My life right now is being assembled. Piece by piece I get more done and get closer to goals. Unfortunately, I sometimes lose pieces along the way. I am often asking the girls if they have seen my brain anywhere, and if so can they squish it back in my head.
Part of assembling my life involves assembling the house for sale. To that end I bought some small inexpensive tables to spruce up the place. Now I am not one to shy away from these types of projects. I can't say I am fast but I can put a something together. Jack is quite supportive of this and I only have drill use and hanging items removed from my purview. (that is a whole other story though)
Last night I begin to assemble a small table for Jenny's room. I purchased this item because it was the right size, right color ,(pretty much) and the right price (cheap). I am not afraid and get started. This was indeed one of the more challenging of tasks. There were pegs and screws but no screw holes. The box read "real wood not particle board." They meant to say it is made from Balsa wood, the softest and most flimsy. "No difficult fasteners" the box read, I would have given my right arm for a "fastener". The back came with nails so small that they would not hold the back on. They just were not long enough. These were the same nails for the bottom of the drawer (since they were not going to work on the back, it would make for a bottomless drawer). I ended up with a small table with a shelf and no drawer. In the end I got what I paid for.
Today I eyed the second table I bought for the family room with suspicion but noted that it was not made by the same company. This table came with the drawer and table top assembled. I screwed on the legs, shelf, and feet. It took no tools and 10 minutes. (at most) I am glad that the furniture is getting put together, my house is getting put together, and sometime this summer when I am in Tennessee my life will be put back together. I only hope it goes as smoothly as the second table.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Confessions of a crybaby
I will admit to being a crybaby. Just ask any of my siblings. I am the youngest of four children and I cried far more than necessary. My sister would say I would mostly cry over not getting my way,or losing a game. As I have gotten older, I think I cry more over movies, frustation, or just plain stress. I have come to peace with it. I cry, I get it out, I move on. It is like the song in "Free to Be You and Me" by Rosie Grier, "It's all right to cry, crying gets the sad out of you".
This week was my week to cry. I have been moving forward with purging and preparing the house for sale. This week, it all crumbled. I began a new unit at school. (which means more time for lesson planning) I do not want my job to suffer. The time frame on the house got moved a smidge since the realtor wants pictures for the virtual tour on the 10th, so the house goes online on the 15th as wanted. All my errands were taking longer, the staff meeting ran long, I got 10 more things on my plate from my job (all requiring not only planning, but advanced planning). You have to realize, I am living day to day at this point extra details start to make my blood pressure rise. I was falling behind and felt myself going under the water.
Yesterday I could not keep it together. While running errands I ran into my friend and neighbor. She is sweet and kind and the person I had a meltdown on the last time my stress reached critical mass. Unforutunatly for her, I saw her at the Bed, Bath and Beyond. I look up after quietly weeping in my car some, sucking it up and getting things done to see her. "hey, she says, how is it going?" I get a hug and start to cry. My poor friend is left explaining my life situation and stress to the cashier so she may not think I am crazy. I am blessed to have support and friends who let me vent and understand. I myself understand I am a crybaby and accept it. I also know I live in North Wilmington, the kind of place that is large but not too large to have that small town kind of feel where my upset will get back to someone, somewhere and be talked about. Oh, well, I guessthat will be a story for another time.
This week was my week to cry. I have been moving forward with purging and preparing the house for sale. This week, it all crumbled. I began a new unit at school. (which means more time for lesson planning) I do not want my job to suffer. The time frame on the house got moved a smidge since the realtor wants pictures for the virtual tour on the 10th, so the house goes online on the 15th as wanted. All my errands were taking longer, the staff meeting ran long, I got 10 more things on my plate from my job (all requiring not only planning, but advanced planning). You have to realize, I am living day to day at this point extra details start to make my blood pressure rise. I was falling behind and felt myself going under the water.
Yesterday I could not keep it together. While running errands I ran into my friend and neighbor. She is sweet and kind and the person I had a meltdown on the last time my stress reached critical mass. Unforutunatly for her, I saw her at the Bed, Bath and Beyond. I look up after quietly weeping in my car some, sucking it up and getting things done to see her. "hey, she says, how is it going?" I get a hug and start to cry. My poor friend is left explaining my life situation and stress to the cashier so she may not think I am crazy. I am blessed to have support and friends who let me vent and understand. I myself understand I am a crybaby and accept it. I also know I live in North Wilmington, the kind of place that is large but not too large to have that small town kind of feel where my upset will get back to someone, somewhere and be talked about. Oh, well, I guessthat will be a story for another time.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
My LIfe Circus
In the past I have thought my life was like a sitcom. A nice safe one with humorous situations and sometimes canned laughter in the background. Now my life has somehow transformed into a circus.
I am the ringmaster who coordinates the acts and also a lead clown in one of the acts. As ringmaster I am loud and energetic and keep the show going.
As the clown I keep all the task and activity balls in the air as I juggle them. Some tasks such as getting the house ready are like a bowling ball. Other daily tasks such as making sure the girls get the their homework done or practice instruments are smaller and softer.(like a koosh ball) These items need to be softer because sometimes not only do they get dropped, I sometimes feel like I am taking these balls and pelting them at the girls to motivate them to get their jobs done.
Lastly of course are the balls that pertain to Sage our dog, feeding her, cleaning her ears, and brushing her teeth. These balls are small but harder like a golf ball. I don't feel like I need to pelt the dog with them but I tend to drop them and they land on my head.
Thankfully my Ringmaster and Juggling duties are mainly temporary so I guess as long as I don't drop something big like the bowling ball I should be fine.
