In an effort not to squelch my motivation to achieve, I spent the evening trying to accomplish one of the chores I REALLY hate - technology. I detest the intricacies of technology. If websites showing you how to do something can't use language a normal human understands than they should translate for those of us who are technologically challenged (and I consider myself above intermediate compared to the average non-IT person)!
The reason I am tackling this is that Lilly got a netbook for Christmas from Santa and I have yet to get it to connect to the internet. I know that it works because she took it to my parent's house and it connected there fine. BUT after staying up until 2:30am on Christmas Eve, and messing with it for over an hour on Christmas Day, I did some research and tried to fix it yet again...
TO NO AVAIL!
I printed instructions from websites where people have asked similar problems, I messed with IP addresses, WAN, LAN, I've connected ethernet cables, reconfigured connections as well as a few other things that I barely understand, and I STILL can't get her computer to connect. It has no reason not to, mine is happily connected to the wi-fi. But it won't - and I am SO frustrated.
Does anyone out there know how to bridge your DSL modem/router to a better router and create a wireless network with a desktop computer that is manually connected because it does not have wi-fi? Yeah, I know, right?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Unreal Expectations but pretty good results
I always have grand plans for my days off. Just like the myriad of things I’d like to get done during the course of the year, I do the same for my days. I try to wake up early, sit and have my coffee, and make good use of a day that I don’t have to go to work. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. On any given day I probably get more done than the average bear but I still lay down in bed at night regretting the things that I didn’t accomplish. Rationally I know that it is unreasonable to think I could possibly accomplish the 19 goals I set for myself in one day, but my nature sure pushes me to try.
Today I wanted to get out with Lilly to look at a few things for her room which means a total lack of productivity at home for most of the day. Once you have to leave your house at least part of the day is shot. Especially when you live out in the country and it takes 20 minutes to get anywhere! We found some good stuff and we made it home in time to make quite a bit of progress on her room. She is thrilled with the results – which alone makes me happy – and I think it’s going to look great. It already looks better and is far more functional than it was.
Unfortunately for me and my lofty goals I did NOT get anything done in the den. It has returned to its original state of chaos (see my post last year of Monica’s closet) and desperately needs some attention. If I’m going to achieve my other goal of getting up and working out I’ve GOT to get the den cleaned up so that I can set up the treadmill. Ahhh, if it’s not one thing it’s another…
So I woke up with a backache, and I am ending the day with a backache, but I accomplished something and I guess that will have to be good enough.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year, New Possibilities, Real Expectations
At the turn of every year a new realm of possibilities opens to every one of us. At this time of year my mind races endlessly as I contemplate all of the things I'd like to accomplish in the coming 12 months. I'm not really sure why the "new" year is such a significant time to us; it really is just another day, with a new number assigned to it. But there is something cleansing and hopeful at the thought of being able to put the past aside and focus on the good things to come.
Every year I set myself some personal goals. I don't always share all of them with my friends, or my family, or even my husband. Maybe that's because I don't want to have to admit that I failed? But I'm not sure that's particularly the reason because, like I always tout, I'm a realist. I don't have any false expectation that I will achieve all of my goals. I'm a perfectionist so I'm used to failure. But I think it's important to have some things in mind. And honestly, if I even complete one of them, I will be satisfied.
I can't really verbalize them all at this point (there are still a bunch I haven't quite fleshed out). But here are some of them:
We promised Lilly we would revamp her room for her birthday. She wanted a bigger, better desk and some updating done. She really needs a lot of storage and some great organization. Because although I hate to admit it, she's pretty messy. So I'm working on some organizing solutions and we're teaching each other the value of letting things go - that holding on to "things" cannot take the place of the best file folder we have: our mind. Luckily, we've already started this project so I'm already well on my way.
Today while we were driving home from MurMur's house Lilly made a statement that both made me giggle and made me think. She said, "I never want to grow up. Then I will just have to pay bills and worry about the economy." Now, I don't think we regularly complain about our finances in front of the kids - other than the usual parents' lament to their children about how they can't afford that one big thing for Christmas in the hopes when it's there on Christmas morning their belief in Santa Claus will be renewed - but both Brandon and I are NPR nerds and regularly discuss the goings-on of the world. I don't want to shelter my kids from the reality of the real world, but I also don't want them to worry about grown-up things. Like many of us these days we are watching what we spend, but this year I'd like to make our finances even healthier. Making smart decisions with our money is important in today's economy, but let's get real: making smart decisions with our money is important in ANY economy.
