So, as we ushered in 2012, I went back to my list of goals(not resolutions) that I had made at the beginning of 2011. And of the 10 major goals I had in mind for myself and my family, I completed 8 of them. Not too shabby, considering they were mainly big life changes.
And while I will never quit setting goals for myself because I think making and reaching goals help me to be my better self, I feel happy(?not quite the word I'm looking for) maybe even satisfied with where my life is and where I'm headed in relationship to those I share my life with.
Yes, I want to continue losing weight this year, I will run a race this year and I already cut the info from the paper to get started with golf lessons. I know that getting a new dog this year is in the cards for our family, we want to take Avalon on another big trip, and we have lots of plans for the house.
But mainly, I am going to be happy this year. I will love where my life is at and what I am doing and slow down and not only stop and smell the roses but enjoy them too. If something doesn't get done or doesn't live up to my expectations, I will realize that there is obviously something more important knocking.
That's not to say I haven't been happy but I feel like I spent most of being 28 chasing something to make myself a better person because I didn't feel like I was living up to certain goals and ideals I had in mind.
When I moved out a long time ago and began living life, I set some major goals for myself. I always had someone telling me what to do and wasn't really allowed to make my own decisions. And since I felt my leaving was an incredible opportunity, I wasn't going to waste it.
I knew I wanted to go to college. I even had plans for going to graduate school. I was going to have a career. I had no attachments and even felt a bit alone in this world so I knew I had to depend on myself. I would do school, establish a career, travel abroad(i do have a Spanish degree afterall). I figured it would take me a solid 10 years to do that. Then perhaps maybe find a spouse, start a family and see if that was what life had in store for me.
I wouldn't say I'm completely unromantic and I think a majority of females have a tendency to create unreal fantasies of love. But I didn't feel that way at all. The only marriage I truly had ever been witness to was my parents. And, from what I saw, it was nothing I wanted to be a part of. I never had fantasies of a wedding, houses with picket fences or even children.
But during my freshman year of college that all changed when I met Jeff. Suddenly I could imagine being married, settling down and eventually children. I had no plans to rush off to another country if it meant Jeff and I had to be apart.
We finished school, got married, Jeff got a job while I finished student teaching, bought a house, and settled down. Jeff's job was awesome for a fresh grad and continues to be a great job. And by that point, we weren't willing to move away from here and his family(not sure he was ever willing, but my plans sure changed after I got to know them).
We decided to have a baby and the rest is history.
So when I hit 28 last year, I felt somewhat unfulfilled. I felt like I left some goals undone and met many earlier that I had planned and didn't go above and beyond. Twenty-eight was the year I had set for my younger self to have conquered the world.
But as the year passed and I turned 29, I realized how foolish that thinking was. I have an incredible life. Sure it didn't turn out the way I had planned, but it turned out the way it needed to. I learned you can't conquer the world in 10 years, it takes a lifetime.
This year, I am working on going with the flow, not sweating the small stuff and enjoying the little things in life that so oftened get lost in the shuffle. So if my living room doesn't get painted in a timely fashion because Avalon and I spent the week at the park because of the nice weather so be it. And while I really am going to try and accomplish my goals, its okay to not always meet them because it means I did something probably equally as important that I hadn't planned on.
Have a fantastic 2012. I know I will!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, December 8, 2011
10 Years and Counting
Also, a month and counting. Nearly a whole month since I last posted. Sometimes I find myself not posting because I'm not sure who all my readers are and don't want to ruffle feathers. I hate to self censor but sometimes, I feel like I've had enough conflict in my life, I don't need any more.
More often than not though, I am busy. And now that Christmas is upon us, it is even busier. But I'm not complaining, I love Christmas! I will complain about the lack of snow though. December and no real precipitation? Geesh. I have all my Christmas shopping done and almost all of the presents wrapped and under the tree. For me, there is nothing more fun than buying gifts for someone and watching them open it.
Also, posting seems a bit redundant when I post things on Facebook once already. Facebook! It will be the death of all other social platforms!
