So, I tend to think of myself as invincible. I think this is something that you are supposed to grow out of during your teenage years. I still believe it completely.
I don't lock the doors to my house. Ever. I don't even own a key to several of the locks on my doors. I don't know where the house key is that works some of the locks. I have meant to call a locksmith for years but if you are invincible, you don't really need working locks.
Several of my entry level windows are unlocked. I open and close the windows with every change in the season. I love having the windows open but I hate being hot. In the South, that equates to constantly changing between open windows and AC. Because of this, I end up leaving the windows unlocked. I have had to climb in through one of the windows directly into my bedroom on more than one occasion.
The human door between the garage doors of my house doesn't even have a lock. Anyone could walk in at any point and steal my treadmill. Or, steal my car since my keys are in the ignition and my purse is in the passenger seat. Of course, the door from the garage to the house is one of the ones that doesn't have a key so it is never locked.
Yesterday, I told two different people that I was still invincible. Bad guys in parking lots can't get me. Internet freaks can't get me just because they know my name. I'm Super Amy!
Last night, I was home alone (with the 200+ pounds of dog that might chose to run away rather than attack). I heard the back door handle rattle. My first thought was Jeremy was coming in. Then I remembered he wasn't there. My big tough Great Dane didn't hear a thing. My linebacker St. Bernard barely lifted his head. I decided I would sneak over to the door and lock it before the bad guy could come in. Let's forget for a moment that the entire door is glass and he could just break it and turn the lock himself. I got to the kitchen and found the new kitten attacking the curtain on the door's window which was then hitting the door knob. Apparently invincible women are afraid of 7 pound cats. I locked all the doors in the house and went about my night (of watching the presidential debate - which is a different kind of scary).
As I left my quiet, safe, suburban neighborhood this morning, I had to squeeze by a cop car that was blocking my driveway. There were three marked police vehicles parked in the middle of the street directly in front of my house. They had a woman standing out in the rain talking to her. I couldn't tell what was going on but she did not appear to be one of my neighbors. My across-the-street neighbor is a police man so maybe she was bothering him? With the way the police vehicles were parked in the street, it looked like they had been trying to block someone from being able to get out of the neighborhood.
I think I'll call that locksmith today.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I must be boring.
I've decided. I must be boring. I read everyone's cute blogs and they have such cute themes. I have a done-that list (opposite of a to-do list). I don't have cute, witty comments to share. I did have one of the busiest weekends ever. So, as long as I have nothing else to blog about, I'll update my done-that list.
Thursday was the preview night for the first 400 contributors to the big semi-annual consignment sale. I camped out in a grocery store parking lot, sleeping in the back of my van, to be one of the first contributors. I was # 106, thank you very much! That meant I got to go in at 4:00 with the first 200 people. I was almost finished shopping by the time #s 201 - 400 were allowed in. Forget about the other 2,000 people that weren't allowed to come in until Saturday. Camping out was totally worth it. I got bed rails so I can move Scarlett to a big girl bed (sometime down the road), a new table for the kitchen area for her to color/play Play-Doh, a new stroller, tons of shoes, and several pieces of clothing. I forgot to go to the sock/tights area but I was too tired and my arms were too full after all that shopping.
I took Friday off from work. The plan was to take Scarlett and go play with Mimi and Mrs. Paula. When I called mom on Thursday evening to report on all my finds at the sale, she informed me that Mrs. Paula would love to see my house on Saturday. Scratch playing from the list. I spent all day Friday cleaning. Don't get me wrong. My house is neat. It's just not "give a tour" clean.
Friday night, Scarlett, Skyler, Jeremy, & I all went to the Vestavia football game. Skyler had to play with the high school band. It was crowded and loud and fairly miserable. I can't remember the last time I was surrounded by that many pubescent kids. I now fully understand why my parents never came to a high school football game. I think that might be the last one for me for a long time.
Saturday, Mrs. Paula came and toured our beautifully cleaned house. We all went to eat with Mimi & Big Joe and then Mrs. Paula went back to Jacksonville. It was a short visit but it was great to see her.
