Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Making a List
Yes. True. Lists.
I've started the Christmas lists.
Anyone else?
What's the hot Christmas gift?
What do you want this year? Truly?
Do you shop Black Friday?
Online?
Local?
I've started the Christmas lists.
Anyone else?
What's the hot Christmas gift?
What do you want this year? Truly?
Do you shop Black Friday?
Online?
Local?
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Running. Really.
I don't like to rush into things. If I start a new hobby I have this fear if I buy the appropriate gear I will quit the hobby. Is that normal?
I blame my father. He gets manically obsessed with something and then he quits and never looks back. I'm like that.
I knit with chopsticks for about a year because I thought the appeal of making those fuzzy starbella-style scarves would wear off..... so I bought some needles that look just like chopsticks.... still making scarves six to ten stitches at a time.... will never graduate beyond them.
So I've been running. Ok, call it jogging. Or waddling. Or whatever.
I like running. It doesn't require a lot of gear or skills.
I have good New Balance tennis shoes that kept my feet from aching during my last pregnancy. They aren't any of the hip new colors. They are old school and orange and white. I have customized happy-feet insoles that keep my knees and ankles on straight.
I have ipod tunes.
I have a good bra.
Summer running gear is easy. Winter is a little trickier. I have decent smart wool socks (puma in the summer) and some ancient roffeflex running tights. Fleece, dark green. I have my trusty black beanie. But then I get stuck... what to wear? The story of my life. So I splurged and bought myself a running shirt. It's a sporthill one kinda like this one but a different color and with a coupon of course.... it is the first clothing I've ever had with a thumb hole. I love the thumb holes.
So my new shirt (pale turquoise green) makes me a super-sexy runner-girl and it kept me warm and snuggy all fall. And then it got colder.... and darker..... And I had to add my black shell to stay warm and now I'm invisible. And a flashlight because my headlamp isn't bright enough to illuminate my feet. And that is bad.
So my husband thinks I need a nice reflective vest. And I do... it is hard to run in my shell... a vest is better. But I feel like the running shirt was a big commitment and getting more gear might jinx things...
I blame my father. He gets manically obsessed with something and then he quits and never looks back. I'm like that.
I knit with chopsticks for about a year because I thought the appeal of making those fuzzy starbella-style scarves would wear off..... so I bought some needles that look just like chopsticks.... still making scarves six to ten stitches at a time.... will never graduate beyond them.
So I've been running. Ok, call it jogging. Or waddling. Or whatever.
I like running. It doesn't require a lot of gear or skills.
I have good New Balance tennis shoes that kept my feet from aching during my last pregnancy. They aren't any of the hip new colors. They are old school and orange and white. I have customized happy-feet insoles that keep my knees and ankles on straight.
I have ipod tunes.
I have a good bra.
Summer running gear is easy. Winter is a little trickier. I have decent smart wool socks (puma in the summer) and some ancient roffeflex running tights. Fleece, dark green. I have my trusty black beanie. But then I get stuck... what to wear? The story of my life. So I splurged and bought myself a running shirt. It's a sporthill one kinda like this one but a different color and with a coupon of course.... it is the first clothing I've ever had with a thumb hole. I love the thumb holes.
So my new shirt (pale turquoise green) makes me a super-sexy runner-girl and it kept me warm and snuggy all fall. And then it got colder.... and darker..... And I had to add my black shell to stay warm and now I'm invisible. And a flashlight because my headlamp isn't bright enough to illuminate my feet. And that is bad.
So my husband thinks I need a nice reflective vest. And I do... it is hard to run in my shell... a vest is better. But I feel like the running shirt was a big commitment and getting more gear might jinx things...
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Parenting.....
When you have two (or more) kids there are certain new rules you have to follow.
No one tells you this.
It's a secret club. I think we are all afraid if we tell you the truth then you won't have more kids... and we will be alone in our misery. Labor is like that.
Well here are some pointers on surviving with two kids or more:
1. Once a week, have a "get dressed from the laundry basket" party. Saves on folding. Bonus points if it is the CLEAN laundry basket.
2. Make pancakes. I make a giant batch of pancakes and freeze them and tell myself it is to have delicious, wholesome, healthy hot breakfasts all week..... then we have pancakes for dinner three nights in a row. My kids love Brinner. I love bacon. Win-win.
3. Repetition is your friend. Taco Tuesday is a good thing. We do a series of dinner items over and over. Tacos, followed up by "tortilla pizzas". Chicken tenders/rice. Tapas (What do YOU call leftovers?). Crockpot stuff. Spaghetti (Hot makes it on Thursdays). Noodles of any sort (with jarred white sauce or parmesan or homemade red sauce or just butter). Do I love to cook interesting new meals? Yes. Do I know someday there will be a season for that? Yes. Do I accept the current phase is not that season? Mostly.
