I titled this appropriately, so in case you don't like to read about other people's schooling "issues" you can just move on in your reader. I've been getting questions/emails about it though, so I thought I'd go ahead and post about it.
We've decided to home school d & O next school year.
There's a lot to our reasoning but I'll just start at the beginning. I used to be a teacher at public school and it was hard. I'm not going to lie. The classroom behaviors, some of the admin, the higher ups and the crappy parents (of course there were great parents too), the bad pay, lack of supplies, and the ridiculous amounts of standardized tests (in K!) were...well, let's just say there was plenty that I had issues with.
However, I saw a lot of good teachers and very few terrible ones. Our specific school was trying hard to meet the needs of it's students and even though it was a very poor school, I think the kids were getting a good education in spite of some of the stupid government rules. I didn't have kids then, so my perspective might be different now but I'm not sure.
I say all that to point out that I've always had issues, as a whole, with the public school system BUT I still believe in it - if that makes sense. I think it can work, with the right administrators and good teachers and involved parents. (Even with all the rules that I think are stupid. I don't expect everyone to agree, that's just my personal opinion. Of course, I'd prefer less stupid rules but it is what it is.)
So, when it came time for d to go to school I sent him. I toyed with the idea of homeschooling but if I'm being honest it's because I wasn't ready to let go of my first born and not because of anything else. I don't think I was ready for it then. The other kids were too little and I was barely keeping my head above water. (I still have those days...)
d's K teacher wasn't terrible or great. I was lukewarm, but figured it was just one of those things. Next year would be better.
It wasn't.
Don't get me wrong; d learned. His teacher and the other 1st grade teachers grouped the kids and switched for math and reading and he learned a lot. Bit by bit, he started saying things that concerned me. He would mention something his teacher said, or did, and I would think, "She was having a bad day. I know what that's like." Eventually, I started to get really concerned. This lady had no business teaching kids.
I would go up to the school and hear her screaming at the kids until I knocked on the door and then she was sweet as pie when she answered. She shamed the kids, told the whole class to "shut their stupid mouths" and they almost never had recess (this is a district policy, so not her fault, but teachers are allowed to give recess at their discretion) and she made them have silent lunch a lot. They were never allowed to talk unless asked a question and when I went up for various things I couldn't even get my child to talk to ME. Even during a party or lunch. He never wanted to go to school and was always coming home telling me things that made my blood pressure rise. She shared test scores and made children who failed cry because they "ruined the class average." It wasn't even my child and it's probably a good thing it wasn't because I do think I would have lost it. We're talking about first graders here people.
We contacted the principal and hopefully the situation was taken care of, but it left such a bad taste in my mouth. I couldn't imagine O surviving a year with a teacher like that. He's more tender hearted than d and wouldn't have been able to take it. I regret that I didn't say something sooner, and I regret that I didn't realize what was going on sooner. I regret that my child and all those other children had to be verbally abused all year. (and yes, I may occasionally snap & tell my kid to shut up but I sure don't want their teacher doing it!)
I think it's important to say that I don't have anything against the school. I think there are some great teachers there; we just didn't get any of them. I could give it another go, but the teacher situations combined with what I already don't love about the system in general just isn't working for us right now. I SO do not pass judgement on any parent who likes the public school system, or homeschooling, or unschooling or private/religious school or WHATEVER. You have to do what works for you. We needed a change and I can't apologize for that.
Right now, at this age and school level, I can provide the things I want them to have in a school experience. We *might* be able to rearrange things, scrimp and save and afford private school. However, I would prefer to not live hand to mouth if possible and I would also prefer to pay for private high school instead, if it comes to that. I do not foresee homeschooling through high school, but I suppose anything can happen. Could I go back to work? I suppose I could, but I'd just be teaching someone else's child while mine would be in someone else's care so it seems like it would be smarter just to teach them myself.