Sunday, we again skipped church. At least I have a good excuse this time. We went to Homestead Hollow's fall festival in Springville. We all had a blast. It's only one weekend every year. I didn't realize it was this weekend until Saturday night. I can't explain what made it so much fun. Jeremy and Skyler went with a less-than-great attitude but within 10 minutes they were both loving it. There's something about the fresh air, carnival food smells, and handmade crafts that just put you in a family mood. Everyone got along and we all had a blast. Both kids fell instantly asleep as soon as we got in the car to come home. It was good, wholesome, clean air fun. I hope this will become a family tradition.
Thursday was the preview night for the first 400 contributors to the big semi-annual consignment sale. I camped out in a grocery store parking lot, sleeping in the back of my van, to be one of the first contributors. I was # 106, thank you very much! That meant I got to go in at 4:00 with the first 200 people. I was almost finished shopping by the time #s 201 - 400 were allowed in. Forget about the other 2,000 people that weren't allowed to come in until Saturday. Camping out was totally worth it. I got bed rails so I can move Scarlett to a big girl bed (sometime down the road), a new table for the kitchen area for her to color/play Play-Doh, a new stroller, tons of shoes, and several pieces of clothing. I forgot to go to the sock/tights area but I was too tired and my arms were too full after all that shopping.
I took Friday off from work. The plan was to take Scarlett and go play with Mimi and Mrs. Paula. When I called mom on Thursday evening to report on all my finds at the sale, she informed me that Mrs. Paula would love to see my house on Saturday. Scratch playing from the list. I spent all day Friday cleaning. Don't get me wrong. My house is neat. It's just not "give a tour" clean.
Friday night, Scarlett, Skyler, Jeremy, & I all went to the Vestavia football game. Skyler had to play with the high school band. It was crowded and loud and fairly miserable. I can't remember the last time I was surrounded by that many pubescent kids. I now fully understand why my parents never came to a high school football game. I think that might be the last one for me for a long time.
Saturday, Mrs. Paula came and toured our beautifully cleaned house. We all went to eat with Mimi & Big Joe and then Mrs. Paula went back to Jacksonville. It was a short visit but it was great to see her.
Sunday, we again skipped church. At least I have a good excuse this time. We went to Homestead Hollow's fall festival in Springville. We all had a blast. It's only one weekend every year. I didn't realize it was this weekend until Saturday night. I can't explain what made it so much fun. Jeremy and Skyler went with a less-than-great attitude but within 10 minutes they were both loving it. There's something about the fresh air, carnival food smells, and handmade crafts that just put you in a family mood. Everyone got along and we all had a blast. Both kids fell instantly asleep as soon as we got in the car to come home. It was good, wholesome, clean air fun. I hope this will become a family tradition.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Elmo comes to town
Sesame Street Live came to town last weekend. I found out about it early and got tickets for Scarlett & me plus my friend Kristy and her 2-year old daughter, Emma. Scarlett and Emma are big buddies and the four of us always have a great time together.
The girls knew we were going to see Elmo and that's all they talked about all the way to the Civic Center. We got there and walked around the concourse a little, looking at all the vendors. About 3 minutes before show time, we went to find our seats. We were on the 2nd row, dead center. We had the best seats in the house.
Emma was in heaven, running back and forth between me and Kristy, yelling about Elmo coming, and just basically having a blast. Scarlett was a little more subdued. She would not sit in her own chair but I had expected that. She was doing okay until they brought the lights down. Then she freaked out. She turned and buried her head in my chest and held on for dear life. She is so my child! We don't like new things or unexpected things. We have to understand how & why before we can truly enjoy something. Scarlett relaxed as the show went on. She was really excited to see Oscar and she sang along to the ABC song. She danced in my lap even when she wasn't looking.
After it was over, I asked her if she had fun, thinking she would say no. She loved it! She went on and on about who sang what and all the pretty lights. I guess enjoyment can come in different packages.
