It's going great! (lie) It is sooo much easier than I ever thought it would be! (lie) So super-duper easy! Uh-huh! Easy easy easy. No problems, no temptations. (lie lie lie)
I can't! It's too hard! I am defenseless against the sample basket of chocolate chip cookies at Paradise Bakery! I am feeble, flimsy, frail, weak, wimpy and wishy-washy (thanks thesaurus.com) when it comes to the dessert menu!
The trouble is, I leave my house. The only sugar in my house is a jar of semi-fossilized jelly beans. As Dan will attest (as he grumbles, opening cupboard after cupboard hoping some new junk food will have magically appeared since the last time he looked) our house is bereft of anything that even resembles junk food. As long as I don't leave my house, I'm FINE. As long as I go to the library, the bank, or even the grocery store, I'm FINE. But, take me to a meeting for homeschool moms at Paradise Bakery and it's GAME OVER. Take me out to dinner with Jon and Laura (who had the nerve to order a dessert for 4) and I don't say a word as I savor every bite of my icecream.
So , I just have to never ever go anywhere but the library or the bank. Ok, that's easy. Or, just work on giving up something easier like...thinking, thinking... hotdogs or some equally detestable food.
Hmmmm. Maybe hotdogs is the answer! Baby steps...one at a time...I'll start with hotdogs and then progress on to other "machine-separated" meat products like chicken nuggets (except Chick-Fil-A)! Eventually, with iron willpower developed after vanquishing one mystery meat product after another (I may even take bologna on!) I'll be ready to face my foe sugar.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
random things
Stella, this is Jake. You'd better watch out girl, I'm gaining on you! My rolls are multiplying fast and I'm just getting started.
We love love LOVE this boy.
Sweet husband brought home sweet treats- the day after I decided sugar was banished from my life. I let it stay another day. But seriously now, no more. None.
This is the pool we got to try and ward off the AZ summer heat. To me, it looks like a huge tub in our backyard. Kids don't really have to take a real bath on the days they swim, right? The water's as warm as bathwater so I don't see the difference. Soap? Overrated. Saline water certainly has some antiseptic effects, right?
Rachel's Birthday
Rachel is 7...SEVEN!! Did you all get that? SEVEN. Unbelievable. Last week she began asking "Mom, do you have any birthday surprises for me?" as the final countdown to her birthday (which began in February) ensued.
So, I came up with a few. The day of her birthday we skipped school and as I loaded her and Jakie in the car I invited her to ask me any questions she wanted to about her surprises, the only stipulation being that I could only answer "yes" or "no."
R: "Is it a place I know?"
M: "Yes"
R: Are there friends there?
M: Maybe...(everyone is a friend you haven't made yet, right?)
R: (excitement mounting in her voice) "Did you get all my friends together for a big surprise party for me???"
M: Ummmmmm, no.
R: Oh.
M: Rachel, remember you're having a party this Saturday? And you already know all about it.
R: Oh yeah.
By the time she got over the fact that I had not arranged a huge surprise party for her, we arrived at the place she has been begging to go since the day she saw it: Build-a-Bear Workshop, yet another frivolous and ridiculous way that some scheming entrepreneur has invented for over-indulgent and fiscally irresponsible parents to provide their already toy-overloaded offspring with ANOTHER overpriced stuffed animal. Man I wish I would've thought of it first.
But I digress.
If I would've thought of it, I would've kept track of all the times I heard her sharp in-take of breath register her surprise and delight. She LOVED it. Loved picking her "new best friend," the whole kiss-the-heart-before-you-stick-it-in-the-body hoohaw and everything. The outfits, the shoes, the purses (yes purses!!) and hair doodads...it was dizzying. Right before we were done she asked me "Mom, are you sure you want to spend this much?" I was really proud that at least the price tags had not escaped her and said "For a special occasion, it's just fine sweetheart. This is your big birthday present." $40 later (for a stuffed animal!!!) , we were out the door and on to the next surprise.
Every Sunday, Rachel looks longingly at a beautiful family of 4 girls with exquisite hairdos that sit in front of us at church (yes you Tricia) and wishes I could do something even close. Well, wish granted. On to "The Glitter Box" for a (free-had a coupon- couldn't have paid for this with a straight face) "up-do" for my SEVEN-YEAR-OLD who was absolutely beside herself with delight as she was coiffed and lacquered and glittered. Heaven.
