Finally!! Tomorrow is one of my two favorite days of the year...the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!
What is my other favorite day of the year you wonder? The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!
I believe that moms fall into certain groups. There's the "Summer Moms" who take their kids to the park every day and the beach and movies and do crafts and go to museums and playdates and the zoo and picnics and the pool and summer camps and...well you get the idea. The enjoy being free of the routine of the school year and free to hang out with their kids doing fun things. They try to pack as much fun and entertainment as is possible into their days.
Then there are the "School Year Moms". Those are the ones who'd rather chew their own arm off than push their kid on the swing for 3 hours. Er, maybe that's just me. They like the familiarity of the school days where they always know what has to come next (getting up, going to school, coming home, homework, making dinner, bedtime!!!) and they take much joy in sending their little ones off each day.
I am definitely NOT a "Summer Mom." Staying home with my kids is simply not fun, they are loud and obnoxious and they fight constantly and complain of being bored and make a huge mess all the time. Taking my kids out places is even less enjoyable. The amount of chaos they create at home pales in comparison to the torture they dole out for me when I take them out of the house. I love them all dearly, but I do not really like them when forced to take them in large doses. Maybe if I had well behaved children I'd feel differently. I have a friend who has these well behaved children (several of them, more than I have) and they do all sorts of fun things. And at times I do wish we could experience those same kind of activities. But then my own non-well behaved children are fighting and crying and hitting and arguing all at the same time all in a matter of 5 minutes just while I'm trying to get them into the car and then proceed to scream things at me about how mean and horrible I am while I'm trying to drive them to do one of those fun activities...well I quickly remember why I'd rather stay home.
So I fall into the category of the "School Year Mom", although really I'm more of a "Beginning of the school year Mom." The middle of the school year there is too much time off, starting with 1 week at Thanksgiving, 2 weeks at the holidays, 1 week in February, and ending with 1 week of spring break in April....enough vacation already! The end of the school year starts to feel like things are dragging on. I'm sick of helping with homework and all the papers that come home and trying to get everyone out the door on time in the morning.
So tomorrow I will rejoice at no longer having to trek to the school twice a day in the van and I'll happily recycle all the papers and workbooks that were brought home. I'll wash the backpacks and put them away for the next 2 months. I'll revel in this freedom...for about 24 hours. Because by Wednesday afternoon I'm going to be counting the days until I can rejoice yet again.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Life Reflecting Art
Er, reflecting someone else's life is more accurate I suppose. One of my neighbors loaned me their copy of "Eat Pray Love" to read. She warned me the beginning was kind of depressing and not that exciting, but it got better. I hadn't ever had any desire to read this book because the subject matter didn't really interest me, but I was in the middle of "Memoirs Of A Geisha" and I figured depressing HAD to be better than mind-numbingly boring so I was happy to give it a try.
Interestingly enough, the first part where she is immersed in pleasureable things in Italy, including food, was not difficult for me to read at all. I didn't find the talk of her divorce depressing and I finished that part of the book very quickly. Maybe I liked it because I've always thought Italy would be a beautiful place to visit. Not that it was the best thing I ever read, but enjoyable enough.
But the second part, where she's meditating in an Ashram in India...that was like punishment for me to read. I was either bored and falling asleep (although I must say it was still more interesting than the Geisha book) or just plain irritated with what I was reading. I felt like I had as much trouble getting through that part of the book as she did with getting her mind right while meditating. I couldn't get through that section fast enough, many times I thought about just skipping ahead.
So reading about eating good food = enjoyable. Reading about meditation & prayer = nearly torture. I found this parallel to my own life quite humorous. My husband, who has very similar beliefs as I do, laughed at the irony as well.
You see, clearly food & I get along very well, and I would totally love to have the freedom to just do whatever I wanted and indulge myself in pleasurable activities. At this point of my life I'd love to even know what I would do if I did have the opportunity, because right now I honestly have no idea what *I* like. As for the other, while I'm not opposed to meditating for it's relaxation/stress reduction benefits, the whole becoming one with god and the universe (and, well, pretty much anything having to do with religion) is just not my thing. In my past attempts to give religion/belief a try I've always found myself feeling annoyed or bored. Nothing about it appeals to me, just like nothing about that section of the book appealed to me.