The girls knew we were going to see Elmo and that's all they talked about all the way to the Civic Center. We got there and walked around the concourse a little, looking at all the vendors. About 3 minutes before show time, we went to find our seats. We were on the 2nd row, dead center. We had the best seats in the house.
Emma was in heaven, running back and forth between me and Kristy, yelling about Elmo coming, and just basically having a blast. Scarlett was a little more subdued. She would not sit in her own chair but I had expected that. She was doing okay until they brought the lights down. Then she freaked out. She turned and buried her head in my chest and held on for dear life. She is so my child! We don't like new things or unexpected things. We have to understand how & why before we can truly enjoy something. Scarlett relaxed as the show went on. She was really excited to see Oscar and she sang along to the ABC song. She danced in my lap even when she wasn't looking.
After it was over, I asked her if she had fun, thinking she would say no. She loved it! She went on and on about who sang what and all the pretty lights. I guess enjoyment can come in different packages.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
So, I suck at commitment.
Two posts & then I quit?!?! What kind of commitment is that? I stink at sticking with it.
I also apparently stink at sticking with my exercise routine and my diet. I'm down 20 pounds but I should be lower than that. For the last 3 weeks, I have been maintaining. Yeah for me for being able to maintain while eating regular food, but boo for me for not being able to stick to my diet.
I have my yearly check up on October 9th. They weigh you and write your weight down on your permanent record card. I wanted to lose another 12 pounds by then. So, I started back strictly eating only diet food yesterday and lost 2 1/2 pounds in one day. That's more like it! I still can't make myself get up at 5:00 to exercise but it's baby steps, right? I did walk yesterday evening and I will exercise tonight. I have a definite goal in sight and I'm feeling very focused. I'm only 19 1/2 pounds from my absolute goal weight. I can do this! Right?
Another commitment I'm struggling with ... and I hate to say this ... is the commitment to get up and go to church on Sunday mornings. I never miss my working mom's prayer/play group meetings. I pray constantly. But, I'm stinking it up in the Bible study & church department. Why is that? I know what a huge reward I get when I'm active. Why is it suddenly so hard to get a shower on Sunday morning? Why is it so hard to find time to read the Bible? Those should be as automatic as eating. What's wrong with me? Even worse, how have I gotten so low that I justify it as okay? I hate making Scarlett get up another day of the week. That child loves her sleep and I feel awful having to wake her on work days. I make up for it by letting her sleep on Saturday and Sunday. Isn't it more important for her to grow up in the church? What's wrong with me?!?!
For what it's worth, Scarlett is doing great in her new school class. She loves the "big girl" class and Ms. Caroline. It makes my mornings so much easier when she's happy. I still wish I could be a stay at home mom but it's nice that she's happy and learning. They taught her the days of the week last week. I never would have thought to teach that to a two year old.
Scarlett is also completely potty trained now. I don't know how it happened and I'm really not ready for it. Diapers are so much easier than public bathrooms. Ugh ... gives me chills just thinking about all that nastiness. Scarlett had been poopy potty trained since she was about 6 months old (long story) but we weren't working on tee-tee at all. She found some big girl panties that Mimi bought for her, put them on, and that was it. She had a couple of accidents the first day but since then she's been dry. This kid is too easy. She's tricking me into thinking that children are easy. If we ever have another one, I'm sure I will be "blessed" with the total opposite end of the spectrum. Scarlett's behavior has nothing to do with my job as a parent. She's just easy. And, that's the last time I ever want to hear my daughter called "easy".
The court case with Skyler is moving at a snail's pace. Actually, it's not moving at all. We did win three motions that the judge had to rule on in the beginning of September. Since then, nothing. At this point, Skyler is going to be in college by the time the case goes to trial.
I also apparently stink at sticking with my exercise routine and my diet. I'm down 20 pounds but I should be lower than that. For the last 3 weeks, I have been maintaining. Yeah for me for being able to maintain while eating regular food, but boo for me for not being able to stick to my diet.
