March 11, 2013

If Only We Could Buy Time

One of the most difficult things I deal with is management of time.  I have a lot on my plate right now, and I’m constantly moving from one thing to the next, always feeling like I’m forgetting something or someone in the process. The other day I nearly forgot to pick up the little guy from daycare. I was making a list in my head about what I needed to do once I got home from work – CLEARLY I should have put the boys at the top.

It’s a constant struggle.  I get up in the morning and run around the house, getting the boys dressed in fed in a frenzy.  I barely brush my hair let alone put on make-up.  Then I run through a list of to-dos from memory.  Did I let the dog outside? Did I turn of the lights? Am I wearing socks that match?

I drive myself crazy.

After dropping off each child at different daycare facilities, I rush into work, put in eight hours only to rush to pick up kids, get home, make dinner, do homework, and any other thing I may be forgetting right now.  My school work is usually done until 11:30 at night and I barely get eight hours of sleep.  And the gym!  Who has time to workout?

Don’t get me wrong, my husband tries to help, but he thinks I’m Super Woman so he doesn’t seem to realize when I’m stressed.  He does only what he thinks needs to be done and the rest is left to me.  No wonder I’m tired and crabby.

I keep trying to remember this won’t last forever.  Just one more year of school after this semester ends.  Things will only be chaotic for a little while longer.

It can’t get any worse.  Right?

I just wish I had more time to do everything.  If only we could buy more time…

March 10, 2013

Loving the iPad

A few weeks ago we bought a new iPad with my bonus from work. The kids are in love with this new technology and I am pretty sure I’m hooked, too. We’ve downloaded apps, recorded video and played around with the silly camera functions.  I’m blogging via iPad right now and it’s pretty cool. Time consuming (considering the pecking of keys), but I just wanted to try it. Yes, I am behind the times. I know this.

It’s fun to play around with this, but I’m really not getting much done around the house. There are so many awesome things to check out.  Dawson found a 2nd grade math app that he loves and Owen is enjoying an ABC game that he is very good at playing. And the Huz just spends his time on the Weather Channel app.  I’m addicted to Words with Friends.

Who knew this thing would be this much fun?

March 2, 2013

March 2nd

I figured I’d be consistent and get my blog post in for the month.  Look!  It’s March 2nd!  When the hell did that happen?

I can’t keep up with blogging and work and school and kids and a husband.  It’s just too much.  I don’t know how my old blog friends do this every.single.day.  Who has the time?  I used to have time, lots of time, but not anymore.

This past week at work was just chaos.   I had off Monday to attend a funeral.  My cousin J passed away after battling cancer for many long months.  Her death was unexpected because she was a fighter, and we thought she would win this war.  When my mother gave me the news, I was angry and sad and confused.  It’s always the good ones who leave this Earth before their time.  J and her husband, whom we call Butch, had spent lots of time with my family over the years, mostly attending polka dances and festivals.  J loved polka music and her funeral mass was a polka mass.  It was her last wish.  I’m really going to miss her.  She was an amazing woman.

The rest of the week just dragged on.  Wednesday was our “Bonus Day” in which our annual bonuses were revealed.  Let’s just say I was very happy.  We finally bought an iPad and have money left over.  Dawson and Owen love to play around with the camera on it, too:

iPad Addicts

I’ve been battling a cold/sinus infection since last Friday.  It’s been miserable.  I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything for too long.  I’m constantly blowing my nose and coughing.  I’m starting to feel better, but I’m so ready for it to be gone.

The boys had a birthday party today and had so much fun.  Our friends had a combined party for their three kids.  There were at least 25 kids in attendance.  I would have been freaking out with all those kids running around, but they managed it with no problems at all.  I suppose it helps to be organized!  I don’t know how they did it.

Tomorrow we have Easter pictures for the boys.  It’s the first time we’ve done a professional photo for them, other than school portraits.  I’m super excited to see how they turn out.

We finally got our tax return back and I’ve been paying bills the last two days.  It is nice to get these things out of the way.  We’re finally saving money instead of spending it.  I’m hoping we can save enough in our emergency fund, and a little extra for vacation.  We’ve not gone on vacation in so long.  It’s all I can think about, I’m so over winter.

Until next month…

February 2, 2013

2013: Month 1

Happy January!

I didn’t make New Year’s resolutions this year.  I didn’t think there was a point.  I never keep them.  I always intend to make the new year the best one ever.  And then halfway through January I realize I haven’t done a damn thing.  Such is life.   Here’s what’s happening with  me:

School Update.  My second semester at Lakeland College began three weeks ago.  I’m enrolled in 9 credits this time, and it’s a bit of a relief.  Full time credits last semester nearly drove over the edge.  I worked my ass off to pass my courses and I walked away with a 4.0 GPA.  I have never done that before.  I’m not kidding.  I don’t know why I wasn’t this diligent with my studies in high school.  This was (and still is) an amazing accomplishment for me.  I did it while working full time, raising two kids and making sure the house didn’t fall apart.  I didn’t do it alone, though.  Without my husband’s help and support, things could have been ugly.  Next year I’ll graduate with my Bachelor’s degree.  I’m very excited about this!

Healthy Living.  I spent the first part of this month changing my exercise and eating habits.  I did not resolve to workout more or give up chocolate or any other nonsense.  I just decided to make more of an effort to go to the gym, and I’m learning to eat things that make me feel healthy.  I have been upping the fruits and veggies, reducing my portions and I’m staying away from all those foods that have very little nutritional value.

The Kids.  My boys are keeping me on my toes.  The Doodlebug is 8 years old and in second grade.  He loves to read and he recently dived into the Boxcar Children books.  I love that he loves reading, and I have him read to me often.  He’s getting pretty good at emphasizing parts of the story.

Little guy is 3 years old now, and he is the rebel.  Always into mischief, I am constantly following him around to make sure he’s not getting into anything.  Two minutes unattended and he decided to tip over a basket of folded laundry.  Because he thought it would be funny.  I can’t really get upset.  He is just too cute.

Now it is February already.  Where does the time go?