayside (stuff that he would normally do) because it isn't my job.  I'm going to have to just do my stuff and not worry about other stuff.  I'm going to remind the principal twice about stuff and then it is out of my hands.  I'm going to be more selective with my friendships at school and who I confide in.  I'm tired of the bitching and complaining coming from some of the staff and I am distancing myself from that.  I am trying to save my sanity--not to mention Doug's and the kids'.  I'm tired of taking frustrations out on them.  I'm going to try to leave my frustrations at work.  I am buying a notebook and dumping it all in there before I leave for the day. 

I'm tired of being a negative Nellie all the time.  How I wish I was a glass half full person.  Trying to think good thoughts and read good uplifting stuff...but sometimes the whininess and pettiness and lack of consideration and respect of some people just really burn my butt.  Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much--wish I could just go to work and be a robot--answer the phone in a monotone voice and handle everything all day long with no emotion.  Parents wouldn't bother me, teachers wouldn't bother me and neither would other staff members.  The kids are the least of my worries most time--its the adults who don't know any better.

This week is my bitch week and I can feel myself being awful to everyone.  I just can't seem to help it.  The little things just really bug me this week....random repetitious noises, dishes that don't get done, socks that miss the basket, toothpaste that doesn't get washed down the sink, cans that don't get crushed, bread ties that don't make it to the garbage can, empty toilet paper rolls that stay on the holder for days, empty hangers that never make it down to the laundry area, full baskets of clean clothes that never get put away--only rifled through and messed up, dogs that don't get let out when they have to go, hitting snooze on the alarm more than 2 or 3 times, papers that never get put away and are left on the table for days, baseball--basketball and other sports crap that get left in places that they don't belong in, my car never getting cleaned out--empty soda cans, wrappers and lunchboxes that get left in there, always having to say no when someone asks to spend money, always being the only one that wants to pay off our bills, always having to come up with a menu, shop for said menu and then cook same menu, never getting a thank you for doing the stuff I do everyday that no one even notices--clean clothes--mostly, and last but not least never getting enough alone time for me.   It seems that every time I try to steal a moment or two someone comes in and talks to me.

OK I am done venting....

Complete Randomness...

• Still doing great with my daily to do lists.  Need to go ahead and laminate them because they are good to go...don't need to change anything.  I love being able to see the top of my dining room table and love that I am not overwhelmed on the weekends.
• Spent 6+ hours last Friday with my BFF and a few others at a Scrapbooking Crop where I got a ton done--not that I got everything done like I wanted (I forgot to take some stuff--ok that is a lie--I didn't even know where some of the stuff was)but I am organized and I have a plan.  Not only is Kate's stuff organized and finished up until 8th grade...but Zach's is done until 6th.  That is 2 more for Kate than I previously had done and 4 more for Zach.  I will be starting high school for both of them.  Just need to get some pictures developed and I will be ready for the next crop in April.
• Loved getting together like old times with Dawn--took me back in time a little.  And no interruptions--no going to get kids at pre-school.  Ha.  That's how long it has been since we have done this...Her youngest was in preschool.  Yikes
• Spent 3+ hours on Sunday up in my scrap area....cleaning everything--touching everything--looking for those darn items that were previously missing from Kate's stash of school stuff.  Found all of that and more.  Next time we go to crop I can grab a bin and have all of the kids school stuff.  Put all the random stuff in another bin...nieces and nephews, Christmas cards and random bits of vacation stuff that will go with pictures in my next vacation album.
• Need to order more page protectors and high school binders.
• I am seriously contemplating hiring someone to come in and deep clean our house before graduation.  Now to convince Doug--if nothing else I want a window washer and someone to come in and shampoo our couch and living room rug.
• Started going to Dave Ramsey classes two weeks ago.  I'm not going to lie...this will be hard for me.  Shopping is my go to form of therapy.  I find it painful not to buy something at least once a week.  UGH.  Willpower here I come.
• Took today off and besides getting my nails done I did absolutely nothing.  Felt good to lie around all day on the couch. 

My weekly chores

I have been struggling for awhile on staying on top of my house work.  Going back to work full time almost 3 years ago has been good for me but bad for my organization and cleaning habits.  This year I am determined to stay on top of everything which will make my life easier and me happier. I sat down and thought of everything I would like to get done in a week and then divided it up by days and put each day on their own separate index card.  I keep them on/in my nightstand to remind me of what I need to accomplish each day.

Here is my schedule (this is still a work in process since I have only been doing it for a little over 3 weeks--I added something today that I had forgotten.  Once I have it down pat I will be laminating my index cards for each day)

Sunday:
clean bathroom
put my laundry away
make sure kids have put all their shoes and laundry away
straighten up kitchen
make sure garbage is taken out
water inside plants (added this one today)

check my calendar--plan week out on fridge weekly dry erase calendar
plan my wardrobe for whole week--hang at front of my closet including jewelry or scarves
plan menu for week
Cook Sunday dinner

Monday:
clean off dining room table
clean out 1 drawer
straighten desk and office
organize something

Tuesday:
do laundry--at least one load of darks, lights and whites
clean fridge and microwave
straighten dining room--dust
file any papers that need it

go to library

Wednesday:
fruit shopping/run errands
straighten den and porch
make sure kids put all their shoes away

Thursday:
do laundry--at least one load of darks, lights, and whites
straighten master bedroom--dust
do 1 or 2 things from my to do list (list on small memo pad I add to as I think of things--on fridge)
clean off dining room table

clean out purse
clean contacts

Friday:
balance checkbook--pay bills every other week
straighten living room--dust
wash rugs, blankets or pillows if necessary
attend MHS games
out to eat or have Doug bring food home

Saturday:
have kids do chores of my choice
vacuum whole house
run errands with Doug
out to eat
wash sweaters or hand washable clothes

So far this has worked out wonderfully for me.  My dining room table has been relatively clean since I started this.  It never was before--it was always piled with all kinds of stuff.  Every day only takes me an hour or hour and half at most to do.  And if someone helps me it takes less time.  Some days I break it up and sometimes I tackle everything all at once.  I feel great about my house and about myself for having accomplished something every day.

Stay tuned for more about my to do list and a monthly chore list I am making for deep cleaning the whole house.