Whoever invented "Family Game Night" had never met my kids...

For Christmas I bought the boy the game Guess What I Am?. I thought they would get a kick out of it and a good time would be had by all.

I do not know what I was thinking. That seems to be my mantra these days, doesn't it?? Instead of having fun and playing, this kind of family activity always turns out to be more of a contest for who can throw the biggest fit.

The very first round R looked at his card (you're just supposed to hold it up in front of your face and not look at it, hence the whole guessing part.) Nobody was mad or upset, we said "wait, stop, don't look at it!" and was about to give him a new one...BUT he went off in a tirade about how everyone was so mean and he wasn't going to play and he ran off to his room crying.

Then a bit later we played the game a different way, as teams. Now, I don't even recall what happened exactly, but something went wrong and E burst out in tears and acted like his life was over because of it. Again, nobody was mad or upset, nothing really bad happened...but you couldn't tell that from the way he was carrying on.

Now that I think about it...when my parents were visiting back in November they brought us the game Pictureka. I know for a fact that E had to leave the game at one point because of his crying and fussing about something. And honestly it was probably more than one time. I also remember that R had his share of issues as well. I'm certain that Grandma and Grandpa were wondering what THEY were thinking when they decide to play a game with my children.

Does it really have to be SO hard to just get along and be happy and have fun for just a little while?? Don't answer that, I already know what you're going to say.

Oooh, this also reminds of the "The Guy" we saw in Souplantation. He was a father there with his children, I think there were 3 of them (they were behind me). As they were making their way to the table one girl starting complaining about how she couldn't hold her tray any more. They were all having some issue and were basically whining to him kinda at the same time. I believe the girl with the tray said she was having trouble (it was hard to really tell since they were all talking at once). And then he says..."You're going to have trouble in life, all of you!"

C and I busted up laughing, although we tried to hide it very well. It was the most PERFECT parent response I think I've ever heard. Ok, maybe not what a "perfect" parent would say, but what every real parent is thinking! And trust me, it is exactly what C and I have been thinking!

About 10 steps back in the pursuit...

So I decide today to take my brood to Walmart so they can pick out some stuff to buy with gift cards they got for Christmas. Just the 3 of them and me.

I don't know what I was thinking. Three children on the loose in the toy section of Walmart all heading in their own directions, its enough to put anyone in the psych ward for at least a month.

There was fighting and arguing and crying and whining and running off and a really grouchy mother who wanted to pretend like they belonged to someone else and quietly sneak off.

Eventually I convinced them that they should just get what they had already picked and save some money for the next time we were there. Seemed like a really good idea at the time. But now, its dawning on me that this means I'll have to take them back!

See...sanity is not even a speck on the horizon.

Trying something...

Our dog Abby just can't deal with stuffed toys with squeakers in them. She will not stop until she gets the squeaker (and ALL the stuffing) out. On Christmas she got a stuffed reindeer and she kept picking it up and shaking the crap out of it. Her head was going SO fast, it was absolutely hilarious. Its probably one of those "you had to be there things"...but I've been wanting to try to post a video here and decided I'd try my first shot with the dog. Oh and this is just a short snippet of her shaking the poor reindeer, she went on doing this for a good 5 minutes.

I have a confession to make...

Ever since my lame toe injury I haven't done even one 30 day shred workout. I have my reasons, but they are nothing but stupid excuses. The same stupid excuses that always derail me. I think maybe going from practically nothing to day after day after day of such an intense workout was a bit much of an endeavor. As much as I thought I wanted to do it, mentally I just wasn't ready yet. So for now I'm going to set more realistic goals. Doesn't mean I'll totally give up on the 30 day shred, but its just not going to be 30 consecutive days.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men, women, children, and animals...

I want to wish everyone out there a very Happy Holidays!! Whatever you are celebrating, or even if you aren't celebrating anything at all...I hope your days are filled with happiness and blessings, and plenty of yummy things to eat!! Its been a fast and crazy year for most of us I think, so take some time to slow down for even a few minutes and enjoy the spirit and joy of this time of year!!

My family is enjoying a quiet day making sugar cookies and cleaning up in preparation for the huge mess that we'll have tomorrow morning! We don't have any specific plans for Christmas day, its going to be just the 5 of us here hanging out.

Huh, what do you know...

This post can be filed under "you learn something new every day". This probably doesn't really interest anyone, but hey, now I have 2 things I can list if someone ever asks me to tell something about me that nobody else knows!

I had an eye exam this morning. My grandfather had glaucoma and my eye pressure has always been on the high side so I go every year to get my eyes checked to make sure everything looks good. Plus I've had the same glasses for 2 years and they are terribly bent and the one lense is always falling out. They seriously need to be replaced.

Anyway... The doctor I saw was very descriptive about every test they did and what my results were and what that meant.

So the first new thing I learned was...I have a pigment spot on the back of my left eye. Its like a freckle. Isn't that trippy? Who knew you could have freckles in your eye?!?!

And the second new thing was...I don't actually have high eye pressure, mine are actually fairly normal. What I do have is thick corneas. And thick corneas can throw off the results of the tests that are usually done.

Thick corneas and a freckle in my left eye...the intricacies of the human body are really quite amazing!

Cool Book Giveaway!!

My friend Joleen from Granola Chicks is having an awesome giveaway on her blog, Hello, Jobi for an Usborne touch feely book...check it out and enter!!

The picture post...

Finally getting around to posting all the things I said I'd post pics of, aren't you excited!!!

