Wow... it has been almost a month since my last blog entry. The past few weeks have been insane, but things are slowing down. We took our week vacation to Vietnam (don't worry, I will be blogging all about it in the new few days. It was amazing!), one of my close friends came from America for a week visit (woot woot!), yesterday was Canadian Academy's International Food Day (I am breathing a big sigh of relief now that it is over), and now my husband's best friend is visiting.
I have taken over 1000 pictures the past 3 weeks, so be prepared for some heavy blogging coming up. And with all this going on, there is bound to be a "stupid move by Alexis" in there a time or two.
Showing posts with label busy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label busy. Show all posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Fly By Post
Useless trivia of the day:
The movie Good Morning Vietnam, staring Robin Williams, was filmed in Bangkok, Thailand -- NOT Vietnam. Why do I even care?
Because our Visas have been approved and we are heading to Vietnam for spring break!
Check, check, check! That is the sound of me marking items off my to-do list before we leave Friday morning. Sadly, I still have about 15 things to do before I can even start packing. And while I should be folding laundry, cleaning out the fridge, balancing the checkbook, and doing our taxes, I am sitting here surfing the net, blogging and procrastinating. (I have even been looking up pet beds and we don't own a dog!)
The next 34 hours will be full of cleaning, packing and finishing off my to-do lists, so I won't be blogging again before I leave. I know, my blogging has been slacking lately, but I promise to do a better job once I dig out from everything. And my Google Reader keeps expanding (is there a limit on unread blogs?) but please keep posting. I promise I will get you your blogs soon.
In general, the next month will be crazy with spring break, 21 days of guests (yes, people are visiting! Woot! Woot!), the International Food Day, softball games, meetings, and school activities. But with all that craziness, there will for sure be several "bloggable" incidents. After all, I haven't even come close to meeting my "stupid moves by Alexis" quota for the quarter yet.
The movie Good Morning Vietnam, staring Robin Williams, was filmed in Bangkok, Thailand -- NOT Vietnam. Why do I even care?
Because our Visas have been approved and we are heading to Vietnam for spring break!
Check, check, check! That is the sound of me marking items off my to-do list before we leave Friday morning. Sadly, I still have about 15 things to do before I can even start packing. And while I should be folding laundry, cleaning out the fridge, balancing the checkbook, and doing our taxes, I am sitting here surfing the net, blogging and procrastinating. (I have even been looking up pet beds and we don't own a dog!)
The next 34 hours will be full of cleaning, packing and finishing off my to-do lists, so I won't be blogging again before I leave. I know, my blogging has been slacking lately, but I promise to do a better job once I dig out from everything. And my Google Reader keeps expanding (is there a limit on unread blogs?) but please keep posting. I promise I will get you your blogs soon.
In general, the next month will be crazy with spring break, 21 days of guests (yes, people are visiting! Woot! Woot!), the International Food Day, softball games, meetings, and school activities. But with all that craziness, there will for sure be several "bloggable" incidents. After all, I haven't even come close to meeting my "stupid moves by Alexis" quota for the quarter yet.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Speed Blogging
Our summer consisted of 8 weeks covering 9 states and sleeping in 11 different beds. Needless to say no free directory assistant would have been able to find us this summer. So to share some of our summer adventures I thought I would do a bit of "speed blogging".
The kids and I flew back to the states on June 12. We spent the first week at the beach with Keri, Shannon and their kids. It was relaxing to work my jet lag off with my feet in the sand.
See more beach week #1 pictures here.
The following week Emily went to gymnastics camp, the kids and I spent visiting North Carolina friends, at the pool and attending Sami and Ryan's "wedding".
See more Hanging in NC pictures here.
Matt flew into North Carolina June 26, where we spent our annual week at the beach with college friends and their families. This year the beach crew consisted of 5 houses with 23 kids aged 13 and under.
You can see more Beach Week #2 pictures here.
On July 5 we headed to our parents house, but not before stopping in Columbus to attend a "Blackburn Hall" reunion and staying overnight with our friends Josh and Laurie.
The next 3 weeks, before Matt flew back to Japan, were full of spending time with family and friends, soccer camp, an overnight trip to Put-in-Bay, a family reunion at Lake Erie and camping with all our nieces and nephews.
Lots more pictures can be found here, here and here.
Matt flew back on July 23, while the girls and I took a road trip to Missouri and Illinois for a week. (Chris stayed back for some one-on-one time with the grandparents) It was a very nice and relaxing week.
Lots of Missouri pictures here and Illinois pictures here.
After Illinois it was back to Ohio for 9 days, before driving back to North Carolina for a day and then flying out.
It was a jam packed summer, as you can tell. But it was also a summer full of memories, laughter and even some tears.
The kids and I flew back to the states on June 12. We spent the first week at the beach with Keri, Shannon and their kids. It was relaxing to work my jet lag off with my feet in the sand.
See more beach week #1 pictures here.
The following week Emily went to gymnastics camp, the kids and I spent visiting North Carolina friends, at the pool and attending Sami and Ryan's "wedding".
See more Hanging in NC pictures here.
