Oops

Again I forgot to post yesterday.  I'm getting really bad about that.  Its not that I don't want to post, but its more that there isn't much to post about.  There isn't a whole lot going on, so then it slips my mind to blog about my day.

Yesterday was pretty productive though, as I got some more cleaning and organizing done.  I was apparently quite exhausted by the end of the night though, since I feel asleep before 9pm the first time! Woke up just enough to let the husband know I was going to sleep, and that was that.  I only woke up once more when the cat was meowing like crazy and I realized the husband wasn't sleeping yet (it always wakes me up if he hasn't come to bed yet).

I found a really awesome blog today -http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/- that is quite helpful with teaching your little ones at home through playing.  I like a lot of their ideas and am thinking how we can start implementing some of it in our own home.  I really wish we had enough room for a dedicated learning area so I could organize all the school stuff together and make it look like its a learning/school area for the boys.  Something to ponder on and see if we can make it work somewhere in the house.  If I'm going to be at home, I really need to get ourselves together on this homeschooling thing for both boys...at least for the time being.  We aren't having any luck with finding preschool options here, so this would be our best bet.  I also really want sensory tables and a light table for discovery and science fun for them.  I have silly, messy boys so I know they would LOVE sensory tables!  I'm getting a head of myself of course.  Finding a "school room" type space in the house is definitely something to think about.

I think tonight is going to be Waffle night again for dinner.  We sure have gotten a lot of use out of our new waffle iron.  Definitely one of the most useful  "house warming" gifts we have ever gotten, although I kind of enjoyed the plastic Christmas wreath we received in our first apartment years ago! Ha!

I am contemplating redesigning the blog again.  I'm not happy enough with this template.  But that will have to be for another day. Mommyhood calls!

What a day

Today definitely did NOT start out well.  And then this afternoon consisted of 3 1/2 hours of hard core cleaning my kitchen plus 1 1/2 hours of cooking dinner.  That's a long time to be in the kitchen LOL.

I haven't picked up my second week of Couch to 5k yet.  I have been walking the last couple of nights though.  I may have to repeat the first week, as I don't feel quite ready to up it just yet.  I'll work on that.

I'm trying to keep up with the blogging and having something worthwhile to talk about, but when I blog this late at night (or 12am), my brain isn't quite up to par on the quick wit thinking.  I need to remember to do this earlier in the day.

Fixed?

It looks like the app for my phone has been updated and bugs fixed. Today has been an off day. I just haven't felt quite up to par.

Other developments today have been good news for us, so that was nice for a change.

I'm so darn exhausted anymore, that I just don't have much to say tonight.

Here we go again...

So its the beginning of another week.  One more down in the history books (not that it was very "historic" or "interesting" for that matter).  By the end of this week, we will have been in Dallas for two months.  Time is sort of slipping away from us.  I need to really start figuring out ways to get things done and not just hope they get done.  Or trying but not really putting my all into finding solutions. 

It was a bit of a boring week, too.  I need to get some phone calls and maybe video chats going this week.  You know me and connecting with people! ;-)

The whole weight loss thing and Couch to 5k is off to a pretty slow start.  It seems I put on some muscle, which is great, but that then means the scale is showing a bit higher number instead of lower.  Hopefully this week will make more of a difference. 

I am not sure if we really have any plans this week at all, but maybe I can think of something for us to do.

Not every encouraging...

"Dallas is way, way behind unless you live in the richer parts of Dallas..." - Response to a comment about family friendly, improved parks and the like. This makes me quite sad.  Reading that truly made my heart sink even more.  I never would have though about Las Vegas being better than somewhere else.  Truthfully. I just wanted out that I didn't really think much that other places are behind Vegas in so many ways.  Including progressive thinking.  Now I knew coming to Texas was going to be a challenge in our views/beliefs/philosophies with dealing with a lot more uber-conservative thought then we are used to dealing with.  But it just keeps slapping me in the face with how "behind" things really are.  The only person who has even been willing to reach out to the "newbies" in the neighborhood (that being us) is the apparently racist occupant across from us.  Great.  Those are also the only children I ever see outside playing.  So much for neighborhood friends.  I have a real hard time with people like that.  It stirs up more emotions than I can truly handle on top of all the other ones swirling around in me to begin with.  I will never understand that how in this day and age, people can still be so blatantly ignorant and intolerant of other human beings. We are all here together trying to make some sense of it all.  Why must someone insist on separating and pointing out the minute, insignificant differences just to make themselves feel better than someone else.  I don't get it.