First, here's my dining room table in all its brand new glory...

And here is my hair when it was long...

And my new shorter 'do, front & back...

I think that's all...if I missed anything I said I'd post (and if you even care) just let me know!

Smart windshield wipers...

So maybe everyone's vehicle does this and I'm just peeking out from under the rock I call my life and finally realizing it...but I fully accept my rock and think that this is WAY cool!

The windshield wipers in my van actually slow down when the van stops!!!!

Lest you think that I've been partaking in illegal substances you have to understand that this has always been a huge pet peeve of mine. You know when you are driving and you have to have the wipers on so fast to keep the rain off, but the instant you stop they start to like squeeeeaaaaak across the window because there isn't enough water to push away anymore. That has always, always annoyed me.

But today as I was driving in the rain I realized that when I came to a stop the wipers slowed way down to accomdate for the decrease in water. That is just totally freaking awesome!! It's like my van could read my mind and wanted to please me.

You're wondering how long I've had this van and why its taken me until now to notice this glorious phenomena, right? Ummm, now that I think about it I have no idea when exactly we bought the van. But in defense of my oblivion, I DO live in southern California. We don't get a lot of rain here. When it does rain generally it doesn't last very long. This aaaallllll day long rain we've had today and on Monday hardly ever happens. So, its perfectly logical that I wouldn't have noticed such a rockin' feature before now. Oh, and in case you didn't know and in case you were wondering how in the heck this came to be a pet peeve of mine...I haven't always lived here, I grew up and learned to drive in a place where there is plenty of rain...and snow...and all that jazz.

We are nearing the end of the year...

...so I thought we'd revisit my non-resolutions for the year. How many do you think I actually accomplished???

Well lets see how I did.

The first was "Not gain any more weight". Remember I decided to lower my expectations from "Lose weight" hoping I'd actually accomplish something? Thanks to the evil Mirena I couldn't even do that *sigh*. I don't recall what I weighed at this time last year, but I'm pretty sure it was less than now.

#2 "Keep my house clean for more than a week at a time." Miracle of miracles I think I actually did this!! Of course, it wasn't until we moved to the new house...and my cleaning spree only lasted about a month...but it did really occur!


#3 "Spend less time on the computer and more time with my kids." Eh... I've had my moments. Although overall I certainly didn't do as much of this as I should have.

#4 "Get more sleep." Hmmm... K did eventually start sleeping all night long. So I suppose I do get more sleep now than I did a year ago. I still stay up way too late and have insomnia regularly. But I said get more, not get enough, so I guess this too has been accomplished, woot!

#5 "Get a job." Um, yeah, that SO did not happen.

#6 "Find a way to be happy with the life that we've been given." Honestly, that didn't happen. But fortunately our life situation changed for the better in the past few months. So much better that it has seemed too good to be true and we're waiting for reality to kick in!

Well, the year wasn't a total loss, but its a probably a good thing I didn't actually make those pesky resolutions!

Sidelined by the stupidest injury in the world...

A few days ago I decided to de-nastify my feet a bit and get off some dry skin. You all know what I'm talking about, so don't act like you're all grossed out or anything. I cut a big hunk of hard skin off the side near my big toe nail. Apparently I cut too deep or something. Ever since my toe as been killing me. The first day it was really sore I pushed through exercising even though it was agonizing. The next day (yesterday)...it was so bad I couldn't even put a shoe on my foot. Anytime anything came near my poor wounded toe I would cringe. Any sort of pressure on any part of my toe was awful. It hurt SO bad. I didn't want to even make a meager attempt at a workout like that.

Today it still hurts, although not *quite* so bad. I still can't put on a tight shoe. I'm gonna try to do some strength stuff tonight though, maybe go on the elliptical for a bit with no shoes. But I'm kinda bummed I can't do my Jillian workout. Did you believe that??? HAHAHAHA!!! Seriously, I'm not bummed, not even a little bit, LOL. I've done pretty good sticking to this whole 30 day shred thing...but I am so very, very far from a place where I am bothered by skipping a day or two.

Of course, therein lies the problem doesn't it. Not being bothered by it is what gets me off track every time. *sigh* What can ya do though? I didn't ask for this injury, and a person can only inflict so much pain on themselves before they just can't take it anymore, LOL.

So its been a few days...

Last week started off with a bang...or rather a fire in my kitchen that was started by my 7 yr old using the toaster and not taking a plastic bag off the top of it.

The middle was stricken with panic because AF was tardy in arriving for her monthly visit. Why must she be such a PITA all the time???

And ended with frantic cleaning because the first time in years (yes, literally YEARS) we had an actual babysitter watch the kids so we could go to C's work christmas party.

I completed 10 days in the row of the 30 day shred! Day 10 I was beyond tired and didn't put much oomph into it, but I still did what I could.

I decided to take a day off for recovery before I started level 2 since I was feeling so tired. That was Friday. Plus I was doing all that cleaning that day so I was getting some good activity in still.

One day turned into two days. Saturday I slept in while C got up with the kids. I haven't gotten to sleep in in ages, so you better believe I was going to take advantage of it and not feel one bit guilty!!! Then we went to E's basketball, then lunch right after, then right after that left to drive up to OC to return some work equipment. Didn't get home until like 8pm, and as soon as we got home I had a horrible headache. So exercise surely wasn't going to be happening then.

But that means I HAVE to get back to it today. Starting level 2, so I'm scared...again. Honestly, I'm not sure I ever really stopped being petrified every time I turned the workout on, LOL!!!