It only took 7 months but I'm finally getting organized. Well, I'm getting closer.
Brayden is finally back to his VERY happy self. He sat on the floor last night and played by himself for like an hour while I sat close by and started cutting out stuff for my second quiet book. I was so impressed. Not to mention, he's been sleeping better at night and going down for naps and bedtime without screaming, he barely makes a peep most times. The odd time, he'll talk to himself for awhile but he's content. His napping schedule is getting a bit more predictable so that makes my life easier. I'm not sure if it is because I'm weening him off nursing or because with only one vehicle, we are forced to stay home and that helps establish a routine. Either way I am loving it.
I decided this morning that because of that I better get back on the treadmill. I took a break for a few weeks, which always seems to happen if I take any kind of break. I was running during Brayden's morning nap but I have been using that time to work on getting the plastic up on the windows to save on the hydro bill and to get sewing my quiet book. I could do neither this morning since I have no more plastic, and no vehicle to go get any until this evening, and I have no sewing machine because I've been using my mother-in-laws and she had to take it this weekend to make Brayden's blanket for Christmas. So, No excuses left.
It was nice to get back on the treadmill. I know I would do it more if it didn't involve so much time afterwards. That is my real reason for skipping out. I have no problem finding at least 30 minutes to be on it, but then I also need to find 15 more minutes to stretch after, time to get in the shower (which I don't like doing while Brayden is sleeping because it wakes him up), do my hair and make lunch. All those things are what holds me back. I know they are all excuses but I like to think of myself as pretty good as making up excuses. Gotta be good at something right?
I knew I needed to get back on there today because I've been feeling pretty down lately. I went out and got my hair done on Thursday to start things off. I normally can't justify spending large amounts of money on coloring my hair but I had a gift certificate to use so that took a large chunk of the cost away. I've never been really good at keeping up with my hair, I'm lucky if I cut it every few months but this time I went all out. There is a salon in Brandon I go to that has "the best stylist in town", this is what I've been told by many. I've gone to him a few times and I've never been unhappy. He really loves his work. He is like an artist with a canvas when you go in there without any real idea of what you want. I went in with fairly long blonde hair and came out with quite short violet and golden hair.
Yep, purple. I know it sounds crazy but it actually looks pretty good. It is darker underneith and then lighter on top. He did it that way because he knew I wasn't the kind of person to keep up with roots (is it that obvious) so he didn't want to do anything that was going to be high maintenance. He cut it in a bob because the bob does the work for you. I know they all say that but this hair cut REALLY is very managable. It only takes me 5 minutes to do my hair and it looks great.
Now I have a great hair cut that I really like but when I look in the mirror, I don't like how it looks on me. I started to picture the thinner, prebaby me and think it would look a lot better that way. I've been procrastinating for some time because losing weight really does take a lot of time and just like most people, if you don't see results right away, you tend to fall of course.
I am not setting major goals for myself. Just simple acheivable goes. I have to lose 15 - 20 lbs to be at my lowest point that I was before but I know that if I can just do 10 for now, I'd feel much better and have a much wider selection of wardrobe, which also makes me feel better. I have decided to work a little harder at not snacking so much during the day and to incorporate more veggies and fruits into my diet. Seriously, my diet mainly consists of carbs. I don't even eat much meat! I am not going to cut out treats, just cut back, a lot. It will be tough because I do like to attempt to bake, (notice I've said attempt) and when it's there, it's hard to resist, but I need to do this for me.
Moms always put themselves on the backburner and it shouldn't be that way. I've dealt with a lot of that over the years with my clients at work and its not fair. So many women don't realize that if they are not happy, their children will not be happy, and neither will their husbands. So enough is enough, it's time for a little me time. Wish me luck!
1000 miles in 2011
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
30 Day photo challenge
This seems to be a new trend on facebook right now. The 30 day photo challenge. Normally I don't care about these things, I find them rather annoying, like the color of my bra or where I keep my purse. Do people really think it's a big secret from the guys? Who starts these anyway?