I've been absent from writing because I've been reading and reading and READING. Wow is there a lot of information out there about homeschooling! For now, I'm comfortable with our decision and I reserve the right to change my mind at any moment. ;) Thank you to everyone who emailed me with helpful tips, links and information or responded with support and understanding. This truly has not been a decision made lightly.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Healthy recipes I love
Chocolate Apple Bites - 2 pts +
1 apple, cut into chunks
~20 dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips (the ones I use are 2 pts+ for 30)
a teeny tiny dollop of coconut oil, ~ 1/3 tsp
Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together and drizzle on the cut up apples. It's a healthy and low point dessert or snack and it takes a while to eat so it's more satisfying.
Grits & Cheese - 5 pts +
1/4 cup grits (dry, 3pts +)
3/4 cup of water
Microwave for 3-4 minutes. Add a slice of your favorite cheese. I use 2pts worth of pepper jack.
This isn't the lowest point breakfast but I find it REALLY sticks to my ribs.
0 point ranch dip
2 TBSP fat free greek yogurt
~1 tsp dry ranch powder
Mix and use for dipping raw veggies for a very filling and 0 point snack or side.
Lettuce wrap lunch - 2 pts +
4 lettuce leaves, the Romaine hearts work well
1 TBSP 0 point ranch dip as above - I spread about 1/4 tbsp on each lettuce leaf
Thinly sliced deli meat of your choice. My favorite one is 2 points for 6 pieces, so that's what I use. You can cut it up and try to evenly distribute it evenly between the 4 lettuce leaves.
You can add other veggies if you like, without adding points. I've used diced or sliced bell peppers, dried tomatoes and avocado slices. (avocado slices will add points, 2pts for 1/4 of one). This makes 4 wraps and I find they are very versatile and filling for very few points.
Greek Yogurt Dessert - 3 pts +
1 serving chocolate chips (the ones I use are 30 chips for 2 pts)
1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt (1 pt)
1/3 packet of stevia
This is so thick and creamy that even though it's only 1/2 a cup, it's very filling and satisfying, and the chips make it seem more decadent and give it a nice crunch.
Chicken (or pork) Dinner - 5-6 pts + per serving
You can use your choice of the following:
chicken thighs (boneless/skinless, 5oz = 4pts+)
chicken breast (boneless/skinless, 5oz = 4pts+)
or pork chops (boneless/skinless, 5oz = 5pts+)
You'll also need:
Greek yogurt - 1/2-1 TBSP per piece of meat
1/3 cup wheat germ + Italian seasoning to taste
Top each piece of meat with 1/2-1 TBSP of fat free greek yogurt and spread it out. Dip in wheat germ mixture. You'll end up with 1/2 - 1 TBSP of wheat germ mixture on your meat, which adds ~1pts + to each piece of meat so each piece will end up being 5-6 points + for each serving, depending on which cuts of meat you use and their size.
The original recipe called for sour cream instead and Italian bread crumbs, but this is better for you and tastes SO good!
Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins - 2 pts + each if you make 4 dozen
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 can pumpkin (the smaller cans)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 TBSP flax seed meal
2-3 TBSP water
1 TBSP vanilla extract
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 TBSP pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves as you like)
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cream the butter and eggs. Mix all the other ingredients into the egg mixture, except the last 2. When well mixed, add the zucchini, mixing well. Add the nuts last and bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Makes ~ 4 dozen.
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What are some of your favorite healthy recipes?
1 apple, cut into chunks
~20 dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips (the ones I use are 2 pts+ for 30)
a teeny tiny dollop of coconut oil, ~ 1/3 tsp
Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together and drizzle on the cut up apples. It's a healthy and low point dessert or snack and it takes a while to eat so it's more satisfying.
Grits & Cheese - 5 pts +
1/4 cup grits (dry, 3pts +)
3/4 cup of water
Microwave for 3-4 minutes. Add a slice of your favorite cheese. I use 2pts worth of pepper jack.
This isn't the lowest point breakfast but I find it REALLY sticks to my ribs.
0 point ranch dip
2 TBSP fat free greek yogurt
~1 tsp dry ranch powder
Mix and use for dipping raw veggies for a very filling and 0 point snack or side.