4. Lower your standards. All of them. If the kitchen counter is free and clear of papers (even if it is only once a week) you are a winner. Big Win.
5. Streamline everything. And make lists. Ok... that won't always help but streamlining and making lists is just fun.
No one tells you this.
It's a secret club. I think we are all afraid if we tell you the truth then you won't have more kids... and we will be alone in our misery. Labor is like that.
Well here are some pointers on surviving with two kids or more:
1. Once a week, have a "get dressed from the laundry basket" party. Saves on folding. Bonus points if it is the CLEAN laundry basket.
2. Make pancakes. I make a giant batch of pancakes and freeze them and tell myself it is to have delicious, wholesome, healthy hot breakfasts all week..... then we have pancakes for dinner three nights in a row. My kids love Brinner. I love bacon. Win-win.
3. Repetition is your friend. Taco Tuesday is a good thing. We do a series of dinner items over and over. Tacos, followed up by "tortilla pizzas". Chicken tenders/rice. Tapas (What do YOU call leftovers?). Crockpot stuff. Spaghetti (Hot makes it on Thursdays). Noodles of any sort (with jarred white sauce or parmesan or homemade red sauce or just butter). Do I love to cook interesting new meals? Yes. Do I know someday there will be a season for that? Yes. Do I accept the current phase is not that season? Mostly.
4. Lower your standards. All of them. If the kitchen counter is free and clear of papers (even if it is only once a week) you are a winner. Big Win.
5. Streamline everything. And make lists. Ok... that won't always help but streamlining and making lists is just fun.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
We are FINALLY getting into a Routine.... sort of....
In spite of the weather we have moved to "fall schedule" around here.
Sweet loves to be early to school so he can play with his buddies on the playground. And it works for me because I can get to work earlier.
So it means we need to leave the house about 7:45 and be out the driveway by about 7:50. This makes drop off around 8:00 and I'm to work before 8:15 as long as I'm not in charge of Bugsy and daycare....
Working backwards give us this schedule:
6:00 Alarm One
6:30 Alarm Two I usually try to get up by 6:15 so I have a little dorking around time to unload the dishwasher, stare out the window, fold laundry, drink coffee. If I know it is going to be a balls-to-the-walls morning (BTTWM) I set up the coffee maker on the timer the night before
6:45 The drop-dead latest I can be in the shower. On a good day I also manage to slap a little tinted sunscreen on my face and some eyeliner.
6:50-6:55 Rise-n-shine my little dumplings. With daylight earlier this is easier. I rarely have to threaten a half-cup of frozen marbles in the bed. The kids like to bring their clothes in front of the pellet stove to get dressed once it gets cold. I usually set the 5 minute timer for this or they just dork around. I also try to be dressed before the dinger goes off and have breakfast on the counter. Or we put a playlist on the ipod and they get a song per activity.
7:00 Breakfast. I believe in breakfast. I believe breakfast should have some protein and some fat so it lasts past 10:00am. I've tried making a breakfast schedule. I've tried "Monday Eggs" and "Tuesday Toast" kinds of things.... I struggle with it. I've lowered my standards. If my kids want chicken nuggets or pepperoni hot pockets for breakfast... well, ok. Not perfect, but better than nothing. During breakfast I try to get lunches packed and hair fixed. Sometimes it works. My 7-year-old likes a packed lunch and she likes to do it herself. Sweet.
7:30 Everyone must be brushing their teeth by 7:30. About now I start yelling instructions in groups of 3. "Teeth-Waterbottle-Shoes" or "Snacks-Sweatshirts-Library Books" I try to shove my lunch/work/stuff in a bag and remember my cell phone. Sometimes we sneak in some homework.... spelling words or reading. My kids know if they start unpacking their backpack from the night before at this point I will not be happy. They are so aware of it I don't even have to get mad.... It happens about once a week.
We have this by the door to remind us:
Sweet loves to be early to school so he can play with his buddies on the playground. And it works for me because I can get to work earlier.
So it means we need to leave the house about 7:45 and be out the driveway by about 7:50. This makes drop off around 8:00 and I'm to work before 8:15 as long as I'm not in charge of Bugsy and daycare....
Working backwards give us this schedule:
6:00 Alarm One
6:30 Alarm Two I usually try to get up by 6:15 so I have a little dorking around time to unload the dishwasher, stare out the window, fold laundry, drink coffee. If I know it is going to be a balls-to-the-walls morning (BTTWM) I set up the coffee maker on the timer the night before
6:45 The drop-dead latest I can be in the shower. On a good day I also manage to slap a little tinted sunscreen on my face and some eyeliner.
