Let's play ball!!!

Baseball season has officially started. Little league baseball to be exact. Jimmy will be playing this year. He already had his first practice and he loved it. I love that it is at the school so Bianca can play on the playground and I can run during his practice. Talk about a great way to multitask. He is going to have 3 practices a week and each practice is 90 minutes long so I should be in great shape by the end of the season. Jimmy needs a bit of work on his throwing and catching but he has a good bat.

The low carb adventure has been going well. I am down about 12lbs since starting it last month. I cannot believe the change. I have more energy and I don't feel crappy all the time. I still have the occasional treat (like pizza night) but I really limit it so I don't feel sick the next day.

The kids are on school vacation this week, I have the next three days off, and the weather is crappy. At least my house is mostly clean so we will be able to go do fun stuff. Plus Jay is off work too so he will be able to join in. Jimmy has baseball practice on Wednesday and Thursday morning unless they cancel it. It is supposed to be cold and rainy so I hope they do. I am also going to try and work on some sewing projects. I really need to get material to make baby pants for my cousin's baby. I also want to make Bianca some more doll clothes.

Saying goodbye to carbs

I need to get into shape for summer and I have decided that means saying goodbye to carbs. Not all carbs, just bread, pasta, potatoes, rice. The ones that taste good. I have basically gone primal. So far it has been working other than the fact I really miss Jalapeno Cheddar Combos. Those things are addicting. I have also been running again now that it is getting warmer. Spring is finally coming to VT. We had one week that was beautiful then two weeks of cold and now it is warming up again. 

Now that spring is here I need to start my garden. I have a bunch of seeds and a starter tray so we will see how this goes. I do not have a green thumb. Both of my grandparents were great gardeners but I cannot keep plants alive to save my life. If there is ever a zombie apocalypse and we have to rely on my growing food and Jay's hunting our family will starve. 

Sadly, I have stalled on the craftiness. I need to start some projects for my cousin's baby but I just haven't yet. I am making him an adorable teddy bear sweater, a taggie toy, and a snugglely toy. I may also make her a diaper bag. I love making baby stuff. I can finish it fast enough that I don't lose interest.

Clutter

I hate clutter. It makes me anxious. I like everything put neatly in its place. Yet, since we have moved in to our new house I have a bunch of clutter. It is driving me nuts. Part of the issue is a lack of storage areas. This house has few closets. Another part of the issue is having an extra person in the house. I need to start going through this clutter and start getting rid of it but it seems to paralyze me. Having all this stuff around just overwhelms me.

Unfortunately, most of the clutter is not mine so I am very limited in what I can do with the clutter. I have also found since I started my housekeeping job I have an issue cleaning at home. I am so sick of scrubbing, washing, vacuuming, and folding by the time I get home that I just don't want to do it. Then it piles up and makes me want to just ignore it even more.

I think I need to get back into a routine like Flylady again. I will start by decluttering one area each day until everything has a place. Once I get that done I will just have to keep up with it. I am hoping that Jay will help me with this. I will also have Jimmy and Bianca start doing chores to keep their stuff cleaned up.

Some completed sewing projects

I have decided that Bianca's AG dolls have a better wardrobe than I do or at least they are going to. My sewing machine has been humming the last few days. I finished a skirt for Bianca, a skirt for her doll, and I fixed her precious pink blanket. Pictures will be posted some time tomorrow. Next is a pair of hot pink corduroy pants for Bianca's doll, some jeans for her doll, and a couple of t-shirts. Then I need to go get some new fabric.

I think I may buy some cute baby boy fabric. My cousin is pregnant and just found out she is having a baby boy. I am so excited to welcome a new baby to the family. This way I can love and snuggle on him but not have to change diapers. I already have a plan to make a blanket, bibs, burp cloths, and a diaper bag. The best thing about new babies is the chance to do a bunch of sewing and knitting.