I have my yearly check up on October 9th. They weigh you and write your weight down on your permanent record card. I wanted to lose another 12 pounds by then. So, I started back strictly eating only diet food yesterday and lost 2 1/2 pounds in one day. That's more like it! I still can't make myself get up at 5:00 to exercise but it's baby steps, right? I did walk yesterday evening and I will exercise tonight. I have a definite goal in sight and I'm feeling very focused. I'm only 19 1/2 pounds from my absolute goal weight. I can do this! Right?
Another commitment I'm struggling with ... and I hate to say this ... is the commitment to get up and go to church on Sunday mornings. I never miss my working mom's prayer/play group meetings. I pray constantly. But, I'm stinking it up in the Bible study & church department. Why is that? I know what a huge reward I get when I'm active. Why is it suddenly so hard to get a shower on Sunday morning? Why is it so hard to find time to read the Bible? Those should be as automatic as eating. What's wrong with me? Even worse, how have I gotten so low that I justify it as okay? I hate making Scarlett get up another day of the week. That child loves her sleep and I feel awful having to wake her on work days. I make up for it by letting her sleep on Saturday and Sunday. Isn't it more important for her to grow up in the church? What's wrong with me?!?!
For what it's worth, Scarlett is doing great in her new school class. She loves the "big girl" class and Ms. Caroline. It makes my mornings so much easier when she's happy. I still wish I could be a stay at home mom but it's nice that she's happy and learning. They taught her the days of the week last week. I never would have thought to teach that to a two year old.
Scarlett is also completely potty trained now. I don't know how it happened and I'm really not ready for it. Diapers are so much easier than public bathrooms. Ugh ... gives me chills just thinking about all that nastiness. Scarlett had been poopy potty trained since she was about 6 months old (long story) but we weren't working on tee-tee at all. She found some big girl panties that Mimi bought for her, put them on, and that was it. She had a couple of accidents the first day but since then she's been dry. This kid is too easy. She's tricking me into thinking that children are easy. If we ever have another one, I'm sure I will be "blessed" with the total opposite end of the spectrum. Scarlett's behavior has nothing to do with my job as a parent. She's just easy. And, that's the last time I ever want to hear my daughter called "easy".
The court case with Skyler is moving at a snail's pace. Actually, it's not moving at all. We did win three motions that the judge had to rule on in the beginning of September. Since then, nothing. At this point, Skyler is going to be in college by the time the case goes to trial.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Invisible cold
I'm sick. For the past year or so, I don't get sick like a normal person. I get a cold and my throat hurts, my ears feel like they are going to explode, my back hurts, and I am exhausted. But, I don't cough, my nose doesn't run, my eyes don't water ... nothing visible. You can't look at me and tell that I'm sick. In fact, I have to remind Jeremy a thousand times a day that I'm sick. Not that this grants me any more sympathy - I just like to remind him.
On one hand, this internally sickness is a good thing. My nose isn't red. People don't shy away from my hacking cough. I'm not spending money on Puff's Plus.
On the other hand, this really stinks. I don't know what medicine you take for this. And, honestly, the no sympathy thing really gets to me. People still expect you to function at 100% and I'm just not there.
I'm not letting this invisible cold get me down though. I still worked out with my Wii Fit for 35 minutes last night. I unlocked boxing and had a blast playing that. I still got up at 5 this morning and walked for 30 minutes. I'm not going to fall off the exercise wagon this early.
I also lost another pound yesterday. I'm down 12 pounds in 12 days. I even cheated a little yesterday and ate some of Scarlett's dinner. I have got to stop doing that! I guess I have those starving kids in Africa seared into my brain and I can't seem to throw away food. I guess the smart thing to do would be to make our portions smaller, huh?
On one hand, this internally sickness is a good thing. My nose isn't red. People don't shy away from my hacking cough. I'm not spending money on Puff's Plus.
On the other hand, this really stinks. I don't know what medicine you take for this. And, honestly, the no sympathy thing really gets to me. People still expect you to function at 100% and I'm just not there.
