- 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.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Complete Randomness...
Monday, January 21, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Struggling...
I find myself struggling with my friendships now. It's like people don't understand what it means to be a friend. 2 instances recently that have opened my eyes and made me question if these women are really my friends.
Instance #1: Friend's son is a student where I work. He got "jumped" in the school parking lot after school by a non-student on Thursday. After school got out--but the office did not find out about it until an hour or more later. He was the winner of the "fight". Administration called her son down the next morning to talk about it and he had not told her about it yet. He asked to be the first to tell her and the principal--being a nice guy--said that was fine. This was Friday and principal was going to see her at a game on Saturday so he agreed to it. He was not in any way in trouble....police were called by us to talk to non-student and tell him not to come on school property for any reason. No consequences at all for defending himself from non-student.
I am sitting in line at car wash with Doug and I get a phone call from my friend. She is basically mad at me because I didn't call and give her a heads up about the whole thing. Not my job lady! Her son had never told her, so she looked like a fool when Principal talked to her at game. She was embarrassed and upset that she didn't know about it. Here's the kicker...she wasn't really mad at her son but at me because I should have given her a heads up. I said it happened Thursday...didn't he look like he had been in a fight???? I knew he had been knocked down in the gravel parking lot and that he had to be pulled off the kid--landing punches before that. She said no she hadn't noticed anything. He had been in her room "pacing" on Friday night but he never said anything. (Wake up lady--he was trying to tell you something--use your freaking words and talk to your kid).
We have dinner with her and boyfriend Saturday night where she proceeds to tell me that his knuckles are all scabbed up and so are her knees. Boyfriend is pissed at school and going off on our administration. Look...we are supposed to be out having dinner and good conversation and now I am at the point where I don't want anything to do with them. (these are the same parents that call and ask Doug and I all the time when practices are because he never tells them--ASK!).
Been struggling with whether or not Doug and I are being good parents and this reinforced that even though we aren't doing everything right at least we are talking to our kids more than once a day.
Instance #2: Zach's friend was asked earlier in season to play up from Freshmen basketball to JV basketball. He kept bragging to Zach about it which really pissed me off and hurt Zach's feelings. Well, he didn't perform as well as he should have so they told him to go back down to only playing freshman ball. Fast forward to last weekend. JV coach had to coach Zach's freshman team because our coach was kicked out of a game and had to serve a 1 game suspension. He coached the boys--who played a really good game--they didn't win, but gave it their all. Next day we had another game scheduled before JV and Varsity. JV coach went to a few (4) of the freshmen kids and asked it they would want to practice and dress for JV for the next game. Her son did not get asked. She started posting vague shit on Facebook. Vague shit that wasn't so vague...if you know what I mean. So Friday night they got asked to dress again...this time since we were getting beat badly, he put those 4 boys in. Zach had 3 points. I sat on the other side of the gym with other staff members and I could see her whispering to another parent all during the game.
She made an appointment to come speak to the JV coach this afternoon to see why her son was not being asked to play. First of all, this isn't YMCA ball anymore---parents should not be involved--if your son wants to know why he isn't playing he should go to the coach to ask--the parent should not. Instead of asking what her son could do she threw all of our kids under the bus. She said her son was better than all of ours basically and he deserved to play over all of them...WTF...did I do that when her son was asked and was playing before. NO....and I am freaking friends with the coach....I work with him every day. Now granted, I should not know what was said in that meeting, but since it happened in my office I heard. But I am really disappointed in her. When her son was playing over Zach I wasn't mad at her son for playing...I was mad that he was bragging, but I was happy that he was getting the experience. To say one or two of them didn't deserve it makes sense, but all 4 of them give me a break. Also the only one who plays his same position is Zach. UGH...let's cheer for the whole team--not just our own kids. I am genuinely happy for all the kids when they have a good game, make a good play or hustle. I yell for them all in a positive way--but I am starting to see that not every parent is like that. They are only concerned for their own child and to hell with the rest of them which is very sad in my opinion. One kid does not make a team---Basketball takes 5 kids to make a team. And NONE of our kids are going to go on and play NBA or even college ball. GET OVER YOURSELF!!!