Getting creative

This post is about what happens when McCalls emails you telling you that they are having a huge pattern sale. It was a great sale. All their patterns were $1.99. So I decided to browse the American Girl sized patterns and I bought them. Not all of them but quite a few.

A few of my goodies

 

More of them plus a Simplicity pattern I got somewhere

Unfortunately, my fabric stash is sorely lacking. I do have some nice hot pink corduroy I just picked up. I also picked up some teal knit and denim. I have a small stash of other fabrics mostly woven cotton and some flannel. Now I just need to figure out where to start. I want to start with all of it. I know that I will have to make most of the outfits for Bianca's three dolls. She thinks that they need lots of choices. I am thinking that some pjs, a pair or two of jeans, and some tops will be a good start. Of course, I also have to make Bianca a few summer skirts and may make them matching skirts.

I suck at blogging

I have come to the realization that I suck at blogging. The problem is I never remember to blog and when I do think about it, I never have anything interesting to write. I am going to work on this issue. I am also bad a tweeting for the same reason. I have had so much happen in the last several months. I started a new job, Jay started a new job, we moved, the kids started school again, Hurricane Irene took out our town, the transmission went in my van, and the holidays happened. That is the brief news cast. Now for more details...

Hurricane Irene, that is the big one. Luckily, the house we were living in was fine. Our driveway and part of the road but that was it. I ended up at the local emergency shelter with Jimmy and Bianca because I was trying to get to Dover to wait the storm out. We left about 30 minutes too late and were almost trapped. Luckily, God was with us and we were safe. We spent a day and a half at the shelter. I helped in the kitchen and then Jay came for us. He was at work during the storm and his hotel was used as an emergency shelter so he was working for most of the night. Downtown Wilmington was completely underwater. Many businesses and homes were destroyed. However, there was only one fatality. A young woman who could not swim got swept away and drowned. It has been months since the flood and the town is slowly being rebuilt. Many of the businesses have reopened. FEMA and the VT National Guard were amazing, as were the thousands of volunteers from all over.

Jay is working in bell/valet at a hotel at the local ski mountain. He likes it. He is a people person so this is great for him plus he got to meet Chris Rock. He is a huge Chris Rock fan. According to him Mr. Rock is very nice, down to earth, his wife is friendly, and his kids are adorable and well behaved. My new job is housekeeping at a local inn. It is remarkably similar to my old job of stay at home mom except I can clean without kids underfoot and I get paid. I love getting paid.

Now for the move. We moved about 1.5 miles up the road from our old house. We are the only house on an old dirt road. I love it.  The house has 3 bedrooms and is very old. It needs some work but luckily, Jay is handy. I am hoping we can eventually buy the house from our landlord. I could easily see us living here forever. Right now Jay's brother is living here too. He is moving out in a few months though so we are debating what to do with his room.

The kids are in school. Jimmy started 1st grade and Bianca started preschool. School is going fairly well. Jimmy has had some major behavior issues this year but has started to get better. Academically he is well advanced and I think boredom is part of the issue. His temper and impulse control are the rest of the issue. Bianca is doing very well in preschool. She has many friends and received a Shining Star award from the school. Her teacher nominated her because she always does what is asked with a smile and makes the classroom a positive place. I am very proud of her but wonder if they confused my kid with another.

As for my van and the holidays, it was hectic. Just a few days before Christmas the transmission went in my '04 Ford Freestar. Apparently, this is an extremely common problem. So common they recalled it about a week after we sold the van for $1000. Jay got me a Jeep Grand Cherokee though and I love it. I just wish it seated more than 5. It is a tight squeeze when my BIL rides with us which is often since he flipped his car. Jay got a Jeep Wrangler to replace his gas hog of a truck. For Christmas, the kids were completely spoiled. They got several ZhuZhu pet sets, Jimmy got a remote control helicopter, Bianca got a few American Girl dolls (one for her birthday and one for Christmas), and we got them a bunch of board games. I am in the process of creating an entire wardrobe for Bianca's dolls because they need to change clothes several times a day. Good thing I like to sew and knit, have a decent fabric and yarn stash, and there are tons of free patterns online or this could be expensive.