A sugar-saturated smoothie finished off the afternoon of special-occasion treats. I watched her walking beside me, swinging her box, sipping her smoothie and trying to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the mirrors of the stores we passed and I caught a glimpse of a much older girl, even older than seven, walking beside me. She stopped and offered me a sip and as I bent to take it, she kissed my cheek and said "Thanks Mom, this was a great surprise. You can do the real surprise party for me next year." :)
So, I came up with a few. The day of her birthday we skipped school and as I loaded her and Jakie in the car I invited her to ask me any questions she wanted to about her surprises, the only stipulation being that I could only answer "yes" or "no."
R: "Is it a place I know?"
M: "Yes"
R: Are there friends there?
M: Maybe...(everyone is a friend you haven't made yet, right?)
R: (excitement mounting in her voice) "Did you get all my friends together for a big surprise party for me???"
M: Ummmmmm, no.
R: Oh.
M: Rachel, remember you're having a party this Saturday? And you already know all about it.
R: Oh yeah.
By the time she got over the fact that I had not arranged a huge surprise party for her, we arrived at the place she has been begging to go since the day she saw it: Build-a-Bear Workshop, yet another frivolous and ridiculous way that some scheming entrepreneur has invented for over-indulgent and fiscally irresponsible parents to provide their already toy-overloaded offspring with ANOTHER overpriced stuffed animal. Man I wish I would've thought of it first.
But I digress.
If I would've thought of it, I would've kept track of all the times I heard her sharp in-take of breath register her surprise and delight. She LOVED it. Loved picking her "new best friend," the whole kiss-the-heart-before-you-stick-it-in-the-body hoohaw and everything. The outfits, the shoes, the purses (yes purses!!) and hair doodads...it was dizzying. Right before we were done she asked me "Mom, are you sure you want to spend this much?" I was really proud that at least the price tags had not escaped her and said "For a special occasion, it's just fine sweetheart. This is your big birthday present." $40 later (for a stuffed animal!!!) , we were out the door and on to the next surprise.
Every Sunday, Rachel looks longingly at a beautiful family of 4 girls with exquisite hairdos that sit in front of us at church (yes you Tricia) and wishes I could do something even close. Well, wish granted. On to "The Glitter Box" for a (free-had a coupon- couldn't have paid for this with a straight face) "up-do" for my SEVEN-YEAR-OLD who was absolutely beside herself with delight as she was coiffed and lacquered and glittered. Heaven.
A sugar-saturated smoothie finished off the afternoon of special-occasion treats. I watched her walking beside me, swinging her box, sipping her smoothie and trying to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the mirrors of the stores we passed and I caught a glimpse of a much older girl, even older than seven, walking beside me. She stopped and offered me a sip and as I bent to take it, she kissed my cheek and said "Thanks Mom, this was a great surprise. You can do the real surprise party for me next year." :)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
My gifts to me
Today is my birthday and I love love LOVE gifts. Big ones, little ones, doesn't matter to me, I love them all. What matters most in any gift I give or receive is the thought that goes into it. The best gifts I've ever received cost very little money; but I could tell the giver thought a lot about what would make me happy.
So, in the spirit of giving the best gifts, this year I'm giving two gifts to myself that will make me very happy. 1. The gift of better health and 2. The gift of being content with what I have.
Gift #1 means I will no l0nger be eating sugar. Really. I mean it. I'm eliminating it completely for a year and then I'll re-evaluate then. I have a lot of healthy, good habits, but this one is a glaring bad habit. I tend to eat to reward myself, or to "celebrate" (sometimes I just celebrate that I got out of bed today) and it's gotten out of hand. I'm just going to finish off the pan of chocolate rice-krispie treats I made tonight and that's IT. Really.
Gift #2 means that I will not be shopping/buying clothes or random things on sale for me or my house unless it is a genuine need. Really. I mean it. Usually I just buy things because I want them and I can somehow justify the purchase. Sometimes I can't even justify it and I buy it anyway :) No more. I am tired of consuming so much and even though I thought it made me happy, I think all it really did was get me more stuff to take care of.
