Do you know what a klompen is? I didn't until yesterday. I now know that it is the dutch word for wooden shoes/clogs.
Klompen is the word that Shannon missed in the Regional spelling bee yesterday. She got 10th in the region!!! I'm so proud of that girl!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Fill in the blank Friday
My week is still crazy-busy...so I thought I'd play along with Lauren's blog carnival called Fill In The Blank Friday!
Off we go!
1. When I'm nervous I...get an upset stomach. Lovely, I know.
2. My favorite item in my closet is...my Dankso clogs that I got for Christmas.
3. Talking to my BFF Vickie...is my favorite thing to do when I need to relax.
4. My favorite childhood memory is...traveling across Canada and the US with my parents and sister the summer after 6th grade. Both of my parents were school teachers, so they had summers off. That year we drove and camped all the way across Canada to the East, and then back home to CA through the US. It was wonderful, and I think it's what spawned my love of ROADTRIPS!
5. Something you may not know about me is...I am afraid to swim in water that I can't see the bottom.
6. A true friend...is worth more than gold.
7. Something I hope people think of when they think of me is...that I am genuine.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Doing fine
It's just a busy week, and I haven't had a lot of time for posting.
I've been working on switching my preschool room from February to March, and getting my calendars, newsletters, progress reports together. Shannon's Girl Scout cookies are in, and I sold most of them (at work), so I'm having to get those passed out and collect the money. Plus I babysit every afternoon except Wednesdays...so it's just a busy time. Shannon's band performed this afternoon, and Patrick said they did a beautiful job. He ordered a CD of the performance...I can't wait to hear it! She's got a Youth Group movie night tomorrow night, and then the Regional Spelling Bee is Saturday.
My house is pretty much a disaster, and I have a mountain of laundry to do...but we're livin'!
I've been working on switching my preschool room from February to March, and getting my calendars, newsletters, progress reports together. Shannon's Girl Scout cookies are in, and I sold most of them (at work), so I'm having to get those passed out and collect the money. Plus I babysit every afternoon except Wednesdays...so it's just a busy time. Shannon's band performed this afternoon, and Patrick said they did a beautiful job. He ordered a CD of the performance...I can't wait to hear it! She's got a Youth Group movie night tomorrow night, and then the Regional Spelling Bee is Saturday.
My house is pretty much a disaster, and I have a mountain of laundry to do...but we're livin'!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Anybody got $16 million?
Because I want to buy THIS piece of land.
The Y-6 Ranch was originally owned by my great great uncle, C.B. Irwin. I grew up hearing family stories about CB, and the Irwin Brothers Wild West show, etc. I met my great-aunt, who had met CB...so the stories were just amazing, and first-hand.
I am the last of the Irwin line. Oh, how I wish I could keep this physical connection to my past.
From the website...
History and Potential:
The Y-6 Ranch was originally homesteaded in the late 1800's by CB Irwin and his family. When CB mentioned to his wife they needed to come up with a brand for their cattle and that the brand must have a “6” in it, she replied, “Why 6?” - for our 6 family members - hence, the beginning of the Y-6 brand. CB was one of Wyoming’s early colorful characters. An Indian agent, railroad detective, rancher and race horse breeder; he had his own Wild West show and helped start Cheyenne Frontier Days. CB’s friend, Will Rogers, visited the Y-6 Ranch often and CB was an acquaintance of Tom Horn, one of Wyoming’s most famous outlaws, he even sang at Tom Horn’s hanging. CB owned the bucking horse which eventually became the symbol of Wyoming and which today adorns the state’s license plates. The horse’s name, Steamboat, was after one of the many natural landmarks on the ranch, namely Steamboat Rock. Since 1935, five generations of the Petsch family have owned and operated the Y-6 Ranch.
If anyone is super interested, lol...Anna Lee Waldo (author of Sacajawea) wrote this book...Prairie about CB's life.
The Y-6 Ranch was originally owned by my great great uncle, C.B. Irwin. I grew up hearing family stories about CB, and the Irwin Brothers Wild West show, etc. I met my great-aunt, who had met CB...so the stories were just amazing, and first-hand.