Lettuce wrap lunch - 2 pts +
4 lettuce leaves, the Romaine hearts work well
1 TBSP 0 point ranch dip as above - I spread about 1/4 tbsp on each lettuce leaf
Thinly sliced deli meat of your choice. My favorite one is 2 points for 6 pieces, so that's what I use. You can cut it up and try to evenly distribute it evenly between the 4 lettuce leaves.
You can add other veggies if you like, without adding points. I've used diced or sliced bell peppers, dried tomatoes and avocado slices. (avocado slices will add points, 2pts for 1/4 of one). This makes 4 wraps and I find they are very versatile and filling for very few points.
Greek Yogurt Dessert - 3 pts +
1 serving chocolate chips (the ones I use are 30 chips for 2 pts)
1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt (1 pt)
1/3 packet of stevia
This is so thick and creamy that even though it's only 1/2 a cup, it's very filling and satisfying, and the chips make it seem more decadent and give it a nice crunch.
Chicken (or pork) Dinner - 5-6 pts + per serving
You can use your choice of the following:
chicken thighs (boneless/skinless, 5oz = 4pts+)
chicken breast (boneless/skinless, 5oz = 4pts+)
or pork chops (boneless/skinless, 5oz = 5pts+)
You'll also need:
Greek yogurt - 1/2-1 TBSP per piece of meat
1/3 cup wheat germ + Italian seasoning to taste
Top each piece of meat with 1/2-1 TBSP of fat free greek yogurt and spread it out. Dip in wheat germ mixture. You'll end up with 1/2 - 1 TBSP of wheat germ mixture on your meat, which adds ~1pts + to each piece of meat so each piece will end up being 5-6 points + for each serving, depending on which cuts of meat you use and their size.
The original recipe called for sour cream instead and Italian bread crumbs, but this is better for you and tastes SO good!
Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins - 2 pts + each if you make 4 dozen
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 can pumpkin (the smaller cans)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 TBSP flax seed meal
2-3 TBSP water
1 TBSP vanilla extract
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 TBSP pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves as you like)
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cream the butter and eggs. Mix all the other ingredients into the egg mixture, except the last 2. When well mixed, add the zucchini, mixing well. Add the nuts last and bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Makes ~ 4 dozen.
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What are some of your favorite healthy recipes?
Monday, May 21, 2012
Camping
We have always liked camping. Before we had kids, D & I would camp up in the mountains in Virginia and those are some of my fondest memories. It's so gorgeous and peaceful there.
Camping with kids is a lot louder. You sleep less. You have to pack a LOT more stuff. It's more work.
And? Everything seems... dirtier.
However, the kids LOVE camping. So, we try to go camping 2-4 times a year, as weather and time permit. We went this weekend with another family, and this will probably be our last trip until the weather cools off again this fall. Aside from the downpour when we got there (7 kids + mud! Whee!) the days went well. We went hiking, exploring, fishing, and played on the play ground. The kids all seemed to get along pretty well and the grown ups did too.
The only part I absolutely hate is the sleeping. It used to be C who kept us up all night, and before him, O. I don't recall if d kept us up at night while camping or not, but that kid never slept anyway so who knows.
Now, however, C & Miss L (especially Miss L) both like totorture us act up while they're supposed to be sleeping. Here are some pictographic representations of how the night went. (just like Alice ;) )
We have a pretty big tent and we put a full size air mattress, then a twin size air mattress, and then 3 sleeping bags on tent pads in there.
10PM - This is how we wanted it to be, and how we started the night:
10:30 PM - Then, C just couldn't be quiet. At all. So D switched spots with him. None of the 3 of us were too happy about that:
11PM - Then, Miss L decided she was going to sleep with me no matter what I said. Everyone but the 2 of us fell asleep. She is very chatty. She finally fell asleep around midnight, I think.
2 AM- I thought I was going to lose my mind. The air mattress was losing air and C and Miss L were both pretty much on top of me. D had moved to the twin so he was sleeping comfortably and, more importantly: alone. In fact, everyone was sleeping but me.
