April 30, 2004
A Mish Mash of Things
Several short blurbs I've been meaning to tell you. I'm just going to keep this window up and work a bit at a time until I've told you all of them.
Stick Girl
We all know that Katy is a skinny-minny. She is a stick with legs folks. The only reason she wears a size 7 pants is because of the length. If you can't find 7 slim, forget it, they'll slide right off those narrow hips. She's always made me think of that swimmer body type. Long, thin, stream lined. Wednesday when we were getting ready to go to the ER, I'd asked her to run upstairs, take off her uniform and put on some pants and a tee shirt. I didn't care if she matched or not, just that she didn't dawdle too much.
I'm holding a very feverish, whimpering baby and trying to round up some books and a cup to take with us. I didn't really pay any attention to her outfit as we were leaving. I saw she had on clothes, and that was really about the extent of my inspection.
We parked outside the ER and Steven is waiting for us. He helps get Lizzy out of the seat and I open the door on the other side to let Katy and Em out. As Katy hops out I realize there's something not quite right about Katy's pants. They looked like capri pants, only I know she doesn't have any capris out of blue jean material. I stared at her for a minute, giggling to myself that she has on her rain boots, again, and then it hit me......
She was wearing Emily's jeans. That's right a 4T fit my almost seven year old's waist. I got a really good laugh out of that after it was all over.
The (Mis)Adventures of the Pocket Book
I carry a small purse. I don't need a huge one. The contents of my purse get lost in a larger bag.
Whenever I'm loading the girls in the truck to leave, I sit my purse on the truck bed cover. When I finish the seat belts on one side, I pick it up and head to the other side. Same thing, sit purse on truck bed cover, seat belt, pick it up and put it in the truck.
The day of the ER trip was no different. I had the cell phone trying to call the nurses' line and/or appointment line and I had a child with a high fever. I was a tad distracted.
I drive all the way to Katy's school, approximately seven miles, while trying to talk with nurse Bonnie and decide what to do. I finish the conversation as I am parking in the school pick up line.
Next thing I know, some stranger is tapping on my window. I cautiously roll the window down, all the while thinking there a zillion people around he won't do anything stupid.
"Mam, I've been behind you for several miles, honking and flashing my lights at you." He reaches back and produces my purse. "You left your purse on the back of the truck." (big smile)
I thanked him profusely as he left. He didn't even have a child at the school or any business there. He looked like he had on a work shirt and was on his way home. He'd followed me for miles to tell me my purse was out there.
If that isn't odd enough, my purse never even tilted over and nothing blew out of it. Seven miles with several turns, lots of stop and go and it never moved.
Ok, maybe that one's only interesting to me. But, hey, you come here to read about what's on my mind right?
Lizzy's feeling better. Still super cranky but at least when's she is cranky and trying to climb everything I know she doesn't feel "as" bad. She slept rather fitfully last night, but that isn't unusual. She has one of those nights on a regular basis.
April 29, 2004
Fevers and Misery and Emergency Rooms OH MY!
104.9 temperature sends this mommy to the ER. After three days her temperature had only hit the low of 99 for a brief period once. She'd been running around 103 and with Motrin about 101.
Yesterday though, things escalated. 2:30 woke her up from her nap and her ear temp (though not as reliable as other methods I was rushing to go pick up Katy) read 103.5 in one ear and 104 point something in the other. Gave her Motrin, piled us in the truck and dialed the Nurses' Line.
Talked with her for the whole trip. Since there were no other symptoms and I wasn't in a position to take her temp again (while driving), she said to continue home care, make an appointment within 24 hours and call back or go to the ER if things seemed to worsen.
This whole time she was just whimpering and miserable. We picked up Katy and headed home. (Remind me later to tell you about driving that whole way with my purse on the truck bed cover!) Got home and took Lizzy's temperature under her arm. This was an hour after Motrin and she was still 103.5.
Called the gym, made them hunt down Steven so he could meet us at the ER. Got there and her temperature read 104.9. They gave her some Tyelnol and the exam began.
After much questioning and poking around we discovered she has a bilateral ear infection and an upper respiratory viral infection. We discussed waiting another day and then deciding on antibiotics or not. Typically I avoid them if at all possible. We learned that lesson with Katy's gajillion ear infections. But after four days of high temps and her seeming to become more and more miserable, we decided to go ahead with it.
They came in to discharge her and the nurse says, "You know, she still feels warm. Let's take her temp." 102.9 which was better but not enough of a change. We had to stay another 30 minutes and they took it again. 101.3 so we got to go home with some mega-dose antibiotics, Motrin and Tylenol.