I am the last of the Irwin line. Oh, how I wish I could keep this physical connection to my past.
From the website...
History and Potential:
The Y-6 Ranch was originally homesteaded in the late 1800's by CB Irwin and his family. When CB mentioned to his wife they needed to come up with a brand for their cattle and that the brand must have a “6” in it, she replied, “Why 6?” - for our 6 family members - hence, the beginning of the Y-6 brand. CB was one of Wyoming’s early colorful characters. An Indian agent, railroad detective, rancher and race horse breeder; he had his own Wild West show and helped start Cheyenne Frontier Days. CB’s friend, Will Rogers, visited the Y-6 Ranch often and CB was an acquaintance of Tom Horn, one of Wyoming’s most famous outlaws, he even sang at Tom Horn’s hanging. CB owned the bucking horse which eventually became the symbol of Wyoming and which today adorns the state’s license plates. The horse’s name, Steamboat, was after one of the many natural landmarks on the ranch, namely Steamboat Rock. Since 1935, five generations of the Petsch family have owned and operated the Y-6 Ranch.
If anyone is super interested, lol...Anna Lee Waldo (author of Sacajawea) wrote this book...Prairie about CB's life.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Help, I just aged about 10 years
Shannon got asked out by a boy today! Apparently he's liked her for awhile, but just gut up his nerve to ask her out today. And...get this...she said NO. LOL! (Poor boy...but Atta Girl!!!)
She also came home upset about a stupid thing going on in band, and I had to go all "Mama Bear" and write a nastygram to the director. Lame!
Good heavens. A boy? Sigh.
In other news...I'm making my first-ever Julia Child recipe. I went for one that looked tres easy...Potage Parmentier, or Potato and Leek Soup. I'll keep you posted.
Also, as I write, our new dishwasher was installed this morning, but now we seem to have a leak under our right-hand kitchen sink. Patrick is under there, muttering.
...a boy???
She also came home upset about a stupid thing going on in band, and I had to go all "Mama Bear" and write a nastygram to the director. Lame!
Good heavens. A boy? Sigh.
In other news...I'm making my first-ever Julia Child recipe. I went for one that looked tres easy...Potage Parmentier, or Potato and Leek Soup. I'll keep you posted.
Also, as I write, our new dishwasher was installed this morning, but now we seem to have a leak under our right-hand kitchen sink. Patrick is under there, muttering.
...a boy???
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Getting to know YOU Sunday!
It's time again for Keely's weekly blog carnival called Getting to Know You. Here are my answers! I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's!
1. How often do you wash/change your sheets? About every other week.
2. When is your birthday? September 22nd
3. Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life? Yes, I've met Mishelle, and Laura. I've met lots of online friends that are not bloggers, too!
4. Brad Pitt or George Clooney? George Clooney
5. If you could change one thing about your body what would it be? To be physically fit!
6. How often do you wash your hair? Every other day
7. Do you have pets? Oh my gosh, yes. We have 4 dogs, 2 parakeets, 1 guinea pig, 1 turtle, and 1 ball python!
8. How many social networks do you belong to..if you had to give up one, what would it be? I have a Myspace page that I haven't been to in over a year. I have a token Twitter account, but rarely tweet. I LOVE Facebook!!!! I could easily give up Twitter and Myspace.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
NOT Procrastinating anymore!
I have had so many random "to do" items floating in my mind...and finally I just knew I was gonna drop one.
Today I took care of:
All of these transactions have been nicely filed in my head...but lately, I think with all the cookie money I've been taking in, they've been starting to merge. I just had to get them all done and taken care of, so I didn't make a mistake somewhere!
Today I took care of:
- (FINDING, and then) Filling out Shannon's retreat registration form
- Paying Shan's retreat costs
- Handling a "funny" girl scout transaction that I was putting off
- Paying homeowner assoc. dues
- Paying Shan's GS dues through May (DC payment)
- Balancing a friend's cookie/favor check into payments
- Inputting several Girl Scout transactions into my Excel spreadsheet
- Preparing a GS deposit
- Ordered Shannon's yearbook for this year. (Why is a middle school yearbook $55??? Good heavens!