6:50-6:55 Rise-n-shine my little dumplings. With daylight earlier this is easier. I rarely have to threaten a half-cup of frozen marbles in the bed. The kids like to bring their clothes in front of the pellet stove to get dressed once it gets cold. I usually set the 5 minute timer for this or they just dork around. I also try to be dressed before the dinger goes off and have breakfast on the counter. Or we put a playlist on the ipod and they get a song per activity.
7:00 Breakfast. I believe in breakfast. I believe breakfast should have some protein and some fat so it lasts past 10:00am. I've tried making a breakfast schedule. I've tried "Monday Eggs" and "Tuesday Toast" kinds of things.... I struggle with it. I've lowered my standards. If my kids want chicken nuggets or pepperoni hot pockets for breakfast... well, ok. Not perfect, but better than nothing. During breakfast I try to get lunches packed and hair fixed. Sometimes it works. My 7-year-old likes a packed lunch and she likes to do it herself. Sweet.
7:30 Everyone must be brushing their teeth by 7:30. About now I start yelling instructions in groups of 3. "Teeth-Waterbottle-Shoes" or "Snacks-Sweatshirts-Library Books" I try to shove my lunch/work/stuff in a bag and remember my cell phone. Sometimes we sneak in some homework.... spelling words or reading. My kids know if they start unpacking their backpack from the night before at this point I will not be happy. They are so aware of it I don't even have to get mad.... It happens about once a week.
We have this by the door to remind us:
Morning
Backpack, Water Bottle,
Lunch, Snack,
Homework, Hat, Mittens,
Sweatshirt
Monday: PE Shoes (JN)
Tuesday: Library Books (JN)
Tuesday: PE Shoes (DJ)
Wednesday: Library Books (DJ)
Thursday: PE Shoes (JN & DJ)
Friday: Show-n-Tell (JN)
Friday: Treat Shop
After School
Empty Backpack, Hang up
Gear,
Put away Shoes, Snack,
Homework,
Fun
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Drinkware
Elle said...- What's wrong with those Kraft Pimento spread jars. My mom
supplied me with a six-pack as a birthday present and I stinkin' love
them. Between those and spaghetti jars, our glassware is well
outfitted AND easily replaceable. I have a hodge-podge collection of
glasses. I think there are 6 now. All mismatched. The only
requirement is that they be some shade of blue. I love 'em. It's who I
am. Mismatched and in varying shades of blue.
My mom finally broke all the glassware from Arby's (you know what I'm talking about... we had the entire Flintstone's collection....) and got lovely plain glasses... now she is spending all of her time trying to figure out how to designate them so we don't drink each other's booze-n-cokes and so we can each keep a water glass out all day....
I should photograph my current glassware collection.... just to make you laugh.....
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
IPSY
Does anyone else do ipsy.com??
My sister got me a subscription for my birthday last year and it has been very entertaining.
This month I got fake eyelashes. WTF?
And a browbone highlighter. I love browbone highlighter... I particularly love the one called arch'de triumph by Soap & Glory. Target carried it and doesn't anymore. We just got Ulta here so I bought one there on Saturday morning... and got one in my ipsy bag when I got home.
My mom got me a Sephora Sun Safety Sampler this year after I oogled hers for years. Pretty awesome. You can see a good review of it over here.
I like sunscreen. I'm in search of the perfect high SPF tinted sunscreen. I like Dr Brandt's. The Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream is ok. The Garnier one made me a little greasy. And I like Aveda tinted moisturizer. Anyone have something else they love? I was loving the spf moisturizer from Clinique but daytime moisture AND a bb cream seems like overkill.
I tend to be pretty low maintenance about makeup and skin care but I like to think of it more as classy & elegant & simple. The Hepburn Approach if you will....
I love my clarisonic (a fantastic Mother's Day-Birthday-Easter gift from my mama). I tend to use simple (read: cheap) liquid cleansers with it. I used to buy masks and stuff... now I usually just use a pinch of baking soda. Is that terrible? If I meet a goal here in the near future I'm getting myself some Josie Maran Face Cleaner Oil.
When I stop aging gracefully and decide to start fighting it I will be more diligent about using Boots #7 intense serum. I might also try their BB cream. Do they have a bb cream? They do but it looks like the spf is only 15.
I've been playing around with bronzer and highlighter stuff every since I saw this post.
And I love, love, love Nars blush.... in orgasm.
And I've been wearing grey eyeliner since my mom got me my first one in 6th grade. It was Jafra. Who remember Jafra? But sometimes I branch out to black or green or navy.
