It seems my attempt at a spending diet is not really working. I feel like I'm spending less bc my grocery trips are between $30-40 each week but the in-between stuff... ugh. The dog food and soda and random 'hey, let's eat ___ tonight' and new clothes for Izzy as she SPROUTS and just random.... STUFF is insane. I talk myself out of so many things and then allow myself to buy something else later and it's just adding up too fast. But none of it feels 'extra'. I've got worn out clothing and too-big clothing and not-age-appropriate clothing... so I've bought a few things that I feel like I deserve. But the cc balance says we should go without. So... yeah. poop.
We do ok cutting back on eating out for a couple of weeks and then it seems like it just creeps back in. We're out late and don't want to cook or he doesn't take a lunch with him so he goes out or friends come over and we order something.
Why is it so hard to budget? Surely there are concrete lists we can adhere to. I suppose making those lists would mean we'd have to actually sit down and draw them up. Which would mean having the time AND the desire to do so.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Texas Spring
Yesterday was overcast but comfortable so we took the boat out for a few hours. I don't think we got near as much sun as the last time and Izzy actually had a little bit of fun in the water. We 'beached' in a little cove and wandered up and down the shore picking up shells. I wish I'd taken more pictures but maybe next time Lily won't be crying the whole time and I'll remember to snap a few.
Today is wet and cold and windy. Aside from the excessive greenery, it looks almost winter-like outside. Soggy ground, grey skies... unhappy dogs, bored kids.
Next weekend is the homeschooling bookfair in Arlington. It runs all day long and I'm planning to go with Megan. I think she'll have Zeke with her but I'm hopeful I can leave both girls here. I can't concentrate when they are with me and trying to run amok.
I'm really hoping to find a line of curriculum that will be as helpful to me as it will be educational for Izzy (and Lily). I have a hard time scheduling school time and establishing a clear demarcation between lazy-chaotic-fun zones and focused-organized zones. The only area I have to set up any kind of bulletin board is the play room and it's nearly impossible to ask the girls to turn away from their toy distractions and focus on 'B is for Ball....'
Today is wet and cold and windy. Aside from the excessive greenery, it looks almost winter-like outside. Soggy ground, grey skies... unhappy dogs, bored kids.
Next weekend is the homeschooling bookfair in Arlington. It runs all day long and I'm planning to go with Megan. I think she'll have Zeke with her but I'm hopeful I can leave both girls here. I can't concentrate when they are with me and trying to run amok.
I'm really hoping to find a line of curriculum that will be as helpful to me as it will be educational for Izzy (and Lily). I have a hard time scheduling school time and establishing a clear demarcation between lazy-chaotic-fun zones and focused-organized zones. The only area I have to set up any kind of bulletin board is the play room and it's nearly impossible to ask the girls to turn away from their toy distractions and focus on 'B is for Ball....'
Mary Kay
I believe I've been invited to try Mary Kay products two or three times and I've never bothered. Principally because I imagined they were far more expensive than I would care to afford. I have to confess I also imagined I would feel extremely awkward and out of place at a Mary Kay party. Me, the frumpy frazzled stay-at-home mom. It just never fit.
However, I'm currently infatuated with shows like What Not to Wear and I long to wear fun makeup so that I can be the cute frazzled mom. (I've decided dropping the 'frazzled' bit is impossible. Who with three kids and two of them GIRLS can help being frazzled?) I spent 20 minutes the other day watching a girl's how-to videos on YouTube and was enthralled by the use of this magical product called foundation primer. I've never heard of this! A foundation for your foundation? What WILL they think of next? I must have it! But I didn't know where to get it or what brand I would like and the biggest thing I abhor about buying face/beauty products is the expense of acquiring things that just aren't quite right. The failed experiment drawer is not pretty.
A week or two ago, I got an invitation from a friend to a Mary Kay party. She's decided to start this as a side business and I admire her for tackling this in addition to a full-time job and full-time mothering. So how could I not attend? A Girls Night, even with girls I don't know, is always to be appreciated. Anywhoo... last night was a great night. I showed up nearly an hour late but hadn't missed the fun parts and for the next nearly 2.5 hours, got to enjoy experimenting with fun facial products and colors.
However, I'm currently infatuated with shows like What Not to Wear and I long to wear fun makeup so that I can be the cute frazzled mom. (I've decided dropping the 'frazzled' bit is impossible. Who with three kids and two of them GIRLS can help being frazzled?) I spent 20 minutes the other day watching a girl's how-to videos on YouTube and was enthralled by the use of this magical product called foundation primer. I've never heard of this! A foundation for your foundation? What WILL they think of next? I must have it! But I didn't know where to get it or what brand I would like and the biggest thing I abhor about buying face/beauty products is the expense of acquiring things that just aren't quite right. The failed experiment drawer is not pretty.
