Not Again!

Today.  An ordinary, typical day.  Until the end.  We rushed to piano lessons, then from there rushed to a 4-H meeting and came home to Allison stayed home sick and Bud who helped move things out of the laundry room so I could pull up carpet.  It has industrial carpet in that room, which I don't care for at all, but it worked for the time being.  

The other day I noticed the carpet was a bit damp in front of the washing machine.  I figured it was nothing, maybe just a load that didn't sit just right.  I don't know.  I used it again, more water.  I couldn't tell where it was coming from, so I turned the machine off and let it sit yesterday.  The floor continued to get wetter and wetter.  It started stinking.  Bud and I pulled the machine out away from the wall to check the hoses.  Nothing.  We tipped it up.  Nothing.  When we placed it back down, the water made its appearance.  From the bottom right hand side, the water flowed.  ARGH!  

Tonight when I came home, I couldn't stand the smell any longer.  Not to mention my laundry is starting to pile up.  That doesn't happen here.  Remember, laundry is my THANG!  My back was hurting and Bud tried to get me to sit, but I didn't listen.  I wanted to go ahead and just rip up the little bit of carpet and get the smell out of this house.  So, I started at the carport door. I cut a strip, pulled it up, and found NO WAY!!!  Not that paper sack thing again!  Yep!  This time, it's on top of the tile that's under the carpet.  I'm hoping this will be a lot easier than the girls' rooms.  I'm hoping I can just take my heat gun and rip up the tile.  

Really?  I mean, SERIOUSLY?  My house is upside down once more.

I don't have time to do anything right now. 

Lifestyle Change

Two years ago, almost exactly, we were watching tv in a hotel room. It was late so the only thing on was, of course, infomercials. Now, I have been known as THE sucker for all those fabulous products offered while Clayton, on the other hand, looks at them the way he looks at life. Not a pessimist, a realist (as he puts it). Instead of changing the channel or just simply turning the tv off, he was watching and was actually showing a little bit of positivity for it. That product was P90X. I had gotten off the infomercial kick at that time, but watching him getting so interested in it, I decided to order it. Just as I planned, we began our journey toward getting fit. He took what he needed to work while I kept what I needed at home. I'm not sure how long he worked on it, but I remember mine ever so clearly.

The first day was not a big deal at all. The second day I was sore, but no more than expected. The third day, my legs were like cooked noodles and I felt muscles in places I never felt before. By the fourth day, I caved. If I could have walked, I would have pressed on. I couldn't do anything. That's when I gave up. Pathetic, right? What made it so bad was that after I had given up, that's when everyone told me I should have pressed on because the third and fourth day was the worst. They were right. The fifth day, I wasn't even sore...at all. I should have continued.

Our wonderful product I bought on tv that night has now been in the tv stand since.

Last week Bud asked if he could borrow it. Well, I guess I could wait for his 90 days to be up before trying to start it again. Not a problem. After that, I've been seeing the program on a daily basis and it's calling my name. I just may keep it here at home and let him have it after my 90 days is over. That's what I'm thinking will happen.

I've been thin my entire life up until about 5 years ago. I'm not obese, but I'm not where I want to be either. I realize I'm getting older and with the extra weight on me, I look older. Older than I feel I should look. I did lose 23 lbs the beginning of this year,but gained back 10 of those lbs since. Luckily, I haven't gained the entire shebang, but I was on such a role that I gave up that plan because I thought I was a lot thinner than I actually was. Pictures proved otherwise.

Sooooo, here's the game plan. After Clayton returns home, I'm forcing him to do this with me. He's a very stubborn man when it comes to areas he knows he needs to change, so when he starts working out, he goes full force and over works himself thinking he can do what he did when he was in the Marines. Ha! Even if we were both in shape, I assure you, we can't do what we did when we were 19. I don't care what those infomercials will promise me.

I'm going to blog about my P90X. Every single pain infused day. Starting Sunday. I'd love to start Thursday since it's the first of the month, but Clayton and I are going out Saturday on a murder mystery dinner cruise. If I start Thursday, Saturday would be that horrific third day. No, I'm not already making excuses. I promise.

I will not be providing comic relief for you all by including pictures. That just wouldn't be fun for me at all.

Wish us luck!

Just Can't Help Myself

Ok, so not ALL home projects will be on hold for a while.  I can't help it.  I have to finish the girls' rooms before I can take that breather. 

I've been searching high and low for bedding and accessories for both Allison and Emily's bedrooms.  The turquoise for Em's room is driving me batty.  Everything is either too blue or too green.  I don't particulary like shopping online for items like this since the colors you see depends on the calibration of the monitor you are using.  I found something though, that makes me not even care if it's the right torquoise or not.  I may just find things based on that item alone.  Here is what I found:

Isn't she a beaut?  That's not even all.  I found this at Tonic Living and they also have this design in fabric!!  Oh yeah!  So, for 25.00 for the pillow and 9.95 per yard of fabric, I'm opting out of buying the pillow.  I have PLEEENNNTTTY of fillers here at home, too, so I won't have to worry about that.

