Without knowing it, my Mom gave me the best Christmas present ever....two years ago. She gave my two sisters and I each a Family Recipe Book. It is so cool. It's divided into sections like a regular recipe book, but ther are fancy pages for you to write in your family's favorite recipes. There are also cards, pages with pockets, space to write in notes, and clear pages for photo's. There are also clear full sheets that you can use to put scrapbook pages in.
If you are crafty, or even if you aren't, this is a great family project that you can keep adding to over the years and eventually pass down to your kids or grandkids.
Over the last two years I've added alot of recipes. Just recently, I started taking pictures of different foods when I make them with the intention of adding them to my recipe blog and then getting prints made to add to my family cookbook.
My girls are very craft and I started thinking that we should turn it into a scrapbooking project. I have all the supplies, I just need to print the pictures and start adding to our book. Snapfish has specials all the time where you get free photo's and sometimes free shipping. So, that's my project for tomorrow....to get all the prints sent to me that I haven't printed yet. I love to take pictures but I haven't been good about getting them printed. I even put a reminder in the calendar of my phone to go off tomorrow so I don't forget.
I forgot to say, when I put a recipe in my book, I make a note that tells us who's recipe it is, and if it's one of our favorites, I note that too. Chicky and I are all excited to start working on it. I've always liked to scrapbook, but now we're going to attend to our family recipe book.
I have no idea where my mom found these books. I wish that I had a couple more. I would save them and give them to my girls when they got married so they could put one together with their families. With that in mind I started thinking....I don't really need this particular one.
Way back when I first moved out of my parents house, I bought a $2.00 white folder (a 1" plastic) that has the clear plastic pocket on the front and back. I typed a paper that said "recipes" on it and then I filled it with those clear pages that you can fill with full sized peices of paper. I had handwritten recipes, typed, and ones I cut out of magazines. I'm thinking I can use this same idea to make Family Recipe Books for my girls.
You can find the folders at Walmart for a couple dollars and then you just need the clear plastic pages to put your papers into. I guess you could even use a paper punch and use card stock to make regular pages as well. I'm not sure where the best prices are on the pages, but I know you can find them at Walmart, Staples, and even in the scrapbook aisles at Hobby Lobby.
You can use markers, paint, and stickers to decorate your pages. Add pictures of your favorite foods. The recipe for my sugar cookies....I used a photo of Sami and my mom making them.
If your kids enjoy cooking, this is a fantastic gift that you can give them that you have made together. I've added recpies to mine that we all love and I know that my kids will enjoy the book when they get older and start cooking with their little ones.
Until next time.....
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
It's Family Night
When my oldest two children were young, we started having a "Family Night" a couple of times a month. We would get our PJ's on, get out blankets and pillows and make popcorn. Then we would pick out a movie that we all love. A fantastic family night.
I think the kids loved Family Night the most when we would have snacks and play games. We bought Pictionary Kids and they really enjoyed playing that. We had checkers and chinese checkers, but the Pictionary game was their favorite.
The kids started getting older and we had fewer and fewer family nights. It's really sad when you think about it. Families get so busy that they forget to spend time together and enjoy each other. Before you know it, your children have grown up into teenagers and spending time with mom and dad isn't very high on their priority list.
Well, Scott and I have been blessed enough to have two more children. So, we've been able to enjoy all the fun things that go with having young children in the house....for a second time. We've started having family night again. It's not as often as I'd like, but we try to squeeze it in where we can.
Last week we all got into comfy clothes and got out warm blankets. We made up goodie plates with salami, hunters saugsage, cheese, crackers, cashews and such....and we watched two of our favorite Christmas movies. We had a great time, and it gives our kids some really nice memories that they'll think about when they are grown up and have kids of their own.
Last night, we had family night on a smaller scale. John got this large pad of paper that is sort of like a "Where's Waldo" sort of thing but it's all Christmas. The pages are huge, and there are two lists. One is made of pictures of items to be found (for younger kids) and the other list has about 30 things to find within the pictures. So, Jourdan, John, Sami and I spent a couple of hours at the diningroom table looking for Christmas items. We had hot chocolate and lots of giggles. By the end of the evening, both of the younger kids were on my lap in search of Santa.
Life goes by so quickly. It seems that just yesterday Jason was a little boy going to kindergarden. Now, he's a sophomore in college! Where did the time go? I think it goes faster once you have children! My dad told me that a very long time ago...and I think he was right. Now, I'm trying to not let the days go by so fast....to stop and take the time to enjoy spending time with my kids. We don't know how long we'll be here...so don't take your time for granted.
There are all kinds of fun things to do together as a family. I LOVE to do crafts. I could spend hours down in my craft room sewing or painting. Jourdan and Sami are the same way. As a matter of fact, I spent about an hour down there tonight cleaning up from the last time Sami "helped" me in the craft room. haha
It's worth it though. She'll have those memories her whole life...and so will I.
I think the kids loved Family Night the most when we would have snacks and play games. We bought Pictionary Kids and they really enjoyed playing that. We had checkers and chinese checkers, but the Pictionary game was their favorite.
The kids started getting older and we had fewer and fewer family nights. It's really sad when you think about it. Families get so busy that they forget to spend time together and enjoy each other. Before you know it, your children have grown up into teenagers and spending time with mom and dad isn't very high on their priority list.
Well, Scott and I have been blessed enough to have two more children. So, we've been able to enjoy all the fun things that go with having young children in the house....for a second time. We've started having family night again. It's not as often as I'd like, but we try to squeeze it in where we can.
Last week we all got into comfy clothes and got out warm blankets. We made up goodie plates with salami, hunters saugsage, cheese, crackers, cashews and such....and we watched two of our favorite Christmas movies. We had a great time, and it gives our kids some really nice memories that they'll think about when they are grown up and have kids of their own.
Last night, we had family night on a smaller scale. John got this large pad of paper that is sort of like a "Where's Waldo" sort of thing but it's all Christmas. The pages are huge, and there are two lists. One is made of pictures of items to be found (for younger kids) and the other list has about 30 things to find within the pictures. So, Jourdan, John, Sami and I spent a couple of hours at the diningroom table looking for Christmas items. We had hot chocolate and lots of giggles. By the end of the evening, both of the younger kids were on my lap in search of Santa.
Life goes by so quickly. It seems that just yesterday Jason was a little boy going to kindergarden. Now, he's a sophomore in college! Where did the time go? I think it goes faster once you have children! My dad told me that a very long time ago...and I think he was right. Now, I'm trying to not let the days go by so fast....to stop and take the time to enjoy spending time with my kids. We don't know how long we'll be here...so don't take your time for granted.
There are all kinds of fun things to do together as a family. I LOVE to do crafts. I could spend hours down in my craft room sewing or painting. Jourdan and Sami are the same way. As a matter of fact, I spent about an hour down there tonight cleaning up from the last time Sami "helped" me in the craft room. haha
It's worth it though. She'll have those memories her whole life...and so will I.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A New Direction?
I've been thinking alot about the direction of my blog. I started it a long time ago in an effort to reach out to other people who were dieting and struggling with food and excersize. I was looking for a way to challenge myself and make myself accountable to YOU!
Well, two years have passed and I weigh about 10 pounds less than I did when I started writing. I've let 2 years go by without much change...weight wise. My blog turned into a place I could come to bitch about something, or to share happiness I was feeling at the moment. It turned into mini therapy sessions. It always feels good to get stressful things off your chest.
I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I have changed. I've written many times about being in therapy. Well, it's working because I feel really good...mentally. Oh I have my bumps in the road, but I feel so much better these days and I'm learning how to deal with the ups and downs that everyone experiences in life. Life isn't perfect, but I am thankful for what I have. A wonderful husband and 4 beautiful children. We are healthy, have a roof over our heads, and food in the cupboards.
Back to the beginning of my post. I've been thinking about what direction I should take here. I could keep on winging it or I could try to find a way to reach out to someone. I'm not sure yet, but I know that something good will come to me. I have a blog attached to this one for posting recipees. I love that blog, it's full of good yummy stuff. I was hoping to have some followers, but I haven't given it enough attention. I'm going to work on that.
For now, I'll give you an update on what's happening in our household. My husbands employer has a Biggest Loser type of contest that will start on January 3rd. It will last for....8 or 10 weeks I believe. Well Scott won it two years ago along with almost $500. We're just around the corner from this contest starting. It is a little different than the show, nobody gets eliminated. The winner will get a nice bundle of cash at the end.....AND they've decided to sign up for a 5K run that takes place in April.
This is where it gets interesting. Scott and I have been talking strategy for his contest. I've been wanting to get into better shape. I've been talking alot about it in therapy....my emotional eating and boredom eating. I'm doing better at controlling those things. And if I can work out with Scott and plan meals together, it'll be better for both of us.
I've been a little scared about my health lately. I'm 42 years old and I need to lose about 35 or 40 pounds. Seems like a huge number, one that has scared me. I feel like it's such a big number I don't know if I could succeed. But about a week ago I started having blurry vision and terrible headaches. I went to see my doctor and my blood pressure was 145/105. They had me lay down for a while and took it again...and it was even worse.
So I'm sitting there in the little room knowing that my blood pressure is ridiculous high, I'm on the edge of diabetes, I have high triglycerides, I'm 42 years old and I need to lose weight. The blood pressure really scared me. I have young children, and it scared me to think that if I didn't get this under control I could have a stroke or a heart attack.
I want to live a good long time and see my grandkids and their kids. To do that, I need to be healthy. So, that's the boat I'm in. Scott's contest comes at a perfect time.
I've been watching Biggest Loser this season and even though I can't stand the guy who won (John) it really got me thinking about excersize and how I wanted to get into shape. I had also decided that I want to run in a 5K run. I don't know when or where but I want to do that. I've got this in the back of my mind and about a week later Scott tells me that a bunch of guys who are doing this contest have talked him into doing this 5K run in Greenville.
No way! I've been thinking about a 5K run for a couple weeks. So, that's what we are going to do. It's in April so I have almost 4 months to get ready. I know what you're thinking, a 5K run isn't much. But to a person who doesn't even want to WALK 5k it's a big deal to think that I might actually be able to jog one. So, I talked to a friend of mine who lives and breathes excersize and being healthy and she gave me some great advice to get to my goal. Now, I just have to do the work.
I'm so sick of feeling like hell. My blood pressure is freaking me out because it's something a person doesn't normally feel. It's not like you have pain with it....unless it's screaming high and you have blurry vision and headaches. Not a good thing. And I just generally feel crappy this week. I think it's all tied in.
So, that's my big news. I'm sure I'll be updating on my progress. I'm sure it'll be embarassing at first, but if I can make it to my goal and lose 35 pounds by the end of April...then finish the 5K run....I'll be proud.
Until next time.....
Well, two years have passed and I weigh about 10 pounds less than I did when I started writing. I've let 2 years go by without much change...weight wise. My blog turned into a place I could come to bitch about something, or to share happiness I was feeling at the moment. It turned into mini therapy sessions. It always feels good to get stressful things off your chest.
I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I have changed. I've written many times about being in therapy. Well, it's working because I feel really good...mentally. Oh I have my bumps in the road, but I feel so much better these days and I'm learning how to deal with the ups and downs that everyone experiences in life. Life isn't perfect, but I am thankful for what I have. A wonderful husband and 4 beautiful children. We are healthy, have a roof over our heads, and food in the cupboards.
Back to the beginning of my post. I've been thinking about what direction I should take here. I could keep on winging it or I could try to find a way to reach out to someone. I'm not sure yet, but I know that something good will come to me. I have a blog attached to this one for posting recipees. I love that blog, it's full of good yummy stuff. I was hoping to have some followers, but I haven't given it enough attention. I'm going to work on that.
For now, I'll give you an update on what's happening in our household. My husbands employer has a Biggest Loser type of contest that will start on January 3rd. It will last for....8 or 10 weeks I believe. Well Scott won it two years ago along with almost $500. We're just around the corner from this contest starting. It is a little different than the show, nobody gets eliminated. The winner will get a nice bundle of cash at the end.....AND they've decided to sign up for a 5K run that takes place in April.
This is where it gets interesting. Scott and I have been talking strategy for his contest. I've been wanting to get into better shape. I've been talking alot about it in therapy....my emotional eating and boredom eating. I'm doing better at controlling those things. And if I can work out with Scott and plan meals together, it'll be better for both of us.
I've been a little scared about my health lately. I'm 42 years old and I need to lose about 35 or 40 pounds. Seems like a huge number, one that has scared me. I feel like it's such a big number I don't know if I could succeed. But about a week ago I started having blurry vision and terrible headaches. I went to see my doctor and my blood pressure was 145/105. They had me lay down for a while and took it again...and it was even worse.
So I'm sitting there in the little room knowing that my blood pressure is ridiculous high, I'm on the edge of diabetes, I have high triglycerides, I'm 42 years old and I need to lose weight. The blood pressure really scared me. I have young children, and it scared me to think that if I didn't get this under control I could have a stroke or a heart attack.
I want to live a good long time and see my grandkids and their kids. To do that, I need to be healthy. So, that's the boat I'm in. Scott's contest comes at a perfect time.
I've been watching Biggest Loser this season and even though I can't stand the guy who won (John) it really got me thinking about excersize and how I wanted to get into shape. I had also decided that I want to run in a 5K run. I don't know when or where but I want to do that. I've got this in the back of my mind and about a week later Scott tells me that a bunch of guys who are doing this contest have talked him into doing this 5K run in Greenville.
No way! I've been thinking about a 5K run for a couple weeks. So, that's what we are going to do. It's in April so I have almost 4 months to get ready. I know what you're thinking, a 5K run isn't much. But to a person who doesn't even want to WALK 5k it's a big deal to think that I might actually be able to jog one. So, I talked to a friend of mine who lives and breathes excersize and being healthy and she gave me some great advice to get to my goal. Now, I just have to do the work.
I'm so sick of feeling like hell. My blood pressure is freaking me out because it's something a person doesn't normally feel. It's not like you have pain with it....unless it's screaming high and you have blurry vision and headaches. Not a good thing. And I just generally feel crappy this week. I think it's all tied in.
So, that's my big news. I'm sure I'll be updating on my progress. I'm sure it'll be embarassing at first, but if I can make it to my goal and lose 35 pounds by the end of April...then finish the 5K run....I'll be proud.
Until next time.....