Matt flew into North Carolina June 26, where we spent our annual week at the beach with college friends and their families. This year the beach crew consisted of 5 houses with 23 kids aged 13 and under.
You can see more Beach Week #2 pictures here.On July 5 we headed to our parents house, but not before stopping in Columbus to attend a "Blackburn Hall" reunion and staying overnight with our friends Josh and Laurie.
The next 3 weeks, before Matt flew back to Japan, were full of spending time with family and friends, soccer camp, an overnight trip to Put-in-Bay, a family reunion at Lake Erie and camping with all our nieces and nephews.
Lots more pictures can be found here, here and here.
Matt flew back on July 23, while the girls and I took a road trip to Missouri and Illinois for a week. (Chris stayed back for some one-on-one time with the grandparents) It was a very nice and relaxing week.
Lots of Missouri pictures here and Illinois pictures here.
After Illinois it was back to Ohio for 9 days, before driving back to North Carolina for a day and then flying out.
It was a jam packed summer, as you can tell. But it was also a summer full of memories, laughter and even some tears.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Knock Knock... Who's There?
I am sure people don't remember me since it has been SIX weeks since my last entry. Yikes! I know. I had all these envisions of blogging all our summer experiences and trips, but somehow time has just gone by so quickly that when I actually found the time to sit and think about blogging it was 2 am.
This summer has been crazy busy. We spent two weeks at the beach in Oak Island, went to a college dorm "reunion" cookout, my family reunion, camping, Put-in-Bay, Illinois, Missouri, and spent lots of time visiting family and friends. Don't worry, I promise to post pictures from all this.
The kids have done great up until the past few days. They are more than ready to stop living out of suitcases, sleep in their own bed again and just get back into their normal routine.
So after being here 7 1/2 weeks we fly out in only 5 days. I am sure the next 5 days will be full of packing, last minute shopping, last visits and probably even a few tears.
And for all my blogging pals that I am 6 weeks behind in reading, I promise to get to them soon.
This summer has been crazy busy. We spent two weeks at the beach in Oak Island, went to a college dorm "reunion" cookout, my family reunion, camping, Put-in-Bay, Illinois, Missouri, and spent lots of time visiting family and friends. Don't worry, I promise to post pictures from all this.
The kids have done great up until the past few days. They are more than ready to stop living out of suitcases, sleep in their own bed again and just get back into their normal routine.
So after being here 7 1/2 weeks we fly out in only 5 days. I am sure the next 5 days will be full of packing, last minute shopping, last visits and probably even a few tears.
And for all my blogging pals that I am 6 weeks behind in reading, I promise to get to them soon.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Yes We Made It
We made it to the US safe and sound. Sorry I haven't blogged the past almost 2 weeks. Between massive jet lag, a beach vacation, catching up with friends, managing the kids myself and living out of suitcases I haven't found any time to blog.
But, Matt just boarded a plane and will be here tomorrow night. I told him he was my designated hitter and it was his turn with the kids for a few days. So hopefully once he is a bit less jet lagged, I will have time to catch everyone up on what all we have been up to. Maybe even load a few digital camcorders video on here.
I promise I will get to your blogs too. Sorry I have been such a bad blogger and commenter lately.
But, Matt just boarded a plane and will be here tomorrow night. I told him he was my designated hitter and it was his turn with the kids for a few days. So hopefully once he is a bit less jet lagged, I will have time to catch everyone up on what all we have been up to. Maybe even load a few digital camcorders video on here.
I promise I will get to your blogs too. Sorry I have been such a bad blogger and commenter lately.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
People, People Everywhere
No matter where you go or what time of the day it is, there are people everywhere in Japan. Streets are filled with people. Stores are very busy. On weekends or holiday's stores tend to be wall-to-wall people. I am not quite sure where these people all work, live or even come from. It can make going places quite difficult.
Here are a few examples taken from my camera phone.
Many times there is a line to even get into the aisles. One interesting thing is that if you say "Eye-key-a" most times Japanese people do not know what we are talking about. However if you say "Ee-Kay-a" they will nod their head in understanding. People were grabbing everything, from dishes to rugs to plants to light bulbs.
Costco... ugh. This day I was wondering if the money I saved was even close to being worth working my way through these people. And forget free samples. The lines were so long it may have been Easter before it was my turn.
While I am way to cheap to ever pay for Coldstone Creamery, sometimes something "Western" just sounds good. This day the line was "short." One fun thing about Coldstone is that all the workers sing and smile as they make your ice cream. At least they make waiting in line enjoyable and entertaining.
Here are a few examples taken from my camera phone.
Many times there is a line to even get into the aisles. One interesting thing is that if you say "Eye-key-a" most times Japanese people do not know what we are talking about. However if you say "Ee-Kay-a" they will nod their head in understanding. People were grabbing everything, from dishes to rugs to plants to light bulbs.
Costco... ugh. This day I was wondering if the money I saved was even close to being worth working my way through these people. And forget free samples. The lines were so long it may have been Easter before it was my turn.
While I am way to cheap to ever pay for Coldstone Creamery, sometimes something "Western" just sounds good. This day the line was "short." One fun thing about Coldstone is that all the workers sing and smile as they make your ice cream. At least they make waiting in line enjoyable and entertaining.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Hitting the Ground Running
In only 42 days I am moving to Japan and I think I am starting to hit a slight panic mode. Okay maybe more than a slight panic mode.