And for the stuff I still need flesh out: finishing projects that have already been started, getting (and STAYING) more organized, exercising in the morning, trying more new foods, growing and canning a lot of our own food.....the list goes on and on.
Any of you make resolutions? Care to share? I'd love to hear them....just comment on this post!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Every year I set myself some personal goals. I don't always share all of them with my friends, or my family, or even my husband. Maybe that's because I don't want to have to admit that I failed? But I'm not sure that's particularly the reason because, like I always tout, I'm a realist. I don't have any false expectation that I will achieve all of my goals. I'm a perfectionist so I'm used to failure. But I think it's important to have some things in mind. And honestly, if I even complete one of them, I will be satisfied.
I can't really verbalize them all at this point (there are still a bunch I haven't quite fleshed out). But here are some of them:
We promised Lilly we would revamp her room for her birthday. She wanted a bigger, better desk and some updating done. She really needs a lot of storage and some great organization. Because although I hate to admit it, she's pretty messy. So I'm working on some organizing solutions and we're teaching each other the value of letting things go - that holding on to "things" cannot take the place of the best file folder we have: our mind. Luckily, we've already started this project so I'm already well on my way.
Today while we were driving home from MurMur's house Lilly made a statement that both made me giggle and made me think. She said, "I never want to grow up. Then I will just have to pay bills and worry about the economy." Now, I don't think we regularly complain about our finances in front of the kids - other than the usual parents' lament to their children about how they can't afford that one big thing for Christmas in the hopes when it's there on Christmas morning their belief in Santa Claus will be renewed - but both Brandon and I are NPR nerds and regularly discuss the goings-on of the world. I don't want to shelter my kids from the reality of the real world, but I also don't want them to worry about grown-up things. Like many of us these days we are watching what we spend, but this year I'd like to make our finances even healthier. Making smart decisions with our money is important in today's economy, but let's get real: making smart decisions with our money is important in ANY economy.
And for the stuff I still need flesh out: finishing projects that have already been started, getting (and STAYING) more organized, exercising in the morning, trying more new foods, growing and canning a lot of our own food.....the list goes on and on.
Any of you make resolutions? Care to share? I'd love to hear them....just comment on this post!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sick Kiddos are No Fun!
Yesterday I got a call from the school saying that Logan had fallen asleep in class and they took his temperature and it was 104 degrees. When I got to the school he was asleep in the nurse's office and when they woke him up he looked awful.
We parked ourselves on the couch ("Momma, will you sit with me?") with water and the TV (River Monsters - one of his favorite shows!) and he slept on and off the rest of the night. He turned down dinner - which has NEVER happened before - and barely chatted with us at all. Every time he got up to go to the bathroom he cried about how bad his head hurt.
As a parent, when your child is sick like this, the feeling is ultimate helplessness. You do what you can to relieve their suffering and reach out to friends and family to find what old wives tales they've tried that have been successful, what medicines they've used in the past, and whether they would take their kid to the Doctor given the same situation. It is unfortunate but kids don't come with instruction manuals!
This morning I woke up hoping for the Hail Mary; the hope that everything would be all better and we could go on with our daily routine. As a working Momma one of the most difficult decisions to make is whether to call in sick or force the kiddos to school and see what happens. Mostly I'm a "just go and you'll feel better once you get there," kind of girl. That's how my Momma raised me, and so many times she was right. The risk you take is the ridicule you may receive; that is, will the school teachers and administrators think, "Why the heck did she send him back already?" Or will other kids get sick, probably through no fault of your child, and their parents will blame you? It really is a crap shoot. I like to err on the side of my kid spending as many days at school as possible. The fact is when you grow up and have a job you don't get to stay home for every sniffle or cough, every headache or cramp. You have to "buck up" and get on with your day. Of course there are always those that seemed to have never received that memo; my kids get it, loud and clear.
