Ramblings of a Stressed Out Mom

Photo

2012-02-05T21:08:00.002-05:00

I have wanted to try to take this picture for a while....not sure why....not even sure it came out the way I have "pictured" it in my mind all this time...but I finally did it....

Weekend update

2012-02-05T21:03:00.000-05:00

This weekend I decided I needed to do some sort of project around the house. I didn't want to sew and well, I had already rearranged the girls bedrooms (twice). So, I turned my sights to the front coat closet. It had sliding doors and was just a mess. I was tired of it. I had a light bulb moment (Light bulb!) to removed those doors and put in bi-fold doors. I wanted to paint the inside as well and then find some sort of six cube storage unit to put hats and other stuff in.

Hubby didn't agree with my ambition but he supported it and helped me get the doors off and find paint (just left overs from other projects around the house). I spent yesterday painting. FUN FUN FUN...NOT NOT NOT!

Today, on his way to the warehouse store, he stopped at HD to get the doors. This afternoon after I painted the inside trim and did some touch up painting, he installed the doors and like all project we do in this house, it wasn't easy. The opening isn't standard size so one of the doors had to be ripped down by 1/2 inch...UGH.

After the doors were in and G's play date left, I ran back to HD to get the shelves and the rod for the coats, which are strewn all over the living room at the moment.

I don't have any pictures of the after at the moment.

My other project this weekend was to clean up the doll house that my dad made me 30 some odd years ago.

It was covered in surface mold. I sprayed with vinegar....and went about cleaning it up.

I do have pictures of that.

Some of the wallpaper is still discolored. I don't think I have the patience to re-wallpaper the rooms...but it looks pretty good. I need to make some repairs to the roof and some of the windows and get casters for the base. My mom still has the old furniture and has purchase some new. I can't wait to get it all set up for MY girls to have fun playing with something my dad made for me~

Bullet Points

2012-02-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

It's 8:12am and I have been at work for almost 45 minutes already. I'm not sure why. We all woke up early. Even Grace but I think she was just excited to wear a new outfit that Grammy bought her. So today I am doing bullet points.

I am sad for a blog "friend" whom I have never met. She's going thru a difficult time and it saddens me. Does that sound silly?
I made a new recipe for a friend who came over for dinner last night. She's a foodie (love ya Jules) and I think she liked it.
Hubby and I did not communicate very well this weekend.
I brought home my childhood doll house that my dad had made me. It's covered in surface mold that I need to clean up but I'm excited to have it back in the house and for my girls to be able to play with it soon.
I haven't done any sewing or crafty things lately. I've been itching to get some stuff done on the house...that's what hubby and I had a difficult time with this weekend.
My nails are a mess
My hairdresser colored and cut my hair for $60 on Saturday! $60!!!!! That's half of what it would have cost at the salon. I haven't been to a salon in about 9 months!
It's been three weeks since I've worn eye shadow because of an allergic reaction to a new (to me) brand and a new (to them) formula. I go back to the eye doctor on Friday and I'm hoping I can start wearing eye makeup again.
I went for a 2.5 mile walk yesterday. Nearly killed me but it really did feel great. I tried to run some....need to slowly work up to that. Will talk to hubby about getting a treadmill.
We've had a mild winter, only two snow showers....not confident it will stay like that.
I want to go on a "craftcation" sponsored by Raechel Myers or Finding My Feet but it's a long drive to Franklin, TN. It just seems like it would be so much fun.
I'm tired, need more coffee...and some oatmeal.
I'm doing....eh...with my "resolutions"/guidlines for the new year. I am purging more. Which feels good. I actually have the Lupus Foundation coming on Monday to take some stuff. Still more to go.

I think that's about all I have at the moment. I'm tired. Oh yeah, I've mentioned that!

Have a great day!

TTFN

Kristen

Time to loose the weight

2012-01-25T15:34:00.001-05:00

Really, today, today is my motivation. My leggings, which are a size MEDIUM.....are too small. They are killing me...and with my dress, I look like I'm 5 months pregnant. Which would be great except that I'M NOT PREGNANT (tho I secretly wish to be).

I am 5 feet 6.5 inches tall and...I can't believe I'm putting this out there in blog world I weigh 146 lbs! AAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK. I haven't weighed that much since I had A five years ago.

Is my metabolism slowing down? Is it possible that I'm really that much of a slug? Is it a 40 thing?

For most of my life I have been tall and skinny. I did gain weight my freshman year in college...and then lost it rather quickly. But I'm not loosing it. Granted, I sit on my butt all day at work staring at a computer. I think it's time to stop shopping at lunch and start walking when the weather is decent. Something, to just get my blood flowing.

Hubby needs to loose weight too......a lot of weight. So, I am going to sit down and discuss with him tonight what we are going to do.

I don't have the time or the money to join a gym. I would really like to start running....set a goal and maybe do a 1/2 marathon some time. But it's so dark in the morning and dark by the time I get home from work......so, what is a girl supposed to do.

Kristy, if you read this, I know you are going to recommend Jillian Michael and yes, I will pull that out again. Three days a week I will do that. I PROMISE. Pinky promise.

Because today, I feel like a big ole' fat cow. And I don't like that.

:(

Kristen

Welcome 2012

2012-01-11T08:52:00.001-05:00

Happy 2012!!!!!!!

Well, Happy 2012! I know I've been MIA for a while....sorry, life has sorta gotten out of hand. Between Thanksgiving and birthdays and traveling to South Carolina for Christmas and new car seats and emergency room trips, well, it's been a whirlwind to say the least.

