This entry will be a boring one, but I had to share anyway. I am extremely bored with sandwiches for lunch these days so I've been eating soup instead.
Well today I was out of soup so I had to improvise. I grabbed an avocado (make sure it is nice and ripe), cut it up and mushed it on two pieces of bread (I used whole grain double fiber bread). Usually I'm a butter kind of gal, but the avocado was awesome. Just enough of a flavor change not to bore me. Plus it filled me up and I was able to get one of the super foods into my body for the day.
If you aren't familiar with the super food category, I will list a few:
Blueberries
Walnuts
Avocados
Salmon (not farm raised)
Spinach
Broccoli
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The famous To-Do-List
Wednesday
Everyone has one and no one wants to do them. The big To-Do-Lists. I have to write one out every week so I can maximize my efficiency. As a kid, I remember how cool it would be to be an adult. I would be able to drive, have my own place, hang out with my friends and enjoy life (basically not have to listen to my parents, right?). On the other hand, I was a pretty realistic kid, my parents did prepare me well for working hard in the real world (pulling brush, wheel barreling wood chips, splitting wood with a sledgehammer and a wedge--not an easy task if you've ever split wood, digging up sod, moving rocks--Child Labor Laws? Anyone? Anyone?), but I did like to dream a lot. In my futuristic dream world, it didn't include To-Do-Lists.
I try to plan out my week so I only have to run errands on one day (you know less gas, less wasted time). Can you tell I like to be efficient? Anyway I set out to do my list on a cold raining Wednesday morning. I head to the bank then off to Kohl's (I can't let that 30% off coupon go to waste). Did I mention I am driving my husband's truck? I have to take it in for an emission test. Of course the tank is almost empty so I head for the gas station. Next I go to Target to pay a bill. Last on the list is the emissions place., which is in Milwaukee so it's a little further than I go on most of my days out (about 20 minutes from where we live). The distance isn't my problem it's the fear of my husband's truck breaking down on the freeway (the truck has seen it's better days, but it still chugs along). Which makes me think the truck might not even pass the test, but what the heck I like living on the edge or maybe that's defying authority.
So I make it to the emissions place no problem except (I know you were waiting for that but...) the place is closed. Out of all the other days of the week, the one day that they are closed is Wednesday. What the hell? Is this the governments new way of saving money to close on a Wednesday? What about giving the employees two consecutive days off? Like try Sunday and Monday not Sunday and Wednesday. Yes, I know I should've checked online, but I was pretty sure Wednesday would be a safe day. Lesson learned except my whole week is blown now I will have to go back tomorrow. The whole saving on gas and time went up in smoke.
Thursday
Good news. The truck passed. We are good for another two years. Yay!
Everyone has one and no one wants to do them. The big To-Do-Lists. I have to write one out every week so I can maximize my efficiency. As a kid, I remember how cool it would be to be an adult. I would be able to drive, have my own place, hang out with my friends and enjoy life (basically not have to listen to my parents, right?). On the other hand, I was a pretty realistic kid, my parents did prepare me well for working hard in the real world (pulling brush, wheel barreling wood chips, splitting wood with a sledgehammer and a wedge--not an easy task if you've ever split wood, digging up sod, moving rocks--Child Labor Laws? Anyone? Anyone?), but I did like to dream a lot. In my futuristic dream world, it didn't include To-Do-Lists.
I try to plan out my week so I only have to run errands on one day (you know less gas, less wasted time). Can you tell I like to be efficient? Anyway I set out to do my list on a cold raining Wednesday morning. I head to the bank then off to Kohl's (I can't let that 30% off coupon go to waste). Did I mention I am driving my husband's truck? I have to take it in for an emission test. Of course the tank is almost empty so I head for the gas station. Next I go to Target to pay a bill. Last on the list is the emissions place., which is in Milwaukee so it's a little further than I go on most of my days out (about 20 minutes from where we live). The distance isn't my problem it's the fear of my husband's truck breaking down on the freeway (the truck has seen it's better days, but it still chugs along). Which makes me think the truck might not even pass the test, but what the heck I like living on the edge or maybe that's defying authority.
So I make it to the emissions place no problem except (I know you were waiting for that but...) the place is closed. Out of all the other days of the week, the one day that they are closed is Wednesday. What the hell? Is this the governments new way of saving money to close on a Wednesday? What about giving the employees two consecutive days off? Like try Sunday and Monday not Sunday and Wednesday. Yes, I know I should've checked online, but I was pretty sure Wednesday would be a safe day. Lesson learned except my whole week is blown now I will have to go back tomorrow. The whole saving on gas and time went up in smoke.
