Current To Do

  • MARCH
    *Register for summer camp
    *Swim lessons
    *Allergist appt
    *Organize closets

    APRIL
    *Unpack upstairs
    *Order bedrm blinds
    *Paint boys' room
    *Paint guest room
    *Paint livingroom

    MAY
    *Unpack downstairs
    *Annual physicals
    *Paint master bed
    *Paint master bath

    JUNE
    *Paint bath
    *Paint downstairs bath
    *Summer camp - #2

    JULY
    *Summer camp - #1
    *School ppaerwork

    AUGUST
    *Set up play room
    *Annual physical - #1

    SEPTEMBER
    *School starts
    *Set up darkroom

    DECEMBER
    *Annual physical-#2

    JANUARY, 2009
    *Preschools - #2

_

May 17, 2008

Oh, the Irony

08_0517This time last year, we were in the midst of purchasing a house and we had a contract on one.  However, there was a contingency on the sale of our place and we were asking for an extension on the contract.  The seller didn't want to extend the contract another 30 days so the contract fell through.  So, here we are a year later and guess what - the house is still on the market at a really, REALLY reduced price.  Family friends live in the neighborhood so we drive past it occasionally.

The asking price of the house is well below what we offered to purchase it.  In fact, it is hovering around the price we initially offered and to which their real estate agent (not their current one) said, "I can't bring that price to them; it's insulting."  This is the event where the whole "Feelings in Real Estate" lesson was learned and I realized that selling and/or buying a house was not something that I wanted to do on a regular basis.

Here is the frightening thing - at least for the sellers of the house that was almost ours - the market is terrible and there are other houses on the market that are selling for the same price that are much nicer and in the same neighborhood.  I am sure that the sellers are unhappy with the decision that they made especially since they purchased a new home and closed on it at the end of August of last year (according to the family friends of ours).

I hope that the house sells soon because I feel bad for them.  See, there's that "feelings" thing again.  I don't know their financial situation but I can imagine that it would not be a great feeling to have 2 homes to maintain.  The stress of selling a house is not fun and it takes a toll on you.  Still, they were condescending and high-handed with us during the contract negotiations and although I don't like to revel in people's misery, you reap what you sew.

May 16, 2008

What Did I Say?!?!

08_0516The boys are getting so big and with this comes the expectation that they will do things that bigger kids do like listen or come when you call them.  I know that I was not the most obedient child, but I didn't blatantly ignore my parents when they were talking to me or disregard what they were asking me to do.  I may have grumbled, but I actually did what they asked and came when they called.

With my sons it seems to be a different story and it is incredibly frustrating.  They're the same with David and it makes him crazy.  For example, the older one likes to chase the cat around the house and tease her.  Luckily, the cat is extremely patient and never hisses or nips at him.  Unluckily, the younger boy likes to imitate his brother and now we have 2 little boys bothering the cat.

This morning before preschool, my oldest decided that he was going to play with the blinds in the front window.  He was fiddling with it and it came unhinged and hit him on the head.  All I can say is that it must have hurt because he had a medium-sized bump on the top of his head.  One would think that he would have learned his lesson and wouldn't want to touch the blinds, but when I got home he was playing with them again.

It would be heaven if I didn't need to keep asking either of them to step away from the television or constantly ask, "What did I say?"  Seriously, I am starting to sound like my mother and it's not a pleasant feeling.  I'm starting to get frown lines and wrinkles from trying to make that face that made us think twice about doing something that my mom didn't want us to do.

May 12, 2008

Going From Zero to 100 is Tough

08_0512I did nothing this weekend - I've had the same cold for what feels like forever.  I didn't do the "usual" like washing work clothes for the week or go grocery shopping.  I pretty much sat around in my pajamas and didn't shower.  Yes, I made breakfast and lunch during Mother's Day and we started painting the boys room, but other than that I was a sloth.

The hard thing about stopping and doing nothing is the starting up again.  Because I didn't wash work clothes for this week on Sunday, I was left to scrape the bottom of my closet to find something to put together for today.  And, because I'm tired from trying to pull myself together (and I've still got a cold) I didn't do any laundry this evening.  The only thing left in my closet is my interview suit so it will look like I'm job hunting.  Luckily, the client I am working for still dresses in formal business attire.

Right now I'm looking at a living room littered with toys and I just don't have the energy to pick it up.  I'm not sure if it's just a passing mood - God I hope it is.  I feel like I'm watching the train just leave the station without me and really, I don't care.  I'm just so tired!

May 10, 2008

Happy Mother's Day

08_0511This year Mother's Day takes on different meaning for me because this is the first time that I will not be spending it with my mom.  I have a precarious relationship with my mother; she's overbearing a lot of the time but I know that her heart is in the right place.  Since my parents moved out of state recently, it will be another year of adjustments for me (what else is new - the good times never seem to end).  Only my sister and I are the ones that remain in the same state for the first time since my brother joined the Marines and went to basic training eons ago.

The holidays will be interesting and I think that my parents will be faced with the downside of moving away from your children - especially since one of your children has recently had a daughter.  My new niece was born in February - the first girl grandchild for my parents in 17 years.  I know that my parents are expecting us to come to their house for major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it may not be feasible.

But, this post isn't about my parents - at least it wasn't supposed to be.  This post was to say "Happy Mother's Day" to some of my favorite mothers (besides my own):

  • My Sister - the most awesome mother I know
  • Maria - who is Godmother to my youngest son and an excellent friend
  • Mama Eye - who was a mom to me long before she had one of her own
  • Debbie - my college bud
  • Amy - thanks for all your words of wisdom
  • Mamazilla - my Filipina crony
  • All the Moms at Chicago Moms Blog and the founders of the Chicago Moms Blog (Jill, Beth, and Tekla) who made me realize how cool being a parent really is

There are a lot of other mother's I'd like to personally wish a happy Mother's Day, but the boys are arguing over a toy so I gotta run.  The past 3 years as a mother have been challenging but have been the best years of my life.  I cannot believe how lucky I am!

May 07, 2008

Space for Rent

08_0507There was a time when I went to yoga class religiously.  Well, at least 5 times a week anyway.  In the beginning of class the teacher would talk us through a sitting pose where we would breathe and prepare for the class.  One of the things she would tell us was to clear our heads; I believe the exact quote was, "Clear your head of any thoughts from the day.  Don't let anyone or anything rent space in your head."

I especially loved that thought because I am notorious of letting people get around in my head - like there's enough room there for anyone except for me and my abundant thoughts.  Yes, Amy you're right - I do think too much but it's hard to turn it all off.  Case in point, the e-mail that I got from the guy on my project.  I suppose that is the danger of e-mail in that you cannot see how the person is saying what they're saying.  Still, I think if you're going to cc everyone and their mother on the response to my question, you're trying to be an ass.

But, the renting of space in my head.  I very much need to learn to let things go because I tend to let thoughts rattle around in my head.  And I get all worked up into a lather.  It's not productive for me and by the time I finally get over it, I've blown it all out of proportion.  Crazy, I know; it's one of my buttons I suppose.

Maybe I need to get back to yoga class because after a year or so of going regularly, I was able to tune things out.  But for now, I have some space in my head to rent.  Maybe it will help pay for the boys' summer camp and preschool fees.  Pfft!

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