Some fun, odd, random things about.............ME

I've been procrastinating at work all morning so I might as well take some more time and finally post this...a post about me.  Enjoy!

• I want a tattoo but I'm too chicken
• I want another baby but I'm too chicken
• I'm not perfect (shocker, I know)
• Neither are my children
• I once wrestled in green lime jello in HS for a fund raiser
• I love to read historical novels laced with fiction and non fiction, works from Phillipa Gregory, et al.
• I once wanted to be an archeologist
• I once wanted to be an oceanographer
• My current job is assistant controller
• I failed  accounting in graduate school
• I almost got kicked out of graduate school b/c I failed accounting
• I suck at math
• I can't stand to see an unmade bed
• I started an at home decorating class, I never finished
• I have my real estate license
• My house is a mess and it's killing me.
• I love my children to death but sometimes, I just need to get away on my own
• I dream about being on What Not to Wear, getting $5000 and new clothes and a great haircut from ted Gibson
• I like looking pretty
• I'm vain (see above)
• I have a very low self esteem
• Somedays I think about packing up and moving somewhere new.
• I miss my dad
• I am making a quilt for my king sized bed in my Master bedroom
• I love to take pictures and would love to have time to take more pictures.
• I've dreamed of owning my own business.
• I love ice cream
• I lived in Mobile, Alabama
• I think I broke my toe
• I very much dislike my hair
• Sometimes I have no idea who I am or who I'm supposed to be
• I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up
• I think I'm addicted to Target
• I should probably get to work

TTFN

Kristen

Need to make some changes

I need to make some changes and I need advice and encouragement.  Time and energy would be nice too but I know you all can't help me there.

I am the heaviest I've been since I had Ava.    I know it's just a number but it's a number that I don't like and I don't like the belly roll I see when I am sitting down.  So, I need to do something about it.  But what?  And when?  While my life might not be as crazy as others, it is crazy enough for me.  I can barely drag my @ss out of bed at 6:30am to get myself and the girls ready for camp and work......at night.....by the time I get the girls down and lunches made...well, I'm drained.  And yes, I know that DH can and should pitch in but he needs to loose at least 50 pounds and I need to support him on that.

I have to face reality here.  I'm 40 years old.  The weight is going to be harder to take off and keep off.  But I don't want it to get out of control either.  So, I have to start doing something.  The latest trend is running...and I THINK I want to jump on that bandwagon and give it a try.  At the very least, I have to start walking....Maybe I will have to drag my @ss out of bed at 5;30 and do it then.  I just don't see any other way around it.  This way hubby can walk at night and I will deal with the girls.

I have also come to the realization that I have really bad posture.  I slouch...a lot. It's terrible...so now I'm making a concerted effort to rectify that as well.

I need to also stop picking at my nails and cuticles.  It really is pathetic.  Again, I'm 40 and my nails are well....yuck.

So, will the few of you that ready my blog help me, give me advice?  Encouragement?

Thanks.

TTFN

Kristen

Pictures on the beach

This past weekend, while John was on a golf weekend birthday gift, I took the girls to my mom's beach house.  I had an idea for a photo shoot.

My dear friend T in Alabama had sent the girls dresses that her girls had previously owned.  Grace and Ava would never really have a real opportunity to wear them for any occasion (we just aren't THAT formal).

So, getting to my idea....what if, just WHAT IF...I took the dresses to the beach and took pictures of the girls while flying a kite (they had to have fun while doing this).

The pictures are good...not great...but good.....

So, without any further ado.....enjoy.

Tired

I am tired tired tired today.  John is gone.....and I am tired.  Have I mentioned that I'm tired?

Wednesday was obviously a bad hair  day for me.  Yesterday was better....today, not so bad.  See...  well, I guess you can't because for some reason I can't upload the file.  But I do actually look a bit better..helps to have color next to my face as well.  Today I have purple on.

I am in single mom mode for the next few days.  John is off golfing in VA...his birthday present from me and the girls.  I really don't mind being alone with the girls...sometimes it's easier.

Tomorrow we are headed to the beach.  I have an idea for a photo shoot for the girls...let's hope they cooperate.

It's my work from home afternoon. YEAH!  I get to finally make the beds...do laundry....listen to music....

Last night after John left the girls and I went to Pennington Quilt Works....yesterday started their clearance sale and they were open late.  I got some Amy Butler fabric to make pillow cases for the new sofa for the basement and the girls each got three fat quarters.  I made their dolls sleep sacks out of two of the fat quarters.  They want pillows for the third piece but I'm not really sure how to go about and do that.

I haven't cut out the patterns for the tops yet either.  I looked at them and well...maybe next summer.  :(  I'm just not comfortable with my skills to try it on my own.

I finished my Amy Butler quilt top last week.  Mom took it earlier this week...will trim it up....and get the back on and take it for quilting sometime soon (if she can pull herself away from the beach house).

Speaking of beach house, I am taking the girls there tomorrow morning for the weekend.  Should be fun!

TTFN

Kristen

Bits and Pieces

I was going to call this post "This and That" but I've done that too much.

I don't have anything of mind blowing importance to say..I never do but I'm feeling a bit funky at the moment.  I'm tired and bored at work and completely unmotivated as well.