She's feeling better now, thank goodness! I hate when my babies are sick!
April 28, 2004
Call me a prude. Call me old fashioned.
Why are my children such slow teethers? They are miserable in the midst of slobbering, whining, chewing and the duration doesn't help matters much.
Her vocabulary is exploding. She's starting to string two word sentences together. "Wha's att?" "Dere ya are" and the like. She is constantly pointing at things so we'll tell her what they are. Chicken sounds something like "kicken" but we get the idea when she says it.
She has grown so much recently, bodily and mentally. We had to buy a 4T swimsuit for her after the third 3T we tried didn't fit. The first one I thought, nah must just be the suit. By the way, it looked like a wrestling singlet and cracked me up. Second and third were equally as ill fitted. We found a 4T we liked, meaning it was a one piece that didn't make her look like a pint sized hooker, and brought it home to try on. Fit her pretty well but she certainly won't get more than one summer's use from it.
I cannot believe the total lack of modest clothing for young girls. There is no way on God's green earth my kids will be wearing some of that crap. At least not while they live under my roof. I've been working on my sewing skills so that I can start making more clothes for them. The girls love dresses and so far I've had moderate success with making them. I have one cut out for Katy now, bright pink with faded white stars. I have three other fabrics (pink/blue/green with daisies) to make each of them an outfit.
The pattern is one of those Sewing for Dummies versions. (scroll down to #5639 and click it to see the dress version) I think I'd like to try the shirt and pants next. We'll see.
Back that whole pint sized hooker thing, I can count on one hand how many modest length skirts or dresses I've seen in the last six months. I mean seriously, this barely covers their underwear much less passes as acceptable for out of my house! And shorts? Come on, this isn't much bigger than the underwear my (almost) 7 year old wears.
Call me a prude. Call me old fashioned. But that's just not something I'd find acceptable for my girls to wear. Even as teens (quite a ways to go until then) I would expect them to have enough self-respect and wisdom to know what's modest and what's not.
(edited to add)
I forgot to show you the picture we got from Katy's school fundraiser.
April 26, 2004
Soap boxes and Thought Shifting
I'm reading a book Sanity in the Summertime and it's a great resource. Along with the recent shifts in my "thinking/parenting/marriage/life in general" philosophy, this book is giving me ideas how to put my philosophy into practice. By making some goals or objectives for the summer, I can better plan what we can do to accomplish those goals. I'm not talking about desk work or hours and hours in handwriting practice.
Our objectives in the area of the girls, well mine until Steven tells me his choices not related to the limited academia they'll get, are simple.
1. To develop deeper personal relationships with the girls.
2. To improve communication with them and help them express themselves better.
3. To help them (oldest mainly) develop a better self image.
4. To help them develop responsibility and competence.
5. To encourage them to grow spiritually.
Objective related to our marriage-
To enrich our relationship.
Most of this doesn't involve any sort of planning or actualy physical labor. I think more than anything there is going to be a giant shift in thought around here. It's already starting actually.
I know that I am not the perfect wife, by any means. (And, face it, we all know I'm not the perfect mother either.) But some of the discussions Steven and I have had lately are revealing areas to me that I weren't aware of as stumbling blocks. Things that had begun to build up and slowly erode the closeness and easy going nature of our relationship.
I won't have it. I won't let those things get a foot hold in our lives, in our marriage. I'm taking authority over them and they have to go! My husband and my children and my home are my priorities. There should be joy in those relationships, not stress and aggitation and a "just put up with it" attitude.
I'll step off my soapbox now.
Ahem.....
April 25, 2004
What's happenin'?
Notable happenings in the Bates' household in the last three days:
-Transmission removed from van and taken to be repaired.
-Participated in Walk America and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it (Thank you to those who helped sponsor us and those who walked with us!)
-Volunteered to help with the event next year.
-Got a (much needed) hair cut.
-Watched as my husband climbed the magnolia tree with a circular saw.
-Began feeling really excited and hopeful about the possibilities for building my portfolio.
-Began feeling a desire to purchase some simple, inexpensive frames to begin framing some of my pieces.
-Didn't sleep much or well all weekend.
-Began researching book lists for summer reading programs for the girls.
-Began looking for a simple kids' typing program.
-Began considering twice a week trips (a few hours each) to a Family Day Care provider I know (and am related to actually) for Emily in place of actual "school."
-Decided to do a modified homeschool pre-K with her next year.