But this December is also special because it marks 10 years that Jeff and I have been together. We've only been married 7 years but we started dating 10 years ago the first of this month. I had met him for the first time the previous September but by November his group of friends and mine began to hang out more. And by December we agreed to be more exclusive, more or less. (Basically, I think I said, "I'm don't wanna make out with you for fun." and his answer was, "I guess that makes you my girlfriend.") (I wasn't trying to pressure him into anything, I just really didn't want to get my feelings hurt again and I knew by that time, that I really liked him and if he wasn't in the same place, I didn't want to set myself up for heartbreak)
Simple as that. Okay maybe not that simple but pretty much.
It all started with a night sledding with our friends on the hill behind Roskie dorm in Bozeman. I remember sledding face first down the hill over a glass beer bottle and seriously bruising my stomach and upper thighs.
Then an official first date after my work Christmas party to Applebee's and then to see Vanilla Sky which was a horrible movie but I didn't want to tell him but was so relieved when he came out of the theater and said, "That movie sucked."
Another date a few days later, where we went and rented a movie and got ice cream and he got pulled over for having a taillight out.
A Christmas break that lasted forever and we went through about 1000 minutes on phonecards(remember when we still used those things) Then he came up to Great Falls to meet Pat and Joelene. We went to the rodeo.
Then we drove back to Billings and I met his parents. I died my hair back brunette from a wild blond job I had let a friend do. (had to make a good impression) Had dinner at the Granary back when it was still old school. Talk to his Dad at the salad bar about how we were both born in Kansas. Left a CD in his parents car that had very explicit lyrics and was so embarrassed I could've cried.
Hung out every free minute we had the entire second semester.
Both went to our respective homes for the summer. Spent hours on the phone. And hours driving between Great Falls and Billings.
July 4th weekend, he proposed on July 3rd right after I had spun my car out through a ditch by Acton.
And the rest is history.
He is one of the best things to have come into my life. I know I have a lot of baggage. Marriage isn't always easy. We don't always agree or get along. But in the end, I know he has my back, loves me unconditionally(something he had to teach me) and we're partners for everything. Not only is he a great husband, he is an awesome dad. So 10 years down, and to another 10 and another after that and then 10 more and so on.
More often than not though, I am busy. And now that Christmas is upon us, it is even busier. But I'm not complaining, I love Christmas! I will complain about the lack of snow though. December and no real precipitation? Geesh. I have all my Christmas shopping done and almost all of the presents wrapped and under the tree. For me, there is nothing more fun than buying gifts for someone and watching them open it.
Also, posting seems a bit redundant when I post things on Facebook once already. Facebook! It will be the death of all other social platforms!
But this December is also special because it marks 10 years that Jeff and I have been together. We've only been married 7 years but we started dating 10 years ago the first of this month. I had met him for the first time the previous September but by November his group of friends and mine began to hang out more. And by December we agreed to be more exclusive, more or less. (Basically, I think I said, "I'm don't wanna make out with you for fun." and his answer was, "I guess that makes you my girlfriend.") (I wasn't trying to pressure him into anything, I just really didn't want to get my feelings hurt again and I knew by that time, that I really liked him and if he wasn't in the same place, I didn't want to set myself up for heartbreak)
Simple as that. Okay maybe not that simple but pretty much.
It all started with a night sledding with our friends on the hill behind Roskie dorm in Bozeman. I remember sledding face first down the hill over a glass beer bottle and seriously bruising my stomach and upper thighs.
Then an official first date after my work Christmas party to Applebee's and then to see Vanilla Sky which was a horrible movie but I didn't want to tell him but was so relieved when he came out of the theater and said, "That movie sucked."
Another date a few days later, where we went and rented a movie and got ice cream and he got pulled over for having a taillight out.
A Christmas break that lasted forever and we went through about 1000 minutes on phonecards(remember when we still used those things) Then he came up to Great Falls to meet Pat and Joelene. We went to the rodeo.