There is so much I still need to do here, not just before we move next month, but before they pack our stuff for the sea shipment on December 18. I have been busy stocking up on medicines (you can't find simple items like Tylenol very easily and medicines are 1/2 the strength in Japan. And speciality items such as Leptovox) or Viagra, you might as well forget it), food (cereal, granola bars, canned goods, dressings, peanut butter, mac & cheese, oatmeal, pancake mix, etc) and household goods (laundry soap, shampoos & conditioners, soaps, dishwasher liquid, Kleenex, paper towels, etc) I have picked out new master bedding, kitchen rugs and towels, bath towels and area rugs for the kids bedrooms. Even though our dining room is already full of stuff, I still have a long list of things I need to buy this week.
Besides shopping for the above items, I have a whole list of things that needs to be done before next week. Just a few of the most important things include:
Things are crazy around here right now trying to get things done, but it is probably a good thing. It keeps me from worrying about moving 7,200 miles away, the transition, the kids, missing our friends and family, and just being scared/nervous about this whole adventure we are about to embark upon.
Oyasuminasi! (Means goodnight in Japanese)
There is so much I still need to do here, not just before we move next month, but before they pack our stuff for the sea shipment on December 18. I have been busy stocking up on medicines (you can't find simple items like Tylenol very easily and medicines are 1/2 the strength in Japan. And speciality items such as Leptovox) or Viagra, you might as well forget it), food (cereal, granola bars, canned goods, dressings, peanut butter, mac & cheese, oatmeal, pancake mix, etc) and household goods (laundry soap, shampoos & conditioners, soaps, dishwasher liquid, Kleenex, paper towels, etc) I have picked out new master bedding, kitchen rugs and towels, bath towels and area rugs for the kids bedrooms. Even though our dining room is already full of stuff, I still have a long list of things I need to buy this week.
- Shelves for linens to put in the storage room
- Shelves for toys to put in the storage room
- Baskets and bins for the kids closests and the bathroom cabinets
- Some type of storage/drawer unit for Chris's closet (We are not taking his dresser)
- Spare sheets for Chris's & Emily's beds
- Extra razor blades & Emily's face wash
- Picture frames
- New kitchen dishes (We are keeping ours here to use and then put into storage)
- Blank DVD Disks
- Extra boxes of contacts
- Artificial Christmas tree
- Some last food items
Besides shopping for the above items, I have a whole list of things that needs to be done before next week. Just a few of the most important things include:
- Mail Visa paperwork **MUST DO BY TUESDAY**
- Starting to pull out clothes and items that we will be taking with us on the plane and put into suitcases.
- Finish Christmas shopping & wrap gifts.
- Sort through toy closet, dress up clothes and doll basket to take stuff that kids no longer play with or have outgrown to Guardian Angel store.
- Organize office, purge magazines, file paperwork, sort through supplies.
- Backup laptop and burn photo CDs.
- Pick pictures to print and place in frames.
- Clean junk drawer in kitchen.
- Clean out dining room hutch and sort recipe books.
- Call boat storage place and find a storage place for van.
- Call painters for quotes to get bonus room and master bedroom painted.
- Call rental agent regarding paperwork for January to get our house rented out.
- Sort through game closet to decide what goes and what will be stored.
- Organize coat closet.
- Make hotel reservations for Dec. 19 - Dec. 22 and then Jan. 16 - Jan. 19.
Things are crazy around here right now trying to get things done, but it is probably a good thing. It keeps me from worrying about moving 7,200 miles away, the transition, the kids, missing our friends and family, and just being scared/nervous about this whole adventure we are about to embark upon.
Oyasuminasi! (Means goodnight in Japanese)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Trying to Unbury Myself
I know I have been a horrible blogger lately. And I feel really bad that I am so far behind on reading my favorite blogging buddies. I am trying to play catch up from being gone in Japan for a week and all the stuff that suddenly has been thrown my way.
Add on top of my stack of to-do items, Matt booked his ticket today and if his Visa comes back as we have been told, he leaves in **gulp** 21 days. He is booked on a 6 am flight on October 22. I am trying really hard to not think about that right now. The whole reason we are choosing to go at separate times is to help make the transition easier on the kids, and to be honest, me as well. Right now the anticipated departure date for the kids and myself is either January 20 or 27, giving us basically 3 months apart. I actually feel sorry for Matt. At least I will be back here surrounded by friends and family, especially during the holidays, and he will be alone in Japan.
So what do I need to get done before I am back in full-time action in bloggy land?
I promise I will be back soon. Thanks for being so understanding!
Add on top of my stack of to-do items, Matt booked his ticket today and if his Visa comes back as we have been told, he leaves in **gulp** 21 days. He is booked on a 6 am flight on October 22. I am trying really hard to not think about that right now. The whole reason we are choosing to go at separate times is to help make the transition easier on the kids, and to be honest, me as well. Right now the anticipated departure date for the kids and myself is either January 20 or 27, giving us basically 3 months apart. I actually feel sorry for Matt. At least I will be back here surrounded by friends and family, especially during the holidays, and he will be alone in Japan.
