Being Disciplined is Exhausting

For almost a week, I have set some priorities in my day. I sat down last Thursday, and I decided what I really wanted to do each day, and then I've actually done those things first. Sometimes, that's really all I've gotten done, but I've done them. I've gone to bed earlier, and I've gotten up on time. I've completed my bible study and I've exercised. On some days, I've done some housework, and on others I've gotten some paperwork finished. I've worked on pacing myself so why am I so tired?

Now, I'm off to get dressed after my workout. I'm getting my hair done today, and it really, really, really needs it.

P.S. On Monday, I made the most delicious Italian Chicken & Dumplings from Rachael Ray. Mmmm ....

Bucket List

I keep seeing these bucket lists floating around so here goes:
(I decided to just list what I've done so far ...)

Climbed a waterfall.
Taken a candlelit bath with someone.
Said "I love you" and meant it.
Hugged a tree.
Visited Paris,
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise.
Gone to a huge sports game.
Grown and eaten your own vegetables.
Slept under the stars.
Changed a baby's diaper.
Watched a meteor shower.
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope.
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment.
Had a snowball fight.
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can.
Ridden a roller coaster.
Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking.
Adopted an accent for an entire day.
Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment.
Had two hard drives for your computer.
Had amazing friends.
Taken a road-trip.
In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them.
Alphabetized your CD'S.
Pretended to be a superhero.
Sung karaoke.
Lounged around in bed all day.
Kissed in the rain.
Played in the rain.
Gone to a drive-in theater.
Started a business.
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken.
Toured ancient sites.
Gotten married.
Made cookies from scratch.
Gotten flowers for no reason.
Performed on stage.
Recorded music. (Technically I was in the recording, but thank God, you couldn't hear me.)
Bought a house.
Passed out cold.
Picked up and moved to another city.
Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking.
Ridden a horse.
Had major surgery. (A C-section is major surgery!)
Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States.
Eaten sushi.
Had your picture in the newspaper.
Gone back to school.
Touched a cockroach.
Eaten fried green tomatoes.
Read The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read.
Skipped all your school reunions.
Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language.
Thought to yourself that you're living your dream.
Had a booth at a street fair.
Dyed your hair.
Caused a car accident.
Skipped school.

Been to Canada.
Been to Europe.
Been to Mexico.
Been to Florida.
Seen 'The Wall' memorial in D.C.
Been on a plane.
Been lost.
Been on the opposite side of the country.
Gone to Washington, DC.
Swam in the Pacific Ocean.
Swam in the Atlantic Ocean.
Swam in the Gulf of Mexico.
Cried yourself to sleep.
Played cops and robber or cowboys and Indians.
Recently colored with crayons.
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
Made prank phone calls.
Laughed until your face hurt.
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose.
Caught a snowflake on your tongue.
Danced your heart out.
Written a letter to Santa Claus.
Been kissed under the mistletoe.
Watched the sunrise with someone.
Blown bubbles.
Gone ice skating.
Gone to the movies.
Sat outside in the rain.


1. Any nickname? Yes, but I'm not bringing that up again!
2. Mother's name? Sherry
3. Favorite drink? Peach Iced Tea
4. Any tattoos? Nope
5. Body Piercings? Ears
6. What animal would you be if you could choose one? A bird
7. Birthplace? Houston, TX
8. Favorite vacation spot? Mountain Cabin
9. Ever been to Africa? no
10. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? No, but I do occasionally eat dessert first.
11. Ever been on TV? No
12 Ever steal any traffic signs? No
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, a few of them ... Is that what's wrong with me?
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
15. Favorite brand of body wash?Olay Quench
16. Favorite TV show? Too many.
17. Favorite number? 7? Who knows?
18. Favorite movie(s) Too many.
19. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
20. Favorite dessert? Hot Fudge Sundae

21. Favorite food? Warm Bread and Butter
22. Favorite day of the week? Any day I don't work
23. Name something/someone you love. My family and a few friends

24. Favorite toothpaste? Crest
25. Favorite smell? Cinnamon

26. How do you relax? knit & read

27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Fit & Healthy

28. How many States will you send this message to? ??? (Why don't those of you who read it, leave a comment with your state?)

29. Who will respond to this the fastest? Beth

30. When was the last time you belly laughed? C has me laughing at least once or twice a week.

Thank Goodness It's Friday

I'm so glad that it's Friday. N will be home from Costa Rica today. I'm so glad because I'm just exhausted because I've gotten about 6 hours sleep this whole week. I just can't sleep well while Nate is away. I hear every noise, and I get cold. On top of this, G was sick and we were at the drs office a couple of times. After her fever, she developed hives, and I need to put in a call to the drs office because I still can't figure out exactly to what she was allergic. Then, I've been on the phone straightening out a couple of issues with our mortgage and insurance. I hate beaurocracy!