All of these transactions have been nicely filed in my head...but lately, I think with all the cookie money I've been taking in, they've been starting to merge. I just had to get them all done and taken care of, so I didn't make a mistake somewhere!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
13 Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You
"Stolen" (haha) from Harriet...information that's just too important to not pass along. Stay safe, everyone!
13 Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway..
6. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
7. I always knock first.. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
8. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
9. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
10. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alar m system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
11. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
12. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
13. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job
13 Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway..
6. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
7. I always knock first.. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
8. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
9. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
10. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alar m system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
11. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
12. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
13. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ready!
OK...I think my neck is healed up enough to start exercising again. Thank goodness! I'm excited to be able to get back into some kind of fitness routine.
Maybe I'll try exercising while I watch the Olympics for some ultra-motivation, lol!!!
Maybe I'll try exercising while I watch the Olympics for some ultra-motivation, lol!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Getting to Know You...Valentine's Day Style!
On Sundays, Keely over at MannLand5 does a weekly blog carnival called Getting to Know You . This week we're doing it Valentine's Day style!
OK, here we go!
1. Favorite Valentine's candy? Mmmm...Reese's PB Hearts!
2. Pink or red? Pink!
3. Will you be doing anything to celebrate today? We exchanged little gifts this morning, and then we'll watch the Daytona 500 together. (Awww, how romantical!) I'll go to Bible Study tonight, and then we'll watch Olympics tonight.
4. Do you put up Valentine's decorations? No, not really. I have this little heart "I love you" decoration I put on our mantel, but other than that...nope.
5. What does Valentine's Day mean to you? It's a special day to really focus on letting your beloved know just how special they are to you.
6. Would you rather get..flowers, candy, or a night out? Flowers or candy. Really, I like the mushy words best of all.
7. Sexy lingerie or nothing.at.all? Nothing at all, baby.
8. Do you say Valentine's Day or Valentime's Day? I say Valentine's Day, unless I'm being playfully silly...and then I say "Balentime's" Day.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Good family fun
We're having a great time tonight watching the Olympics. I had a neat moment where I sorta just glanced over and Patrick, Shannon and I were all on the edge of our seats hollering for Apolo Ohno and JR Celski. So exciting!!! I love sharing these moments together.
Anybody else watching? LOVE it!
Anybody else watching? LOVE it!
Friday, February 12, 2010
The best Saturday ever
Want to know why this has been the best Saturday ever? Because it's only Friday! I had the day off from work today (the first of a FIVE day weekend!), and it's been one of the best days in recent memory.
First, Shannon and I watched E, they little girl I keep, this morning. We had a jammie morning, and it was lovely. After E left, it started snowing! I am THE HUGEST weather dork alive, so this made me completely giddy.
Pretty soon, Shannon got a call from her friend, inviting her over to play in the snow, and then spend the night. We said sure. Just about the time we were getting ready to leave the house to go drop her off, the friend's mom showed up and said "I'm here to get Shannon!" Sweet!
Tonight is the opening ceremony for the Olympics...and like the weather, I'm just NUTS about the Olympics. (Are you beginning to see why this day is so awesome for me?) I just love patriotism, and ceremony, etc. I cry when people do amazing things. The level of commitment of these athletes just astounds me. Aaahhhh!
Patrick and I decided that since we are childless tonight, and will be snuggled up watching the ceremony by ourselves, that we would go out (I love to go for drives in the snow) and get some fun snacks. Whee! It was just such simple, spontaneous fun.
So now we're home...fire in the fireplace, waiting for the Olympics to begin. We've lit a fire in the fireplace, and I've got my heating pad on my neck. The snow is tapering off now...but everything is all white and gorgeous. Sigh. Seriously, a perfect day.
Here's some fun pics of our little Atlanta snow...nothing like what Maryland and DC got...but still thrilling to me!
This is when the snow had just begun...around 1:30pm:
About 90 minutes later:
And when we got home from running our little errand. Looking at our back deck, I'd say we got a good 2 to 2-1/2 inches! Love it!
And then...since I'm on a roll, aren't these pretty?