So what do I need to get done before I am back in full-time action in bloggy land?
Fill outand turn in expense reports to our relocation coordinator. This consists of scanning every receipt,documenting it on the proper expense sheetand then emailing it off. Right now I am anticipating this to take me about 2 - 3 hours.- Revise a 50+ page document for my Caterpillar client. Oh did I mention by end of day Friday?
Write at minimum six web site copy blurbs for a local client. Another 10-15 are due by the end of next week.- Email and call a contact list of 12 people for another Caterpillar document that I just started Monday.
- Taking the whole family to get a dozen each passport photos made. No joke about the number we need either.
Make an appointment for the kids passport authorization session. We have to do this through the post office, which means we are limited to times and days. This HAS to be done in the next week.Fill out the kids school application for Japan.- Send out emails about Matt's going away party.
Clean and organize my house for the Camp Family's visit! They will be here in FOUR days. I am ecstatic. Val has never been here and I cannot wait to show her everything. (Well and do some shopping)Go to Sam's Club and purchase all the stock up items before Matt leaves and before our membership expires in 18 days.- Back up my laptop. I am having an issue with it and terrified that something is going to happen.
Locate and call a rental company to help with our house here in NC.- Get Matt's international drivers license.
- Figure out what keylogger is. It seems to be the buzz word of the week to learn.
I promise I will be back soon. Thanks for being so understanding!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday's Fumblings
- Because of the humidity, we have had horrible storms roll through for about 20 - 40 minutes every evening. The storm 2 nights ago was probably one of the worst lightening storms I have seen in a long time. Somehow the storm knocked out Time Warner's digital service all over the area. We had no cable, phone or Internet for over 24 hours. Twenty four hours. I could handle the phone and cable. But the net? I broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about not being able to retrieve my email or check my daily news sites. (Can you say addicted?) One of the projects I am working on can only be done by accessing a server. So no working either. After 10 pm last night we were finally back up and running.
- I have over 36 books checked out at the library and 2 more waiting for me to pick up. Oops. Now to my defense, probably 10 of them are the kids books. But that probably doesn't make it any better, huh? I also have $100 in bookstore gift certificates and $148 in trade credit at the local used bookstore that I am needing to use. Maybe I will do a little shopping today.
- Speaking of reading... I had set a goal to read 20 books from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I am happy to say that with 8 weeks left I have read 12 books. Woot!
- Matt has his yearly review this morning. He always gets so frustrated when it is review time and then always does awesome. Fingers crossed that today is the same.
- Sami has been moved out of her regular gymnastics class and onto preteam. Last night was her "evaluation" night and other than a few stubborn Samisms, she did awesome. Being that she is such a drama queen, this is right up her alley. The way I see it, it cuts down in carpooling Sam to some other activity. Who knows. Maybe she will do this for awhile and decide it isn't for her. With Sam you never really know.
- My dad is going through some physical therapy and will be having surgery on July 24. Please keep him in your prayers. I am not ready for this whole aging parents thing. Sigh...
- Only 37 more days until I get to see David Cook. I.Cannot.Wait.
- I just downloaded a trial of Photoshop Elements 6.0. I have been told that it is much more user friendly than my Photoshop CS program. Anyone have any tips?
- I am hoping to be able to blog several Thailand and beach vacation entries in the next week. I am needing to upload pictures online first and am trying to decide if I still want to use Shutterfly (which I like) or switch to something else. And if I switch, can I transfer over my current albums. Sometimes technology just brings too many choices.
- That cat is still hanging around. And one night he brought a friend. Oops. We have opted to not tell Matt that one. Emily has named him "Buddy". Original, huh?
- Matt's heading back to Japan next month, and possibly Puerto Rico. Joy. Joy. Joy.
- I cannot for the life of my figure out the call waiting on my cellphone or my Bluetooth headset. I can switch over to the other caller, but I cannot figure out how to switch back to the original person I was speaking with. I have a Verizon Chocolate cell phone. Can anyone help?
- Only 10 days and Jamie, Hannah, Ashley and even Mark are coming to visit! I am so flipping excited. I am trying to fit golf, a trip to the farmers market, a day at the beach and dinner on the boat all into their 4 day visit. I hope they are resting up and buying lots of sunblock.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Kibbles and Bits
I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day! I have been blessed with one of the best dads ever and now I am married to an amazing dad as well.
Just a few Kibbles & Bits on this Sunday evening!
Just a few Kibbles & Bits on this Sunday evening!
- We leave for the beach in 6 days. I am so excited. We have gone every year but once since 2000 to Oak Island, NC. A bunch of us from college, plus their friends and family, go down and rent a bunch of houses all in a row for a week. Luckily we live only 2.5 hours away, compared to the 18 hours when we lived in Illinois. Can we say cheap gas budget? I will then stay another week with just the kids and meet up with my neighbor Keri and her kids, and Shannon and David. I am sure I will need an Orovo detox from the beach after being there 14 days. But hey imagine all the books I will get to read.