On Monday, I layered ravioli, meat sauce, and cheese in a casserole dish. We've eaten it 3 times this week which has really helped with putting dinner on the table. It has even provided some comfort in the midst of all of the chaos called life.

Today I taught C how to dust by putting socks on his hands. He helped with the laundry and vacuuming the stairs. I really don't usually do this, and I've been convicted that I need to work as well as play with my kids. If I do all of the work, then I end up not spending much time at all with them because I'm too busy working. Besides they need to learn how to take care of a home. I think if I work them, I'll actually spend more time playing with them as well.

I've been working on a couple of baby blankets for friends who have babies, and I have a bolero that I need to finish. I'll probably try to bring these on my upcoming trip to Texas.

Anyone trying any new recipes for Thanksgiving?

Pictures!!!

It seems like almost everyone in my family has a camera, and is always taking pictures. I don't really like taking pictures and I don't really like being in pictures, but I do like looking at pictures. It is hard for me to decide if it is better to just experience the moment and have a great memory or take a lot of time taking pictures (possibly ruining the moment) so that you have ways to remember the event later.

SO ... with all of this "baggage", I would like to frame some pictures for our home, especially since we live far away from most of our relatives. It would be nice to have pictures up for our kids to recognize family.

I've having difficulty figuring out which wall to use, which frames to use, and which pictures to use and which step comes first. So does anyone have any opinions? Should I use a wall in our basement, or a stairway? Should I buy all of the frames first or the pictures? Does anyone have any great pictures to contribute?

Moving Anxiety

I would say that C, my 4 yo boy, has had the most difficult adjustment to moving. He has regressed in potty training and has had a handful of aggression incidences that had never happened before, but his most obvious display of anxiety has been the wrinkling of his nose and mouth. Instead of greeting new people and new places with cries or screams, he has greeted them with a kind of twisted smile and a wrinkled nose. Gradually as our life has settled into routine, I've realized that the wrinkled nose has become less frequent. Thankfully, C is adjusting and settling in.

Today, a new friend of mine mentioned the wrinkled nose, and how it had almost disappeared. Earlier in the day, I had a conversation with my SIL about how it is hard to find ourselves in our boys. Our boys are just so overtly our husbands that we can't find ourselves. Tonight in the quiet (after the kids had gone to bed) I remembered a picture of a little boy with a wrinkled nose and a soft scowl. The picture is an old black and white photo from a previous generation. That little boy grew up to be my dad. So I'm guessing C's wrinkled nose at uncomfortable situations must come from my side of the family. Maybe there's some of me in him afterall.

Not much Going On

Well, I haven't been doing much except resting on the couch. My migraines are getting less as I recover from the sinus infection. The kids seem to be adjusting well. Grace is just doing phenomenal in school. She has improved her reading so much that she has started reading cereal boxes and road signs. She asks me what every word means. Caden has joined the excitement that he wants to know how to spell everything. This basically means that I can't get any peace and quiet because the kids are both trying to ask me questions at the top of their voices while I have a headache. Can't anyone hear me saying "Please Be Quiet!"

My 101 Things Update -

Well, the move has disturbed my goals as can be expected, but I think I'm getting back on track now.

Start Date: November 5, 2007
End Date: August 1, 2010
Updated: November 3, 2008 (365 days)

Sick Days: 22

1.Drink 8 glasses of water a day. (312/365=85%).
2.Eat 2 fruits & 3 vegetables everyday. (292/365=80%).
3.Be in bed by 10:30pm 850 times (85%=goal) (226/365=62%).
4.Perform 30 minutes of Cardio Exercise 600 times (60%=goal) (165/365=45%).
5.Perform Core Strengthening Exercises 450 times (45%= goal) (50/365=14%).
6.Perform Lower Body Strengthening Exercises 150 times(15%=goal) (30/365=8%).
7.Perform Upper Body Strengthening Exercises 150 times (15%=goal)(30/365=8%).
8.Visit the dentist 4 times (0/4).
9.Visit the eye doctor 2 times (0/2).
10.Visit the gynecologist 2 times (1/2).
11.Lose 5 pounds. Completed 5/2008.
12.Lose 10 pounds. Completed 6/2008.
13.Lose 15 pounds. Completed 11/2008
14.Lose 20 pounds.
15.Lose 25 pounds.
16.Keep weight off for 1 year.
17.Take a Yoga Class. Completed 4/2008.
18.Take a Spinning Class. Completed 12/2007.

