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What The Hell Is Wrong With Me?

Published February 7, 2014 by Angela

No, this isn’t a hypothetical question. I have seriously been asking myself this question pretty much since the beginning of 2014.

I would like to blame the non-stop snow that has been gracing Michigan since the end of October/beginning of November. OK, so maybe that can take some of the blame. I really do not like being cold. At all. But I have been very, very grouchy. And angry. And bitchy. the small things that I have shrugged off for the past several months are suddenly huge boulders of problems that I am carrying around on my shoulders. No, it isn’t that these small things are just happening over-and-over again and I have finally had enough. It is the little things that would not bother any normal-mood person (including me) are now enough to set me on edge.

 

I have been feeling incredible for the past several months: I have made some positive changes in my life that have really been a huge improvement on my quality of life, for myself and my 4 girls. I have a wonderful job (no, really, it IS wonderful) that allows me to take care of my girls without any help from anyone, a nice home, my health, 4 healthy girls, a wonderful group of friends and co-workers, and a church family that help me stay grounded.

So why can’t I shake the bad mood? Is it really SAD? You know, seasonal affective disorder? It shouldn’t be. I just know this, without going into all the details 🙂

So why don’t I feel as great now as I have been for the past several months? Believe me, I am not sitting around saying “Poor Me”. I truly know how lucky and blessed I am, and I say thanks for that every, single, day.

I am just tired of the little stuff feeling like huge things. It’s not. It isn’t any bigger than it would have been if it happened last November.

So since I have only lost about the first week of February (we won’t even discuss January), I really need to get it back in perspective, and quit sweating the small stuff.

I know I need some “me” time. My girls and I have been stuck in the house together due to -20 wind chills and non-stop snow. Along with too many snow days to even count. No house is big enough for that much estrogen for that many days without some space.

So here’s to February, and hopefully melting snow in March, and flower buds in April, and a better attitude than I have had. Here’s to being happy, just because I should be!

What Do You Mean You Can’t Read or Write in Cursive?

Published January 30, 2014 by Angela

How did I not know that my 9 year old, 4th grade daughter cannot read or write in cursive? What else have they stopped teaching in public schools? It’s bad enough they changed how they teach math that I am no longer capable of helping her. But to stand behind her while she is on the internet and she tells me she cannot read the text because the font is in cursive. WHAT???

What happened to this?

What happened to this?

She “learned” it in 3rd grade, her 4th grade teacher has not once mentioned reading or writing in cursive. I fear that we are getting to the point where kindergarteners are going to learn how to type on a tablet, and they won’t even know how to write or what a pencil is.

How my 4th grader feels about cursive writing

How my 4th grader feels about cursive writing

So, my solution is I am going to teach her cursive reading and writing. And then I am going to wait for her to tell me what her teacher says when she turns in her spelling words written in cursive.

Does everything in our lives have to change or disappear because of technology? Can’t they coincide and get along???

What are your kids not being taught anymore?

Why Not? Let’s Have Another Snow Day!

Published January 28, 2014 by Angela

ImageIt’s pretty bad when they can only show 1 warning at a time!

School is closed by 6pm for tomorrow. Wind chill warnings and non-stop snow until at least Wednesday. Warned by police to stay off the roads unless necessary, I am sure my employer will find my attendance at work necessary 🙂 It is becoming difficult to find things for my girls to do that keep them quiet during the day while I need to sleep. They are burning up their laptop and the Wii, but have been getting along rather well. I fear the number of days they may have to go to school into their summer vacation due to this cold snap that seems like it will never end.

OK, let’s be honest, them going to school through the summer would honestly make me happy 🙂 There, I said it!

I know the feeling!

I know the feeling!

Even my online classes are having connection difficulties! We are hunkered down, taking it a day at a time. I stop to the store each morning buying what I think we may need to get through a couple days if we end up completely stuck in the house. The worst is yet to come, so I need to be prepared.

Yes, I think 3 gallons of milk in the fridge is enough (actually, I ran out of room). I guess I could buy more and keep it in my snow bank! My girls are tearing up the latest boxes of cereal I bought, therefore the fear of a personal milk shortage.