- I emailed out 4 Caterpillar projects tonight. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Now I just have to wait on their edits, and in the meantime, get working on 2 new projects of theirs. (Plus some other client work)
- Sami starts kindergarten camp tomorrow. Every day this week from 8:15 am to 12:15 pm. She is a bit leery of not just camp, but school in general, so hopefully this will help. And in the meantime it will give me time to try to clean, shop and pack with one less kid.
- Emily starts softball tournaments tomorrow night. It is single elimination. Their team has done really well this season, but considering we will be missing several girls due to vacation who knows how they will do. Of course if Emily hits another homerun like last time it will be a huge help. (Yes, you read that right. Emily had a homerun!)
- Chris has his last game tomorrow night as well. He has really enjoyed baseball this season and is already counting down the days until football starts.
- I am so behind on blog reading. I apologize and promise to get caught up soon.
- Matt had a great trip to Brazil, but is glad to be back. With his crazy travel schedule the first half of the year he is more than ready for a travel break. He brought back some cool gifts since this was his first time in Brazil, including a handmade vase and two bottles of Cachaça, a liquor made from sugar cane, for me. (Hey, I have been alone with these kids for almost 4 weeks. Give me some slack)
- We had a scare with our dog Kylee Saturday night. She will be 13 next month and we really thought we were going to have to say goodbye. However it appears that she had geriatric vestibular syndrome, something similar to vertigo in humans. A few doses of Dramamine and she is doing 100x better. Fingers crossed that's all it was.
- I am turning
3329 a week from tomorrow. ((sigh)) - Only 63 days until the American Idol tour. I can't wait.\
- Today is my BIL & SIL (Stephanie & Adam) 12th anniversary. Happy anniversary guys!
- I am still blogging about our Thailand trip. I have lots to show, including a trip to James Bond Island, our stay in Patong, and our trip to Singapore. I am trying to label each picture before I blog so that takes some extra time. But I promise I will get it done soon. I am hoping that we have Internet access at the beach house so I work on it over vacation.
- There has been some exciting news in my family, but it may be a while before I can share. And no, I can't give any hints.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
End of the year insanity
When I became a mom 12 years ago I never thought my life would be so busy and chaotic as it is today. Our life is always pretty busy with the kids, work and commitments but the next few weeks is just insane. And guess what! Matt will be gone for just about all of it. (Shocker, I know)
Sunday night we had Awana awards. Sami and Chris (Emily is too old to be in Awanas here) got first year awards and then we had a yummy hot dog roast. The kids loved being in Awanas and will be sure to go back again next year.
Sami had a field trip to the strawberry patch. We had so much funeating picking strawberries and then having homemade ice cream. I love fresh fruit. And pretty soon it will be peach season. Yum!
Tonight is Sami's kindergarten orientation. ::Sniff sniff:: At least they serve us pizza. Now if only they had a beer or two to drown our tears in. Oh and Chris has ball practice and Em has gymnastics. Ummmm yeah. Not sure how that is working with Matt gone.Tomorrow night is Sami's preschool graduation. Oh and Emily has gymnastics at the same time. Thursday morning I am working the EOG breakfast at Chris's school, then we have the preschool goodbye picnic and then Thursday night both Emily and Chris have ball games. Next week and the week after is just as insane. I feel like I am running around like those on generic Phentermine, just never stopping.
Our weekend is up in the air as a close friend of ours finds out today if she will need surgery this week. If she does, I am going to Ohio to help with their three small girls. But we are keeping our fingers crossed that she doesn't. Shannon is having surgery on Friday and I would like to help out in any way I can with her too. Otherwise Matt will be back Friday from Illinois for a few days before heading to Brazil for two weeks. We may have a cookout for Chris and Sami's birthday since he will be gone for Sami's birthday.
Oh and in the midst of all of this my business is taking off. Totally a God thing. And a great thing. But it will require lots of time. Which right now, is hard to come by. Thank goodness for energy drinks. I think I will be taking stock in them.
Sunday night we had Awana awards. Sami and Chris (Emily is too old to be in Awanas here) got first year awards and then we had a yummy hot dog roast. The kids loved being in Awanas and will be sure to go back again next year.
Sami had a field trip to the strawberry patch. We had so much fun
Tonight is Sami's kindergarten orientation. ::Sniff sniff:: At least they serve us pizza. Now if only they had a beer or two to drown our tears in. Oh and Chris has ball practice and Em has gymnastics. Ummmm yeah. Not sure how that is working with Matt gone.Tomorrow night is Sami's preschool graduation. Oh and Emily has gymnastics at the same time. Thursday morning I am working the EOG breakfast at Chris's school, then we have the preschool goodbye picnic and then Thursday night both Emily and Chris have ball games. Next week and the week after is just as insane. I feel like I am running around like those on generic Phentermine, just never stopping.
Our weekend is up in the air as a close friend of ours finds out today if she will need surgery this week. If she does, I am going to Ohio to help with their three small girls. But we are keeping our fingers crossed that she doesn't. Shannon is having surgery on Friday and I would like to help out in any way I can with her too. Otherwise Matt will be back Friday from Illinois for a few days before heading to Brazil for two weeks. We may have a cookout for Chris and Sami's birthday since he will be gone for Sami's birthday.
