Fill In The ________

I found myself blog-surfing today and came across this fun little actiivty so sit back and enjoy!

:: no matter what mood i'm in: seeing my husband and son at the end of the day makes me feel better.

:: my favorite go-to outfit would have to be:  dark jeans, boots, long t-shirt/tank, cardigan

  

:: a good source of inspiration is: my girlfriends.

:: am so glad my parents taught me: that MY voice CAN make a difference

:: a song i like to dance to is: Dynamite by Taio Cruz.  It makes for a great dance party with a four year old.

:: the best thing in my makeup bag is: the Almay foundation

:: my dream spring break vacation spot is: in a cabin at the ocean

:: this may be a surprise (or not), but i am passionate about: a clean house and folded laundry

:: a favorite book that changed me for the better: Columbine by Dave Kullen

:: one of my pet peeves is: when the windshield wipers are on...and it isn't raining.  

:: my favorite daily ritual would have to be: Alexander joining me in the morning while I put myself together for work.  Or it might be when I return from work and Alexander runs into my arms.

:: i am trying to be better at: balancing work and home

:: the most recent rad thing i found online was: I'm sure it was clothes.  It always is.

:: i can't live without: My husband and my child

How did I miss this show??

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Oh, that's right...I work full time.  I'm a wife.  I have a toddler.  From 6AM to 8PM, I am busy with life.  I do not have free time to watch TV.  And I do not have a DVR.  Not that I'm slamming on those who do have time to watch TV or have a DVR, because that isn't my intent, at all.  I simply wish I had time to sit and watch TV.

I'm typically behind on "hot" TV shows.  There was a time when I watched at least a half dozen shows (Grey's Anatomy, Desparate Housewives, Friends, ER, 24, etc) without missing an episode.   However, the years have passed by and I have no idea what shows are on TV.  In this house, if it isn't on Nick JR or the Disney Channel, we don't watch it. 

Today, I have the couch and the TV to myself.  And I have found a HOT guy show to watch, thanks to Netflix.

Time to settle in, kids.  I got some catching up to do!

 

Staycation

Eric and I are having a mini-vacation this weekend.  Right at home.  Our little man is away at his grandparents, missing us already having the time of his life for three days.  THREE WHOLE DAYS!  I am not even sure what to do with myself.

It's been a LONG time since we have had a staycation.  We've had our overnights before but usually I have plans with friends or we go out.  This weekend.,.it is all about staying home.

We're just hanging out.  Laundry is going.  Kitchen is clean.  House has been vaccuumed. 

Should we take advantage and go out tonight?  Probably.  Will we?  Nope, we're staying in. 

Sweats are on.  Junk food is on the counter.  Beer is cooling in the fridge.  Movies are in the Netflix queue. 

Staycation.  I think I love you.

Approaching Burn-out

It's March.  For all teachers, March is a VERY long month in the school year.  And dreary days in the NW don't help.   

I'm feeling burn-out.  I'm feeling short-tempered, impatient, and the urge to crawl into bed and not surface for days. 

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I love my job.  I really do.  But the twelve hour days are catching up with me.  Even my own Prince Charming commented on how dark the bags are under my eyes. 

I'm worried if I don't figure out how to balance my job with the real world, I am going to burn-out. 

Have you ever burned out of a job?  What do you wish you had done differently?  

If I don't figure something out, I don't have a chance of surviving the rest of the year, let alone another fifteen years in this job!



Happy 43rd Anniversary, Dan and Irene

43 years ago, my parents were married in a little church in Pullman.  They were young.  REALLY young.

In honor of their 43 years of marriage, I thought I would list 43 accomplishments from their life together, as a married couple.  I'm certain I will screw up the order but I gotta try...