19.Pray everyday-giving my cares over to God (292/365=80%).
20.Read Bible everyday (255/365=70%).
21.Remember one moment each day that makes me smile and thankful (292/365=80%).
22.Attend a church meeting once a week (14%= goal) (36/365=10%).
23.Memorize 50 scriptures (4/50).
24.Perform 10 acts of kindness (4/10).
25.Participate in 3 in-depth Bible Studies (1/3). IP
26.Give Fast Food Bucks to a homeless person.
27.Finish The Purpose Driven Life. IP
28.Finish Knit Together. Completed 1/2008.

29.Be encouraging–Say encouraging things to family and friends everyday (310/365=85%).
30.Sit down at a table and eat dinner with my kids 800 times (80%=goal) (292/365=80%)
31.Eat home-cooked dinner 6 days a week (86%=goal) (263/365=72%).
32.Read 800 books to my kids (80%=goal) (165/365=45%).
33.Have homework time with kids. IP
34.Play 143 games with my kids (14%=goal) (51/365=14%).
35.Go out with DH (no kids) 33 times (8/33).
36.Take 3 trips without the hubby and kids (2/3).
37.Learn how to dance with DH.
38.Make a decision about having another child.
39.Go on a week long vacation for our family (DH & the kids).
40.Read Raising Great Kids.

41.Make 33 items for charity (9/33).
42.Reduce my yarn stash and organize it within current containers. IP.
43.Buy new yarn only for gifts, to complete a project or out of weekly cash. IP
44.Finish the 2 sweaters I have in progress (2/2). Completed 4/2008.
45.Make 3 sweaters (1/3). IP
46.Teach 2 knitting classes (1/2). IP
47.Take a class on finishing garments.
48.Knit Baby Blanket for Nephew. Completed. 12/2007.
49.Knit Monkey. IP
50.Knit Comforter. IP
51.Knit Pullover Sweater.
52.Crochet Handbag.
53.Make 5 Dishcloths. (5/5) Completed 11/2008
54.Knit or Crochet a Rug.
55.Find a knitting circle of friends. Completed 12/2007

56.Blog regularly (60%=goal) (72/365=20%)
57.Go to several craft shows and research what knitted objects are being sold and what booths look like. (2)
58.Make some items specifically to be sold. Completed. 01/2008.
59.Develop a business plan.
60.Sell something on the Internet.
61.Earn some income from business.

62.Follow Flylady. Completed 06/08.
63.Clean out and organize storage areas. Completed 06/08.
64.Organize my bedroom closet and get rid of anything we don't use. Completed 5/2008.
65.Get rid o vacuum cleaner & grill. IP Completed 06/08.
66.Clean out and organize office & files. Set up a command center. Completed 06/08.
67.Organize the hall linen closet. Completed 02/2008.
68.Organize the kitchen & get rid of anything we don't use. Completed 06/2008.
69.Organize the toys & develop a system to keep them organized. Completed 05/2008.
70.Landscape front yard. Completed 05/2008.
71.Grow a simple herb garden. Completed 11/2008.
72.Go green on cleaning supplies. Completed 11/2008.

73.Set up Recycle Center. Completed 11/2008.

74.Document each thing completed. (26/101) IP
75.Try 33 new restaurants (24/33).
76.Read 33 fiction books (33/33). Completed 11/2008.
77.Read 33 Nonfiction books (11/33).
78.Read 10 best sellers (7/10).
79.Learn about 10 new things (6/10).
80.Buy a digital camera or find the old one. Completed 12/2007.
81.Take pictures every week of my kids once I get the camera. IP
82.Put pictures in photo albums.
83.Make a photo wall of meaningful photos.
84.Finish State Quarter Books. IP
85.Finish my Soduku Book. IP
86.Go camping.
87.Visit an art museum. Completed 05/2008.
88.Consolidate and alphabetize addresses into one location.
89.Host a board game night.
90.Plan next 101 things to do.

91.Streamline monthly finance upkeep. IP
92.Move AEP 401 K to Fidelity.
93.Learn about retirement investing
94.Understand where we stand for our retirement.
95.Keep to monthly budget.

96.Brush and floss teeth morning & night (292/365=80%).
97.Wash face morning & night (292/365=80%).
98.Get dressed 6 days a week (86%=goal)(292/365=80%).
99.Paint my finger nails 15 times (6/15).
100.Paint my toenails 33 times (14/33).
101.Paint DD's nails 33 times (5/33).

I'm back

Well we've moved in to our new house. I think that N & I are in a bit of shock over moving. Even though, we're pros at the the moving thing. There are still things that take us off guard, like it just takes so much energy to learn all the everyday things. We're pretty much unpacked, but we've been sick twice. I caught a nasty sinus infection the week after we moved, and then I've had migraines for the last 3 days. I'm not sure if the migraines are stress related or disease related, but I spent Friday and Saturday napping and watching movies. That seemed to help a lot.

C learned to ride his bike last week. He is so thrilled.