2-4ish AM - At one point C moved on TOP OF ME and I had had enough. D moved C to the twin with him after that. Unfortunately it woke up Miss L who did not go back to sleep for nearly 2 HOURS. (and she had to be glued to me the whole time.) She also required a response to every "I love you."
Sorry, but I wasn't really feeling it.
5:30 AM:
Camping with kids is a lot louder. You sleep less. You have to pack a LOT more stuff. It's more work.
And? Everything seems... dirtier.
However, the kids LOVE camping. So, we try to go camping 2-4 times a year, as weather and time permit. We went this weekend with another family, and this will probably be our last trip until the weather cools off again this fall. Aside from the downpour when we got there (7 kids + mud! Whee!) the days went well. We went hiking, exploring, fishing, and played on the play ground. The kids all seemed to get along pretty well and the grown ups did too.
The only part I absolutely hate is the sleeping. It used to be C who kept us up all night, and before him, O. I don't recall if d kept us up at night while camping or not, but that kid never slept anyway so who knows.
Now, however, C & Miss L (especially Miss L) both like to
We have a pretty big tent and we put a full size air mattress, then a twin size air mattress, and then 3 sleeping bags on tent pads in there.
10PM - This is how we wanted it to be, and how we started the night:
Sorry, but I wasn't really feeling it.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Struggle
One thing that is so discouraging to me about a diet is that I've come to realize that it is never going to end.
Yes, I realize it's a life style change. I know so much about diet and nutrition... and frankly, you might not be able to tell it from looking at me, but I eat very healthily 90% of the time. I do get sugar cravings and I like my wine, and I'm not saying that I don't eat junk sometimes. I do. However, for the most part, I eat really well. I love vegetables, I eat lean meats and not even much of those, I stay away from processed foods as much as I can, I watch portion sizes... and the point is that I eat healthy stuff almost all the time.
And it doesn't matter.
My weight is something I struggle with. If I slip up, even a LITTLE, I gain weight. I feel like this is a never ending battle. I'll never, NEVER be able to let my guard down.
It's not that I can't lose weight if I work really hard and really watch what I eat and exercise regularly; I can. I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I reach my goal weight, I'll still have to be very careful. Chances are good this isn't the last time I'll be on a diet, although hopefully it will be the last time I work to lose 40 pounds.
I'm not saying I don't want to reach my goal weight, or that it's not worth it, it just suuuuuucks to know that this is ALWAYS going to be a struggle for me. I don't have the luxury of having a great metabolism or a naturally small body size, and I never will. (and I realize there are plenty of other people who don't have those things either, and a lot of people have to work hard to stay the size they want to be.)
Sometimes I just want to bang my head against the wall. Am I going to have to count points or calories my whole life? Maybe I will have to. Maybe I should just accept that now and get on with it.
Today, I'm tired of the struggle but I know that if I give up today I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. So, I'm just going to keep plodding along and, eventually, I'm going to get there. Right?
Yes, I realize it's a life style change. I know so much about diet and nutrition... and frankly, you might not be able to tell it from looking at me, but I eat very healthily 90% of the time. I do get sugar cravings and I like my wine, and I'm not saying that I don't eat junk sometimes. I do. However, for the most part, I eat really well. I love vegetables, I eat lean meats and not even much of those, I stay away from processed foods as much as I can, I watch portion sizes... and the point is that I eat healthy stuff almost all the time.
And it doesn't matter.
My weight is something I struggle with. If I slip up, even a LITTLE, I gain weight. I feel like this is a never ending battle. I'll never, NEVER be able to let my guard down.
It's not that I can't lose weight if I work really hard and really watch what I eat and exercise regularly; I can. I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I reach my goal weight, I'll still have to be very careful. Chances are good this isn't the last time I'll be on a diet, although hopefully it will be the last time I work to lose 40 pounds.
I'm not saying I don't want to reach my goal weight, or that it's not worth it, it just suuuuuucks to know that this is ALWAYS going to be a struggle for me. I don't have the luxury of having a great metabolism or a naturally small body size, and I never will. (and I realize there are plenty of other people who don't have those things either, and a lot of people have to work hard to stay the size they want to be.)