Hoping nothing else happens with my friends this week....maybe I should crawl in a hole and hide from them all.
Instance #1: Friend's son is a student where I work. He got "jumped" in the school parking lot after school by a non-student on Thursday. After school got out--but the office did not find out about it until an hour or more later. He was the winner of the "fight". Administration called her son down the next morning to talk about it and he had not told her about it yet. He asked to be the first to tell her and the principal--being a nice guy--said that was fine. This was Friday and principal was going to see her at a game on Saturday so he agreed to it. He was not in any way in trouble....police were called by us to talk to non-student and tell him not to come on school property for any reason. No consequences at all for defending himself from non-student.
I am sitting in line at car wash with Doug and I get a phone call from my friend. She is basically mad at me because I didn't call and give her a heads up about the whole thing. Not my job lady! Her son had never told her, so she looked like a fool when Principal talked to her at game. She was embarrassed and upset that she didn't know about it. Here's the kicker...she wasn't really mad at her son but at me because I should have given her a heads up. I said it happened Thursday...didn't he look like he had been in a fight???? I knew he had been knocked down in the gravel parking lot and that he had to be pulled off the kid--landing punches before that. She said no she hadn't noticed anything. He had been in her room "pacing" on Friday night but he never said anything. (Wake up lady--he was trying to tell you something--use your freaking words and talk to your kid).
We have dinner with her and boyfriend Saturday night where she proceeds to tell me that his knuckles are all scabbed up and so are her knees. Boyfriend is pissed at school and going off on our administration. Look...we are supposed to be out having dinner and good conversation and now I am at the point where I don't want anything to do with them. (these are the same parents that call and ask Doug and I all the time when practices are because he never tells them--ASK!).
Been struggling with whether or not Doug and I are being good parents and this reinforced that even though we aren't doing everything right at least we are talking to our kids more than once a day.
Instance #2: Zach's friend was asked earlier in season to play up from Freshmen basketball to JV basketball. He kept bragging to Zach about it which really pissed me off and hurt Zach's feelings. Well, he didn't perform as well as he should have so they told him to go back down to only playing freshman ball. Fast forward to last weekend. JV coach had to coach Zach's freshman team because our coach was kicked out of a game and had to serve a 1 game suspension. He coached the boys--who played a really good game--they didn't win, but gave it their all. Next day we had another game scheduled before JV and Varsity. JV coach went to a few (4) of the freshmen kids and asked it they would want to practice and dress for JV for the next game. Her son did not get asked. She started posting vague shit on Facebook. Vague shit that wasn't so vague...if you know what I mean. So Friday night they got asked to dress again...this time since we were getting beat badly, he put those 4 boys in. Zach had 3 points. I sat on the other side of the gym with other staff members and I could see her whispering to another parent all during the game.
She made an appointment to come speak to the JV coach this afternoon to see why her son was not being asked to play. First of all, this isn't YMCA ball anymore---parents should not be involved--if your son wants to know why he isn't playing he should go to the coach to ask--the parent should not. Instead of asking what her son could do she threw all of our kids under the bus. She said her son was better than all of ours basically and he deserved to play over all of them...WTF...did I do that when her son was asked and was playing before. NO....and I am freaking friends with the coach....I work with him every day. Now granted, I should not know what was said in that meeting, but since it happened in my office I heard. But I am really disappointed in her. When her son was playing over Zach I wasn't mad at her son for playing...I was mad that he was bragging, but I was happy that he was getting the experience. To say one or two of them didn't deserve it makes sense, but all 4 of them give me a break. Also the only one who plays his same position is Zach. UGH...let's cheer for the whole team--not just our own kids. I am genuinely happy for all the kids when they have a good game, make a good play or hustle. I yell for them all in a positive way--but I am starting to see that not every parent is like that. They are only concerned for their own child and to hell with the rest of them which is very sad in my opinion. One kid does not make a team---Basketball takes 5 kids to make a team. And NONE of our kids are going to go on and play NBA or even college ball. GET OVER YOURSELF!!!
