The thing about writing down your goals publicly is that you do indeed feel accountable to them. Even if no one reads my blog. So this past Saturday, the coach of the opposing team at Adam's basketball game was carrying a guitar out to his car following the game. We chatted about the guitar and it turns out he teaches lessons. Well, that is one easy way to find a guitar teacher. I figured if I am gonna really do this I should just do it. So I said, "I want to take guitar lessons!"
He called me back and today was my first lesson. I really liked it. I took my guitar in to get it re-strung and then even had to borrow a guitar from a friend so I could practice. I almost bought a new guitar too at the guitar shop . . . but then I figured I better make sure I stick to this for more than 2 months before buying another guitar.
So, facetime me for a rather unspectacular version of Horse with no name.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Wanted -- warm sunny day
I am all for a little cool weather for the holidays -- thanksgiving to Christmas. But, it is now practically the middle of January, and I am officially done with cold weather. Especially on a Sunday when we are done with church at noon.
So here are the indoor things we did . . . piano, just dance, coloring, laundry, eating, Madelyn made fudge, we played rook, we watched football, the boys played some xbox, we watched some of the golden globes, had ice cream, watched downton abbey, and more . . .
Sunday afternoons are long -- maybe next week we will want to be outside.
So here are the indoor things we did . . . piano, just dance, coloring, laundry, eating, Madelyn made fudge, we played rook, we watched football, the boys played some xbox, we watched some of the golden globes, had ice cream, watched downton abbey, and more . . .
Sunday afternoons are long -- maybe next week we will want to be outside.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Catherine is a teenager!
[Think of all cliches about time flying and add them here]
Because, just like that Catherine is now a beautiful, talented, fun-loving teenager who I love being with.
Because, just like that Catherine is now a beautiful, talented, fun-loving teenager who I love being with.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Just a few things
From 8:30 - 12:30 the AT&T tech is supposed to come.
From 9-2 the home alarm tech is to come
Sometime this morning the wood floor is supposed to be delivered (for a small section we are removing the carpet and putting in wood floor)
The outside Christmas tree lights are supposed to be taken down.
I need to get the oil changed in the van.
I called and have a clock repairman coming to check on the grandfather clock.
There are a lot of lightbulbs I need to buy.
Keeping a house going is really time consuming. I tried to get it all scheduled in one day . . . but
The At&t tech couldn't fix the problem.
The wood floor company ordered the wrong size planks.
The weather kept the Christmas light company from coming.
so I suspect I have many more days of "just wait around" ahead.
I did get the oil changed -- my only small victory.
From 9-2 the home alarm tech is to come
Sometime this morning the wood floor is supposed to be delivered (for a small section we are removing the carpet and putting in wood floor)
The outside Christmas tree lights are supposed to be taken down.
I need to get the oil changed in the van.
I called and have a clock repairman coming to check on the grandfather clock.
There are a lot of lightbulbs I need to buy.
Keeping a house going is really time consuming. I tried to get it all scheduled in one day . . . but
The At&t tech couldn't fix the problem.
The wood floor company ordered the wrong size planks.
The weather kept the Christmas light company from coming.
so I suspect I have many more days of "just wait around" ahead.
I did get the oil changed -- my only small victory.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
ARD
I spoke with the speech therapist yesterday afternoon confirming that I had gotten all the documents and would be at the school for the ARD for Madelyn's speech at 8 am today. I had it on my calendar, I had a plan. I got up in the morning and got ready for it and at 7:30, Madelyn started complaining that her throat hurt and she wanted to stay home from school. I was trying to decide if this was real or just slight exaggeration. In the meantime, Catherine jumped on the bandwagon saying her throat hurt a little too and she should stay home. Now, they had both been up already for a while (we have piano lessons from 6 am - 7:30 am) and there had been no complaining before. I certainly don't want sick kids to go to school, but I also don't want well kids to miss school and have to make up all the work.
I suggested that they could both stay home, relax on the couch and help fold the 10 loads of laundry that needed to be done. Before I could say anything Madelyn was curled up on the couch folding laundry. Catherine, though, was sprinting through the house frantically trying to get ready for school. She missed the bus at 8:00 and so I quickly got Owen dressed and we got in the van about 8:15 to take Catherine to school.
My cell phone rang at 8:20. It was the speech therapist. I had missed the ARD.
It's amazing how a slight change of plans has the ability to derail the whole schedule.
