On the nine

I'm going to start a monthly "on the nine" post to list what I'm currently doing (you know, just for fun!)

listening to rain falling outside. It's been a while. Other than that, complete silence (and, of course, the tapping of my cold fingers on the keyboard)

loving -- my huge salad I just ate, the fact that I can get back in some of my favorite jeans still even after the holidays, planning some trips, purging, being organized.

thinking -- about Scouting and our year ahead. (Yes, I'm a nerd like that!)

wanting -- a Roomba to clean up the dog hair off the floor daily. I swear I vacuum and a day later it looks like I haven't in a week. It's very frustrating. Motivation to a) get to the gym b) stay on Weight Watchers and c) follow Flylady

needing -- a hair cut (it's been over a year... it's time)

MY WORD FOR THE YEAR -- FOCUS!

Tuesday - back to normal

The house has been de-Christmased today. I always say it and I always mean it -- it's kind of sad to put away all the "fluff" because it just makes the house look so nice.

I like the lights.

I like the tree.

I like the lit garland.

I love my nativity.

I love it all.

Sigh.

And it's all packed neatly in tubs in my attic (thanks to my wonderful dad!)

Today was my first day of a "break" since mid-December. All the kids were back in school. I was going to dance a jig but I didn't get a break all day. I was up at 6:30 a.m. making a quick breakfast only to spend my morning from 8-9 doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen breakfast dishes, putting away clean dishes and picking up a playroom all while feeding and entertaining a curious toddler who appeared to be quite sleepy.

I dropped Benji off at school at 9:30 and returned home to find my dad here waiting for me. And down they came... two mantles, two trees, tons of ornaments, lots of lights, a plethora of Santas.... all packed away carefully until next year.

We did take a lunch break (Chipotle). I ate half a veggie burrito and saved the other half for Josh.

From 10am to 2pm we got this house put back together.

I left at 2:10 pm to pick up Benji (and I even remembered his snack and chocolate milk) and went from there to sit in the three different carpool lines. Oh what fun.

We came home and it was back to work... house, laundry, entertaining little people.

Eventually, Josh and I had a "come to Jesus" meeting about his room. I sat there while he actually DID "clean" it since he apparently has no idea what "clean" really is. It's soooo fun spending your time sitting on a bed watching someone work. Yes, it would have been easier to do it all myself but he wouldn't have learned a darn thing.

Drew... Drew got grounded from his iTouch because apparently he thought it was a good idea to throw a wooden block at me when he didn't like what I said. No, I didn't pick it up and throw it back at him -- my luck I'd have taken out an eye and then had guilt. This way the guilt is all his. His only option at that point was to read in his room... and he did... three books!

Cotton Patch was on the dinner menu. Healthy? Nope. Wasn't I supposed to start eating better again? Yes. However, the healthy eating plan will start -- but it can't start until I get to the grocery store to get some food to eat!

I couldn't make dinner tonight because I was cleaning the oven...boy that stinks! STANKS! But, it's clean...and I will remember to line it with foil this time so as not to make it hard to clean in the future! Foil on the bottom makes clean up a SNAP!

I did remember to take my POTD for today. Unfortunately, it's on the new camera and I just was able to install the new software and am not totally familiar with how to do transfers and such so those will have to come a week at a time! :)

It was a productive day...

If only I could go sleep in my own bed tonight. Andy is sick and lets just say it's much, much, MUCH too loud in there to even attempt sleeping... so tonight it's sofa city. Yuck.

Toodles

Day One and My Word

It's the first day of a new year and I started it out right! Waffles and bacon! Whoop whoop! (Okay, not for me, but for everyone else!)

Josh had a friend stay over so he was busy with them. Drew was just getting back to "normal" after his sleepover the night before with his friend, Joshua where he was up until about 1:30 am.

I purged today... the kitchen, the junk drawers, my computer files. It feels good!

The majority of my day was spent getting my Household binder set up for the new year. I'm ready to go with new Daily Dockets so that I'm focused and will get things accomplished. Scheduling time to do the things that I WANT to do instead of getting side tracked on things like Pinterest and Facebook.