Today, I called in sick. Logan is still running a temp (although it is much lower) and I'm saving myself the judgement. We will see what tomorrow brings. If he's chatty and feeling OK, it's off to school he goes. I've got to get back to work!
We parked ourselves on the couch ("Momma, will you sit with me?") with water and the TV (River Monsters - one of his favorite shows!) and he slept on and off the rest of the night. He turned down dinner - which has NEVER happened before - and barely chatted with us at all. Every time he got up to go to the bathroom he cried about how bad his head hurt.
As a parent, when your child is sick like this, the feeling is ultimate helplessness. You do what you can to relieve their suffering and reach out to friends and family to find what old wives tales they've tried that have been successful, what medicines they've used in the past, and whether they would take their kid to the Doctor given the same situation. It is unfortunate but kids don't come with instruction manuals!
This morning I woke up hoping for the Hail Mary; the hope that everything would be all better and we could go on with our daily routine. As a working Momma one of the most difficult decisions to make is whether to call in sick or force the kiddos to school and see what happens. Mostly I'm a "just go and you'll feel better once you get there," kind of girl. That's how my Momma raised me, and so many times she was right. The risk you take is the ridicule you may receive; that is, will the school teachers and administrators think, "Why the heck did she send him back already?" Or will other kids get sick, probably through no fault of your child, and their parents will blame you? It really is a crap shoot. I like to err on the side of my kid spending as many days at school as possible. The fact is when you grow up and have a job you don't get to stay home for every sniffle or cough, every headache or cramp. You have to "buck up" and get on with your day. Of course there are always those that seemed to have never received that memo; my kids get it, loud and clear.
Today, I called in sick. Logan is still running a temp (although it is much lower) and I'm saving myself the judgement. We will see what tomorrow brings. If he's chatty and feeling OK, it's off to school he goes. I've got to get back to work!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Failing at Easter.....almost!
As a kid Easter was always a huge deal at our house. My mom went out of her way to create these fantastic illusions: the house was decorated all month long, we had egg hunts outside, egg hunts inside, there would be "bunny tracks" throughout the house, the Easter basket would be packed to the brim, sometimes she even painted a Happy Easter sign on our large front window. And then we put on our new Easter clothes and went to church and then to my Grandma's house. Every year. No matter what.
Now, with the exception of the church part, I fully expected I would do the same for my kids. Oh, I have all the decorations. They are in a bin in the garage nicely labeled "Easter stuff." The only problem is they haven't been out of the bin for a good 5 years. And it's not just Easter; I have Valentine's Day decorations, St. Patty's Day decorations, Fourth of July decorations....all of which have not seen the light of day for many years. (We do generally manage to get the Halloween decorations out. That's good, right?)
As a result, I feel like a total failure as a parent. As I sit, half comatose in the recliner at 11pm last night my dear hubby was searching through a darkened garage with a flashlight trying to find the bin with the plastic eggs and Easter baskets. (Last year I was so lazy I just bought new ones so I wouldn't have to retrieve them from the bin!) He pieced together the random plastic eggs we had floating in the bin and filled them with change from the piggy bank in the kitchen and some old Jelly Belly's we had in the cabinet from last year. Then he proceeded to hide the 13 eggs we could find around the house. Now I DID manage to pick them up their Easter gifts last weekend so at least I had their movies and chocolate bunnies. But that is about all I did. I went to bed last night feeling horrible and didn't sleep much as a result.
As the light began to shine through the window I heard Logan's voice from the hallway, "HE LEFT AN EGG IN MY ROOM!!!" he shouted. Lilly woke up shortly after and the hunt began. She was thrilled to find an egg in her room as well. The thought of the Easter bunny quietly making his way through their rooms was very exciting to my two little kiddos. They found their baskets on the dining room table and were thrilled to get their movies, chocolate bunnies and a Ziploc bag of old jelly beans. When they found the twelfth egg they were content to sit and eat their candy, totally satisfied with their Easter experience. Daddy had to give them a hint that he noticed one other egg hidden. "But we each have 6 right now Dad. That's a dozen. And it's fair," said Lilly, never remembering that in the past there used to be a boatload of plastic eggs for the finding; a dozen each at least.
