You know that post-it note from a parent to their kids that is floating around facebook that says if you want the wi-fi password you have to do the 4 things listed on it? I just did my own version: read for an hour (after homework is done), empty the DW, help make the dinner and set the table. And dare I say they liked helping make the dinner! Normally we are a no-electronics-during-the-week house, but I wanted to let them play AND I wanted them to make dinner.
At ages 6 and 8, the kids have been responsible for emptying the DW, setting and clearing the table and a handful of other things around the house. I'm trying to expand their responsibilities. Overhead while Eddie was browning the meat: " It looks like throw up--the color, mom, doesn't it look like throw up?" "Why am I using a pancake flipper to brown meat?" and my personal favorite, he dropped the spatula about 3 times, and I'm proud to say, I remained calm each and every time. I'm not sure where he was putting it that it fell, but it kept happening!
Josie wanted to help, as she normally helps to cook, so I had her turn on the oven, spray the pan and set out the tater tots. Now all that is left is the veggie. Oh joy!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, December 16, 2013
Budgeting
We live pretty frugally in our house, but I know there are some who can pinch a penny tighter. Every time I see an article on how to save money, I always read it, hoping for some nugget we hadn't thought of. This got me to thinking of what we do. So here are the biggies:
1. Don't spend money. I mean don't spend money that isn't a need.
2. When spending money, ask if it really is a *need* or if it is a want. I think this is where 90% of people get into trouble. What we need is somewhere warm and safe to sleep, food to eat and clothes to wear. And if you have kids, books to read and some fundamental toys to play with. Those are needs. Anything else is a *want*.
3. For 1 week, track every.single.penny that leaves your hands. Track how it was spent--cash or credit card or check, or whatever. Put them into categories of type of expense--be precise. Great if you can do this for even longer, but it is surprisingly tedious to do, so I only ever last a week, but it makes me stop and think. Do this periodically or if you ever ask yourself 'where did the money go'.
4. Keep a budget--write down all the expenses that come every month regardless of what else is happening in your life. At the top, put the month and year and then on the left side each of your categories. If you don't know an amount to start, you can take the average of the last 3 months and add a little. Doing this in a spreadsheet is great because you can play with the numbers. Even if you don't have excel knowledge, there are some simple things you can do--such as adding columns--and hey, you'll learn a new skill. I always have a 'play' column for each year. So that I can say, what happens if we add 'x' to our monthly budget, what does that do for us. I have a general 'cash' category that loosely tracks the amount of cash we spend each month. This is a great place to add a cushion. If things are too tight for you to add a cushion, try adding just a $5 cushion somewhere. I like the cash category because it's more flexible. If you are able, try adding a couple hundred to the budget in the form of a cushion. I do try and keep the 'regular' monthly bills accurate, so don't cushion there.
If you have credit cards, that is a GREAT place to build a cushion. I always put in a larger amount and then aim to spend less. Then I can be proud of myself when we are successful. Set your budget up so that psychologically you can feel successful, not stressed. You could for instance include a line item for how much you have saved, if you want either a cookie jar or a separate account, or whatever, but after you have written your budget, see if you have extra money each month and if so, take a portion of that and 'save' it.
Try and fill out the budget at the same time each month, but don't stress if you don't. A good time to is either right when your bills come in, or right after you paid them. Set a reminder. It's okay to fill in historical data--even if it is not complete across all areas, it gives you more info than if you don't.
Include a section for your bank account balances. It's very telling to look back over time and see where you are. Try not to do it right after your paycheck is deposited because then your balances will be artificially high. Try and cluster when your bills are due. If you need each paycheck to pay the next bills, try and cluster for instance, your utilities and your rent/mortgage so they are due at the same time. And maybe have your credit cards all due/bill at the same time, or whatever works for you. It's easier to keep track of and you are less likely to make a mistake.
5. My mother in law is a master at the following: take a base meat and make it last several days in a variety of meals. I will never forget showing up one year and having a big turkey dinner. The next day, we had turkey Ala king, then turkey noodle casserole and so on. This went on for 3 or 4 nights. Meat is expensive and there are other ways to get protein. Buy fresh or fresh frozen when possible. The least processed the food is, the cheaper it will be. Think about it: the more times your food has to be processed, the more hands that touch it, and the more people who have to get paid. If you are just eating an apple, far less people did something to that than if you eat flavored applesauce.