The eating plan is back on track. I will say I was quite tempted with the chocolate dipped / sprinkle-covered pretzel rods I made for Benji but I have resisted (so far).

We got the outdoor Christmas lights put away -- hard to have an excuse NOT TO when it's 70 degrees outside!

I got the garage cleaned up.

My car cleaned out.

My "in box" whittled down to a manageable pile.

About a dozen magazines read and recycled with the interesting articles and/or recipes I want to review pulled.

I unsubscribed from about four e-mail newsletters in an effort to further simplify and streamline and maintain focus.

You know, that is my word for the year -- "focus"

Every year, Ali Edwards, does a "One Little Word" challenge on her blog. This year my word is "focus."

Webster's online describes "Focus" as a noun

a : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge;specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical systemb : a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons)

2

a : focal lengthb : adjustment for distinct vision; also : the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear imagec : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding focus>d : direction 6c focus>

3

: one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section

4

: a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection

5

a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention focusof the meeting was drug abuse>b : a point of concentration

6

: the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake

7

: directed attention : emphasis

— fo·cus·less adjective

— in focus

: having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing

— out of focus

: not in focus

I'm actually leaning more toward the definition of 2b, 2c, 5 or 7.

adjustment for distinct vision

a state or condition for permitting clear perception

a center of attention

a point of concentration

I want my vision (in my head... in my heart... in my life...) to be clearly defined. I want the purpose of my attention on whatever I'm doing to clearly have a defined purpose that is beneficial for the greater good.

I don't want to be the center of attention, rather, I want the center of attention in my life be the things, people, activities that I am focused upon.

At times I feel like a jack-of-all-trades master at none. I want to fine-tune my skills in photography and I realize I won't get to that point, if I don't focus (literally) on that.

I want to focus on my children. They really grow up so quickly. I want them to know and understand that spending time together is a focus in my life.

I want clarity in my relationships.

I want to focus on the important.

I want to be able to clearly see past the imperfections in my life (and others) and focus on what is the most important thing -- the person inside -- kind of like taking a "What Would Jesus View" approach with people.

Focus. It's my word for 2012

Goodbye 2011, Bring on 2012!

Is it odd that I find no reason to get all gussied up, go out and celebrate all night only to hate myself the next morning? It's a new year. Whoopie. I don't know. I'm not much of a partier. I'm definitely not a drinker. The idea of using this night as an excuse to over-indulge is ridiculous (in my book.) Therefore, my night was spent... at home... warm... cozy... and I didn't even make it til midnight.

Josh had his friend, Jake, come over to spend the night.

I made a spread of snacks -- meatballs, cheese tray, queso, summer sausage, grapes, cream cheese & pepper jelly with crackers, deviled eggs. We noshed well.

Drew made it to about 10:45 p.m. What a party animal, huh?

Don't judge. I'm not much better. Yup. I made it to about 11:15 p.m.

Andy did come wake me up and say, "Happy New Year." I'm not sure I even responded but if not, "Happy New Year, Andy!"

Hey, Benji didn't make it either! Plus, I'm the one that has to get up with him at 7am.

My night did go out with a bang, however. Benji -- before being whisked up to bed for being downright ornery -- decided to take out my favorite hurricane globe full of mini Christmas balls that I had on display. Grrrrr. I'm so ready for this stage to be over with I can't even see straight!

I was up with Benji at 7:15 am and made bacon and waffles for the crew. With it being the new year, I'm back on my eating plan to lose the last 15 pounds. Crazy to say it but I actually missed eating well. I looked forward to my salads. I loved my yogurt and fruit each day. It worked for me. It kept me normal on the inside. I just need to learn to make more of the meals for the entire family than to be content eating from a box.

Josh spent the first day of his new year at the Keller Pointe with Jake and then at the movies seeing the newest Mission Impossible. (Does anyone else but me get side tracked with a celebrity's political stance or personal life and that affect your opinion of them? Tom Cruise is an absolute freak... he's mental. That makes me not want to see him in the movies. I dunno. Weird. I know I am.)