I'm not letting this invisible cold get me down though. I still worked out with my Wii Fit for 35 minutes last night. I unlocked boxing and had a blast playing that. I still got up at 5 this morning and walked for 30 minutes. I'm not going to fall off the exercise wagon this early.
I also lost another pound yesterday. I'm down 12 pounds in 12 days. I even cheated a little yesterday and ate some of Scarlett's dinner. I have got to stop doing that! I guess I have those starving kids in Africa seared into my brain and I can't seem to throw away food. I guess the smart thing to do would be to make our portions smaller, huh?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Me
So, I decided to start a blog. I have been thinking about it for a while. My cousin Annie has really inspired me. I feel like I have gotten to know her better after reading her blog for the past year than I have through 20-odd year family get-togethers.
I have a lot going on in my life right now. I always have a lot going on in my life. I hope this blog will help me learn to slow down and savor life. I don't want to wake up 30 years from now and realize that my life has vanished in a series of to-do lists.
Today, I have three big things weighing on my mind.
1. I'm fat. There, I said it. I have been one of those annoying people who could eat whatever they wanted, never exercise, and never gain a pound for most of my life. I was super skinny all the way through college. Something about getting married (or maybe it was turning 30) changed all that for me. Two weeks ago, I hit an all time high. I weighed 59 pounds more than my driver's license said I did (since I haven't changed my weight on there since I was 15). My weight was about to cross into the next "decade". I had enough. I joined a weight loss program.
I have done Weight Watchers before and it worked but I needed more structure this time around. I needed more drastic results, too. So, I joined Bariatrics of Alabama. I think this diet is called Medifast at a lot of other places. It's very restrictive but it's really working for me. The food is good, although not at all exciting. In the past 11 days, I have lost 11 pounds. Today was the first day that someone noticed I have lost weight. That person knew I was on the diet, so it only counts a little, but it's better than nothing.
I started exercising, too. I don't want to diet for the rest of my life so I need to start enjoying exercise and make it part of my daily routine. I bought a Wii Fit and it's fun, but I don't think I'm getting a good weight loss exercise from it. Sunday, Scarlett and I went on a walk around a lake close to home. Monday, Scarlett and I went on a walk around a different lake. That's good exercise but I have to drive to get there. Then I have to stop to show Scarlett different sights and I have to fight to keep her in the stroller so I can walk fast enough. This is not a good long term plan.
Today, I got up at 5:00 and walked on my treadmill. We had a huge garage sale a couple of weekends ago. It cleaned out enough of the garage that I was able to set up my own workout room. It's fabulous! I have my own space all to myself where I can do something good for me. I walked for 30 minutes and covered 2 miles. I watched 30 minutes of the news and feel more informed today that normal. This works for me. I enjoyed it. I feel like a better version of myself for doing it. I think (hope) I can stick to this schedule Monday - Friday and then spend the weekends on nature walks with the kids.
2. Scarlett had to move to a new classroom. It's past time. They are supposed to move up when they turn two. Scarlett is two years two months two weeks and one day old today. I'm always nervous when she changes teachers but this one had me especially worried. It's not just daycare anymore. They now have lesson plans and more structure. That's fine but it somehow equates to less hugs and less friendly teachers. No sippie cups, no lovies, potty training is emphasized, thumb sucking is discouraged, you must sit in your chair.... As a dirty hippie momma, this does not fit with how I want to raise her. She's two, not ten. Let her be a toddler a little longer before you force her to grow up. There's enough time for that later on.
But, overall I love the daycare. I love the location. I love the director & assistant director. I love the leniency. I love that everyone knows Scarlett. Is this just an adjustment phase that we need to work through or is this a deal breaker and I need to find a new daycare? I go back and forth a thousand times a day. I don't know what to do.