At the very least I got a laugh out of myself, and a welcome break from the monotony of that other book. Hmm, I suppose I should go back to reading that now, bummer.
Interestingly enough, the first part where she is immersed in pleasureable things in Italy, including food, was not difficult for me to read at all. I didn't find the talk of her divorce depressing and I finished that part of the book very quickly. Maybe I liked it because I've always thought Italy would be a beautiful place to visit. Not that it was the best thing I ever read, but enjoyable enough.
But the second part, where she's meditating in an Ashram in India...that was like punishment for me to read. I was either bored and falling asleep (although I must say it was still more interesting than the Geisha book) or just plain irritated with what I was reading. I felt like I had as much trouble getting through that part of the book as she did with getting her mind right while meditating. I couldn't get through that section fast enough, many times I thought about just skipping ahead.
So reading about eating good food = enjoyable. Reading about meditation & prayer = nearly torture. I found this parallel to my own life quite humorous. My husband, who has very similar beliefs as I do, laughed at the irony as well.
You see, clearly food & I get along very well, and I would totally love to have the freedom to just do whatever I wanted and indulge myself in pleasurable activities. At this point of my life I'd love to even know what I would do if I did have the opportunity, because right now I honestly have no idea what *I* like. As for the other, while I'm not opposed to meditating for it's relaxation/stress reduction benefits, the whole becoming one with god and the universe (and, well, pretty much anything having to do with religion) is just not my thing. In my past attempts to give religion/belief a try I've always found myself feeling annoyed or bored. Nothing about it appeals to me, just like nothing about that section of the book appealed to me.
At the very least I got a laugh out of myself, and a welcome break from the monotony of that other book. Hmm, I suppose I should go back to reading that now, bummer.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Product Review
I have insomnia. The kind where I'll wake up in the middle of the night and be unable to fall back to sleep for hours. When I have several nights of that in a row generally I turn to medicinally induced sleep by taking some Simply Sleep. I've heard about this stuff call Mid Nite that is a natural sleep aid that you can take anytime, including the middle of the night.
I finally got some to try. And, well, it's not as miraculous as I'd hoped it would be. It doesn't actually put me back to sleep. What it does is put me in a state that feels like I *could* fall asleep at any moment, but I don't. So I lay there, aware that I'm not sleeping and yet not fully conscious, for the same amount of time I'd normally have been laying there awake.
So I guess that's better...sort of. Maybe somehow in that asleep-ish state my body is getting some of the restoration it needs. My brain isn't going 60 miles an hour thinking over who knows what, it's just thinking I'm not sleeping, I really wish I was sleeping.
I don't necessarily NOT recommend this product, but I can't truly recommend it either.
I finally got some to try. And, well, it's not as miraculous as I'd hoped it would be. It doesn't actually put me back to sleep. What it does is put me in a state that feels like I *could* fall asleep at any moment, but I don't. So I lay there, aware that I'm not sleeping and yet not fully conscious, for the same amount of time I'd normally have been laying there awake.
So I guess that's better...sort of. Maybe somehow in that asleep-ish state my body is getting some of the restoration it needs. My brain isn't going 60 miles an hour thinking over who knows what, it's just thinking I'm not sleeping, I really wish I was sleeping.
I don't necessarily NOT recommend this product, but I can't truly recommend it either.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A piercing question...
No, not the kind of great importance...the kind about, well, piercing. I think I just might want another one. Not that I have many, or that the ones I do have are that interesting. They are, in fact, completely and utterly boring. My ear lobes have been pierced twice, although the top holes are closed up and I rarely wear earrings in the other ones. I do like the looks of certain piercings, but mostly I'm not big on stabbing my body with needles in crazy places, I wouldn't even get an epidural. I have always wanted another tattoo, but that's another topic for another day.
What would suddenly spark an interest? Well someone on FB was posting about their new piercing being infected. (Yes I realize it seems odd to desire something based upon someone else's discomfort.) The piercing she got is the tragus piercing. Honestly I'm totally uncool and I had no idea what that was, so I had to look it up, and yeah, I was a bit afraid to find out. (If you're as uncool as I am go ahead and click on the link, it isn't anything bad, it's on the ear!) But when I saw what it was I was like wow, I really like that, I want one!
