Whewww!

It amazes me how so much time has flown by!  The last time I posted was nearly 3 years ago?  Where did that time go?  Since I posted last, I've learned many lessons...  no need to hash through them, but I'm a better person, mother, wife, friend, and teacher!

I've earned my Master's degree, finished two years in a new school, and watched my beautiful children grow.  My oldest is going to be a junior, and the little one is going into Pre-K.  I have taken chances, put myself out there, professionally and personally, and although they may not have had the outcome I wished for, I do believe that it's what was best for me.

Now, here we are!  It's my 2nd complete summer break.  I get the next nine weeks off with my kiddos, and I'm extremely excited about the fun to be had!   Between Pinterest and Google, it should be a great summer!

The busiest week ever!

I have had the most productive, busiest week ever! Somehow, my house is still a mess! Go figure! I have one week left until school starts, and I'm just wondering what I can cram into the next week. Today, I finished my first book in probably a couple of years! I have laughed so much at this book, that I went and checked out another one by the same author! I've decided that I need to work on my tan just a bit more, so I'll probably hit the grownup pool again... maybe tomorrow. A friend of mine, plus this book I just read, has encouraged me to "grow" and try new things. What's funny as I look at my list of things to accomplish, I don't see a play or poetry reading, anywhere! I want to do things like participate in a 5K charity run, update my address book, read another book for fun... these are all attainable things! I have already begun to work on the address book on my computer. I've started running, however, I'm still not a runner! But I CAN run over a mile without falling off the treadmill! I find that to be an astounding accomplishment. I figure with some practice, I should be able to participate in an October run of some sort!

I find it interesting the things that we individually hold as an accomplishment. I went to school to be an English teacher, so reading the Classics or writing poetry does NOT in anyway seem enticing to me. Learning to run well... that sounds like a challenge. Zumba class! I think that sounds like a lot of fun! I had a chance to go Monday. I had a friend lined up to join me, and she backed out at the last minute. When she asked if I was still going to go without her, I just laughed. "Are you kidding? It's one thing to be uncomfortable and try something new... I'm not going to do it alone!!" I went on to tell her how I do better when I have someone to "laugh it off" with. Laughing at myself looking like an idiot would not be as comforting if doing it in a room full of strangers by myself. I need someone there that knows me, and understands... Needless to say, there will be no Zumba this week! Maybe next Monday?

I have decided that I'm going to work on my transformation... Part of my transformation is going to let my husband teach me how to clean. I know that sounds like crazy talk. I actually am a very good cleaner. I know how to scrub and get the best out of even a crappy floor. My thing is I'm so anal about how things are cleaned, I let it get the best of me and stress me out. I figure, maybe my husband's on to something. He's not a stress-bucket during Saturday morning chores. He must have something he can share with me! :)

We'll see... I must go think about what other things I can add to my list. I'll let you know as soon as I know!

Ah Haa!

I have managed to make it until this moment to plug in today. I have to say, it's been kind of nice.

I find that when I get on the computer, I manage to stay on the computer and waste away too much time. Conversations with my husband are answered with "uh-huh's" and "what?" during these times that I'm busy learning about nothing. But not today. The house is clean, coupons clipped, organized, shopping lists ready to go, husband is mowing the yard, and the baby's asleep... I needed something to do, so here I am.

It's kind of nice being caught up... think I'll go read a book. (That rarely gets to happen!)

Hmmmm...

It's ridiculously early, and I'm awake... What gives?? Well, I might as well take advantage of it!

I started reading a new book: My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster. I have to say, I love this book! As I'm reading it, I see myself in the author's accounts of life. I have laughed out loud at a book for the first time, probably ever! How she describes things, with a lack of grace at times, reminds me of myself. I do have to admit I was blessed with the ability to fit into any crowd---almost always. However, I do find when I get too comfortable, I say dumb things. It's not that they make me look stupid... it's more a foot in the mouth moment. I do have a tendency to make people laugh, and I'm willing to laugh at myself! I think that's the only way to be... otherwise, life gets pretty stressful. I'm willing to make myself look silly if it means that someone else gets to laugh. Unfortunately, my oldest daughter is to the point that she hides her laughs because I'm not cool anymore. You know, she's twelve! My 1-year old still loves it, though!

