Then
NowSunday, October 4, 2009
This is dedicated to the one I love...
Today is the 6th anniversary of our wedding. "It isn't hard" those are the words that we shared over dinner last night at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant. We had a lovely time and since they knew we were celebrating our anniversary, the table was decorated with ribbons and a framed note congratulating us. Everyone wished us a happy anniversary and when our dessert came, a message was piped on the plate and a candle was burning on the opposite side. The waiter took our picture and then brought us a print to be framed in the provided Roy's frame. I felt special and it made me remember our Hawaiian Honeymoon where we had 2 weeks of that treatment and I could live that way every day. Actually, I do live that way every day. Even when I am swimming in the murkiest waters, I know that there are white sands, tropical drinks, and warm sun in my life. I love my husband and he is the reason that everything else in my life is not only manageable but lovely and wonderful. Happy Anniversary! Now
Now
Monday, September 28, 2009
Time flies when you are NOT having fun.
Parents of small children, and children in general, often say that time flies by. Well, it does. It flies by moment by moment and you don't know what you have done other than some laundry and a little vacuuming. Well, I will tell you where it goes: it is filled with mundane activities that don't make lasting memories. The memories come from stepping outside of the norm and switching it up a bit.
Do you remember that time you cleaned out the dishwasher? Well, they all run together for me. Folding laundry? Not my idea of a good time. These things must be done and with a growing family, these tasks are more frequent and time consuming. I believe that means that a higher percentage of parent's time is spent doing the mundane and not making the memories that mark the passing of time in a more significant way which would, in theory, make time seem to pass more slowly.
If you reflect on a fun and busy weekend, doesn't it seem like the weekend was longer than the ones spent filled with house chores and work? Unless you are on Extreme Makeover, Home Edition, you never feel like you had a long weekend when you DIY your way through it.
There is no getting around it, these things are necessary evils. We just need to be more conscious of how much time these tasks are taking us away from the kiddos who never, ever stop growing older. Just think about it: before you know it, they will be calling you complaining about how much laundry there is to do and you won't remember doing any of your own.
Do you remember that time you cleaned out the dishwasher? Well, they all run together for me. Folding laundry? Not my idea of a good time. These things must be done and with a growing family, these tasks are more frequent and time consuming. I believe that means that a higher percentage of parent's time is spent doing the mundane and not making the memories that mark the passing of time in a more significant way which would, in theory, make time seem to pass more slowly.
If you reflect on a fun and busy weekend, doesn't it seem like the weekend was longer than the ones spent filled with house chores and work? Unless you are on Extreme Makeover, Home Edition, you never feel like you had a long weekend when you DIY your way through it.
There is no getting around it, these things are necessary evils. We just need to be more conscious of how much time these tasks are taking us away from the kiddos who never, ever stop growing older. Just think about it: before you know it, they will be calling you complaining about how much laundry there is to do and you won't remember doing any of your own.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ever had one of those days?
This may actually be a first for me, though it makes perfect sense that people feel this way. Today, I am not in the mood to be me; have my responsibilities or opportunities. I clearly went through the motions today but tried to change it up a bit. I MADE the boys play outside in the beautiful 75 degree weather, in the grass, on the ground, in the mulch, in the play house, the whole deal. Cole asked me several times if he could go in with Rhys - like Rhys was begging to go in too. After about an hour and a half, I let them go in and I stayed outside for about 5 more minutes and finished my book. It was nice, not being me for a few minutes. I did fall back into the routine when I had my work call at 3:30. The boys had woken from naps and would be ready to eat and it didn't matter how much I didn't want to be me, someone had to feed the children! I managed to work out at the gym for an hour this morning before the outdoor play and then when the boys were napping, I did a 20 minute work out following a sadistic personal trainer on television. I am sure I will feel it tomorrow. Maybe I will feel like being me tomorrow. Either way, being me isn't so bad. I just need to depart from my routine, I think.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Where does the time go?
Chris has been sick for the last couple of days so it feels like it should be Thursday when it is only Tuesday! Cole had preschool again today and his teacher said that he did much better with listening and staying in his seat. I think that he really does live for praise and really does want to please his teachers so he should do fine.