Sunday, December 11, 2011
To Send....Or Not To Send....Christmas Cards
I was shopping at Costco about a month ago and I was wandering up and down the Christmas aisles. (Big shock there, right?) Anyhow, I came up to the Christmas card display. Have you ever seen the Christmas cards at Costco? They are GORGEOUS! They aren't the cheapo cards either...they all have glitter and foil writing. I stood there looking at them and decided that I would mail Christmas cards to our friends and family this year.
I almost always buys cards to mail in December. Sometimes I fill them out and they never get sent. A friend of mine said the same thing happens to him. I did send them last year, and I got a few of them in the mail for our family too.
I love getting Christmas cards. There is just something so exciting about opening the mailbox and seeing those big envolopes just waiting for you. The kids argue over who gets to open the cards. They love cards too, I guess.
After we open the cards we read them and pass them around the table. The we tape them up in the doorway to our livingroom. They turn into the best Christmas decorations in our home. This year our new house is set up a little different, but we'll make it work. I sent out cards on Friday and I started wondering if many people even send them anymore.
I've gotten e-cards.....but only one lonely card by mail. And that was from my Chiropractor, lol! I even went to my Facebook friends and asked them if they sent Christmas cards by mail anymore? I had quite a few responses and for the most part I discovered that folks are still sending out cards by mail. I also discovered that people LOVE getting Christmas cards in the mail. One of my friends even commented on how it's nice to get something other than bills in the mail. I totally agree! :)
When I was first thinking about our lack of cards I thought....e-cards, internet, facebook, text messaging....nobody has to send an actual card. We stay in close touch with all this modern technology. I've changed my mind on that opinion. I think that for most people, it comes down to money.
I don't think that it's the cost of the cards, they are on sale for 50% off at Hobby Lobby all the time. I feel like it's probably the cost of postage. It costs 44 cents for a first class stamp. The cards I chose were large, so I was worried that one stamp wouldn't cover the postage to mail them. But, I was ok...except the ones I added photo's to.
Isn't it strange how the post office just keeps on raising the cost of postage because they are so broke.....but then people don't want to pay almost 50 cents to mail a darn envelope! So, we pay our bills online, we send email and text messages, and we send ecards.
With all that said, I'm glad to see on my Facebook survey that people still like to send Christmas cards by mail. I guess we just aren't doing it every single year....sometimes there are things we need to spend money on more than postage. This girl still likes to get the cards in the mail too, but I understand if people are cutting back.
Until next time.....Happy Holidays!
I almost always buys cards to mail in December. Sometimes I fill them out and they never get sent. A friend of mine said the same thing happens to him. I did send them last year, and I got a few of them in the mail for our family too.
I love getting Christmas cards. There is just something so exciting about opening the mailbox and seeing those big envolopes just waiting for you. The kids argue over who gets to open the cards. They love cards too, I guess.
After we open the cards we read them and pass them around the table. The we tape them up in the doorway to our livingroom. They turn into the best Christmas decorations in our home. This year our new house is set up a little different, but we'll make it work. I sent out cards on Friday and I started wondering if many people even send them anymore.
I've gotten e-cards.....but only one lonely card by mail. And that was from my Chiropractor, lol! I even went to my Facebook friends and asked them if they sent Christmas cards by mail anymore? I had quite a few responses and for the most part I discovered that folks are still sending out cards by mail. I also discovered that people LOVE getting Christmas cards in the mail. One of my friends even commented on how it's nice to get something other than bills in the mail. I totally agree! :)
When I was first thinking about our lack of cards I thought....e-cards, internet, facebook, text messaging....nobody has to send an actual card. We stay in close touch with all this modern technology. I've changed my mind on that opinion. I think that for most people, it comes down to money.
I don't think that it's the cost of the cards, they are on sale for 50% off at Hobby Lobby all the time. I feel like it's probably the cost of postage. It costs 44 cents for a first class stamp. The cards I chose were large, so I was worried that one stamp wouldn't cover the postage to mail them. But, I was ok...except the ones I added photo's to.
Isn't it strange how the post office just keeps on raising the cost of postage because they are so broke.....but then people don't want to pay almost 50 cents to mail a darn envelope! So, we pay our bills online, we send email and text messages, and we send ecards.
With all that said, I'm glad to see on my Facebook survey that people still like to send Christmas cards by mail. I guess we just aren't doing it every single year....sometimes there are things we need to spend money on more than postage. This girl still likes to get the cards in the mail too, but I understand if people are cutting back.
Until next time.....Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Adopt A Soldier
I was on my Facebook page earlier this week and a friend of mine posted that she'd adopted a soldier. She was looking for a used digital camera to send to him....it was on his wish list. Someone withing her Facebook family offered up a camera that they weren't using anymore and now it'll be sent off with other goodies to her adopted soldier.
I've thought about doing this very thing for several years. I just didn't know how. There are several websites that you can find addresses to contact soldiers. I've tried the last two years but I never heard back from the soldier that I'd contacted. I basically lost hope that I would ever be able to adopt a soldier.
Well, I asked my friend if she could ask her soldier if there was someone else who might want to have an adopted family? She forwarded me a soldiers name within a couple hours. I was so excited! I emailed the young man right away and within a short time I heard back from him.
By now I'm so excited I can't stand it. My soldiers name is Steven and he's 25 years old. We're just getting to know each other, but I have a feeling that he doesn't have much family. He lost his mom this year, but I don't know the details. Everyone needs a mom to care for them and send them goodies when they are overseas. I just keep thinking to myself, this young man is only a couple of years older than my son.
Anyhow, we've emailed back and forth a couple of times and all he really asked for was some soap and shampoo. I guess these are some of the things that are hard to get in Afghanistan. Well, Scott and I went shopping yesterday and bought two big bags of things to send to him. Including the soap and shampoo he requested.
I can't describe how happy it makes me to be able to write to someone and ask him how he's doing. To be able to send him a few things that might make his day a little better. Steven is an Apache helicopter mechanic. That is the coolest thing EVER! And even though I hardly know him, the mom in me worries about his safety.
I started thinking about these very young men and women who serve in the military. They are barely adults and they are serving our country in the most giving way possible. Some of them are giving their lives. I think you would be hard pressed to find a person who hasn't been touched by the war going on in Iraq or Afghanistan. Whether it's a family member, a friend, a friend of a friend, or a community member....we've all been touched by this war.
I'm not going anti-war on you. I think that the war on terror is so important to the safety of each and every one of us here in the United States. If we didn't have troops on the ground overseas, I feel like we would have alot more issues here at home. I'm so thankful for each and every service member who protects us every day!
I've thought about doing this very thing for several years. I just didn't know how. There are several websites that you can find addresses to contact soldiers. I've tried the last two years but I never heard back from the soldier that I'd contacted. I basically lost hope that I would ever be able to adopt a soldier.
Well, I asked my friend if she could ask her soldier if there was someone else who might want to have an adopted family? She forwarded me a soldiers name within a couple hours. I was so excited! I emailed the young man right away and within a short time I heard back from him.
By now I'm so excited I can't stand it. My soldiers name is Steven and he's 25 years old. We're just getting to know each other, but I have a feeling that he doesn't have much family. He lost his mom this year, but I don't know the details. Everyone needs a mom to care for them and send them goodies when they are overseas. I just keep thinking to myself, this young man is only a couple of years older than my son.
Anyhow, we've emailed back and forth a couple of times and all he really asked for was some soap and shampoo. I guess these are some of the things that are hard to get in Afghanistan. Well, Scott and I went shopping yesterday and bought two big bags of things to send to him. Including the soap and shampoo he requested.
I can't describe how happy it makes me to be able to write to someone and ask him how he's doing. To be able to send him a few things that might make his day a little better. Steven is an Apache helicopter mechanic. That is the coolest thing EVER! And even though I hardly know him, the mom in me worries about his safety.
I started thinking about these very young men and women who serve in the military. They are barely adults and they are serving our country in the most giving way possible. Some of them are giving their lives. I think you would be hard pressed to find a person who hasn't been touched by the war going on in Iraq or Afghanistan. Whether it's a family member, a friend, a friend of a friend, or a community member....we've all been touched by this war.
I'm not going anti-war on you. I think that the war on terror is so important to the safety of each and every one of us here in the United States. If we didn't have troops on the ground overseas, I feel like we would have alot more issues here at home. I'm so thankful for each and every service member who protects us every day!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
T.O.Y (Think Outside Yourself)
Think Outside Yourself
Star 105.7 becomes the Christmas station right around the first of December. I think I discovered them 2 years ago while I was driving back and forth to work. I drove 50 + miles a day so I had plenty of time to channel surf. Well, you know what a Christmas junkie I am, and it pours over into the music I like to listen to in December.
Anyhow, this radio station was encouraging people in West Michigan to remember the true spirit of Christmas and that it's better to give than to receive. Therefore, you "Think Outside Yourself". I remember listening to people calling in telling stories of how a complete stranger had done some nice thing for them. A big example they used was the next time you got into the drive thru at McDonalds to pay the bill for the car behind you, wishing them a Merry Christmas.
I thought, how sweet to do that for someone. I didn't know if anyone actually would, but it was a nice thought. You're probably hearing all the big woop-dee-doo right now about "Secret Santa's" paying off a person's lay-away at Kmart. I mean, it's all over the news right now.
Even in the toughest of times, people are reaching out to others and doing this generous thing for a stranger.
Tuesday Sami had preschool and we did our normal pick-up routine and she was starving, of course. We were walking out to the car and I was telling her we could have grilled cheese and tomato soup when we got home. Or we could have pizza. Well, she wanted a cheeseburger kids meal from McDonalds. At least they come with less fries now and a package of sliced apples. So, we went to the drive thru and placed our lunch order. When I got to the window to pay the cashier told me that the woman in front of me had paid my bill and to wish me a Merry Christmas.
Are you kidding me?
After I left the parking lot, I started to cry. I know that sounds silly but I was just so touched that a complete stranger had done such a kind thing for us. The cashier told me that this woman comes through the drive thru each day and pays the bill for the person behind her. I don't know who she is and I can't remember what she drove....but I'm thankful to her for showing me that there is kindness and generosity in this world. We're talking about a $5 meal here, but it's the thought that counts.
I decided today that the next time I go through the drive thru I'm going to pay the bill for the person behind me. It'll probably be a mini van with 15 little kids in it, or a football team....but I don't care. I want to pass on the feeling that I felt when someone did that for me.
Actually, you can find the radio staion online and listen to the continuous Christmas music. Not that you're Christmas crazy like I am....but maybe you are. Go to http://www.westmichiganstar.com/
I also discovered that they are granting wishes. You know, I heard them talking about it a week ago and I thought, "I'm going to write a letter and make a wish". But for what? I kept thinking....presents for my kids and my husband. Should I ask for something specific or should I ask for a specific amount of money so I can give my kids a FANTASTIC Christmas?
I couldn't decide. I thought about it for an entire week. I had to write a great letter to prove that I was deserving of one of these granted wishes. Then, it hit me. The day I was in the McDonalds drive thru and someone thought of me instead of herself....I realized what I needed to wish for.
I have a very dear friend. She lives in another state. I don't see her and we don't talk everyday.....but I think about her and her kids every single day. I think about them and I wonder how they are doing, and I hope that things are getting better for them. My friend is trying very hard to get back home. Through no fault of her own she has to live in a shelter with her 3 beautiful kids until she secures housing in MO. So that's my wish. That a place to rent is found and she can move back to Missouri....and take her kids back to their home. This is the wish that I asked for....for help for my friend who means so much to me. To be able to take her kids back home and be near their friends again...well it would be incredible! I don't know if my wish can be granted...but I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
I think people get so caught up with their day to day life that they forget to enjoy it. Remember how I wrote the other day that I love the whole month of December and that I enjoyed all the holiday cheer right up to Christmas day? For alot of years, I had forgotten to enjoy it. I was worrying about money and making sure I could fit presents into my budget. I was so stressed about it that some years I didn't even do my usual holiday baking...and I already told you that I didn't get out my decorations one year.
I decided that I'm not going to do that this year. I haven't bought as many gifts for my kids as I have in the past. But I'm staying within my budget and I'm not going into debt for Christmas. Things could be so much worse for us....so I need to stop complaining and worrying about it, right? I decided that I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to enjoy all the exciting things that go along with the holidays. My kids are just bouncing off the walls they are so excited.
This weekend I decided will be our baking weekend. We make about 10 different kinds of cookies, 3 different bars, candies, etc. Then I give a bunch away....otherwise I'd be like 300 pounds. haha Watching the kids cut out sugar cookies and then decorate them with frosting.....there's nothing like it in the world. I'm really looking forward to it this year.
Last, but not least, I wanted to mention that I adopted a soldier this year. I'm so excited because the young man I'm emailing back and forth only has a mom here in the US. He's 25 and doesn't really have anyone to write to or to send him goodies. That's where I come in.....I love to mom anyone who will let me. :)
Life is stressful and chaotic for everyone, but don't forget to slow down and enjoy the Christmas spirit that's floating around this time of year. We're planning a New Years Eve party...which will be so much fun. And don't forget to Think Outside Yourself. It doesn't have to even be something that will cost you money. Lend a hand to a neighbor, visit someone in a nursing home, or write letters to troops who aren't with their family right now.
Until next time.....hugs to all!
Star 105.7 becomes the Christmas station right around the first of December. I think I discovered them 2 years ago while I was driving back and forth to work. I drove 50 + miles a day so I had plenty of time to channel surf. Well, you know what a Christmas junkie I am, and it pours over into the music I like to listen to in December.
Anyhow, this radio station was encouraging people in West Michigan to remember the true spirit of Christmas and that it's better to give than to receive. Therefore, you "Think Outside Yourself". I remember listening to people calling in telling stories of how a complete stranger had done some nice thing for them. A big example they used was the next time you got into the drive thru at McDonalds to pay the bill for the car behind you, wishing them a Merry Christmas.
I thought, how sweet to do that for someone. I didn't know if anyone actually would, but it was a nice thought. You're probably hearing all the big woop-dee-doo right now about "Secret Santa's" paying off a person's lay-away at Kmart. I mean, it's all over the news right now.
Even in the toughest of times, people are reaching out to others and doing this generous thing for a stranger.
Tuesday Sami had preschool and we did our normal pick-up routine and she was starving, of course. We were walking out to the car and I was telling her we could have grilled cheese and tomato soup when we got home. Or we could have pizza. Well, she wanted a cheeseburger kids meal from McDonalds. At least they come with less fries now and a package of sliced apples. So, we went to the drive thru and placed our lunch order. When I got to the window to pay the cashier told me that the woman in front of me had paid my bill and to wish me a Merry Christmas.