Thursday
Good news. The truck passed. We are good for another two years. Yay!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Middle Child Worries
Child #2 says, "Mom, all the movies are either about love or have a happy ending."
I say, "What a great observation. You are right."
Now her observation is a little bias considering I don't let her watch too many bad movies that don't have happy endings. And my answer is the mama bear trying to keep the big bad world of reality at the front door. But I know sooner or later the front door is going to unlock and open. Well, I would say it has already been unlocked, but not quite open yet. I try to give them as much reality as I can without scaring them.
At six, Child #2 appears to be very intuitive and observant. Hell, I don't even know if I would've made that observation at six (I was the middle child and understand everything Child #2 goes through even though I'm the water and she's the oil). I am completely floored by her comment.
Of course, my mind goes into overdrive. What does this mean? Is she beyond her years already? What career choice would be good for? Will she find a job that will use her skills to the best of her ability? She probably would be great as a scientist. (Don't judge me on this because you know you all do it when your kid does something amazing. You go down that line "Oh he'll be a great doctor or what a savvy lawyer she'll make).
On the flip side, this could be bad for the teenage years. Then a sudden flash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde comes to mind. The scary mad scientist creating something bad for the world. She already knows how to maneuver and manipulate her sisters into to doing what she wants them to do. Child #2 has a strategic mind where she usually is already two steps ahead of what you are thinking. If scientist doesn't pan out, maybe we can focus her energy on cards. Her dad can start grooming her to play poker for a back up plan. Hey don't laugh. Everyone needs a back up plan.
I say, "What a great observation. You are right."
Now her observation is a little bias considering I don't let her watch too many bad movies that don't have happy endings. And my answer is the mama bear trying to keep the big bad world of reality at the front door. But I know sooner or later the front door is going to unlock and open. Well, I would say it has already been unlocked, but not quite open yet. I try to give them as much reality as I can without scaring them.
At six, Child #2 appears to be very intuitive and observant. Hell, I don't even know if I would've made that observation at six (I was the middle child and understand everything Child #2 goes through even though I'm the water and she's the oil). I am completely floored by her comment.
Of course, my mind goes into overdrive. What does this mean? Is she beyond her years already? What career choice would be good for? Will she find a job that will use her skills to the best of her ability? She probably would be great as a scientist. (Don't judge me on this because you know you all do it when your kid does something amazing. You go down that line "Oh he'll be a great doctor or what a savvy lawyer she'll make).
On the flip side, this could be bad for the teenage years. Then a sudden flash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde comes to mind. The scary mad scientist creating something bad for the world. She already knows how to maneuver and manipulate her sisters into to doing what she wants them to do. Child #2 has a strategic mind where she usually is already two steps ahead of what you are thinking. If scientist doesn't pan out, maybe we can focus her energy on cards. Her dad can start grooming her to play poker for a back up plan. Hey don't laugh. Everyone needs a back up plan.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Christmas Cards
Oh what to do for a Christmas card this year? I can't stomach doing the same boring old card with the standardized pose again. The girls are too old for the same dress thing too. My mom didn't pick out their Christmas dresses this year so I took the girls shopping to pick their own out. I did say no to a few they were thinking about (too ugly and not appropriate), but overall they chose different dresses that I liked. My mom might not be so happy, but I do believe it is important to allow them to express their individual style. Let's face it I have three completely different personalities on my hands (and sometimes a few extra personalities come out to play. Just kidding). They get to choose whatever they want to wear everyday (as long as it is age and weather appropriate) even if it doesn't match. Yes, I'm the mom that allows her child to wear a plaid skirt with pink snowman tights and a striped top in all different colors because this is what makes her happy. And when my children are happy, I am happy:) So please don't stare unless you have something nice to say.
Anyway back to the Christmas card thing. I have an idea, but I better get my but in gear before the snow starts to fly. To be continued...
Anyway back to the Christmas card thing. I have an idea, but I better get my but in gear before the snow starts to fly. To be continued...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Are You There Patience? It's me Mom in need of a...
I had a great morning. I jogged seven miles. Now I do realize that most people are probably going to groan after they've read seven miles( I am going to try a half marathon in the Spring). I can hear it already. Yes I jogged seven miles, but I do enjoy it on a different level. To put it simply, it's therapy. This is a time where I can reflect (or possibly over analyze my behavior, my life in general and other people's behavior in my mind and not be interrupted by nonstop chattering, the phone ringing or a blinking cursor staring at me). It's just me and the road. Well and my music. Hey, it's a lot cheaper than paying lots a money to a stranger that has no idea what it's like to be me. Right?
Well I digress. So after the seven miles, I felt great and refreshed ready for the rest of my afternoon. Then my three children come home from school and the battle of homework begins. Our routine for the Fall season after school every evening is homework, dinner, soccer, showers, and bed (in that order). And this basically takes up the whole evening (I can't wait for the Fall soccer season to be done, only two more weeks).