But again I digress...


Things are different.  Plain and simple.  And behind.  That word just keeps resonating in my head.  Behind.  That is really what is in.  As if, this place has been hidden behind large stone walls and kept from the ever changing, progressing, improving world.  Unless, as the above quoted response points out, you are of money and have said money to break from these walls and make some changes. I am a big advocate for change and pushing the envelope and making a difference, but this may be a whole lot more than I can handle.

Nothing big today

Not a whole lot has gone on at all today.  I was feeling very under the weather earlier but other then the exhaustion part, it seems to have subsided for now.  Tonight I will finish up week 1 of Couch to 5k.  I am guessing I am putting on muscle since I am now gaining weight instead of losing.  To be expected I guess.  I have loads of cleaning to do tonight as well, since I haven't done much throughout the day.

Sorry that the posts are getting so much shorter.  Its been a pretty tiring week.  Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things next week.

Lack of motivation

I am completely dragging today.  I know I probably over did it just a bit yesterday, but the working out felt so good.  Now I'm feeling the results today.  I'm sore, tired, and just not motivated to do anything.  I do need to get my arse in gear and get some cleaning done though.  So away from the computer I go...

Slacking

I'm losing ground on the blogging thing.  I'm not trying to skip days, but I have been getting caught up on other things as well that I forget until I'm already laying down, half asleep. 

Today I completed Day 2 of my first week of Couch to 5k.  So far so good.  Next week only bumps up the time a wee bit, but it might make all the difference of how I am feeling about it by that time.  I also did a Yoga/Pilates workout earlier today.  Both workouts felt great!  I'm really into this and hope I can stay on track this time around.  I have quite a bit of weight I do need to lose and also really am wanting to get back in shape all around.

Last night was the most amazingly loud, beautiful sounding thunderstorm.  I wish it had started early enough for me to truly enjoy it though, instead of losing sleep from it.  Glad the tornadoes stayed away from us at least.  This whole "Tornado Alley" thing is a bit creepy.  Before getting here, most people said Dallas really didn't get much of the weather anomalies...apparently those people were uninformed.

I hope to get the kiddos out of the house for even a little bit tomorrow, as today it was quite obvious they had really bad cabin fever.  Even the park for an hour would help, I am sure.  But if all that comes of tomorrow is a walk around the area, I'll take that too.  That is, if it doesn't rain again.

Another week

Today starts week 7 since we've moved.  Last week was a rough one.  I'm trying to make the effort to truly feel better about the move.  I think one of the things that has us so down is that we are a bit at a stand still.  We aren't really going forward with any of the goals or plans that we very firmly had set before we ever even left Vegas.  If we can start to change that, then maybe we can start feeling better and more at home.

I started the Couch to 5k last night.  It actually felt great! Of course, so far, its only walking and jogging in small increments to start, but still I felt the difference then if it was just a normal walk.  I really hope to get into shape a bit more with this.  Plus, I really hope to build up an endurance that I haven't ever had.  Running has never been something I have done.  I am bound and determined to change that. 

I have a few plans for the week.  We'll see what I actually get done.

6 years and counting...

I remember every moment of that day with such clarity...our wedding day that is.  Its funny because by the time we made it away from the party, I didn't remember anything.  It was all such a whirlwind.  But now, I can look back and remember SO much.  It seemed like the wind and many other things had wrecked out day.  Yet, now I can laugh...a little anyways...and cherish the fun time we did have together with family and friends.  It was a great day, despite any mishaps.  It was great because we got to openly share our love for one another with those that are so very close to us.  There are little quirks I think of now and sort of roll my eyes.  Several people we no longer talk to.  People in our wedding parties that we definitely wouldn't have chosen if we were to do it all again today.  Things we'd do different (indoor ceremony anyone??).  But in the end, the result is just the same.  Married to an amazing person and so many more years to come.

The Plan

I have a major health and fitness goal by the end of the year.  So I am working on getting all the elements of it into place. This all begins Saturday.  The husband and I are working on our meal plans and I'm working on the fitness part of my goal.  I've talked about doing it for some time now, but I will be starting the Couch to 5k Challenge.  This is what I am using for my source to get started: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.  It has a good layout for what should be done each week.  I'm getting pretty excited about it actually.  Hoping to see some good results, but all to get myself into some good habits as well.