-Felt that desire, again, to have the kind of strength of character it takes to have the girls home with me and teach them myself.
-Know that I'm not there yet and I may not ever be. But I do know that desire is in the far reaches of my heart.
April 23, 2004
Funnies
Heard from the four year old as we pass the intimate apparel section in a large store today:
"Mama!" (insert major excitement in voice)
"Those are the black things that hold up your boobies!"
Yes she spoke as loudly as she could. I'm sure my ears turned red.
I went and tried on some clothes at Lane Bryant today. I got several coupons in the mail recently and I'm in desperate need of some clothes that fit. The shorts I wore today I've loved for a very long time. But when I realized this morning that I needed to push my stomach out to hold them up, that was the last straw.
Problem with trying on clothes and actually finding four shirts, two skirts and a pair of pants you like is the coupons aren't good until the 26th.
Figures.
April 22, 2004
Email strangeness
My email has been wonky since early yesterday. I'm not sure exactly what the problem is but it's server related according to the error I keep getting. I've gotten the same two emails delivered to me somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 times since yesterday.
So, if you've tried to contact me via email or commented on the blog (those comments are emailed to me) I haven't gotten it. I'm not ignoring you.
Tomorrow I have to take the paperwork for Daddy's retirement stuff to a notary for one particular paper. Steven's off for his down Friday so it shouldn't be too big of a hassle. We also need to buy some new air filters for our A/C. Problem is our house (as well as all base housing) was built by the lowest bidder. All the appliances and such were bought from the lowest bidder. Thus the filter required for our A/C is an odd size (that may be a large understatement). What gets me is that the BX (the base store) doesn't carry that size filter. Wal-Mart doesn't carry it. I'm not sure if K-Mart does but Steven thinks if they don't that Winn Dixie does. Why oh why would you use a filter in your housing that your own store doesn't carry???
Ahem.
I'm planning to do some summer reading with Katy and Emily. I printed off several book lists I found. I thought I'd ask you guys for any books you thought should be a must. Katy is reading on her own somewhere between 2nd grade 2nd month and 3rd grade books. Emily, obviously, is still being read to. She is picking up more and more though.
I'd also like to get Katy started in a learning to type series. Any suggestions on that front?
The new site is up and has a blog via MT installed but while Dj helps me work out the details I'll update here. Shouldn't be more than a few days before it's all changed over.
Must go brush the curls of death and get the other two ready to go.
April 21, 2004
New digs
We're still alive. We're all better. Just so ya know.
What have I been doing all this time? Have a look see.....
I'll let you know when things are set up and transferred over.
April 20, 2004
The Ick
Four of the five of us had the stomach bug yesterday. I think I'd mentioned that Katy had it Saturday. She's the only one who escaped yesterday. None of us could even hold down a sip of water or gatorade. It was awful. Steven and I threw up so much we both pulled muscles in our backs. I ended up having to sleep in the recliner last night to be able to sleep at all.
I think we're feeling a bit better today. I drank some water at 2:00AM and it's stayed down. Mind you it was only a couple of sips but that was more than I'd managed all day. Drank a bit more this morning and so far no problems.
I'm not sure we'll get much done today. I have a splitting headache, probably due to the dehydration.
April 19, 2004
It's got to go
Pam and Charles brought the girls home Saturday. We were very excited to have them back home. We all fiddled around outside a bit Saturday morning while Steven and Charles drove the van to see if he could determine what the weirdness is. You'll never guess.....
The transmission. Again.
Yes, I'm completely serious.
They'll have to come back (either this coming weekend or the next) to take the transmission out and take it back to Montgomery for Charles to work on. While you "can" still drive it, he said it didn't feel like a good idea. There's a pin in the back that seems to work it's way out (the weld breaks or something) and when it comes out and gets to bouncing around in there it tears everything up. Including the case, which is apparently a huge deal.
Once this thing is fixed we're going to have to trade it in. I refuse to keep throwing money at it. We've discussed getting a Kia Sedona.
They have a couple of rebates that would help us get out of the Dodge without being in the hole. Plus they have a darn good warranty. We'll just have to wait and see though. Need to find out how much the van repairs on the Dodge will be. We'll have to SERIOUSLY consider not sending Emily to preschool this August.
April 16, 2004
Memes and Pictures
For all those who doubted the "stick-ability" of Flylady in my home, I give you this.
Meme 1-Photo Friday-Self Portrait
My contribution
Meme 2- What's On Right Now?