Now that you have the background, this Tuesday afternoon wasn't as routine as I wanted it to be.
I informed Child #1 that she needed to start memorizing the "Apostle Creed" prayer (hard one if you don't know it) from her CCD class for Sunday. This is when everything went down hill. The crying, the whining, the irrational yelling and rolling on the floor came into play (don't forget she is eight years old now). Did I mention she doesn't like change or CCD class? Well the questions started, "Why do I have to go Sunday school? I hate Sunday School. Dad said I didn't have to go anymore. Why mom? Why mom? I hate Sunday school." Now she was repeating this over and over again. Nothing I said was consoling her or calming her down. After about twenty minutes of this I had enough and I got mad. I started throwing out the standard answers "because I said so" and "I'm the parent and you will do what I will tell you to do." Of course this didn't help any because when I informed Child #2 she had to memorized the "Our Father" prayer, I had two irrational children on my hands only because Child #2 loves to copy Child #1's behavior (Child #2 actually likes CCD, but she always puts on a show for her older sister). You have to love sibling dynamics.
Anyway, I pull out the big card, "I'm calling Daddy and you will have to talk to him." Then the crying and whining gets louder. Unfortunately, this didn't work so well for me since Daddy was traveling and we kept losing him on his cell phone (figures). My last possible threat came out as "If you don't do this, you won't be going to the Halloween dance on Friday." More crying and whining, but they calmed down enough to at least start the first sentence of the prayer. Then I offered to use the memorizing time towards their required reading time for school. This seemed to work except now, I hadn't made dinner and soccer practice was getting closer and all I wanted to do was take a nap. I was ready to cry myself. I was exhausted.
After running seven miles, I feel refreshed. After arguing with an eight year old and a six year old, I was completely exhausted.
How could this be? Impossible. Right?
On the bright side of things, during all this chaos Child #3 quietly colored and stayed out of the way. On the dark side of things, in the near future it will be three against one. I'm in trouble. God help me (Ooh another reason we have to go to church. I will have to write that down).
So Child #1 was late to practice and I still had to make dinner and finish out the evening. Then do it all over again the next day.
Well I digress. So after the seven miles, I felt great and refreshed ready for the rest of my afternoon. Then my three children come home from school and the battle of homework begins. Our routine for the Fall season after school every evening is homework, dinner, soccer, showers, and bed (in that order). And this basically takes up the whole evening (I can't wait for the Fall soccer season to be done, only two more weeks).
Now that you have the background, this Tuesday afternoon wasn't as routine as I wanted it to be.
I informed Child #1 that she needed to start memorizing the "Apostle Creed" prayer (hard one if you don't know it) from her CCD class for Sunday. This is when everything went down hill. The crying, the whining, the irrational yelling and rolling on the floor came into play (don't forget she is eight years old now). Did I mention she doesn't like change or CCD class? Well the questions started, "Why do I have to go Sunday school? I hate Sunday School. Dad said I didn't have to go anymore. Why mom? Why mom? I hate Sunday school." Now she was repeating this over and over again. Nothing I said was consoling her or calming her down. After about twenty minutes of this I had enough and I got mad. I started throwing out the standard answers "because I said so" and "I'm the parent and you will do what I will tell you to do." Of course this didn't help any because when I informed Child #2 she had to memorized the "Our Father" prayer, I had two irrational children on my hands only because Child #2 loves to copy Child #1's behavior (Child #2 actually likes CCD, but she always puts on a show for her older sister). You have to love sibling dynamics.
Anyway, I pull out the big card, "I'm calling Daddy and you will have to talk to him." Then the crying and whining gets louder. Unfortunately, this didn't work so well for me since Daddy was traveling and we kept losing him on his cell phone (figures). My last possible threat came out as "If you don't do this, you won't be going to the Halloween dance on Friday." More crying and whining, but they calmed down enough to at least start the first sentence of the prayer. Then I offered to use the memorizing time towards their required reading time for school. This seemed to work except now, I hadn't made dinner and soccer practice was getting closer and all I wanted to do was take a nap. I was ready to cry myself. I was exhausted.
After running seven miles, I feel refreshed. After arguing with an eight year old and a six year old, I was completely exhausted.
How could this be? Impossible. Right?
On the bright side of things, during all this chaos Child #3 quietly colored and stayed out of the way. On the dark side of things, in the near future it will be three against one. I'm in trouble. God help me (Ooh another reason we have to go to church. I will have to write that down).
So Child #1 was late to practice and I still had to make dinner and finish out the evening. Then do it all over again the next day.
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