1. Met at Central
2. Dated for I-don't-know-how-long
3. Met Lifelong friends - Pete and Dotty
4. Dad joined the Army
5. Married March 23
6. Mom graduated from Central (and retired her pom-poms)
7. Mom started teaching.
8. They lived in Germany for a year.
9. They lived in Pullman for several years.
10. Baby #1 was born (me)
11. Dad worked two jobs and went to school, with a newborn.
12. Mom and I swam in the pool in Pullman.  A lot.
13. Dad graduted from WSU (with a 4.0).
14. Dad was hired at Boeing.
15. So, they moved to Kirkland.
16. Where baby #2 was born (Kim).
17. Mom stayed home to change diapers and raise babies.
18. They spent every weekend and holiday with Dad's family, with visits to Mom's family in Pullman.
19. Then, baby #3 was born (Patrick)
20. So, they bought their first (and only) home.
21. Mom and Dad spent the next 18 years in a blur, raising kids (including kids who weren't theirs!)
22. They (mostly Mom) attended soccer/softball games, drama plays, and spent hours driving all of us to and from school events.
23. Dad traveled for Boeing.
24. Dad coordinated 5Star softball so Kim and I would have the best experience (not always the best teams, though!)
25. While raising us, Mom was self-employed, making hand crafts that she sold at craft fairs and was very active in the PTSA.
26. They provided the gift of college tuition to Michelle
27. They provided the gift of college tuition to Kim
28. They provided the gift of college tuition to Patrick
29. They proudly boast that all three of their kids are WSU GRADUATES
30. They paid for wedding of Michelle and Eric
31. They paid for wedding of Kim and RJ
32. They paid for Patrick's gas for years...hahaha...and was involved with his wedding, too.
33. 26-31 goes to show how they put their kids first in their lives and never complained about not having any money.
34. Mom went back to work in the high school where two of her kids were high school students
35. She says she went back to work for money...I say it was because the two remaining kids at home were troublemakers...not for money to help with troubles that the first kid in college was creating.  Sadly, no one supports my theory!
36. Mom went about her daily life with health issues but never let them stop her from being her best.
37. Dad stopped traveling as much but hits the 20, 25, 30, 35 year milestones at Boeing
38. As soon-to-be grandparents, they stayed in a very uncomfortable hospital lobby for 2 days as they waited for the birth of their first grandchild.
39. Dad held said grandchild before Mom did...in fact, even before L's mama did.
40. Dad also held his second grandchild first...but not before THIS mama did.  Maybe if they had been in the lobby for his birth, Dad might have gotten first dibs.  Sorry I didn't let you come until he was born, folks.
41. Dad's kidneys decided they were done working...but Dad wasn't ready to give up so dialysis treatments began.  They work together to make the adjustment to their lives
42. After 20 years of working with high school kids, Mom retired last June.
43. After 42 years at Boeing, Dad retired in January.

And they plan to live happily ever after! 
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! 

WE LOVE YOU!!



Happy Sunday

Nothing very exciting for today's blog post. 

After yesterday's early wake-up call, I was in bed by 9PM last night.  Once upon a time, I could drink three beers and continuet to party into the wee hours of the morning.  Now, I just yawn and crawl into bed.

This morning, Alexander graciously slept until 7AM!  That's 10 hours of sleep for Mama!  Wheee! 

Gypsy and I walked 4 miles again this morning.  Yes, we should run to burn extra calories but walking allows us to chat.  We both need the girl time more than we need to burn extra calories (kinda).

The house is clean.  Laundry is done.  And I'm showered.  All before noon.

In about an hour, I'm heading into work.  That would be 7 days in a row.  Kids want to paint the walls, which is fine by me.  I'll sit in my office and work since I'm out of the building 3 of 5 days next week with meetings.

Like I said, nothing very exciting.  Just life.  A busy, busy life!

Sometimes, I just want a beer

4:40AM:  Alexander wakes up and comes into our room.
4:40-5:15AM:  Alexander is in our bed, jabbering nonsense
5:15AM:  I finally send Alexander back to bed and then proceed to yell at the cat for the next 20 minutes, who is also jabbering nonsense.
5:15-8AM:  Everyone falls back asleep...except Mom due to excessive snoring by Eric and cat
8:20AM:  Crawl out of bed, throw on work out clothes, turn on Ice Road Trucker TV show for toddler (who is still jabbering nonsense but loves those crazy truckers) and brew a cup of coffee.  The cup of coffee that I eto drink before leaving for my work out.
8:50-9:25AM:  Workout at Curves with uber-obnoxious lady who won't stop jabbering...about nonsense.
9:30-10:40AM:  Walk 4ish miles with Gypsy.  We had intended to run but we see so little of each other these days that walking and talking was much more appealing.  I don't mind our jabbering.
10:45-11AM:  Stand in line at Starbucks, behind another obnoxious jabbering woman.
11AM - 12:30PM:  Trip to Target with Alexander.  Jabber. Jabber.  Jabber.
12:30 - 2:30PM:  Rest on couch with Alexander, who is refusing his nap but agrees to rest time on the couch, watching Polar Express and jabbering.
2:30-3:30PM:  Finally shower (SILENCE!)
3:30-5:30PM:  Take Alexander to the high school so I can work sound system in gym for the drill team, who is performing for their parents/grandparents.  Alexander puts on an impromptu half-time show, dancing and singing for the crowd.  My kid is cute.

