What i know for sure...

For Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop I'm writing about...
What I know for sure...
(this will probably be pretty short, huh?)


What I Know For Sure (at least at this moment anyway)

I know that children grow fast and that time moves quickly;
I know that weeds are annoying and that roses are prickly.

I know that weight gains effortlessly and that stress is shameless;
I know that money spends easily and that failure is aimless.

I know that hair cuts are crucial and makeup is needed;
I know that fresh gravel is nice and that our lawn is now seeded.


That's it folks. That's all I know for sure.

Oh yeah...
and that Rachel knows where her nose is...
and that the sheep says "baaaaaaaaa baaaaaa BAAAA"...
and that frozen yogurt pouch things are a mom's best friend...
and that children love to play with rocks...

one last thing...

I know, without a doubt, and am 100% confident that...

I should stop leaving my brown dress shoes next to my black ones.

Numb3rs...

I'm trying to prove to my boss's boss that we need to hire someone to help me at work. She is a smart lady and she, understandably, wants to see numbers to back-up my story.

Here's what I have come up with so far:

2-
The number of times I've taken a lunch during the month of March

29-
The number of hours I had already worked when I arrived at the office last Wednesday

4-
The number of people who used to do my job

22-
The number of items written on my to-do list (see below)

8-
The average number of weeks that several items have been on my to-do list

0-
The amount I get paid for working overtime

428-
The number of hours of paid-time off that I have built up (even after taking off 12 weeks last year for maternity leave) because I never have time to take any time off

9-
The number of weeks since I last had time to get my hair cut

70-
Oddly enough, the number of pounds of chub that I can't seem to find the energy to lose.

My hope is built...

Today one of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompts is to write a poem about hope. When I read this the words from a favorite hymn came to mind. I don't know if you're aware of this, but it's almost impossible to write a poem when you have a song stuck in your head.

And so, I give you...

My Hope is Built
Words: Ed?ward Mote, cir?ca 1834; first ap?peared in Mote’s Hymns of Praise, 1836


My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Procrastination posting...

I could easily spend my time here writing about how stressful work is or how much I enjoyed waking up this morning to a sick husband and a teething child....at 3:30 AM. But the truth is....I can't. I'm just too exhausted. My creative juices aren't flowing and my brain hurts. And, as soon as I'm done procrastinating, I have to start a load of laundry and then get back to work.

I should destroy the remote access link my home computer has with my work one. Those two should definitely not know each other, let alone ever have conversations. My laptop should be used for shopping and posting fun pictures on facebook. Instead it often gets used to reconcile budgets, appoint faculty members, and proofread letters. ugh.

The other day one of my co-workers suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no! You haven't been here even six months and already you're burning out!" She wasn't far off...I have been there for almost six months.

I love my job but I also love my sanity and my old clothes that I can't seem to find the time to work myself into. Somehow I need to get this train turned around and headed back in a healthy more enjoyable direction.

I've got it!

Fat Olympics Round 2....here I come!

I'm turning into my mother...

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop day..hooray!

"10 Things My Mother Taught Me"

1. Forget milk....make sure to have toilet paper on hand before a storm blows in.
2. Suck your tummy in when you're walking around.
3. Nothing cures a sick friend or neighbor better than a casserole.
4. Every day should begin with a walk and time spent reading your Bible.
5. Working in your garden every 2 to 3 days is good for your veggies AND your soul.
6. Clean your bathroom before you leave on vacation.
7. You don't need a recipe to make good meat loaf.
8. It is possible to raise your family on a budget AND everyone will turn out fine.
9. Take a family picture at least once a year.
10. Don't forget to relax and enjoy your friends, your family, and your life.


P.S. A few things we like to laugh about...

My mom and her sister work very hard to stay in shape because they don't want to look like their mother. Because of this, my cousin and I would LOVE to look like our mothers.

Grandma and Her Daughters...
Grandma wrote the book.
Judy lives by the book.
Sue owns the book.
Sylvia threw the book away.

My sixth weigh-in...

