FRIDAY!
December 3, 2010 by Stephanie · 6 Comments
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I started this week so well. I got up at 4am on Monday morning, cranked out some review posts and then a crockpot post, got the baby to the doctor, got the big kids to their schtuff, did the chores, made dinner, and went to a pta meeting.
it’s all gone downhill since then, and I am so glad the week is over.
I’ve got a book signing on Saturday, and I always have so much fun meeting new people. I’m really looking forward to it.
and I’m looking forward to next week.
in other news, we were given an Elf on the Shelf book and doll. The kids haven’t unwrapped it yet. Do you have one of these? Twitter says they’re creepy—what do you think? The sentiment is neat…
happy friday!! xxo
Today:
play catch up
12.2.2010
December 2, 2010 by Stephanie · 36 Comments
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The weird thing about blogging daily is that you’re only sharing a teeny tiny slice of all the things that float around a person’s head. My head. I’d love to invite you all over for coffee so I can get to know you. I’d like to know if you, too, feel as if groups of women (in person in this case) continue to play their highschool stereotypical roles. Even when they are in their forties. I’d like to know if your neighborhood has a pitbull walking around unattended so you’re kind of a bit freaked out to let the baby play out front. I’d like to let you know that while I think they’ve COMPLETELY OVERSATURATED EVERYTHING, I’m kind of impressed with the Kardashians. And how they have somehow made a career out of being vulgar and inappropriate.
I’d like to know if you, too, feel like pulling the kids from school so you can go live on an iceberg. I’d like to know if you resent the amount of time the kids spend with virtual strangers learning things that maybe they don’t need to be learning instead of being home with the family. I wonder if you lay awake at night wondering how or if the economy will rebound. And how much college is going to cost by the time the baby is ready. And if college will be obsolete by then, anyhow, since there are so many self-taught entrepreneurs out there who seem a lot better educated than most?
Do you worry that people have forgotten how to be ACTUALLY social instead of virtually social (I’m on thin ice here, since I work online, I know…) Why is primetime television programming so awful on the “free” channels? Why does the news have to be so sensational? Am I the only one on the planet who doesn’t understand Glee? and who thinks a ‘gleek’ is this thing you do with your tongue to get spit to spray really far?
Have you decided that it’s just not worth it to have principles like only organic food, no BPA, no Walmart, no made in China, no fast food, no swearing, and no going out with mismatched socks?
And. Does anyone watch The View anymore? Is Barbara paying for it to stay on the air out of her pocket?
today:
stop pontificating, get off the computer, and fold the damn laundry already (oh wait. that might be just for me. ;-0 )
if you have a moment, and have the opportunity to do so, will you leave a comment on this rib recipe? it is moderated (not by me) so it might take a few hours to show up.
monday, weekend recovery. again!
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There are 32 days left in 2010. I become misty when I think of how fast the year has passed—I really wish time would slow down. My kids are already bouncing off the walls with excitement for Christmas, and are wishing it to arrive faster. to arrive tomorrow. or the next day.
I wish for more moment when I catch myself enjoying the moment. They don’t happen often enough. I’m definitely better at slowing down and taking in the sights, smells, sounds, and peaceful quiet—-but it’s an effort. It doesn’t come naturally to me.
Thanksgiving was wonderful. Everyone got along, the food was great, and the company was even better. My grandpa and grandma complimented the children (and me) and said that they were very well-behaved and calm. They said it was because I was laid-back and easy-going. After my laugh attack, I asked them to repeat their words to Adam. so they did.
and you know? I’m getting there. It’s definitely a process, but I do think I’m remembering to stop, relax, and enjoy the moment more and more each year. Maybe by the time I’m 67, I’ll finally be there!
This is my challenge for you, for the next 32 days. This is hands-down, the most stressful time of the year. Don’t let that be the case for you, for your family.
Change. Make new rules, make a new normal. Become different. Be different.
today:
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Have a wonderful and joyful Thanksgiving!
Remember:
lumps in the gravy means it’s homemade.
someone will say something inappropriate. Don’t let that someone be you.
make eye contact with whomever is speaking.
bribe the kids with pie to get them to stay seated at the table.