Sometimes I just want to bang my head against the wall. Am I going to have to count points or calories my whole life? Maybe I will have to. Maybe I should just accept that now and get on with it.
Today, I'm tired of the struggle but I know that if I give up today I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. So, I'm just going to keep plodding along and, eventually, I'm going to get there. Right?
4
Dear C,
Today (OK, yesterday) you are four years old! You were our surprise baby, born only 13 months after your big brother, and you have continued to surprise us during these last 4 years.
You love Daddy and the color green more than anything on the planet. (I might be a close 3rd.) You profess your love multiple times a day, and then you go get a bat and hit something. You are a crazy mix of sweet and rambunctious!
You love school, and they love you. You have a crush on a little girl named Emily and your best friend is Zac. Wednesdays are your favorite because you and Zac go to school the same day.
You and Miss L butt heads all the time, and you still have some toddler speak, so I hear, "WIWA!" multiple times a day. That part is not my favorite but your, "I wuv you." certainly is!
You are my little Cader, and we love you!
Happy birthday big boy!
Today (OK, yesterday) you are four years old! You were our surprise baby, born only 13 months after your big brother, and you have continued to surprise us during these last 4 years.
You love Daddy and the color green more than anything on the planet. (I might be a close 3rd.) You profess your love multiple times a day, and then you go get a bat and hit something. You are a crazy mix of sweet and rambunctious!
You love school, and they love you. You have a crush on a little girl named Emily and your best friend is Zac. Wednesdays are your favorite because you and Zac go to school the same day.
You and Miss L butt heads all the time, and you still have some toddler speak, so I hear, "WIWA!" multiple times a day. That part is not my favorite but your, "I wuv you." certainly is!
You are my little Cader, and we love you!
Happy birthday big boy!
Monday, May 14, 2012
MYOB for Mother's Day!
There is no shortage of things that surprised me about being a mother, the first time around. It's just crazy how much your life changes, and how hard it is and how amazing it is, and I STILL look around at these little people and think; We made them. WE did this!
There is very little anymore that would surprise me about motherhood. I've seen a lot and experienced a lot and even though my oldest is only 7, this job offers on-the-job training like none other.
One thing that never ceases to amaze me though, is how freakin' nosy everyone is about parenthood. I cannot even tell you the amount of advice/comments I've gotten in the last 8ish years. It starts the minute you're pregnant, and apparently, never EVER stops. I may certainly be guilty of doling out advice myself, although I dare say I do TRY not to do it unless asked. (Or you know, I just can't keep my mouth shut. ha) That's not to say I don't have judgements; I do. I just try to keep them to myself or vent about them to my husband or my mom or best friend.
I do realize most people giving advice come from a place of wanting to help, and I can't fault anyone for that.
However, the judgement mothers and pregnant ladies are subjected to is just insane. No one would tell a woman she shouldn't do "that" with her breast -- unless she's breastfeeding a 3 year old and then it's fair game. Apparently?
In my first week as a mother I was asked questions I thought I'd never have to answer. ("Did you circumcise him?" "Are you going to home school? I certainly hope not!" -- Me, "Let's just get through this day, OK?")
I don't know that I've gone even a week in my life as a mother without getting advice/questions or - my favorite - comments, from SOMEONE. Sometimes the advice is good and sometimes the questions don't bother me, and frankly I'm somewhat hard to offend and am pretty easy going so the "Are they all yours?" and "Enjoy this time!" didn't bother me much the first 50 million times or so. Now, I usually just smile and nod, no matter what they say. Even when it's obnoxious and totally rude like, "When are you going to get rid of that paci? You're too big for that!" or "Don't you know how that happens?"wink wink
If you're a parent you know how much you already second guess yourself and wonder if you're doing the right thing or making the right choices or OmgAmIGoingToScarThisChildForLife?! and you know it's a struggle every.day. So let's make it easier on each other, shall we?
For Mother's Day, in honor of moms everywhere, I'd just like to say to all the busy bodies out there; MYOB.