6. This ties into the above, but pick a day each week and make a menu for the next week. It works, I swear. Be flexible, but if you have kids, involve them in the planning. You can even think about what might be good to have for leftovers. So we might cook chicken one night and the next have a quesadilla the next.
7. Hire a babysitter when you go shopping. Taking kids shopping and teaching them about money is one of the most important responsibilities of being a parent--start it early--like baby early. That said, I try very hard NOT to take my kids to the store with me and when I do, I prep them and say that I will not be buying anything that is not on my list. BEFORE you go in the store, say, 'Here is my list, is there anything that needs to be added?' Have those debates at home or in the car, not in front of the BBQ potato chips that are on sale. Invariably, while we are in the store, they think of something that to me we logically need and I cave--not always, but more than I'd like. This brings me to the point of a sitter. I can pay a neighborhood teenager less money for me to go shopping by myself for 1.5 hours than the cost of the extra stuff I buy if I take my kids. Or swap with a friend on the kidsit duties--otherwise known as playdates. Offer to pick up milk or similar for friend. You are still ahead even if they don't reimburse you. When you DO take your kids shopping, use it as an educational trip. Depending on their age, they can do all sorts of things--learn how to pick the fruits and veggies--there are all sorts of articles on how to pick them, or an employee can help. Or if they are older, have them help you find the cheapest salad dressing. Teach them about the price tag--cost per unit and how that can be deceptive. Check the ingredient list on store brand versus name brand and give the cheaper one a try. If you are organized enough for coupons, bring those and add another layer of education. Explain the trade offs, if you buy 'x', you can't buy 'y'.
8. Lists. We maintain a list of stuff we need. When the circulars come out, we see what is on sale, and that's what we buy that week. We've been known to be down to the last roll of tp because it hasn't been on sale for a while.
9. This contradicts the first point: splurge on something for yourself. By this I mean, buy that fancy coffee once per week for yourself. Or a similar treat.
10. Plan your spending. There are certain times of the year when certain products are cheaper to buy. It might only save you a couple hundred, but if you are trying to stick to a budget or save for something, that can translate into an extra night of vacation. TVs are good to buy right after the superbowl. Clothing sales are huge in late July and in January. Perhaps you save up so you can go crazy then. Buy seasonal decorations at the END of the season or after it has passed. Oftentimes, retailers are unloading Christmas stuff by mid-December, but the discounts really fly in the days after Christmas. Is your Dishwasher acting crazy? Start researching NOW what models are out there and what features are available so that when it dies and can't be repaired, you won't make a rash decision.
Tons more ideas, but those are the big ones. In a culture where we are made to feel we need to spend, I'm always amazed to learn that those are build wealth aren't not making millions of dollars, but are making smart decisions with the money they do have. I love to shop and spend, but I don't love to throw money away.
1. Don't spend money. I mean don't spend money that isn't a need.
2. When spending money, ask if it really is a *need* or if it is a want. I think this is where 90% of people get into trouble. What we need is somewhere warm and safe to sleep, food to eat and clothes to wear. And if you have kids, books to read and some fundamental toys to play with. Those are needs. Anything else is a *want*.
3. For 1 week, track every.single.penny that leaves your hands. Track how it was spent--cash or credit card or check, or whatever. Put them into categories of type of expense--be precise. Great if you can do this for even longer, but it is surprisingly tedious to do, so I only ever last a week, but it makes me stop and think. Do this periodically or if you ever ask yourself 'where did the money go'.
4. Keep a budget--write down all the expenses that come every month regardless of what else is happening in your life. At the top, put the month and year and then on the left side each of your categories. If you don't know an amount to start, you can take the average of the last 3 months and add a little. Doing this in a spreadsheet is great because you can play with the numbers. Even if you don't have excel knowledge, there are some simple things you can do--such as adding columns--and hey, you'll learn a new skill. I always have a 'play' column for each year. So that I can say, what happens if we add 'x' to our monthly budget, what does that do for us. I have a general 'cash' category that loosely tracks the amount of cash we spend each month. This is a great place to add a cushion. If things are too tight for you to add a cushion, try adding just a $5 cushion somewhere. I like the cash category because it's more flexible. If you are able, try adding a couple hundred to the budget in the form of a cushion. I do try and keep the 'regular' monthly bills accurate, so don't cushion there.
If you have credit cards, that is a GREAT place to build a cushion. I always put in a larger amount and then aim to spend less. Then I can be proud of myself when we are successful. Set your budget up so that psychologically you can feel successful, not stressed. You could for instance include a line item for how much you have saved, if you want either a cookie jar or a separate account, or whatever, but after you have written your budget, see if you have extra money each month and if so, take a portion of that and 'save' it.
