My Dearest John,
It seems like just yesterday your dad and I brought you home from the hospital. Since then, you've made our lives richer than we could image possible. Today is a big day for you, but also in some ways, for your dad and I as well.
Today, you begin your academic journey. I am so very excited for you! You already know so much about letters, numbers, puzzles and songs. You are such a happy and friendly boy, so I have no doubt that you will make a number of friends. In this way, I wish I could be more like you. You are such an outgoing person with little fear of what others think and I hope that you hold onto that.
I always loved going to school and learning. That's probably why I've made my career in academia. I hope that you have inherited that from me. Learning seems to come easy to you for which I am eternally grateful. However, you will find that some things won't be so easy. That's when you'll have to work harder. I've found that the harder you work for something, the more meaningful it is for you. I think this will be a lesson you will have to learn. Also, please don't be so easily frustrated. Keep going when things are tough. I remember coming across my 2nd grade report card years ago which says, "Katie gets easily frustrated." I certainly hope you don't take after me in that respect. Always remember though, there are lots of people willing to help you.
I didn't always like the people I went to school with. Kids can be nasty and I hope it will still be a number of years until you find this out. Just don't worry too much about getting in trouble that you don't stand up for yourself. Always remember that your mom and dad have your back even if the rest of the world doesn't seem to.
Please share your day with your Grandma and Papa when they pick you up, just like I used to. I still remember your Grandma taking me for my first day of Kindergarten at Fernway. She will take good care of you after school as she already does. However, I do ask that you save a part of your day to share with me as well.
I had to let you go and trust others with your care at 8 weeks old. Somehow, this is much harder for me. Letting you into a world full of people who aren't related to you gives me pause. But I know that this is best for you and that you will do it and do it well.
I love you sweet boy,
Mommy
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Prayer Journey: Day 4
I am on the fourth day of my journey. I am surprised by both how easy and how hard it is. Easy as when I stop and think for I minute, I say a quick prayer for them. Hard in during a decade of the Rosary (in my head, still need to pull it out). Also, today is the first time I am praying for someone I feel a little iffy about. That's pretty hard!
I was also surprised by the sheer number of requests that my post generated. I think people are in need of prayer more than ever. I am so happy to be doing something good for others. Even better is that some people have also taken up this challenge.
Well, four days isn't a lot. I hope to keep it going strong. My calendar is nearly full! I hope to post occasional updates here, to give helpful hints or talk about what I am struggling with. Praying this goes well for me, for everyone else, but especially praying for my person of the day.
I was also surprised by the sheer number of requests that my post generated. I think people are in need of prayer more than ever. I am so happy to be doing something good for others. Even better is that some people have also taken up this challenge.
Well, four days isn't a lot. I hope to keep it going strong. My calendar is nearly full! I hope to post occasional updates here, to give helpful hints or talk about what I am struggling with. Praying this goes well for me, for everyone else, but especially praying for my person of the day.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
40 Day Prayer Journey
For the first time during the season of Lent, I have decided to pick up a good habit rather than give up something.
I had been wanting to make this change when mentally going through the list of what I could do. Then, I came across this blog while on my lunch break yesterday afternoon. Basically, you take the people in your life, people in your family, that you work with and even people you don't get along well with. Each of the 40 days of Lent, you offer up your daily prayers for one individual on your list all day.
I honestly think it's a great idea. I know having done a 365 photo challenge greatly helped me with my photography last year. I hope this journey will do a similar thing for my prayer life. While I am pretty good with spontaneous prayer, in the journey, I hope to work on the Rosary which has never been a big part of my faith life, but has been for some of the people I've admire most.
I have my first two days planned and will be setting aside each of the 40 days plus Sundays as prayer days for particular individuals. I will be assigning people a day within the next few days. I am definitely nervous, but anything worth doing isn't easy.
Have a good Lent people.