So, in all the nostalgia to reminisce about specifics of the old year -- I'm not. The Cliff's Notes version is that:

• It's been a year of lost life-long friends (no, they didn't die, just chose not to be my friend any longer.)
• It's been a year of reconnections with people that I'm so thankful for.
• It's been a year of firsts (Benji walking, talking, feeding himself, growing like a weed).
• It's been a year of lasts (no more little people)
• It's been a year of toleration -- we got Moose. Nuff said.
• It's a year of new times -- 6th grade, 1st grade, preschool, Oklahoma with the boys.
• It's been a year of change -- lost weight, grown hair, colored hair, arthritis diagnosis, getting "fixed".
• It's been a year of love.
• It's been a year of comfort.
• It's been a year of stress (Benji... sorry, kid, it's the truth!)

All in all however, I'd say it's been a good year. Yet, it's one I'm quite ready to leave behind.

Squashed that humbug!

I woke up today knowing it was going to be a good day! And, for the most part, it was.

This morning I had a family meeting at the breakfast table. I let my boys know my expectations and they agreed to try to remember to do what they're supposed to be doing anyway. Is it just a "penis" thing? I'm starting to think so.

I got my shower, got ready and made a mental list of what needed to be accomplished. (Too much so I threw that idea out the window.)

Benji woke up so we made him breakfast and got him ready for school. . . then he tried to throw a monkey wrench in my morning by being a little toot when it was time to change him a) from his wet diaper to a dry one and b) from his pj's to his clothes. He is just...well, he's a little jerk. He kicks me... screams... pulls at everything. I've lost several fingernails because he will jerk a leg while I'm snapping and pop -- back my nail goes. And I'm not talkinga bout Lee Press-On Nails, these are MY NAILS. OUCH! It sucks. He's a twerp. I'll be so glad when he outgrows this stage.

Ben, when you're reading this in 20 years -- you were a little TWERP TODAY! I still love you but boy I didn't like you much!

Drop off the twerpy toddler at preschool. LOVE how he holds me when we get him out of the car. He just lays his head on my shoulder, I cover him up with a blanket so the wind doesn't take his breath away (32 degrees and a biting wind does not a happy toddler make), and we walk and I talk to him all the way in. Love that. Kiss. Kiss. Hug and I was out the door.

I went home and decided to check e-mail for ten minutes (huge mistake). I seriously need to learn to set a timer.

An hour and a half later, I was done.

I wound up taking an on-line training course for Scouting so that all of my training would be up-to-date. It was a labor of love so I did so willingly knowing that it's for the better of the Pack/Troop taht I get it done.

After I took the course, I made a trip to Wal-Mart (that's enough to screw up anyone's day especially THIS time of year.) to pick up some items I'd ordered from their website. While I was there, I grabbed some wrapping paper, red bows for the tree, an over-the-door hanger for Josh's bathroom (he needs somewhere to hang towels so he will quit leaving them in a pile on the floor GRRRRRrrrrrr), and a few other knick knacks for Christmas. I grabbed a Subway and headed home.

From there, I fa-la-la'd all the rest of the morning. It was great! I put on my favorite Christmas music and GOT IT DONE! All the boxes are now out of the foyers. Almost everything is done and in its place. It's nice. It feels good. I felt stress levels decrease exponentially. God is good.

Check the clock...

I went to pick up Benji.

I went to pick up Drew.

I went home.

Drew went upstairs to get ready for his play date with his BFF and walked in to see his surprise...

Ta daaaah!

I hung Christmas lights up on the headboard of his bed and picked up his room for him. He was thrilled. He immediately ran to Josh's room to see that, yes, I'd done the same for Josh.

He finished up his homework and ran to Hunter's house. I had to run to pick up Josh from tutoring (yes, after being home a whole 30 minutes -- it's a whippin'!) He came home and thought his lights were quite "cool" too. We've apparently entered the age of one word answers, descriptions and conversations I see.

Annoying.

Look, I can play that game too! D'oh!

While we were now home for the day, I took advantage of cleaning this huge mess in my kitchen.

THIS is what happens when you have a child that didn't do his chore of emptying the dishwasher for TWO DAYS so that I could LOAD said dishwasher.