What are you doing to keep yourself and your children busy when it’s too cold to leave the house?

Enough Is Enough!

Published January 26, 2014 by Angela

ImageHow I felt when winter came early this year!♥

I have been more than polite about it, even enjoyed it coming early in November and embraced it all through the Christmas Season. I didn’t even say on December 26th, as I do every year, “OK, Christmas is over, you can melt now!” I didn’t complain yesterday when my co-worker had to push my car out of a snow drift for me, or when it took 10 minutes to get into my driveway at home. I have been enjoying the snow on a daily basis, embracing the beauty of it, no matter how much I have had to shovel at work and home.

But now I feel I have been quiet long enough.

How I am beginning to feel about this Michigan weather

How I am beginning to feel about this Michigan weather

Honestly, after some jerk stole my snow shovel, I was ready for Winter to be over. But nope, I went a bought another shovel (safely stored in my house, dripping snow and salt all over my foyer floor), and Thank Goodness I did. But this is just ridiculous. I knew we were due for a bad winter here in Michigan, but I didn’t think a couple mild years were going to be made up for in a matter of less than 3 months.

My kids have been home since the middle of December more than they have went to school. They are getting serious cabin fever, and I ran out of ideas to keep them occupied about 2 weeks ago. They even ran out of books to read. Yes, they ran out of books to read in my house!!

Does anyone out there have some sunshine they are enjoying right now? Can you share? PLEASE!!!

 

 

Here's what us West Michiganders can expect today!

Here’s what us West Michiganders can expect today!

Week 2 Over and Done!

Published January 24, 2014 by Angela

When I go to college, I tend to live my life in 6-week increments; 6 weeks is how long I have to complete each class. I have to say the best feeling is the last assignment turned in for a class; knowing you can do absolutely nothing else!

This journey has showed me that I need to keep my focus. My focus on my girls, the homeschooling schedule, the church schedule, and squeeze in some me-time 🙂

I love my lists!

I love my lists!

With a week to go, I am feeling comfortable that I can do this, and get my MBA. I can teach Erin her homeschooling, and support my other 3 girls in everything they have going on. I can get to church every Sunday morning (I have made it every weekend this year! Do you remember my to-do list for 2014?) And I can work long hours and still get up and cook dinner and eat with my girls, play Mario on the Wii, and watch mindless TV (Sleepy Hollow anyone? anyone?)

It is a snow day, again… Such is life in Michigan. I get to work again this weekend, and am looking forward to some sound sleep, getting up and having dinner with my girls, and relaxing before work. Oh, and homework. I have to get some posts in or my grade will go down.

So here’s to wishing you a Happy, warm weekend, and may you get to do the things you want to do!

 

Well That Wasn’t So Bad!

Published January 15, 2014 by Angela

I have officially made it through my first week of college for my MBA. I have to be honest and say this is only a 3 week course, to go over the school policies and requirements for writing essays, with about 6 assignments due a week, and 2 quizzes. Then I have a short break before the real fun begins; Research and Statistics. Yep. That type of class. The last one made me cry on a daily basis, nearly have a nervous break-down, and almost give up on getting my BBA.

I’ve gotten over that though. I didn’t give up. I didn’t have a nervous break-down (I am honestly not exaggerating here, it WAS that bad for me). I am going into this next class with a positive, can-do attitude, and know if I keep the right attitude, the class will fly by.

That about sums it up!

That about sums it up!


 

One thing I have noticed in 7 days, is I have no time to blog. Keeping my two blogs is my evening (morning for most of you) relaxation and unwind time. It’s what I do when I get home from work and get the kiddo’s up and off to school. I dig into my bowl of chocolate candy sitting right next to my laptop (like that’s going to help me sleep!) Then it’s a movie in the DVD player, ear plugs in, eye mask on, and hopefully some sound sleep before the kids start coming home.

My nightly snack (not all at once!)

My nightly snack (not all at once!)