Today was a fun mail day.  We finally got our library cards AND we got our The Mommies Network t-shirts! Yippee! We will head to the library after dinner.  And then I cannot wait to sport out TMN gear at an event soon! Woohoo!

I'm thinking about what all we could do this weekend, no specific plans yet but I'd like to get out some.

I'm glad its been such a good day, and I am pretty ready to start getting this big goal started. I'm motivated.

Another One Bites the Dust

So last night I did a pretty darn good post...and lengthy and that...but I did it on my phone, as I was in the living room and the husband was using the computer.  Lo and behold, of course, the app won't publish the post.  Quite annoying.

Today was a non-productive day on my end, but things were done around here.  The last of the known repairs were done by some of the owners. Yay for working lights and a new window.  A couple of other things were taken care of as well.  I take back the non-productive comment actually.  I did get to start looking for health care providers in our area.  We all need to find doctors, dentists, etc.  So I started the hunt.  I hate trying to find new doctors though. Its always such a pain. And quite time consuming, too.  My searching took up all my "free" time during the boys' naps.  Oh well.  At least I got an idea of who to start calling soon.

I got an interesting offer/situation presented to me today.  It sort of just made me giggle.  Its one of those times that no matter how hard you try to stay away from something, it just comes right on back and smacks you in the face.  Maybe I should take the hint.  We'll see how it pans out.

Tonight is "Chat Night" on a group I am a part of from Las Vegas.  Its the one night a month I look forward to chatting with some friends.  Its a part of that whole "connection" thing I keep talking about.  I don't get to go out for "Girls Nights" right now, so I will take what I can get for now.

Tomorrow I really am hoping to get out to do some things out and about town.  That was the plan for today but then there was all the different people stopping by, so that changed.  I still haven't seen my library card yet though.  Kind of a bummer there.

Time to go relax for now though.

New week

I'm at the point of almost losing track of days and time anymore.  That happens when I end up staying at home instead of having a job.  I wish we knew more people here or had the money for day care because truly, I would love to be working.  I did put in an application with the local school district just to see what happens.  Their requirements here are a bit different then Clark County, so we'll see.  By the time that school starts again, I will definitely have full blown cabin fever I am sure and really ready to be working again.  I just miss that outside connections to people.  There that is again...connections.  I am very obviously a people person and not a recluse or hermit LOL.  I thrive on connecting and interacting with others.  I think its a vital part of the human experience.

But I digress...

Today has been a pretty easy, quick day.  I did finally get answers about my library card, and hopefully it will arrive in the mail tomorrow or Wednesday.  Then we can head back up there, via the bus, and get some books.  I am just about finished with my second book since starting my 101 goals.  One of those goals happens to be reading 25 books in the next 1001 days.  I think I can seriously achieve that if I really get back into reading.  That use to be a breeze for me, but in the two years, I have just gotten out of the swing of things.  Hell, I think the last two years I have been out of the swing of life period.  I'm trying to really get life back in order in all aspects.  I think the chaos and disorder is a huge contributor to my stress and anxiety.  I need to get a hold of the reins again and take control.

As for my goals, I finally calculated the 1001 days.  So my end date is February 10, 2014.  I think I have some time to get these things done (just in time for our "3 year plan," too).  But I'm making a point to not procrastinate either.

I hope to get some more unpacking and organizing done this evening once the boys are in bed.  I am fighting the urge to just go to sleep later, because truthfully, I am exhausted.  But the more I put this off, the more stressed and chaotic it will be.

So here's to being making change and being productive.

Where I am today

So while I actually did blog yesterday, the phone app is refusing to post and then quits responding and insisting I must "force quit."  And I have tried numerous times since late last night.  Oh well...I guess that one wasn't meant for internet eyes.  Or I guess neither was the one that the app deleted either.  Hmmm. I am sensing a trend.  I guess that's my hint to just use the computer to do my blogging.