Hoping nothing else happens with my friends this week....maybe I should crawl in a hole and hide from them all.
Friday, January 4, 2013
My goals for 2013
I only have 6 things on my "to do" list for 2013...and none of them are un-doable--they aren't even very hard. 3 of them even involve decor.
- be fit enough to walk the hardest trail at Turkey Run State Park without thinking I am going to die.
- Go on at least one weekend getaway with Doug possibly 2.
- take a family vacation--a memorable one.
- go to the Third Sunday Market at least 2 times this year.
- Find an entertainment stand for the new TV we hope to get in the living room in the next year or 2. It needs to have some drawers for DVDs and other storage and it has to have CHIPPY PAINT.
- Take down the bowl shelf in my kitchen and find something else to put there.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
One Little Word 2013
I spent a lot of time trying to deny my word for this year. You know...sometimes you just don't want to hear what it has to say. But in the end I keep coming back to it. It's a little vague, but that's good because I have interpreted it in a bunch of different ways.
My word is GRACE.
And here is the definition:
I have highlighted the synonyms that I want to try to be this year.
For years I have been lewd and crude--and I have been okay with it. My favorite word for the last few years has been fuck. I say it loudly and often. But lately....I think that maybe....I need to grow up and learn to express myself in a more adult and professional way. I don't want my kids to look back and think that all I did was say fuck. I want them to look back and say that I was collected, professional, warm and full of grace.
So that is my word.
Stay tuned for my 6 goals/resolutions for 2013.
My word is GRACE.
And here is the definition:
|
Main Entry:
|
grace [greys]
|
|
Part of Speech:
|
noun
|
|
Definition:
|
charm,
loveliness
|
|
Synonyms:
|
address, adroitness, agility, allure, attractiveness, balance, beauty, breeding, comeliness, consideration, cultivation, decency, decorum, dexterity, dignity, ease, elegance, etiquette, finesse, finish, form, gracefulness, lissomeness, lithesomeness, mannerliness, manners, nimbleness, pleasantness, pliancy, poise, polish, propriety, refinement, shapeliness, smoothness, style, suppleness, symmetry, tact, tastefulness
|
For years I have been lewd and crude--and I have been okay with it. My favorite word for the last few years has been fuck. I say it loudly and often. But lately....I think that maybe....I need to grow up and learn to express myself in a more adult and professional way. I don't want my kids to look back and think that all I did was say fuck. I want them to look back and say that I was collected, professional, warm and full of grace.
So that is my word.
Stay tuned for my 6 goals/resolutions for 2013.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Random Thursday
A few random things in my life right now...
- One of my young co-workers has followed her heart to move to Wisconsin with her man. That leaves me only one other young one to hang around with. I am really going to miss giving her "mom" advice and being like a big sis to her.
- I am having lots of anxiety thinking that I am going to have a senior and a freshman. And my freshman is participating in basketball open gyms---my boss is one of the coaches. I really want Zach to be coached by him...but hope Zach continues to give basketball his all.
- Went to the grocery store by myself tonight and spent a lot of time in the car contemplating life right now. Am I where I want to be...you know...did I think I was going to be in this place @ 41. Have I met my personal goals and lofty family ideals? Hmmm...going to have to think on this one.
- Missing my best girl friend...wishing we still had Tuesdays to get together...loved getting together almost every week with her and being crafty...damn kids! ha.
- Been busy looking for a car for Kate...ahhh the joys of having a teen driver. Good thing I live across the street from work.
- Just came across a awesome sale at one of my favorite clothing stores....3 work shirts, a cami, and 2 pairs of dress pants---$80.00. WTF...I love a 60% off sale. I'm set for work in the fall.