First, Shannon and I watched E, they little girl I keep, this morning. We had a jammie morning, and it was lovely. After E left, it started snowing! I am THE HUGEST weather dork alive, so this made me completely giddy.
Pretty soon, Shannon got a call from her friend, inviting her over to play in the snow, and then spend the night. We said sure. Just about the time we were getting ready to leave the house to go drop her off, the friend's mom showed up and said "I'm here to get Shannon!" Sweet!
Tonight is the opening ceremony for the Olympics...and like the weather, I'm just NUTS about the Olympics. (Are you beginning to see why this day is so awesome for me?) I just love patriotism, and ceremony, etc. I cry when people do amazing things. The level of commitment of these athletes just astounds me. Aaahhhh!
Patrick and I decided that since we are childless tonight, and will be snuggled up watching the ceremony by ourselves, that we would go out (I love to go for drives in the snow) and get some fun snacks. Whee! It was just such simple, spontaneous fun.
So now we're home...fire in the fireplace, waiting for the Olympics to begin. We've lit a fire in the fireplace, and I've got my heating pad on my neck. The snow is tapering off now...but everything is all white and gorgeous. Sigh. Seriously, a perfect day.
Here's some fun pics of our little Atlanta snow...nothing like what Maryland and DC got...but still thrilling to me!
This is when the snow had just begun...around 1:30pm:
About 90 minutes later:
And when we got home from running our little errand. Looking at our back deck, I'd say we got a good 2 to 2-1/2 inches! Love it!
And then...since I'm on a roll, aren't these pretty?
It's time again for Friday Follow!
I had so much fun checking out new blogs last week during Friday Follow that I've decided to do it again! Thanks to One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades for hosting!
Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
* * Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.
* * Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. They will follow you back.
* * Follow as many blogs as you like
* * Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* * Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
Come play...it's fun!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ya big dummy
I went off to work today with my head full of my to-do list...and forgot to take any of my meds for my neck. Eeep. I was definitely feeling it by the end of my day.
Our Valentine's Day parties at preschool are today and tomorrow, and then after that...I'm off til Wednesday. I'm hoping I'm pretty much back to "normal" (or, my version thereof) by then.
Our Valentine's Day parties at preschool are today and tomorrow, and then after that...I'm off til Wednesday. I'm hoping I'm pretty much back to "normal" (or, my version thereof) by then.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A lesson to learn
I went back to work today. Mostly it went great. There was one moment early on, when one of my students ran up to give me a "welcome back" hug, and accidentally slammed her forehead into my chin. That, of course, shot my head back a bit....OW...but other than that, everything was fine. I got more and more tired, and therefore stiff as the day went on, but I survived.
I came home and Patrick made me some lunch, gave me meds and my moist heat compress...and I slept. For FIVE hours. ZOMG. Yeah. I'm hoping I can sleep tonight! Yikes.
When I woke up from my "nap," Patrick told me that Shannon had forgotten to bring home an integral part of her homework, and that she had freaked out a bit. Normally we'd just make her "face the consequences," but apparently this assignment was a pretty big deal, and Shan had figured out a way to make it work. She had arranged to get it from her friend, bring it home and make a copy, and then take the original back to her friend. But then Patrick said something that shocked me. "She is scared of you."
Wait. WHAT? I asked him what made him say that, and he said that her being afraid of me was the biggest reason she was freaking out. I was totally stunned and hurt by that. I asked him if he felt I should talk to her about it, or what. He said that he'd talk to her while they drove to/from her friend's house.
While they were gone, I just kept trying to figure out if she is truly "scared" of me? or just afraid to disappoint me? I don't know! But I've never, ever given her reason to be afraid of me. When she's forgotten things or made mistakes in the past, I'm not one to over-react or shame her, etc. So I just really didn't know where this was coming from...but it really hurt my feelings.
When they got home, she came in and we talked about it. I think the root of it was more along the lines of not wanting to disappoint me. Also, she has seen me angry a few times, and she said that she felt really dumb for forgetting this paper, and was "afraid" that my reaction would be an angry one. I talked to her about not trying to "guess" what my reaction would be...that that really wasn't fair, especially when I'd never really reacted in the way she was fearing.