My diet seems to be suffering a little. I haven't really felt like cooking and don't have much appetite for home cooked food - that I am cooking - so I have turned to convenience food for dinner. I am still doing well for breakfast and lunch and not snacking so the weight will find its way off eventually. I am happy with the changes and know that the scale will start showing my good efforts soon. I didn't go to the gym this morning because I was truly afraid that I was getting sick. I have a dry cough and sore throat and am sort of run down and knew that I had a busy day ahead of me.
Sure enough, I took Cole to school after I printed and packed up the things I needed for both work and him. Rhys and I were at the bank by just after 9 and we opened the business bank account for The World Benefits, LLC. PHEW! We made it home just after 10 and he napped while I worked until about 11:15. I packed our lunch and woke him up in time to pick Cole up from school and head to the park for a picnic lunch and playground time. We came home, I bathed them - the playground was especially muddy today - and here I am, back at the computer, back doing some work. Between loads of laundry and determining what is going to be for supper, I don't have time for anything else! So much for feeling like I would get a lot done around the house today.
My diet seems to be suffering a little. I haven't really felt like cooking and don't have much appetite for home cooked food - that I am cooking - so I have turned to convenience food for dinner. I am still doing well for breakfast and lunch and not snacking so the weight will find its way off eventually. I am happy with the changes and know that the scale will start showing my good efforts soon. I didn't go to the gym this morning because I was truly afraid that I was getting sick. I have a dry cough and sore throat and am sort of run down and knew that I had a busy day ahead of me.
Sure enough, I took Cole to school after I printed and packed up the things I needed for both work and him. Rhys and I were at the bank by just after 9 and we opened the business bank account for The World Benefits, LLC. PHEW! We made it home just after 10 and he napped while I worked until about 11:15. I packed our lunch and woke him up in time to pick Cole up from school and head to the park for a picnic lunch and playground time. We came home, I bathed them - the playground was especially muddy today - and here I am, back at the computer, back doing some work. Between loads of laundry and determining what is going to be for supper, I don't have time for anything else! So much for feeling like I would get a lot done around the house today.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Flexibility
I have done some at-home yoga lately and find that is an acceptable bridge between home and the gym. I love to stretch and am pretty flexible so a good stretch takes a little effort for me and I seem quite contorted at times. I feel that being flexible in body and in spirit is important to get by. Cole is learning to be flexible at preschool. I am sure he will resist some of the rules he will be obligated to follow and he will struggle with learning some new and challenging things. He must be flexible. Rhys is learning to be flexible and nap on our new schedule and make the most of mommy time when Cole is at school. I am stepping back from a current project and what I thought was a plan and reminding myself that I can be flexible. While the plan was moving toward a certain date, it is okay if the date changes. I can make adjustments and accommodations for the new plan and just go with the flow of things. I am not a tree holding the water back, I am a twig flowing down the river - sometimes it rages, sometimes the waters are calm. Either way, I go with the flow.
Cole - ready for his first day of school.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wine(ing)
At our house, the weekend starts on Thursday - which means that happy hour begins when Chris gets home. I really look forward to Thursdays. We usually have a nice meal - the recent trend is beef in the form of steak. Tonight it was flank steak over a very large salad filled with Romaine lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, CSA carrots, CSA baby cherry tomatoes, celery, and cucumbers. I even topped the salad with a fig that was offered by the CSA host house and picked up with my share by my dear friend Jessica - THANKS JESSICA!!! I made the dressing with balsamic (overheard pronounced BALLS-mick by a chick at McDonalds yesterday - makes me chuckle, Chris thinks I am being elitist) vinegar, dijon mustard, chopped garlic, freshly ground pepper, dried onion, rosemary, oregano, and basil. Chris brought the wine and we dove in. The boys have been well-behaved and Rhys has mastered - in his 17 month old way - the stairs so he has the freedom to come and go.
I feel like I have made some headway with work stuff. I have a working to do list and the desk is clean so things are getting done and I am well pleased with that. I am really really happy right now and it could be the wine talking but I don't think so.
I spent Tuesday cleaning and purging the house of clutter and trash. The kitchen is clear and lovely as are the other living spaces. I still need to tidy our bedrooms but don't feel like the walls are caving in.
I look out at the tree and know that what ever was causing it stress has been annihilated. I can go out on the deck and see that the garden is weeded and tomatoes are riping on the vine.