So you won't see cute pictures of my kids in their Sunday best posted on Facebook. They are in their grubby clothes, playing in the yard up at the farm today with their Dad. Meanwhile, I'm sitting at the computer, working, trying to relieve myself of the "Things to do" list so that I can sleep tonight. And, I feel better (even if my mom would give me a look like, "What? You didn't do more?!"). Kids don't expect fantastical explosions of decorations and excitement. They are perfectly happy with their 6 plastic eggs and year-old jelly beans. At least my kids are grateful for what they get. That makes me happy.
Now, with the exception of the church part, I fully expected I would do the same for my kids. Oh, I have all the decorations. They are in a bin in the garage nicely labeled "Easter stuff." The only problem is they haven't been out of the bin for a good 5 years. And it's not just Easter; I have Valentine's Day decorations, St. Patty's Day decorations, Fourth of July decorations....all of which have not seen the light of day for many years. (We do generally manage to get the Halloween decorations out. That's good, right?)
As a result, I feel like a total failure as a parent. As I sit, half comatose in the recliner at 11pm last night my dear hubby was searching through a darkened garage with a flashlight trying to find the bin with the plastic eggs and Easter baskets. (Last year I was so lazy I just bought new ones so I wouldn't have to retrieve them from the bin!) He pieced together the random plastic eggs we had floating in the bin and filled them with change from the piggy bank in the kitchen and some old Jelly Belly's we had in the cabinet from last year. Then he proceeded to hide the 13 eggs we could find around the house. Now I DID manage to pick them up their Easter gifts last weekend so at least I had their movies and chocolate bunnies. But that is about all I did. I went to bed last night feeling horrible and didn't sleep much as a result.
As the light began to shine through the window I heard Logan's voice from the hallway, "HE LEFT AN EGG IN MY ROOM!!!" he shouted. Lilly woke up shortly after and the hunt began. She was thrilled to find an egg in her room as well. The thought of the Easter bunny quietly making his way through their rooms was very exciting to my two little kiddos. They found their baskets on the dining room table and were thrilled to get their movies, chocolate bunnies and a Ziploc bag of old jelly beans. When they found the twelfth egg they were content to sit and eat their candy, totally satisfied with their Easter experience. Daddy had to give them a hint that he noticed one other egg hidden. "But we each have 6 right now Dad. That's a dozen. And it's fair," said Lilly, never remembering that in the past there used to be a boatload of plastic eggs for the finding; a dozen each at least.
So you won't see cute pictures of my kids in their Sunday best posted on Facebook. They are in their grubby clothes, playing in the yard up at the farm today with their Dad. Meanwhile, I'm sitting at the computer, working, trying to relieve myself of the "Things to do" list so that I can sleep tonight. And, I feel better (even if my mom would give me a look like, "What? You didn't do more?!"). Kids don't expect fantastical explosions of decorations and excitement. They are perfectly happy with their 6 plastic eggs and year-old jelly beans. At least my kids are grateful for what they get. That makes me happy.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Raising a Boy is a Funny Endeavor
I've been remiss and have neglected my blogging activities. I don't know why because I find it therapeutic and relaxing but despite that fact I still have not gotten around to writing. I would like to say that I will pick it back up and be consistent but I probably won't be. Life seems to get in the way!
ANYWAY...
I have 1 girl and 1 boy. It is interesting as a parent to see just how different raising the two of them can be. It doesn't help they happen to fall on the polar opposite ends of the spectrum.
When people say, "Boys will be boys," they are talking about Logan. He is rough and tumble. He doesn't get hurt easily. He is eager to get his hands in the mud and pick up bugs, slugs and other gross stuff. He LOVES to play sports. He loves to wrestle and fight with his Daddy. He doesn't care at all what clothes I buy him - in fact, he'd rather not wear clothes at all! He has no time for taking a shower or getting a haircut, they are both just time-takers from play time. He loves Spiderman and Transformers and anything he can bash together in an epic battle between good and evil.
He is also a constant source of comedy in our household. Children in and of themselves are uncensored and tend to tell it like it is. I love that about them. Logan, in particular, rarely thinks that something he says might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. In fact, as we are cracking up after some comment he made you will often see him looking around asking, "What's so funny?"