Part of me is thinking, it's cool, I like it, go for it! And the other part is, I'm old, I'm boring, it probably won't look as good on me as it does in the pictures I looked at, and I don't really want to purposely cause myself pain, do I?
So, I don't know...should I, or shouldn't I?
What would suddenly spark an interest? Well someone on FB was posting about their new piercing being infected. (Yes I realize it seems odd to desire something based upon someone else's discomfort.) The piercing she got is the tragus piercing. Honestly I'm totally uncool and I had no idea what that was, so I had to look it up, and yeah, I was a bit afraid to find out. (If you're as uncool as I am go ahead and click on the link, it isn't anything bad, it's on the ear!) But when I saw what it was I was like wow, I really like that, I want one!
Part of me is thinking, it's cool, I like it, go for it! And the other part is, I'm old, I'm boring, it probably won't look as good on me as it does in the pictures I looked at, and I don't really want to purposely cause myself pain, do I?
So, I don't know...should I, or shouldn't I?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
New blog
Just wanted to announce that I have created a new blog focused on my weight loss journey. It is called "The Pursuit of Myself", if you're interested come check it out!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Week 1
Are you wondering how my first week of taking joy in cleaning my house has gone? Well...my house is still a total disaster. It wasn't that I hated the act of doing it, I just avoided it at all cost. So I guess that's a baby step, not quite sure if it's the right direction or not, but a baby step nonetheless.
In my defense, I was very distracted this week. First by the excitement of the Biggest Loser Finale, and then by the multitudes of people seeming to make their sole purpose in life to piss me off. My brain was so filled with irritation by Thursday that I was pretty much useless as far as accomplishing anything.
Did anyone watch the most recent Amazing Race? During the last leg one of the tasks was for one team member to navigate another through two video game levels, but the one being navigated couldn't see anything.
What does that have to do with anything you ask... Considering the level of disaster in my house I really think THAT is what I need. Someone to direct me to the place where I need to start cleaning, and guide me all the way to the end, and I couldn't be allowed to see any of the mess (other than directly in front of me) because then I'd be too overwhelmed to keep going. I think a lot of women would appreciate such a thing, don't you?
Dear Mr. Lucas, I know you are all into the movie and video game business, but I think there's an unexplored market out there for you. You can call it Cleaning Wars. Queue the scrolling text...
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away Right now in homes across the country... A mother sits in the middle of her house, surrounded and defeated. Galactic battle droids Her children hold her hostage with stolen light sabers nerf guns and leaky sippy cups. The floor a mine field of tiny legos and dirty laundry. There is no escape. Her only hope...a small band of rebel mothers, fed up with their homes being destroyed, are on their way. Their plan? To take back the galaxy house, room by room.
In my defense, I was very distracted this week. First by the excitement of the Biggest Loser Finale, and then by the multitudes of people seeming to make their sole purpose in life to piss me off. My brain was so filled with irritation by Thursday that I was pretty much useless as far as accomplishing anything.
Did anyone watch the most recent Amazing Race? During the last leg one of the tasks was for one team member to navigate another through two video game levels, but the one being navigated couldn't see anything.
What does that have to do with anything you ask... Considering the level of disaster in my house I really think THAT is what I need. Someone to direct me to the place where I need to start cleaning, and guide me all the way to the end, and I couldn't be allowed to see any of the mess (other than directly in front of me) because then I'd be too overwhelmed to keep going. I think a lot of women would appreciate such a thing, don't you?
Dear Mr. Lucas, I know you are all into the movie and video game business, but I think there's an unexplored market out there for you. You can call it Cleaning Wars. Queue the scrolling text...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Biggest Loser!!!!!
So, yesterday evening I got to attend the live finale of Biggest Loser season 9. I took along my friend Jenn who I've known from an online mom's group for many years now. Talk about being starstruck...oh my, there were so many cool people to see! There were a ton of past contestants (who all look so great and just like they did on tv), the families of current contestants, Curtis Stone was there. And of course the current contestants, Bob, Jillian, and Dr. H. We were like "oh look its him and her and them, and wow!"
I started watching Days of Our Lives when I was like 5 years old, I would go to my grandma's house and she watched it so I did too. I was a diehard fan for a good portion of my life! I haven't really watched it regularly the past several years, but I do catch it now and then. So it was especially cool for me to see Allison Sweeney. Her husband and mom sat right behind us. I also saw James Scott, who plays EJ on the show. He sat 2 rows behind us, and he stood right next to me for a few moments after the show so I asked for his autograph!
