Leap Day

In writing a comment on Facebook to reflect on the previous Leap Year and the forthcoming one, I went a little too far, so you get to read the full scoop here:

In Feb. 2008, I had a 15mo old sweetheart who didn't like to sleep. N and I shared drop-off/pick-up responsibilities and we mostly still ate dinner after Bit "went to bed." I was 27 (the supposed ultimate age); N was 30; Newb wasn't a sure thing yet, but I contemplated dates/spacing an awful lot.

Looking at my g-cal for fun, we were watching LOST, getting our carseat professionally installed/inspected, having our first night away from Bit (Valentine's Day overnight), actively househunting, and I had a standing chat date with my college BFFs. I was also gaming and using Let's Dish for meal planning. I had lost 9.2 lbs in January and weighed 181.6! It was my first time in the 180's. In early March, we were lucky enough to celebrate my grandma's 85th birthday with her.

On 2/28/08, I wrote someone this story about Bit (heart-melting):

I'm taking Bit to daycare most of this week so that N can get into work early and recoup some of his lost time. This morning I misjudged how cold it was and brought Bit to the frigid car, strapped her in and got it started to warm up. She kept fussing and I could see her breath. (In the carseat she can't wear her winter coat, so she just had a fleece jacket.) I thought 'oh my, this will NOT do!'

So I got Bit out of her seat and opened up my jacket (putting hers on is a pain sometimes) and I cuddled her against me. Then we sat in the driver's seat to wait while the car warmed up. It was so nice to just sit there with her and enjoy the morning sky lighting up. She spotted a bird and said "Bir" (her new favorite word, besides "go go"). To my surprise she didn't squirm at all. We just cuddled and warmed up. I even waited an extra minute to continue enjoying the experience. Soon she'll be too big for things like that. Bittersweet sigh!

Also, N made her a toaster waffle this morning (she got up early, ugh!) and when it popped up from the toaster, she said "Uh oh". Just so cute and funny.

My e-mail signature was:

--
Buffy: Does it ever get easy?
Giles: Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Buffy: Liar.

Today, Feb. 2012, I have a 17mo old sweetheart who is a great sleeper and loves to chew on her shoes. I have a bright, beautiful 5yo who lives with zest and still doesn't like to sleep. I drop-off/pick-up the kids and Bit has just started helping me make dinner. I am 31 and N is 34.

Life according to g-cal: we are too busy with dr appts, date night, and 2 active kids to watch much TV (but let's not overlook the brilliant happiness of Roku technology!). We no longer have our carseats professionally installed/inspected. Overnights at GranB's (for the kids) are commonplace! We've been homeowners for 4 years. Sadly I don't talk to my college friends much, but I have developed some great mom-friendships. I have stopped gaming more or less and have been using Emeals and Pintrest for meal planning. I gained some weight at the end of 2011, but still weigh less than 180! I have been out of the 200's since 2007, not counting pregnancy. I am hoping to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday with her next year, though it will require traveling this time around.

On 2/29/12, I wrote this story about Bit (heart-melting):

Here's a cute story from last week: I was in the car with Violet and we were listening to Allison Krauss's cover of "Baby Mine" (a song about loving your baby from the Disney movie Dumbo). Bit was really quiet, then I heard a sniffle. I realized she was crying...tears running down her cheeks! I worried that I had upset her or she was thinking about her mommy (since the song is sung by a mom to her baby). But no...I held her and talked to her and found out she was crying thinking about her baby sister and how sad she'd be if something ever happened to her. Isn't that just so precious??

My e-mail signature is:

--

"A goal without a plan is just a wish."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery
French writer (1900 - 1944)

Feb 2016: Who knows?

I will be 35; N will be 38; Bit will be 9; Newb will be 5. The girls will both be in elementary school, which hopefully they will enjoy. I hope N and I will both still work at places we enjoy. I hope I will have maintained my weight at a healthy level for several year. And we ought to be out of debt or close to it. I'm sure there will be changes I can't even fathom...I pray there won't be any grief or loss, but those things are inevitable in life. I just hope for the best and pray for the strength to rise to the challenges put forth to me.

Simplify.

I am feeling a bit out of sorts this week. It's probably because we were on vacation last week and I had to hit the ground running, getting Bit into a new daycare and trying to catch up on the chores that fell to the side when I was planning for the trip. I'm also really tired...probably just because I didn't sleep well sharing a room with Newb. She's cutting 6 teeth right now! I guess she's trying to make up for the fact that, at nearly 10 months, she's not crawling yet.