This one does seem like fun though. I've enjoyed seeing other peoples photos so I decided I would do it to. Then I read through all the requirements. Seriously? Who has photos of all these things and even if they do, how do they know where to find them? I've had this computer for a year and a half, so the only photos I have on it are the ones I've taken in the last year and a half. Any that I have prior, meaning since I've been with Jason, are on a flashdrive that we took off our old computer. I could go and get it but that would require me going through who knows how many pictures to find the right one. What if I don't have time that day? Then I'll mess up the game.
On top of it all, I don't think this photo thing only wants to see the last 10 years of my life, that would be no fun at all. Now I am required to go to my moms house to go through pictures there? I can't do that every day! It's a 45 minutes drive each way and we only have one vehicle!
My brain is spinning with ideas of how to go about this challenge. I am cheating. I have copied the list of the 30 photos I must find and have pasted it onto a microsoft word page and I will, as I have time, fill it all in with my ideas before starting the challenge on facebook. There are a lot of answers I really don't know. By waiting a bit longer, it will also allow me to see what other people are posting for ideas.
It is really sad that I am reading this much into this little "game". It's supposed to be fun, but it is really giving me a headache.
Stay tuned for my 30 day photo challenge to begin!
This one does seem like fun though. I've enjoyed seeing other peoples photos so I decided I would do it to. Then I read through all the requirements. Seriously? Who has photos of all these things and even if they do, how do they know where to find them? I've had this computer for a year and a half, so the only photos I have on it are the ones I've taken in the last year and a half. Any that I have prior, meaning since I've been with Jason, are on a flashdrive that we took off our old computer. I could go and get it but that would require me going through who knows how many pictures to find the right one. What if I don't have time that day? Then I'll mess up the game.
On top of it all, I don't think this photo thing only wants to see the last 10 years of my life, that would be no fun at all. Now I am required to go to my moms house to go through pictures there? I can't do that every day! It's a 45 minutes drive each way and we only have one vehicle!
My brain is spinning with ideas of how to go about this challenge. I am cheating. I have copied the list of the 30 photos I must find and have pasted it onto a microsoft word page and I will, as I have time, fill it all in with my ideas before starting the challenge on facebook. There are a lot of answers I really don't know. By waiting a bit longer, it will also allow me to see what other people are posting for ideas.
It is really sad that I am reading this much into this little "game". It's supposed to be fun, but it is really giving me a headache.
Stay tuned for my 30 day photo challenge to begin!
Do any kids go to bed when they should?
Why is it that kids can find so much to do when they are in their beds. Ashton has been in his bed since 8:15pm, it is now 9:45pm and I can still hear him whispering to himself. Last time I was in there, about 1/2 an hour ago, he has asked me to do up his housecoat which he apparently thought he needed to wear to bed. I thought, whatever and did it up. As I scanned the rest of the bed, I notice there was a slipper in his bed as well as his back pack and more stuffed animals that were not there when I tucked him in.
It seems he is just playing some sort of game rather than going to sleep. He'd already exhausted all his excuses. I said to Jason the other night that I was going to make a check list of all the excuses he used each night and go through each one when I tuck him in. Maybe that would cut down on the time it takes to get him to bed.
I guess I shouldn't really be that surprised at this behavior, afterall, he does come by it honestly. I remember when I was a kid, I had a lot of dolls and stuffed animals in my bed and I would play with them for hours after I went to bed. I didn't get caught because my room was upstairs and the livingroom was downstairs. I even remember finding little pieces of paper in my homemade piggy bank that I used to write things down, name tags for my dolls maybe? I'm not really sure. I just know that I didn't go to bed when I was supposed to either so I shouldn't be such a hypocrite. At least he has the same respect for his brother as I had for my sister and is playing quietly and not waking him up.
Things sure are different when the tables are turned!
It seems he is just playing some sort of game rather than going to sleep. He'd already exhausted all his excuses. I said to Jason the other night that I was going to make a check list of all the excuses he used each night and go through each one when I tuck him in. Maybe that would cut down on the time it takes to get him to bed.