It ended up being a really good talk...but wow! I hope I handled this the right way. I don't want her (especially as we head into her teen years) to be afraid to come to me, talk to me, etc.
I came home and Patrick made me some lunch, gave me meds and my moist heat compress...and I slept. For FIVE hours. ZOMG. Yeah. I'm hoping I can sleep tonight! Yikes.
When I woke up from my "nap," Patrick told me that Shannon had forgotten to bring home an integral part of her homework, and that she had freaked out a bit. Normally we'd just make her "face the consequences," but apparently this assignment was a pretty big deal, and Shan had figured out a way to make it work. She had arranged to get it from her friend, bring it home and make a copy, and then take the original back to her friend. But then Patrick said something that shocked me. "She is scared of you."
Wait. WHAT? I asked him what made him say that, and he said that her being afraid of me was the biggest reason she was freaking out. I was totally stunned and hurt by that. I asked him if he felt I should talk to her about it, or what. He said that he'd talk to her while they drove to/from her friend's house.
While they were gone, I just kept trying to figure out if she is truly "scared" of me? or just afraid to disappoint me? I don't know! But I've never, ever given her reason to be afraid of me. When she's forgotten things or made mistakes in the past, I'm not one to over-react or shame her, etc. So I just really didn't know where this was coming from...but it really hurt my feelings.
When they got home, she came in and we talked about it. I think the root of it was more along the lines of not wanting to disappoint me. Also, she has seen me angry a few times, and she said that she felt really dumb for forgetting this paper, and was "afraid" that my reaction would be an angry one. I talked to her about not trying to "guess" what my reaction would be...that that really wasn't fair, especially when I'd never really reacted in the way she was fearing.
It ended up being a really good talk...but wow! I hope I handled this the right way. I don't want her (especially as we head into her teen years) to be afraid to come to me, talk to me, etc.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Getting to Know YOU Sunday
Keely over at MannLand5 does a weekly blog carnival called Getting to Know You on Sundays. Here are my answers! I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's!
1. How many piercing's do you have? I think I still have four (two in both ears), but I never ever put anything in the top holes. I rarely wear anything in the bottom holes for that matter, but occasionally I do.
2. I love the sound of.....? Thunderstorms, rain. Patrick and I sleep with our two littlest dogs, and I love being snuggled up and hearing their tiny breaths move in and out.
3. Favorite city? I would have to say Savannah, GA. It's so beautiful and historic. So much to do and see...and somehow every time I visit there, I feel like I'm stepping back in time.
4. Colts, Saints, or could care less? Eh. I don't really care. I like the spectacle (and snacks) that go with the game...and the commercials are fun too.
5. Frozen yogurt or ice cream? Yes, please! I've had some wonderfully wonderful frozen yogurt in my life...but I do love ice cream.
6. Favorite appetizer? Mmmm...I love that spinach dip that you serve in a bread bowl. I swear I could eat my weight in it!
7. What item in your closet currently makes you the happiest? Um. Hmmm. I don't know. I'm really not a clothes person. I wear them so I don't walk around naked all the time, but I don't know that any particular piece makes me "happy." I did get a pair of Dansko clogs for Christmas, and I do love those...so I will go with that.
8.Favorite facial moisturizer? LOL...whatever lotion I happen to be using. I know that's a horrible answer. People tell me all the time that I never age, and that I have nice skin. They want to know "what I use," and unfortunately for them, I don't really use anything! I wash my face in the shower with anything from Neutrogena to Noxema...and then once I'm out of the shower and I'm finished putting lotion on my body, I just sweep my hands across my face...and that's it. Currently, I'm using a Burt's Bees lotion.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Resolution Re-visit
So, it's February. (Yes, I know that might be obvious...but I missed most of this week in a fog of pain meds...so bear with me, lol.) 1/12th of the year is gone already. I thought it would be a good idea to look back over my resolutions, and see how I am doing.
To re-cap...my resolutions were/are as follows:
1. Simplify eating / food choices. I haven't dedicated myself to this as much as I should. My meal choices have been OK, but I snack too much, and find that the foods I choose for snacks are just not good for me. I have a major sweet tooth. Maybe I need to make fruit my go-to snack.