Try and fill out the budget at the same time each month, but don't stress if you don't. A good time to is either right when your bills come in, or right after you paid them. Set a reminder. It's okay to fill in historical data--even if it is not complete across all areas, it gives you more info than if you don't.
Include a section for your bank account balances. It's very telling to look back over time and see where you are. Try not to do it right after your paycheck is deposited because then your balances will be artificially high. Try and cluster when your bills are due. If you need each paycheck to pay the next bills, try and cluster for instance, your utilities and your rent/mortgage so they are due at the same time. And maybe have your credit cards all due/bill at the same time, or whatever works for you. It's easier to keep track of and you are less likely to make a mistake.
5. My mother in law is a master at the following: take a base meat and make it last several days in a variety of meals. I will never forget showing up one year and having a big turkey dinner. The next day, we had turkey Ala king, then turkey noodle casserole and so on. This went on for 3 or 4 nights. Meat is expensive and there are other ways to get protein. Buy fresh or fresh frozen when possible. The least processed the food is, the cheaper it will be. Think about it: the more times your food has to be processed, the more hands that touch it, and the more people who have to get paid. If you are just eating an apple, far less people did something to that than if you eat flavored applesauce.
6. This ties into the above, but pick a day each week and make a menu for the next week. It works, I swear. Be flexible, but if you have kids, involve them in the planning. You can even think about what might be good to have for leftovers. So we might cook chicken one night and the next have a quesadilla the next.
7. Hire a babysitter when you go shopping. Taking kids shopping and teaching them about money is one of the most important responsibilities of being a parent--start it early--like baby early. That said, I try very hard NOT to take my kids to the store with me and when I do, I prep them and say that I will not be buying anything that is not on my list. BEFORE you go in the store, say, 'Here is my list, is there anything that needs to be added?' Have those debates at home or in the car, not in front of the BBQ potato chips that are on sale. Invariably, while we are in the store, they think of something that to me we logically need and I cave--not always, but more than I'd like. This brings me to the point of a sitter. I can pay a neighborhood teenager less money for me to go shopping by myself for 1.5 hours than the cost of the extra stuff I buy if I take my kids. Or swap with a friend on the kidsit duties--otherwise known as playdates. Offer to pick up milk or similar for friend. You are still ahead even if they don't reimburse you. When you DO take your kids shopping, use it as an educational trip. Depending on their age, they can do all sorts of things--learn how to pick the fruits and veggies--there are all sorts of articles on how to pick them, or an employee can help. Or if they are older, have them help you find the cheapest salad dressing. Teach them about the price tag--cost per unit and how that can be deceptive. Check the ingredient list on store brand versus name brand and give the cheaper one a try. If you are organized enough for coupons, bring those and add another layer of education. Explain the trade offs, if you buy 'x', you can't buy 'y'.
8. Lists. We maintain a list of stuff we need. When the circulars come out, we see what is on sale, and that's what we buy that week. We've been known to be down to the last roll of tp because it hasn't been on sale for a while.
9. This contradicts the first point: splurge on something for yourself. By this I mean, buy that fancy coffee once per week for yourself. Or a similar treat.
10. Plan your spending. There are certain times of the year when certain products are cheaper to buy. It might only save you a couple hundred, but if you are trying to stick to a budget or save for something, that can translate into an extra night of vacation. TVs are good to buy right after the superbowl. Clothing sales are huge in late July and in January. Perhaps you save up so you can go crazy then. Buy seasonal decorations at the END of the season or after it has passed. Oftentimes, retailers are unloading Christmas stuff by mid-December, but the discounts really fly in the days after Christmas. Is your Dishwasher acting crazy? Start researching NOW what models are out there and what features are available so that when it dies and can't be repaired, you won't make a rash decision.
Tons more ideas, but those are the big ones. In a culture where we are made to feel we need to spend, I'm always amazed to learn that those are build wealth aren't not making millions of dollars, but are making smart decisions with the money they do have. I love to shop and spend, but I don't love to throw money away.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Happy SAHM
I'm really enjoying being a SAHM. The PTA thing is good, but in some ways, I wished I had a year to enjoy the SAHM role first, because I have those 'to do' things that I don't feel like doing related to the PTA and then there are all the personalities that I'm learning how to deal with. On the other hand, it has been a nice way to tapper from the frenetic pace of a full time job. So far the biggest challenge is days like today, where there is nothing technically on the calender but a 'to do' list so long it will be Christmas before I notice a dent. I keep repeating advice my mom gave me a couple years ago that I really could have used when I was in high school: do the thing you dread the most, first.