Then we drove back to Billings and I met his parents. I died my hair back brunette from a wild blond job I had let a friend do. (had to make a good impression) Had dinner at the Granary back when it was still old school. Talk to his Dad at the salad bar about how we were both born in Kansas. Left a CD in his parents car that had very explicit lyrics and was so embarrassed I could've cried.
Hung out every free minute we had the entire second semester.
Both went to our respective homes for the summer. Spent hours on the phone. And hours driving between Great Falls and Billings.
July 4th weekend, he proposed on July 3rd right after I had spun my car out through a ditch by Acton.
And the rest is history.
He is one of the best things to have come into my life. I know I have a lot of baggage. Marriage isn't always easy. We don't always agree or get along. But in the end, I know he has my back, loves me unconditionally(something he had to teach me) and we're partners for everything. Not only is he a great husband, he is an awesome dad. So 10 years down, and to another 10 and another after that and then 10 more and so on.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Warning,
If you get a chance, watch the episode of Dr. Phil today about the judge who was seen on You Tube beating his daughter.
The girls mother actually joins in. And sadly, I completely understand her mother. She seemed to me that she wanted to give her daughter her punishment and be done but the father was raging.
She didn't protect her daughter because she was scared of what her husband would do to her. In my opinion, I think she was trying to punish her daughter to appease her husband and then he'd stop. But he didn't.
Don't think I defend her actions because they are indefensible but I understand it. I understand why my mother never protected us. One, she was brainwashed into beleiving what he was doing was right. And the times when she knew he wasn't right, she didn't jump to our defense because then his rage would be turned to her. And sadly, I feel like sometimes, when my dad was angry, it was every man for themself.
I understand being brainwashed and thinking those sort of things are normal. As bad as it sounds, it's true. Until high school, I thought everybody got 'beat.' And even after I moved out, I still thought a lot of what he did was alright. Now, i realize most everything he did, in regards to discipline was wrong.
Two things about the video hit me very hard. One, the father kept saying "Turn Over, Turn OVer or I'll hit your face." My dad used to say that and even go further saying he didn't even care if he broke out all my teeth.
Second, something the mother said just infuriated me. She told her daughter to "turn over and take it like a grown woman." Dammit, a 16 year old girl is not a grown woman. And taking a beating isn't something an adult should be expected to endure.
And regardless of the daughters motives for releasing the video, he was still wrong. YOU DON'T BEAT YOUR KIDS.
And while Jeff and I choose to raise Avalon absent of corporal punishment, I don't know if i think spanking in general is necesarily bad. Spanking is different from beating. That being said, I think Dr Phil has a good point. Spanking is not the way to go. Because when you turn angry a spanking can easily become more.
I don't want to ever put myself in that position. So, not spanking eliminates that. Because, while the pain of spanking is (mostly temporary) there are such lasting effects that I think people like my dad never thought of. I could never forgive myself if Avalon became fearful and distrustful of me. If I lost her trust and respect, my parenting would no longer be effective.
(Please do not take this post as a cry for pity. That is the last thing I need. This subject just had me all riled up and I needed to vent. I am not an expert on parenting but I think I have figured some things out especially in regards to what I don't want to do)
The girls mother actually joins in. And sadly, I completely understand her mother. She seemed to me that she wanted to give her daughter her punishment and be done but the father was raging.
She didn't protect her daughter because she was scared of what her husband would do to her. In my opinion, I think she was trying to punish her daughter to appease her husband and then he'd stop. But he didn't.
Don't think I defend her actions because they are indefensible but I understand it. I understand why my mother never protected us. One, she was brainwashed into beleiving what he was doing was right. And the times when she knew he wasn't right, she didn't jump to our defense because then his rage would be turned to her. And sadly, I feel like sometimes, when my dad was angry, it was every man for themself.
I understand being brainwashed and thinking those sort of things are normal. As bad as it sounds, it's true. Until high school, I thought everybody got 'beat.' And even after I moved out, I still thought a lot of what he did was alright. Now, i realize most everything he did, in regards to discipline was wrong.
Two things about the video hit me very hard. One, the father kept saying "Turn Over, Turn OVer or I'll hit your face." My dad used to say that and even go further saying he didn't even care if he broke out all my teeth.
