2012 Gooooooooaaaaaalllllssssss!

I have been thinking about resolutions for 2012. I think this year I'm forgoing resolutions for something else...goals. And since we have moved into a new-to-us house, my goals will be revolving around things to be done at home.

In no specific order, here are my 2012 home goals:

Paint the inside of the den windows white. Not sure why the last people didn't do this but it looks funny being two different colors...at least to me.

Paint the tv stand in the den white to match the other woodwork. It's been unpainted since before we were married, I think it's about time for a change. Oh, and I want to drill bigger holes in the back so the wires can be behind it and not stick out the front of it and then wrap around to the back. I like things to look nice and somewhat clean...but that's just me.

Figure out new curtains/drapes for the french doors leading to the deck. The thing you use to pull them across is broken as are quite a few of the slats that are currently there so something needs to be done.

New curtains for the living room. Really, really hate the ones that are there (they're homemade and not attractive) and I especially don't like the pull backs.

Order new furniture for the den and put the old furniture in the basement. (Update: new furniture is ordered, yahoo!)

Finish getting rid of boxes in the basement and arrange furniture down there.

Set up Simon's train table in the basement.

Get sewing room/guest room organized.

Donate one box/month to Goodwill.

Paint Simon's room.

OK, there's lots more to do but I think this will keep me sufficiently busy this year.

The other thing I've done is to pick a word for the year. That's right, a word. Something to keep me focused and help me along the way. This year the word is 'intentional'.  I want to do things with intention and be focused on what's happening. I love to plan ahead and try to be in control and because of that, I sometimes lose track of/don't appreicate what's happening in the right here and now. So...intentional...that's my word and I'm sticking to it.

Oh, and decluttering. That's my other goal. Decluttering physically and mentally.

It's good to have goals....right?!???!

Santa Claus Came Back to Town

Christmas was oh so fun this year. I wrapped, decorated and just generally enjoyed the preparation and hustle and bustle of the holiday. We had our tree in the den, right next to the tv and it was so nice to have it in the main living area. In the old house, it was always in the front window so we only saw it when we walked to the front door or made a pass through the living room. I like the new place for it much better.

Santa, however, did not have such a good Christmas this year. After we unwrapped all our presents and had enjoyed a good breakfast followed by one or two (or perhaps more!) delicious Christmas cookies, C sighed and said "I love all my presents. I guess Santa gave me a paper journal and a new pen to write with so that's why I didn't get the Password Journal."
The Password Journal.
The one and only consistent item she had asked for for the past three months. Santa didn't deliver. Or, was it that Santa forgot about it? Or that he forgot where he put it? Oh no, that couldn't be it. I was alternatively concerned and dismayed by the lack of Password Journal under the tree (and no where else to be found in the house.)
Two days after Christmas, Hubster and I were lying in bed when an over-excited C bound into the room. I could only grasp parts of what she said in her excited gibberish. " Santa....came.....for me.....letter.....present....forgot....remembered....so coooool!!" 
Turns out Santa did get C the Password Journal and he even delivered it.  C quickly declared Santa as the best ever and she has consistently played with her electronic journal since then.

Here's the letter that came with her gift:

Dear C,
I hope you liked all the presents I brought and that you had a Merry Christmas in your new home! I had a very busy night on Dec. 24th, I was really tired when I finally got back home to the North Pole. Mrs. Claus had some hot cocoa and my slippers all ready for me. I was very happy to sit down and relax!

After I got home, the elves were busy putting the reindeer in the shed and putting the sleigh away. And guess what?! They found something was left inside. I couldn’t believe it! I knew I was in a hurry when I got to Solon because I was running a little behind (and Santa does not like to be late!) but I didn’t think that I’d be in such a hurry that I’d forget to leave one of your presents! I am so sorry that I didn’t see it. And, I know this was something you really wanted too.

Thank you for your letter that you left with the yummy cookies. You asked me a couple questions so I thought I’d try and answer them. I don’t normally do this but because you’re a special girl, I thought I would make an exception this year.

The reindeer live a long time. See, they’re magical just like me! It just seems like they’ve always been here with me, I don’t know what I’d do without them.