I'm seriously drooling, folks.

Tsk Tsk Shame Shame

Michelle Obama accused of spending $10m in public money on vacations | View Original

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By Tamara Abraham
Last updated at 8:28 PM on 24th August 2011
The Obamas' summer break on Martha's Vineyard has already been branded a PR disaster after the couple arrived four hours apart on separate government jets.
But according to new reports, this is the least of their extravagances.
White House sources today claimed that the First Lady has spent $10million of U.S. taxpayers' money on vacations alone in the past year.

Expensive taste: Michelle Obama, pictured yesterday in Massachusetts, has been accused of spending $10m of public money on vacationsBranding her 'disgusting' and 'a vacation junkie', they say the 47-year-old mother-of-two has been indulging in five-star hotels, where she splashes out on expensive massages and alcohol.More...The 'top source' told the National Enquirer: 'It's disgusting. Michelle is taking advantage of her privileged position while the most hardworking Americans can barely afford a week or two off work.'When it's all added up, she's spent more than $10million in taxpayers' money on her vacations.'His and her jets: The President and his wife, who are spending nine days on Martha's Vineyard, have come under fire for travelling on separate plane

The First Lady is believed to have taken 42 days of holiday in the past year, including a $375,000 break in Spain and a four-day ski trip to Vail, Colorado, where she spent $2,000 a night on a suite at the Sebastian hotel.And the first family's nine-day stay in Martha's Vineyard is also proving costly, with rental of the Blue Heron Farm property alone costing an estimated $50,000 a week.The source continued: 'Michelle also enjoys drinking expensive booze during her trips. She favours martinis with top-shelf vodka and has a taste for rich sparking wines.'The vacations are totally Michelle's idea. She's like a junkie. She can't schedule enough getaways, and she lives from one to the next - all the while sticking it to hardworking Americans.'Travelling in style: Mrs Obama during her $375,000 trip to Spain last yea

High security: Bodyguards surround the First Lady and youngest daughter Sasha as they take a stroll on the Costa del Sol
While the President and his wife do pay for some of their personal expenses from their own pocket, the website whitehousedossier.com says that the amount paid by the couple is 'dwarfed by the overall cost to the public'.The magazine also reported that Mrs Obama, whose fashion choices are widely followed, had been going on 'wild shopping sprees', much to the distress of her husband, who, its sources reveal, is 'absolutely furious' at his wife's 'out-of-control spending'.The President has already come under fire this week over his decision to take a family vacation while millions of Americans are out of work and countless more are financially strapped.Luxury break: The President and his family, pictured in December, splashed out more than $1.5million on a Christmas holiday in Hawai
GIRLS' TRIP TO SPAIN: AUGUST 2010
The exact cost is unclear as Mrs Obama and her 40 friends footed many personal expenses, such as hotels and meals themselves.But the U.S. taxpayer would have paid for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, personal staff, and use of presidential jet Air Force Two.Per diems for the secret service team runs at around $281 each - nearly $98,000 for the length of the summer break.
Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at $149,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground.
Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and might cost considerably more per day, should also be taken into account.
CHRISTMAS BREAK IN HAWAII: DECEMBER 2010
According to the Hawaii Reporter, the bill for the $1.5m trip included:

• $63,000 on an early flight bringing Mrs Obama and the children to Hawaii ahead of the President.
• $1,000,000 on Mr Obama’s return trip from Washington on Air Force One.
• $38,000 for the ‘Winter White House’ beach property rental.
• $16,000 to rent nearby homes for Secret Service and Navy Seals.
• $134,000 for 24 White House staff to stay at the Moana Hotel.
• $251,000 in police overtime.
• $10,000 for an ambulance to be on hand at all times
  SKI TRIP TO VAIL: FEBRUARY 2011
  Mrs Obama and her daughters stayed at the Sebastian hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms cost more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.The family appear to have flown there on Air Force Two.They were escorted to the resort by a motorcade of about a dozen vehicles, including 15 state and local law enforcement officersSUMMER HOLIDAY ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD: AUGUST 2011
  The Blue Heron Farm estate, where the Obama family are currently staying, rents for about $50,000 a week.According to U.S. News and World Report, the Coast Guard is required to keep ships floating near the property, the presidential helicopter and jet remain at the ready and security agents will be on 24-hour duty.

Home Projects at a Halt

Emily's room got painted, but it's the wrong color.  I had taken a picture with my phone of the inspiration photo for her room. Having my phone with me, I matched it the best I could, but it turned out a little too grape-ish (hmm, is that even a word?  I doubt it.)  I know Bud isn't going to want to think about paint for a while, so we may just go with what's there for now.  I'm terrible about judging things before they are finished anyway.

We have to slow down a bit on all our home projects.  I still haven't decorated the new kitchen/dining room wall.  I keep getting way ahead of myself on other projects.  It's time to slow down and take a breather because our schedule is getting crazier and crazier.  Home projects are going to be more of a weekend thing, I believe, even though the weekends are going to be busy as well.