Second, something the mother said just infuriated me. She told her daughter to "turn over and take it like a grown woman." Dammit, a 16 year old girl is not a grown woman. And taking a beating isn't something an adult should be expected to endure.
And regardless of the daughters motives for releasing the video, he was still wrong. YOU DON'T BEAT YOUR KIDS.
And while Jeff and I choose to raise Avalon absent of corporal punishment, I don't know if i think spanking in general is necesarily bad. Spanking is different from beating. That being said, I think Dr Phil has a good point. Spanking is not the way to go. Because when you turn angry a spanking can easily become more.
I don't want to ever put myself in that position. So, not spanking eliminates that. Because, while the pain of spanking is (mostly temporary) there are such lasting effects that I think people like my dad never thought of. I could never forgive myself if Avalon became fearful and distrustful of me. If I lost her trust and respect, my parenting would no longer be effective.
(Please do not take this post as a cry for pity. That is the last thing I need. This subject just had me all riled up and I needed to vent. I am not an expert on parenting but I think I have figured some things out especially in regards to what I don't want to do)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Update
* Holy Crap, fall is flying by. Time flies when you're having fun. Or when you're working on your house.
* Got the new garage doors and openers on Friday. They are so nice! The fact that they open and close is a plus ;) . But they are so quiet and don't shake the house when in use.
* Now that we have a yard with trees, we actually have to rake leaves. Two Sundays ago Jeff and I did the yard, which didn't seem horrible. However, 9 huge yard bags later and the entire dumpster full, we finished. Then the next day it looked like we never had done it.
* So we went out and bought new outdoor lights for the house. The old ones were not our style and dated the house. So now, when we paint the shutters next spring as well as the front door, along with a new kickplate that isn't gold, the outside of the house will be updated(more or less).
*Note i didn't include landscaping. I have some major yard work to do new next spring. But with as much fun as we've been having working on the house, I really am looking forward to it.
Plus I will have an even bigger spot for a garden!
* Jeff and I bought the matching pendant(matches the dining room chandelier) for the front entryway. It's not hung yet because the entry way is a story and a half and Jeff is going to need help and I don't think I'll be able to do it.
* We got a bid for the new railing that is in the split entry. And while we are in Great Falls for Thanksgiving, the railing will be done. Then it's on to paint and floors.
* Looking forward to the Thanksgiving hoopla in Great Falls. We haven't been able to see Pat and Joelene since this summer so it's long over due. Probably will get to see my older brother Joe as well. And since it's been over two years, it is a long overdue visit. Also love reading the ads for Black Friday. And Black Friday in Great Falls doesn't seem as daunting as it does here in Billings.
* Jeff and I have finished almost all of Avalon's Christmas shopping save a couple of smaller things. I just love buying gifts for people.
* We went to Bozeman a couple of weekends ago. It was nice to do something other than work on the house. I got to stop at a quilt shop in Livingston and get a few things with a gift certificate I had gotten for my birthday. I hope to maybe start quiliting more seriously but we'll see how that goes. I also got a pattern and material for a pretty cool handbag. Also got some beginners how-to books on it.
* My weight has been screwy lately. I've been working out harder than ever and even started spinning. But by Monday morning I was up 3 lbs and by this morning I was down 4. A bit frustrating but my whole weight loss adventure has been a rollercoaster so what's new?
*Murphy has been a royal pain in the ass. He has taken to stealing Avalon's food nearly every meal. So then if I put him outside so he can't, he has been barking like crazy. So then I make him come back inside and he steals her food again. He has also been trying to steal food from Jeff and I off the dinner table. His thievery has no bounds. I have to have an eye on him all the time. But I'm about this far away *pinches fingers together* from losing my wits with him lately.
* It is for this precise reason that God made dogs and children so darn cute. Because it is their only redeeming factor when they are being shits. Generally though, Murph is a shit and Avalon is a pretty darn good kid.