There is very little anymore that would surprise me about motherhood. I've seen a lot and experienced a lot and even though my oldest is only 7, this job offers on-the-job training like none other.
One thing that never ceases to amaze me though, is how freakin' nosy everyone is about parenthood. I cannot even tell you the amount of advice/comments I've gotten in the last 8ish years. It starts the minute you're pregnant, and apparently, never EVER stops. I may certainly be guilty of doling out advice myself, although I dare say I do TRY not to do it unless asked. (Or you know, I just can't keep my mouth shut. ha) That's not to say I don't have judgements; I do. I just try to keep them to myself or vent about them to my husband or my mom or best friend.
I do realize most people giving advice come from a place of wanting to help, and I can't fault anyone for that.
However, the judgement mothers and pregnant ladies are subjected to is just insane. No one would tell a woman she shouldn't do "that" with her breast -- unless she's breastfeeding a 3 year old and then it's fair game. Apparently?
In my first week as a mother I was asked questions I thought I'd never have to answer. ("Did you circumcise him?" "Are you going to home school? I certainly hope not!" -- Me, "Let's just get through this day, OK?")
I don't know that I've gone even a week in my life as a mother without getting advice/questions or - my favorite - comments, from SOMEONE. Sometimes the advice is good and sometimes the questions don't bother me, and frankly I'm somewhat hard to offend and am pretty easy going so the "Are they all yours?" and "Enjoy this time!" didn't bother me much the first 50 million times or so. Now, I usually just smile and nod, no matter what they say. Even when it's obnoxious and totally rude like, "When are you going to get rid of that paci? You're too big for that!" or "Don't you know how that happens?"wink wink
If you're a parent you know how much you already second guess yourself and wonder if you're doing the right thing or making the right choices or OmgAmIGoingToScarThisChildForLife?! and you know it's a struggle every.day. So let's make it easier on each other, shall we?
For Mother's Day, in honor of moms everywhere, I'd just like to say to all the busy bodies out there; MYOB.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Scissors
A conversation that could be overheard in our kitchen this morning between D & I:
"That's great!"
Pause.
"You really shouldn't say things like that to me when I'm holding scissors."
"I've been working really hard on Weight Watchers the last 3 weeks and I'm down almost 8 pounds!"
"That's great!"
Pause.
"Yeah, I skipped a second helping of dinner last night and I'm down 5 pounds this morning."
Pause.
Pause.
Pause.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Love/Hate
Love that I can now use my cell phone in the house but hate that it has a weird delay so that I constantly feel like I'm interrupting people. (Or am I? Not sure...)
Love that I'm finding new, low point recipes (3 lettuce wraps, spread with 1 tbsp greek yogurt mixed with ranch powder and 2 slice lunch meat each is a yummy lunch for only 2 points!) (baked potato, cut in strips and broiled in the oven and then dipped in greek yogurt mixed with ranch dip is like eating potato skins for 5 points! YUM!) and LOVE that I've lost 5 pounds, but hate that I'm constantly, CONSTANTLY thinking about food. I think it just makes me want to eat more!
Love Facebook. HATE Facebook.
Love my new hair cut! Hate how much work it is when I straighten it.
I love that our garden is doing so well! We had green beans and salad from our garden at dinner last night. Hate, hate, HATE how dirty produce is. When I put the lettuce in a bowl of vinegar and water to clean it, a HUGE spider jumped out carrying it's egg sack. I felt a little bad to kill it (It was a mother! Trying to save it's babies!) but I really could not catch and release it. I just couldn't. Ick. And to think, I carried that damn lettuce in my bare hands across the yard and into the house and it could have GOTTEN ON ME. EW.
Love that I have schooling options. Hate that I can't decide on any! Also, hate that private school costs so much.
I love that I have an adorable new nephew, but I hate that he's so far away and I'm not sure when I'll get to meet him.
I love that I'm so on-the-ball that I've already gotten my Crappy Day package, my mom's Mother's Day present, and my SIL's birthday present bought, wrapped and ready to send. I hate the post office so much that they've been sitting here for 4 days, and if I don't send them soon they'll be late. WHY can't there be drive through post offices?!
