Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Have I mentioned that I'm BLOND...

Today I mistook a second grader for a fifth grader.  What was I thinking?  Oh yeah, I'm blond. 

Last week I had resolution 47.  The week before I declared resolution 47.  What was I thinking?  Oh yeah, I'm blond.

Still working out that morning routine.  How come LRHB got up at 7 on the nose every day this year and last (just about), but now that I have to leave for work at 8 he's sleeping still at 8?

I've created some lists to be organized for the holidays, so 47 resolution number 1 is going well, yet not complete.  Which is making me feel a bit crazy.  What am I thinking, blogging when there is work to be done?  Oh yeah, I'm blond.

And resolution 47 number 2 was being PRESENT.  Totally knocked that one out of the park all of last week.  Now to resume normal life and be present. 

Well, I'm thinking that I don't need 48 if I have 2 resolutions for 47 and since this week is half over and I'm working full time the rest of the week, I will postpone 48 for now. 

Happy Week!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Time Flies...

I cannot believe that my kiddos go back to school tomorrow and that I go back to work!  Getting organized, washing/folding laundry, thinking about dinners as the end of the week I work all day.  Where did Thanksgiving break go?  It makes me so sad that it is gone.  The house is got cleaned, we played games, read books, watched LOTS of football, went to the movies, went to a hockey game, enjoyed being with the grandparents and Uncle Big Billy Goat Gruff, went out to dinner, ate and ate and ate.  It has been so fabulous!  So why am I so sad?  Cause we have to close the book on this chapter and it went too fast.  I enjoyed being in the moment!  Sweet LM's breakfast casseroles came in handy!  So did some freezer meals!  But I am pensive.  One more day and then the grandparents leave.  sigh.  At least I have College Boy home for the next 38 days!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Book Review... I cannot believe it's been a MONTH

I just finished, not 10 minutes ago, have mother, will travel by Claire and Mia Fontaine.  As I pulled up my blog, I was horrified to discover that it took me a MONTH to finish another book.  Some of it was the book, which wasn't as compelling as their first book.  Some of it was that my month has been wicked crazy busy.  Some of it is that it is a sweeps month and TV has been really good.

This story is told alternating from each of their points of view as they spend a summer travelling and reconnecting.  They find themselves, explore their relationship to each other and as women.  It was a really good book to read if you have a daughter.  I felt somewhat bereft as I don't have that relationship with a daughter.  I do with my mother, my joy, my example, my everything.  My Purple Friend lost her mother this week which hurts my heart so much because she was my Purple Friends's everything.  Fortunately, PF has a daughter that thinks that my Purple Friend is her everything.  Circle of life.

I think this is a book that at times gave me pause to consider where I am in life, where I am headed, what is my example that I follow and that I am setting.  As women, are we raising a less confident generation?  Was that the generation we just finished raising and is this current generation going to benefit from a backlash?  We are starting to focus on women being women, loving ourselves as we are and concentrating less on being a different version of ourselves.  Being in the moment, in the pictures, happier.  We're focusing on "Carpe a couple of Kairoses a day".  Thanks, Glennon.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

The upside to my new crossing guard job is that I can substitute in my son's building as an aide.  Last Friday, I filled in for my Twilight Friend and was an aide in Kindergarten.  It was party day for the kids as it was the last day before the Thanksgiving break (we get the entire week... yahoo!) and it was controlled chaos all morning like Kindergarten can be.  In the afternoon, we shifted back into regular school gears.  As they were sitting at carpet time, doing calendar, I was listening to their FABULOUS teacher, Ms Red, explaining past, present and future.  As she was trying to get them to remember "present", I wanted to give a reminder clue of "gift".  And I had an epiphany...

Our present is a GIFT that we often overlook.  Our PRESENT is a GIFT we often OVERLOOK!  That is my RESOLUTION for week 47:  Accept the PRESENT as a GIFT and enjoy every moment of this holiday week with my family.  Don't get caught up in the small stuff (car breaking down, again and no luggage for my brother).  Enjoy the present.  Happy Thanksgiving.