Logan recently started playing baseball. He lives to compete...and LOVES to win. (As much as we teach good sportsmanship and that "everyone's a winner" I believe it's innate in humans to want to be the best - to want to win!) As we got all the particulars together - you know, cleats, baseball pants, shirt, hat, mitt - we introduced him to the idea of wearing a cup.
We were in Sports Authority looking at a huge wall of cups - from little leaguers on up to grown men. Here was our conversation:
Logan: "What are these?:
Mommy: "Cups. They protect your "junk."
Logan: (looking at me quizzically) "So they go down here?" (he gestures to that region)
Mommy: "Yeah. They make it so that if you get hit with a baseball there, it won't hurt."
Logan: (looking incredulous) "So, right in this area?" (gesturing to that region again)
Mommy: "Yes. For that area. See this is how it works." (showing him the picture on the back)
Logan: (giggling) "Ewwww!"
Mommy: "Well, you have to wear one. Let's get this one with the undies."
Logan: "That one is tiny. I need a bigger one."
Mommy: "No, this one says it will fit you."
Logan: "I don't think so but whatever. So we aren't getting one of these that go up your butt?"
Mommy: "No, and they don't go up your butt. They go around your legs to hold it in place."
Logan: "Whatever. It looks like it goes up your butt. Gross."
Mommy: "Let's go."
Soon after leaving the store the idea of the cup was whooshed away by other chit chat. A couple weeks later as we are getting ready for the 1st big game it all came rushing back. There he was, standing there in his baseball socks and shirt. I took the cup out of the package and gave him the cup and the undies. He stepped into them and immediately started laughing hysterically.
Logan: "Oooohhhh, this feels weird!" (still laughing)
Mommy: "Is it comfortable enough?"
Logan: "Yeah. (yelling to the door) LILLY! COME SEE MY CUP!"
Mommy: "No. You don't need to show your sister."
Logan: "But look! (picking up and Transformer and banging it on the cup) It doesn't hurt at all! It's amazing! Lilly has to see this!
Mommy: "No. Really. Lilly doesn't want to see it."
Logan: (banging the cup into the walls and the doors) "This is fun!"
Mommy: "All right. Stop it. We need to get ready."
He seriously is hilarious. He makes Brandon and I laugh regularly with his witty, uncensored remarks. I know there are some things that kids say that you are supposed to not encourage; that you are supposed to suppress your laughter over so that they don't repeat the behavior. But sometimes, just sometimes, you have to just hug them and laugh!
ANYWAY...
I have 1 girl and 1 boy. It is interesting as a parent to see just how different raising the two of them can be. It doesn't help they happen to fall on the polar opposite ends of the spectrum.
When people say, "Boys will be boys," they are talking about Logan. He is rough and tumble. He doesn't get hurt easily. He is eager to get his hands in the mud and pick up bugs, slugs and other gross stuff. He LOVES to play sports. He loves to wrestle and fight with his Daddy. He doesn't care at all what clothes I buy him - in fact, he'd rather not wear clothes at all! He has no time for taking a shower or getting a haircut, they are both just time-takers from play time. He loves Spiderman and Transformers and anything he can bash together in an epic battle between good and evil.
He is also a constant source of comedy in our household. Children in and of themselves are uncensored and tend to tell it like it is. I love that about them. Logan, in particular, rarely thinks that something he says might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. In fact, as we are cracking up after some comment he made you will often see him looking around asking, "What's so funny?"
Logan recently started playing baseball. He lives to compete...and LOVES to win. (As much as we teach good sportsmanship and that "everyone's a winner" I believe it's innate in humans to want to be the best - to want to win!) As we got all the particulars together - you know, cleats, baseball pants, shirt, hat, mitt - we introduced him to the idea of wearing a cup.
We were in Sports Authority looking at a huge wall of cups - from little leaguers on up to grown men. Here was our conversation:
Logan: "What are these?:
Mommy: "Cups. They protect your "junk."
Logan: (looking at me quizzically) "So they go down here?" (he gestures to that region)
Mommy: "Yeah. They make it so that if you get hit with a baseball there, it won't hurt."