While I'm not following that advice as I type on my cathartic blog, I am mindful of it--half the battle. I keep mentioning how stunned I am by what people share online, and so I think carefully of what I write on here. The last thing I want is my blog to go viral, I just enjoy writing, but in the last 5-10 years the explosion of people's personal lives has been stunning. I can't get that out of my head and it definitely holds me back from what I might otherwise say cause you just never know.
My most productive days are when I have something I have to do early or first thing in the morning, it gets me moving, instead of reading article upon article online, telling myself it's just on more article--it's like chain smoking until I have 15 tabs open. Then I get distracted and tell myself I'm 'researching'--yes, that's it, that's why it's 2 hours after I got the kids to school and I"m still at the computer.
I'm also researching for what my next steps will be after my 'PTA year' is over. I've got a short list of organizations I'm looking at volunteering for. Talking with someone recently they thought that was a great idea--that it could parlay into a job. While I wouldn't be opposed to getting paid for my volunteering, that kind of defeats the whole point. I've been wrestling with a couple emotions of not working any more--or rather not getting paid for my work.
Somehow I feel less valued by society, as in not pulling my own weight because I don't earn money. There is this vibe out there that everyone should work at a job for which you are paid. There are so many books and articles on the topic--written by people who are likely struggling with understanding the feelings and dynamics themselves (in addition to trying to explain it to everyone else). I think part of our problem in society is that we under value people who volunteer full time. It's the little things--the 5-10 hours spent in any number of tasks that allows those people to feel a connection, to give back and that genuinely helps their community. It's amazing how small of a commitment can be so helpful and yet the vibe that seems to be out there is one of classification of whose 'job' it is.
I want my kids to be happy and have good memories of their childhood. I want them to learn to be respectful of themselves and of others. I want them to learn and experience the importance of volunteering. Of doing for others. Of giving of your time. Of making time so that you can give of your time. Where does getting paid fit into all this?
There is something about being involved with the PTA, and definitely with being PTA President, that harkens back to the 1950s. Bake sales run by women hoping to effect change in their little world or more recently parents who are hell-bent on changing something and stopping at nothing to accomplish their goals. I don't think either of these is accurate. Nor is the feeling that people who are active on the PTA don't have anything better to do, or are getting riled up for no reason. I have started to think of the responses I get when people learn I'm PTA President in categories: 'better you than me' or the 'it's a step into politics' (NO thank you), or it's a step down from what you were doing, or the 'I have no idea what this really means, but it sounds important'.
I'm in a different position in that I didn't have my training year and I didn't pick my team and I wasn't really involved in much at the school last year, so I'm really playing 'catch up'. Being PTA President is more challenging than I imagined--but not in the day to day, but in that I had all sorts of ideas that I would have wanted to plan for, that I can't do because there was no planning period, no strategy and that is so frustrating to me. So, I need to get off the computer and see what I CAN do with the remaining year of the PTA.
While I'm not following that advice as I type on my cathartic blog, I am mindful of it--half the battle. I keep mentioning how stunned I am by what people share online, and so I think carefully of what I write on here. The last thing I want is my blog to go viral, I just enjoy writing, but in the last 5-10 years the explosion of people's personal lives has been stunning. I can't get that out of my head and it definitely holds me back from what I might otherwise say cause you just never know.
My most productive days are when I have something I have to do early or first thing in the morning, it gets me moving, instead of reading article upon article online, telling myself it's just on more article--it's like chain smoking until I have 15 tabs open. Then I get distracted and tell myself I'm 'researching'--yes, that's it, that's why it's 2 hours after I got the kids to school and I"m still at the computer.
I'm also researching for what my next steps will be after my 'PTA year' is over. I've got a short list of organizations I'm looking at volunteering for. Talking with someone recently they thought that was a great idea--that it could parlay into a job. While I wouldn't be opposed to getting paid for my volunteering, that kind of defeats the whole point. I've been wrestling with a couple emotions of not working any more--or rather not getting paid for my work.