Catherine was perfectly fine all day. Madelyn rested and seems fine. There has not been a single complaint about sore throats since this morning.
I suggested that they could both stay home, relax on the couch and help fold the 10 loads of laundry that needed to be done. Before I could say anything Madelyn was curled up on the couch folding laundry. Catherine, though, was sprinting through the house frantically trying to get ready for school. She missed the bus at 8:00 and so I quickly got Owen dressed and we got in the van about 8:15 to take Catherine to school.
My cell phone rang at 8:20. It was the speech therapist. I had missed the ARD.
It's amazing how a slight change of plans has the ability to derail the whole schedule.
Catherine was perfectly fine all day. Madelyn rested and seems fine. There has not been a single complaint about sore throats since this morning.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Happy 39th Birthday to me!
This is now my 8th anniversary of birthday blogging. (Old ones linked to here) I took a birthday photo on the front porch. (using the selfie stick I got at a white elephant christmas gift exchange).
I weigh 145.1 lbs-- I haven't changed height (and I've started checking -- I don't want osteoporosis to affect me!).
People ask me about New Year's resolutions and I don't usually make any, because it's hard to change behavior during a holiday break. I make many birthday year resolutions because by January 7 things are back to normal. I set MANY goals. I NEVER even come close to doing them all, but I figure if I don't think big, what good is it. Last year, I set out to improve my Spanish (I probably worked hard on it for 2 months and then got bored with it, but I still think I am better today than I was last year on my birthday). I took voice lessons. I sang the national anthem several times at local (very small) athletic events.
I learned 3 new classical songs on the piano. I made it 3 months on blogging and then for the first time in 4 years I took a blogging break. I used instagram to keep up with photos and printed chatbooks. Instead of writing through a blog, I bought a bunch of journals that I have written in. This year, I'm back to blogging (i just prefer typing). I want to take guitar lessons and do more vocal things. I want to learn 5 new pieces on the piano. Last year I only read 5 books. This year I want to read 25 books. (so friend me on goodreads and give me some suggestions). I want to learn better video editing skills. I want to be able to do a handstand for 20 seconds. I want to shoot 80% free throws (I'm nowhere close.) I want to play hard and sleep well. I want to enjoy being with my husband and kids. Last year I finally was able to do a round off, back handspring, back flip in succession. (it's not pretty -- be warned)
I ran my 3rd half marathon. I plan on doing another again this year. I've tried to do an act of service every single day. I've tried to keep up with old friends with greater purpose and make new friends. I've tried to contribute to my community (coaching 2 seasons of softball and a season of basketball). I've tried to be a better neighbor. I try to say yes to my kids as often as I can. I want my home filled with my kids and their friends and most holidays and weekends that is exactly what you'll find. Lots of extra kids around.
I have failed at a lot of things too, but I just keep trying.
Honestly, I still feel like a kid. I'd rather play dodgeball with my kids than sit and watch. I'd rather shoot baskets than run on a treadmill. I'd rather play softball than lift weights. I'd rather draw, paint and write than do laundry. And while I love to stay up late, I'd rather hit snooze at 5:30 than get out of bed.
I love podcasts (freakonomics, TED radio hour, feminist mormon housewives, mormon stories, radiowest, wait wait don't tell me).
I get through the laundry by binge watching netflix and hulu .
I cook all my meals for the week on Monday with Camille and really love to cook.
I feel like there is so much to learn. I have goals about so many other things to. I love getting older and seeing and experiencing all there is to offer.
I love watching my kids grow and learn. Trent and I are at an exciting stage of parenting. We can do so much with our kids now. I'm excited to see them try new things.
I've been reminded again and again what a privilege it is to get older. I love each gray hair and each new smile line. The only alternative to aging is death. I hope for so many things. I'm grateful for my favorite personality trait that shapes my life --it's that I am always, always positive. I swear it's like I have the "opposite" of depression. I am happy all the time. It's just how I am.
So here's to another year of crazy new things.
I weigh 145.1 lbs-- I haven't changed height (and I've started checking -- I don't want osteoporosis to affect me!).
People ask me about New Year's resolutions and I don't usually make any, because it's hard to change behavior during a holiday break. I make many birthday year resolutions because by January 7 things are back to normal. I set MANY goals. I NEVER even come close to doing them all, but I figure if I don't think big, what good is it. Last year, I set out to improve my Spanish (I probably worked hard on it for 2 months and then got bored with it, but I still think I am better today than I was last year on my birthday). I took voice lessons. I sang the national anthem several times at local (very small) athletic events.