I don’t really remember how old I am! Hard to believe, I know, but magical folk just don’t pay attention to their age once they get older. I feel very young at heart because I get to do my most favorite job in the whole world, making children happy! I wish everyone could feel the magic and joy of Christmas all year round in their hearts. I especially like it when I see children and their families worship in church and remember the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. I sing right along with folks when I hear them singing in church. My favorite Christmas songs are Joy to the World and Silent Night. They’re just beautiful!

Have fun with all your presents. Keep being good for your Mom and Dad. Remember to be nice to your brother.

Love,
Santa

Dialogue, Dialogue

Every Friday, C brings home her dialogue journal. In it, she writes a letter to Hubster and I every week. She talks about what she did in her classes, what she liked/disliked or anything interesting to her.
Then, we are supposed to write back to her.

This last week, C wrote to us. Last night, we wrote back. Here are our letters to C.

My letter:
Dear C,

Congratulations on a good report card! You worked hard and it showed.

I am looking forward to reading your memoir once it is finished.

What are you learning in Economics? I took an Economics class in college and I liked it. But once, I fell asleep during a movie about economics! I was very glad the professor did not notice.

I was happy to come and and read to your class on Friday. Did you get to finish the Magic Tree House book?

Love, Mama

Hubster's letter:
Dear C,
Thank you for writing about your week.

What predictions did you make in reading? I will predict that there will be less candy in the Halloween bowl tomorrow than there is today. I also predict that you and S will argue about something. I cannot predict what.

Good job on your report card.
Love, Daddy

Dialogue Journal: It's one of my favorite parts of the week.

Watch Me Zumba

In my quest to find at least one exercise that I might possibly like doing, I've now taken a few Zumba classes. And, I think I've found an instructor I like. And, it's not the skinny minny Russian woman who yells at everyone 'come on, come on..keep up..it's not so hard!'  Errrrrrrrrrgggh.

Zumba is rather fun but you really have to get over yourself. My class yesterday went something like this:

I was the second largest woman in the room. The largest was an older black woman. I think she was about 5 feet tall but significantly heavier than me. But, holy crap, she could move! She wasn't bouncing but that woman had more rhythm in her big toe than I think I have in my whole body! She even did some hip pops. Impressive.

There were 2 brave older men in our class. What a trip! They weren't the fastest but they kept up better than I did. It is humbling to be outdone by senior citizens. Truly. I don't really like it but I gotta give them their props.

The class started out slow, thank goodness. I felt tight and uncoordinated. About 1/3 of the way through the class, I was sweating buckets. I caught a look at myself in the mirrored walls. Oh yes, did I mention that every single wall is floor to ceiling, mirrors. Every. single. one. Why would someone do that??????
Oh my, it was quite a sight. Hair flying every which way (I'm now 2 hair appts behind), cheeks bright red, a bra that obviously was not meant to contain these bad girls when zhumba-ing (sorry Ross!), and a grimace that would easily frighten a small child. Not to mention the sweat soaked t-shirt.
At first, I did wonder who the heck the witchy-looking woman was in the mirror until I realized she was dressed just like me, then my next thought was...Oh no, that witch is me!!!
I figured I had 2 choices. Continue to look like this or make a change. I decided...Screw it. I may not be able to keep up totally, but I'm gonna rock it like no other 43 yr old, grey roots showing, sweat pouring out everywhere,  overweight white woman can! I whooped and hollered, clapped, got a couple laughs out of the instructor and a 'You go, girl!' from one of the men which cracked me up even more.
I'm thinking that the other participants didn't quite know what to make of me. But I had a lot of fun and I'll do it again. On second thought, I don't think many of them noticed anything cause I sorta hid in the back of the room as much as I could. I mean, come on, I'll have fun but I don't want to put on a free show.
The class ended, I staggered to the water fountain and slowly, slowly made my way down the stairs and out of the gym.
I will take another Zumba class.
After I get some feeling back in my thighs.
Then, zumba, here I come!