Are you kidding me?
After I left the parking lot, I started to cry. I know that sounds silly but I was just so touched that a complete stranger had done such a kind thing for us. The cashier told me that this woman comes through the drive thru each day and pays the bill for the person behind her. I don't know who she is and I can't remember what she drove....but I'm thankful to her for showing me that there is kindness and generosity in this world. We're talking about a $5 meal here, but it's the thought that counts.
I decided today that the next time I go through the drive thru I'm going to pay the bill for the person behind me. It'll probably be a mini van with 15 little kids in it, or a football team....but I don't care. I want to pass on the feeling that I felt when someone did that for me.
Actually, you can find the radio staion online and listen to the continuous Christmas music. Not that you're Christmas crazy like I am....but maybe you are. Go to http://www.westmichiganstar.com/
I also discovered that they are granting wishes. You know, I heard them talking about it a week ago and I thought, "I'm going to write a letter and make a wish". But for what? I kept thinking....presents for my kids and my husband. Should I ask for something specific or should I ask for a specific amount of money so I can give my kids a FANTASTIC Christmas?
I couldn't decide. I thought about it for an entire week. I had to write a great letter to prove that I was deserving of one of these granted wishes. Then, it hit me. The day I was in the McDonalds drive thru and someone thought of me instead of herself....I realized what I needed to wish for.
I have a very dear friend. She lives in another state. I don't see her and we don't talk everyday.....but I think about her and her kids every single day. I think about them and I wonder how they are doing, and I hope that things are getting better for them. My friend is trying very hard to get back home. Through no fault of her own she has to live in a shelter with her 3 beautiful kids until she secures housing in MO. So that's my wish. That a place to rent is found and she can move back to Missouri....and take her kids back to their home. This is the wish that I asked for....for help for my friend who means so much to me. To be able to take her kids back home and be near their friends again...well it would be incredible! I don't know if my wish can be granted...but I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
I think people get so caught up with their day to day life that they forget to enjoy it. Remember how I wrote the other day that I love the whole month of December and that I enjoyed all the holiday cheer right up to Christmas day? For alot of years, I had forgotten to enjoy it. I was worrying about money and making sure I could fit presents into my budget. I was so stressed about it that some years I didn't even do my usual holiday baking...and I already told you that I didn't get out my decorations one year.
I decided that I'm not going to do that this year. I haven't bought as many gifts for my kids as I have in the past. But I'm staying within my budget and I'm not going into debt for Christmas. Things could be so much worse for us....so I need to stop complaining and worrying about it, right? I decided that I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to enjoy all the exciting things that go along with the holidays. My kids are just bouncing off the walls they are so excited.
This weekend I decided will be our baking weekend. We make about 10 different kinds of cookies, 3 different bars, candies, etc. Then I give a bunch away....otherwise I'd be like 300 pounds. haha Watching the kids cut out sugar cookies and then decorate them with frosting.....there's nothing like it in the world. I'm really looking forward to it this year.
Last, but not least, I wanted to mention that I adopted a soldier this year. I'm so excited because the young man I'm emailing back and forth only has a mom here in the US. He's 25 and doesn't really have anyone to write to or to send him goodies. That's where I come in.....I love to mom anyone who will let me. :)
Life is stressful and chaotic for everyone, but don't forget to slow down and enjoy the Christmas spirit that's floating around this time of year. We're planning a New Years Eve party...which will be so much fun. And don't forget to Think Outside Yourself. It doesn't have to even be something that will cost you money. Lend a hand to a neighbor, visit someone in a nursing home, or write letters to troops who aren't with their family right now.
Until next time.....hugs to all!
Monday, December 5, 2011
It's A Wonderful Life
I love Christmas movies. I'm sure you're shocked! The Christmas List, Undercover Christmas, Eve's Christmas, The Christmas Card, Carol Christmas, A Holiday Engagement, Holiday in Handcuffs, Unce Upon a Christmas, Twice Upon A Christmas....I could go on all day. And don't forget the classic Christmas cartoons.
I like to set my DVR to record them, then watch later because I hate commercials. My favorite time to watch holiday movies is when I'm wrapping Christmas presents. Well, to be honest I haven't wrapped a single present yet. I'm running a little bit behind schedule. Hasn't stopped me from watching most of the movies I've listed above.
I think Christmas movies go to the heart of my favorite kind of movie. I'm a romantic comedy kind of girl. And most of the movies I watch are about people falling in love during the holidays. They are about families and everyone coming home for Christmas. You might get a glimpse of the perfect family, and sometimes a not so perfect family.
Men are always romantic in Christmas movies. I have a great husband and I couldn't ask for a better partner in life, but he doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. I wonder if most men are that way? I have to believe they are....life is definitely not like the movies. Most of the time the parents in these movies have big fat wallets with gigantic houses. Not really reality either. But fitting for a great Christmas movie.
So, as I sit here watching "Eve's Christmas" I'll feel all warm and fuzzy over my holiday movie. And I look forward to watching many more during this month.
Until next time.....
I like to set my DVR to record them, then watch later because I hate commercials. My favorite time to watch holiday movies is when I'm wrapping Christmas presents. Well, to be honest I haven't wrapped a single present yet. I'm running a little bit behind schedule. Hasn't stopped me from watching most of the movies I've listed above.
I think Christmas movies go to the heart of my favorite kind of movie. I'm a romantic comedy kind of girl. And most of the movies I watch are about people falling in love during the holidays. They are about families and everyone coming home for Christmas. You might get a glimpse of the perfect family, and sometimes a not so perfect family.
Men are always romantic in Christmas movies. I have a great husband and I couldn't ask for a better partner in life, but he doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. I wonder if most men are that way? I have to believe they are....life is definitely not like the movies. Most of the time the parents in these movies have big fat wallets with gigantic houses. Not really reality either. But fitting for a great Christmas movie.
So, as I sit here watching "Eve's Christmas" I'll feel all warm and fuzzy over my holiday movie. And I look forward to watching many more during this month.
Until next time.....
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Childhood Traditions
I've said this over and over....Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love the entire holiday spirit that takes over me in December. I love Christmas! I have the best memories of Christmas when I was a kid. And, as I was writing that, I realized that I have the best memories from Christmas as an adult too. I think the great childhood memories have made me love the holiday and want to create those same great traditions and memories for my kids.
My parents still live in the house I grew up in. I was there this week and my mom has her Christmas tree up. It's not decorated yet, but it's in it's traditional spot. It's funny because my mom has forever had the same exacty size and shape of Christmas tree.
When we were kids my parents would load us up in the car on Christmas Eve and we would go to my Grandpa and Grandma's house in Grand Rapids. I don't exactly remember what we did at my Grandparents house, I'm sure we had some food and presents. But what I remember what the drive home. Snow on the ground, the moon and stars in the sky.....Tina and I staring out the window looking for Rudolph's nose. We were so lucky because we saw it every single year.
So we had a half hour drive home and when we got there the house would be all dark. Mom would turn on the Christmas tree lights and put their old Johnny Mathis record on the record player. As an adult, I love the Johnny Mathis "Winter Wonderland" CD. I keep it in my car and can listen to it over and over.
The best part, and the only way I can describe it, was the feeling of Christmas spirit. How can I describe it? I remember it being dark outside and sitting in my parents livingroom looking out the big picture window at the snow. The street light shining on all the snow in the front yard....and if we were lucky it would be falling too...and the neighborhood felt so quiet. It was just a warm feeling in my heart that I cherish each year that I'm lucky enough to feel it.
I shared a room with Tina back then, and I remember laying there in bed and we couldn't sleep. We were so excited about Christmas that we didn't think we could ever possibly fall asleep. It was kinda like the night before we'd leave on vacation to St. Ignace. My parents must have loved seeing that excitement.
This probably sounds silly, but I think that I liked the time leading up to Christmas and Christmas Eve even more than Christmas day. Kids LOVE to open presents, but it just felt like Christmas was great in the morning then it was just sort of a boring day. I definitely loved the holiday spirit that floated around leading up to Christmas. I was just telling Jourdan the same thing the other day. It's different now, as a parent, because I'm cooking and getting ready for our big Christmas dinner.
I still get all these warm and fuzzy feelings during the holidays....most years. There have been some years that I haven't really felt it. Those are sad and very stressful years for me. I remember one year that I didn't even get out my decorations...we decorated the Christmas tree and that was it. How sad is that!
The great memories I have from my childhood make me want to create them for my kids. I look back at those memories with so much happiness that I want my kids to feel that way too. I tend to get a little crazy with decorating for Christmas. I have more to say about all this but I'll save it for another post.
I'm happy to report that I have the Christmas spirit in my heart this year. I feel warm and fuzzy over Christmas and my kids are so happy. We've decorated and we've been baking. It's awesome and everyone is happy.
I've invited our family here on Christmas Eve this year. We've all got families and have our own little family traditions that we are trying to have with our families, but I still want to give my kids a great Christmas Eve tradition that is sorta like the ones I remember. I hope we have snow when Santa comes. Our Reigndeer dust is ready to be sprinkled, we just need a little bit of snow to make it all come together.
Merry Christmas
My parents still live in the house I grew up in. I was there this week and my mom has her Christmas tree up. It's not decorated yet, but it's in it's traditional spot. It's funny because my mom has forever had the same exacty size and shape of Christmas tree.
When we were kids my parents would load us up in the car on Christmas Eve and we would go to my Grandpa and Grandma's house in Grand Rapids. I don't exactly remember what we did at my Grandparents house, I'm sure we had some food and presents. But what I remember what the drive home. Snow on the ground, the moon and stars in the sky.....Tina and I staring out the window looking for Rudolph's nose. We were so lucky because we saw it every single year.
So we had a half hour drive home and when we got there the house would be all dark. Mom would turn on the Christmas tree lights and put their old Johnny Mathis record on the record player. As an adult, I love the Johnny Mathis "Winter Wonderland" CD. I keep it in my car and can listen to it over and over.
The best part, and the only way I can describe it, was the feeling of Christmas spirit. How can I describe it? I remember it being dark outside and sitting in my parents livingroom looking out the big picture window at the snow. The street light shining on all the snow in the front yard....and if we were lucky it would be falling too...and the neighborhood felt so quiet. It was just a warm feeling in my heart that I cherish each year that I'm lucky enough to feel it.
I shared a room with Tina back then, and I remember laying there in bed and we couldn't sleep. We were so excited about Christmas that we didn't think we could ever possibly fall asleep. It was kinda like the night before we'd leave on vacation to St. Ignace. My parents must have loved seeing that excitement.
This probably sounds silly, but I think that I liked the time leading up to Christmas and Christmas Eve even more than Christmas day. Kids LOVE to open presents, but it just felt like Christmas was great in the morning then it was just sort of a boring day. I definitely loved the holiday spirit that floated around leading up to Christmas. I was just telling Jourdan the same thing the other day. It's different now, as a parent, because I'm cooking and getting ready for our big Christmas dinner.
I still get all these warm and fuzzy feelings during the holidays....most years. There have been some years that I haven't really felt it. Those are sad and very stressful years for me. I remember one year that I didn't even get out my decorations...we decorated the Christmas tree and that was it. How sad is that!
The great memories I have from my childhood make me want to create them for my kids. I look back at those memories with so much happiness that I want my kids to feel that way too. I tend to get a little crazy with decorating for Christmas. I have more to say about all this but I'll save it for another post.
I'm happy to report that I have the Christmas spirit in my heart this year. I feel warm and fuzzy over Christmas and my kids are so happy. We've decorated and we've been baking. It's awesome and everyone is happy.
I've invited our family here on Christmas Eve this year. We've all got families and have our own little family traditions that we are trying to have with our families, but I still want to give my kids a great Christmas Eve tradition that is sorta like the ones I remember. I hope we have snow when Santa comes. Our Reigndeer dust is ready to be sprinkled, we just need a little bit of snow to make it all come together.
Merry Christmas
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Separate Your Mind....From Your Body
I can't even believe that it's December and I haven't been here to say hello since April. SO MUCH has happened in our lives. It's going to take a while to catch you up.
First of all....Merry Christmas! I love Christmas, it's my favorite time of year. My house is so festive. I haven't wrapped any presents yet, but there are decorations and lights EVERYWHERE! I've been baking so I'll try to add some delicious recipees to my recipee blog.
I don't even know where to begin....I glanced back at a couple of my last posts and I was pretty angry. I had just left my job to be a stay-at-home mom. Plus, we had just bought a new house, so I was in the process of packing. Ohhhh packing! I hate the packing and the unpacking. So much that I can't imagine ever wanting to do it EVER again! :)
It took a while, but things have settled down in the Watkins household. We're getting used to living in Saranac again and we've unpacked almost every box in the storage room. Best of all, we're happy. I really feel like our family is happy. And that's a really good feeling. I've gotten used to being at home and taking care of Scott and the kids. And the house. And the dogs. No really, it's all good, and our family is happy so that's what counts.
I was struggling with being at home the last time I posted. But, I've got 7 more months of therapy under my belt and I'm getting a routine down. Not too much routine, but just enough to keep me happy. I think I was feeling really unappreciated. I think sometimes a family can just become so used to someone doing everything that they forget to appreciate just how much a mom does. I've learned to communicate better with Scott and I don't have many of those meltdown days anymore.
I know my post is a little boring tonight, I wasn't sure about what I wanted to write. But now that I'm here, the ideas are popping into my head. I didn't have a spectacular childhood, but my parents sure did a great job with having family traditions for Christmas. Honestly, Christmas is my favorite childhood memory. So, I think that's what I'm going to write about next time. I'm trying really hard to create the same memories for my kids. It's not always easy...we have a pretty big age gap with the kids. But we try and I'm going to share some memories this month.
My Thoughts For Today:
Something else I discovered just recently actually and looking back at my last couple posts just enforces what I think. Life is really tough. I know that nobody promised it would be easy, but I've struggled with the bumps in the road my entire life. I've never learned how to deal with the big problems or even the little ones. That's why I started going to therapy. Slowly, and I mean slowly, I am figuring out how to handle some of the stresses of life. It's not easy, and everyone has them.
I was helping Jason recently with something very serious and very stressful. It had me so tied up inside that I was having some pretty serious anxiety attacks, and it was keeping me from sleeping. I didn't have a therapy appt set up until after this so I had to figure out how to handle it without completely losing it. So, I prayed.
