Mornings

I am not a morning person. I am not one who gets up super early just to enjoy a cup of coffee leisurely and watch a little news. I am not the one who takes my time in the morning to smell the roses, make a nice breakfast, and enjoy the company of others. I am the one who gets up with just enough time to quickly shower, throw clothes and make up on, brush my hair and throw it up, slather on the deodorant, and rapidly brush my teeth - all this before I race to the kitchen and find a frozen item to toast for the kids and a bag of oatmeal to put in my purse for later when I am starving at work. This is how I roll. I roll quickly and quietly in the morning. My kids, however, are like their dad. They enjoy the mornings to their fullest. They get some juice/coffee/milk, watch a little TV, get ready at a very slow pace, enjoy each others company, and are stress free. This leisure annoys the crap out of me on a daily basis. Why can't I be like them...well, I just am not like that! I enjoy my sleep too much to get up early just to watch TV and drink coffee. I don't care if I eat at work or in the car on the way to work.

And on that note, let me give you a little insight of this morning's activities:
1. Sean had to be at work early. He left around 6:30. Before he left, he did get both kids out of bed and got them started on getting ready. (as he does every morning) Kudos to Sean for this!
2. When I cam out of the bathroom racing and raring to go...my kids were not dressed fully yet (granted it was only 6:35, but still!). I said, calmly (at first) to get dressed and get ready - Dom needed shoes and socks...Alli was naked so she needed pretty much everything.
3. I let the dog out to potty (as I do daily in the morning - my task that involves no talking whatsoever). Perfect. As I pass through the living room I ask my children in a little sterner tone of voice to GET DRESSED!
4. I went to the kitchen (as I always do) and put Dom's breakfast in the microwave and Alli's in the toaster. I grabbed a bag of oatmeal for me to eat at a later time in the morning (which still hasn't happened yet). I again glanced into the living room and even more sternly said, GET DRESSED NOW!
5. I look into the living room one final time to see - Dom two socks and one shoe on one foot and walking around in circles of course still keeping his focus on Diego on the TV at all times trying to find his second sock. And Alli STILL naked. This time I holler: DOM, both socks are on the same foot! Take your shoe off and take one sock off and put it on the other foot. What am I met with? Resistance. He yells back, I DON'T HAVE BOTH SOCKS ON THE SAME FOOT! I reply, DID YOU CHECK?!? His response, NO, BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT! (mind you he is still STARING at Diego on TV)
6. I briskly walk into the living room, and grab Dom...rip his shoe off, and VOILA, take the second sock off the first foot. He starts crying because I took his shoe off. I put both socks on for him. I request him to turn the TV off NOW because I am going to be late! Alli is still naked.
7. It only took 25 minutes, but Dom finally has shoes on. Now, I start to dress Alli in the attire she wants: A dress, socks, tennis shoes, and a pair of shorts. Who cares how she looks as long as she isn't naked at this point...right?! I grab a pair of leggings, a pair of jeans, and a shirt and stuff them into the bag(she might want them later when she realizes that it is too cold for shorts today).
8. I am finally headed out the door. Dom goes first with instructions to get into the car. CRAP, I look at the car...it is FROSTED OVER!!!! And, there as I look down I see Alli. She is crumpled in the doorway and refusing to go outside because it is TOO COLD ON HER LEGS! She wants me to carry her - with my extra two arms?
9. I climb over Alli, carry my stuff to the car, and start the car. Dom is standing outside the car hollering that he is freezing in the wind...maybe if he got into the car like asked he wouldn't be freezing (too logical for a 5yr old?). I ignore him and return to the house for Alli. She is inside and perfectly happy to let me carry her...her legs are magically not cold anymore since I am carrying her.
10. I get the Alli strapped into the car, had her her healthy waffle, and start scraping the dang car windows. And open the door for Dom so he will stop complaining and actually get into the car!
11. Finally I am leaving (5-7 minutes off my tight schedule). I back out of the parking spot and Dom freaks out crying and screaming...he isn't hooked?!? I stop the car, hook the kid, and explain loudly that he is FIVE AND A HALF and needs to hook himself. (He CAN hook himself, he just prefers if I do it...)
12. I drop the kids as the sitter, explain to her that Alli isn't cooperating with clothing today and here are her choices...as I am walking out I hear Alli calmly ask Erin is she can wear the jeans and t-shirt because it is 'cold outside'. What the Heck?
13. I arrive at work and go in. I got a parking spot (plus!) and I even arrived at work in the nick of time to be on time.