Love that I'm finding new, low point recipes (3 lettuce wraps, spread with 1 tbsp greek yogurt mixed with ranch powder and 2 slice lunch meat each is a yummy lunch for only 2 points!) (baked potato, cut in strips and broiled in the oven and then dipped in greek yogurt mixed with ranch dip is like eating potato skins for 5 points! YUM!) and LOVE that I've lost 5 pounds, but hate that I'm constantly, CONSTANTLY thinking about food. I think it just makes me want to eat more!
Love Facebook. HATE Facebook.
Love my new hair cut! Hate how much work it is when I straighten it.
I love that our garden is doing so well! We had green beans and salad from our garden at dinner last night. Hate, hate, HATE how dirty produce is. When I put the lettuce in a bowl of vinegar and water to clean it, a HUGE spider jumped out carrying it's egg sack. I felt a little bad to kill it (It was a mother! Trying to save it's babies!) but I really could not catch and release it. I just couldn't. Ick. And to think, I carried that damn lettuce in my bare hands across the yard and into the house and it could have GOTTEN ON ME. EW.
Love that I have schooling options. Hate that I can't decide on any! Also, hate that private school costs so much.
I love that I have an adorable new nephew, but I hate that he's so far away and I'm not sure when I'll get to meet him.
I love that I'm so on-the-ball that I've already gotten my Crappy Day package, my mom's Mother's Day present, and my SIL's birthday present bought, wrapped and ready to send. I hate the post office so much that they've been sitting here for 4 days, and if I don't send them soon they'll be late. WHY can't there be drive through post offices?!
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Prickly
Sheesh, I am so prickly lately. Or is it just that everyone else is so annoying? Hmm...
I tried to write a list, but it was just too vile and complain-y. What's the point in that, really? I feel somewhat better after writing it and then deleting... although... there are a couple of people I'd still like to smack.
Some good stuff instead:
- This little guy is turning 4 soon! And, he has his first t-ball game this weekend and he's very excited. I can't wait to see him in his little uniform.
- I've got Mother's Day gifts done and D's Father's Day gift too... or at least most of it.
- It's almost SUMMER! I'm sick of making lunches and getting everyone ready in the morning and blah blah blah.
- I started Weight Watchers again, and it's going OK for the most part. The weekend full of parties was rough, but I'm hanging on.
- The beach. We're going. Sometime. (Not soon enough...)
I tried to write a list, but it was just too vile and complain-y. What's the point in that, really? I feel somewhat better after writing it and then deleting... although... there are a couple of people I'd still like to smack.
Some good stuff instead:
- I've got Mother's Day gifts done and D's Father's Day gift too... or at least most of it.
- It's almost SUMMER! I'm sick of making lunches and getting everyone ready in the morning and blah blah blah.
- I started Weight Watchers again, and it's going OK for the most part. The weekend full of parties was rough, but I'm hanging on.
- The beach. We're going. Sometime. (Not soon enough...)
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
dizzy
My head is still spinning from everything we've had going on the last week. Two soccer games, a soccer practice, tee ball, soccer party, our neighbor's birthday party, church, and then we hosted a birthday party, and the next day was family fun day at the kids' preschool, and then of course, regular school days and house stuff and did I mention my inlaws were here too?
They were.
Anyway, the kids had so much fun with inflatables three.days.in.a.row. and grandparent spoiling, and too much sugar and staying up late and... I think today is going to be rough. DETOX!
It was such a great weekend, and although it was fun, it was exhausting too! Tomorrow we start all over with preschool and errands and tee ball practice, but not today.
Personally, my to-do list today looks like this:
Do only what is absolutely necessary
They were.
Anyway, the kids had so much fun with inflatables three.days.in.a.row. and grandparent spoiling, and too much sugar and staying up late and... I think today is going to be rough. DETOX!
It was such a great weekend, and although it was fun, it was exhausting too! Tomorrow we start all over with preschool and errands and tee ball practice, but not today.
Personally, my to-do list today looks like this:
Do only what is absolutely necessary
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