Things I've Learned While Moving

This whole moving experience has been....well, I'm not quite sure how to describe it. There's many adjectives: exciting, scary, frustrating, heart-stopping, nerve-wracking, adventurous, lonesome.
I've learned a lot from moving.
-Temporary housing really, really, REALLY makes you appreciate your house all the more.
- The kids rooms need to be unpacked first. Thank you, Grandma & Grandpa, for helping with this. Made the kids feel more at home. C just lays in her bed for a few minutes every day after school saying "my room, my room, I love my room."
- It is disconcerting to be in a new place. Everything has to be done again. And, there's not really anyone else to ask about stuff.
- Seeing your kids suffer from anxiety about meeting new people makes your heart break for them.
- It is extremely tempting to just give in and have a big ol' pity party for yourself about whatever situation you find yourself in.

But mostly, what I learned during this move can be summed up in one word....intentional.

I have to be intentional about asking for help. Oh boy, for a person who hates to do this, what a big, fat lesson this was for me. I'm sure this is one that will keep coming up for me but I'm trying to embrace the idea that I can rely on someone else.

I have to be intentional about making friends. Surprisingly, they don't just come up and say "Hi! My name is ____________. What's yours? Do you want to play?" So much easier when I was 3 years old.
However, I did drum up the courage and ask a woman I met if she wanted to meet for coffee and she agreed. I felt very good about it and had a whole new empathy for S asking someone over to play. Course, I did my asking through the annonimity of the internet, but I did it. And I know I need to keep doing this even if it makes me uncomfortable.

I have to be intentional about making our new church feel like our church home. This means getting involved even though I don't know all the ins and outs and politics. I just hope I don't put my foot in my mouth too far. Guess that's where that thing called Grace comes in.  :)

I have to be intentional about helping my kids make friends. That means having playdates even though the house is still not unpacked. I figure that if the kids come over now, some day, when things are put away, they might even notice the difference! And, it is incentive for me to make this house our home.

So, my word for the rest of this year...intentional.  A tough lesson for me to learn but I'm working on it.

I'm Grumpy

My day went something like this:
Bought dehumidifier for new house. Went to house, spent hours cleaning in the kitchen, ran downstairs to put dehum. in basement and discovered a large (2 ft x 2ft) spot of wet carpet. Don't know what's causing it, can't figure out where it came from.

Discovered that S has been 'supplementing' his lunch with numerous ala carte items. Claims he can't remember what any of the food items were that he ate, including the 3 that cost $2.25.  And, the lunch acct is only caught up thru 9/22. All this extra food after both Hubster and I told him expressly that it was not for everyday and he had to ask before buying food. Basically, he's been lying to us for about 2 weeks.

Found out that S had lunch detention today for not turning in yet another homework assignment.

C stole $10 from S's room. When I questioned her, she said she was mad at him. 'Cause apparently, that makes everything OK in her book.

The dishwasher in the rental leaked down into the basement on top of the washing machine and now there's leaky, rusty water in my last laundry load.

Hubster is working late yet again. 10-12 hour days and 6 days a week appear to be the norm now. It sucks.

I have nothing packed from the rental to go to the new house and I have only one afternoon open this week to get things done. Did I mention that it's also the day that the kids have off from school?

I almost lost control of the van on the way home from school today due to the downpour. Rained so hard and so fast, the street had tons of water which you couldn't see until you plowed through it. Good thing I was going slow, I don't think I would have made it without an accident otherwise.

Tomorrow better be better. Or else.
I don't think I can take much more of this.

UPDATE: For C's punishment, she had to return the $10 and write 20 times "I will not steal from Simon".
She just handed me her paper on which was written 21 times "I will not sell from Simon." At the end, she wrote "My Othe". I asked her what that meant. She said "My OATH, Mama. That means my promise."
I think this one is going in the save box. :)

Future Generations or the Next Butt

S had a social studies assignment to rewrite the preamble to the constitution in his own words.
It was a long and arduous process, for both of us.
But, he slogged on until this part.
"Mom, this says 'for ourselves and our posterity."
"Yes, what do you think that might mean?" I asked.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure. I know posterity means 'butt' and I just can't figure out why they're talking about butts in the Constitution. Does it have something to do with the freedom to pass gas?"
"No, dear, the founding fathers were not concerned with gaseous eruptions. The word you're thinking of is posterior not posterity."

We are going out to get a dictionary this weekend.