What's On your feet Right Now? White socks, grey/white/yellow Brooks tennis shoes
Lizzy played outside for a while today. She had a blast tooling around in her cozy coupe. My only problem out front is the wasps! They dive bomb you when you aren't looking. I brought out the fly swatter (that I'd just unearthed due to a FlyLady mission to clean the top of my fridge). I chased that thing down, swatted him to the ground and (animal lovers, look away NOW) I smashed him until he was a smudge on the bottom of my shoe. Gah! I can't stand those things.
The girls come home tomorrow. I sure have missed their little kinetic energy presences in the house. Don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed spending some one on one time with Lizzy. I've enjoyed feeling a tad more laid back, too.
The invasion begins......
April 15, 2004
Fish food
I wonder if my neighbors think I'm weird.
I noticed this morning the fish tank was becoming cloudy indicating I need to remove a mop bucket's worth of water. I used my handy siphon and got all the ick sucked up and into my bucket. As I bent to pick it up and pour the water down the sink an idea occurred to me. Why not use the water on my plants as a natural fertilizer?
Out I go with my mop bucket of brown water. I used a plastic cup to dole out the smelly water into each container. I stood and watched the water soaking into the soil as the sun warmed me.
I just bough rose food today for the container grown rose we have. A Key Largo hybrid tea rose we bought a few months ago is started to put out leaves but no buds yet. I would have preferred planting it in the ground. We'll be moving in a bit less than two years though so I chose the container route.
Speaking of plants, the hostas I thought had died last year are coming back up. They all look very healthy, too. I was very surprised to see them. When I first glanced over, I thought I'd seen weeds poking up there. Glad I didn't pull them up.
My mom said she has quite a few iris coming up this year. She also has something called a bridal wreath that I think is simply gorgeous. When we have a house of our own, I would love to plant one or two of them. She has a Lady Banks rose as well, though hers isn't looking so good.
I love flowers. Can you tell?
April 14, 2004
Photo-tastic
I added quite a few photos on the photoblog. I put up a House Tour for your enjoyment. You can start here and use the Next button to move through the photos.
The photos from Easter are up as well. Start here and use the next button to navigate.
Not much else going on around here right now. I'm incredibly tired. I can't sleep when Steven isn't home. So I'm either about to pass out just before he comes home or I'm still up when he gets here. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
Water aerobics was great today. I got out of the pool tired and feeling the workout already. Maybe that will help me sleep tonight. I never did do measurements before I started going. I know I've lost inches (as well as the weight) but I have no idea how much.
My adventure with FlyLady is still going strong. I have noticed a few things I need to adjust on my daily routines. I tend to get busy and forget to thaw something for dinner, so that needs to be on there. I need to add a third day that I scoop the cat litter. Two cats in one box makes a mess. Next week's zone is the master bedroom and bath. BOY does mine need the work. I can't wait to get started.
April 13, 2004
Odd sensations
I can't describe the strangness of having one child again. It's been four years since Katy was the only child. I feel like I have a ton of time on my hands for some reason.
Steven's night shift got extended through Friday. Can't you just hear the joy? When the Stein told him about the schedule change, Steven told him HE'D have to tell me. I told Steven to tell the Stein to guess who wouldn't be on the fudge gift list this year.
It's almost 3:00 and Lizzy still doesn't want to nap. I know she's sleepy but she won't give it up. I'm not sure I want to know what she's doing up there. I should probably go check though......
April 12, 2004
I'll sell ya a Dodge.....
The van is cuttin' up again.
Yes, I know. Barely a month has passed since we got it back from the last issue being fixed. We had to stop several times on the way home yesterday because the sounds we were hearing weren't pretty.
Charles thinks it could be a belt tensioner. Apparently, Dodges are notorious for having problems with them. Let's just pray it doesn't cost too terribly much.
Anyone want a Dodge??
Lizzy is enjoying having Mama and Daddy all to herself for a few days. It's pretty quiet around here, relatively speaking.
I need to get my booty in gear. I may be back later today.
April 09, 2004
The Twist
Wailing and sniffling and a myriad of ouchies awoke me this morning just after daybreak. I open my eyes to see Katy. She's managed to get her finger twisted into her hair and can't get it out. The finger was beginning to turn red. The hair was wound so tightly around the first knuckle of her pointer finger I couldn't even slide the hair even a milimeter.
I took an almost hysterical child into the bathroom and attempted to find the scissors. Keep in my I'd been awake only briefly and my brain and my eyes are fuzzy. I fumbled around in the cabinet and finally found them. The hair was tighter than I'd originally guessed. Slipping the scissors under the hair proved to be a challenge.