If you know me, you know I'm not a super religious pushy kinda person. But, I prayed and prayed and it helped me. Once I was done helping Jason get through this serious thing, I remember being in the car thinking....this is just every day life. Who has a perfect life? People handle bumps in the road every single day of their lives without having meltdowns. So, I'm wondering how I can. I started by going to Google and searching information on "Obsessive Thoughts". I never thought of myself as obsessive, but reality slapped me in the face. I'm a worrier. I worry and worry and worry.
I'm not a neat freak. I don't have all my canned goods lined up according to size and alphabetically organized. I just worry. I worry about things I have no control over. Friend of the Court sent me paperwork for an automatic child support review. I guess it's been over 6 years since it was looked at. So, I filled out my paperwork an andd sent it in and started to worry. What if they reduce it? He pays so little now and 16 year old young women are expensive to raise. What if they increase it? He will most definitely dispute it and then we'll have to go to a court hearing.
I realized I was just getting on a roll with worry. I was worrying about Jason, even though there was nothing I could do about it. By the way, it had to do with Two Men And A Truck in Wyoming, MI. If you ever have to move....call Big Brother or some other moving company. Two Men And A Truck treat their employees TERRIBLE! The owner will soon be in trouble with the Wage and Labor Div of the State of MI. He's expensive and not customer friendly if you have damages!
Enough of that, I was worrying about Jason, I was worrying about FOC, I was worrying about having money for Christmas. I have four kids after all. There was one obsessive worry after another. I couldn't stop myself. The day of Jason's deal, I had to take an anxiety pill. The first in a long time and I was very disappointed in myself for my inability to deal with the stress.
I found an article that made sense to me. Basically it told me that your mind is separate from your body. Think about it, things pop up in your mind all the time. You can be sitting there and some random thought or memory will pop into your head. With me, negative and stressful thoughts keep popping up in my head and then I give it alot of energy and attention. Then the anxiety attacks start. My goal, is to change how I deal with those thoughts. It's not easy. It feels like work, to have a thought pop into your head and you have to physically push it away. Don't give it energy. If I do, it will become this ugly monster that gets out of control.
So, I guess what I'm getting at is that this happens to everyone. I'm not alone in worrying. So, I'm going to try harder not to focus on the negative thoughts and worry. I know it can be done because of Scott. Scott is the most positive person I know. I don't think I've ever heard him say he's had a bad day. He always thinks that things could be worse. And he's right. I love how positive he is. Once you start paying attention to positive thoughts you discover how negative other people are. I'll keep you updated.
Well, this was a great night back. I wasn't sure that I could think of something good to talk about. Maybe it wasn't good to you, but it felt good to me to write about my worrying. I'm still going to worry...I think that's the mom, wife, and friend in me....but I'm trying not to make the worry turn me into a witch!
Thanks for stopping by. I promise not to be as boring next time.
First of all....Merry Christmas! I love Christmas, it's my favorite time of year. My house is so festive. I haven't wrapped any presents yet, but there are decorations and lights EVERYWHERE! I've been baking so I'll try to add some delicious recipees to my recipee blog.
I don't even know where to begin....I glanced back at a couple of my last posts and I was pretty angry. I had just left my job to be a stay-at-home mom. Plus, we had just bought a new house, so I was in the process of packing. Ohhhh packing! I hate the packing and the unpacking. So much that I can't imagine ever wanting to do it EVER again! :)
It took a while, but things have settled down in the Watkins household. We're getting used to living in Saranac again and we've unpacked almost every box in the storage room. Best of all, we're happy. I really feel like our family is happy. And that's a really good feeling. I've gotten used to being at home and taking care of Scott and the kids. And the house. And the dogs. No really, it's all good, and our family is happy so that's what counts.
I was struggling with being at home the last time I posted. But, I've got 7 more months of therapy under my belt and I'm getting a routine down. Not too much routine, but just enough to keep me happy. I think I was feeling really unappreciated. I think sometimes a family can just become so used to someone doing everything that they forget to appreciate just how much a mom does. I've learned to communicate better with Scott and I don't have many of those meltdown days anymore.
I know my post is a little boring tonight, I wasn't sure about what I wanted to write. But now that I'm here, the ideas are popping into my head. I didn't have a spectacular childhood, but my parents sure did a great job with having family traditions for Christmas. Honestly, Christmas is my favorite childhood memory. So, I think that's what I'm going to write about next time. I'm trying really hard to create the same memories for my kids. It's not always easy...we have a pretty big age gap with the kids. But we try and I'm going to share some memories this month.
My Thoughts For Today:
Something else I discovered just recently actually and looking back at my last couple posts just enforces what I think. Life is really tough. I know that nobody promised it would be easy, but I've struggled with the bumps in the road my entire life. I've never learned how to deal with the big problems or even the little ones. That's why I started going to therapy. Slowly, and I mean slowly, I am figuring out how to handle some of the stresses of life. It's not easy, and everyone has them.
I was helping Jason recently with something very serious and very stressful. It had me so tied up inside that I was having some pretty serious anxiety attacks, and it was keeping me from sleeping. I didn't have a therapy appt set up until after this so I had to figure out how to handle it without completely losing it. So, I prayed.
If you know me, you know I'm not a super religious pushy kinda person. But, I prayed and prayed and it helped me. Once I was done helping Jason get through this serious thing, I remember being in the car thinking....this is just every day life. Who has a perfect life? People handle bumps in the road every single day of their lives without having meltdowns. So, I'm wondering how I can. I started by going to Google and searching information on "Obsessive Thoughts". I never thought of myself as obsessive, but reality slapped me in the face. I'm a worrier. I worry and worry and worry.
I'm not a neat freak. I don't have all my canned goods lined up according to size and alphabetically organized. I just worry. I worry about things I have no control over. Friend of the Court sent me paperwork for an automatic child support review. I guess it's been over 6 years since it was looked at. So, I filled out my paperwork an andd sent it in and started to worry. What if they reduce it? He pays so little now and 16 year old young women are expensive to raise. What if they increase it? He will most definitely dispute it and then we'll have to go to a court hearing.
I realized I was just getting on a roll with worry. I was worrying about Jason, even though there was nothing I could do about it. By the way, it had to do with Two Men And A Truck in Wyoming, MI. If you ever have to move....call Big Brother or some other moving company. Two Men And A Truck treat their employees TERRIBLE! The owner will soon be in trouble with the Wage and Labor Div of the State of MI. He's expensive and not customer friendly if you have damages!
Enough of that, I was worrying about Jason, I was worrying about FOC, I was worrying about having money for Christmas. I have four kids after all. There was one obsessive worry after another. I couldn't stop myself. The day of Jason's deal, I had to take an anxiety pill. The first in a long time and I was very disappointed in myself for my inability to deal with the stress.
I found an article that made sense to me. Basically it told me that your mind is separate from your body. Think about it, things pop up in your mind all the time. You can be sitting there and some random thought or memory will pop into your head. With me, negative and stressful thoughts keep popping up in my head and then I give it alot of energy and attention. Then the anxiety attacks start. My goal, is to change how I deal with those thoughts. It's not easy. It feels like work, to have a thought pop into your head and you have to physically push it away. Don't give it energy. If I do, it will become this ugly monster that gets out of control.
So, I guess what I'm getting at is that this happens to everyone. I'm not alone in worrying. So, I'm going to try harder not to focus on the negative thoughts and worry. I know it can be done because of Scott. Scott is the most positive person I know. I don't think I've ever heard him say he's had a bad day. He always thinks that things could be worse. And he's right. I love how positive he is. Once you start paying attention to positive thoughts you discover how negative other people are. I'll keep you updated.
Well, this was a great night back. I wasn't sure that I could think of something good to talk about. Maybe it wasn't good to you, but it felt good to me to write about my worrying. I'm still going to worry...I think that's the mom, wife, and friend in me....but I'm trying not to make the worry turn me into a witch!
Thanks for stopping by. I promise not to be as boring next time.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Just Another Day In Paradise
I had the best day today! Anyone living here in West Michigan knows that today was a seriously shitty weather day! But, I didn't let it get me down. I had a GREAT day!
Scott let me sleep in. Sunday is my day to sleep in and my wonderful husband gets the kids their breakfast and when I start to stir, he pours me a cup of coffee and sits it on the coffee table by my recliner. Now that's love!
We always try to get out of the house on Sunday's because it's Scott's only day off work. I know, you'd think he would want to lay around and relax after working 11 to 12 hour days, but he likes to get out of the house.
Today, he decided that the kids were staying home and that we were going out.....just the two of us. Doesn't happen that often. I felt really bad about it at first because I don't really like to leave the kids home, they make me feel guilty. But none of them really cared. They were all busy doing their own thing when we left and we were gone for like....5 hours.
We went out for breakfast, and it was delicious. Then we went to Scott's friends house. Torrey and Cindy. We haven't seen thme in forever and they are he nicest couple you could meet. We really love seeing them and we just haven't been able to hang out lately. So, it was really nice to go to their house and spend some time with them.
Then, we were off to Costco. We wandered around and looked at patio furniture. We didn't find any furniture that we liked, but found an umbrella that we loved. It's a Market umbrella that you put in the center of a fancy outdoor table. So, we found the umbrella, but didn't like any of the furniture. We'll shop around. The house we're buying has a deck that runs the entire length of the back of the house and garage. There are french doors that go out from the living room and the master bedroom, so we'd like to have some nice furniture to enjoy the summer. I'm not spending $1000 for one of the two sets they have at Costco. That's a quarter of the price of the pole barn we want to put up in the spring. Not happening.
So, we wandered around and looked at the beds. They sell Serta mattresses and the prices are decent. The kids all need new beds so hopefully we can pull that together before we move. We looked at the prime ribs, Scott makes a delicious whole prime rib. We didn't buy one, but they looked really good. We sampled a few things...a great part about going to Costco on the weekend! Basically bummed around. I did buy some toilet paper, lol!
We popped into Walmart for a couple of things and then to D & W. It reminds us of the grocery store in Missoula that's next to the hotel we always stay at. Scott kept saying, I wish we were in Montana. Well, they are probably having better weather than we are. Hmmm.....
We checked out, I bought an iced tea from the Starbucks and we were on our merry way home. Did I mention that it was a friggin downpour when we were going in and out of the stores? We had the craziest weather in Michigan today. Rain, rain mixed with a little snow, big wet sloppy snow, then sleet. All in a couple hours. Oh, and thunder and lightning. I have to say, it was NOT a good hair day. I was having so much fun hanging out with Scott that I didn't even care.
When we got home Scott made BLT's for dinner, and when I was cleaning up the kitchen, Jason came home. He was so busy with school and work this week that I didn't talk to him much. It makes a mom so happy when her kids come home for a visit. Well, unless you're my parents.....then you're mildly annoyed. But that's a whole other post slash therapy session.
Anyhow, I was happy he came home for a couple hours. He ate some food, shopped in our cupboards (we just grocery shopped yesterday so he hit gold), drank some juice and left some homework for me to help him with. Don't worry, it's only research for a paper he's writting. We hung out and talked about him wanting to buy a new car. Then, he was on his way back to school. Made me so happy to see him, he doesn't even realize how much it means to me when he comes home. Makes a mom happy!
So that was my happy day. I got to spend time with all my kids and had a really nice time out and about with Scott. We have our 10 year wedding anniversary coming up on April 18th and I love that after 10 years of marriage, we still like spending time together. We cherish it. Doesn't happen alot, we usually have kids with us on our Sunday's out, but we try to go out alone at least once a month. Even if it's just grocery shopping, it's still great to just spend time together.
With all that said, I hope you had a great day too! Until next time.....
Scott let me sleep in. Sunday is my day to sleep in and my wonderful husband gets the kids their breakfast and when I start to stir, he pours me a cup of coffee and sits it on the coffee table by my recliner. Now that's love!
We always try to get out of the house on Sunday's because it's Scott's only day off work. I know, you'd think he would want to lay around and relax after working 11 to 12 hour days, but he likes to get out of the house.
Today, he decided that the kids were staying home and that we were going out.....just the two of us. Doesn't happen that often. I felt really bad about it at first because I don't really like to leave the kids home, they make me feel guilty. But none of them really cared. They were all busy doing their own thing when we left and we were gone for like....5 hours.
We went out for breakfast, and it was delicious. Then we went to Scott's friends house. Torrey and Cindy. We haven't seen thme in forever and they are he nicest couple you could meet. We really love seeing them and we just haven't been able to hang out lately. So, it was really nice to go to their house and spend some time with them.
Then, we were off to Costco. We wandered around and looked at patio furniture. We didn't find any furniture that we liked, but found an umbrella that we loved. It's a Market umbrella that you put in the center of a fancy outdoor table. So, we found the umbrella, but didn't like any of the furniture. We'll shop around. The house we're buying has a deck that runs the entire length of the back of the house and garage. There are french doors that go out from the living room and the master bedroom, so we'd like to have some nice furniture to enjoy the summer. I'm not spending $1000 for one of the two sets they have at Costco. That's a quarter of the price of the pole barn we want to put up in the spring. Not happening.
So, we wandered around and looked at the beds. They sell Serta mattresses and the prices are decent. The kids all need new beds so hopefully we can pull that together before we move. We looked at the prime ribs, Scott makes a delicious whole prime rib. We didn't buy one, but they looked really good. We sampled a few things...a great part about going to Costco on the weekend! Basically bummed around. I did buy some toilet paper, lol!
We popped into Walmart for a couple of things and then to D & W. It reminds us of the grocery store in Missoula that's next to the hotel we always stay at. Scott kept saying, I wish we were in Montana. Well, they are probably having better weather than we are. Hmmm.....
We checked out, I bought an iced tea from the Starbucks and we were on our merry way home. Did I mention that it was a friggin downpour when we were going in and out of the stores? We had the craziest weather in Michigan today. Rain, rain mixed with a little snow, big wet sloppy snow, then sleet. All in a couple hours. Oh, and thunder and lightning. I have to say, it was NOT a good hair day. I was having so much fun hanging out with Scott that I didn't even care.
When we got home Scott made BLT's for dinner, and when I was cleaning up the kitchen, Jason came home. He was so busy with school and work this week that I didn't talk to him much. It makes a mom so happy when her kids come home for a visit. Well, unless you're my parents.....then you're mildly annoyed. But that's a whole other post slash therapy session.
Anyhow, I was happy he came home for a couple hours. He ate some food, shopped in our cupboards (we just grocery shopped yesterday so he hit gold), drank some juice and left some homework for me to help him with. Don't worry, it's only research for a paper he's writting. We hung out and talked about him wanting to buy a new car. Then, he was on his way back to school. Made me so happy to see him, he doesn't even realize how much it means to me when he comes home. Makes a mom happy!