* Avalon has recently taken to puzzles and card games. She has always done puzzles but now she is doing the bigger ones that have 24 or 48 pieces and is pretty quick. We also taught her how to play Uno and she caught on quick also. Still working on good sportsmanship. She is actually doing much better in that respect. Although she still wants to win EVERY time. (But who doesn't)
* She has kind of gotten in to this 'scared of everything' phase. If it is remotely unfamiliar or could possible have something scary, she is done with whatever it is. She almost didn't go trick or treating because of it. She doesn't want to Peter and the Wolf at Ballet because the music sounds scar. (She actually started balling at her teacher over it) She wouldn't go down the waterslide at the hotel in Bozeman and wouldn't get on the slack line even if Jeff and I helped her. The line between recognizing her fears and giving into them is a difficult one. She did this once before too when she was two'ish. Hoping this will pass.
* I've got a few recipes to share: cheddar siracha bread and homemade apple sauce. One of these days I'll get around to posting. But lately by the end of the day I am tired. I've even been going to bed early. Me? Going to bed early? I know, strange.
Alright, later gators.
* Got the new garage doors and openers on Friday. They are so nice! The fact that they open and close is a plus ;) . But they are so quiet and don't shake the house when in use.
* Now that we have a yard with trees, we actually have to rake leaves. Two Sundays ago Jeff and I did the yard, which didn't seem horrible. However, 9 huge yard bags later and the entire dumpster full, we finished. Then the next day it looked like we never had done it.
* So we went out and bought new outdoor lights for the house. The old ones were not our style and dated the house. So now, when we paint the shutters next spring as well as the front door, along with a new kickplate that isn't gold, the outside of the house will be updated(more or less).
*Note i didn't include landscaping. I have some major yard work to do new next spring. But with as much fun as we've been having working on the house, I really am looking forward to it.
Plus I will have an even bigger spot for a garden!
* Jeff and I bought the matching pendant(matches the dining room chandelier) for the front entryway. It's not hung yet because the entry way is a story and a half and Jeff is going to need help and I don't think I'll be able to do it.
* We got a bid for the new railing that is in the split entry. And while we are in Great Falls for Thanksgiving, the railing will be done. Then it's on to paint and floors.
* Looking forward to the Thanksgiving hoopla in Great Falls. We haven't been able to see Pat and Joelene since this summer so it's long over due. Probably will get to see my older brother Joe as well. And since it's been over two years, it is a long overdue visit. Also love reading the ads for Black Friday. And Black Friday in Great Falls doesn't seem as daunting as it does here in Billings.
* Jeff and I have finished almost all of Avalon's Christmas shopping save a couple of smaller things. I just love buying gifts for people.
* We went to Bozeman a couple of weekends ago. It was nice to do something other than work on the house. I got to stop at a quilt shop in Livingston and get a few things with a gift certificate I had gotten for my birthday. I hope to maybe start quiliting more seriously but we'll see how that goes. I also got a pattern and material for a pretty cool handbag. Also got some beginners how-to books on it.
* My weight has been screwy lately. I've been working out harder than ever and even started spinning. But by Monday morning I was up 3 lbs and by this morning I was down 4. A bit frustrating but my whole weight loss adventure has been a rollercoaster so what's new?
*Murphy has been a royal pain in the ass. He has taken to stealing Avalon's food nearly every meal. So then if I put him outside so he can't, he has been barking like crazy. So then I make him come back inside and he steals her food again. He has also been trying to steal food from Jeff and I off the dinner table. His thievery has no bounds. I have to have an eye on him all the time. But I'm about this far away *pinches fingers together* from losing my wits with him lately.
* It is for this precise reason that God made dogs and children so darn cute. Because it is their only redeeming factor when they are being shits. Generally though, Murph is a shit and Avalon is a pretty darn good kid.