Logan: (looking incredulous) "So, right in this area?" (gesturing to that region again)
Mommy: "Yes. For that area. See this is how it works." (showing him the picture on the back)
Logan: (giggling) "Ewwww!"
Mommy: "Well, you have to wear one. Let's get this one with the undies."
Logan: "That one is tiny. I need a bigger one."
Mommy: "No, this one says it will fit you."
Logan: "I don't think so but whatever. So we aren't getting one of these that go up your butt?"
Mommy: "No, and they don't go up your butt. They go around your legs to hold it in place."
Logan: "Whatever. It looks like it goes up your butt. Gross."
Mommy: "Let's go."
Soon after leaving the store the idea of the cup was whooshed away by other chit chat. A couple weeks later as we are getting ready for the 1st big game it all came rushing back. There he was, standing there in his baseball socks and shirt. I took the cup out of the package and gave him the cup and the undies. He stepped into them and immediately started laughing hysterically.
Logan: "Oooohhhh, this feels weird!" (still laughing)
Mommy: "Is it comfortable enough?"
Logan: "Yeah. (yelling to the door) LILLY! COME SEE MY CUP!"
Mommy: "No. You don't need to show your sister."
Logan: "But look! (picking up and Transformer and banging it on the cup) It doesn't hurt at all! It's amazing! Lilly has to see this!
Mommy: "No. Really. Lilly doesn't want to see it."
Logan: (banging the cup into the walls and the doors) "This is fun!"
Mommy: "All right. Stop it. We need to get ready."
He seriously is hilarious. He makes Brandon and I laugh regularly with his witty, uncensored remarks. I know there are some things that kids say that you are supposed to not encourage; that you are supposed to suppress your laughter over so that they don't repeat the behavior. But sometimes, just sometimes, you have to just hug them and laugh!
Monday, March 21, 2011
What a Great Weekend!
So I have officially crept that much closer to "mid-thirties" turning 33 last Friday. It's an uncomfortable number for me. I'm totally out of shape, I have somehow reverted back to age 14 acne, and I'm constantly tired! I could live with 33 if I could get my skin looking better and have the ability to run up the stairs without dying! Fortunately, I am committed to doing something about it.
My birthday weekend was great! Started Friday night with dinner with my folks at Anthony's and continued through Saturday at the Owl & Thistle in Seattle and then a trip to the Comedy Underground. (My favorite birthday tradition!) We had a great time and it was really nice to get out with our friends again - it had been SO long!
Today was back to reality and work. Dinner this evening was REALLY good though. Tonight was a new recipe night and it was TO DIE FOR! Roast pork tenderloin and brussel sprouts. The brussels were steamed and then quick pan fried with bacon, shallots, sage and dried cherries. I'm trying to get the family used to the 1/4, 1/4, 1/2 plate configuration where the biggest portion on your plate is veggies. This isn't hard in my family as my children love vegetables. What other kids do you know that cheer when you tell them, "Tonight we're having brussel sprouts!" And, they were really upset after their first portion when they found out there weren't any more. (Gosh, I love them!)
Spent the rest of the night getting some things together for tomorrow. One of my best friend's just found out today that she is going to have a baby girl! I am SO excited for her!
My birthday weekend was great! Started Friday night with dinner with my folks at Anthony's and continued through Saturday at the Owl & Thistle in Seattle and then a trip to the Comedy Underground. (My favorite birthday tradition!) We had a great time and it was really nice to get out with our friends again - it had been SO long!
Today was back to reality and work. Dinner this evening was REALLY good though. Tonight was a new recipe night and it was TO DIE FOR! Roast pork tenderloin and brussel sprouts. The brussels were steamed and then quick pan fried with bacon, shallots, sage and dried cherries. I'm trying to get the family used to the 1/4, 1/4, 1/2 plate configuration where the biggest portion on your plate is veggies. This isn't hard in my family as my children love vegetables. What other kids do you know that cheer when you tell them, "Tonight we're having brussel sprouts!" And, they were really upset after their first portion when they found out there weren't any more. (Gosh, I love them!)
Spent the rest of the night getting some things together for tomorrow. One of my best friend's just found out today that she is going to have a baby girl! I am SO excited for her!
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