(FYI, up til that point my resolution was going to be clean the doors in your house because they often get overlooked in the regular cleaning process.... how glad are we now that I had that epiphany!)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Sick Day

LRHB is home on a sick day today.  The reality is that he had a migraine yesterday, his first.  And since Teen Boy and I both suffer from them, I am pretty certain that is what it was.  However, before leaving school yesterday, he puked which means mandatory 24 hours home.  I'm fine with it.  I had a list of stuff to do today, but we can hang out.  Because he feels fine, however, I am a one woman entertainment committee.  Just lost at Risk.  We've read 30 minutes.  Now to trick him into some chore time.  In one week, College Boy comes home.  In 2 days, my home boys will be done with school until after Thanksgiving.  In 4 days my folks arrive and 6 days my brother.  Many things to do, but getting motivated to do them with JOY in my heart!  Happy Wednesday! 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Some yes. Some no. And #47.

30 - Fix a routine:  the morning one.  Just when we get it down, I go and get a job and we have to reevaluate.  But one part is better for sure and that is breakfast.  I have almost eliminated prepackaged breakfast for homemade.  I make it in advance on the weekends and freeze it for all week long.  I am REALLY PROUD OF THIS!  And you should be proud of me too.
31 - Prepare for a new school year.  Yes.  And no.  So, some of the stuff that is left over from last year is in a box that needs to be put away.  However, we were ready to go with new shoes, school supplies and four gazillion checks.
32 - Okay, MY school year motto is "Jesus, I trust you."  Not sure it is really anyone else's but that is okay!  I would rather have LRHB working on being a good friend.  And Teen Boy learning to navigate new social situations.  And College Boy learning to manage a job with classes.  I trust Him to watch over my boys as they navigate through their school year growing up and away.  (sigh) When I start to worry, my mantra is, "Jesus, I trust you."  I have really been using it on the new job (please stop car, Jesus I trust you)!
33 - Talk to your kids about dangerous situations.  Yes.  And it is ongoing.  With several high publicity child abductions, we have continued this conversation. 
34 - Make a new friend.  Bring someone new into the fold.  I've been trying.  Do I have a new BFF?  No.  Have I had friends this fall that I may not text daily with need me and was I there for them.  Yes.  And the LRHB seems to have been welcomed back into the fold.  Time heals.  Yet, we continue to make different choices to avoid putting him in a difficult situation.  Different is good.  Growth and all that stuff.
35 - Clear off a book shelf.  Sure, I cleared it off.  The stack of books is still sitting in front of it. 
36 - Clean out the garage.  HA-ha-ha!  Hero daddy has taken off several days this fall.  Mostly Mondays when I go to bible study and Fridays when I volunteer at school.  Or the Friday we went to the movies.  It's not going anywhere.
37 - Clean, mend or toss.  Yes, yes, yes.  In fact, used the Dawn on grease stains about an hour ago.
38 - Get the mail regularly.  No.  And that's all I have to say about that.
39 - Clean out the filing cabinet.  Work in progress.
40 - Clean the refrigerator.  Yes.   And no.  I have 2.  I did one and discovered that many things in the back of my fridge freeze or are empty jars of what used to be olives and pickles.  Teens.  They eat stuff and leave the empties behind.
41 - Clean the baseboards.  Yes I did.  Okay, not all of them in the entire house.  But all of them in the living area and halls.  I even moved stuff.  But then, I got busy and cleaning fell to the wayside until this week when I hosted bunco and "had to clean" (remember, someone coming so it must be time to clean).  Mostly I needed to straighten up.  And now I have a huge box filled with half done stuff that I must get done.
42 - Get in the picture.  I did.  I cannot wait to see it.  I got in one with the LRHB and his baseball team.  I tried to hide.  Even after saying I would be in the moment, I tried to hide.  UGH.  But then I got in the picture.  And one with Teen Boy at band senior night.  That one I'll get this week and I cannot wait because good or bad, I will put it next to the one College Boy and I took (with Hero Daddy and LRHB) 2 years ago.  They're in this one, too!  And with Thanksgiving next week, I will be making sure I am in pictures and that my MOM is in pictures (and not just the ones we usually take of each other taking pictures which I guess is better than nothing!).
43 - Prep the yard for winter - no.  Ha. 
44 - Window - no.  Ha.
45 - Try something new - LOVE my new job.  But I am so sad to discover how few people respect me doing my job.  School zone speeders were one thing, but on Friday I had three drivers ignore me and my sign IN THE CROSSWALK.  Not in danger, but it scared the bejebuz out of me!  Resulting in me crying.  And this really great mom was so nice to me!  She even called the school to tell the principal what a great job I do!  I'm still needing to improve on my timing.  Once last week I was late and had to holler out the window of my car to waiting kids that I was coming.  Humiliating.  This is a new week of early arrival.
46 - Survive... someone I knew survived a marathon.  Someone else survived the visit of family members that don't value them.  I survived the bazaar.  It was bittersweet.  I took time and enjoyed it this year instead of stressing about it.  Part of that was better planning.  Part of that was realizing that I was done with it.  I mean I don't dislike it as much as I pretend to because I do love being with the kids and watching them enjoying helping others.  But it isn't good for me.  I hurt all over today.  I don't sleep.  I need a few more chiefs and a few less braves.  I will spend a bit of time this week trying to pass it on in better shape, easier to implement shape, than I received it.
47 - Holiday lists.  Whether you are into downsizing or love the craziness or travel or celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, we all enjoy the holidays more when we are prepared.  So this week (while finishing items on this list and prepping for Thanksgiving family visits and making a turkey for school and adding some extra work hours into my week and getting a car fixed and maybe a new car), I will be making some lists to help my holiday season go more smoothly.  I am already listening to my Christmas carols so I am in the mood.  Join me!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