It's now almost 6PM, we're on the couch watching Despicable Me, while Eric makes dinner.
I have been awake for about 14 hours, going non-stop, and I AM TIRED.

Beer never tasted so good.

Four lbs is better than a kick in the eye

You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. 

David Viscott

 
After my fantastic, crazy eating binge in Disneyland (OY!), I chose to make a change.  Rather than complain and complain and complain about "being fat", I changed my mindset.  I wrote two quotes on my wall, wrote a weight loss goal, and loss of inches goal.  They are posted on my bathroom mirror.  A good friend was having success with this online program so I decided to give it a shot (by the way, I cancelled my Weight Watchers membership after the first week of trying this program).  I downloaded the app on my phone, I joined Curves, and I set goals for myself.  

The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something.
Carl Sandburg

 
I started working out, eating healthy, and waited for the first weigh-in day.  I wasn't sure what to expect since, in six months time, I hadn't lost anything with Weight Watchers.  I had given up hope of losing weight, my frustration was growing, and frankly, so was the size of my arse.

Three weeks later...

I have said goodbye to four pounds!   This may not seem like much but I'm choosing to celebrate it!

There is nothing permanent except change. 

Heraclitus

 
I had forgotten how good it feels to be successful with weight loss.  To know that the choices have positive consequences.  And to feel good in my clothes.

The quotes will remain on my mirror, as with updated numbers and goals. 
I will succeed.

It feels too good to believe anything else.

Book Club

  I love to read.

I don't remember a time when I didn't have a book (or two) sitting on my nightstand, waiting for me to delve into the chapters.  I enjoy just about every genre...can't seem to get into science fiction, though.  I love to stumble upon a book based on someone elses recommendation, too.  This year, I've been reading books for work and while The Bully, The Bullied and The Bystander is an excellent book for professional reasons, I found myself needed to fulfill a personal interest in reading.

So, I started a book club. 

Over the years, I've participated in several book clubs.  I love to discuss a book, even if I didn't enjoy it. Once I find a good book, I love to tell everyone I know about it.  For example, Water for Elephants is a must read.  Have you read it?  YOU SHOULD.  Top 5 book.  Wrinkle in Time?  Same thing.  The Red Tent?  Same thing.  Each of those books are different (yet, similar if you look for it) and I love to re-read them every summer. 

Ok, back to my point.

Following my impulse to start a book club, I put out invitations on Facebook to friends and family, not knowing who would say yes.  Eric laughed and asked if I was ready for my worlds to collide, since I was inviting friends from different chapters in my life that I was connected with by Facebook.  Social Networking.  An amazing tool.  Anywhoooo...I said yes and hit the send button.  Little did I know how right he was about my worlds colliding...

Last night, I found myself observing the room as everyone was laughing and chatting.  There was someone from nearly every chapter in my life, surrounding me.  A best friend from high school days.  Sorority sisters.  A non-sorority sister who may or may not have had a key to our house and basically lived there for three years.  Friends who have only known me as Eric's wife.  It doesn't come as surprise to me that they all blend well together.  I mean, I chose them as my friends.  So, they clearly have common traits and values or else they wouldn't be in my life, right?  Not for one minute am I saying that I am the center of this group because I AM NOT.  I simply love how this group has evolved and will continue to evolve as others join us (since I keep inviting everyone from the original email) when the time is right for them. 

This last month, we read The Help by Kathryn Stockett.   Have you read it?  YOU SHOULD.  Top 5 book.  Nearly everyone read it this month and the discussion was awesome.  I love sitting with intelligent women, a glass of wine in hand, and breaking down a book.  Now, that may make me sound weird but it's the truth. I totally groove on it.  Let's break down the book, find out who enjoyed what facet of each character, who discovered a "a-ha" moment within the book, or who maybe didn't enjoy the book and why.  Not to mention, the side conversations filled with laughter as we re-connect each month and share stories of our daily lives are incredibly fun, as well.  Not everyone reads the book each month and that's ok.  By the end of the evening, someone ends up suggesting a book for the next month, someone offers to host, we select a date, and I can almost guarantee that every one of us looks forward to the next meeting.  For many in the group, book club is the perfect excuse to escape our busy lives for a few hours and let loose.