My eye is twitching.

Just keepin' it real folks.

The real fun part of this is that Benji loves to help unload the dishwasher. I mean -- LOVES it!

The silverware is his job.

I think he does a great job!

Don't you?

Boy... a Monday... a monday

You know it was not a good start to the week. It was definitely a Monday. I was just settling into my chair at 7:55 when Josh phoned from school. He'd forgotten to wear pajamas for his class' pajama day. Could I please bring them up there? Uuuuugh....

Sigh.

Up... shower... dressed... wake the sleeping baby who is now fussy because he was stirred before he was ready to get up. No breakfast for him. In the car. Give him a graham cracker and a sippy cup of chocolate milk. Drive to the school. Unpack the warm baby from the car in the bitter windy cold. Deliver said jammies to the office. Return said baby to the bitter chill. He's asking for "more" (grahams) but I'd only grabbed one. Epic failure. Stop at McDonald's for some pancakes. Get home. Feed the kid. Seriously, the day seemed to go just from one thing to the next.

I went to playgroup and that was nice. I was glad to make it finally. Always something seems to come up on playgroup days. But we were there today darnit!

Back in the car toward home and get the kiddo down. I seriously need to sit down and brain dump but I am so just... not in anything even remotely related to Christmas that it's really bringing me down. I am just not fa-la-la worthy.

I'm a crotchety bitch lately. I think that having kids the age that Ben is now really brings out the grumpalumpagus in me. They throw everything. They hit everything. Every item is a projectile. They have no remorse. They headbutt you in the nose, the eye, the leg. They hurt the dogs. They won't be still to have their diaper changed. They can't talk so they get frustrated. It's a great age of discovery but it's oh so exhausting.

Josh is focused more than ever on his grades because he let his math grade seriously tank.

Drew is turning into an irresponsible little imp that is driving me nuts.

The socks being left EVERYWHERE are seriously DRIVING ME NUTS.

The boys not lifting the toilet when they pee thus leaving all kinds of unpleasantness all over the seat IS DRIVING ME NUTS.

The fact that they seem to not understand they need to pick up their crap.... and don't... and don't care... IS DRIVING ME NUTS.

I want to do my December Daily album and I have no idea how to pull it off. No idea. ??? Who finds time for anything remotely photo worthy... with a toddler around. Who finds time to do ANYTHING with a toddler around.

I think that the majority of this entire ball of stress comes from the fact that right now I feel like I'm running in circles and have no help. I wasn't able to get all the planning done ahead of time like I always do and so now... it's being reactive rather than proactive and I don't respond well to this type of format. However, as stated, the little ankle biters make life difficult. That freakin Duggar woman...she's just a nut. There's no other way about it... oh wait...she has an entire daycare staff working, I mean, living there to take care of her children so she doesn't have to... no wonder she keeps having more. She hasn't had to take care of them when they're this age...she just pawns em off on someone else in the house.

I tell ya... at this point... I'm THANKFUL for Monday night Troop meetings because it seems like the only chance for me to have a sanity break lately.

Right now... I seriously just want to cry. So... I'm saying screw it to the pile of dirty dishes in my sink that need to be put in the dishwasher. Screw it to the loads of clothes in the laundry room. Screw it to the infinity of lists that are waiting to get done. Screw it to the tree that I'm ready to box back up that has no decorations on it... because the boys want it up.... but not enough to actually decorate it. I'm just ready to say screw it to everything... for the night. I've had a three day killer headache going so I'm sure that is exacerbating everything.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

It has to be...

...I've got too much crap to do.

'Tis the season.

Grrrr

Random

• I've discovered that although, I like the bacterial killing power of Lysol, the smell just makes me ill. It's like that whole love/hate thing with Listerine. It works but it makes your breath stink!
• I love cold weather because you can eat soups/stews/chowders. It makes me happy.
• It's hard to fa-la-la the house for Christmas with a curious toddler trying to climb the stairs, throw your boxes of ornaments and such. Thus, I'm having to do it after he goes to bed. Frankly, it is kind of killing my joy.
• I'm so far behind on what I have to do, I can't ever die.