I had been wanting to make this change when mentally going through the list of what I could do. Then, I came across this blog while on my lunch break yesterday afternoon. Basically, you take the people in your life, people in your family, that you work with and even people you don't get along well with. Each of the 40 days of Lent, you offer up your daily prayers for one individual on your list all day.
I honestly think it's a great idea. I know having done a 365 photo challenge greatly helped me with my photography last year. I hope this journey will do a similar thing for my prayer life. While I am pretty good with spontaneous prayer, in the journey, I hope to work on the Rosary which has never been a big part of my faith life, but has been for some of the people I've admire most.
I have my first two days planned and will be setting aside each of the 40 days plus Sundays as prayer days for particular individuals. I will be assigning people a day within the next few days. I am definitely nervous, but anything worth doing isn't easy.
Have a good Lent people.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Where IS your son while you work?
Usually, I don't get in a tither about things I read on the internet. People have different opinions than I do. While sometimes I find myself sighing reading something, I usually don't do much more. I recently read a repost of some guy's blog aiming to glorify stay at home moms while pretty much implying that women in the workplace were replaceable, not meeting the "higher" calling of a SAHM and less than "ideal."
Being a stay at home mom is a lot of work. Being your child's only caretaker 9-10 hours a day 5 days a week is hard! Some do it even longer than that! I have a taste of it each Sunday as my husband works while I stay at home. That taste is more than enough for me to appreciate all the hard work mothers who stay at home do. Also, having a mom who did stay at home in my early years provides me with an appreciation of it. Raising kids is the toughest thing one will ever do. It is extremely exhausting and not for the faint of heart! I can imagine that it's really tough to live in one income and not all families with a SAHM enjoy the luxuries my family enjoys.
However, you know what is also a lot of work? Being away from home 50 hours or so a week and still trying to manage to keep the house in some semblance of order, spending quality time with your child(ren), preparing for the times you will not be with them, calling on your breaks to check in with their daytime care giver, not being able to nap when your baby naps even though you were up all night with him/her but still had to be up at 6 AM so that you can go to work and put food on the table, using your work breaks to get done miscellaneous administrative house work so more of your time home can be spent fully being there and sacrificing time with your spouse so your child has more time with his parents each day. To me, that's a pretty difficult as well. Yes, honestly, after a day of full time caring for my child, returning to work on Monday is a breeze. That doesn't mean that there is no difficulty in the choice we made as a family.
You know what also should be a lot of work? Being a father. You got it, a father is such an important part of a child's world. I would even say AS important as a mother. However, this is rarely mentioned other than when the news brings up studies about how important having an involved father is and how messed up children can be without a good dad in their lives.
However, the expectations on fatherhood aren't quite as great as society. It seems sometimes as though the father that works full time while managing to help with child care and housework (whether or not his wife works outside the home) isn't the norm and is almost hero like in spite women being in the workforce for a number of years. One thing that I found so obnoxious about blogger guy's post is him complaining while at a coffee house (instead of well, at home) he says, "My wife would love to have a coffee break." Well, man that's your ROLE as a father. YOU should be the one making sure your wife gets a much deserved break! While society still seems to look down on mothers trying to advance their career, this is still a noble pursuit when a father does the same thing even at the expense of extreme time away from his family.
In our situation, my husband and I would opposite shifts while a family member takes care of our young son for 5 hours/4 days a week when our shifts overlap. We had always planned it this way prior to having kids and for us, it has worked out well these last three years. However, whenever I mention that my husband is my son's primary care taker for 30 of the 50 or so hours, it still comes as a surprise to people that he shares in the child care duties.
As a young child, my mom went back to work part time. Sure, at times it sucked and I missed her since I might just see her an hour a day between coming home from school and her going to work as I'm sure we all did. However, the very best part of the situation was bonding with my father. He wasn't just some guy who did fun things with us on the occasional weekend. He was a truly active participant in our life. I sometimes wonder if children suffer somewhat when this is not the case. If a dad isn't a major participant in your child's life, if a dad is forced into working insane amount of hours just so his family can get by, is it a good thing for his family? I would say no. However, I don't know if society values the contribution of a father's participation in the life of his child(ren) the same way it does a mother's.