Somehow I feel less valued by society, as in not pulling my own weight because I don't earn money. There is this vibe out there that everyone should work at a job for which you are paid. There are so many books and articles on the topic--written by people who are likely struggling with understanding the feelings and dynamics themselves (in addition to trying to explain it to everyone else). I think part of our problem in society is that we under value people who volunteer full time. It's the little things--the 5-10 hours spent in any number of tasks that allows those people to feel a connection, to give back and that genuinely helps their community. It's amazing how small of a commitment can be so helpful and yet the vibe that seems to be out there is one of classification of whose 'job' it is.
I want my kids to be happy and have good memories of their childhood. I want them to learn to be respectful of themselves and of others. I want them to learn and experience the importance of volunteering. Of doing for others. Of giving of your time. Of making time so that you can give of your time. Where does getting paid fit into all this?
There is something about being involved with the PTA, and definitely with being PTA President, that harkens back to the 1950s. Bake sales run by women hoping to effect change in their little world or more recently parents who are hell-bent on changing something and stopping at nothing to accomplish their goals. I don't think either of these is accurate. Nor is the feeling that people who are active on the PTA don't have anything better to do, or are getting riled up for no reason. I have started to think of the responses I get when people learn I'm PTA President in categories: 'better you than me' or the 'it's a step into politics' (NO thank you), or it's a step down from what you were doing, or the 'I have no idea what this really means, but it sounds important'.
I'm in a different position in that I didn't have my training year and I didn't pick my team and I wasn't really involved in much at the school last year, so I'm really playing 'catch up'. Being PTA President is more challenging than I imagined--but not in the day to day, but in that I had all sorts of ideas that I would have wanted to plan for, that I can't do because there was no planning period, no strategy and that is so frustrating to me. So, I need to get off the computer and see what I CAN do with the remaining year of the PTA.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Home vs Away ... or TMI
I've made the comment before, but it bears repeating. I can't get over the number of blogs that are out there. Really well written, fun to read blogs about parenting. I sometimes wonder if I would have been one of those well read blogs if I were more careful with my writing and had kept it up while the blogsphere was exploding. I'm glad that my blog continues to fly under the radar--I like being able to write something that will be online for a while to come and only 6 people regularly know about it...if they even check.
E has gone back and forth about facebook posts. Sometimes he asks me to take a photo of something and share it on facebook or if I laugh about something he or his sister said or did, he asks, "you aren't going to put that on facebook, are you?". I feel badly for some of the kids whose lives are laid bare online. I get that it is cathartic for the parents/writers and even better for the readers who learn that they aren't alone, but I wonder about what I read on another blog: this generation of kids is growing up being blogged about. When you google your friends, you'll be able to learn all sorts of things about their life. It's a weird thing to know that instead of telling your spouse the same story about your dog peeing on your back so many times, said spouse memorizes it too, but spouse will be able to read about it themselves and so many other stories.
How will it work? It is kind of creepy to think of the amount of stories of your life people will be able to access. I like that I documented J and E's life as babies, a time they obviously won't remember. But I was so dry with it because I was trying to be careful not to lay bare my soul. I didn't confess my deepest thoughts online (most of the time), nor did I get into the weeds about much of anything and in some small way, I wish I had. I wish I had told tons more hilarious stories about them being babies, toddlers and on up. I wish I'd chosen my words more carefully so it was fun to read, but I guess that is what their baby scrapbooks are for...if I ever do them.
E has gone back and forth about facebook posts. Sometimes he asks me to take a photo of something and share it on facebook or if I laugh about something he or his sister said or did, he asks, "you aren't going to put that on facebook, are you?". I feel badly for some of the kids whose lives are laid bare online. I get that it is cathartic for the parents/writers and even better for the readers who learn that they aren't alone, but I wonder about what I read on another blog: this generation of kids is growing up being blogged about. When you google your friends, you'll be able to learn all sorts of things about their life. It's a weird thing to know that instead of telling your spouse the same story about your dog peeing on your back so many times, said spouse memorizes it too, but spouse will be able to read about it themselves and so many other stories.