A new start to the school year, a career change, and an injury

It has been a busy summer and now it is almost over. The kids start school on the 30th. Jimmy will be in 1st grade and Bianca will be in preschool. Her preschool is five days a week. That means my career will be changing from a stay at home mom to something else. What else I am not sure of yet. I have been looking into part-time housekeeping jobs because they are flexible. I need something that leaves me free to drop off and pick up the kids and take Fridays off since Bianca only goes until 12 on Friday. Jay is also changing careers. The tile business has been slow so he picked up a job doing bell/valet for the ski mountain. Between his wage and the tips he should be making good money plus the hours allow him to still do flooring. 

Now the injury. I sprained my ankle playing kickball. I was running to 1st base and Jay was trying to get me out. When I hit the base my ankle rolled and I felt a pop. I went for x-rays and luckily nothing is broken. This really stinks because I was about to finish week 5 of C25K. Now I am not sure I will be done by Oct 1st when the 5K starts. I may try running tonight to see how it feels but the ankle is still pretty swollen.

Camping take two and a job

We finally went camping again this past weekend. This time we were armed with an air mattress and warmer weather. It was so much better! The kids had a blast, Keyla did not take off, and I was not nearly as stiff. Jay and his brother made a shelter. Jimmy and Bianca roasted marshmallows and played in the dirt. I knitted a new skirt for Bianca's doll. It was a productive and fun weekend. I feel much more relaxed even if I had to do six loads of laundry when we got home. I am almost caught up on all the housework. I am just waiting for Jimmy to pick up the playroom so I can vacuum. It is amazing how much stuff can accumulate when no one is home. 

I have a job interview tomorrow. It is a part-time position in the town office. Hopefully, it will work out with Bianca's preschool schedule. It will be nice to get out of the house more. I am glad it is part-time so I don't have to worry about whether or not Jay will pick up the housework slack. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Let's all go...

RUNNING! This is my new hobby. I finished Week 2, Day 1 of the Couch to 5K (C25K) yesterday. I am amazed that I have been sticking with it. Normally, I exercise for a few days and then quit. This time I have been sticking with it. Jay is doing it as well. He is on Week 5. The elementary school is perfect for running. Each lap is 1/4 mile and the kids can play on the playground while we run. Last night when we went running Jimmy and Bianca ran with us. I am not surprised that they did way better than we did. Bianca was running laps around us. I am going to run my first 5K in September. Jay and I are both doing it. It is in honor of a local fallen soldier/police officer. Any local readers who are interested should run.

It's a Jeep thing...

Jay's new baby is a 1988 Jeep Wrangler. It needs a ton of work but it's a Jeep. So far he has done some engine and carb work to get it running correctly. He needs to restore the body and interior as well. It will take a bunch of work but he is happy.

Summer, summer, summer!

Summer has officially started in this house! We had our first camping trip a few weeks ago. It was cold and our dog ran away and spent the night with other campers. One little tip for fellow campers: when you buy an air mattress bed set make sure that it doesn't say "air mattress not included" or if it does get an air mattress as well. If you don't your sweet, kind, loving husband (did you read that honey) will not be very happy (or sweet, kind, and loving) and you will wake up very stiff and cold despite the sleeping bags you layered underneath and on top of you plus the leather jacket and flannel pjs you slept in.

Jimmy is out of school. Yesterday was his last day. There was a big school picnic for parents and students. I am still trying to take inventory to see how much we lost. I know at least one pair of crocs is missing because my sweet  boy lent them to a friend. We also seem to be missing a pair of boxers he wore to school (I hope he didn't lend those out), a clay pot he made for Jay for Father's Day, and a toy car he took in for show and tell. Now let's see how much he can lose when he starts 1st grade in the fall. Bianca will also be starting school this fall as a preschooler. I got a letter saying she was chosen last month. I am just praying they don't change their minds once they have a few days with her. 