I guess I shouldn't really be that surprised at this behavior, afterall, he does come by it honestly. I remember when I was a kid, I had a lot of dolls and stuffed animals in my bed and I would play with them for hours after I went to bed. I didn't get caught because my room was upstairs and the livingroom was downstairs. I even remember finding little pieces of paper in my homemade piggy bank that I used to write things down, name tags for my dolls maybe? I'm not really sure. I just know that I didn't go to bed when I was supposed to either so I shouldn't be such a hypocrite. At least he has the same respect for his brother as I had for my sister and is playing quietly and not waking him up.
Things sure are different when the tables are turned!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Quiet Book
I am getting closer to the end of this thing and its starting to look pretty good. I have to say I'm pretty proud. I will post pictures when I'm done and when I figure out how! lol
why can't things just be simple for a change?
We had to have a battle with EI yesterday.
Jason started back to school last week and he filled out his online application for EI and dropped off his record of employment last week already. I've already been very nervous about us both being on EI for the next 3 months, epecially because it's Christmas time!
Each year he goes to school for 10 weeks and he doesn't have to go through the 2 week waiting period like you normally do so at least we don't get backed up on bills while we wait but last year, we were sure there was an error in his claim as he was getting like $200/week less than his classmates who were all making the same wage as he was. He called EI and they said there were no errors. We just left it at that because, really, what can you do? At least I was working so it didn't hit us too badly last year.
Back to this year. He recieves his personal access code in the mail and goes online to check what he'll be receiving this year for payments and again, there has to be a mistake. He is still receiving the same amount he received last year and he's making $5/hour more this year. Of course the panic sets in for me because that is just not going to pay the bills!
He calls the woman that came to his class last week to explain to everyone how to apply and she said that his claim from last time is still open. I guess after 1 year, the claim closes, if you want it closed to file a new claim, you can't do that online, you have to call the 800 number to cancel the previous claim before filing a new one.
For anyone who has tried to call these government numbers, you know that it is almost impossible to actually talk to someone unless you have like an hour to wait on hold! Jason didn't think that he needed to call this number because he went to school last year in August so his claim should have been closed already.
Last night, he got home from school and sat on hold for 20 minutes before finally getting to talk to someone. I guess there was something funny about last year and it had not been a year. I'm not sure how the government works but August 2009 until November 2010 is more than a year. No? After a very lengthy conversation with the woman, they come to the conclusion that it is possible his boss filled out his ROE wrong. She tells him to get his boss to fill out a new one and refile his claim. They cancelled out the previous claim so it would not be an issue.
He went to his bosses house and the realized that he did infact fill out his ROE from last year wrong, but not altering it as much as we thought it would have. The lady from EI said we could bring in a new ROE from last year as well and there was a slight possibility that they could reimburse us for what we did not recieve last year. The amount wasn't significant enought to bother, it was like $300 or so, which yes, we could use right now, but is it worth the trouble?
They decided the ROE from this year is infact correct so now we just have to wait and see if his claim is adjusted. He was supposed to receive payment this week already but now we may have to wait until the next pay period, that is crappy, but it could make a difference of like $200/week. I am willing wait!
I just love dealing with the government!
Jason started back to school last week and he filled out his online application for EI and dropped off his record of employment last week already. I've already been very nervous about us both being on EI for the next 3 months, epecially because it's Christmas time!
Each year he goes to school for 10 weeks and he doesn't have to go through the 2 week waiting period like you normally do so at least we don't get backed up on bills while we wait but last year, we were sure there was an error in his claim as he was getting like $200/week less than his classmates who were all making the same wage as he was. He called EI and they said there were no errors. We just left it at that because, really, what can you do? At least I was working so it didn't hit us too badly last year.
Back to this year. He recieves his personal access code in the mail and goes online to check what he'll be receiving this year for payments and again, there has to be a mistake. He is still receiving the same amount he received last year and he's making $5/hour more this year. Of course the panic sets in for me because that is just not going to pay the bills!
He calls the woman that came to his class last week to explain to everyone how to apply and she said that his claim from last time is still open. I guess after 1 year, the claim closes, if you want it closed to file a new claim, you can't do that online, you have to call the 800 number to cancel the previous claim before filing a new one.