How will it work? It is kind of creepy to think of the amount of stories of your life people will be able to access. I like that I documented J and E's life as babies, a time they obviously won't remember. But I was so dry with it because I was trying to be careful not to lay bare my soul. I didn't confess my deepest thoughts online (most of the time), nor did I get into the weeds about much of anything and in some small way, I wish I had. I wish I had told tons more hilarious stories about them being babies, toddlers and on up. I wish I'd chosen my words more carefully so it was fun to read, but I guess that is what their baby scrapbooks are for...if I ever do them.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Insightful comments
Tonight as Eddie hugs me goodnight, he says, "Happy Birthday, mom, enjoy your last night of being in your 30s". Yikes! I told him I was a little sad about it. What I didn't say was that it felt like I had one foot in the grave :)
Josie was a chatterbox. She said that she hadn't noticed the chickens near our house and wonder if they had died. She then proceeded to list all the things that could have happened. She told in great detail about an incident at school where she saw a friend in the hall with 2 teachers with the child ultimately sent to the Principal's office :(
She was just going on and on with really insightful comments as we drove to and from the super store. I wish I could remember everything. In fact, as we drove along, I thought about how I felt I should just hit 'record' to remember it all...should have on my phone :)
Josie was a chatterbox. She said that she hadn't noticed the chickens near our house and wonder if they had died. She then proceeded to list all the things that could have happened. She told in great detail about an incident at school where she saw a friend in the hall with 2 teachers with the child ultimately sent to the Principal's office :(
She was just going on and on with really insightful comments as we drove to and from the super store. I wish I could remember everything. In fact, as we drove along, I thought about how I felt I should just hit 'record' to remember it all...should have on my phone :)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Frequent travelers
We are just back from two back to back trips and as we were driving home from the beach yesterday, I couldn't help but think of how much I have learned about travel with kids and how we used to pack compared with how we pack now. How at ages 6 and 8, J and E are so much easier to travel with, both from a sheer volume of stuff, but also just in general how easy they are. I've got to play around with all the new blogger features to see about what I can do in a post, but I want to make one that is all about travel with kids....coming soon.
In the meantime, we had 2 great trips. Wisc to visit those grandparents was over the July 4th week. The weather was amazing. Mid to upper 70s, no humidity and it was very relaxing. Sadly a dear friend of the family died after a long illness as we were coming home. I didn't know him nearly as well as D did, but I'd gotten to know him over 15 years of visits to Wisc. and he was the type of person to always have a smile and a laugh when you saw him. He always took us out for pontoon boat rides and Den and I enjoyed hanging out at their lake house with them and their youngest daughter and her family. RIP.
While we were in Wisconsin, the kids got great time with the grandparents and our usual host of shopping and activities. The kids used their first sprinklers and saw at home fireworks. Everything, including sparklers is illegal where we live, so it was pretty funny to see their reactions.
While we were traveling home, there was a delay in our flight and we thought for sure that we wouldn't arrive home until the following day. When we got home as scheduled on Friday night, we decided that rather than wait until Sunday to drive to the beach, we'd set off the next day. Otherwise, we'd have 24+ hours of 'undoing' the house and then have to be ready to be gone again, and it just made sense to not use dishes and just get on the road. All was on schedule until around noon time when Den was starting to pack the car and noticed the tire of my car was flat. Fast forward 2.5 hours and we had a patch for a hole that came from a nail. We first tried going to NTB, but that worker refused to wait on us, so we went to Jack Taylor who took great care of us and instead of the quoted 1.5 hours, had it ready in 30 minutes. We still got to the beach late, but missed a ton of traffic.
E is calling incessantly for me to come hang with him....
In the meantime, we had 2 great trips. Wisc to visit those grandparents was over the July 4th week. The weather was amazing. Mid to upper 70s, no humidity and it was very relaxing. Sadly a dear friend of the family died after a long illness as we were coming home. I didn't know him nearly as well as D did, but I'd gotten to know him over 15 years of visits to Wisc. and he was the type of person to always have a smile and a laugh when you saw him. He always took us out for pontoon boat rides and Den and I enjoyed hanging out at their lake house with them and their youngest daughter and her family. RIP.
While we were in Wisconsin, the kids got great time with the grandparents and our usual host of shopping and activities. The kids used their first sprinklers and saw at home fireworks. Everything, including sparklers is illegal where we live, so it was pretty funny to see their reactions.
While we were traveling home, there was a delay in our flight and we thought for sure that we wouldn't arrive home until the following day. When we got home as scheduled on Friday night, we decided that rather than wait until Sunday to drive to the beach, we'd set off the next day. Otherwise, we'd have 24+ hours of 'undoing' the house and then have to be ready to be gone again, and it just made sense to not use dishes and just get on the road. All was on schedule until around noon time when Den was starting to pack the car and noticed the tire of my car was flat. Fast forward 2.5 hours and we had a patch for a hole that came from a nail. We first tried going to NTB, but that worker refused to wait on us, so we went to Jack Taylor who took great care of us and instead of the quoted 1.5 hours, had it ready in 30 minutes. We still got to the beach late, but missed a ton of traffic.