Enough about school, back to summer! We are going to have an awesome summer here. There is at least one trip to Maine planned to see family in Lincoln, ME (wherever the heck that is) and possibly one to York Beach, ME to see other family members. Jay is trading his plow truck for a Jeep Wrangler. We (meaning Jay) are getting the boat ready. Jay and his brother got a kayak and have been out a few times. We are also looking for a canoe. Bianca will have her cast off the 28th so we can get lots of swimming in as well. I need to find some swim lessons around here. I think this is going to be an amazing summer!

We have an Associate's Degree and a broken arm

So much time has passed since I last posted. That is what happens when things get hectic. I have been working hard to get my last two classes done! I finished both of them on Mother's Day. I ended up with a B- in both classes but I am happy. I have now officially completed my Associate's degree. I have also decided I am taking a year off before starting on my Bachelors. I have applied for a few part-time jobs since Bianca will hopefully be starting preschool in the fall.

There has been a ton of stuff going on with the move as well. We have decided not to move to Louisiana this year. We will reevaluate next year. We are still moving though. This house has to be sold and it looks like we will not be buying it. This are just not working out. God must have a different path for us. I have found a few other houses I like that would be much cheaper but I do not know if we can get either one of them. If not we will rent for a year as we continue to straighten out our credit. I think that will be better anyway because we haven't decided to stay in Vermont permanently.

On to the broken arm. Yes, I know that is what everyone has been waiting to hear about. Bianca broke her arm. I know everyone was probably expecting Jimmy to break a bone first but the honor is going to his little sister. Jimmy decided that going down our side hill in a wagon sounded like fun and being the nice big brother he is, he let Bianca try it first. The wagon flipped, Bianca fell and landed badly. The break is on the growth plate of her humerus. The whole bottom part of the bone broke off and shifted up. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and operated on within an hour or so. I have to give a huge shout out to Southern Vermont Medical Center. The emergency room doctor, nurses, surgeon and x-ray techs are all amazing. Bianca is doing well and is very excited to get a purple cast when the pins come out in a few weeks.

The Homemaker's Diary 4/11/2011

Outside my window... it is SPRING!!!

I am thinking... that I need to do some schoolwork.

I am thankful for... my awesome, supportive husband.

From the kitchen... nothing right now but there will be steak, roasted potatoes, and broccoli.

I am wearing... jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers.

I am reading... some chapters for history and sociology. I need to start a new book.

I am hoping... that my dog comes back soon. She has been missing since Saturday and there is no word on her yet.

I am creating...a restful home and some dresses for Bianca plus a no-sew tutu.

I am hearing... Strawberry Shortcake from the playroom and my husband.

Around the house... it is clean except the pile of donations for the thrift shop.

One of my favorite things... is having a few minutes to reflect.

A few plans for the rest of the week... drop donations off, deep clean the bathroom, write a paper for sociology, start on my final projects, and get a gift for my niece's birthday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
 

The week in review

So, week one of weight watchers went really well. I lost 4lbs. I have a ton of energy because I am eating healthier. I am hoping to drop quite a bit by the time we move. I just have to stick to the plan.

I ordered Bianca her Easter dress. It should be here today. I cannot wait to try it on her. This is the first Easter dress I bought her. Gram always bought her Easter and Christmas outfits. She loved to get things for the kids. Ordering it was bittersweet. I should also be getting  the material to make Bianca tutu. She is going to love it. I have been looking at pettieskirt material as well. I just don't have a lot of room for my sewing machine.

Jimmy has decided I cannot walk him up to school anymore. I have to drop him off at the bottom of the hill. He always looks back to make sure I am watching when he gets to the top. He isn't quite as big as he pretends to be.

Jay and I are starting to get ready for the move. He has a few jobs to finish up here but he should be heading down in May. I am nervous and excited all at once. I cannot wait to move but I am praying Jay finds a good job and apartment. I know that God will provide for us though. I just need to keep faith.