I'm late...no not THAT kind of late. I'm late posting my last weigh-in data (geez people).

Last week...
I got up at 5:00 AM once to exercise.
I walked during just one of my lunch breaks (wearing heels).
I ate a lot of unhealthy crap.
I drank way too much coffee and Diet Coke.
I didn't drink near enough water.
And...

I gained 3 pounds.

But, I'm actually okay with that. After all, I unexpectedly lost 8 pounds during the previous week and the fact that I fell apart and only gained three back is actually quite an accomplishment. Just imagine how well I could have done had I actually stuck with it. sigh...

So, with just a few days left in this contest it has become obvious that I will not win. My dreams of going on a spending spree are over. Or, are they? This afternoon I went shopping for the first time in over four years. I stayed within my budget. I only bought clothes that actually fit me...right now. And, I had a marvelous time.

In order to reach my goal I'm going to keep posting my weigh-ins every week. Currently, I'm down 8 pounds in six weeks. Not too shabby.

This isn't the end of a contest. It is the beginning of a journey.

Talent search...

It's time for Working Mom's Wednesday. Today's question asks, "Name a talent you don't have, but wish you did." Wow, where do I start with this one?

There are a lot of things I don't do but I have never attributed that to a lack of talent but rather a lack of motivation. At some point I got the crazy idea that I can do anything I put my mind to, and be successful at it, if given the tools, time, and necessary instructions. And, of course, lots and LOTS of motivation.

I am not a doctor or a lawyer or an interior designer or photographer or a teacher or a chef or a master gardener. I am, however, a working mother. I'm the judge and jury, house-keeper, accountant, office administrator, cook, physician assistant, cheerleader, and social planner.

I lack the ability to keep my mouth shut in some situations (I know, this surprised me too). My mind wonders a lot. I often find myself getting hung up on details. My favorite pants don't fit (yet). So, a talent I would like to have is...

wait for it...

The talent of...

Being satisfied with life.

Can you imagine? Now, that's a talent worth having...

Well, that and the ability to knot a cherry stem with my tongue.

How in the world do people do that?!

My fifth weigh-in...

It's that time again. Weigh-in day.

I was home sick with a miserable cold yesterday. I've been fighting it for about a week and I finally had to give in and "relax". I would love to claim that I was on the couch all day but everyone would recognize that as a flat-out lie. Come on, we all know that no mother ever actually gets to spend an entire sick day doing nothing but resting. Are you kidding?! I finished my laundry, straightened up the house, and did the dishes before I finally sat down.

By the end of the day my cold had moved into my ears and I woke up this morning on the verge of a double ear infection. I can't hear very well, my left nostril is dripping, and I'm sore all over.

But, all is not lost. Since I've been sick I haven't had much of an appetite.

So....

(and I KNOW this isn't healthy and it's just water-weight and I'll probably gain it all back by Sunday)...

But...

I lost 8 lbs this week!

My favorite new pants don't really fit anymore (oh well). Tonight I get to hang out with the ladies and try on (and purchase) fabulous jewelry (hooray!). And, since I can't hear anything I get to enjoy a day of peace and quiet at the office.

Life is good.

Morning has broken...

You know it's been a rough morning when...

1. Your child had to sit on the "naughty" chair for 60 seconds for throwing a tantrum (at 6:30 in the morning?!).

2. A band aid truly does need to be used on a cut...on the child's thumb...the one that she sucks for comfort. Someone is going to have a LONG day.

3. The cold-medicine-induced comma that you slept in left your legs paralyzed and unable to move out of bed to exercise at 5:00 AM.

4. While sitting in a 3 1/2 hour-long meeting (yes folks...that's 3.5 hours of FUN that started promptly at 8:30 AM) you run out of tissues and your nose ACTUALLY drips onto your papers (pray that no one was looking).

5. You finally make it to your desk and can't get to your computer because apparently the world almost ended in the short 4 hours that you were gone, and everyone felt the need to leave something on your desk (and chair) that needs to be done......Today.

But, have no fear....you still have the afternoon to get through!

Oh Brother.....