For anyone who has tried to call these government numbers, you know that it is almost impossible to actually talk to someone unless you have like an hour to wait on hold! Jason didn't think that he needed to call this number because he went to school last year in August so his claim should have been closed already.
Last night, he got home from school and sat on hold for 20 minutes before finally getting to talk to someone. I guess there was something funny about last year and it had not been a year. I'm not sure how the government works but August 2009 until November 2010 is more than a year. No? After a very lengthy conversation with the woman, they come to the conclusion that it is possible his boss filled out his ROE wrong. She tells him to get his boss to fill out a new one and refile his claim. They cancelled out the previous claim so it would not be an issue.
He went to his bosses house and the realized that he did infact fill out his ROE from last year wrong, but not altering it as much as we thought it would have. The lady from EI said we could bring in a new ROE from last year as well and there was a slight possibility that they could reimburse us for what we did not recieve last year. The amount wasn't significant enought to bother, it was like $300 or so, which yes, we could use right now, but is it worth the trouble?
They decided the ROE from this year is infact correct so now we just have to wait and see if his claim is adjusted. He was supposed to receive payment this week already but now we may have to wait until the next pay period, that is crappy, but it could make a difference of like $200/week. I am willing wait!
I just love dealing with the government!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Christmas Projects
Thanks to my friend Sonya, I have decided to get crafty this year for some of my Christmas gifts. My largest project is my Quiet book. I am really enjoying doing it but it sure is time consuming and time is running out!
I started this thing at the end of August and I am not done yet. Worst part is, I plan to make a second one! What am I thinking?
The last couple days I have gotten really busy on it, I have put aside all other tasks (that are able to be put off), like running my treadmill, cleaning the house, watching my shows etc and just got to my sewing. I am almost finished all 12 pages, just some finishing touches to do, then I have to cut out the cover and put the whole thing together. I am really hoping after all the work I've put into it that it doesn't look like Ashton made it! I am hoping to finish it this week and start the next one next week.
I haven't done any sewing, besides buttons, since I was forced to take Home Ech in Grade 8, so this is quite the project for me. My sister mentioned to me earlier this week that my niece wants a snuggie for Christmas so I thought maybe I could make one of those too. I looked online and found a "pattern", purchased a purple fleece blanket yesterday so hopefully I'll be able to get working on that. They had kids snuggies at Walmart for $30, with Princesses on them, that would have been the easy way out. I purchased the blanket for $12. So hopefully the time I put into this supposedly simple project with be worth the extra $18! lol
I started this thing at the end of August and I am not done yet. Worst part is, I plan to make a second one! What am I thinking?
The last couple days I have gotten really busy on it, I have put aside all other tasks (that are able to be put off), like running my treadmill, cleaning the house, watching my shows etc and just got to my sewing. I am almost finished all 12 pages, just some finishing touches to do, then I have to cut out the cover and put the whole thing together. I am really hoping after all the work I've put into it that it doesn't look like Ashton made it! I am hoping to finish it this week and start the next one next week.
I haven't done any sewing, besides buttons, since I was forced to take Home Ech in Grade 8, so this is quite the project for me. My sister mentioned to me earlier this week that my niece wants a snuggie for Christmas so I thought maybe I could make one of those too. I looked online and found a "pattern", purchased a purple fleece blanket yesterday so hopefully I'll be able to get working on that. They had kids snuggies at Walmart for $30, with Princesses on them, that would have been the easy way out. I purchased the blanket for $12. So hopefully the time I put into this supposedly simple project with be worth the extra $18! lol
Monday, November 22, 2010
my day off
Yesterday I had a baby shower to go to for a friend who had twins a month and a half ago. I've known about the shower for sometime and with the way things were going with Brayden before, I was planning on taking him with me for the longest time but he's changed so much in the last week, I decided to leave him with his dad.
Dad was a little nervous but I reassured him he'd be fine and that I needed some time away from the kids. I tried to remember the last time I was out kid-free, and I'm pretty sure it was when I went to visit this friend in the hospital a month ago and on this occassion, I made sure both kids were in bed before I left so Jason didn't have to worry about them. Needless to say, I think I'm due for a break.