Weight Watchers

I started Weight Watchers yesterday. I have gotten to the point I cannot stand looking in the mirror. I need to lose at least 60lbs to be at a healthy weight and another 10lbs or so to be at my ideal weight. I have been doing well so far.  I have stayed within my points range and not been hungry. I am hoping to add some exercise to my plan soon.

I am in love!

My new Kitchenaid stand mixer arrived today. I had a Kitchenaid from the 1940s but the bowl broke in December. After searching everywhere for a new bowl, I broke down and bought a new mixer. This is what it looks like. The bayleaf color is even more amazing in person. It came with a flex edge beater as a bonus plus a $30 rebate and a year subscription to Martha Stewart Living. I made the most awesome brownies in it this afternoon. I am about to make some cookies as well. This mixer could be very bad for my diet. I cannot wait to make mashed potatoes with it. They will be so light and fluffy!

Sick

For the last two weeks everyone has been sick. Jimmy and I had the flu last week. Jay had a cold. Then on Wednesday I had to pick Jimmy up from school because he vomited. He was fine yesterday and went to school but last night Bianca vomited all night long. She is laying on the couch looking miserable right now. I am hoping the warmer weather that is supposed to be coming our way will perk us all up.

Quiet

My sister-in-law is leaving today. I will finally have my house back and some quiet. She came and stayed with us for five days about two weeks ago, flew out to Washington, and then returned here for two more days. I like B and love my niece and nephews but I am glad they are headed home. She has a 10 year old daughter M, a 7 year old son X, and a 3 year old son K. That means 5 kids plus 3 adults in my tiny apartment. To make it worse the kids spend all day fighting with each other and wreaking my house. I am a bit of a neat freak. I cannot stand messes and toys left everywhere. That is why the kids share a bedroom and have a playroom. The toys were everywhere. I couldn't walk without stepping on something or tripping over someone. And the volume level was insane. Screaming, crying, whining, and that was just the adults.


I have decided I am going to curl up with my Kindle and read or catch a few episodes of the office with Jay. I need some quiet time to recharge my battery. This makes me really hope we get the four bedroom house I fell in love with in LA. It is 4100+ sq. ft. and I could hide when people come to visit.

Simple Woman's Daybook for March 7, 2011

Outside my window... there is a mixture of freezing rain and snow.

I am thinking... about my new classes that started today.

I am thankful for... the tree branch not going through my roof when it fell on it this morning & the fact I am finished with my college art class.

From the kitchen... nothing this second but we are having yogurt for lunch and cajun chicken with rice and green beans for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans, sneakers, a long sleeved green striped shirt, and a hoodie.

I am reading... a chapter in my new sociology text and history text.

I am hoping... that it starts getting warmer soon so Jay can replace the muffler on my van.

I am creating... a peaceful, pleasant home.

I am hearing... the heater running, Jay typing up an assignment, and Bianca playing with her Polly Pockets and legos.

Around the house... is it mostly clean except for the laundry I need to fold.

One of my favorite things... is clean sheets!

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting some schoolwork done, dropping of the recycling, doing a deep clean of the kitchen, and decluttering.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Simple Woman's Daybook for February 28, 2011

Outside my window... it is rainy and overcast.

I am thinking... that this headache needs to go away!

I am thankful for... Jimmy being at his best friend's b-day party so I can have some quiet.

From the kitchen... oatmeal chocolate chip muffins and garlic butter chicken for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans and a turtleneck.

I am reading... the new Family Circle and Woman's Day. I need to start a new book.

I am hoping... that I can get inspired to work on my final for art class.

I am creating... a peaceful refuge.

I am hearing... the dryer and Bianca playing quietly with her Polly Pockets.

Around the house... is clean. I just need to dust.

One of my favorite things... is to cuddle with Jay and watch Supernatural.

A few plans for the rest of the week... art final, math final, Jimmy back to school, get donations dropped off, drop of recycling, & go to the library.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Bianca at 6 days old.