* Avalon has recently taken to puzzles and card games. She has always done puzzles but now she is doing the bigger ones that have 24 or 48 pieces and is pretty quick. We also taught her how to play Uno and she caught on quick also. Still working on good sportsmanship. She is actually doing much better in that respect. Although she still wants to win EVERY time. (But who doesn't)
* She has kind of gotten in to this 'scared of everything' phase. If it is remotely unfamiliar or could possible have something scary, she is done with whatever it is. She almost didn't go trick or treating because of it. She doesn't want to Peter and the Wolf at Ballet because the music sounds scar. (She actually started balling at her teacher over it) She wouldn't go down the waterslide at the hotel in Bozeman and wouldn't get on the slack line even if Jeff and I helped her. The line between recognizing her fears and giving into them is a difficult one. She did this once before too when she was two'ish. Hoping this will pass.
* I've got a few recipes to share: cheddar siracha bread and homemade apple sauce. One of these days I'll get around to posting. But lately by the end of the day I am tired. I've even been going to bed early. Me? Going to bed early? I know, strange.
Alright, later gators.
Friday, October 28, 2011
10/28/11
1. I am exhausted, I hope I make sense.
2. I finished emptying the storage unit we rented when we listed our house. It doesn't make sense to pay for that space when I have the space here. But man, that is a lot of work especially when you do it all by yourself.
3. Have I mentioned I love Fridays. Yes, I love it for all the same reasons everyone else does. But I also love it because People Magazine publish their 10 Celebrity Quotes of the Week. It makes me smile. (It is the small things).
4. Favorite quote this week via my sister-in-law Kate: You know you're getting old when you're friends start having kids on purpose. So true!
5. I am excited to weigh tomorrow. Pretty sure I'll be at least another pound down. And I will not let some people rain on my parade. It has taken me 2 years to lose 52 lbs. It has been a lot of hard work and persaverance. So yeah, I'm gonna brag.
6. Tried spinning out for the first time this week. Love it! Makes an hour go by so fast! And then I do abs afterwards with the same instructor. Maybe it's the instructor. hmm. It has been a good challenging workout. Probably also why I am tired.
7. Hit 270 minutes of exercise this week. Beats the minimum of 250 minutes I have set for myself but doesn't reach the goal of 300. I guess I could count the walk I took Murph on but it doesn't feel much like exercise when I have to go the speed of my fellow walker, Avalon.
8. Got carpet in Avalon's room and the toy room. The toys are all in one space. Amen.
9. Gonna be kinda sad when the World Series is over. I love baseball.
10. Bought more Halloween Candy than I ever have. Apparently the new neighborhood has a lot more trick or treaters. Bought Heath Bars because if we ended up having leftovers, Jeff loves Heath Bars. But apparently so do I. Their may be none left by Halloween.
11. Went to Bozeman last weekend. I love that town. So much to do, so many cool stores and shops.
12. My dog has been a complete turd lately. He is barking at everything. And into everything. The other day I caught him eating a crayon.
13. Loving that Christmas stuff is out already. I love Christmas!
14. We are trying to cram everything we can into this weekend so I better go get ready.
2. I finished emptying the storage unit we rented when we listed our house. It doesn't make sense to pay for that space when I have the space here. But man, that is a lot of work especially when you do it all by yourself.
3. Have I mentioned I love Fridays. Yes, I love it for all the same reasons everyone else does. But I also love it because People Magazine publish their 10 Celebrity Quotes of the Week. It makes me smile. (It is the small things).
4. Favorite quote this week via my sister-in-law Kate: You know you're getting old when you're friends start having kids on purpose. So true!
5. I am excited to weigh tomorrow. Pretty sure I'll be at least another pound down. And I will not let some people rain on my parade. It has taken me 2 years to lose 52 lbs. It has been a lot of hard work and persaverance. So yeah, I'm gonna brag.
6. Tried spinning out for the first time this week. Love it! Makes an hour go by so fast! And then I do abs afterwards with the same instructor. Maybe it's the instructor. hmm. It has been a good challenging workout. Probably also why I am tired.
7. Hit 270 minutes of exercise this week. Beats the minimum of 250 minutes I have set for myself but doesn't reach the goal of 300. I guess I could count the walk I took Murph on but it doesn't feel much like exercise when I have to go the speed of my fellow walker, Avalon.