I had a fabulous afternoon being out of the house. The only drawback was that I have a terrible cold and basically no voice so it was very difficult to visit. I had a headache by the end of the day from trying to push out a voice of some sort. Most of the time I just whispered because that I could do easily. This happens to me at least once every year.
When I returned home, I found one little boy in bed and the other at the coffee table enjoying some smarties. I asked Jason how he made out. He said pretty good. Brayden was alright for him with one minor setback. They were sitting on the floor playing and the dog wanted outside so Jason left Brayden sitting there by himself to tend to the dog and Brayden, who can sit on his own very well but you know how babies are, sometimes they just fall over, threw himself backwards and smashed his head on the hardwood floor. Of course he screamed and screamed. That was one thing I forgot to add to the list of "instructions" for Jason on what to do with Brayden. I never leave him sitting when I leave, even for a second. He'll sit up forever if you are there but as soon as you leave, he dives for something or leans a little too far back.
Jason got him settled down a bit, gave him a bottle and put him down for a nap. Apparently he screamed for 1/2 an hour, which he hasn't been doing lately, so either his head still hurt or he wasn't that tired yet, who knows, but eventually he fell asleep and had a really good nap.
Next, how was Ashton. He was very good as well. He watched 3/4 of Ice Age - The Meltdown that I'd DVR'd for him and then some "Billy the Exterminator" which has become his favorite show. I know it's not for kids but he loves it. They had a very good afternoon.
I was happy to hear this, it put my mind at ease and started to get me thinking of what I could go out and do next, ALL BY MYSELF!
We also made another wonderful discovery yesterday. The root of Ashton's behavioral problem! ME!! I hadn't been home 5 minutes and he was back to his wild self, not listening and being obnoxious. Makes sense, grandma Haynes said she never has problems with him, he's always very good there. When he goes to Wheat King Games with Jason he's a perfect angel. So by the power of deduction, it's me. So now to find the solution!
Dad was a little nervous but I reassured him he'd be fine and that I needed some time away from the kids. I tried to remember the last time I was out kid-free, and I'm pretty sure it was when I went to visit this friend in the hospital a month ago and on this occassion, I made sure both kids were in bed before I left so Jason didn't have to worry about them. Needless to say, I think I'm due for a break.
I had a fabulous afternoon being out of the house. The only drawback was that I have a terrible cold and basically no voice so it was very difficult to visit. I had a headache by the end of the day from trying to push out a voice of some sort. Most of the time I just whispered because that I could do easily. This happens to me at least once every year.
When I returned home, I found one little boy in bed and the other at the coffee table enjoying some smarties. I asked Jason how he made out. He said pretty good. Brayden was alright for him with one minor setback. They were sitting on the floor playing and the dog wanted outside so Jason left Brayden sitting there by himself to tend to the dog and Brayden, who can sit on his own very well but you know how babies are, sometimes they just fall over, threw himself backwards and smashed his head on the hardwood floor. Of course he screamed and screamed. That was one thing I forgot to add to the list of "instructions" for Jason on what to do with Brayden. I never leave him sitting when I leave, even for a second. He'll sit up forever if you are there but as soon as you leave, he dives for something or leans a little too far back.
Jason got him settled down a bit, gave him a bottle and put him down for a nap. Apparently he screamed for 1/2 an hour, which he hasn't been doing lately, so either his head still hurt or he wasn't that tired yet, who knows, but eventually he fell asleep and had a really good nap.
Next, how was Ashton. He was very good as well. He watched 3/4 of Ice Age - The Meltdown that I'd DVR'd for him and then some "Billy the Exterminator" which has become his favorite show. I know it's not for kids but he loves it. They had a very good afternoon.
I was happy to hear this, it put my mind at ease and started to get me thinking of what I could go out and do next, ALL BY MYSELF!
We also made another wonderful discovery yesterday. The root of Ashton's behavioral problem! ME!! I hadn't been home 5 minutes and he was back to his wild self, not listening and being obnoxious. Makes sense, grandma Haynes said she never has problems with him, he's always very good there. When he goes to Wheat King Games with Jason he's a perfect angel. So by the power of deduction, it's me. So now to find the solution!
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