week 46

SURVIVE BEING IN CHARGE OF ... IN MY CASE IT IS A HOLIDAY BAZAAR.  You have to understand, I'm not a bazaar girl.  My friends learned not to ask me along each year, cause I would rather stay home and clean.  Really.  Truly.  So how is it I find myself in charge of something I care so little about, it's for the kids.  It is.  It raises money for the instrumental music program which I have watched sprout wings and fly during my 6 years at our high school.  But UGH.  I cannot wait.  In 48 hours it will be done and I will be drinking. 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Resolution #45

TRY SOMETHING NEW

I don't know if this is a repeat, nor am I going to double check because for me this week is all about trying something new.  I got a job.  It kinda happened quickly and as of Monday I am employed as a Crossing Guard for my son's elementary school.  I will also be picking up some extra hours as a sub.  I am really excited to be a part of the staff, again.  Cause I used to be a sub in the building prior to LRHB coming into our world.  So many observations about this new chapter in my life:
  • I love being part of something BIGGER.  I serve my community and it gives me immense pride.  I stand there on the corner smiling this enormous grin and feel like it my job to welcome everyone that drives by to a new, wonderful day.  I do wonder a bit what they think of this grinning crazy person, but hopefully it touches someone's heart.
  • I didn't anticipate it being such a change for LRHB which makes my heart hurt a little.  We'll get there, I know, but I didn't mentally prepare for it.  I mean, we go to school every day and go home everyday.  The only difference is we have to go earlier and stay longer, which we did many days in the afternoon.  The morning piece... I mean we're up.  It's just about opening our hearts to making some changes. Now I know.
  • I love the smiling faces and friendly waves.  I never really did that when we were in the car for the previouse guard.  Maybe it is just cause it is new and it will die down.  I feel like I'm in my own parade each morning waving left and right!  But I have one sweet girl who puts her window down and shouts in her own quiet way, "Good Morning!"  and my heart just sings.
  • I am learning.  The Lord has some qualities He wants me to work on and this is how he is doing it.  Patience.  There isn't a lot of foot traffic at my corner so I wait patiently.  Those of you who know me know that quiet waiting isn't really ME!  Tolerance.  Most people DO NOT DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT IN A SCHOOL ZONE!  I don't recognize the same folks racing through my area each day, so each day I tell myself that they didn't slow down not because they are rule breakers, but because their hearts are breaking.  Their mind is with their heart and I need to TOLERATE that all people are not perfect and give them GRACE.  Forgiveness.  See above bit on Tolerance.  Kindness and generosity (again see the tolerance part). 
  • I am praying.  Yes, I sit there on my corner and pray for those headed to work.  And those headed to school.  For my family.  For my prayer list.  TWICE A DAY.  He wanted me to have more time with Him; that's why I landed this job.
So this is my something new I am trying.  I've needed to get back into the workforce and this is a small step in the right direction.  Your something new doesn't need to be a new job.  Maybe it is a new recipe.  A new route to work.  A new drink or exercise routine or new machine at the gym or new top or a new show.  Happy Week!