I learned 3 new classical songs on the piano. I made it 3 months on blogging and then for the first time in 4 years I took a blogging break. I used instagram to keep up with photos and printed chatbooks. Instead of writing through a blog, I bought a bunch of journals that I have written in. This year, I'm back to blogging (i just prefer typing). I want to take guitar lessons and do more vocal things. I want to learn 5 new pieces on the piano. Last year I only read 5 books. This year I want to read 25 books. (so friend me on goodreads and give me some suggestions). I want to learn better video editing skills. I want to be able to do a handstand for 20 seconds. I want to shoot 80% free throws (I'm nowhere close.) I want to play hard and sleep well. I want to enjoy being with my husband and kids. Last year I finally was able to do a round off, back handspring, back flip in succession. (it's not pretty -- be warned)
I ran my 3rd half marathon. I plan on doing another again this year. I've tried to do an act of service every single day. I've tried to keep up with old friends with greater purpose and make new friends. I've tried to contribute to my community (coaching 2 seasons of softball and a season of basketball). I've tried to be a better neighbor. I try to say yes to my kids as often as I can. I want my home filled with my kids and their friends and most holidays and weekends that is exactly what you'll find. Lots of extra kids around.
I have failed at a lot of things too, but I just keep trying.
Honestly, I still feel like a kid. I'd rather play dodgeball with my kids than sit and watch. I'd rather shoot baskets than run on a treadmill. I'd rather play softball than lift weights. I'd rather draw, paint and write than do laundry. And while I love to stay up late, I'd rather hit snooze at 5:30 than get out of bed.
I love podcasts (freakonomics, TED radio hour, feminist mormon housewives, mormon stories, radiowest, wait wait don't tell me).
I get through the laundry by binge watching netflix and hulu .
I cook all my meals for the week on Monday with Camille and really love to cook.
I feel like there is so much to learn. I have goals about so many other things to. I love getting older and seeing and experiencing all there is to offer.
I love watching my kids grow and learn. Trent and I are at an exciting stage of parenting. We can do so much with our kids now. I'm excited to see them try new things.
I've been reminded again and again what a privilege it is to get older. I love each gray hair and each new smile line. The only alternative to aging is death. I hope for so many things. I'm grateful for my favorite personality trait that shapes my life --it's that I am always, always positive. I swear it's like I have the "opposite" of depression. I am happy all the time. It's just how I am.
So here's to another year of crazy new things.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Back to normal
the piercing alarm
commotion, chaos ensue
good-bye bus, silence
(Well, not entirely silent. Owen was with me.)
the morning hustle
pj's, breakfast, clothes, lunches
awakening fast
Didn't I just write about how much I love having my kids home? It turns out I also love sending them out the door to school. My kids quite like school. Sure, they wish it started later and they despise homework, but being challenged, being social, doing and learning new things is quite fun. And there is nothing in the world like welcoming them back home at the end of the school day.
It's amazing how in one day, everything is just back on schedule. And the kids are right back to their normal antics. Today we only forgot one phone at school in a locker (that we had to go back and get) and I only had to run to one store to get something for school tomorrow. (the book "to kill a mockingbird" -- which is partially my fault because I know we have the book IN THE HOUSE somewhere and so I didn't want to go buy another. But I've looked. I can't find it.
AHHHHHH! (see yesterday's post)
commotion, chaos ensue
good-bye bus, silence
(Well, not entirely silent. Owen was with me.)
the morning hustle
pj's, breakfast, clothes, lunches
awakening fast
Didn't I just write about how much I love having my kids home? It turns out I also love sending them out the door to school. My kids quite like school. Sure, they wish it started later and they despise homework, but being challenged, being social, doing and learning new things is quite fun. And there is nothing in the world like welcoming them back home at the end of the school day.
It's amazing how in one day, everything is just back on schedule. And the kids are right back to their normal antics. Today we only forgot one phone at school in a locker (that we had to go back and get) and I only had to run to one store to get something for school tomorrow. (the book "to kill a mockingbird" -- which is partially my fault because I know we have the book IN THE HOUSE somewhere and so I didn't want to go buy another. But I've looked. I can't find it.
AHHHHHH! (see yesterday's post)
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