- 2 days of work left. Glad to be done this year. Anticipating the stuff I want to get done. Where to start though? I'm thinking the stuff I need to do but don't want to. UGH...time to eat my frogs.
- Am really not liking all my animal hair right now. What I really need to do is vacuum every day--so not on my fun list.
- My son has a freaking pig sty of a room...I hate it...clothes everywhere...who knows it they are dirty or clean. I wish there were just one more freak like me living here.
- Zach's girlfriend of one year broke up with him...I really like her...she was a good girl....here's hoping that he didn't say or do something mean to her. I really want him to show respect to women even if they trample on his heart. I think he really liked her and was shocked that she broke up.
- Kate's new job is going well....she is over the "I don't want to spend all of my summer working"...thank goodness...not going to have a lazy ass living here...most of that attitude was nerves I think...not knowing what to expect or if she was going to do okay.
- Doug and I are planning a small vacation---weekend one for the middle to end of June. Want to take the kids to Holiday World. It will be nice to just get away for a while. Also going to try to take the train up to Chicago before school starts again.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I'm in a funk...
Can't seem to crawl out of it. Nothing bad is happening...normal life around here. Normal baseball games, normal ACT testing, normal Spring flowers blooming, normal ice cream cravings, normal jobs and bills and house and pets and...NORMAL. Why am I so down?
Today I had to leave the office and get out (My boss suggested it--taking a little break)to get away from the chaos that is sometimes my job.The phone never stops ringing....the kitchen staff never has a day without drama...the parents are relentless in their complaints/worries/demands. I will never make it the twenty five years that my predecessor did. NEVER. I'll be lucky to make it the fifteen I need to be vested in my pension. There are days that I don't know if I will even make it through. Today was one of them.
And bless the teachers--it was secretary's day--and I got 3 gift cards to restaurants and a lovely lily and a rockin' mug from the principal. I'd hate to think of how my day would have been if not for those cool thoughtful things.
So I am sitting here at this computer, trying to talk myself out of opening a wine cooler--sipping on a bottle of water all the while craving a real drink. Drowning my day with alcohol...bring it on. Ha ha.
This weekend is prom. Kate is ready. Doug and I are ready to work the post-prom game room. Bring that on.
Also at this moment Doug, Zach and Kate are out test driving a VW beetle. We are about to become a 3 car family. Holy crap! My babies just keep getting older and older. Milestones keep coming and coming. Bring that on too.
Needing a little get away I think. Time to talk to the hubby about getting away just the 2 of us for a little r & r and just us time. Sometimes we just need a little recharging and I think that is what is up with me.
Glad I could come here to this place and figure it out.
Today I had to leave the office and get out (My boss suggested it--taking a little break)to get away from the chaos that is sometimes my job.The phone never stops ringing....the kitchen staff never has a day without drama...the parents are relentless in their complaints/worries/demands. I will never make it the twenty five years that my predecessor did. NEVER. I'll be lucky to make it the fifteen I need to be vested in my pension. There are days that I don't know if I will even make it through. Today was one of them.
And bless the teachers--it was secretary's day--and I got 3 gift cards to restaurants and a lovely lily and a rockin' mug from the principal. I'd hate to think of how my day would have been if not for those cool thoughtful things.
So I am sitting here at this computer, trying to talk myself out of opening a wine cooler--sipping on a bottle of water all the while craving a real drink. Drowning my day with alcohol...bring it on. Ha ha.
This weekend is prom. Kate is ready. Doug and I are ready to work the post-prom game room. Bring that on.
Also at this moment Doug, Zach and Kate are out test driving a VW beetle. We are about to become a 3 car family. Holy crap! My babies just keep getting older and older. Milestones keep coming and coming. Bring that on too.
Needing a little get away I think. Time to talk to the hubby about getting away just the 2 of us for a little r & r and just us time. Sometimes we just need a little recharging and I think that is what is up with me.
Glad I could come here to this place and figure it out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)