Some days are just like this, I keep telling myself. I keep saying that next time I know Sean is leaving early, I will get up earlier and take it easier on the kids - but I know it won't happen. I keep trying to have a positive outlook, but it is hard. I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. I am sorry to my kids for the yelling. They ARE morning people...all cheerful and leisurely and everything.

How Much Do I Love Me?

#1 I just bought myself FOUR, yes 4, new bras online. I really like the ones that I currently have and couldn't find them in stock in the store of my choice yesterday. So, I did something crazy (and why didn't I come up with the idea before?): I looked at the tag, wrote down the brand and tag number and did a little googling. I found the bras on Amazon (from a different company) for free shipping and $15 less than I could have ordered them in the store mentioned above. I feel good about this purchase. Yes, it is alot of money on undergarments, but they are necessary. I like making good purchases and I especially like getting attire that I feel fits me well...even if no one else sees it! :P

#2 After work today I am going to the gym. This is typical now - I scheduled it and now it is a reality. I enjoy working out and it makes me feel better about myself. I have lost some weight so far, but still could lose a bunch more. And, because it makes me feel better and I am starting to see results, I have decided to extend my membership for an entire year. It is a gigantic step for me, but I am so excited! Yippee for me!

The above are such big deals because I usually buy things for the kids, sean, etc. I rarely just splurge on myself for just me. These are splurges for me...necessary, but splurges nonetheless. I feel empowered. Go me! :D

March 2010 Photos

Traveling with Children 101

After a trip up to my mother's house in Montana by myself with the two kids, I decided to write a short note to all you other mother's out there to let you know the two things one can not live without on such a car trip:

1. For the 5 year old: A DVD player. It only takes two full length Disney/pixar movies to get from my house to my mother's house. He doesn't talk the entire time they are playing and I got very few 'are we there yet'. He is entertained and he is not entertaining himself by tormenting his sister or me while we are in the car. I love DVD Players!

2. For the 2 year old: Batman (or Scooby) fruit snacks. They are the cure-all for every woe when traveling. 'My foot hurts!' a fruit snack cures a foot ache. 'I want out of the car!' a fruit snack cures the need to get out of the car. 'I'm tired!' a fruit snack (and lovie) cures the need to cry about being tired. I LOVE FRUIT SNACKS...AND SO WILL YOU! (though I am still not sure if half a box of fruit snacks in each direction is really all that good for the kiddo...but for me it is wonderful...so who cares!?!)

Happier Me

Sean fixed my car. It was running poorly and he changed the coolant temp sensor and the oil twice (yes, it was that bad). Now, my baby starts okay and it actually purrs like a kitten! It was the best valentine's present I could have ever asked for!

I have gone to the gym - Anytime Fitness - at least 9 times over the last two and a half weeks. I know that isn't a ton, but for a very unfit me...it is a vast improvement. I have lost some weight already, but the best part is that I FEEL better overall. I am going to keep this up. My goal is 3x per week at the gym, but I think I might up it to 4 or 5 since I actually (I know this is strange to come from me) ENJOY it! I do 35 minutes on the elliptical and 10-15 minutes of upper body weight lifting every time! And yesterday, I actually went so fast on the elliptical that I had sweat dripping from my chin...I heard that is a good sign! :P

3 (almost 4)

Hi, my name is Emily.

I have exercised like crazy for 30 minutes a day for the last three days. I will be exercising again this afternoon AND officially joining a gym tomorrow morning.

This is like AA to me...something I have needed to do for a long time and am finally getting the courage to do.

No need for kudos, I just needed it to be said...for ME. If anyone else wants to join me: T/R 12:45 and F 9:30 is my official work-out schedule.

"I'm Having Fish for Dinner!"

(a quote from Nemo)

Talapia w/a garlic butter & pepper sauce.
Served w/leftover scalloped potatoes (recipe if requested)

Happy week everyone. I have been busy and trying to work my butt off to get all caught up at home and work. I am also trying a new routine...I will explain this later (but wish me luck).