Next month, we are reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.  I have already read it.  I won't reveal, just yet, if I think it is a top fiver or not.  But if you've read it, let me know what you think.
I'd love to grab a glass of wine and tell you my thoughts, too.

An Update - with bullet points

• Going full steam ahead at work, since returning from vacation.  And I'm exhausted.
• We ended up at the Olive Garden for our anniversary, where I made a scene when they gave us crappy seats, Eric offered to be a guinea pig for their gluten-free dish, they paid for Eric's terrible-tasting gluten-free dish, and I got sloshed on delicious red wine.  Happy 14 years to us!
• Rachel's Challenge has come and gone from my school and it was a smashing success.
• Check this out if you want to see the clip from the local news station.
• I discovered that I can manage daily life with a cold but a fever can make me stop everything and climb into bed.  And feel no guilt. 
• My dad is doing better and better every day.  The other day, he told me how he was watching Garth Brooks on Oprah and how much he enjoyed watching a man, so filled with humility and grace, bring his gift of song to others.  Dad, you bring a similar gift to those around you.  Just sayin'.
• I quit Weight Watchers and use myfitnesspal app on my phone now. 
• I've lost 3 lbs in two weeks which is more than I lost with WW in six months!
• I love daylight savings.  I hate losing the extra hour of sleep but I LOVE the longer days.
• The school year is officially two-thirds complete. 

Have a great rest of your weekend! 

3-07-97

Fourteen years ago, we invited a whole lotta people to a wedding.

An evening to hang out with loved ones, watch us exchange our vows, eat some food, and dance.

Oh, and drink wine.  Or beer.  Or more wine.

It was a Friday night.  It was cold, rainy, and I think someone reported sleet in the skies.

Unfortunately, there were friends and family who couldn't make it due to the weather. 

But there were about 350 who did make it.

It was one hell of a party.

Man.  We were YOUNG. 

At the time, we barely had enough money to scrape together a mortgage.  Oh, the irony. 

Marriage isn't always easy.  In fact, it takes work.  And some days, working hard is more than either of us want to do.  We've had our trials and issues.  We've had our moments of good and bad.  The darkest days were the three and half years of infertility.  And the brightest days have been lit by the smile on our son's face.

Through it all, we have laughed, cried, yelled, and figured it out together.  But not once, have either of us thought of giving up.  Never once has either of us thought of walking away.  If anything, we've learned to forgive faster and love harder.

  I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend.  The man makes me a better person than I ever knew possible.  He makes me laugh.  He makes me face reality.  He's honest and loyal.  And he's the best father I could have asked for my child.  Life is good.  So good. 

So, if you were one of the 350 who attended our wedding, thanks for joining us in the celebration.

The party is still going.
And it's awesome.

Update on The Dad

Even though Dad is battling a nasty bout of hives (reaction to a new medication) these days, he is doing VERY well.  He is resting, he is reading his mail, he is napping (A LOT), and slowly finding his energy again.  A huge thanks to everyone who has called or left positive comments for me in the past week.  Your words help.  Believe me.

After I wrote my last post, Alexander and I (Eric was home sick) finally saw Dad in person.  And I spent the first 15 minutes of our visit, curled in Dad's lap.  Sobbing.  Then, we just hung out.  Dad said to me, "today is your Wed and Thursday of last week when everyone else was worried.  Just let it be".  So, I did just that.  Alexander and I visited again on Monday night (I probably cried again) but gave them a break from us on Tuesday.

I'm feeling a bit more grounded in my thoughts about everything.  I've processed.  I've cried.  And I'm ok.  We're all ok.

Except for this blasted head cold!!   Alexander had it before we went on vacation so he's doing fine.  Eric and I are a different story.  Both of us have head colds, complete with sneezing, congestion and the start of chest coughs.  Dumb airplane air.

I don't have time to get sick, people!  I can't afford to fall behind at work.  Please send positive vibes that I can make it through the week and tag-team with Eric for rest over the weekend.  We both need a low-key weekend at home.  And that's just what we have planned.

Enjoy the rest of your week!