2. Simplify spending. This resolution is coming along nicely. We are paying cash for everything. We're taking steps to simplify our finances. With Patrick on disability, things get scary...but we are doing our best to get into a place where we can live long-term.
3. Continue to simplify thought processes from worry, fear, and doubt...to faith and gratitude. I am doing very well here. I'm talking out my feelings more, and stewing about them less. I am taking time each day to be grateful for what I have, and even...for the problems I have. I'm getting to a point where I realize that if I didn't have problems, I wouldn't be alive.
4. Be a better friend (keep in contact, and send notes & gifts). Ummm...I could be doing more here. I've done a liiiiiittle better, but really nothing major. As a teacher, it feels like every student gives me notecards as a gift. (This is lovely! but the point is...I have a LOT of them.) Tomorrow, I am going to write a note to my sister, best friend, etc.
5. Exercise 5x per week. I completed 15 days of the 30 Day Shred. I decided to switch to another form of exercise...and then I hurt my neck. If I average it out...I exercised 15 out of 31 days, which is just about half...and WAY better than I'd done in any previous months. So I'm going to call this one a victory. Starting Monday, I will be starting back to exercising...slowly and carefully.
Wow, seeing them written out like this, I see that I still have a lot of places to work on. I'm really proud of keeping my thoughts in a positive place (that's big for me), and the work we're doing on our finances. I see that I did a lot of work on exercising...I want to keep that up. I've really got to work harder on keeping in touch with my loved ones, and with making good food/snacking choices.
How are you doing on your resolutions?
To re-cap...my resolutions were/are as follows:
1. Simplify eating / food choices. I haven't dedicated myself to this as much as I should. My meal choices have been OK, but I snack too much, and find that the foods I choose for snacks are just not good for me. I have a major sweet tooth. Maybe I need to make fruit my go-to snack.
2. Simplify spending. This resolution is coming along nicely. We are paying cash for everything. We're taking steps to simplify our finances. With Patrick on disability, things get scary...but we are doing our best to get into a place where we can live long-term.
3. Continue to simplify thought processes from worry, fear, and doubt...to faith and gratitude. I am doing very well here. I'm talking out my feelings more, and stewing about them less. I am taking time each day to be grateful for what I have, and even...for the problems I have. I'm getting to a point where I realize that if I didn't have problems, I wouldn't be alive.
4. Be a better friend (keep in contact, and send notes & gifts). Ummm...I could be doing more here. I've done a liiiiiittle better, but really nothing major. As a teacher, it feels like every student gives me notecards as a gift. (This is lovely! but the point is...I have a LOT of them.) Tomorrow, I am going to write a note to my sister, best friend, etc.
5. Exercise 5x per week. I completed 15 days of the 30 Day Shred. I decided to switch to another form of exercise...and then I hurt my neck. If I average it out...I exercised 15 out of 31 days, which is just about half...and WAY better than I'd done in any previous months. So I'm going to call this one a victory. Starting Monday, I will be starting back to exercising...slowly and carefully.
Wow, seeing them written out like this, I see that I still have a lot of places to work on. I'm really proud of keeping my thoughts in a positive place (that's big for me), and the work we're doing on our finances. I see that I did a lot of work on exercising...I want to keep that up. I've really got to work harder on keeping in touch with my loved ones, and with making good food/snacking choices.
How are you doing on your resolutions?
Friday, February 5, 2010
I'm a lucky girl
I'm wanting to write and write, but after a week on pain meds and muscle relaxants, my brain is just muddled.
This week has really illustrated for me though, just how blessed I am. I have so much to be grateful for.
This week has really illustrated for me though, just how blessed I am. I have so much to be grateful for.
- Patrick and Shannon have been such tender and attentive care-takers. They adjust my pillows, bring me snacks, keep track of when it's time for me to have medicine, etc.
- My work friends have called and sent home little care packages.
- I have good AND affordable health care.
- I have a comfortable home and a snuggly bed in which to recover.
- The parents of my two girlies that I babysit have been wonderfully understanding.