The original article mentioned the "What do you DO all day?" questions that SAHMs often get. It sucks with the implication that a SAHM has a life of leisure, but sometimes, it is just merely a question. Being employed full-time, I usually get a lot of weird questions tossed my way too. Probably one of the more insulting to both myself and my spouse was, "Do you trust your husband to be alone with your child all day?" Um, no. I just married him because I thought he was a complete dope who isn't capable of parenting a child. My husband is just as capable of showing our child affection, clothing him, changing him, feeding him and most of all, loving him as I am. In some ways, I would even say he's better at it than I am. Another good one that happens pretty much in any conversation where I reveal that I'm a employed parent is, "Where is your son while you work?" Well, I pretty much turn him off and leave him in his bed all day. Kind of like the Small Wonder girl. Honestly, I know that this is just a question, not an insult leveled at me. Just like "What do you do all day?" is. And like it, sometimes it is a hard question to digest.
I am still baffled as to when working outside the home is pretty routine and how many people work opposite shifts from their parenting partner, how little support there is for moms outside the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. When I attended baptismal prep class, I want to say all but one mom was planning on returning to work after maternity leave. Quite a few of these split shifts with their husbands so one parent could be home. Despite this, the Mom and Tot class at our church is ONLY on a weekday. The library has a reading program for kids 3-5 (my child's age). Again, this program is ONLY during the day. There are mom groups that I found online. When inquiring about them, I was told, "Oh, well, we usually don't do things at night other than maybe have a night out together without the kids. This might not be the best fit for you, but you can come out during your maternity leave." I looked to the park district in my son's early years to see that we could only attend Water Babies on my schedule. Now he is older, the opportunities for evening Mom and Tot classes are there, but not to the extent that they are there during the day. Even when I attended one, it was me, one other mother and several dads. Why are there plenty of opportunities for SAHM to meet up as moms with their kids while opportunities for working mom are all but non-existent? We all need support and personally, I would love the opportunity to bond with people in the same place in life as me while my son gets some time with others.
Okay, I think I covered a lot here. The main point I want to make is parents, help each other out. The other point is we still have a long way to go when it comes to supporting all types of parents, especially mothers. And finally, no way of parenting is the best way. Each situation is different and each person is unique in their role as a parent. It's easy to judge and be smug that your way is the BEST or IDEAL way. It's fun to put yourself or your significant other on a pedestal above the rest of the world and look down on those who do it differently. There is no universal truth in parenting other than the majority of parents love their children very much and doing their darnest to raise healthy, smart and caring individuals.
PS-I really have to have a huge shot out to our parents. Without my mom and dad helping us, things would be so much harder. The majority of the afternoons my mom watches my son, she provides me with a meal. It makes my world that much easier and better with a wonderful act of kindness. Without my in-laws helping us, we would very rarely have time together as a couple. When you are an adult, you finally realize what awesome, self-sacrificing individuals your parents are. The fact that they are still at it 30+ into the parenting journey is amazing.
Being a stay at home mom is a lot of work. Being your child's only caretaker 9-10 hours a day 5 days a week is hard! Some do it even longer than that! I have a taste of it each Sunday as my husband works while I stay at home. That taste is more than enough for me to appreciate all the hard work mothers who stay at home do. Also, having a mom who did stay at home in my early years provides me with an appreciation of it. Raising kids is the toughest thing one will ever do. It is extremely exhausting and not for the faint of heart! I can imagine that it's really tough to live in one income and not all families with a SAHM enjoy the luxuries my family enjoys.