A week or two ago, I got an invitation from a friend to a Mary Kay party. She's decided to start this as a side business and I admire her for tackling this in addition to a full-time job and full-time mothering. So how could I not attend? A Girls Night, even with girls I don't know, is always to be appreciated. Anywhoo... last night was a great night. I showed up nearly an hour late but hadn't missed the fun parts and for the next nearly 2.5 hours, got to enjoy experimenting with fun facial products and colors.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Rained-out Wednesday
Chad is taking a vacation week right now and so far, we've managed to go out on the boat a total of ZERO times. Part of this is due to my not feeling up to it Sunday and Monday and part of it is due to a ridiculous amount of wind and sketchy rain. So, since we haven't been on the water, he's been working on the boat, rerouting some wiring and installing new lights, etc. to get things up to snuff. I know the next big job will be updating the trailer and then painting the boat. When that's all done, it's going to be one sharp looking classic.
Of course, it's also Passover week. This makes finding things to do or places to go a little more difficult than usual but maybe all the enforced family time will do us good?
We had a family Seder Monday evening and then I took Izzy to the community seder with my parents. I haven't been to a group seder before and it was an amazing night. Being part of a larger community of believers is so encouraging. I don't know that I've ever experienced any real doubts that I'm doing the right thing by pursuing conversion but seeing Isobel get involved with the prayers and singing and ritual of Passover definitely helps reaffirm the choice.
With Isobel's birthday coming up in the next few months, I'm feeling more pressure to buckle down and figure out a homeschooling curriculum. I worry that my lax schedule will interfere with teaching adequately but hopefully, finding the right guideline to use will facilitate bringing not only the girls but myself into line.
Of course, it's also Passover week. This makes finding things to do or places to go a little more difficult than usual but maybe all the enforced family time will do us good?
We had a family Seder Monday evening and then I took Izzy to the community seder with my parents. I haven't been to a group seder before and it was an amazing night. Being part of a larger community of believers is so encouraging. I don't know that I've ever experienced any real doubts that I'm doing the right thing by pursuing conversion but seeing Isobel get involved with the prayers and singing and ritual of Passover definitely helps reaffirm the choice.
With Isobel's birthday coming up in the next few months, I'm feeling more pressure to buckle down and figure out a homeschooling curriculum. I worry that my lax schedule will interfere with teaching adequately but hopefully, finding the right guideline to use will facilitate bringing not only the girls but myself into line.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Analagous
The wind has been buffeting the house for the last couple of days and I can say, with reasonable confidence, that I am ready for it to go away. There are some days that I love to watch the wind play with the trees, bending them this way and that, like great leafy dancers. But this wind has brought with it a feeling of unrest and irritation. Probably doesn't help that Mother Nature has come to call in more ways than one.
The wind whipping around the house is an interesting sound but it makes for dusty dogs and bored children. I don't think they would mind trading places but I'm not sure that would actually make life any more pleasant for mommy. Not to mention how very like life the wind is. Lately, I feel like I am tugged one way and another and I just go... And then it blows on by me and I'm here, disheveled and unfocused.
This could all just be a mood. I often have days when I wonder what I'm doing with my time and how I could better utilize it. What could I teach the girls that I'm not? What could I be doing, creatively, that I'm not? What goals could I have that I simply... don't?
I feel small. There are mothers who are out there making a discernible difference in their world AND raising children. There are mothers with careers that make an impact on lives or provide a valuable service AND they raise their children. I feel less-than. I'm raising wonderful children and I think maybe I'm the unnoticeable cog that is vital to the machine's movement but all in all, still just a little dusty cog. I don't stand out. I don't have a cause or a goal or a bright and shiny talent.
I hate the wind.
The wind whipping around the house is an interesting sound but it makes for dusty dogs and bored children. I don't think they would mind trading places but I'm not sure that would actually make life any more pleasant for mommy. Not to mention how very like life the wind is. Lately, I feel like I am tugged one way and another and I just go... And then it blows on by me and I'm here, disheveled and unfocused.
This could all just be a mood. I often have days when I wonder what I'm doing with my time and how I could better utilize it. What could I teach the girls that I'm not? What could I be doing, creatively, that I'm not? What goals could I have that I simply... don't?
I feel small. There are mothers who are out there making a discernible difference in their world AND raising children. There are mothers with careers that make an impact on lives or provide a valuable service AND they raise their children. I feel less-than. I'm raising wonderful children and I think maybe I'm the unnoticeable cog that is vital to the machine's movement but all in all, still just a little dusty cog. I don't stand out. I don't have a cause or a goal or a bright and shiny talent.
I hate the wind.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Weekend already?
This week has kind of flown by. Chad got home Sunday and stayed home sick on Monday. I guess he caught something on the plane. I don't even remember what I did Tuesday and Wednesday... Oh! I took the girls to a local mall Wednesday. We showed up at Barnes and Noble just in time for their Story Hour. I didn't know they did one at all and it was AWESOME! Mr Jeff is very animated and seems to love interacting with the kids. Definitely going to make that a new part of our routine.