Anyway, I have the desire to utterly gut our belongings and simplify life as much as humanly possible. But 1) I don't know how my family members would feel about it. For one thing, I could never turn the TV on again and be happy. I could limit computer use to the ground floor and be happy. But the rest...not so much. 2) I have no time! I can't even keep up with everyday chores and cleaning, let alone make time for side projects...sigh. Oh well, I need to let it go and focus on the good things in my life. The rest will fall into place eventually.

o hai

I have been incredibly busy--which is not surprising for a mom of 2 with a full-time job and myriad other responsibilities, not to mention a semi-active social life. The holidays were hectic, but enjoyable. My poor N is just glad they're over so things can get back to normal.

I have made several resolutions, among them getting back to my goal weight (and free Lifetime member status with WW) and making sure I include N in my planning of our lives. I'd also like to work on our debt and do some work on the house if we can get a loan.

I started the Couch to 5K program today and it was tough! But I kept thinking, I want to run a 5K when I'm 30 (which I am until September) and show my kids how they can live a healthy, active lifestyle. The most important thing I learned on this first 29 degree run...wear gloves! Wish me luck as I continue the program!

2009 Resolutions: Update

It's hard to believe the year is 3/4 over! 2009 hasn't turned out quite how I pictured it in January. Let's look at where I am on my resolutions...

1. Organize/declutter... It will always be an ongoing process, but I'm on a roll currently: collecting donations for a big run at the end of the month. Also we got rid of the chaise we weren't really using, yay!

2. Set up our wills and a college fund... We finished the questionnaire for the wills, we just need someone to actually do them. I set up a CD for Bit's college money. I figure we will wait until we're ready to set up 2 different 529's to do that part.

3. Paint the inside of my house...We have painted our bedroom and the front hall, yay! Now we need to do the stairway, upstairs hall, and spare room before I think about colors for the rest of the house (kitchen/dining room, bathrooms).

4. Landscape the front...We did this! It's been harder to maintain than I would like, but I think it looks better than before, so better than nothing! I'm planning to pick up a couple of mums today and hope they do well for the fall (just keeping them in their pots, not planting).

5. Do some bathroom fix-ups... We still need to fix Bit's bathtub, but I'm loathe to do it. It seems like it can wait. We also need a new toilet in her bathroom eventually. The tile in both showers could stand to be replaced, and the downstairs half bath is laid out badly, but I'm not sure when I can picture us doing any major work on the bathrooms.

6. Work on my stress management... I'm seeing a counselor, and I think it really helps. And Violet just had her first sleepover at GranB's in 22 months. I hope this is the beginning of a 3-6 times a year event.

7. Continue meal planning... I've actually backed off of this in the interest of more down time with N. Now that we use Let's Dish regularly, I don't have to plan more than a day or two ahead.

8. Save money... I got Lifetime status at WW, now I just need to get back to it! I set up some automatic savings this weekend. Our money is tight and we have debt (credit, car, school), but I need to feel like I'm being more forward thinking and responsible. Plus I want to save up for a new kitchen now that I have a ballpark estimate.

9. Get pregnant... Obvious set-backs. I just pray it's in the cards for our future. In the meantime I feel a fresh commitment to enjoy the family I have now. I'm determined to fight my depression tooth and nail.

10. Work on my photo archive project... I finally addressed the pile of photos from Mary and dealt with it all in a day! So that's progress. I need to start the external hard drive back-up and scan my backlog of pictures. Slow progress and that's OK with me.

It's April. Wow...this year is flying by. At least I can say I've been productive. At home we have 2 new "rooms" painted, new kitchen hardware, new closet doors, and the landscaping is scheduled.

I think it's a good time to reevaluate my goals and priorities.

I need to step up the work outs and cut back on my eating a little bit. I need to make more time for reading and make more of an effort to start my projects (photo scanning, video conversions, and CD ripping).

It seems like every time I finally have a minute to do one of my projects I'm suddenly not in the mood. I'm not sure how to change that attitude. I come to view my to-do list as a burden instead of a helpful tool.