However, you know what is also a lot of work? Being away from home 50 hours or so a week and still trying to manage to keep the house in some semblance of order, spending quality time with your child(ren), preparing for the times you will not be with them, calling on your breaks to check in with their daytime care giver, not being able to nap when your baby naps even though you were up all night with him/her but still had to be up at 6 AM so that you can go to work and put food on the table, using your work breaks to get done miscellaneous administrative house work so more of your time home can be spent fully being there and sacrificing time with your spouse so your child has more time with his parents each day. To me, that's a pretty difficult as well. Yes, honestly, after a day of full time caring for my child, returning to work on Monday is a breeze. That doesn't mean that there is no difficulty in the choice we made as a family.
You know what also should be a lot of work? Being a father. You got it, a father is such an important part of a child's world. I would even say AS important as a mother. However, this is rarely mentioned other than when the news brings up studies about how important having an involved father is and how messed up children can be without a good dad in their lives.
However, the expectations on fatherhood aren't quite as great as society. It seems sometimes as though the father that works full time while managing to help with child care and housework (whether or not his wife works outside the home) isn't the norm and is almost hero like in spite women being in the workforce for a number of years. One thing that I found so obnoxious about blogger guy's post is him complaining while at a coffee house (instead of well, at home) he says, "My wife would love to have a coffee break." Well, man that's your ROLE as a father. YOU should be the one making sure your wife gets a much deserved break! While society still seems to look down on mothers trying to advance their career, this is still a noble pursuit when a father does the same thing even at the expense of extreme time away from his family.
In our situation, my husband and I would opposite shifts while a family member takes care of our young son for 5 hours/4 days a week when our shifts overlap. We had always planned it this way prior to having kids and for us, it has worked out well these last three years. However, whenever I mention that my husband is my son's primary care taker for 30 of the 50 or so hours, it still comes as a surprise to people that he shares in the child care duties.
As a young child, my mom went back to work part time. Sure, at times it sucked and I missed her since I might just see her an hour a day between coming home from school and her going to work as I'm sure we all did. However, the very best part of the situation was bonding with my father. He wasn't just some guy who did fun things with us on the occasional weekend. He was a truly active participant in our life. I sometimes wonder if children suffer somewhat when this is not the case. If a dad isn't a major participant in your child's life, if a dad is forced into working insane amount of hours just so his family can get by, is it a good thing for his family? I would say no. However, I don't know if society values the contribution of a father's participation in the life of his child(ren) the same way it does a mother's.
The original article mentioned the "What do you DO all day?" questions that SAHMs often get. It sucks with the implication that a SAHM has a life of leisure, but sometimes, it is just merely a question. Being employed full-time, I usually get a lot of weird questions tossed my way too. Probably one of the more insulting to both myself and my spouse was, "Do you trust your husband to be alone with your child all day?" Um, no. I just married him because I thought he was a complete dope who isn't capable of parenting a child. My husband is just as capable of showing our child affection, clothing him, changing him, feeding him and most of all, loving him as I am. In some ways, I would even say he's better at it than I am. Another good one that happens pretty much in any conversation where I reveal that I'm a employed parent is, "Where is your son while you work?" Well, I pretty much turn him off and leave him in his bed all day. Kind of like the Small Wonder girl. Honestly, I know that this is just a question, not an insult leveled at me. Just like "What do you do all day?" is. And like it, sometimes it is a hard question to digest.
I am still baffled as to when working outside the home is pretty routine and how many people work opposite shifts from their parenting partner, how little support there is for moms outside the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. When I attended baptismal prep class, I want to say all but one mom was planning on returning to work after maternity leave. Quite a few of these split shifts with their husbands so one parent could be home. Despite this, the Mom and Tot class at our church is ONLY on a weekday. The library has a reading program for kids 3-5 (my child's age). Again, this program is ONLY during the day. There are mom groups that I found online. When inquiring about them, I was told, "Oh, well, we usually don't do things at night other than maybe have a night out together without the kids. This might not be the best fit for you, but you can come out during your maternity leave." I looked to the park district in my son's early years to see that we could only attend Water Babies on my schedule. Now he is older, the opportunities for evening Mom and Tot classes are there, but not to the extent that they are there during the day. Even when I attended one, it was me, one other mother and several dads. Why are there plenty of opportunities for SAHM to meet up as moms with their kids while opportunities for working mom are all but non-existent? We all need support and personally, I would love the opportunity to bond with people in the same place in life as me while my son gets some time with others.