So until I figure out how to add college back into my schedule and not give up the things I enjoy, my postings may be few-and-far-between.

Here’s to higher education, and the things I willingly put myself through.

Snow Day #2!

Published January 7, 2014 by Angela

Yesterday my girls let me sleep, didn’t destroy the house, and Erin actually did some of her homework she was behind on. Here’s hoping for the same mad-luck today, and that it wasn’t just the Tylenol PM working heavy-duty and they really did get along without fighting and yelling at each other. Car thermostat on the way to work last night? -2 degrees. Windchill? -20+ degrees. And still getting colder.

Oddly enough, I am hoping they don’t have school tomorrow either, because I have a very busy day with limited sleep and not having to get kids up for school would be a huge help!

Are you snowed in as well, or are you warm and balmy somewhere that the sun is shining?

Snow Day? No Way!

Published January 6, 2014 by Angela

Snow Day
I guess I should feel a little bit guilty that I have assignments set for my 12 year old homeschooler to complete; while her two sisters have a snow day today, and more than likely tomorrow. Their school closed early last night (Okay, all schools in West Michigan closed basically by 7pm last night). She has gotten a bit off-task, and my intention was to get her caught up and on-task while I was off for Christmas break. She ended up going to her Fathers for 10 days and although she did some work, she did not complete near the amount I had hoped she would.

I asked her 15 year old sister to please help her with her math, and she has a lot of Ancient History work to get done before she goes to that class on Friday. I will have to keep my fingers crossed that she actually does what I need her to do, and leaves the puzzle sitting on the kitchen table alone. She is the only person I know who may very well like to do puzzles even more than me.

So the game plan is I am going to get safely home from work, take 2 Tylenol PM, put in my earplugs, put on my eye mask, turn on The Hobbit in my DVD player and turn my television up to 50, and hopefully I can get a good day’s sleep and be ready to dig into some Algebra with Erin after dinner. I just hope their game plan is to not argue, fight, or try to go outside with -35 degree wind chills. I got a feeling this is going to be a long, cold, tiresome week. And how is your Monday?

Did I Almost Let Cinderella Get Away With This?

Published January 3, 2014 by Angela

As I am reading, and reviewing a book for my blog http://booksandopinions.com, I am seeing how the information I am putting out there is really suited in many ways for this blog as well. So I am going to switch it up a bit, but here is the gist of it.

I am reading Cinderella Ate My Daughter, by Peggy Orenstein. It was a Christmas present from my 21 year old daughter. The premise of it is basically how companies continue to market to girls at younger and younger ages, creating the word  ‘tweens as a demographic group that did not even exist two decades ago. As a mother of 4 daughters, I can see snippets of myself all over this book.

I recently just finished reading a section that went into great detail the author’s experience at child beauty pageants. I do not watch Toddlers and Tiaras or any other reality shows about children’s beauty pageants, but I have the general idea of what is going on there. All the Mom’s insist that their daughters want to do these pageants. As soon as they want to quit we are done. This is good for them. etc, etc.

 

Now I am not bashing these beauty pageants or the parents who encourage their daughters to participate. It strictly brought to mind the 9 months my youngest daughter spent doing Irish Dancing. Keep in mind that no matter how big the award you win for Irish Dancing is, there is never (NEVER) any money prizes involved. You get trophys, medals, and ribbons. No cold-hard-cash to help offset the cost of the dresses, shoes, wigs, hotel rooms, price of gas travelling, etc. I have to say I was keeping track of what kind of money I was investing, but I don’t have it handy right now and I never added it up. But here’s the scenario:

My Girl all decked out!

My Girl all decked out!

I asked my 12 and 9 year old if they want to do Irish Dancing. 12 year old, maybe, 9 year old, definitely. The 9 year old gets registered ($55.00) and cost of class is $75.00 a month (for 1 hour every Monday). Soft shoes needed; new $55.00+, used, I got a pair for $15.00. School dress is needed $; said school dress needs to go to person to embroider school pattern on dress $, socks are needed, $10.00 a pair. We need to travel 3 ½ hours away for a fundraiser $$$ gas, Hotel, food, etc. Now she needs hard shoes; $115.00+ new, I get a used pair for a steal at $85.00. We need to drive 3 hours away for a practice session for 1 hour. Oh, wait. We are going to do the summer classes at our studio 45 minutes away from you; I pay someone gas money weekly to transport child. August comes, child has worn hard shoes 3 times, and decides she is done.