The girls signed up for entries in the upcoming county fair.  Morgan is entering jewelry and bread.  She makes one mean zucchini bread!  Allison is entering photography and probably some sort of food item.  (she's been gone for the last couple weeks and hasn't been able to see the complete list)  Emily is entering wearable art and cookies.  This will be their very first entries in a county fair, but I have a very vague memory of Morgan entering a painted picture back in elementary school and winning 3rd place.  She doesn't remember and I'm wondering why I didn't keep up with it.  Next year, there will be livestock entries.  Oh boy. 

I am hosting a fall festival here at our home for our homeschool group in October.  I have the tendency to go all out on things, so I have to watch myself.  I have a few moms who have offered to help, so I think I'm going to let that happen.  I'm excited about it!  I'm also creating the homeschool group's yearbook this year.  For the activities some of the other kids are doing, that I wouldn't normally go to, I'll be there as much as possible to make sure there are photos taken of everything we want to include in the yearbook.  Our homeschool group is very active in a lot of areas, so this will be some hard work going on.

So, not really a whole lot of time to worry with little things like putting pictures up on a wall.  We won't be home long enough to enjoy them anway.

Can I take a nap now?

.....zzzzzz

Purple She Says

I have a painter here at the house this weekend. We call him Bud. Aka, our son. He has been doing some work around the house while his dad is gone to work. I must say, I could get used to this! He has learned really quickly that he doesn't like to paint. Ha! Now he understands why I gave HIM the job!

My father in law brought over some help today to get the piano unloaded. It fit so perfectly where I decided to put it. The kids will go in the room and play it and even though they only know a few songs, it sounds magical to me. I love the sound of a piano. Even the sound of one that needs to be tuned.

Emily has never been a girly girl but yet not a tomboy either. She just sort of fits in somewhere in between like her sisters and me. So, it shocked me a bit when she requested purple for her room. I tried to persuade her to go a different route, but she has the final say since it is her living quarters. So, after Pinterest, we found a room we both agreed on. This is our inspiration room:






I am really loving these colors together! Now that Bud has one of the back bedrooms painted, this will be the next he works on. Emily is so ready to have her room finished. So am I.

Those Irons in the Fire.

Here is your answer, Aunt Connie.

The past few days have been full of planning. From the new school year to the holidays, to making time to visit with family we haven't seen in too many years to even mention. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this time of year is swamped. From August through April we have birthdays just with our kids and grandkids. Actually, if you include Mother's Day and Father's Day and the one kid who waited until July to be born, our entire year is taken up with something to celebrate each month. This time of year is the most wallet emptying time, though with the holidays and the kids' activities.

Since I am easily overwhelmed, one would think filling up my plate to the point of overflowing would not be a good idea. I beg to differ. It actually depends on what it's filled up and overflowing with.

For a couple sad years, I got to the point of not getting the kids involved in anything, letting them do whatever they could to find something to entertain them. It resulted in me becoming quite lazy as far as not wanting to go anywhere or do anything that I didn't deem necessary. I lost a lot of connection with my kids, and they became lazy as well, spending too much time with friends away from home (because I'd rather the friend's parents entertain than me having to do it), and if they were home, they were always in front of some type of screen. Now, that doesn't mean I didn't spend any time with them, because I did. After all, i do homeschool, remember? We played games and went on family vacations and such, but it still wasn't the way it used to or should have been. Times flies by and kids grow up too quickly to worry about anything else but raising them and making their childhood the best to your ability, even if it's board games every night.

I spent too much time in that mode and I became depressed. Clinically.

So, with that skeleton out of my closet, with our family moving back to our hometown, it has become easier to get back on track with the way things always were back in the day. I've gotten rid of the things that just simply doesn't matter. This is why sometimes I change my mind on things I do plan to do. It has to fit in with the important things. When I realize it's a waste of time, I get rid of it or the idea.

That's not at all to say I don't ever get overwhelmed, because I do. I'm very much a go getter and want to "do it all", MYSELF. I'm learning that's impossible and I just have to live with it. Delegating really is a good thing and when you are delegating kids, it really doesn't hurt them. In fact, it helps them. That's a different point, though.

These kiddies of mine get to choose what activities they want to do. What they have chosen for the next few months is as follows:

Morgan: Jazz Dance, Guitar, Piano

Allison: Jazz Dance, Piano

Emily: Drums, Piano, Soccer

As for me: Stained glass and finishing my pharmacy classes (stopped when I started homeschooling)

Mondays are filled with drums and guitar, Tuesdays with piano, dance, soccer, Wednesday, church, Thursday, soccer and stained glass, Friday, free, Saturday, soccer games.

I'd much rather spend my time watching my kids spend their time doing something that helps them become more well rounded than see them in front of a screen or being idle.

As far as things I get myself into, well, I've always been for self improvement. I'm a lover of learning.

Back to the calendar. ;)