8. Got carpet in Avalon's room and the toy room. The toys are all in one space. Amen.
9. Gonna be kinda sad when the World Series is over. I love baseball.
10. Bought more Halloween Candy than I ever have. Apparently the new neighborhood has a lot more trick or treaters. Bought Heath Bars because if we ended up having leftovers, Jeff loves Heath Bars. But apparently so do I. Their may be none left by Halloween.
11. Went to Bozeman last weekend. I love that town. So much to do, so many cool stores and shops.
12. My dog has been a complete turd lately. He is barking at everything. And into everything. The other day I caught him eating a crayon.
13. Loving that Christmas stuff is out already. I love Christmas!
14. We are trying to cram everything we can into this weekend so I better go get ready.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Who knew you could be so busy and not even have a paying job?
Pretty much the last 3 weeks have been a blur. It seems my life consists of taking Avalon to preschool, ballet, playdates and running errand after errand. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comnplaining and if I weren't busy I would be bored. But man am I tired.
Lowes and Bed Bath and Beyond ought to be happy as they have seen the majority of my funds of late. But it is so stinking fun to decorate and redo things. It just wasn't cost effective to do a lot in our old house because we would've never gotten our money back out. But now, it's full speed ahead. We have the spare room upstairs painted and some wall hangings up and carpet goes in that room as well as Avalon's on Tuesday. And then I can put the toy room together and get Avalon's toys out of every room in this house.
Seriously, we have toys everywhere. Things in the living room are going slower than I want. We have to put in a new railing before we do floors. Kinda waiting on that before I paint and then we'll do floors. This white carpet is driving me bonkers. You simply can't have kids and white carpet. They just don't go together!
But we have gotten so much done. Four new light fixtures, new thermostat, paint and decor and in two rooms, new island stools, tremendous tree trimming to the back yard, half the storage unit cleared out, carpet(tuesday), two new garage doors and openers ordered and to be installed when they get in. So we've accomplished quite a bit. I think after the living area, we'll take a bit of break before starting the master and the main bathroom.
So, that has taken up most of our time. So this weekend we are going to head to Bozeman and just shop and have fun and take a break. We are going to stop in Livingston on the way through and go to a quilt store.(I've got a gift certificate for it).
Since moving here, Avalon has slept like a champ. She hasn't got up once in the middle of the night. She tells Jeff or I nearly every day how much she loves this house. She loves the neighbor girl and our big yard and the wishing well the previous owner left in the back yard. (Any chance I had to get rid of it went right out the window when Grandpa left prizes in it and now she believes it to be a magical wishing well) I'm hoping a large snow takes it out this winter and I don't have to be the bad guy..
I can't believe its practically holiday season! I am so excited for my holiday baking. Nerdy but true, whenever chocolate chips, flour, sugar etc is on sale, I go load up. Pretty soon, I'll be making my list of things to make. And if you'd like a "Christmas Card" from me, you'd best leave me your address. And as some of you are aware, a Christmas Card from me, means you get a box of baked goods.
Alright, I'm tired, peace out!
Lowes and Bed Bath and Beyond ought to be happy as they have seen the majority of my funds of late. But it is so stinking fun to decorate and redo things. It just wasn't cost effective to do a lot in our old house because we would've never gotten our money back out. But now, it's full speed ahead. We have the spare room upstairs painted and some wall hangings up and carpet goes in that room as well as Avalon's on Tuesday. And then I can put the toy room together and get Avalon's toys out of every room in this house.
Seriously, we have toys everywhere. Things in the living room are going slower than I want. We have to put in a new railing before we do floors. Kinda waiting on that before I paint and then we'll do floors. This white carpet is driving me bonkers. You simply can't have kids and white carpet. They just don't go together!
But we have gotten so much done. Four new light fixtures, new thermostat, paint and decor and in two rooms, new island stools, tremendous tree trimming to the back yard, half the storage unit cleared out, carpet(tuesday), two new garage doors and openers ordered and to be installed when they get in. So we've accomplished quite a bit. I think after the living area, we'll take a bit of break before starting the master and the main bathroom.