3. We're fighting for custody of Skyler. I won't say too much about that on here. I don't want it to come back and bite me in the butt in court. But, it's weighing on me. I know what we are doing is the best thing for Skyler in the long run. I'm afraid of what his mom's actions are doing to him in the meantime though. I don't know how best to protect him. I don't know what the right thing is to do in a lot of situations lately. I want to be the same, strong, stable parent that I have always been. But, I don't want my work to cover up his mom's poor parenting. I want to protect him and shelter him but I think I have to let him experience some of the fall out. It really stinks that I have to consider legal ramifications of my parenting choices.
I have a lot going on in my life right now. I always have a lot going on in my life. I hope this blog will help me learn to slow down and savor life. I don't want to wake up 30 years from now and realize that my life has vanished in a series of to-do lists.
Today, I have three big things weighing on my mind.
1. I'm fat. There, I said it. I have been one of those annoying people who could eat whatever they wanted, never exercise, and never gain a pound for most of my life. I was super skinny all the way through college. Something about getting married (or maybe it was turning 30) changed all that for me. Two weeks ago, I hit an all time high. I weighed 59 pounds more than my driver's license said I did (since I haven't changed my weight on there since I was 15). My weight was about to cross into the next "decade". I had enough. I joined a weight loss program.
I have done Weight Watchers before and it worked but I needed more structure this time around. I needed more drastic results, too. So, I joined Bariatrics of Alabama. I think this diet is called Medifast at a lot of other places. It's very restrictive but it's really working for me. The food is good, although not at all exciting. In the past 11 days, I have lost 11 pounds. Today was the first day that someone noticed I have lost weight. That person knew I was on the diet, so it only counts a little, but it's better than nothing.
I started exercising, too. I don't want to diet for the rest of my life so I need to start enjoying exercise and make it part of my daily routine. I bought a Wii Fit and it's fun, but I don't think I'm getting a good weight loss exercise from it. Sunday, Scarlett and I went on a walk around a lake close to home. Monday, Scarlett and I went on a walk around a different lake. That's good exercise but I have to drive to get there. Then I have to stop to show Scarlett different sights and I have to fight to keep her in the stroller so I can walk fast enough. This is not a good long term plan.
Today, I got up at 5:00 and walked on my treadmill. We had a huge garage sale a couple of weekends ago. It cleaned out enough of the garage that I was able to set up my own workout room. It's fabulous! I have my own space all to myself where I can do something good for me. I walked for 30 minutes and covered 2 miles. I watched 30 minutes of the news and feel more informed today that normal. This works for me. I enjoyed it. I feel like a better version of myself for doing it. I think (hope) I can stick to this schedule Monday - Friday and then spend the weekends on nature walks with the kids.
2. Scarlett had to move to a new classroom. It's past time. They are supposed to move up when they turn two. Scarlett is two years two months two weeks and one day old today. I'm always nervous when she changes teachers but this one had me especially worried. It's not just daycare anymore. They now have lesson plans and more structure. That's fine but it somehow equates to less hugs and less friendly teachers. No sippie cups, no lovies, potty training is emphasized, thumb sucking is discouraged, you must sit in your chair.... As a dirty hippie momma, this does not fit with how I want to raise her. She's two, not ten. Let her be a toddler a little longer before you force her to grow up. There's enough time for that later on.
But, overall I love the daycare. I love the location. I love the director & assistant director. I love the leniency. I love that everyone knows Scarlett. Is this just an adjustment phase that we need to work through or is this a deal breaker and I need to find a new daycare? I go back and forth a thousand times a day. I don't know what to do.
3. We're fighting for custody of Skyler. I won't say too much about that on here. I don't want it to come back and bite me in the butt in court. But, it's weighing on me. I know what we are doing is the best thing for Skyler in the long run. I'm afraid of what his mom's actions are doing to him in the meantime though. I don't know how best to protect him. I don't know what the right thing is to do in a lot of situations lately. I want to be the same, strong, stable parent that I have always been. But, I don't want my work to cover up his mom's poor parenting. I want to protect him and shelter him but I think I have to let him experience some of the fall out. It really stinks that I have to consider legal ramifications of my parenting choices.
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