So that was my happy day. I got to spend time with all my kids and had a really nice time out and about with Scott. We have our 10 year wedding anniversary coming up on April 18th and I love that after 10 years of marriage, we still like spending time together. We cherish it. Doesn't happen alot, we usually have kids with us on our Sunday's out, but we try to go out alone at least once a month. Even if it's just grocery shopping, it's still great to just spend time together.
With all that said, I hope you had a great day too! Until next time.....
Saturday, April 2, 2011
My New Place
Just a quick note, if you look over to the right you will see a new Blog on my list. It's called "Tracy's Treasures". So I don't drive myself nuts being a stay at home mom, and I don't want to make my family nuts either....I decided I'd start posting pictures of my craft business. My friend Janice and I plan to have a weekly booth in Lowell, with several other vendors, throughout the summer. I'm creative, just like my mom, and I need something to do with all this extra energy I have. Voila! My craft business.
It's great because Jourdan is crafty too, so it'll give us some girl time with each other. There's nothing more relaxing than working on crafts. Unfortunately, we are getting ready to move in a few weeks so things are in chaos around my house. But we'll work around it. I did this morning after all!
I haven't posted much, but I did get it set up and started. As I go along I'll be adding crafts to my blog that can be purchased. I'll also throw out some ideas and see what you think. I like getting opinions from my friends and maybe that'll help me become more successful. I'm not looking to get rich, just make a few extra bucks for odds and ends.
Thanks for checking it out.
It's great because Jourdan is crafty too, so it'll give us some girl time with each other. There's nothing more relaxing than working on crafts. Unfortunately, we are getting ready to move in a few weeks so things are in chaos around my house. But we'll work around it. I did this morning after all!
I haven't posted much, but I did get it set up and started. As I go along I'll be adding crafts to my blog that can be purchased. I'll also throw out some ideas and see what you think. I like getting opinions from my friends and maybe that'll help me become more successful. I'm not looking to get rich, just make a few extra bucks for odds and ends.
Thanks for checking it out.
Friday, April 1, 2011
No More Krabby Patty
Wow! I was on fire last night. Literally! I think there was steam coming out of my ears. I was seriously pissed off. I think I'm done with that.
I've had this naggy headache for the last four or five days and I think it finally got to me. As far as tonight, the more wine I drink the better I feel. Hmmm! Imagine that.
When I woke up this morning I tried to have a new attitude. Seriously. I have been cranky for the last few days and I thought, I'm going to try to find something that is relaxing to me. So, I went down to my craft room and decided to make up some of my lavender rice bags. Problem, remember I was bragging about the fact that I had nearly packed up my entire craft room. Well, I started to unpack it so I could do a little bit of craft relaxation therapy. It worked. In about 30 minutes I got 8 rice bags done. And, my mood improved.
The kids started spring break from school today. They are so excited, and I am too. I hate getting up at 7am. I'm more of an 8ish kind of girl. My problem is that I like to stay up late fooling around on Facebook, or writing on my blog, or reading. I just read two really good Nora Roberts books. I used to stick with Sandra Brown, but then Tina got me onto Nora Roberts. I read two pretty thick books in two days. Now I've got one that actually has two books in it.
I've discovered that I can find alot of great books at Goodwill and they are anywhere from $1 - $2 each. That saves me from the $6 - $25 at the store. Scott and the kids got me the George W. Bush book for Christmas. I like George Bush! I think he made some mistakes during his presidency but in my heart I believe that he woke up every single morning thinking about doing what was best for our Country. As far as his book was concerned, I love politics so I enjoyed it. It wasn't all politics, it had alot of personal stuff in it. I cried at several different times during the book because I didn't know about some of the personal tragedies that he'd had happen during his life. All in all, I'd say he's a very good man.....and I enjoyed his book.
It's so funny to see the differences in my kids when it comes to reading. I LOVE to read. When I was working I didn't have alot of time to read. I would squeeze it in at night, but I've always loved to read. Jason is so-so about reading, but if it's something he likes he goes like gang busters. Scott and Jason have the same favorite book. The Frontiersman by Allen Eckert. It's a true story about Simon Kenton. Scott and Jason have both read it multiple times and love it. The book is huge, it's like 5 inches thick but that doesn't deter them.
Jourdan hates to read. You couldn't pay her to read a book. She takes after her dad in that. I've always tried to tell my kids that books are so amazing. You hold a book in your hands and within those pages could be anything. It can be a love story or a murder mystery. It can be about a historical event or can just be a comedy. You don't know unless you open the cover and begin to read.
Jason loves history, and even thought about becoming a history teacher. So when it comes to that kind of thing, he loves to read. I just keep telling them that you can learn so much from the pages within a book. Maybe Jourdan just hasn't discovered that you can read for enjoyment. I think at her age I was already reading alot. I've always like to read. I think if she did her spelling would be better too. I'm working on it.
Well, after a rough start to my day I seem to have turned things around. Could be all the wine I drank, or the afternoon nap? I was still pretty frosty when Scott got home, but he was so sweet. He was so nice to me and tried to talk me out of my funk. I had taken steaks out of the freezer for dinner but the kids wanted take-out. So, Scott said he'd go but he wanted me to go with him and leave the kids home. We even took the Trans Am out. The sun has been shining a few days, but not nice enough to have it on the road full-time. It was just what I needed. He even offered to let me drive. I didn't but it was a very nice gesture. And by the time we got back I decided that I was leaving the Krabby Patty behind. How could I be so cranky when someone was trying so hard to make me feel better?
Until next time....
I've had this naggy headache for the last four or five days and I think it finally got to me. As far as tonight, the more wine I drink the better I feel. Hmmm! Imagine that.
When I woke up this morning I tried to have a new attitude. Seriously. I have been cranky for the last few days and I thought, I'm going to try to find something that is relaxing to me. So, I went down to my craft room and decided to make up some of my lavender rice bags. Problem, remember I was bragging about the fact that I had nearly packed up my entire craft room. Well, I started to unpack it so I could do a little bit of craft relaxation therapy. It worked. In about 30 minutes I got 8 rice bags done. And, my mood improved.
The kids started spring break from school today. They are so excited, and I am too. I hate getting up at 7am. I'm more of an 8ish kind of girl. My problem is that I like to stay up late fooling around on Facebook, or writing on my blog, or reading. I just read two really good Nora Roberts books. I used to stick with Sandra Brown, but then Tina got me onto Nora Roberts. I read two pretty thick books in two days. Now I've got one that actually has two books in it.
I've discovered that I can find alot of great books at Goodwill and they are anywhere from $1 - $2 each. That saves me from the $6 - $25 at the store. Scott and the kids got me the George W. Bush book for Christmas. I like George Bush! I think he made some mistakes during his presidency but in my heart I believe that he woke up every single morning thinking about doing what was best for our Country. As far as his book was concerned, I love politics so I enjoyed it. It wasn't all politics, it had alot of personal stuff in it. I cried at several different times during the book because I didn't know about some of the personal tragedies that he'd had happen during his life. All in all, I'd say he's a very good man.....and I enjoyed his book.
It's so funny to see the differences in my kids when it comes to reading. I LOVE to read. When I was working I didn't have alot of time to read. I would squeeze it in at night, but I've always loved to read. Jason is so-so about reading, but if it's something he likes he goes like gang busters. Scott and Jason have the same favorite book. The Frontiersman by Allen Eckert. It's a true story about Simon Kenton. Scott and Jason have both read it multiple times and love it. The book is huge, it's like 5 inches thick but that doesn't deter them.
Jourdan hates to read. You couldn't pay her to read a book. She takes after her dad in that. I've always tried to tell my kids that books are so amazing. You hold a book in your hands and within those pages could be anything. It can be a love story or a murder mystery. It can be about a historical event or can just be a comedy. You don't know unless you open the cover and begin to read.
Jason loves history, and even thought about becoming a history teacher. So when it comes to that kind of thing, he loves to read. I just keep telling them that you can learn so much from the pages within a book. Maybe Jourdan just hasn't discovered that you can read for enjoyment. I think at her age I was already reading alot. I've always like to read. I think if she did her spelling would be better too. I'm working on it.
Well, after a rough start to my day I seem to have turned things around. Could be all the wine I drank, or the afternoon nap? I was still pretty frosty when Scott got home, but he was so sweet. He was so nice to me and tried to talk me out of my funk. I had taken steaks out of the freezer for dinner but the kids wanted take-out. So, Scott said he'd go but he wanted me to go with him and leave the kids home. We even took the Trans Am out. The sun has been shining a few days, but not nice enough to have it on the road full-time. It was just what I needed. He even offered to let me drive. I didn't but it was a very nice gesture. And by the time we got back I decided that I was leaving the Krabby Patty behind. How could I be so cranky when someone was trying so hard to make me feel better?
Until next time....
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Stay At Home Mom.....Or Just A Maid
True to typical Tracy, I had a complete meltdown yesterday. My first in a really long time, but it was bad enough to ooze into today.
For whatever reason, I was so tired yesterday. I don't typically get alot of sleep....6 or 7 hours a night. By the time I get the kids settled in and I do my evening routine it's pretty late by the time I get into bed. If I'm lucky, I fall asleep easily. I'm not that lucky. Then I get up at 7am to get the kids off to school.
Regardless, for some reason I was really tired yesterday. I was just exhausted from doing laundry and packing all day. I didn't feel like making dinner, a first since I've been at home. Typically I have dinner going by 4:30 or so and have some type of desert made. Streusel cake, or pound cake, or chocolate chip cookies. Something for the kids to have after dinner. But yesterday I didn't have anything going. Pizza sounded good.
First of all, Lowell doesn't have a decent restaurant. Makes me so mad. I watch alot of Food Network shows and one of my favorites is "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives". They go all around the country to small towns and visit really good places to eat. Lowell is a small town, not teeny tiny, but it's small. And we don't have a singe good place to eat. When we want pizza, we order from "Three Brothers Pizza" which is ok but nothing really special.
When you order from them you have to be specific on what you want. First of all, the owner is a major grouch ass. He typically answers the phone and he sounds like he'd rather be doing anything else in the world but talk to you about ordering pizza. So yesterday when I called, I get a woman on the phone. Now, we order the same exact order evertime we buy pizza from them. The SAME! So, I order my two pizza's and some cheesy bread. I ask her to cook the pizza's a few extra minutes to brown the cheese and skip the romano. (They sprinkle romano on the pizza crust after the pizza comes out of the oven and it's disgusting.) So, then she asks pick-up or delivery and I tell her pick-up. Ok, "cook it a few extra minutes to brown it and skip the romano on everything?" Yep, perfect.
See, if you tell them you want your pizza delivered, this also annoys them. They let out a big sigh and tell you "well, it's going to be at least an hour, hour and a half for delivery". These people have some real customer service skills....NOT!
Instead of waiting that long, Scott says he'll go pick it up. Ok, 20 minutes and it'll be ready. Scott get's back home and the first pizza has pepperoni and bacon. Good there, except they didn't cook it to brown the cheese so it's white and the crust is soggy. We open the second pizza and instead of pepperoni green olive, it has pepperoni bacon.
Of course I'm instantly P.O.'d I call the pizza place back and I get the grumpy old troll who owns the place. I tell him that one of our pizza's is wrong and he says, "well my daughter took that order and that's what you ordered". So, after 3 or 4 minutes of arguing with him, because I don't know what I ordered....or have always ordered for the last 4 years, I tell him they didn't cook it longer to brown the cheese either.
Then he get's pissy with me. "Well, do you want me to remake the entire order for you or what?" Excuse me, my family is already digging into the pizza that's right....with the exception of the brown cheese. Then, as I'm telling him that it's white and soggy he gives me the silent treatment. So I hang up on him.
Are you kidding me? This is a small town, and I guess he just has too much money to worry about what people actually think about his pizza, if it's good or not, and what about customer service?
Last time I knew, you took care of your customers when you're in that type of business. Does it make you mad sometimes, well sure, but just because his DAUGHTER took my order doesn't mean it's right. He tried to tell me she read it back to me. Ok, she read back the part about it being cooked longer and no romano but that's it.
My mood went right into today. I woke up pissy and it lasted all day.
You know, I'm sick and tired of being taken advantage of. Now that I'm a stay at home mom I'm just supposed to sit back and let my family walk all over me. I'm supposed to wait on them hand and foot because I'm not working. Nobody in this house wants to lift a finger all of the sudden. Mom can take care of it, she doesn't work. So, my morning starts at 7am taking care of kids and it just ended about 10:15 pm. A good 15 hour day, but that doesn't matter because I'm the one who wanted to stay home right? So it's my own fault.
I guess I'm just too cranky to even post tonight. Oh well, needed to get it off my chest. I could go on and on because I'm mad like I haven't been in a long time. Tomorrow could be a really long day if I don't pull myself out of this funk!
For whatever reason, I was so tired yesterday. I don't typically get alot of sleep....6 or 7 hours a night. By the time I get the kids settled in and I do my evening routine it's pretty late by the time I get into bed. If I'm lucky, I fall asleep easily. I'm not that lucky. Then I get up at 7am to get the kids off to school.
Regardless, for some reason I was really tired yesterday. I was just exhausted from doing laundry and packing all day. I didn't feel like making dinner, a first since I've been at home. Typically I have dinner going by 4:30 or so and have some type of desert made. Streusel cake, or pound cake, or chocolate chip cookies. Something for the kids to have after dinner. But yesterday I didn't have anything going. Pizza sounded good.
First of all, Lowell doesn't have a decent restaurant. Makes me so mad. I watch alot of Food Network shows and one of my favorites is "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives". They go all around the country to small towns and visit really good places to eat. Lowell is a small town, not teeny tiny, but it's small. And we don't have a singe good place to eat. When we want pizza, we order from "Three Brothers Pizza" which is ok but nothing really special.
When you order from them you have to be specific on what you want. First of all, the owner is a major grouch ass. He typically answers the phone and he sounds like he'd rather be doing anything else in the world but talk to you about ordering pizza. So yesterday when I called, I get a woman on the phone. Now, we order the same exact order evertime we buy pizza from them. The SAME! So, I order my two pizza's and some cheesy bread. I ask her to cook the pizza's a few extra minutes to brown the cheese and skip the romano. (They sprinkle romano on the pizza crust after the pizza comes out of the oven and it's disgusting.) So, then she asks pick-up or delivery and I tell her pick-up. Ok, "cook it a few extra minutes to brown it and skip the romano on everything?" Yep, perfect.