Okay, I think I covered a lot here. The main point I want to make is parents, help each other out. The other point is we still have a long way to go when it comes to supporting all types of parents, especially mothers. And finally, no way of parenting is the best way. Each situation is different and each person is unique in their role as a parent. It's easy to judge and be smug that your way is the BEST or IDEAL way. It's fun to put yourself or your significant other on a pedestal above the rest of the world and look down on those who do it differently. There is no universal truth in parenting other than the majority of parents love their children very much and doing their darnest to raise healthy, smart and caring individuals.
PS-I really have to have a huge shot out to our parents. Without my mom and dad helping us, things would be so much harder. The majority of the afternoons my mom watches my son, she provides me with a meal. It makes my world that much easier and better with a wonderful act of kindness. Without my in-laws helping us, we would very rarely have time together as a couple. When you are an adult, you finally realize what awesome, self-sacrificing individuals your parents are. The fact that they are still at it 30+ into the parenting journey is amazing.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
New Year Goal Update
I did a big post here about my goals last year and I accomplished a few and not so much on anything else!
Funny thing is one of my goals was to refinance. I finally sent the paperwork in the mail today. The rate wasn't nearly as good as it would have been months ago, but it is better than it currently is. I am glad that the wheels are in motion. Between things being crazy at work and other issues weighing on my mind, it was easy to let it go.
Accomplished:
I know my photography skills have improved. I ended up taking an eight week course this fall that I really enjoyed. Each week, we had assignments to complete under a particular topic. It really helped me focus and commit to one project per week.
I also started offering free sessions to others in May and started charging a small fee in September. I do full sessions. I've also done a few mini-sessions centered on a particular theme. I did a fall theme followed by a Christmas theme one. I will be having a Valentine's Day one in February. I met some really great people and have a great group of clients. My work can be found on my Katfish Photography page.
Finally, completed my 365 project and posted it on Facebook. It was quite hard and to be honest, I fudged a few days. I also over relied on my Samsung camera phone from September on. But overall, it was really enjoyable. I am thinking of doing a 365 2.0 project pairing it with a photo journal. I have taken pictures the last two days of course:)
I signed up for a forum hosted by two local photographers. Each month, there is a new theme kind of like my class. I am looking forward to getting to know other people, seeing their work and learning from them.
As far as fitness goes, I have much progress to make. But I did finish my goal of doing at least 1 5K per season. My timing totally sucked, but I did it! I don't know if I plan on doing one a season again, but I am hoping to repeat a few of them. I started Zumba a few months ago. We've been off due to the holidays, but I look forward to getting back to it next week.
Not So Accomplished
Financial Goals
Cooking Goals
Eating Goals
Going to keep working on those over the year.
New Goals
Trying to have a better attitude.
Helping prepare John for preschool.
Helping prepare Tim for possibly going back to school.
Continuing working on my old goals
Writing more. I just realized it had been since May when I last wrote. I miss writing and itch to do so. Just need to find the time.
I think that covers it!
Funny thing is one of my goals was to refinance. I finally sent the paperwork in the mail today. The rate wasn't nearly as good as it would have been months ago, but it is better than it currently is. I am glad that the wheels are in motion. Between things being crazy at work and other issues weighing on my mind, it was easy to let it go.
Accomplished:
I know my photography skills have improved. I ended up taking an eight week course this fall that I really enjoyed. Each week, we had assignments to complete under a particular topic. It really helped me focus and commit to one project per week.