We got autographs also from Dan & Jackie Evans from BL season 5 (Jackie also smiled and waved at me one of the times she was walking by!), Daniel from BL's season 7 & second chances, and Eric the BL season 3 winner (who gained back all his weight.) He is looking fantastic, btw!! Danny Cahill, the BL season 8 winner had a small video camera he was using, he also smiled and waved at me while he was panning the audience. They all seemed like super nice people!
Our seats were in the front row in the center section. So many of the past contestants walked right by us before the show and during commercials while they were off catching up with all their friends. Even Bob walked right by us. They were close enough we could have reached out touched them.
The show itself was great to watch. To see these people in person and imagine where they started and how amazing they look now was so awesome! Mike, Ashley, Daris, and Koli all looked so genuinely happy, there wasn't a loser among them! I was truly impressed with Mike, he came so far and he really looks like he doesn't have that much further to go.
They gave away tons of free gifts, I got a box of the lemonade flavored protein drink they have, and a cd of workout music. Plus everyone who came got some coupons for a free month of membership to the Biggest Loser Club, a 30 day one-club membership to 24 hour fitness, and 5% discount on a 1 week reservation to the Biggest Loser Resort.
While we were standing waiting to be allowed into the studio we got talking to a girl wearing a green Biggest Loser shirt. Jenn asked if she actually knew Miggy or Migdalia. She said that she had visited the Biggest Loser Ranch. She is a huge fan of the show and was needing to lose weight and really wanted to go there for inspiration. She ended up meeting Miggy while she was there. Apparently the Biggest Loser Ranch is really a big park that you can actually go to, you can hike on the trails and mountains that they do on the show. How cool is that?
Anyway, it was just a really great experience and I'm so glad I got to go!
I couldn't take any pictures while I was there, but here are some of the things I collected.
Ticket to get in...
I started watching Days of Our Lives when I was like 5 years old, I would go to my grandma's house and she watched it so I did too. I was a diehard fan for a good portion of my life! I haven't really watched it regularly the past several years, but I do catch it now and then. So it was especially cool for me to see Allison Sweeney. Her husband and mom sat right behind us. I also saw James Scott, who plays EJ on the show. He sat 2 rows behind us, and he stood right next to me for a few moments after the show so I asked for his autograph!
We got autographs also from Dan & Jackie Evans from BL season 5 (Jackie also smiled and waved at me one of the times she was walking by!), Daniel from BL's season 7 & second chances, and Eric the BL season 3 winner (who gained back all his weight.) He is looking fantastic, btw!! Danny Cahill, the BL season 8 winner had a small video camera he was using, he also smiled and waved at me while he was panning the audience. They all seemed like super nice people!
Our seats were in the front row in the center section. So many of the past contestants walked right by us before the show and during commercials while they were off catching up with all their friends. Even Bob walked right by us. They were close enough we could have reached out touched them.
The show itself was great to watch. To see these people in person and imagine where they started and how amazing they look now was so awesome! Mike, Ashley, Daris, and Koli all looked so genuinely happy, there wasn't a loser among them! I was truly impressed with Mike, he came so far and he really looks like he doesn't have that much further to go.
They gave away tons of free gifts, I got a box of the lemonade flavored protein drink they have, and a cd of workout music. Plus everyone who came got some coupons for a free month of membership to the Biggest Loser Club, a 30 day one-club membership to 24 hour fitness, and 5% discount on a 1 week reservation to the Biggest Loser Resort.
While we were standing waiting to be allowed into the studio we got talking to a girl wearing a green Biggest Loser shirt. Jenn asked if she actually knew Miggy or Migdalia. She said that she had visited the Biggest Loser Ranch. She is a huge fan of the show and was needing to lose weight and really wanted to go there for inspiration. She ended up meeting Miggy while she was there. Apparently the Biggest Loser Ranch is really a big park that you can actually go to, you can hike on the trails and mountains that they do on the show. How cool is that?
Anyway, it was just a really great experience and I'm so glad I got to go!
I couldn't take any pictures while I was there, but here are some of the things I collected.
Ticket to get in...
Seat tag with autographs
Confetti!!
Free prizes!
James Scott "EJ" autograph
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