I am so very thankful for each one of you.
lots and lots and lots of love. xoxo
it’s my birthday!
November 24, 2010 by Stephanie · 7 Comments
328
so I’m taking the day off.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!
Today:
keep a thankful heart
remember that every little bit you do IS important and IS appreciated
if you have to go to the store, go early and be cheerful. If you have to go late in the day, still be cheerful.
Tuesday, November 23
November 23, 2010 by Stephanie · 2 Comments
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Hello! Good morning! How are you today?
I’m helping the first grade make Stone Soup today, and I’m going to take the baby.
WHO IS WALKING.
at ten and a half months.
My hope is that she’ll just stay in the books/blocks area and I can still help the bigger kids with the cutting boards and knives. If not, I’m going to strap her in the stroller and continuously feed her pirate’s booty.
BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT GOOD MOMS DO!
bwhahahahaha!!
Today:
do the stuff you have to do
print out copies of Albuquerque the Turkey to sing at the table
find a few moments to yourself to chill
Monday: prepare for the madness
November 22, 2010 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
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I hope you had a great weekend and are feeling well-rested. Today we’re going to roll up our sleeves and get a bunch of work done.
During today’s weekend recovery, look around and put extra things away. Do you need all the birthday cards out on the mantle? What about the half-burnt candle on the sofa table? How long are you going to move the pile of catalogs from table to table?
just do it. get it done.
then give yourself a pat on the back!
What can you do in the kitchen to lighten the load? I made cranberry sauce and cornbread yesterday (for stuffing). Today I’m going to peel potatoes and onions and store them in zippered bags. Look over your menu—if you can get things done now, do so.
Today:
keep up with the Daily 7
Thanksgiving countdown
the weekend!
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If you’re having a house full of people for Thanksgiving, start prepping now. Do any major cleaning that you feel you *must* accomplish in order to feel confident. Do you need to wipe down the kitchen cabinets? Move out the stove and clean underneath? the fridge? Clorox wipe the blinds? You know yourself, and you know what is important—and it’s different for every person. I like to Cinderella-clean the kitchen floor. Twice. I like to go over it once with a Magic Eraser, then again with a scrubby sponge and cleanser. And then I sponge mop. It’s nuts, it’s overkill, no one notices OR cares, except for me.
It makes me feel good.
What’s the one thing that will make you feel really good, really accomplished? Get it over and done with now, so next weekend you can begin prepping food and setting out platters.
This weekend:
deep clean the one thing that bugs you the most
make a timeline for Thanksgiving. Do you have to do a butcher run? a bakery run? delegate side dishes? borrow crockpots? Write it all down, so then you can outsource the tasks.
Friday fun day!
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yay for Friday!
what kind of fun do you have planned for today? We’ve got a dinner out with friends and then game night. I go back and forth with competitiveness. I usually am pretty hardcore against Adam and my parents and brother, but with friends or people I don’t know really well I hold back and let everybody take over. I’m very hesitant to hog the board, questions, or beat others in mixed company. I wonder what Dr. Phil would say about that?
Did you remember to thank the Veteran’s in your life yesterday?
Today:
plan a game night
catch up with a family meeting
daily 7
Thursday, catch up day
November 11, 2010 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
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I took the baby swimming today (yesterday. I’m typing this on Wed @3:33pm) and she loved it. She patted the water, squealed, splashed, and kicked her little heart out. We were in the water for over an hour and since she only napped for 15 minutes in the car earlier, I was CERTAIN she’d take a nice long nap this afternoon so I could get some stuff done.
I’ve learned my lesson. I can never be certain, ever again, for as long as I live with kids in the house.
because they MAKE NO SENSE.
instead of some much-needed sleep, she is holding on to the side of her crib rail, and bouncing. She’s not fussing—she’s having a ball. She’s figured out how to turn on and off the mobile (it has a switch on the side, it’s not a crank), and is having the time of her life in there.
Today:
catch up on all the stuff you were supposed to get done this week
clean up your desk area