See, if you tell them you want your pizza delivered, this also annoys them. They let out a big sigh and tell you "well, it's going to be at least an hour, hour and a half for delivery". These people have some real customer service skills....NOT!
Instead of waiting that long, Scott says he'll go pick it up. Ok, 20 minutes and it'll be ready. Scott get's back home and the first pizza has pepperoni and bacon. Good there, except they didn't cook it to brown the cheese so it's white and the crust is soggy. We open the second pizza and instead of pepperoni green olive, it has pepperoni bacon.
Of course I'm instantly P.O.'d I call the pizza place back and I get the grumpy old troll who owns the place. I tell him that one of our pizza's is wrong and he says, "well my daughter took that order and that's what you ordered". So, after 3 or 4 minutes of arguing with him, because I don't know what I ordered....or have always ordered for the last 4 years, I tell him they didn't cook it longer to brown the cheese either.
Then he get's pissy with me. "Well, do you want me to remake the entire order for you or what?" Excuse me, my family is already digging into the pizza that's right....with the exception of the brown cheese. Then, as I'm telling him that it's white and soggy he gives me the silent treatment. So I hang up on him.
Are you kidding me? This is a small town, and I guess he just has too much money to worry about what people actually think about his pizza, if it's good or not, and what about customer service?
Last time I knew, you took care of your customers when you're in that type of business. Does it make you mad sometimes, well sure, but just because his DAUGHTER took my order doesn't mean it's right. He tried to tell me she read it back to me. Ok, she read back the part about it being cooked longer and no romano but that's it.
My mood went right into today. I woke up pissy and it lasted all day.
You know, I'm sick and tired of being taken advantage of. Now that I'm a stay at home mom I'm just supposed to sit back and let my family walk all over me. I'm supposed to wait on them hand and foot because I'm not working. Nobody in this house wants to lift a finger all of the sudden. Mom can take care of it, she doesn't work. So, my morning starts at 7am taking care of kids and it just ended about 10:15 pm. A good 15 hour day, but that doesn't matter because I'm the one who wanted to stay home right? So it's my own fault.
I guess I'm just too cranky to even post tonight. Oh well, needed to get it off my chest. I could go on and on because I'm mad like I haven't been in a long time. Tomorrow could be a really long day if I don't pull myself out of this funk!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
It's A Crafty Business
Busy, busy, busy! We had the appraisal done on our house yesterday so now I'm pulling everything off he wall and getting the closets packed up. As much as possible, we still have to live here for four more weeks.
You probably remember a while back my friend Janice and I had a falling out. Basically, our kids were dating and some things happened that, at the time, were out of our control. And, it affected our friendship. Janice didn't want it to, but what happened to my son hurt my so deeply that it's taken me over a year to start letting it go. Honestly, it still feels like pain inside of me, but I'm trying really hard to let it go.
Scott asked me how long I was going to fight Jason's battle? Well that was the start of my road to recovery, so to speak. I explained to him I was just being a mom and protecting my son. He told me that Janice was probably doing the same thing, don't ya think. Well, it was tough to argue with that.
So, I think we'll be ok. And I have missed my friend. I have missed her so much and this week I talked to her a few times, and it was really nice.
AND, she has a business opportunity for me. See, way back before all the shit hit the fan, we had done some craft shopping because we decided we were going to make Toothfairy Pillows. I also make a few other crafts, but at the time we were focusing on the pillows. I've made some and they are so damn cute. Anyhow, Lowell has this really great Farmers Market that they start up in June and it runs until September. They are also up and running during 2 different festivals that are held in Lowell. They're a big deal.
For years, the Farmers Market has been at the Lowell Fairgrounds. It's a grassy area that isn't exactly pleasant to be in on a rainy day. Now, the Farmers Market has moved to the front of TSC (Tractor Supply). It's right on Fulton so it'll get much more traffic and it's on a paved lot. Well, anyone can sign up for a booth. It's not just your typical farmers market that people would come in and sell the veggies they grew in their gardens.
They sell fruit and veggies, plants, crafts, even Great Harvest Bread Company out of Grand Rapids comes in with a truck each week. I know that Tina has bought her pickles there for when she cans her dill pickles. And Scott and I have bought summer squash, greenbeans, blueberries and strawberries. Delicious!
Anyhow, she knows the people who run the Farmers Market and they asked her if she wanted to have a booth for crafts. I thought, this sounds ok....but how much. So they run for 18 weeks plus they do the two festivals and you can pay by the week for $10 a week or $130 for the season. Duh!
I'm trying to figure out if I can pull something together for this. Basically you commit to 6 hours a week and set up your booth, and then sell whatever you have....well, you try to. Scott and I have a new pop-up canopy thingy that is 12 X 12 and goes up in like 30 seconds and Janices dad has the long 8 ft tables. So, we don't really need to invest in anything. I've got a huge roll of plastic table cover from when Jason graduated.
If you know me, then you know that I'm a very artistic and craft person. My art teacher back in highschool was disappointed because I didn't go on to Kendall after highschool. She thought that I had talent. Well, I enjoy doing crafts. I can sew, Scott bought me a scroll saw for Christmas so I can work with wood. I make homemade Christmas ornaments, lavender rice bags (any size) toothfairy pillows, quilts, wood benches, wood shelves, and wood knick knacks. And one of my favorite things to do, I love to paint on clay pots.
I buy these really nice sized, not to tall but wide, clay pots and then I prime it and paint them a solid color. I make one for my sister and her bathroom has a huge jaccuzzi tub in it. It sits in a corner so there is a corner area for something. So I painted this large clay pot a mint green (same as her bathroom) and then I sponge a pearl white on top of it. Then along the top edge of the clay pot where it's wider, I use two shades of darker green to dry brush a layer of foliage, then I top it with a dry brush of the pearl white. Then I put a tiny dot of dark pink paint next to a tiny dot of white paint. Then you use a toothpick to swirl the pink and white together, making tiny pink roses.
When it's done, I spray with with clear top coat, let it dry and then do a fancy fold on a bunch of white and mint green washclothes and fill the pot with it. Totally looked cute on her bathtub.
Matter of fact, I have a ginormous corner jaccuzzi tub in our new house, I'll have to do the same but in blues.
Anyhow, I do clay pots of all sizes. I make them into bells for the christmas tree, or angels. I even have one painted in mint green with the pearl white drybrushed over it, and then I put a mint green candle in it and it sits in my bathroom. A very nice accent.
I have tons of ideas. Every week in the newspaper you can find a 40 or 50% off one item at Joanne Fabrics, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby. I try to buy a pattern book every couple of weeks. I'd like to build up my pattern collection. When we were moving back from Ohio, for some reason I never thought I'd do crafts again and I got rid of all my patterns. STUPID STUPID STUPID.
So, i'm searching ebay, I'm buying them half off at the store, and I'm getting free patterns off the internet.
Any thoughts on this? I want to do this with Janice and I want to take a chance. I don't know if I'll make money or not, but I can try. Oh, I almost forgot....I make gunsocks. Are you wondering what they are? Well, I make them out of a really soft heavy materal and it's basically a sock for a rifle or shotgun. Guys LOVE them. Most men have a gun safe and you can't fit a big gun case in it, so you put your gun in it to protect it from scratches etc while its stored safely away. Oh, and I spray a coat of water repellent on it. Just in case it gets out on a damp day.
I sold these on ebay a few years back when we were struggling for money. It was when we first moved back from Ohio to Michigan and I didn't know what I was going to do about Christmas. We were so broke it wasn't funny. I sold them for $7.00 plus s/h and I sold a butt load of them and was able to do most of my Christmas shopping with that money. Maybe selling them and being outside TSC (a definite guy store) I'll do better.
Ok, I'm looking for some moral support here. Good idea or stupid? Scott is worried because we are getting ready to move and he's wondering if I can get enough made between now and the second week of June? Well, I don't know about the wood stuff. I'm not really set up for that right now, but my sewing maching isnt' packed yet and all my material is in big totes. I can knock them out pretty quick because I cut them all out at once and then sew them. The toothfairy pillows are more work. Lots of sewing, lace, buttons, and a pocket. Takes me a day to make 3 but so worth it. They are cute as hell and i think people will like them.
Anyone with a little kid who believes in the toothferry would love them. John is bugging me for a boy one. I've only made them for little girls so far. I have tons of boy material, but haven't gotten that far yet.
Maybe that's what I'll do when I break from the packing. I'm getting alot of packing done, but I can only pack so much since we are still living here. Plus, I learned a valuable lesson working for Two Men And A Truck.....never mix items in a box from more than one room. Don't pack linens with stuff that you aren't going to be using for a while....and then pack the rest of the linens in a different box. It's worth it to just pack them all together when it comes time.
Well, that's my story for tonight. I'm pondering a new adventure. I wouldn't probably worry about the farmers market, but it's been going for many years and they are ALWAYS busy. That is encouraging. We need to sell one pillow a week between the two of us to pay for this....then we get 5 free weeks and the two festivals on top of that.
Until next time.....
You probably remember a while back my friend Janice and I had a falling out. Basically, our kids were dating and some things happened that, at the time, were out of our control. And, it affected our friendship. Janice didn't want it to, but what happened to my son hurt my so deeply that it's taken me over a year to start letting it go. Honestly, it still feels like pain inside of me, but I'm trying really hard to let it go.
Scott asked me how long I was going to fight Jason's battle? Well that was the start of my road to recovery, so to speak. I explained to him I was just being a mom and protecting my son. He told me that Janice was probably doing the same thing, don't ya think. Well, it was tough to argue with that.
So, I think we'll be ok. And I have missed my friend. I have missed her so much and this week I talked to her a few times, and it was really nice.
AND, she has a business opportunity for me. See, way back before all the shit hit the fan, we had done some craft shopping because we decided we were going to make Toothfairy Pillows. I also make a few other crafts, but at the time we were focusing on the pillows. I've made some and they are so damn cute. Anyhow, Lowell has this really great Farmers Market that they start up in June and it runs until September. They are also up and running during 2 different festivals that are held in Lowell. They're a big deal.
For years, the Farmers Market has been at the Lowell Fairgrounds. It's a grassy area that isn't exactly pleasant to be in on a rainy day. Now, the Farmers Market has moved to the front of TSC (Tractor Supply). It's right on Fulton so it'll get much more traffic and it's on a paved lot. Well, anyone can sign up for a booth. It's not just your typical farmers market that people would come in and sell the veggies they grew in their gardens.
They sell fruit and veggies, plants, crafts, even Great Harvest Bread Company out of Grand Rapids comes in with a truck each week. I know that Tina has bought her pickles there for when she cans her dill pickles. And Scott and I have bought summer squash, greenbeans, blueberries and strawberries. Delicious!
Anyhow, she knows the people who run the Farmers Market and they asked her if she wanted to have a booth for crafts. I thought, this sounds ok....but how much. So they run for 18 weeks plus they do the two festivals and you can pay by the week for $10 a week or $130 for the season. Duh!
I'm trying to figure out if I can pull something together for this. Basically you commit to 6 hours a week and set up your booth, and then sell whatever you have....well, you try to. Scott and I have a new pop-up canopy thingy that is 12 X 12 and goes up in like 30 seconds and Janices dad has the long 8 ft tables. So, we don't really need to invest in anything. I've got a huge roll of plastic table cover from when Jason graduated.
If you know me, then you know that I'm a very artistic and craft person. My art teacher back in highschool was disappointed because I didn't go on to Kendall after highschool. She thought that I had talent. Well, I enjoy doing crafts. I can sew, Scott bought me a scroll saw for Christmas so I can work with wood. I make homemade Christmas ornaments, lavender rice bags (any size) toothfairy pillows, quilts, wood benches, wood shelves, and wood knick knacks. And one of my favorite things to do, I love to paint on clay pots.
I buy these really nice sized, not to tall but wide, clay pots and then I prime it and paint them a solid color. I make one for my sister and her bathroom has a huge jaccuzzi tub in it. It sits in a corner so there is a corner area for something. So I painted this large clay pot a mint green (same as her bathroom) and then I sponge a pearl white on top of it. Then along the top edge of the clay pot where it's wider, I use two shades of darker green to dry brush a layer of foliage, then I top it with a dry brush of the pearl white. Then I put a tiny dot of dark pink paint next to a tiny dot of white paint. Then you use a toothpick to swirl the pink and white together, making tiny pink roses.
When it's done, I spray with with clear top coat, let it dry and then do a fancy fold on a bunch of white and mint green washclothes and fill the pot with it. Totally looked cute on her bathtub.
Matter of fact, I have a ginormous corner jaccuzzi tub in our new house, I'll have to do the same but in blues.
Anyhow, I do clay pots of all sizes. I make them into bells for the christmas tree, or angels. I even have one painted in mint green with the pearl white drybrushed over it, and then I put a mint green candle in it and it sits in my bathroom. A very nice accent.
I have tons of ideas. Every week in the newspaper you can find a 40 or 50% off one item at Joanne Fabrics, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby. I try to buy a pattern book every couple of weeks. I'd like to build up my pattern collection. When we were moving back from Ohio, for some reason I never thought I'd do crafts again and I got rid of all my patterns. STUPID STUPID STUPID.
So, i'm searching ebay, I'm buying them half off at the store, and I'm getting free patterns off the internet.
Any thoughts on this? I want to do this with Janice and I want to take a chance. I don't know if I'll make money or not, but I can try. Oh, I almost forgot....I make gunsocks. Are you wondering what they are? Well, I make them out of a really soft heavy materal and it's basically a sock for a rifle or shotgun. Guys LOVE them. Most men have a gun safe and you can't fit a big gun case in it, so you put your gun in it to protect it from scratches etc while its stored safely away. Oh, and I spray a coat of water repellent on it. Just in case it gets out on a damp day.
I sold these on ebay a few years back when we were struggling for money. It was when we first moved back from Ohio to Michigan and I didn't know what I was going to do about Christmas. We were so broke it wasn't funny. I sold them for $7.00 plus s/h and I sold a butt load of them and was able to do most of my Christmas shopping with that money. Maybe selling them and being outside TSC (a definite guy store) I'll do better.
Ok, I'm looking for some moral support here. Good idea or stupid? Scott is worried because we are getting ready to move and he's wondering if I can get enough made between now and the second week of June? Well, I don't know about the wood stuff. I'm not really set up for that right now, but my sewing maching isnt' packed yet and all my material is in big totes. I can knock them out pretty quick because I cut them all out at once and then sew them. The toothfairy pillows are more work. Lots of sewing, lace, buttons, and a pocket. Takes me a day to make 3 but so worth it. They are cute as hell and i think people will like them.