My house is a complete disaster area and it's stressing me out but I'll have to live with that for a bit longer.  The basement remodel has started....it is just about all cleaned out.  It is all framed.  I now need the electrician to start.....and finish....inspection...then dry wall, taping and mudding, drop ceiling, painting, trim work, carpet (not necessarily in that order).

My garage is a dumping group of things to keep and give away.  My plan was to donate most of the items to my churches rummage sale.  However, drop off for that isn't until the end of August and I'm not sure I can live with it anymore.  I might call Vietnam Vets and have them take 1/2 of what's in there.

There is stuff piled up in the dining room and living room....stuff that John needs to go through and determine if he's keeping or not.  If he's not keeping it, he's selling it on Ebay.  That is a HUGE HUGE HUGE stressor for me.  A HUGE one.  I'm trying to deal with it...thank God for my meds because I'm not sure how I'd be dealing with it without them.  I'm trying to be patient.....they JUST started working this past weekend but......

It's been almost 6 weeks since my haircut from hell....and it still looks like crap.  See here....

The color is so dull and lifeless.....my makeup is dull and lifeless.  I don't know what to do with it.  What style? What color?  Who do I go to????????

I need to start exercising.....my personal 4 letter word.  Not even to loose weight just to get into shape.

Pardon me while I scream.........  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

I still hate my hair and other stuff.

It's been almost three weeks since I got my hair cut and I still hate it.  In fact, it's almost worse than before since it's growing out.  I don't like the color of it either.  I can't post any of this on Facebook either because my hairstylist is a "friend" of mine on Facebook.  However, she's not the one that gave me this cut.

With that said, I did get a compliment on it today...woman must have been smoking crack!  hahhahahahahahah

My mom hates her haircut too.....she texted me the other day and said we should both go out and get tattoo's and wigs!

I went to Kohl's today to return a bunch of tops that I bought that just looked horrible on me when I brought them home.  On my way out I decided to look thru the purses because, ya know, I wanted a new purse.  They were 40% off but I just couldn't justify the expense.....I wanted one, I didn't NEED one.

I got into my car and started to drive off when I realized I had coupons in my purse.  I drove back, found a purse, 40% off, got an additional 15% and an extra $5.00!  I got a $60 purse for $27!

Don't ya just love it?! 

Moving on....Grace had her last day of kindergarten yesterday and I must admit, I cried my eyes out.  She's growing up so fast...too fast!  She's back with Ava in the summer program at her former (and Ava's current) daycare.

The girls got their haircut this past weekend for the summer...

 

We went from this  to this

Don't ya just LOVE THE HAIRCUTS!?!  Grace says she never wants to go back to long hair.  Ava is asking when it will grow.  LOL.

I am absolutely BORED to death at work.  It makes for a very very VERY long day.  There are so many things I could be doing at home.  Like laundry....more laundry.....cutting out cute top patterns I've mentioned previously.......etc.  Maybe Friday afternoon...on my work from home afternoon.

TTFN

Kristen

Balance

On a daily basis I struggle for balance.  Some days I succeed...others I do not.  Lately I've been feeling like I am not succeeding at all in my quest for balance.

What do I mean by balance? 

Do I hope to be able to walk across a balance beam without falling?  No...well, actually yes, but that isn't what I mean.

Do I want to be able to stand on one foot for more than a few seconds?  Absolutely!  But that's not what I mean either.

The balance I'm balking about is the age old Work/Life balance.  How do I satisfy the needs and wants of my family (and myself) with the responsibility of my job?

I'm lucky actually.  I have a very flexible job and a very cool and laid back boss.  I work from home two afternoons a week and for the most part, as long as my work gets done...my boss doesn't care if I take time off to go visit Grace during her kindergarten picnic or see her kindergarten play.

Maybe I'm just waxing nostalgic.  Last summer I was home with the girls almost full time.  I loved it!  I really did.  Don't get me wrong.  It was difficult in the beginning because I really hadn't spent any length of time alone with the girls but we really did settle into a rhythm...and then....well, then I went back to work and Grace started kindergarten.

Things have been difficult lately because hubby's job is so insane.  He's on the computer first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  He's taking phone calls while we are trying to make dinner and during t-ball games.  Some days he leaves early and most days he's rushing Ava out the door to get her to daycare so he can begin his long commute to the office.

I'm starting to very much dislike mornings.  While Ava is usually up and at 'em....she is slow to get herself  along.  The other day I actually bribed Ava to get dressed, brush her teeth, brush her hair and make her bed.

Grace on the other hand, is impossible to get up.  She's so tired.....she won't get dressed by herself.

Most mornings I'm running around half dressed, no make up trying to get the girls ready.

It's not working anymore and it's just going to get worse. 

Grace's last day of school is Tuesday.  On Wednesday she starts summer camp at the same daycare as Ava.  Hubby and I will need to figure out who is going to bring them in and who is going to pick them up.  I can't handle anymore stress in the morning....forcing little girls out of bed to rush out of the house.  But I don't know what to do anymore either.

On top of it all....I am struggling to find time for hubby and time for myself.  I'd really like to start exercising...but when?  I love to read...but when?  I love to sew but when?

To do any of those things when the girls are still up denies them of precious mommy time.

This isn't even my all inclusive list.....I haven't mentioned dinner again in this post which I am still struggling with....

Any thoughts?  Advice?  Tips?  Suggestions?  Words of wisdom?

Thanks.

Kristen