Oh and in the midst of all of this my business is taking off. Totally a God thing. And a great thing. But it will require lots of time. Which right now, is hard to come by. Thank goodness for energy drinks. I think I will be taking stock in them.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Making a list and checking it twice...
I leave in 36 hours and I do not have a single item packed. Not. One. Item. (Can you sense the panic setting in?)
I just finished making meals for my mom. I decided on: Chicken Delicious, Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein, Sloppy Joes, Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, Baked Ziti and Three cheese chicken pasta and veggies. I figure those meals, plus leftovers and a trip to the local pizza joint should be good, right? And if not, well I guess they won't starve before the 14th.
United just pulled their flights today for safety checks. Thank goodness it wasn't Friday or we would be in deep doo doo as we can't miss our flight in Chicago or we will miss our flight from Singapore to Thailand.
Have I mentioned that I have not added a single item to the new suitcases that my darling husband bought for me over the weekend? Not. A. Single. Item.
Matt managed to get a really cool phone from work that will allow people to call into his work line and for us to call out via wifi and not use a calling card or any international fees. We tested it this afternoon, so fingers crossed that it works once there. I think I will buy an International calling card just in case.
And work... argh... I have so much to get done. I really do not want to take it with me, but I think I will have to. At least to be able to manage emails and such for some projects I am working on and waiting back information. As Val said in an email yesterday, being in business for yourself sometimes stinks because there is no escaping work. There are no "vacation days". Just like a mail man, come rain or shine, at home or in Thailand, work still needs to be done.
So overall, minus work items, getting the second shot in the hep series that is due (oops) and well of course packing anything (not sure I mentioned that yet), I have worked through my to-do list pretty well. I am contemplating pulling an all-nighter tomorrow so I will sleep on that 19 hour flight. I am not sure how to handle this time difference and flight yet, plus my already there insomnia. Matt loves to sleep on planes so he has no worries about his sleep. Heck he can sleep anywhere -- chairs, platform beds, the ground.
I will have limited computer access and our rooms are supposed to have high speed so hopefully I will be able to stop in a time or two. After all I need to feed my online addiction somehow.
Happy hump day!
I just finished making meals for my mom. I decided on: Chicken Delicious, Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein, Sloppy Joes, Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, Baked Ziti and Three cheese chicken pasta and veggies. I figure those meals, plus leftovers and a trip to the local pizza joint should be good, right? And if not, well I guess they won't starve before the 14th.
United just pulled their flights today for safety checks. Thank goodness it wasn't Friday or we would be in deep doo doo as we can't miss our flight in Chicago or we will miss our flight from Singapore to Thailand.
Have I mentioned that I have not added a single item to the new suitcases that my darling husband bought for me over the weekend? Not. A. Single. Item.
Matt managed to get a really cool phone from work that will allow people to call into his work line and for us to call out via wifi and not use a calling card or any international fees. We tested it this afternoon, so fingers crossed that it works once there. I think I will buy an International calling card just in case.
And work... argh... I have so much to get done. I really do not want to take it with me, but I think I will have to. At least to be able to manage emails and such for some projects I am working on and waiting back information. As Val said in an email yesterday, being in business for yourself sometimes stinks because there is no escaping work. There are no "vacation days". Just like a mail man, come rain or shine, at home or in Thailand, work still needs to be done.
So overall, minus work items, getting the second shot in the hep series that is due (oops) and well of course packing anything (not sure I mentioned that yet), I have worked through my to-do list pretty well. I am contemplating pulling an all-nighter tomorrow so I will sleep on that 19 hour flight. I am not sure how to handle this time difference and flight yet, plus my already there insomnia. Matt loves to sleep on planes so he has no worries about his sleep. Heck he can sleep anywhere -- chairs, platform beds, the ground.
I will have limited computer access and our rooms are supposed to have high speed so hopefully I will be able to stop in a time or two. After all I need to feed my online addiction somehow.
Happy hump day!
Monday, February 11, 2008
On Tap for the Week
Arizona... again. That is where Matt is headed this week. Since he will be gone 25 of the next 35 days I have lots of things on my lists to get done. I seem to work through the list better if I actually post and make myself accountable for what needs done. So sorry if I bore you, but hey, it works for me.
On my to-do list for the week of February 11:
1. Get taxes done and e-file.
2. Get project done for "J" at Cat and email.
3. Email engineers for project I am working on for "W".
4. Email service engineer and draft pilot article for "J".
5.Get to gym 3 times this week and use different pieces of exercise equipment.
6. Email parents for Emily's slumber party.
7.Clean out under bathroom cabinets in master bath.
8. Exchange air compressor at Sears.
9.Return pants to NY & Co.
10. Burn pictures for Kelli.
11. Choose pictures to be printed and hung.
12.Call IPE and ask for media list.
13. Clean out under kitchen sink.
14. Find Phuket message boards and gather info for trip.
15.Pack for trip to Ohio this weekend.
16. Find and print out coupons for trip to Ohio.
17. Check priceline for rental car for trip to Ohio.
18. Check out book from library on flying to ease Sam's worries.
19. Set DVR for Daytona 500 since we will be in Ohio.
20. Book mom's plane ticket here.
21. Finish book currently reading.
I did pretty well two weeks ago, getting all but 3 or 4 things done. We'll see how this week goes.