Each time I made an attempt Katy would jump and squeal. After three successful snips I freed her finger. She was overjoyed. "Mama I don't ever want my finger stuck in there again!"
Yep, you said that last time, too. heh
She's always been a hair twirler. When we had ultrasounds while I was pregnant with her we jokingly said that she'd be a hair twirler like me. She always seemed to have one hand up by her head when we saw those strange black and white skeletal images on the screen.
Sure enough, when she was old enough to coordinate her arms and legs with her brain she began twirling that hair. As she's grown the twirling is relegated to the times when she gets tired. (Can't say she's sleepy, that's a cardinal sin around here.) She's always started twirling as drowsiness overtook her and continued to twirl as she fell asleep. She'd only start again as she began to shift from dream to reality.
Apparently, she did a lot of shifting last night.
April 08, 2004
It begins
Easter break began an hour and a half ago. Katy doesn't have to be back at school until the 19th. To say she's excited would be an understatement. Her class had an Easter party and egg hunt as well as learning about Jesus' death and resurrection.
Katy and Em will be at Pam's next week. We're driving over tomorrow and we'll spend the weekend. The girls will have a blast and Lizzy will get some rare one on one time with Mama and Daddy.
Thus begins a journey of me trying to move back to my night owl schedule that my body wants and not doing so because I'll have to turn right around and fix it.
I think I'm going to spend a good chunk of time this weekend (when we aren't out and about) laying in bed and reading. Maybe napping, too. Napping is good.
April 07, 2004
Before the crack of dawn
When all three of your children are sound asleep by 7:20, you may as well expect them to get up before the sun. It's inevitable that the girls will be up before the sun on those days. The funny thing is, Lizzy is still asleep with Steven. She's usually the first one up. Yesterday she didn't get up until around 8:00. She must be in a growth spurt.
Katy has a doctor's appointment today at 1:00. We've had to change her Primary Care Manager because the one we had is retiring in a month and isn't able to handle these types of appointments. He was a P.A. and her new PCM is an actual Doctor. I'll explain more when I get home.
We have teeball tonight at 7:10. Fun, fun. Steven will be at work so I'll be kid wrangling by myself. Let's just pray that Lizzy takes a decent nap today. She slept 20 minutes or so yesterday and was ballistic by 6:30 last night.
I'd like to talk some about the "mess" that's beginning with Daddy's estate/will but I'm not sure who might stumble across this. Joe (Hey Bubba!), my brother, reads but anything I'd say he already knows. If I wrote I'd want to know exactly who had access. This whole mess is taking a large chunk of my brain power and emotional energy. I need a place to vent that doesn't involve Steven having to listen to me prattle on and on.
The extended section is my list of today. I like keeping track of it here.
Wednesday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Water Aerobics
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Pack Lunch
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Create Menus
Make Shopping List
Pay Bills
Balance Checkbook
Make tea
The above items don't need to be done this week. We're going away for the weekend so I'll be doing those when we get back. Bills have been paid and checkbook has been balanced.
Roll out trash
Wash uniforms
Extras-Pack all the girls' bags and Teeball at 7:10
April 06, 2004
Reason #5,485,962
There are many reasons night shift doesn't suit this family. (well, families in general) My children are incapable of being quiet. They sound like a flippin' herd of cattle coming down those stairs.
Where is that duct tape, anyway......
April 05, 2004
Tuesday's List (per request)
Tuesday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Pack Lunch
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Clean Litter
Toss Old Magazines
Vacuum All Rooms
Dust Furniture
Balance Checkbook
Clean fridge (cleaned out food, cleaned shelves and wiped down insides
Extras for trip-Pack Emily's bag
As far as "Spend time in Zone" sections, I just took FlyLady's detailed cleaning list for each zone and printed it out. Throughout the week, I pick a few things from that list, do them and then mark them off.
(If you are interested, the rest of the week is in the extended entry section. If not, move on.)