So, that has taken up most of our time. So this weekend we are going to head to Bozeman and just shop and have fun and take a break. We are going to stop in Livingston on the way through and go to a quilt store.(I've got a gift certificate for it).
Since moving here, Avalon has slept like a champ. She hasn't got up once in the middle of the night. She tells Jeff or I nearly every day how much she loves this house. She loves the neighbor girl and our big yard and the wishing well the previous owner left in the back yard. (Any chance I had to get rid of it went right out the window when Grandpa left prizes in it and now she believes it to be a magical wishing well) I'm hoping a large snow takes it out this winter and I don't have to be the bad guy..
I can't believe its practically holiday season! I am so excited for my holiday baking. Nerdy but true, whenever chocolate chips, flour, sugar etc is on sale, I go load up. Pretty soon, I'll be making my list of things to make. And if you'd like a "Christmas Card" from me, you'd best leave me your address. And as some of you are aware, a Christmas Card from me, means you get a box of baked goods.
Alright, I'm tired, peace out!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Funny Thing Avalon Said and Why I Didn't Share It on Facebook
So...Jeff and I haven't chosen, at this point, to raise Avalon with a specific faith or religion. While I think at some point, I would want her to have a more christian viewpoint, I haven't placed any emphasis on it. I was raised in a very religious family who used religion as a weapon. Being Catholic and going to church every week does not a good person make. Just look at my dad.
We have been pushed by some to get Avalon to church and to Sunday School. And since I haven't made my mind up about what I want her to know and how I want her to know it, I have chosen to not introduce it to her yet. For now, Jeff and I would prefer that she come into faith more organically or on her own. (And frankly I can be very jaded on some things and I don't want her to be jaded on things)
And while the following story is ultimatly funny, I didn't want to ignite a fire on Facebook about how I should or shouldn't be teaching Avalon about relgion, faith or spirituality. Really, it is up to Jeff and I to decide how to raise her on this aspect.
Anyway, to preface this story, whenever we go to Grandma Joelene and Grandpa Pat's house in Great Falls, we always eat dinner in the dining room(that has a chandelier) and they say grace. And we always observe grace as well. It is their house and when in Rome...
So since we moved into our new house, and have a dining room with a chandelier, Avalon always says, "This is just like Grandma Joelene's House."
Then last week, she folded her hands and said, "We should do this" holding her hands up to indicate she wanted to say grace. So, I said, "God is great, God is good, Thank you God for this food." (Funny, she never asks me what God is)
This went on for a week, when last night she said, "I want to say it this time."
"Alright, go right ahead."
She folds her hands, looks at us to fold her hands and says,
God is great,
Beer is good,
Thank you for this food.
Jeff nods, "Sounds about right to me. Let's eat."
We have been pushed by some to get Avalon to church and to Sunday School. And since I haven't made my mind up about what I want her to know and how I want her to know it, I have chosen to not introduce it to her yet. For now, Jeff and I would prefer that she come into faith more organically or on her own. (And frankly I can be very jaded on some things and I don't want her to be jaded on things)
And while the following story is ultimatly funny, I didn't want to ignite a fire on Facebook about how I should or shouldn't be teaching Avalon about relgion, faith or spirituality. Really, it is up to Jeff and I to decide how to raise her on this aspect.
Anyway, to preface this story, whenever we go to Grandma Joelene and Grandpa Pat's house in Great Falls, we always eat dinner in the dining room(that has a chandelier) and they say grace. And we always observe grace as well. It is their house and when in Rome...
So since we moved into our new house, and have a dining room with a chandelier, Avalon always says, "This is just like Grandma Joelene's House."
Then last week, she folded her hands and said, "We should do this" holding her hands up to indicate she wanted to say grace. So, I said, "God is great, God is good, Thank you God for this food." (Funny, she never asks me what God is)
This went on for a week, when last night she said, "I want to say it this time."
"Alright, go right ahead."
She folds her hands, looks at us to fold her hands and says,
God is great,
Beer is good,
Thank you for this food.
Jeff nods, "Sounds about right to me. Let's eat."
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