On my to-do list for the week of February 11:
1. Get taxes done and e-file.
2. Get project done for "J" at Cat and email.
3. Email engineers for project I am working on for "W".
4. Email service engineer and draft pilot article for "J".
5.
7.
8. Exchange air compressor at Sears.
9.
10. Burn pictures for Kelli.
11. Choose pictures to be printed and hung.
12.
14. Find Phuket message boards and gather info for trip.
15.
I did pretty well two weeks ago, getting all but 3 or 4 things done. We'll see how this week goes.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Getting Back on Track
The holidays are over, our Vegas trip is done, the Poultry Expo is complete and Kate and Matty have come and gone. Matt leaves tomorrow for the start of his whirlwind traveling and I am ready to get back on track with things around here.
So as always, I have made a "to-do list" for this week while Matt is in Tucson. I am hoping that this will help start get me caught up to where I need to be around here. Maybe... hopefully...
So as always, I have made a "to-do list" for this week while Matt is in Tucson. I am hoping that this will help start get me caught up to where I need to be around here. Maybe... hopefully...
Order my new cameraPrepare for gymnastics board meeting that is Thursday evening- Get all tax documents organized and everything we have so far entered into tax software. If W2 comes this week (crossing fingers it will) then go ahead and finish and file.
Update calendar and sync with ipod- Update contacts and sync with ipod
Return large stack of massively overdue library booksInvoice chicken client (providing they issue me POs to do so)- Finish one outstanding Cat project. Begin three new ones.
Organize office and work files betterSend potential new client business proposalPay bills and balance checkbookCall Illinois bank and close out the remaining $75 left in there **sniff sniff**File reimbursement form for Matt's trip to dental specialist last month- Finishing burning photos that are on laptop
Send in Verizon rebate (fingers crossed it isn't too late. I hate rebates)Get rid of this stupid coldMake it to the gym at least 3 timesFinish the book I am 1/2 way throughVacuum out van
Monday, December 10, 2007
Saying "Hi"
Well I made it back about 2 am Friday from Illinois, after being delayed and then sitting over an hour in the plane while we were being deiced. (Note to self: Try to plan Cat meetings in non-snowy seasons only) Luckily I came back to some awesome weather to make up for it (74 degrees today and high 70s all this week).
I have been busy hanging with the kids and Matt and just doing some family stuff together. The kids begged me not to leave them for 4 days again with dad. Makes me feel loved. But seriously Matt did awesome with the kids. So what if Chris drank 10 juice boxes in a matter of four days and the kids ate Papa Johns pizza every night.
I am swamped with work right now. While it is a good thing, it is also a bit stressful, considering it seems to all be due yesterday. So between my projects, the holidays, the last few weeks of the kids school and some other things my head is going to spin off.
I have a bunch of pictures to post from this weekend. Hopefully I will manage to get that done in the next few days. After all, I would much rather blog than write about chicken vaccinations, mining trucks and Wilmington NC real estate.
I have been busy hanging with the kids and Matt and just doing some family stuff together. The kids begged me not to leave them for 4 days again with dad. Makes me feel loved. But seriously Matt did awesome with the kids. So what if Chris drank 10 juice boxes in a matter of four days and the kids ate Papa Johns pizza every night.
I am swamped with work right now. While it is a good thing, it is also a bit stressful, considering it seems to all be due yesterday. So between my projects, the holidays, the last few weeks of the kids school and some other things my head is going to spin off.
I have a bunch of pictures to post from this weekend. Hopefully I will manage to get that done in the next few days. After all, I would much rather blog than write about chicken vaccinations, mining trucks and Wilmington NC real estate.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Balancing Act
I need just about 10 more hours in a day and I will be fine. Do you think that is possible?
When I graduated from college I got a job at a small PR firm. After Chris was born I was able to work out a deal where I worked 3 days from home and 2 days in the office. I really wanted to be able to stay home with the kids, yet at the same time we needed the extra income. So it was a perfect scenario. In September 2000 I went out on my own. My boss was moving to Minnesota and I wanted to stay home with the kids fulltime. Luckily a large client stayed with me, plus I found other small jobs here and there. Up until this point working from home was pretty easy. Emily was 4 and in preschool. Chris still napped. I took care of calls and such during that time and finished any worked after they went to bed. Sure there were late nights, but it was doable.
When I was pregnant with Allison I found out that my large client was being bought out. I stopped freelancing and contracting, and in the end it was a blessing. There was no way I would have been able to work considering all involved with my pregnancy and her care. Plus who knows what kind of material I would have sent to clients considering my emotional state for the first few years. In August 2005 I started contracting again. The workload was small and the kids schedules were still manageable. I continued to contract small projects after we moved, and again, the workload was so small that it hasn't been a big deal –– until now.