Something else I find easy to laugh at is my "dieting" life. I gave a friend advice tonight about joining Weight Watchers online. When she asked if I went to meetings, I told her "no, it makes it harder to cheat." Who does that? Between a gym membership and online membership, I pay about $45 a month to cheat? Alright, alright... that's got to stop. So, I've decided I'm going to use this blog as a bit of my accountability. As much as I cheat, it's amazing that I still lose weight, but as I think about those wise words I tell my daughter all the time "If you're going to do something, why not do it the best you can?" That's going to be my phrase... If you're going to do something, why not do it the best I can???

Hmmm... now that I have something to keep me busy... I guess that means that I need to do my best at writing this blog, too? Damn, I'm going to be busy. Besides this blog and dieting, that means I have to be the best teacher I can be (I hope to do that anyway!). Parenting? Whew! I'm gonna have to figure that one out, too! Now for the toughy... I'm going to have to be the best wife I can be, also. I guess I'm going to have to figure out what that really means. I'm not really the Betty Crocker, have dinner made, kiss you at the door kind of girl. I'm sure I can figure that one out. It may take the most practice, but I'll certainly have to try if I'm going to expect my children to be their best. I think it's only a small price to pay!

Guess not...

The answer is "no." I didn't write everyday. Actually, I didn't ever write again. Alright... let's try again.

Well, where to begin? My babies have both had birthdays. My baby is now 14 months old, and my oldest is 12-years old. It is a very interesting concept--being 12. She's much smarter. When I say 'she's much smarter,' I mean she's much smarter than me! I'm curious where she got this smartness.

What I learned today!

Well, I'm not really sure where or how I'm supposed to start this thing! This is something new for me, as with everyone at some point. I've thought about how I want to use this blog... part of me thought writing a reflection of "who I've become and why" would be the right thing... then I started to think how boring that would be for anyone that doesn't know me. I thought perhaps I could blog about the daily funnies I encounter as a human. See, I teach a wide age range of kids, parent a 9-month old and an 11-year old (both girls), married my polar-opposite, and well, people just make me laugh. Like most of the world, I can't stand most of my in-laws--specifically my MIL. My life is full of uncanny, ridiculously insane, dramatic moments!

Hmmm... where to start! How about this evening? My days are somewhat unusal. I wake up before the roosters, and I get to work, again, before the rooster. I spend my day doing exactly what I'm supposed to do in hopes of not drawing any attention of adults. From there, I pick up my youngest daughter, usually while fighting with my older daughter (Ahhh! puberty stinks!). The baby and I play a little before we leave daycare. I have found out that if I take the time to play with her there, I get to play with her period! Once we get home, I'm trying to get dinner, the house, and both girls taken care of. Then my wonderful husband makes it home. I feed them all. Then try to figure out how to sit down and watch a show... there are ones I like. I even enjoy them. The problem is that I have to DVR them most of the time because as any mom knows, getting to watch a show all the way through without rewinding is a luxury. Because my husband doesn't enjoy "my" shows, he usually falls asleep, so there goes my adult conversation!

So I think I figured this thing out! About two hours ago I plugged in my iPod. Since, I cleaned the kitchen, washed bottles, cleaned the kitty litter, cleaned up the floor from the kitty litter, washed some laundry, ironed my clothes, and only listened to what I wanted to! No conversations about work--mine or his. No fussing at my oldest for having a messy room or not picking up after herself. The baby's been asleep since I turned on the iPod.

I WONDER IF I CAN DO THIS EVERY NIGHT!!! Wouldn't that be the life? LOL!

I might just have to try it!