I am the ringmaster who coordinates the acts and also a lead clown in one of the acts. As ringmaster I am loud and energetic and keep the show going.
As the clown I keep all the task and activity balls in the air as I juggle them. Some tasks such as getting the house ready are like a bowling ball. Other daily tasks such as making sure the girls get the their homework done or practice instruments are smaller and softer.(like a koosh ball) These items need to be softer because sometimes not only do they get dropped, I sometimes feel like I am taking these balls and pelting them at the girls to motivate them to get their jobs done.
Lastly of course are the balls that pertain to Sage our dog, feeding her, cleaning her ears, and brushing her teeth. These balls are small but harder like a golf ball. I don't feel like I need to pelt the dog with them but I tend to drop them and they land on my head.
Thankfully my Ringmaster and Juggling duties are mainly temporary so I guess as long as I don't drop something big like the bowling ball I should be fine.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ryan Seacrest and Me
As if my life is not strange enough, I find out that I have things in common with Ryan Seacrest. Why do I know so much about Ryan Seacrest? The news paragon that is NPR did a story on him. He apparently is this super mogul with his hand in radio, TV, and production. He is in charge of everything he does. And when he brings us greatness such as "Keeping up with Kardashians" how can you go wrong?
So what do I and this mastermind have in common? I think I have a bit of control freak in me. (talk to my teaching assistant Adrienne) I am in charge of the work, home, school, extracurricular activities. I have final say on all these productions. Mr. Seacrest also apparently has his life planned down to the minute. This is another way I feel we are connected. Right now my life is lists, accomplishments and staying on schedule. If we get behind it all goes down hill. I cram detail and activity into every moment. Today Melissa is home sick and I am trying to keep us going and get AHEAD on tomorrow. At least I am not crazy like Mr. Seacrest and getting up at 4:00AM each day. I mean just get a kid to crawl in your bed and vomit at 5:00AM like a normal person will ya!
So what do I and this mastermind have in common? I think I have a bit of control freak in me. (talk to my teaching assistant Adrienne) I am in charge of the work, home, school, extracurricular activities. I have final say on all these productions. Mr. Seacrest also apparently has his life planned down to the minute. This is another way I feel we are connected. Right now my life is lists, accomplishments and staying on schedule. If we get behind it all goes down hill. I cram detail and activity into every moment. Today Melissa is home sick and I am trying to keep us going and get AHEAD on tomorrow. At least I am not crazy like Mr. Seacrest and getting up at 4:00AM each day. I mean just get a kid to crawl in your bed and vomit at 5:00AM like a normal person will ya!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Happy New Year - Do your part to save our lord Jesus
As luck would have it, Christmas is the season that never ends. My children just relocated a duplo navitiy set which was given to them MANY years ago.
One thing I love about children is their creativity and imagination. In the past navtivity figures have mixed with Santa figures to have a yard sale at the manger (the angel was making the best deals) On this day there was trouble in the forest (did I mention there were also fairy/knight duplo figures involved?)
As I sit in the kitchen I hear the discussion going on. Who has seen the baby Jesus? We must find him. We don't want him kidnapped and held for ransom. We have to get money to save him! I am not sure where the came from but I am posting a request to please send you monetary help to save baby Jesus to our house as soon as possible. :)
One thing I love about children is their creativity and imagination. In the past navtivity figures have mixed with Santa figures to have a yard sale at the manger (the angel was making the best deals) On this day there was trouble in the forest (did I mention there were also fairy/knight duplo figures involved?)
As I sit in the kitchen I hear the discussion going on. Who has seen the baby Jesus? We must find him. We don't want him kidnapped and held for ransom. We have to get money to save him! I am not sure where the came from but I am posting a request to please send you monetary help to save baby Jesus to our house as soon as possible. :)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
No One Needs to Panic Until Mom Says So
We made it! The girls and I made it through one day on our own. I am EXHAUSTED! The girls and I got to work and school, did homework, teacher work (for me), practiced instruments, Girl Scouts, cleaned up some in the basement, sorted clothes, AND had dinner together!
I am finding that surviving this transition is much like my teaching 4 year olds. I have to be patient, prepared, and very flexible. The girls like to know the routine of the day (prepared), I need to not loose my temper (patience), and I need to handle any surprises from school or girls (flexible). A case in this point was the Math Homework Horror today.
While on the phone with the realtor, Jenny starts crying. She has left her homework at school. While trying to end my conversation I assure Jenny we will find her homework or go back to school for it. ( I can't tell you how many times the Gymnastic outfit was on the floor under a blanket when there was tears)
Jenny cries the whole way to school. I remain calm and reassuring. Mrs. Black will let you in, no she won't be angry, we will find it. Sure enough the work is in her school mailbox and Mrs. Black is wonderful.
We head home in peace and I remind the children No One Needs to Panic Until Mom Says So!
I am finding that surviving this transition is much like my teaching 4 year olds. I have to be patient, prepared, and very flexible. The girls like to know the routine of the day (prepared), I need to not loose my temper (patience), and I need to handle any surprises from school or girls (flexible). A case in this point was the Math Homework Horror today.
While on the phone with the realtor, Jenny starts crying. She has left her homework at school. While trying to end my conversation I assure Jenny we will find her homework or go back to school for it. ( I can't tell you how many times the Gymnastic outfit was on the floor under a blanket when there was tears)
Jenny cries the whole way to school. I remain calm and reassuring. Mrs. Black will let you in, no she won't be angry, we will find it. Sure enough the work is in her school mailbox and Mrs. Black is wonderful.
We head home in peace and I remind the children No One Needs to Panic Until Mom Says So!
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