I also started offering free sessions to others in May and started charging a small fee in September. I do full sessions. I've also done a few mini-sessions centered on a particular theme. I did a fall theme followed by a Christmas theme one. I will be having a Valentine's Day one in February. I met some really great people and have a great group of clients. My work can be found on my Katfish Photography page.
Finally, completed my 365 project and posted it on Facebook. It was quite hard and to be honest, I fudged a few days. I also over relied on my Samsung camera phone from September on. But overall, it was really enjoyable. I am thinking of doing a 365 2.0 project pairing it with a photo journal. I have taken pictures the last two days of course:)
I signed up for a forum hosted by two local photographers. Each month, there is a new theme kind of like my class. I am looking forward to getting to know other people, seeing their work and learning from them.
As far as fitness goes, I have much progress to make. But I did finish my goal of doing at least 1 5K per season. My timing totally sucked, but I did it! I don't know if I plan on doing one a season again, but I am hoping to repeat a few of them. I started Zumba a few months ago. We've been off due to the holidays, but I look forward to getting back to it next week.
 |
| Running of the Green: March 2013 |
 |
| 4th of July: After the walk sharing an Icee with my companion. |
 |
| May 2013: Fire Department 5 K |
 |
| May 2013: Run or Dye at Toyota Park |
 |
| November 2013: Turkey Trot |
Not So Accomplished
Financial Goals
Cooking Goals
Eating Goals
Going to keep working on those over the year.
New Goals
Trying to have a better attitude.
Helping prepare John for preschool.
Helping prepare Tim for possibly going back to school.
Continuing working on my old goals
Writing more. I just realized it had been since May when I last wrote. I miss writing and itch to do so. Just need to find the time.
I think that covers it!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Goals: Part Two
Yeah, I suck at sticking to things. Okay, so I've been with the same man for nearly 12 years and at the same job for 10 years, but when it comes to some things, I'm your typical, flaky Gemini.
Here's an update of my goals:
Exercising/Eating Right:
Well, I did successfully complete an 8K in March. I was the very last one and kind of sad to see there was a huge time gap between me and the person who finished before. I was two days from finally receiving medication for a third round of sinus infections I had since January. That was later followed by a fourth round which happened to co-inside with the trifecta of VIP days: Easter, my aunt-in-law's wake and funeral.
Did I mention the fact that John and Tim were sick twice too between March and April? I don't think I've ever been happier to see something go in my entire life.
Needless to say, I didn't live up to either goal. I'm back walking these last two weeks, but it might be awhile until I'm where I wanted to be by this point. I'm still as slow as molasses in January. I do have a 5K this Sunday and hope I don't embarrass myself again. But what the heck, I'm doing it. It's just SO discouraging because I SO suck at it, but it does motivate me and motivation is the key.
Let's face it, me and cooking are kind of like couch potatoes and sports. I collect and go through cookbooks and watch the Food Network. But actually use a stove? Ha! I did make a few great dishes, but we've done a few grocery store prepared meals, some fast food, some restaurants, some meals from parents and lots of Birtolli skillet meals!
Tim's done good. He loves looking and experimenting with recipes. Me, I've mostly like eating his creations.
Now, John and food is another thing that drove me crazy for weeks at a time these past few months. He either eats like a farm hand after a long day in the field or like a tiny birdy. Between growth spurts and illnesses, the poor kid doesn't know if he is coming or going!
So, I have to get back on this wagon train. Move it on along little doggies.
Photography
I have thrown myself into my 365 project. Well, honestly, some days I'm literally phoning it in (although oftentimes, those photos can be quite good!), other days I take a million shots with my DSLR and struggle to find the best.
I attended my workshop which was much more informative than my 8 week class. Things started to click from there on out. I've read quite a few books, looked through others and have a stack to read. I am tired of hearing about the triangle of ISOs, F-Stops and Shutter Speed. I know that they are like the Father, Son and Holy Ghost of Photography all working together, but enough already! Onwards and upwards.