Friday Follow
I found this fun blog hop of sorts over at Moments of Mommyhood. I thought it looked like fun, so here I am!
Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
* * Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.
* * Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. They will follow you back.
* * Follow as many blogs as you like
* * Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* * Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A discovery
Calvin and Rosie have discovered heating pads. They are in favor of them.
(In case it's hard to tell...the brightly colored squares are a blanket. The lavender with hearts are my heating pad cover.)
In other news, I took a shower all by myself today! Wooo!
(In case it's hard to tell...the brightly colored squares are a blanket. The lavender with hearts are my heating pad cover.)
In other news, I took a shower all by myself today! Wooo!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
It takes skill
So a few people have asked me how exactly you can hit your head and sprain your neck. I'm just special that way, folks!
Actually, I was at work...having an indoor snowball fight with my class (using cotton balls). Some of the cotton balls had flown out the top of my classroom door, which looks like this:
I went out of my classroom, shut the door, and then I bent down to pick up the cotton balls...and I'm pretty sure you can see where this is going. I stood up, quickly bringing the top/back of my head up underneath that shelf on the door. I immediately "saw stars" and got a head ache, but really didn't realize I could have hurt my neck. I just went back to work, y'know?
Later in the afternoon, my head still ached a lot, so I took ibuprofen...and again on Saturday morning I took more. It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that my neck began to ache...and then it was just all downhill from there.
As of right now, the meds are helping me get some mobility back...but I'm still very sore and can't do much for myself. Patrick and Shannon are taking wonderful care of me.
A funny note I don't want to forget: Patrick needed to pick up a few groceries, so he had me ride along in the car to WalMart this morning. On the way home, we saw one of those "Smart Cars." You know those itty-bitty roller-skate looking things? (We "joke" that not only are they a car, but if you get into an accident in them, they double as your coffin. OK, maybe that's not that funny....) Anyway, we saw one...and it's license plate was "OMGTINY" Hahahaha!
OK...I can only sit up/read for a few minutes at a time...so I'm off for now.
Actually, I was at work...having an indoor snowball fight with my class (using cotton balls). Some of the cotton balls had flown out the top of my classroom door, which looks like this:
I went out of my classroom, shut the door, and then I bent down to pick up the cotton balls...and I'm pretty sure you can see where this is going. I stood up, quickly bringing the top/back of my head up underneath that shelf on the door. I immediately "saw stars" and got a head ache, but really didn't realize I could have hurt my neck. I just went back to work, y'know?
Later in the afternoon, my head still ached a lot, so I took ibuprofen...and again on Saturday morning I took more. It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that my neck began to ache...and then it was just all downhill from there.
As of right now, the meds are helping me get some mobility back...but I'm still very sore and can't do much for myself. Patrick and Shannon are taking wonderful care of me.
A funny note I don't want to forget: Patrick needed to pick up a few groceries, so he had me ride along in the car to WalMart this morning. On the way home, we saw one of those "Smart Cars." You know those itty-bitty roller-skate looking things? (We "joke" that not only are they a car, but if you get into an accident in them, they double as your coffin. OK, maybe that's not that funny....) Anyway, we saw one...and it's license plate was "OMGTINY" Hahahaha!
OK...I can only sit up/read for a few minutes at a time...so I'm off for now.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Well, I didn't get the stomach bug
But at this point, I kind of wish I had.
I hit my head on Friday afternoon. My neck got progressively
more and more painful all day Saturday, til it got to the point that I
couldn't stand on my own, lift my arms, dress myself, etc.
Patrick took me to Urgent Care yesterday morning, and I have sprained my neck. (I didn't know you could DO that!) They have me on major
medicines...and want me out of work all week.
I could use some good thoughts and smiles, please. Anybody know a good joke?
I hit my head on Friday afternoon. My neck got progressively
more and more painful all day Saturday, til it got to the point that I
couldn't stand on my own, lift my arms, dress myself, etc.
Patrick took me to Urgent Care yesterday morning, and I have sprained my neck. (I didn't know you could DO that!) They have me on major
medicines...and want me out of work all week.
I could use some good thoughts and smiles, please. Anybody know a good joke?
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