I look great in a nice two-tone brown eyeshadow. I can pull it off (as long as the lips are neutral) and I use a bit of brow highlight. I also have learned to finish the look with some brown eyebrow pencil if I really want to look polished. (Ok, right, not often)
I really, really want to be a mascara wearer. It looks so nice. I never wear it. I smear it. But I try.
Finish with a decent gloss on the lips. Done.
Or, the speed routine: smear on bb cream, dash on a bit of blush, maybe a dash of bronzer in summer, eyeliner, brow highlight. GO. There's a lip gloss in the car, just GO.
My sister got me a subscription for my birthday last year and it has been very entertaining.
This month I got fake eyelashes. WTF?
And a browbone highlighter. I love browbone highlighter... I particularly love the one called arch'de triumph by Soap & Glory. Target carried it and doesn't anymore. We just got Ulta here so I bought one there on Saturday morning... and got one in my ipsy bag when I got home.
My mom got me a Sephora Sun Safety Sampler this year after I oogled hers for years. Pretty awesome. You can see a good review of it over here.
I like sunscreen. I'm in search of the perfect high SPF tinted sunscreen. I like Dr Brandt's. The Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream is ok. The Garnier one made me a little greasy. And I like Aveda tinted moisturizer. Anyone have something else they love? I was loving the spf moisturizer from Clinique but daytime moisture AND a bb cream seems like overkill.
I tend to be pretty low maintenance about makeup and skin care but I like to think of it more as classy & elegant & simple. The Hepburn Approach if you will....
I love my clarisonic (a fantastic Mother's Day-Birthday-Easter gift from my mama). I tend to use simple (read: cheap) liquid cleansers with it. I used to buy masks and stuff... now I usually just use a pinch of baking soda. Is that terrible? If I meet a goal here in the near future I'm getting myself some Josie Maran Face Cleaner Oil.
When I stop aging gracefully and decide to start fighting it I will be more diligent about using Boots #7 intense serum. I might also try their BB cream. Do they have a bb cream? They do but it looks like the spf is only 15.
I've been playing around with bronzer and highlighter stuff every since I saw this post.
And I love, love, love Nars blush.... in orgasm.
And I've been wearing grey eyeliner since my mom got me my first one in 6th grade. It was Jafra. Who remember Jafra? But sometimes I branch out to black or green or navy.
I look great in a nice two-tone brown eyeshadow. I can pull it off (as long as the lips are neutral) and I use a bit of brow highlight. I also have learned to finish the look with some brown eyebrow pencil if I really want to look polished. (Ok, right, not often)
I really, really want to be a mascara wearer. It looks so nice. I never wear it. I smear it. But I try.
Finish with a decent gloss on the lips. Done.
Or, the speed routine: smear on bb cream, dash on a bit of blush, maybe a dash of bronzer in summer, eyeliner, brow highlight. GO. There's a lip gloss in the car, just GO.
Monday, September 09, 2013
Room Cleaning Cards for the Girls
We clean the bedrooms up on Friday night. Reward is movie night. Works great. My son (age 9) likes to clean by the "clock face" method. He picks a point to be 12 (usually his desk) and works his way around the clock face. I say, "Is your room done?" and he says, "No, but I made it to 9 o'clock."
The girls, on the other hand, moan and weep and get overwhelmed. The first step was to par down the gear a little bit (still have a ways to go) and to get rid of the box spring and get a platform bed to create easy storage under their bed. But it was still a battle. I tried the timer. I tried sending them after one type of item at a time. I considered boxing all of their gear and letting them live minimalist. Then I decided to try a ring of cards. Below are my cards. There are 9 of them counting the cover. I made each card a full-sized sheet of paper and printed them "8up" on cardstock. Cut, hole-punched at the top corner and put on a ring. Andulus font (my current favorite... along with Calibri, of course). So far it seems to be reducing the battle.
Time to Clean Your Room
Step 1
Get Ready
Put a smile on your
face.
Start at the door and
work around
the room for each step.
Find all of the trash and toss it.
If you see things that
belong in other rooms
put them in the hall.
Step 2
Bed
Clear out the
toys/books.
Fluff the pillows.
Pull up the blanket and
fold it back.
Turn off bedside lights.
Put away anything on
bedside table that doesn’t belong.
Take water bottles to
the kitchen.
Step 3
Clothes
Dirty clothes
downstairs.
Clean clothes stacked
for mom to help put away.
Step 4
Books
Put all the books away
(in the right places)
with spines tidy and facing out.
Step 5
Babies
Barbies
Pollys
Stuffed Animals
Baby Gear
Step 6
Kitchen toys
Dress up
Step 7
Desks
Legos
Step 8
Vacuum
Sweep
Dust
Done!
I love you.
Thank you
for keeping your room
clean.
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