My children are mildly well behaved, Cole will be starting preschool, Rhys is only lactose intollerant and digesting his food like normal again. He is beginning to use words and this is such an exciting time for my boybies.
I am exercising at the gym every day and the new diet is resulting in a pound lost every day. Now that I am indulging in the wine, I am sure that trend will have a brief pause but the plan tomorrow is to workout first thing and then head to the pool. What a great life I have. Things start to cave in when I spend too much time on one aspect of my life but right now, today, this week even, I am in balance...bliss.
I feel like I have made some headway with work stuff. I have a working to do list and the desk is clean so things are getting done and I am well pleased with that. I am really really happy right now and it could be the wine talking but I don't think so.
I spent Tuesday cleaning and purging the house of clutter and trash. The kitchen is clear and lovely as are the other living spaces. I still need to tidy our bedrooms but don't feel like the walls are caving in.
I look out at the tree and know that what ever was causing it stress has been annihilated. I can go out on the deck and see that the garden is weeded and tomatoes are riping on the vine.
My children are mildly well behaved, Cole will be starting preschool, Rhys is only lactose intollerant and digesting his food like normal again. He is beginning to use words and this is such an exciting time for my boybies.
I am exercising at the gym every day and the new diet is resulting in a pound lost every day. Now that I am indulging in the wine, I am sure that trend will have a brief pause but the plan tomorrow is to workout first thing and then head to the pool. What a great life I have. Things start to cave in when I spend too much time on one aspect of my life but right now, today, this week even, I am in balance...bliss.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Categories - update
I have so many different and different items to update so I am going to categorize them here:
Personal Wellness:
I have been to the gym 9 out of the last 10 days and have burned a minimum of 400 calories each time. On Monday, I started a muddied down version of the Sonoma Diet. Basically, I eat 1 cup of plain yogurt topped with All Bran cereal and a packet of Splenda and a shake of cinnamon for breakfast with a cup of coffee and a big cup of water. After breakfast, I go to the gym and treat myself to about 10 almonds in the car on the way home. I have another big glass of water while I get things done around the house or do some work. I eat a whole wheat tortilla with a small amount (about 3 ounces) of lean meat, a wedge of Laughing Cow spreadable cheese smeared across it and whatever veggies I can throw in - today it was a little pork tenderloin, some steamed mushrooms, and about 2 cups of raw spinach. I load it, I MEAN LOAD it up with spinach. I eat a string cheese as a snack in the afternoon and then for dinner, I have 4 ounces of lean meat, about 1/2 cup of whole grain, and as many veggies as I can fit on the remaining part of my plate. In the evening, I have broken all the rules with a couple of squares of dark chocolate and a couple of Sam Adams Light. So, for those of you following along, I have now adjusted my diet AND am exercising. The reward? I am down 3 pounds since Sunday night. YIPPEE!!! Tonight, I had McDonalds - a grilled chicken sandwich - no mayo - and a side salad (460 calories and 11 grams of fat)...more about why Micky D's later....
The Garden:
My onions never came up so I am done with planting new things for this year...at least I think I am. I am still battling the dog for the back lawn. She likes to dig a hole and sit in the cool dirt under my fledgling baby grass seedlings. I weeded all of the unwanted out of the strawberry patch and pulled some of the strawberry plants that were invading the tomato area. I have SO MANY tomatoes. Throughout the growing season, I have clipped back the lower branches and kept the suckers at bay. It has really paid off. One branch has 8 tomatoes about the size of a stress ball.
Upon close inspection, I found that the tree in the front yard was infested with some type of boaring insect. As a result, there is decaying matter and moisture so it also was infested with tree slugs and earwigs. My poor tree! I immediately employed the use of pesticides. I watered the base of the tree with the poison as per the package instructions on Saturday and tonight there is no sign of any of the three buggies. I have peeled back the dead bark and fed the tree. The pest treatment is good for 12 months so I am hoping we caught it in time and the tree can get to healing and be all better come spring. Again, here's hoping.
Work:
I am in charge of our October workshop and don't feel like I am on schedule. That is just about how I feel about that right now. At the same time, I know it will all get done and get done in plenty of time with our team doing it all together.