E is calling incessantly for me to come hang with him....
Monday, June 24, 2013
Spained Ankles
When I was a freshman in college I went to visit my high school friend for Spring Break. I traveled to DC and while we were talking, I stepped off a curb badly and twisted my ankle. Instead of taking care of it right away, I walked ALL OVER DC on it. I was so foolish. It was black and blue and swollen from my toes to my knee and required 4 months of physical therapy to recover.
When I got to my 30s, little things started to 'fail' me, and my ankle started having little rolls, but nothing major. The second week of kindergarten, when I was walking E to school, down the hill, I rolled it badly. I limped home, happy to have J in the stroller so I could lean on it for support. Den was of course out of town. It has been a saga ever since and E just finished 2nd grade. For 2 years on and off, I was in pain and couldn't walk. I have had so many rounds of PT that at this point, I just call up and they squeeze me in. This time I made it 5 months, which is almost a record since the whole ordeal began. Before that it was Jan. of this year, then Oct. of 2012 and then I think May of 2012, when I had finally 'graduated' from PT.
I feel like I know a thing or two about how to care for an ankle. RICE is the best thing. As soon as I rolled my ankle today, I iced it immediately, got on the crutches and got the compression sock on, all the while elevating my foot. Also took advil to address the pain and swelling. I also start to do small mobility exercises. To be honest, if I would just do my exercises more regularly, I would probably last longer. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY of my life that I am not on crutches I am thankful. I don't always try and get the closest parking spot when I'm well. I am happy to be able to walk from the one that is halfway down the row. Being able to walk and stand on two feet is nothing I will ever take for granted.
We were on vacation over spring break I walked too much so soon after my January injury and I had to buy a set of crutches. I now have 2 sets. I have a collapsible cane that I keep in my car. Today's injury will impact our big family vacation later this summer, as I will not be recovered enough to walk and hike much. I am hopeful I can last a mile and maybe with a crutch or cane I will.
When I got to my 30s, little things started to 'fail' me, and my ankle started having little rolls, but nothing major. The second week of kindergarten, when I was walking E to school, down the hill, I rolled it badly. I limped home, happy to have J in the stroller so I could lean on it for support. Den was of course out of town. It has been a saga ever since and E just finished 2nd grade. For 2 years on and off, I was in pain and couldn't walk. I have had so many rounds of PT that at this point, I just call up and they squeeze me in. This time I made it 5 months, which is almost a record since the whole ordeal began. Before that it was Jan. of this year, then Oct. of 2012 and then I think May of 2012, when I had finally 'graduated' from PT.
I feel like I know a thing or two about how to care for an ankle. RICE is the best thing. As soon as I rolled my ankle today, I iced it immediately, got on the crutches and got the compression sock on, all the while elevating my foot. Also took advil to address the pain and swelling. I also start to do small mobility exercises. To be honest, if I would just do my exercises more regularly, I would probably last longer. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY of my life that I am not on crutches I am thankful. I don't always try and get the closest parking spot when I'm well. I am happy to be able to walk from the one that is halfway down the row. Being able to walk and stand on two feet is nothing I will ever take for granted.
We were on vacation over spring break I walked too much so soon after my January injury and I had to buy a set of crutches. I now have 2 sets. I have a collapsible cane that I keep in my car. Today's injury will impact our big family vacation later this summer, as I will not be recovered enough to walk and hike much. I am hopeful I can last a mile and maybe with a crutch or cane I will.
Friday, April 26, 2013
What I want...
Both kids are on playdates...at other people's homes. I am so thoroughly enjoying the peace and quiet. I could be working, doing laundry or any number of household chores, but instead I am using my hour to just bask in being in an otherwise empty house.
I love planning trips, I love taking them too. I also love my kids. But what I would like is 1 weekend, or even just 1 full day and a night with just Dennis and I in the house. The number of projects we'd complete...or maybe we could have a movie marathon and sit and eat bbq potato chips. I have such a long list of projects that take a couple hours and when we do them with kids they take all day. I know that in a few short years we'll start sending the kids to summer camp overnight and then I'll long for the noise.
That's why I'm enjoying my hour today.
I love planning trips, I love taking them too. I also love my kids. But what I would like is 1 weekend, or even just 1 full day and a night with just Dennis and I in the house. The number of projects we'd complete...or maybe we could have a movie marathon and sit and eat bbq potato chips. I have such a long list of projects that take a couple hours and when we do them with kids they take all day. I know that in a few short years we'll start sending the kids to summer camp overnight and then I'll long for the noise.