Anyone with a little kid who believes in the toothferry would love them. John is bugging me for a boy one. I've only made them for little girls so far. I have tons of boy material, but haven't gotten that far yet.
Maybe that's what I'll do when I break from the packing. I'm getting alot of packing done, but I can only pack so much since we are still living here. Plus, I learned a valuable lesson working for Two Men And A Truck.....never mix items in a box from more than one room. Don't pack linens with stuff that you aren't going to be using for a while....and then pack the rest of the linens in a different box. It's worth it to just pack them all together when it comes time.
Well, that's my story for tonight. I'm pondering a new adventure. I wouldn't probably worry about the farmers market, but it's been going for many years and they are ALWAYS busy. That is encouraging. We need to sell one pillow a week between the two of us to pay for this....then we get 5 free weeks and the two festivals on top of that.
Until next time.....
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Pleasures of Packing
When I discovered I would be staying at home full-time I decided that I needed to tackle a project of some sort each day. Some days it might be something simple like cleaning the bathroom from top to bottom, or maybe the kids room. Other days I might plan a bigger project, but I wanted to make sure that I accomplished something around the house each day.
Yesterday, I thought that I would start to pack some of the things I don't use every day. We sold our house and we will be closing on it, along with our new house, in about 5 weeks. We are a family of 6 and you don't just pack up a house in a couple of days. So, I thought I would start in my craft room.
Scott and I bought boxes a couple weeks ago and they've been out in the garage just staring at me, waiting to be taped and filled. I grabbed a couple of boxes and headed down to my craft room. I filled 4 boxes and barely made a dent in what I have. Just packing up this little 15 by 15 area started to overwhelm me.
My answer, go into Scott's hunting room and pack some things in there. Good plan. This room is the only one in our house that isn't completely finished. It's downstairs and the walls are painted but we didn't put a drop ceiling in like the rest of our basement. It's big, the same size as our family room. Scott has all of his hunting stuff and reloading stuff on one end and the treadmill is down on the other end of the room. I have a couple shelves and filing cabinets next to the treadmill that are filled with office supplies and books as well as my paralegal books.
I did actually get this area packed up. I also made a HUGE pile of crap that I don't need to haul to the new house. Our trash guy is going to hate us over the next couple of weeks because our dumpster is full with several bags sitting on the side. Sorry dude!
So my big adventure was packing up 6 boxes and I'm wondering how I'm ever going to get this house packed up? I have so much stuff it's ridiculous. Big families have lots of shit right. Well, the amount of stuff we have is beyond "lots".
The task of packing just feels overwhelming to me right now. I'll pick away at it and then we'll get closer and closer and I'll really be freaking out. I'm trying to sort through stuff and take what I don't need to
Goodwill. I've already got a big load to take. I was hoping to go tomorrow, but Scott thinks he'll need my truck again. It is spring, after all, so Michigan is under a winter storm warning and we got ice last night. Scott works 25 miles north of here, and it was even worse so he needs the 4-wheel drive.
And, even though our new house is much bigger and has more storage and closet space, I don't want to move all this crap. I've been sorting through the kids clothes to take the things that don't fit them anymore. Why move it when it won't be worn again right?
Working for Two Men And A Truck for a few years, I've learned a few shortcuts for packing and moving. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I think it is. :)
I was thinking about when we sold our house up in Chippewa Lake and moved to Ohio. We moved from Chippewa Lake to Ottawa, Ohio then back to my parents house in Michigan for 3 weeks, then to a house we rented until we bought the house we live in now. In 14 months we moved 4 times. WTF, I don't know how I still have so much stuff. You'd think I would be tired of hauling boxes from place to place.
All I can say is that Scott will be hard pressed to get me to move again once we are settled in this new house. We knew when we bought this house we wouldn't stay in it long term. It's in town and living in town sucks when you're used to living in the country. Plus, Scott and Jason like to hunt and target practice. And we have a big dog that has bitten our neighbors dog.....not cool. We just weren't meant to live in the city. I like it here, but I'll like the bigger house and having woods around me instead of neighbors.
I just have to get past the packing and unpacking business. If I had a butt load of money, I'd pay movers to come in and pack us up and move us. People do it all the time. But, it's expensive. Plus, I don't want the guys I used to work with sorting through all our stuff, lol. How embarassing. I'm too cheap anyways.
Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.
Yesterday, I thought that I would start to pack some of the things I don't use every day. We sold our house and we will be closing on it, along with our new house, in about 5 weeks. We are a family of 6 and you don't just pack up a house in a couple of days. So, I thought I would start in my craft room.
Scott and I bought boxes a couple weeks ago and they've been out in the garage just staring at me, waiting to be taped and filled. I grabbed a couple of boxes and headed down to my craft room. I filled 4 boxes and barely made a dent in what I have. Just packing up this little 15 by 15 area started to overwhelm me.
My answer, go into Scott's hunting room and pack some things in there. Good plan. This room is the only one in our house that isn't completely finished. It's downstairs and the walls are painted but we didn't put a drop ceiling in like the rest of our basement. It's big, the same size as our family room. Scott has all of his hunting stuff and reloading stuff on one end and the treadmill is down on the other end of the room. I have a couple shelves and filing cabinets next to the treadmill that are filled with office supplies and books as well as my paralegal books.
I did actually get this area packed up. I also made a HUGE pile of crap that I don't need to haul to the new house. Our trash guy is going to hate us over the next couple of weeks because our dumpster is full with several bags sitting on the side. Sorry dude!
So my big adventure was packing up 6 boxes and I'm wondering how I'm ever going to get this house packed up? I have so much stuff it's ridiculous. Big families have lots of shit right. Well, the amount of stuff we have is beyond "lots".
The task of packing just feels overwhelming to me right now. I'll pick away at it and then we'll get closer and closer and I'll really be freaking out. I'm trying to sort through stuff and take what I don't need to
Goodwill. I've already got a big load to take. I was hoping to go tomorrow, but Scott thinks he'll need my truck again. It is spring, after all, so Michigan is under a winter storm warning and we got ice last night. Scott works 25 miles north of here, and it was even worse so he needs the 4-wheel drive.
And, even though our new house is much bigger and has more storage and closet space, I don't want to move all this crap. I've been sorting through the kids clothes to take the things that don't fit them anymore. Why move it when it won't be worn again right?
Working for Two Men And A Truck for a few years, I've learned a few shortcuts for packing and moving. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I think it is. :)
I was thinking about when we sold our house up in Chippewa Lake and moved to Ohio. We moved from Chippewa Lake to Ottawa, Ohio then back to my parents house in Michigan for 3 weeks, then to a house we rented until we bought the house we live in now. In 14 months we moved 4 times. WTF, I don't know how I still have so much stuff. You'd think I would be tired of hauling boxes from place to place.
All I can say is that Scott will be hard pressed to get me to move again once we are settled in this new house. We knew when we bought this house we wouldn't stay in it long term. It's in town and living in town sucks when you're used to living in the country. Plus, Scott and Jason like to hunt and target practice. And we have a big dog that has bitten our neighbors dog.....not cool. We just weren't meant to live in the city. I like it here, but I'll like the bigger house and having woods around me instead of neighbors.
I just have to get past the packing and unpacking business. If I had a butt load of money, I'd pay movers to come in and pack us up and move us. People do it all the time. But, it's expensive. Plus, I don't want the guys I used to work with sorting through all our stuff, lol. How embarassing. I'm too cheap anyways.
Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
To Be Or Not To Be......A Stay At Home Mom
It's spring here in Michigan and true to it's unpredictible nature, we have a winter storm warning until tomorrow night. I was sitting at the kitchen table posting comments on my facebook page this afternoon and I looked out front to see rain, and then a few minutes later it was sleet. Then, heavy snow started to fall. Guess Mother Nature can't make up her mind what she wants for West Michigan.
I'm so ready for spring. I have so many plans for the summer, now that I'm a stay at home mom. For the last 6 or 8 months I'd been back and forth about wanting to take the plunge and stay home. It took weekly therapy sessions and a job offer to actually get me to take the step. Then, a meltdown at my Coldwell Banker job led to me being home.
It came about in an odd way, but my kids and my husband are really happy about me being home. For the first time in a very long time, I am caught up with the laundry and my house is clean more than 2 hours out of the week. I make dinner every night and even bake goodies for my kids. They keep telling me how much they like me being home.
When Jason and Jourdan were young, I couldn't stay home. Jason was 3 and Jourdan was only 9 months old when I left Paul and moved into my very first apartment. I had to work full time. Actually, at that time I was working 55 hours a week as a bookkeeper for a sod company. The job was good, but it was tough being gone so much. I didn't see the kids as much as I wanted. They were so young and I missed out on alot. I had to work. It was the only way that I was going to feed my kids and keep a roof over their heads. At the time, Paul paid $40 a week in child support. For two kids. Amazing isn't it?
So, I worked and I had babysitters raising my kids. When I look back on it, wow did it suck. Paul got out of work early so he would get the kids after he was done working so it was a little bit easier on them. They were with a babysitter until 2:30 instead of 5pm.
Anyhow, I always regretted that I wasn't at home with them when they were little. But I did what I had to do to survive. When John was born, we had just sold our store and were trying to sell our house so we could go to Ohio to be with Scott's mom. I was able to be home with him when he was little, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Life went on and we had alot of changes. We moved to Ohio and then back to Michigan and had Sami. When she was a baby I got my job at Two Men And Truck and stayed there for almost 3 years. I loved working there, it was a great job. But, I was missing out on raising my kids....again. Sami was in daycare all day 3 days a week. I know, that's not full-time, but it was still hard on me. And I think it was hard on her.
Sami started on this kick of whining and crying about everything. She would give me a hard time about going to daycare. I know it wasn't the daycare because she used to cry when she didn't go there. There were lots of kids her age and I know that it wasn't daycare that was bothering her. She just wanted to be home with her mom.
Last week when I told her that I didn't have to go to work, she kept saying, "mommy I so happy".
So what am I really giving up here? We're going to sell our camper. But, Scott is going to buy a boat so I guess that really equals out. What I'm really giving up is a daycare bill, $75 a week in fuel to drive back and forth to work, and eating out all the time. When I was working I would be so tired when I got home....it would be 5 or 6pm and everyone would be ready for dinner and I had no idea what to make at the last minute. So, we ate out alot. We did on the weekends too. Since I've been home we haven't eaten out once.
I went through our checkbook and added up what I was spending on daycare, fuel, and eating out and we were actually behind compared to my income. We just had the idea that since I worked we had extra money and we could eat out anytime we wanted. Stupid! When I really looked at our money, I realized that we were pissing away alot of money.
So, I'm home now and we'll tighten our belt some so we can still be comfortable. One of the things that we wanted was to sell our house. We live in town and have city water and sewer. These two bills alone cost us $200 a month. Well, we sold our house and with the difference in our interest rate we are getting a house that is twice as big, almost twice as expensive and only $100 more a month on the house payment than we have now. And no water/sewer bill. Yay! Plus, our property taxes will be about $1000 less per year.
So now, my mission is to find ways to make a few extra bucks here and there. I've been doing tax returns for people. I also do Chapter 7 bankruptcies. I'm working on one right now. I've been thinking about putting an ad on Craigslist and in our local shoppers guide for preparing Chapter 7 bankruptcies and maybe even offering to type of wills. I have a friend who's an attorney, so that is helpful. I've talked to him to see what I can and cannot do....don't want to get into any trouble.
I made $275 this week on one tax return and a bankruptcy. Not bad for a weeks work huh? I just need to get the word out.....and not give any legal advice.
Not a very exciting post tonight. I had soemthing political in mind....but I think I'll save that for tomorrow. ;) For now, I'm going to try to sleep. I was up way too late last night and the kids are up bright and early for school.
I'm so ready for spring. I have so many plans for the summer, now that I'm a stay at home mom. For the last 6 or 8 months I'd been back and forth about wanting to take the plunge and stay home. It took weekly therapy sessions and a job offer to actually get me to take the step. Then, a meltdown at my Coldwell Banker job led to me being home.
It came about in an odd way, but my kids and my husband are really happy about me being home. For the first time in a very long time, I am caught up with the laundry and my house is clean more than 2 hours out of the week. I make dinner every night and even bake goodies for my kids. They keep telling me how much they like me being home.
When Jason and Jourdan were young, I couldn't stay home. Jason was 3 and Jourdan was only 9 months old when I left Paul and moved into my very first apartment. I had to work full time. Actually, at that time I was working 55 hours a week as a bookkeeper for a sod company. The job was good, but it was tough being gone so much. I didn't see the kids as much as I wanted. They were so young and I missed out on alot. I had to work. It was the only way that I was going to feed my kids and keep a roof over their heads. At the time, Paul paid $40 a week in child support. For two kids. Amazing isn't it?
So, I worked and I had babysitters raising my kids. When I look back on it, wow did it suck. Paul got out of work early so he would get the kids after he was done working so it was a little bit easier on them. They were with a babysitter until 2:30 instead of 5pm.
Anyhow, I always regretted that I wasn't at home with them when they were little. But I did what I had to do to survive. When John was born, we had just sold our store and were trying to sell our house so we could go to Ohio to be with Scott's mom. I was able to be home with him when he was little, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Life went on and we had alot of changes. We moved to Ohio and then back to Michigan and had Sami. When she was a baby I got my job at Two Men And Truck and stayed there for almost 3 years. I loved working there, it was a great job. But, I was missing out on raising my kids....again. Sami was in daycare all day 3 days a week. I know, that's not full-time, but it was still hard on me. And I think it was hard on her.
Sami started on this kick of whining and crying about everything. She would give me a hard time about going to daycare. I know it wasn't the daycare because she used to cry when she didn't go there. There were lots of kids her age and I know that it wasn't daycare that was bothering her. She just wanted to be home with her mom.
Last week when I told her that I didn't have to go to work, she kept saying, "mommy I so happy".
So what am I really giving up here? We're going to sell our camper. But, Scott is going to buy a boat so I guess that really equals out. What I'm really giving up is a daycare bill, $75 a week in fuel to drive back and forth to work, and eating out all the time. When I was working I would be so tired when I got home....it would be 5 or 6pm and everyone would be ready for dinner and I had no idea what to make at the last minute. So, we ate out alot. We did on the weekends too. Since I've been home we haven't eaten out once.
I went through our checkbook and added up what I was spending on daycare, fuel, and eating out and we were actually behind compared to my income. We just had the idea that since I worked we had extra money and we could eat out anytime we wanted. Stupid! When I really looked at our money, I realized that we were pissing away alot of money.