As I said a few weeks ago I have picked up a new client. The project has escalated into a much larger project, with four new things being added in the past week and a half. I missed Sam's preschool Halloween party because I had to go to a meeting. Emily had to miss practice Monday because I was called into an emergency meeting, Matt couldn't get out of a photoshoot he was doing for work and my neighbor's were gone. Now until January will be non-stop work. Add in 3 new projects since last Friday from Cat. My small workload has tripled in the past few weeks. And the other person I am tentatively scheduled to do some work for is supposed to give me project details in the next week or so.
Three years ago this would have been no problem. Today it has turned into a crazy balancing act. I have three kids in three different schools. Sam is only in school 3 days a week for half a day. Emily and Chris have homework. Emily has gymnastics practice 4-5 days a week. Chris has football 3 days a week. That ends next week, but then he starts basketball. Sam has her gymnastics class once a week. The kids have youth group and AWANAS on Sunday nights. We have bible study Friday nights. I have PTA, booster club, gymnastics meets, volunteering at the school, teaching Sunday School once a month. Matt is busier than he has ever been at work and leaves this Sunday for a 2 week trip to Europe.
Our travel schedule is crazy. We have three more meets this year and four in the winter. I have to fly to Illinois and to Atlanta for work in December and January. Emily and I are flying to Las Vegas for her meet in January. Matt will be in Arizona for probably 5 weeks in January and February. Our whole family is flying back to Ohio in February. Matt is at a trade show in Las Vegas for 8 days in March. We go to Thailand in April for 10 days. And that is just all the travel we know of so far. Plus Christmas and Thanksgiving.
We don't eat dinner until almost 8 every night, but that is because we believe we should sit down and eat together and that is normally the time we can do so. I am just having a hard time figuring how to juggle it all. Work, family, activities, friends. Next year should be easier with Sam going to kindergarten, but then that is what I thought with her going to preschool. Needless to say, right now a Orlando vacation home rental sounds really, really good.
I know there are others out there like us and I would love some ideas on how to balance it all. Fellow WAHMs I would love some suggestions on just how to get what I need done in the time frame I have and running these kids everywhere. Being a WAHM was much easier with two small children than with three active ones.
When I graduated from college I got a job at a small PR firm. After Chris was born I was able to work out a deal where I worked 3 days from home and 2 days in the office. I really wanted to be able to stay home with the kids, yet at the same time we needed the extra income. So it was a perfect scenario. In September 2000 I went out on my own. My boss was moving to Minnesota and I wanted to stay home with the kids fulltime. Luckily a large client stayed with me, plus I found other small jobs here and there. Up until this point working from home was pretty easy. Emily was 4 and in preschool. Chris still napped. I took care of calls and such during that time and finished any worked after they went to bed. Sure there were late nights, but it was doable.
When I was pregnant with Allison I found out that my large client was being bought out. I stopped freelancing and contracting, and in the end it was a blessing. There was no way I would have been able to work considering all involved with my pregnancy and her care. Plus who knows what kind of material I would have sent to clients considering my emotional state for the first few years. In August 2005 I started contracting again. The workload was small and the kids schedules were still manageable. I continued to contract small projects after we moved, and again, the workload was so small that it hasn't been a big deal –– until now.
As I said a few weeks ago I have picked up a new client. The project has escalated into a much larger project, with four new things being added in the past week and a half. I missed Sam's preschool Halloween party because I had to go to a meeting. Emily had to miss practice Monday because I was called into an emergency meeting, Matt couldn't get out of a photoshoot he was doing for work and my neighbor's were gone. Now until January will be non-stop work. Add in 3 new projects since last Friday from Cat. My small workload has tripled in the past few weeks. And the other person I am tentatively scheduled to do some work for is supposed to give me project details in the next week or so.
Three years ago this would have been no problem. Today it has turned into a crazy balancing act. I have three kids in three different schools. Sam is only in school 3 days a week for half a day. Emily and Chris have homework. Emily has gymnastics practice 4-5 days a week. Chris has football 3 days a week. That ends next week, but then he starts basketball. Sam has her gymnastics class once a week. The kids have youth group and AWANAS on Sunday nights. We have bible study Friday nights. I have PTA, booster club, gymnastics meets, volunteering at the school, teaching Sunday School once a month. Matt is busier than he has ever been at work and leaves this Sunday for a 2 week trip to Europe.
Our travel schedule is crazy. We have three more meets this year and four in the winter. I have to fly to Illinois and to Atlanta for work in December and January. Emily and I are flying to Las Vegas for her meet in January. Matt will be in Arizona for probably 5 weeks in January and February. Our whole family is flying back to Ohio in February. Matt is at a trade show in Las Vegas for 8 days in March. We go to Thailand in April for 10 days. And that is just all the travel we know of so far. Plus Christmas and Thanksgiving.
We don't eat dinner until almost 8 every night, but that is because we believe we should sit down and eat together and that is normally the time we can do so. I am just having a hard time figuring how to juggle it all. Work, family, activities, friends. Next year should be easier with Sam going to kindergarten, but then that is what I thought with her going to preschool. Needless to say, right now a Orlando vacation home rental sounds really, really good.
I know there are others out there like us and I would love some ideas on how to balance it all. Fellow WAHMs I would love some suggestions on just how to get what I need done in the time frame I have and running these kids everywhere. Being a WAHM was much easier with two small children than with three active ones.
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