Wednesday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Water Aerobics
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Pack Lunch
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Create Menus
Make Shopping List
Pay Bills
Balance Checkbook
Make tea
Roll ou trash
Wash uniforms
Extras-Pack Lizzy's bag and Teeball at 7:10
Thursday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Pack Lunch
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Grocery Shopping
Post Office
Mop Kitchen & Bath
Vacuum All Rooms
Extras-Call Billeting (for reservations for the weekend), Pack our bag, Load van
Friday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Water Aerobics
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Clean Out Car
Clean Laundry Room
File Papers
Change Sheets
Balance Checkbook
Saturday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Sunday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Pack Lunch
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Roll out Garbage
Wash Uniforms
Here's My Monday Set-Up (per Maria's request)
Maria asked what my modified scheduled looks like. Keep in mind when you read this that we're going out of town Friday for the weekend. I'm doing a thorough cleaning before we leave. (Add in the fact that I am having to wash, dry and put back on Emily's sheets and comforter. Plus clean up the upstairs where Lizzy strung cat food all over. I also had to move the cat "stuff" to a new location.) If, after reading any of this, you'd like to see the other days or the whole week, I'll be glad to share.
Monday
Morning Routine
Make Bed
Feed Pets
Wipe table
Start Laundry
Empty Dishwasher
Fill Dishwasher
Water Aerobics
Mid Day Routine
Spend Time In Zone
Dry Laundry
Wipe table
Clean Up Hot Spots
Evening Routine
Pick Up Living Room
Fold/PutUp Laundry
Pick Up Office
Pack Lunch
Wipe table
Fill Dishwasher
Shine Sink
Feed Pets
Weeklies
Water Plants
Balance Checkbook
Make tea
Mop Kitchen & Bath
Write Out Cards
Extra-(doesn't have to be done today)
Pack Katy's bag
April 02, 2004
Fear of Flying
Piles of laundry were sprinkled through my house as randomly as ant hills in a south Georgia pasture. Some were clean and some were not so clean. Toys were scattered throughout the entire house like buckshot. There I would sit in the midst of chaos and watch the mountains grow. As they grew, so did my sense of being overwhelmed and incapable of ever taming this beast.
I'd heard about FlyLady and had even given it a half-hearted attempt several years ago. But I knew that with these three girls I had to come up with something, some way to get things under control.
I decided to give FlyLady a second chance. I couldn't put the blame on her for my feeling even more overwhelmed with the copious amounts of email and my junk. Everybody deserves a second chance, right?
I chose this time to attempt a modified version of the routines she suggests. I wanted them to suit mine and my family's needs and be flexible enough to accomodate having three children under seven.
I typed up the first draft of my routines modeled on another mom who uses this system. So far, things are going really well. I've always wanted to have a home kept neat enough that if someone rang my doorbell unexpectedly I wouldn't be ashamed to let them in. When I keep up with my routines I feel like I'm doing less work than before I started. My sink has stayed shiny (which gives me some sort of twisted glee), my laundry is staying clean and put away.
Now I want to add in the Zone work. Each week of the month you focus on a certain area in your home, the Zone. My dining room, entry way and porch (the current week's Zone) haven't looked this good in a long time.
What the heck was I so afraid of in the first place?
April 01, 2004
The many faces of love
The moments of happiness seem to be growing a bit longer as the days go by. I have been trying to focus on all the good things from my relationship with Daddy. I've got a mental picture of him that I keep. He smiled a lot more in the last few years than I'd ever seen him smile before. That little smile when he'd laugh and shake his head is forever stamped in my mind. Makes me smile.
Today is grocery and post office day. I'm trying to go to the post office once a week to mail letters or notes to a few of my relatives that desperately want to know what we've been up to. They either have no computer (or computer knowledge) or would rather talk on the phone or visit. Both people don't travel as much as they used to so visiting isn't easy. I know that both of them greatly enjoy written letters, receiving and writing them. This suits their fancy just fine. It also feeds my addiction for beautiful stationery and my quest for the perfect pen. We're all happy in the end.
I have a beautiful paper journal (two actually) both of which Steven bought for me. One of them is from our trip to Tennessee and Washington last year. We were visiting the Tennessee Aquarium and wandering the gift shop. I saw several different journals as I browsed but one in particular caught my eye and kept my attention. The cover was a soft blue with a gorgeous butterfly in various shades of blue. My love of all things paper coupled with my fascination with butterflies was overwhelmed. For several minutes I held that journal in my hand. I felt the softness of it's cover and the weight of it's pages and almost swooned. I returned it to the shelf thinking that while it was beautiful my reason for being in the shop in the first place was for souvenirs for the girls, not myself.
I wandered a bit more as I left Steven at the counter to pay for our purchases. An orange seahorse, a crab and a dolphin for the girls, all cuddly things to snuggle with. We left and walked to the IMAX theatre down the street and I held the bag for Steven as he went to the restroom. I realized the bag was quite heavy despite being filled with only three small stuffed animals. He'd bought the journal for me.
I love that man. He knows me so well. Knows exactly what will bring a smile to my face and heart.