Soooo, now I'm OUT! I'm a sugar-shopaholic, and my gift to myself is a little self-mastery. I had to tell you so that I get really serious about it- I'm a real sucker for peer-pressure. Anyone who feels so inclined can feel free to jump in and try my gifts with me. At least, don't offer me brownies. Or ice cream. Or chocolate chip cookies. Or your coupons to department stores. I mean it!
So, in the spirit of giving the best gifts, this year I'm giving two gifts to myself that will make me very happy. 1. The gift of better health and 2. The gift of being content with what I have.
Gift #1 means I will no l0nger be eating sugar. Really. I mean it. I'm eliminating it completely for a year and then I'll re-evaluate then. I have a lot of healthy, good habits, but this one is a glaring bad habit. I tend to eat to reward myself, or to "celebrate" (sometimes I just celebrate that I got out of bed today) and it's gotten out of hand. I'm just going to finish off the pan of chocolate rice-krispie treats I made tonight and that's IT. Really.
Gift #2 means that I will not be shopping/buying clothes or random things on sale for me or my house unless it is a genuine need. Really. I mean it. Usually I just buy things because I want them and I can somehow justify the purchase. Sometimes I can't even justify it and I buy it anyway :) No more. I am tired of consuming so much and even though I thought it made me happy, I think all it really did was get me more stuff to take care of.
Soooo, now I'm OUT! I'm a sugar-shopaholic, and my gift to myself is a little self-mastery. I had to tell you so that I get really serious about it- I'm a real sucker for peer-pressure. Anyone who feels so inclined can feel free to jump in and try my gifts with me. At least, don't offer me brownies. Or ice cream. Or chocolate chip cookies. Or your coupons to department stores. I mean it!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Notes
Rachel is a note writer. She write about everything from tattles to death threats to apologies. Half the fun is trying to figure out what she has written. Can you do it?
Mom anb Dad- Johnny spilb wobr on the flor
Mom Johnny is goene to shoot me win he grose up
I em sree tat I wus rood to you
1. Johnny spilled water on the floor
2. Johnny is going to shoot me when he grows up (possible in retaliation for the water tattle)
3. I'm sorry I was rude to you
Mom anb Dad- Johnny spilb wobr on the flor
Mom Johnny is goene to shoot me win he grose up
I em sree tat I wus rood to you
1. Johnny spilled water on the floor
2. Johnny is going to shoot me when he grows up (possible in retaliation for the water tattle)
3. I'm sorry I was rude to you
Overheard
From the back seat of the car:
Johnny: "Adam, whose world is this?"
Adam: "Uhhh, Jesus's"
Johnny: "You're right Adam! Who made us?"
Adam: "Uhhh, Jesus and Heavenly Father."
Johnny: "Right! Who got crucified?"
Adam: "Jesus"
Johnny: "Who healed that dead guy?"
Adam: "Which dead guy?"
Johnny: "The one in the movie"
Adam: "Ohhh, that's easy! Jesus!
Johnny: "Ok Adam, this is a hard one. Who is the meanest guy?"
Adam: "Ummmmm, ummmmm...ummm"
Johnny: "Ssssssssss (trying to give a hint)"
Adam: "Satan! It's Satan!"
Johnny: "Right!"
See, they ARE learning from Living Scripture Videos!
Johnny: "Adam, whose world is this?"
Adam: "Uhhh, Jesus's"
Johnny: "You're right Adam! Who made us?"
Adam: "Uhhh, Jesus and Heavenly Father."
Johnny: "Right! Who got crucified?"
Adam: "Jesus"
Johnny: "Who healed that dead guy?"
Adam: "Which dead guy?"
Johnny: "The one in the movie"
Adam: "Ohhh, that's easy! Jesus!
Johnny: "Ok Adam, this is a hard one. Who is the meanest guy?"
Adam: "Ummmmm, ummmmm...ummm"
Johnny: "Ssssssssss (trying to give a hint)"
Adam: "Satan! It's Satan!"
Johnny: "Right!"
See, they ARE learning from Living Scripture Videos!
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