I decided to expand my circle of subjects. I was hoping to get in an extended family shoot, but with extended families, they're lots and lots of different schedules. So, it's on the backburner right now.
I offered free photo sessions on Facebook to develop my skills and have two sessions book and am waiting to hear back on three others about a date. I'm not sure where I'll go from here, but I am super excited about taking this next step.
Finances
I will be deciding on a possible new health insurance provider as our healthcare costs are high. I do need to do the HARP 2.0, but I am fearful. Otherwise, we have honestly cut back on out food (not nearly to the extent I'd like) and other expenses, but there always seems to be a need for something.
Organizing
Are you kidding? Well, I did manage to purge my china cabinet and other glassware somewhat. We replaced our ugly rug in the living room with a nice fake wood floor. I'd like to do something to organize John's toys in our living room better. The house is in somewhat better shape than usual, but we have a long way to go.
Church
I'm wrapping up my time leading our women's ministry. I'm looking forward to the future. Unfortunately, our attendance due to illness has been a bit spotty the past few months, but I hope to be working on it over the summer.
Well, that's about it. That's what this terribly flaky Gemini has been up to.
Here's an update of my goals:
Exercising/Eating Right:
Well, I did successfully complete an 8K in March. I was the very last one and kind of sad to see there was a huge time gap between me and the person who finished before. I was two days from finally receiving medication for a third round of sinus infections I had since January. That was later followed by a fourth round which happened to co-inside with the trifecta of VIP days: Easter, my aunt-in-law's wake and funeral.
Did I mention the fact that John and Tim were sick twice too between March and April? I don't think I've ever been happier to see something go in my entire life.
Needless to say, I didn't live up to either goal. I'm back walking these last two weeks, but it might be awhile until I'm where I wanted to be by this point. I'm still as slow as molasses in January. I do have a 5K this Sunday and hope I don't embarrass myself again. But what the heck, I'm doing it. It's just SO discouraging because I SO suck at it, but it does motivate me and motivation is the key.
Let's face it, me and cooking are kind of like couch potatoes and sports. I collect and go through cookbooks and watch the Food Network. But actually use a stove? Ha! I did make a few great dishes, but we've done a few grocery store prepared meals, some fast food, some restaurants, some meals from parents and lots of Birtolli skillet meals!
Tim's done good. He loves looking and experimenting with recipes. Me, I've mostly like eating his creations.
Now, John and food is another thing that drove me crazy for weeks at a time these past few months. He either eats like a farm hand after a long day in the field or like a tiny birdy. Between growth spurts and illnesses, the poor kid doesn't know if he is coming or going!
So, I have to get back on this wagon train. Move it on along little doggies.
Photography
I have thrown myself into my 365 project. Well, honestly, some days I'm literally phoning it in (although oftentimes, those photos can be quite good!), other days I take a million shots with my DSLR and struggle to find the best.
I attended my workshop which was much more informative than my 8 week class. Things started to click from there on out. I've read quite a few books, looked through others and have a stack to read. I am tired of hearing about the triangle of ISOs, F-Stops and Shutter Speed. I know that they are like the Father, Son and Holy Ghost of Photography all working together, but enough already! Onwards and upwards.
I decided to expand my circle of subjects. I was hoping to get in an extended family shoot, but with extended families, they're lots and lots of different schedules. So, it's on the backburner right now.
I offered free photo sessions on Facebook to develop my skills and have two sessions book and am waiting to hear back on three others about a date. I'm not sure where I'll go from here, but I am super excited about taking this next step.
Finances
I will be deciding on a possible new health insurance provider as our healthcare costs are high. I do need to do the HARP 2.0, but I am fearful. Otherwise, we have honestly cut back on out food (not nearly to the extent I'd like) and other expenses, but there always seems to be a need for something.
Organizing
Are you kidding? Well, I did manage to purge my china cabinet and other glassware somewhat. We replaced our ugly rug in the living room with a nice fake wood floor. I'd like to do something to organize John's toys in our living room better. The house is in somewhat better shape than usual, but we have a long way to go.