Due to some credit shenanigans, our budget is tight this month. Hopefully that will help motivate me to make use of the activities around my house that require no money. It drives me nuts that I buy things and don't use them right away. What's up with that?? I know part of it is that I might as well get "x" while I'm thinking of it so that when I'm ready to start the project, I already have what I need. But it still irks me to see stuff sitting around not being used for its intended purpose.

November To-Do List

We have alot going on this month with Bit's birthday, Thanksgiving, and my high school reunion. But other things still need to get done so here's my November wish list (red have to be done by the 15th; green=done; orange=in progress):

1. Do some weeding (boo)
2. Mail bin needs to be emptied (again!)
3. Install new hardware on cabinets/drawers
4. Fine-tune pantry and cabinets organization (esp. over sink cabinet and upper pantry)
5. Dust around tv
6. Wash sofa cover
7. Put up new wintery curtains
8. Hang arkham boxes and other pics
9. Do the filing/purge old docs
10. Schedule/finance new roof
11. Put away the hoses for the season --done!
12. Weather stripping at the top of the front door (I think)
13. A hook to hang empty bags on in the broom closet--done!
14. Declutter top of microwave--done!
15. Log in coke rewards
16. Store summer stuff in the shed--done!
17. Get bags/bins for the stuff in storage--done, sadly some stuff got ruined but it's just STUFF!
18. DECLUTTER spare room
19. Shift stuff to our room that needs to go (in prep for Bit's toddler bed even tho she isn't ready yet)
20. Utilize pantry space in Bit's room more efficiently
21. Toy purge/organization
22. Storage tub for clothing to grow/season into--done!
23. Declutter dresser top
24. Unpack boxes
25. Organize closet and underbed storage--started

Anti-clutter

Inspiration: Link 1 (momto2busyboys)
Link 2 (downwithclutter)

Hm...there is so much I want to do at home. Where to begin? I guess making a list is a good idea. (I already have several lists, but...I can't think of a way to end that sentence...perhaps something about procrastinating at work and avoiding thinking about my online game...ugh, procrastination...have I learned nothing!?) Although I can easily make my November Procrastination Challenge list from this.

Anyway...starting at the beginning...(green means good/done; red means top priority; orange means to-do-soon; blue means to-do-someday):

1. Front yard: We have some ideas from a landscaping company, but the $500-some quote is demotivating, especially with the need for a new roof looming (at a cost roughly 10x the landscaping quote)...so I think landscaping will have to wait until Spring (maybe); oh and I suppose we should put away the hose for the season and do some weeding.
   
2. Front door: Personally, I don't care for the shade of green, and it needs to be re-painted, but I have no idea when; also needs weather stripping at the top (I think)
3. Foyer: Nothing comes to mind except painting (which we have no time to do)
   
4. Front closet: Needs some major decluttering and organizing, but when??
5. Dining room: paint (someday); Mail bin needs to be emptied (again!) and some decluttering in the drawers; a hook to hang empty bags on in the broom closet
6. Kitchen: paint (someday); Declutter top of microwave; install new hardware on cabinets/drawers; deep cleaning (cabinets and fridge); check into cleaning/regrouting kitchen sink; fine-tune pantry and cabinets organization (esp. over sink cabinet and upper pantry)
   
7. Living room (TV half): dust around tv; wash sofa cover; hang pics; put up new wintery curtains
   
8. Living room (office half): hang arkham boxes and other pics; do the filing/purge old docs; log in coke rewards; toy purge
9. Laundry nook: figure out if there's a way to organize without leaving everything on top of the dryer (wall mounted storage solution)
10. Backyard: store summer stuff in the shed; get bags/bins for the stuff in storage; put away hose
    
11. Powder room: ugh, needs a complete overhaul...someday
12. Spare room/nursery: paint (someday); DECLUTTER; shift stuff to our room that needs to go (in prep for Bit's toddler bed even tho she isn't ready yet)
13. Bit's room (w/ crib): utilize pantry space more efficiently; toy purge/organization; storage tub for clothing to grow/season into
    
14. Bit's room (w/ toddler bed): set up new storage where pantry used to be; move changing table; solve lighting issues
15. Hall bathroom: fix tub surface; paint (someday)
16. Linen closet: organize and utilize
    
17. Our bathroom: paint (someday)
18. Our bedroom: paint (someday); declutter dresser top; unpack boxes; organize closet and underbed storage; move in stuff from the nursery; obtain secretary desk for N

Wow, for a 3 br, 2.5 ba, we have alot of spaces to work on!

