Friday, January 6, 2012

Prayer Answered

Asked and answered.
That's all I can say.
Thank you!

Check Out Time

When my husband walked in from work yesterday, he informed our college freshman that "check out" time at this hotel was 12:00pm, Saturday. The look on my son's face was shock, disbelief and PRICELESS. All he said was, "NO, really?".  Hubby said, "Really. We're leaving and locking up." "Come on, Dad!" He was planning on leaving Saturday but at his leisure, of course.


I'm laughing as I write this. The only hint that my hubby was kidding (sort of but not really) was the slight flaring of his nostrils when he tried not to smirk. Trademark giveaway if you know about it.


We are outta here at 12:01, the minute he walks out the door! The hotel is closing for the season.





Thursday, January 5, 2012

How Can They Do It and I Can't?



I'm talking about sleep! I've been reminded every day since the kids arrived home for the holidays. 


Shortly after they get up, I begin my struggle to stay awake. I certainly understand that college kids stay up WELL past midnight on a regular basis so their sleep clocks are different than mine. I want/need a nap at almost the precise time they wake!


I guess I'm really bitching about sleep quality. How can they stay fast asleep for 12+ straight hours then be difficult to wake up, while I can't fall asleep, stay asleep (potty breaks) and wake up every day at the crack of dawn? While I'm at it...how does my husband's snoring not wake him up? It's truly driving me insane. At times it feels like some kind of torture. Weren't prisoners sleep deprived to divulge information?


Halfway through break I thought I'd try a little something to promote family unity, at least from a timing standpoint. I began waking them at 10:00am. I didn't want them to feel like they were sleeping the day away, at least their mornings. Also, I wanted to see them and maybe plan some fun things to do because they would be leaving me again so soon. 


Well, now I'm lying. I was behaving out of jealousy! What a spiteful mom I am!


I can report that "wake ups" worked for a few days. We actually did some things during the daylight hours. However, it eventually became obvious that this wouldn't work long term or even the two more weeks they'd be home. They became crabby because they were still staying up late while waking up early. I was crabby because I still wasn't sleeping. 


In the end, somethings can't be changed or, at least, I failed to change them. I'm still jealous they can sleep and pissed because I can't.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Of Course, I Forgot A Big One

I originally committed to myself that I would write something on this blog EVERY DAY. So far, I have only missed two in the last 3 1/2 weeks. That's pretty good for me seeing my history of carrying through is awful. 

Resolution 1.5

One year (12/14/11-12/14/12), minimum six days a week but shooting for seven, something will be written on this blog!

Ok! Done! 

A Delayed Drum Roll, Please

So, it's probably not a good start to the New Year when I can't even get my resolutions committed to paper (or screen). I know I'm only writing them to myself but still! This is why I suck at resolutions every single year. 


I wish that New Year's resolutions would officially start on January 7th and I have several reasons why. First of all, I am not recovered enough from New Years Eve/Day, or the holidays in general, to begin working on myself on 1/1 so I shouldn't actually put the pressure on at all. Second, it's hard to start working on your own things when you still have a house full of people and you're constantly working on their stuff. My things become low priority as the kids pack up their belongings and CLEAN clothes to head back to Indiana. Lastly, I'm fearful that I will, yet again, fail at doing the most important things and need more time to give myself a pep talk and encouragement. Therefore, I procrastinate. It's all lame...I know it!


So a drum roll, pleeeeease.......
1. Pull out that Rosetta Stone program, Central American Spanish, and BEGIN. 
It was the big gift on my Christmas list four years ago and promised several important people I would return to them knowing conversational Spanish!


The back story is I have two Goddaughters and many, many young friends who live in an orphanage called the Hogar de Ninos, Nazareth in Comayagua, Honduras. I visit them for a week every year in June and have for the last eight years through an organization called All God's Children. I wanted to better communicate with them as they entered into their very critical teen years. I promised! They are all so incredibly bright. The children are enrolled in the best schools available in Comayagua and are learning English at a rapid rate, (speaking, reading and writing). Even the kindergardeners! So I'm, yet again, the lame one as the orphans outlearn their Godmother four years in a row! Not the way I planned it!


2. Eat and drink less!
What is less? I don't have an exact amount in mind. I just know that if I do both, I will drop the five to eight lbs. that have crept on over the last year.


3. Move my body, in some form or fashion, 6 days a week.
This, I started December 1st so it's the easiest so far.


4. Have more patience.


5. Talk to the Big Guy more often!
If I accomplish 4. and 5., I will certainly have more peace in my life and that is a huge desire.


Okay...Let's see how January rolls out. 


2., 3., 4., and 5., started yesterday, January 3rd. Now I just have to tackle 1. and it's been the toughest for me every year but it's a promise I intend to keep!



Monday, January 2, 2012

I Am So Over It

I'm talking about the holidays and I'll tell myself, or you, why?


I am tired of eating all the time. I am tired of drinking all the time. I am tired of a wacky sleep schedule. I'm tired of how all of the above is making me very lethargic. I'm (a little) tired of a full house. I'm tired of everyone elses' schedule interfering with mine. I could easily go on but I've gotten the picture across to myself!


I have one more event tonight...Dinner down in the city then The Chicago Blackhawks game. My plan is moderation for the evening. I hope I can accomplish this.


Tomorrow, I:
* commit to paper (this blog) the same   resolution I have made the last four years,
* wire my jaw shut,
* give away all the wine in the house,
* move my ass,
* take my daughter back to school,
* take a Tylenol PM,
* sleep in the guest room to insure a quiet, snore-free night's rest.


On Wednesday, I should be a brand new human being or at least back to "pre-holiday square one"!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

It's Time To Put This One In The Books

Sunday Stealing: The 2011 Year End  Meme

This is the first time I'm participating in Sunday Stealing's Meme. It's been fun reading the responses from those who have shared. Below are mine. Sounds like I'm a little boring but really I'm not. I'm hung over so thinking about my answers was taxing and my formatting sucks today. Sorry!


What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
            Became a PADI certified diver.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Nope and yes! It will include the same one that I have failed at for the last three years.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
            No and thank goodness not my 21 year old!

Did anyone close to you die?
            No and another thank goodness!

What countries did you visit?
            Italy, Honduras 2X (Comayagua and Roatan), Mexico, Costa Rica   

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
            More peace

What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
         June 2nd, my son’s high school graduation 
August 26th when my nest became empty

What was you biggest achievement of the year?
Three thingsStarting this blog, successfully sending both kids off to university and completing my first (and possibly last) triathlon

What was your biggest failure?
Not repairing a destroyed relationship by choice (could be considered a success as well), not accomplishing a resolution that was important due to my own laziness.

What was the best thing you bought?
            A trip for myself

Whose behavior merited celebration?
My son who pulled it together to pass Calculus in the final days to graduate high school and my daughter who started a business with her friend for college money

Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
            All those involved in the Penn State abuse scandal

What song will always remind you of 2011?
            Too many to name one
           
What do you wish you’d done more of?
            Read

What do you wish you’d done less of?
            Procrastinate and web surf

Did you fall in love in 2011?
            No, damn it!

What was your favorite new TV program?
            Showtime’s Homeland

What was the best book you read?
            Rules of Civility

What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
            Being able to let go just a little easier

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Tight fitting clothes but not by choice, but I chose to eat and drink which affected my personal fashion

What kept you sane?
            My friends

Who did you miss?
            My kids who were away at college

Who was the best new person you met?
            Someone who I will, most likely, never see again

Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2011?
            To let go and trust that you have raised them right

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
            Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster then you think
So don't blink.” Kenny Chesney