Thursday, Isobel had a dentist appointment. It turns out the dark spot I was worried about is indeed a small cavity starting but hopefully it won't take a big filling. She did really well at letting the dentist poke around in her mouth and polish her teeth. It helped that they have this neat Kangaroo toy with TEETH in it's mouth. She brushed them over and over and then held his little paw while her teeth were being polished. So cute!
Spring.... where are you? Some days it's cold, some days it's HOT and I want nice middle of the road weather.
Thursday, Isobel had a dentist appointment. It turns out the dark spot I was worried about is indeed a small cavity starting but hopefully it won't take a big filling. She did really well at letting the dentist poke around in her mouth and polish her teeth. It helped that they have this neat Kangaroo toy with TEETH in it's mouth. She brushed them over and over and then held his little paw while her teeth were being polished. So cute!
Spring.... where are you? Some days it's cold, some days it's HOT and I want nice middle of the road weather.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Skype babies
Daddy is in Vancouver till tomorrow and the girls got to have their first Skype call with him tonight. Lily absolutely loved the whole concept... she kept waving to him, trying to give kisses and loved when he would get up close to the camera and make silly faces. Izzy liked it but was more interested in trying to entertain Daddy with hand stands and general silliness. I think his absence has left her a little wound up so hopefully when he's back, she returns to a more calm normality. Yeah right... heh
Before Chad left, I thought about painting our room/bathroom. It's hard to do stuff like that when we have to have access to the room every night so when he's out of town, it's a prime time for creativity. Tuesday afternoon, we picked out colors and got the paint. When the girls went to bed, I got started on the cutting in process. Oy. I am NOT a fan of cutting in. It's so time consuming! And having to squoosh all the furniture into the middle of the room to have space for the giant ladder? Yikes. At least I got all the top cutting-in done before Lily started waking up. She's been having these wakeful nights on and off lately... she wakes up crying and then calms down once I check on her. But for some reason, she struggles to go back to sleep and is sometimes awake for 2-3 hours.
So Tuesday night, I ended up penning the dogs in the hallway and sleeping on the girls' floor with my hand stuck in Lily's crib. She finally passed out sometime after midnight. Wednesday night, she slept fairly normally but Izzy woke up a couple of times. Thursday night, Lily had the same wakefulness. Their floor is SO not comfortable. And waking up at the crack of dawn with Izzy and sneaking downstairs so as not to wake Lily is not terribly fun, either.
The painting is done, tho. I painted Tuesday/Wednesday night and Thursday during what was supposed to be Izzy's nap (she just played on the couch in the living room). Friday, I painted the main part of the bathroom and today I wrapped up with the little WC. I was hoping to paint the girls' bathroom as well but I think I'm gonna hold off on that for a little while. Maybe even do it a different color. Our room and the bathroom is a LOT of yellow. ;-)
I miss my honey. His being away on these trips has gotten easier to handle but I still am not a fan. I find myself to be very short tempered the last couple of days. It stinks he can't take off Monday to hang out with us.
Before Chad left, I thought about painting our room/bathroom. It's hard to do stuff like that when we have to have access to the room every night so when he's out of town, it's a prime time for creativity. Tuesday afternoon, we picked out colors and got the paint. When the girls went to bed, I got started on the cutting in process. Oy. I am NOT a fan of cutting in. It's so time consuming! And having to squoosh all the furniture into the middle of the room to have space for the giant ladder? Yikes. At least I got all the top cutting-in done before Lily started waking up. She's been having these wakeful nights on and off lately... she wakes up crying and then calms down once I check on her. But for some reason, she struggles to go back to sleep and is sometimes awake for 2-3 hours.
So Tuesday night, I ended up penning the dogs in the hallway and sleeping on the girls' floor with my hand stuck in Lily's crib. She finally passed out sometime after midnight. Wednesday night, she slept fairly normally but Izzy woke up a couple of times. Thursday night, Lily had the same wakefulness. Their floor is SO not comfortable. And waking up at the crack of dawn with Izzy and sneaking downstairs so as not to wake Lily is not terribly fun, either.
The painting is done, tho. I painted Tuesday/Wednesday night and Thursday during what was supposed to be Izzy's nap (she just played on the couch in the living room). Friday, I painted the main part of the bathroom and today I wrapped up with the little WC. I was hoping to paint the girls' bathroom as well but I think I'm gonna hold off on that for a little while. Maybe even do it a different color. Our room and the bathroom is a LOT of yellow. ;-)
I miss my honey. His being away on these trips has gotten easier to handle but I still am not a fan. I find myself to be very short tempered the last couple of days. It stinks he can't take off Monday to hang out with us.
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