Church
I'm wrapping up my time leading our women's ministry. I'm looking forward to the future. Unfortunately, our attendance due to illness has been a bit spotty the past few months, but I hope to be working on it over the summer.
Well, that's about it. That's what this terribly flaky Gemini has been up to.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Champion
Can you tell Tim came home early and told me to use my time to relax?
Another one of my goals was to try to do a walk a season. The winter/spring walk was an 8K hosted by the Tinley Park Park District called the Running O' the Green. I was a bit worried about a longer distance race, but it worked out nicely.
Here's the thing: I had practically no training. About five years back, I had a BAD run of sinus infections. I learned from that experience sometimes it is best to call in the big guns: ENT Doctor.
I was sick for a week in January. Then for a few weeks I was well. Then sick again in February. About a week before the race, I could tell it was coming back. I called a new ENT near our home and made an appointment for the Friday before.
I was pretty messed up by Monday. Thankfully, we left work early that Tuesday due to snow. With Tim off and everything for the night cancelled, I fell asleep. I was not feeling much better by Friday. The doctor decided to blast the heck out of the infection with: an antihistamine nasal spray on top of my steroid spray, oral steroids and a new strain of antibiotics.
By Saturday, I felt good, but unsure. The steroids did give me trouble sleeping but opened me up quickly. On Sunday morning, despite the rain, it was rather warm and I felt pretty well. I put on a tank top, the race shirt, a hoodie and Tim's Columbia jacket from work and I was off. I could have probably done without the hoodie, but I was pretty worried about upsetting my lungs needlessly. I took my puff of inhaler and felt rather like Lance Armstrong with all my steroids!
I didn't do well. I went to the back of the pack very early and by a mile in, lost sight of everyone. I kept going, going and going. I kept running "Singing in the Rain," Eye of the Tiger" (from my years as VJA's wrestling stat girl) and "I Walk Alone" in my head. My iPod wasn't charged:(
Another one of my goals was to try to do a walk a season. The winter/spring walk was an 8K hosted by the Tinley Park Park District called the Running O' the Green. I was a bit worried about a longer distance race, but it worked out nicely.
Here's the thing: I had practically no training. About five years back, I had a BAD run of sinus infections. I learned from that experience sometimes it is best to call in the big guns: ENT Doctor.
I was sick for a week in January. Then for a few weeks I was well. Then sick again in February. About a week before the race, I could tell it was coming back. I called a new ENT near our home and made an appointment for the Friday before.
I was pretty messed up by Monday. Thankfully, we left work early that Tuesday due to snow. With Tim off and everything for the night cancelled, I fell asleep. I was not feeling much better by Friday. The doctor decided to blast the heck out of the infection with: an antihistamine nasal spray on top of my steroid spray, oral steroids and a new strain of antibiotics.
By Saturday, I felt good, but unsure. The steroids did give me trouble sleeping but opened me up quickly. On Sunday morning, despite the rain, it was rather warm and I felt pretty well. I put on a tank top, the race shirt, a hoodie and Tim's Columbia jacket from work and I was off. I could have probably done without the hoodie, but I was pretty worried about upsetting my lungs needlessly. I took my puff of inhaler and felt rather like Lance Armstrong with all my steroids!
I didn't do well. I went to the back of the pack very early and by a mile in, lost sight of everyone. I kept going, going and going. I kept running "Singing in the Rain," Eye of the Tiger" (from my years as VJA's wrestling stat girl) and "I Walk Alone" in my head. My iPod wasn't charged:(
I made it in around 1:52 ish which put me about 20+ minutes behind everyone else. By the time I got back, the awards were given up and they packed up all the after race snacks! I felt silly for being so slow. However, I also felt extremely proud that I didn't let my health issues stop me from accomplishing a goal. I may be the turtle, but I "ran" the race! (or walked, whatever)
On to a 5K for the fire department in May!
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