 

Was I mad? not at all. Upset? Nope. Disappointed? A little. I had to make it clear to her that at her age, this was not something she could quit for a year and then get back into; she would be farther behind than she would like, and competing against kids much younger than her.

 

She never looked back, and neither have I. But I am still the proud keeper of a school dress, soft shoes, hard shoes, socks, and a wig that I need to take 10 minutes to put on Ebay and sell.

 

The whole experience was definitely a learning one for both (all) of us. I know if I hadn’t asked, she never would have approached me and said “Mom, I want to do Irish Dancing”. I am not 100% sure she even knew what it was before she started. So as I read through what appears to me to be horror stories of kids and pageants, I realize I was likely at the beginning of mine, but luckily my little girl threw the brakes and we got off that ride. It takes a special kind of family life and commitment to have a child enrolled in something like pageants, sports, music, or dancing. As a single full-time-working Mom, I think the more experienced she became, the thinner I would be getting stretched.

My 2014 To-Do List!

Published January 2, 2014 by Angela

I am not one to do resolutions, only for the fact that it seems to be much more pressure to accomplish something than you would normally feel if, say, you decided to go on a diet starting the 3rd Wednesday of February. And I also figure I gave up more than enough things in 2013, and I lost about 30 lbs (not entirely intentional) so I am going to share my To-Do List. I am an avid list maker; I have them in my desk at work, in my purse, in my car, on my dresser, on my bookshelf, stuffed inside books I was reading at the time, I think you get my point. With that being said, it is my intention that this To-Do list is one I will actually follow, and work towards.

 

1)      Go to church a LOT more than I did this past year (This tends to be difficult on Sunday mornings because a. I work 3rd shift, it’s a whole sleep/awake thing we aren’t going to get into here, and b. my 12 year old needs to go to confirmation classes from 9:30-10:30am, and trying to get her to church by 8:15 am for the actual service is next to impossible impossible.

2)      Tithe a LOT more at church than I did this past year. Granted, attending more should lead to tithing more, but I truly want to get it to the level it needs to be at. Give until it hurts, right?

3)      Stop swearing. Yes, I swear. A lot. Not as much as I used to, but enough that I cannot justify my faith and attendance at church while continuing to cuss like a sailor in my home.

4)      Stop yelling. Ugghh; this is a big one for me. I have gotten much better, but my 2 youngest tend to communicate by yelling (yes, they learned it from me) so I tend to continue to communicate in that manner with them. Meaning, if they are yelling and screaming at each other, I yell “Knock it off!” So not necessary.

5)      Make and take some “me” time. I do not get time away from my girls, pretty much ever. I also have college classes beginning in 7 days for my Master’s Degree (which could really hinder any chance of free-time what-so-ever!). So I think this year it is going to be more important than ever that I make sure I have time to myself to recoup, and relax, and keep my sanity right where I need it; with me.

6)      Patience. I just gotta get some. This in turn will likely help tremendously with #’s 3 & 4.

7)      Exercise. Exercise. I do NOT like to exercise. Never have, likely never will. My intention is to actually begin running as soon as the temperature gets above 10 degrees in Michigan.

8)      Read the Bible. The WHOLE Bible. Even the hard parts that I never understand and skip over. I have started a reading program with the YouVersion Bible App. I should complete this task in 6 months.

9)      Improve my photography skills. I have an amazing camera system and lenses, but never seem to take the time to experiment with it. I spent 4 years in high school taking photos for our yearbooks so I am familiar with the technical speak of photographers, I just need to test the limits of my camera.

10)    Allow myself to be happy! I have felt incredible for the last 5 months, and I just really need to enjoy and bask in that.

What are your big goals?