That's why I'm enjoying my hour today.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Slowly returning
I feel like I"m slowly re-emerging, returning to a time when my time in front of a computer was focused on chronicling our lives whereas lately it has been to shop and plan trips, play on social media. Den hasn't been traveling nearly as much as he used to and we've developed a nice little habit of him putting the kids to bed while pretend to be productive, but instead get sucked into the computer. In an effort to be more productive, I thought I'd give the blog a whirl...at least I'd have something to show for it.
So classes I want to take: writing, photography, sailing, parenting, scrapbooking. J is 6 now and keeps changing her mind of what kind of party she wants. It's killing me a little bit. Every time I think I have something worked out, she changes. At this rate, she will be 7 before she has a party! Ed is now 8. And I'm ready to take them to EUROPE!! I'm actually ready to take them this summer, but Dennis wanted to wait another year.
So bring on your tips for France. We'll see where else we go from there. I want to visit friend in Brussels and England, but Ed wants to hit Italy. We only have 19 days, so I'm not sure how we'll do this and not be super worn out. I wish we could go for more time. If Den gets another conference there...
Trips I'm planning for this year: Black Hills, Philly, Boston (speaking of which today is the when the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon). I'm sure looking back, that will be a moment in time. We'll also hit the beach and Wisc to see the grandparents. The kids and I will hit Georgia to see the other grandparents, who have now become the GA grandparents.
In the last couple years I developed a goal of taking the kids to all 50 states before Ed graduated high school. I have 10 years and 25 states left. Eddie is in on the deal, trying to plan travel only to places he hasn't been and Josie seems game to go anywhere new. I think they will get 4 or 5 this year.
Den is now downstairs from putting the kids to bed, so I think I'd better tie this post up with a bow...
So classes I want to take: writing, photography, sailing, parenting, scrapbooking. J is 6 now and keeps changing her mind of what kind of party she wants. It's killing me a little bit. Every time I think I have something worked out, she changes. At this rate, she will be 7 before she has a party! Ed is now 8. And I'm ready to take them to EUROPE!! I'm actually ready to take them this summer, but Dennis wanted to wait another year.
So bring on your tips for France. We'll see where else we go from there. I want to visit friend in Brussels and England, but Ed wants to hit Italy. We only have 19 days, so I'm not sure how we'll do this and not be super worn out. I wish we could go for more time. If Den gets another conference there...
Trips I'm planning for this year: Black Hills, Philly, Boston (speaking of which today is the when the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon). I'm sure looking back, that will be a moment in time. We'll also hit the beach and Wisc to see the grandparents. The kids and I will hit Georgia to see the other grandparents, who have now become the GA grandparents.
In the last couple years I developed a goal of taking the kids to all 50 states before Ed graduated high school. I have 10 years and 25 states left. Eddie is in on the deal, trying to plan travel only to places he hasn't been and Josie seems game to go anywhere new. I think they will get 4 or 5 this year.
Den is now downstairs from putting the kids to bed, so I think I'd better tie this post up with a bow...
Sunday, April 07, 2013
It has been so long since I posted that I have forgotten my login info and Blogger has added features that make me feel like it's been 20 years! Nearly 8 years ago I started this blog--primarily so that daddy could see photos of his kids while he was away on his often back to back trips. Now there are so many mechanisms that I can use...facebook, twitter, instagram, and that doesn't even scratch the surface of all the hipster social networking sites out there.
I'm amazed too at the number of the blogs, so many of them well written and helpful. I'm stunned at how thoroughly people will bear their souls, with varying degrees an anonymity. I've spent my 30s growing up and growing into my own. The clarity I have now in my life makes it easier to age. I think about all that I know now about myself and the journey that becoming a mother has been. I don't want to bear my soul, I don't want to share intimate details of my life for all to read. I will continue to write the dry, minutiae blog this has been because it's fun like a scrapbook to look back and see what has been.
I'm amazed too at the number of the blogs, so many of them well written and helpful. I'm stunned at how thoroughly people will bear their souls, with varying degrees an anonymity. I've spent my 30s growing up and growing into my own. The clarity I have now in my life makes it easier to age. I think about all that I know now about myself and the journey that becoming a mother has been. I don't want to bear my soul, I don't want to share intimate details of my life for all to read. I will continue to write the dry, minutiae blog this has been because it's fun like a scrapbook to look back and see what has been.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)