But I'm past that now and once I can get my house de-Christmas decorated, I shall be in the great frame of mind to move on!

There are posts going around the blog world about Home Goals for 2012 so I thought I might play along. Not sure if I'll link up but I'll play along here.

Home Goals 2012

Live more simply. I need to clean out, de-clutter and de-stress my house. We do not need so many clothes, toys, coffee cups, etc. Will be calling Good Will for a pick up soon.

Love more.

Eat Healthy

Get into shape

Change out the sliding doors on the front hall closet to bi-fold doors...paint the inside a bright color. Replace the shelf and rack. Organize better. This one I just came up with yesterday. I just realized how much that closet annoys the crap out of me.

Paint G's bedroom. She's 7, it's time. This also requires replacing baseboard trim to match the other rooms in the house. However, that leads to the next goal

Clean up the old office and convert to a guest room. Requires cleaning up and out, replacing baseboard trim, some repainting....

Paint old playroom. Really just one wall and the back of the book shelves. However, also needs new baseboard molding.

That's about it for now.

I'm at work and haven't downloaded the pictures I took from Christmas yet (with my NEW CAMERA). I will try to get to that this weekend.

I hope everyone has a wonderfully happy, healthy, and fantastic 2012!

TTFN

Kristen

Thankful

2011-11-29T11:32:00.001-05:00

I have been whining a lot lately on my post. This time of year is very difficult for me. I explained some of that in my last post so I won't rehash.

Let me apologize for my whining.

I am truly thankful for all the things that I have in my life.

I am thankful for my husband who has stood by me thru the good times AND the bad.

I am thankful for my two beautiful and healthy children.

I am thankful for my home and all the comforts in it.

I am thankful for my friends...old and new, those whose faces I know and love and those who I haven't had the honor of meeting yet.

I am thankful for my mother and her constant support and understanding.

I am thankful that I have a job....a well paying, flexible job.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for my "crafting" ability.

And while I am truly thankful for all that I have in my life, you must know that my life isn't perfect and neither and I. I struggle daily with many MANY things. I am not a perfect mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend. But I try. I do my best.

Red Hot Mess

2011-11-16T10:52:00.001-05:00

That's how I've been feeling lately, like a Red Hot Mess.

Everything is completely overwhelming me lately.

Maybe it's the season. The change in time....getting darker earlier.....I don't know but I know how I am feeling and I really, truly do not like it.

So pardon me...but I need to get this out.

1) The house. The basement is finished and I'm so happy about that However, there is still a mess everywhere. The living room has a large area rug rolled up that needs to go into the old office upstairs....but that room is a disaster that needs to be cleaned up.

2) Laundry. I can NEVER get my hands around the laundry. And no one else does it in the house. Sure Hubby might put one load in but that's it. Never brings it upstairs, never puts it away.

3) Always a a MAJOR struggle for me. I dislike cooking immensely....my kids won't eat 1/2 of what I would make.

4) The girls. G won't wear 1/2 of the stuff we bought together. I can't even imagine the money that I've spent on clothes for her that she won't even wear. I can't force her to wear them but what do I do? I can't keep wasting this kind of money. And A won't wear jeans.....what is the staple of this child's closet? Jeans. So I ask her what she does want to wear....she doesn't know.

5) A and her going to bed issues....drive me ABSOLUTELY nuts.

6)The Holidays. You may or may not be aware that my brother and I (and hubby and brother) are not getting along AT ALL. After my brother sent some very hurtful words and then continued to make unnecessary statements, hubby will have nothing more to do with my brother and his wife. This includes holidays. Thanksgiving is next week....my mom is hosting. The entire family will be there. My hubby won't go. Where does this leave me? Honestly, I don't even want to go. I really don't. My cousins do not (to my knowledge) know what is going on between my brother and me and I don't want to explain hubby's absence. But that puts my mom in the middle. She's already heart broken about the situation and doesn't understand why is can't all just work itself out. I don't think she understands how much my brother insulted me, hubby, and my girls. He obviously has no respect for my family at all. For Christmas I have suggested that we drive down to SC to see hubby's parents.

7) My weight. Now granted, I have done NOTHING about my weight lately...other than lament over it. I haven't worked out at home, and I did buy a video, I just can't find the energy to do it after working all day. I can't get up in the morning to walk.......I really hate seeing the size of my pants go up. I'm distraught over the fact that pants I bought in May are already too tight. I know that by look.....I don't look overweight or fat. And for all intensive purposes, I'm not. I'm just heavy for me. I haven't weighed this much since right after A was born, 5 years ago. I need to exercise and get into shape. I'll be 41 in three weeks and it's just going to get harder and harder to take it off and keep it off.

8) Deep down inside, I really want another baby.

Fall Pictures

2011-11-13T16:15:00.001-05:00

While hubby was in MD at a MD/Notre Dame Game, my mom and I took the girls out to Sayen Gardens in Hamilton, NJ. This is where hubby and I had our wedding pictures taken 13.5 years ago.

Please pardon multiple images...but I was playing around with editing in Picasa. Let me know your favorite version if you'd like.

Ok, well, for some reason I'm having an issue uploading all of the pictures....but well....Enjoy.

Pictures

2011-10-27T22:26:00.001-04:00

Ok I'm trying this again.....Pictures....from Lancaster.....from the Fall Festival....from home. Straight from the camera....I'm too tired to photo edit. So let's try again.