Rhys:
Rhys is starting to talk and clearly understands what we are asking him. He likes to climb and slide on the toddler slide here and on playgrounds. He is starting to be a little pickier with his eating and is still lactose intolerant. He does like Soy Milk so I don't do supplements every day which is really good. We went today to get his passport so we will be all set for our trip to see Nana and Grandad. He loves Cole and will do anything that his big brother commands. He will miss him when he starts preschool next week.
Cole:
Tonight was Preschool Open House and Cole had a chance to meet his teacher and explore his classroom. He chose McDonalds as the place for dinner and afterwards, we headed on over. He is in a class of 15 students and seemed to be excited about everything. I am thankful that he is in the same class with a friend of his - with a mom who is a friend of mine...safety in numbers, for sure.
Chris:
What can I say, I am a lucky girl. Shout out to the hubby who fills in the gaps for everything that I don't have time or energy to do.
That just about does it. You are now up-to-date.
Personal Wellness:
I have been to the gym 9 out of the last 10 days and have burned a minimum of 400 calories each time. On Monday, I started a muddied down version of the Sonoma Diet. Basically, I eat 1 cup of plain yogurt topped with All Bran cereal and a packet of Splenda and a shake of cinnamon for breakfast with a cup of coffee and a big cup of water. After breakfast, I go to the gym and treat myself to about 10 almonds in the car on the way home. I have another big glass of water while I get things done around the house or do some work. I eat a whole wheat tortilla with a small amount (about 3 ounces) of lean meat, a wedge of Laughing Cow spreadable cheese smeared across it and whatever veggies I can throw in - today it was a little pork tenderloin, some steamed mushrooms, and about 2 cups of raw spinach. I load it, I MEAN LOAD it up with spinach. I eat a string cheese as a snack in the afternoon and then for dinner, I have 4 ounces of lean meat, about 1/2 cup of whole grain, and as many veggies as I can fit on the remaining part of my plate. In the evening, I have broken all the rules with a couple of squares of dark chocolate and a couple of Sam Adams Light. So, for those of you following along, I have now adjusted my diet AND am exercising. The reward? I am down 3 pounds since Sunday night. YIPPEE!!! Tonight, I had McDonalds - a grilled chicken sandwich - no mayo - and a side salad (460 calories and 11 grams of fat)...more about why Micky D's later....
The Garden:
My onions never came up so I am done with planting new things for this year...at least I think I am. I am still battling the dog for the back lawn. She likes to dig a hole and sit in the cool dirt under my fledgling baby grass seedlings. I weeded all of the unwanted out of the strawberry patch and pulled some of the strawberry plants that were invading the tomato area. I have SO MANY tomatoes. Throughout the growing season, I have clipped back the lower branches and kept the suckers at bay. It has really paid off. One branch has 8 tomatoes about the size of a stress ball.
Upon close inspection, I found that the tree in the front yard was infested with some type of boaring insect. As a result, there is decaying matter and moisture so it also was infested with tree slugs and earwigs. My poor tree! I immediately employed the use of pesticides. I watered the base of the tree with the poison as per the package instructions on Saturday and tonight there is no sign of any of the three buggies. I have peeled back the dead bark and fed the tree. The pest treatment is good for 12 months so I am hoping we caught it in time and the tree can get to healing and be all better come spring. Again, here's hoping.
Work:
I am in charge of our October workshop and don't feel like I am on schedule. That is just about how I feel about that right now. At the same time, I know it will all get done and get done in plenty of time with our team doing it all together.
Rhys:
Rhys is starting to talk and clearly understands what we are asking him. He likes to climb and slide on the toddler slide here and on playgrounds. He is starting to be a little pickier with his eating and is still lactose intolerant. He does like Soy Milk so I don't do supplements every day which is really good. We went today to get his passport so we will be all set for our trip to see Nana and Grandad. He loves Cole and will do anything that his big brother commands. He will miss him when he starts preschool next week.
Cole:
Tonight was Preschool Open House and Cole had a chance to meet his teacher and explore his classroom. He chose McDonalds as the place for dinner and afterwards, we headed on over. He is in a class of 15 students and seemed to be excited about everything. I am thankful that he is in the same class with a friend of his - with a mom who is a friend of mine...safety in numbers, for sure.
Chris:
What can I say, I am a lucky girl. Shout out to the hubby who fills in the gaps for everything that I don't have time or energy to do.
That just about does it. You are now up-to-date.
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