So, I'm home now and we'll tighten our belt some so we can still be comfortable. One of the things that we wanted was to sell our house. We live in town and have city water and sewer. These two bills alone cost us $200 a month. Well, we sold our house and with the difference in our interest rate we are getting a house that is twice as big, almost twice as expensive and only $100 more a month on the house payment than we have now. And no water/sewer bill. Yay! Plus, our property taxes will be about $1000 less per year.
So now, my mission is to find ways to make a few extra bucks here and there. I've been doing tax returns for people. I also do Chapter 7 bankruptcies. I'm working on one right now. I've been thinking about putting an ad on Craigslist and in our local shoppers guide for preparing Chapter 7 bankruptcies and maybe even offering to type of wills. I have a friend who's an attorney, so that is helpful. I've talked to him to see what I can and cannot do....don't want to get into any trouble.
I made $275 this week on one tax return and a bankruptcy. Not bad for a weeks work huh? I just need to get the word out.....and not give any legal advice.
Not a very exciting post tonight. I had soemthing political in mind....but I think I'll save that for tomorrow. ;) For now, I'm going to try to sleep. I was up way too late last night and the kids are up bright and early for school.
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Movie Critic
I discovered a wonderful thing several months ago. Netflix! I know, you're thinking this topic is...dullsville! But wait, I have a great reason for loving it.
Scott and I have some seriously different tastes in movies. We have a routine here in our house. Scott gets up super early so he usually goes to bed first. By the time I get the kids around for bed and tucked in, he's got some stupid blood and guts guy movie on in the bedroom. Makes me want to bang my head against the wall.
So, my answer to this problem was Netflix. They send us one DVD at a time, which I will put in my laptop and watch with my earphones in. I can completely block out his stupid movie, and it's probably pretty entertaining to watch me crying or laughing to myself while watching the computer. Oh well.
The other thing I love is the streaming movies. I discovered "The Ugly Truth" with Gerard Butler.....hot! This movie is not for kids, but I have watched it probably 50 times. When there isn't anything on TV I'll watch it. After all, we only have 250 channels on Directv......
Anyhow, they have hundreds of movies you can stream on your computer. My kids like it because they can watch movies on their Ipods and Jason can watch movies at school.
This has me thinking. I could be like a film critic and blog about the movies I watch. I'll become rich and famous and people will hang on my every word when it comes to which movies to watch. LOL Just kidding. I'm not a big movie goer. Scott and I used to be. But have you seen the price of a theatre ticket lately? And we'd have to take out a second mortgage if we wanted popcorn and a soda.
Maybe I could watch old movies and report. Yeah, that would be exciting wouldn't it? Guess I should probably come up with a different get rich scheme.
At any rate, I love Gerard Butler and I could watch "The Ugly Truth" over and over. It's definitely not for kids, it's a little raunchy in spots....I forward past them. Oh, they just started streaming "The Bounty Hunter" with Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston. That's pretty good too.
I like the romantic comedy. I think that's probably my favorite type of movie. "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock is good too. I like that they go to Sitka, Alaska. Ever since Scott and I visited Alaska I've been a little partial to the state. Don't want to live there of course, but it's a great place to visit.
I'm trying to think about my other favorite movies. It's so funny because Scott likes movies like "Godzilla vs. Mothra", "The Beguiled" (did I even spell that right, lol?) and every evening he subjects us to "The Rifleman" with Chuck Conners. Talk about a nerdy show, I roll my eyes and give Scott the stink eye everytime he makes me watch it.....just about daily.
It all works out though, he falls asleep early and I usually get to watch whatever I want. Last night I sat in bed and watched "The Ugly Truth". What I failed to mention earlier is that the earphones are also a great way to block out the snoring.....
Until next time....
Scott and I have some seriously different tastes in movies. We have a routine here in our house. Scott gets up super early so he usually goes to bed first. By the time I get the kids around for bed and tucked in, he's got some stupid blood and guts guy movie on in the bedroom. Makes me want to bang my head against the wall.
So, my answer to this problem was Netflix. They send us one DVD at a time, which I will put in my laptop and watch with my earphones in. I can completely block out his stupid movie, and it's probably pretty entertaining to watch me crying or laughing to myself while watching the computer. Oh well.
The other thing I love is the streaming movies. I discovered "The Ugly Truth" with Gerard Butler.....hot! This movie is not for kids, but I have watched it probably 50 times. When there isn't anything on TV I'll watch it. After all, we only have 250 channels on Directv......
Anyhow, they have hundreds of movies you can stream on your computer. My kids like it because they can watch movies on their Ipods and Jason can watch movies at school.
This has me thinking. I could be like a film critic and blog about the movies I watch. I'll become rich and famous and people will hang on my every word when it comes to which movies to watch. LOL Just kidding. I'm not a big movie goer. Scott and I used to be. But have you seen the price of a theatre ticket lately? And we'd have to take out a second mortgage if we wanted popcorn and a soda.
Maybe I could watch old movies and report. Yeah, that would be exciting wouldn't it? Guess I should probably come up with a different get rich scheme.
At any rate, I love Gerard Butler and I could watch "The Ugly Truth" over and over. It's definitely not for kids, it's a little raunchy in spots....I forward past them. Oh, they just started streaming "The Bounty Hunter" with Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston. That's pretty good too.
I like the romantic comedy. I think that's probably my favorite type of movie. "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock is good too. I like that they go to Sitka, Alaska. Ever since Scott and I visited Alaska I've been a little partial to the state. Don't want to live there of course, but it's a great place to visit.
I'm trying to think about my other favorite movies. It's so funny because Scott likes movies like "Godzilla vs. Mothra", "The Beguiled" (did I even spell that right, lol?) and every evening he subjects us to "The Rifleman" with Chuck Conners. Talk about a nerdy show, I roll my eyes and give Scott the stink eye everytime he makes me watch it.....just about daily.
It all works out though, he falls asleep early and I usually get to watch whatever I want. Last night I sat in bed and watched "The Ugly Truth". What I failed to mention earlier is that the earphones are also a great way to block out the snoring.....
Until next time....
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A New Direction
I realize it's been a really long time since I've been here. Writing on my blog has been such a great release of tension for me, and lately I haven't even had time to do that. But here I am, and I'm asking for your help.
I'd like to take my blog in a new direction. I've written about just about every topic I can think of, and alot of times I'm just rambling on and on. If you stop in regularly you know what I'm talking about. But I'm starting a new chapter in my life. One that focuses on my family. My family has taken a backseat to an awful lot in my life lately. My job, stress, anxiety, yada yada yada. I'm tired of that.
So, I had a couple of ideas. I was thinking about blogging about different things that happen in my life. Opinions I guess you could say, on restaurants, stores, online shopping, books. Things like that. I guess I don't have to just nail myself down to one thing. I'm looking for ideas.
I'm pretty craft, I've been thinking about starting a craft business of sorts, and opening a little ebay shop or something like that. Not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm damn creative. Years ago when Jourdan was just a baby I did a craft business and made pretty good money at it, and this wasy way before Ebay. I actually had to go to craft shows and such.
And, I could always talk about politics, lol. I could go on and on about politics. But that might alienate some of my more liberal friends....if I actually have any left. Just kidding.
I was thinking, as I am sitting here listening to the music that plays on my blog, I should probably update that as well. I could write about being a stay at home mom and all the things I go through, trying to relate to other mom's....we could talk about how many times a day we watch "Dora The Explorer". No, that's no good, lol.
I've got a second blog set up that has recipees on it. But I'm the only one who posts anything there.
I think that people are just busy. As I just wrote, I've been so busy that I didn't even have time to get online and write on my blog. I don't even get on facebook that much anymore, all because of time. So, if I'm going to have the pleasure of someone stopping by and reading my blog, I don't want it to be dribble.
So, friends of mine, I'm putting it out there. I'm looking for some ideas. I'd like to get my friends to start blogs of their own. I'd like to read books and then write about them here. And I want to read my friends blogs and post comments. I really miss that. For the longest time I looked forward to getting the kids in bed at night and turning on my computer so I could write in my blog and then read Beth's post from the night before. I haven't done that in so long. I'm goint to remedy that tonight.
Something is changing in my life. Not everyone knows yet, so I need to be careful....just for today...but things are going to be changing in my life. For the good! I'll have the time to do some things that I enjoy for a change. And I'll be able to take care of my family like a mom should.
With that said, I will say goodnight. I will have something wonderful to write about tomorrow, I promise. If you choose to follow my blog I appreciate it. Please, feel free to comment on my posts. And feel free to share any ideas you may have for me.
I'd like to take my blog in a new direction. I've written about just about every topic I can think of, and alot of times I'm just rambling on and on. If you stop in regularly you know what I'm talking about. But I'm starting a new chapter in my life. One that focuses on my family. My family has taken a backseat to an awful lot in my life lately. My job, stress, anxiety, yada yada yada. I'm tired of that.
So, I had a couple of ideas. I was thinking about blogging about different things that happen in my life. Opinions I guess you could say, on restaurants, stores, online shopping, books. Things like that. I guess I don't have to just nail myself down to one thing. I'm looking for ideas.
I'm pretty craft, I've been thinking about starting a craft business of sorts, and opening a little ebay shop or something like that. Not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm damn creative. Years ago when Jourdan was just a baby I did a craft business and made pretty good money at it, and this wasy way before Ebay. I actually had to go to craft shows and such.
And, I could always talk about politics, lol. I could go on and on about politics. But that might alienate some of my more liberal friends....if I actually have any left. Just kidding.
I was thinking, as I am sitting here listening to the music that plays on my blog, I should probably update that as well. I could write about being a stay at home mom and all the things I go through, trying to relate to other mom's....we could talk about how many times a day we watch "Dora The Explorer". No, that's no good, lol.
I've got a second blog set up that has recipees on it. But I'm the only one who posts anything there.
I think that people are just busy. As I just wrote, I've been so busy that I didn't even have time to get online and write on my blog. I don't even get on facebook that much anymore, all because of time. So, if I'm going to have the pleasure of someone stopping by and reading my blog, I don't want it to be dribble.
So, friends of mine, I'm putting it out there. I'm looking for some ideas. I'd like to get my friends to start blogs of their own. I'd like to read books and then write about them here. And I want to read my friends blogs and post comments. I really miss that. For the longest time I looked forward to getting the kids in bed at night and turning on my computer so I could write in my blog and then read Beth's post from the night before. I haven't done that in so long. I'm goint to remedy that tonight.
Something is changing in my life. Not everyone knows yet, so I need to be careful....just for today...but things are going to be changing in my life. For the good! I'll have the time to do some things that I enjoy for a change. And I'll be able to take care of my family like a mom should.
With that said, I will say goodnight. I will have something wonderful to write about tomorrow, I promise. If you choose to follow my blog I appreciate it. Please, feel free to comment on my posts. And feel free to share any ideas you may have for me.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Up To Date
I know I've been flaky about how often I post. Sorry about that. Alot has happened over the last month and to be perfectly honest, I just hadn't really had time to get online and write on my blog. I wanted to, but I didn't have time.
Before Christmas, I was wrapping gifts like crazy and it was just too much for me to be online. I didn't really even have much chance to get on facebook.
But here I am and it's time to do a little bit of catch up. Well, our family had a really great Christmas and New Year. The kids had a great Christmas, and it was exhausting. But, the kids had a great Christmas and that was what mattered.
Scott had the week of Christmas off, so that was very nice. It was the first time, in a long time, that we'd spent any amount of time together. We really enjoyed it. We had friends over for Christmas Eve and then we had a little get together on New Years Eve. We even played cards and it was so much fun. I haven't played cards in years and years.
I'm back to my normal schedule at work. There's more going on work but I'll get back to that later.
We had a great morning this morning. I took Samantha for preschool sign-up. Since John was a previous student, that helps us get in. I'm not looking forward to paying tuition on top of daycare, but Sami is ready for preschool. It was so cute, two of the kids she goes to daycare with are in preschool and Sami knows exactly where Miss Rhonda's class is. So, we walked down the hallway, around the library, and to Miss Rhonda's room.
When it was time to leave, she started to cry. She wouldn't put her coat on. She kept telling me, "no mommy, you go to work....I stay at school. Where my desk? I have homework in my desk. I no leave preschool."
I had to bribe her with a hashbrown and orange juice from McDonalds to put her coat on and go to Addies house. Just turned 3 and she knows how to work me, lol.
So, she is just ready to start school right now. I tried to explain that she would start after summer. She's not buying it, she is ready for school. She even packed her backpack for it, lol. Was so cute.
I have so much more to say, to get you up to speed. But I am so incredibly tired. I haven't slept well the last several nights and I'm sitting here in the chair having a hard time staying awake. I'll be back tomorrow to finish my story.
Before Christmas, I was wrapping gifts like crazy and it was just too much for me to be online. I didn't really even have much chance to get on facebook.
But here I am and it's time to do a little bit of catch up. Well, our family had a really great Christmas and New Year. The kids had a great Christmas, and it was exhausting. But, the kids had a great Christmas and that was what mattered.
Scott had the week of Christmas off, so that was very nice. It was the first time, in a long time, that we'd spent any amount of time together. We really enjoyed it. We had friends over for Christmas Eve and then we had a little get together on New Years Eve. We even played cards and it was so much fun. I haven't played cards in years and years.
I'm back to my normal schedule at work. There's more going on work but I'll get back to that later.
We had a great morning this morning. I took Samantha for preschool sign-up. Since John was a previous student, that helps us get in. I'm not looking forward to paying tuition on top of daycare, but Sami is ready for preschool. It was so cute, two of the kids she goes to daycare with are in preschool and Sami knows exactly where Miss Rhonda's class is. So, we walked down the hallway, around the library, and to Miss Rhonda's room.
When it was time to leave, she started to cry. She wouldn't put her coat on. She kept telling me, "no mommy, you go to work....I stay at school. Where my desk? I have homework in my desk. I no leave preschool."
I had to bribe her with a hashbrown and orange juice from McDonalds to put her coat on and go to Addies house. Just turned 3 and she knows how to work me, lol.
So, she is just ready to start school right now. I tried to explain that she would start after summer. She's not buying it, she is ready for school. She even packed her backpack for it, lol. Was so cute.
I have so much more to say, to get you up to speed. But I am so incredibly tired. I haven't slept well the last several nights and I'm sitting here in the chair having a hard time staying awake. I'll be back tomorrow to finish my story.
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