Procrastination Update #2!

So, I'm planning to abandon my blog (tentatively) in 2009. But in the meantime... I did it! I did EVERYTHING on my original list! In a few days I'll write up November's list. Maybe I'll keep this blog just for the procrastination challenges alone. Woo hoo!

Updated list:

1. Install the pull out drawer in my pantry
2. Install the correct door knob on the spare bedroom door.
3. Fill in the mirror photo frame and hang it in the hall.
4. USE the Space Bags (sort of, using some for now)
5. Put up the new towel ring in the guest bathroom.(N did it!)
6. Hang the magnetic boards we got to display Bit's artwork.
7. New item: Install new shiny hardware on kitchen cabinets.
   

Link to Original Post

Procrastination Update

Updated list:

1. Install the pull out drawer in my pantry--I did one but not the other. It'll be a pain in the arse, but get a box off my dining room floor that's been there FAR too long.
2. Install the correct door knob on the spare bedroom door.
3. Fill in the mirror photo frame and hang it in the hall.
4. USE the Space Bags (sort of, using some for now)
5. Put up the new towel ring in the guest bathroom.
6. Hang the magnetic boards we got to display Bit's artwork.
7. New item: Install new shiny hardware on kitchen cabinets.
   

Link to Original Post

Procrastination Challenge: October

For this month, I want to focus on using the things I've bought that have yet to be put to proper use. This is because my list of things I want to get for the house is growing, yet other mini-projects are left undone. This is precisely the type of consumerist behavior I want to avoid, so I must complete my tasks before taking on new possessions. Make sense?

(Since I don't have any readers, I don't think it matters.)

Anyway, here's the list:

1. Install the pull out drawer in my pantry--I did one but not the other. It'll be a pain in the arse, but get a box off my dining room floor that's been there FAR too long.
2. Install the correct door knob on the spare bedroom door (it currently has a key lock instead of a passage lock due to some weirdness of the previous owners).
3. Fill in the mirror photo frame and hang it in the hall.
4. USE the Space Bags, stop being afraid of them! (or regretting buying them, whatever)
5. Put up the new towel ring in the guest bathroom.
6. Hang the magnetic boards we got to display Bit's artwork.
   

Figures

We scheduled the replacement of ours and the neighbor's fence for today. They haven't shown up. Why am I not surprised?

This is why I'm always shocked when I schedule something and it actually happens. People are so )%(&#*% flaky!

Funny things

It's funny how long it can take you to get around to doing something simple. My mom always tells me that she used to have a round piece of wood with the words "TU IT" on it. Get it? She had "a-round tu-it". Mm...puns!

At work, I finally scanned this cool stamp and gave the hard copy to our stamp-collecting office manager. Yet, the files waiting to be recycled are still sitting on the floor. Oh well, tomorrow!

On the homefront, I'm torn. I want to purge Bit's toys; she plays with so few of them that they are mostly just clutter. I'm very anti-clutter, yet I am very slow at getting rid of things because I can't throw away anything that's usable. So it piles up until I make a thrift store run. Anyway, I'm torn because I also want to work out. I'm way out of the habit and that needs to change pronto! (I just promised myself I'd lose 1 lb. a month for the next 10 months.) But I need to tackle the home projects or that will drive me insane, too. Ugh!

I'm also aware of the first step of the Fly Lady's home cleaning-organization routine: clean your sink, which Ryan's mom reminded me of today. So now I'm contemplating when I can finally get around to it (there's that phrase again!) because my sink is admittedly gross. The main thing slowing me down there, aside from time, is my refusal to use commercial/toxic cleaning products, like bleach and windex. So I have the added step of considering what homemade cleaner is best suited to the job. I'm sure you can imagine that is half the battle.

It's so hard to prioritize!

Progress

Last night we moved boxes from the living room up to the spare room. Tonight N will prep the living room (or part of it) for painting so we can start painting on Friday. Yay!! Before we moved in, we got the accent color up, but had no time to finish the job. It is my personal goal to finish painting the living room before June. My Fathers Day gift to N is to let him have the month "off" to prep for a tournament he's in at the end of the month (miniatures gaming). If my living room is painted I can at least get it set up while he's "off". I plan to take some time off too, but I know myself well enough to know that I will still do some work on the house. Partly because that's what I enjoy doing right now.