Its been a semi-productive, yet relaxing weekend.  I have gotten through a few boxes both from the garage and in the house.  I am in the process of weeding through toys, as well, and packing those up for either sale or donation.  And I've gotten some normal household cleaning done, too.  Yeah...sounds boring maybe but I'm quite happy that things are looking good around the house.  The clutter, boxes, and mess take my anxiety level to such an extreme high.  So when I get the chance to do something about it, it makes me feel so much better.  I can literally feel my blood pressure drop back down to normal.  Cluttered messes just stress me out.  Unfortunately, I also have two boys who think messes are the best fun ever.  So I just take deep breaths, let them play through their own mini tsunami of toys, and clean as they go (or wait until night time clean up for them to do it).

We now have high speed internet again and looks like we should be able to video chat with people a lot better now.  Its nice to get to see people from back home and talk with them that way.  I'm in a very "I want to go home" stage right now, so seeing and talking to everyone helps a bit.  Even if it also makes me miss them that much more.  I am trying really hard to stay positive about this whole experience.  Its just getting a bit harder for some reason, instead of easier.  Plus, I think being at home all day really takes its toll on me.  I wish it took longer to heat up then it does here.  If I could get the boys out in the mornings without worrying about the heat, I think we all would be doing a lot better.  But its pretty hot even by 10am already.  Which means by the time we are going home by noon, we are sweaty and tired and just ready to be done.  Its making it a bit difficult to enjoy being outdoors.

On an absolutely other note, today is 10 years since my wonderful husband and I started dating.  I like the sound of that. I think back and its so amazing that it all started that long ago now.  It seems like yesterday and a life time ago all at the same time.  Such wonderful memories and I cannot wait for all our future decades to come.

Time to end, so that I can spent some time with my husband and a good movie.  Great way to end a pretty relaxing day.

Focus

Every duty which is bidden to wait returns with seven fresh duties at its back.  ~Charles Kingsley

You may delay, but time will not.  ~Benjamin Franklin

So while I had grandiose plans of working in the garage yesterday, I subconsciously found a way around it.  I decided that boys and I would walk to the library yesterday morning.  Lo and behold, a 35 minute walk turned into an hour - - just to get there.  Luckily, we were able to catch a bus on our way home that turned the return trip into about 17 minutes.  That was much easier.  

Today, I will be getting at least something done in the garage.  I'm not expecting a ton during the day since our monkey of a toddler will probably not have a real nap time anymore.  The crib is no more now that he climbed out of it yesterday.  But maybe once the husband is home, I can go unpack a bit.  
 
I really plan to stay on track today and not get side tracked (haha hard task, I know).  So here are my very simple goals for the day:

1. Finish the scarf I am making
2. The unending chores of laundry and dishes 
3. Unpack 2-3 boxes from the garage
4. Read at least 2 chapters of my book tonight

Obviously, on top of that are all the daily things of being a mom and keeping up with the house.

We'll see how well it goes.

Staying on task

I skipped blogging yesterday, and I sort of feel bad about it.  Its only the second time I have missed it, but I just couldn't get my mind into it yesterday.  Believe I tried a few times. 

Today I am hoping to get some more stuff unpacked from the garage.  It just needs to be done.  I'm so over the disaster in there.  I can make place or room for things in here once I know what I am working with.  Some of our stuff has been in boxes for at least two years.  We definitely need a shredder, too, in order to get rid of our clutter. 

Dinner was so good last night that I do feel I should share:
(I doubled the recipe for us)
Yogurt-Curry Chicken Salad Sandwiches

1/3 c. plain yogurt
2 Tbsp sweetened flaked coconut
1 Tbsp green onion, chopped
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 c. cooked chicken, diced
1/4 c. chopped cashews, toasted (I used walnuts)
8 slices of Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread

Blend together yogurt, coconut, onion, curry powder and salt. Mix in chicken and cashews. Divide chicken salad among 4 slices of raisin bread and top with the remaining bread. yields 4 sandwiches 

SO GOOD!  I don't eat chicken salad (or any of "salad") sandwiches typically.  But this truly was so yummy!!!  That will be a new recipe for us to use a lot more.

Let's see if I can actually accomplish my goal today of unpacking.  It'd be nice to think we could be unpacked by the end of the month...but I know I'm dreaming.

Utter exhaustion

I don't know what got to me today but I have been purely exhausted since the moment I woke up.  I have been very unmotivated to do much of anything.  It was more of a "day off" type of day.  The boys had a really good day though, which makes me happy.  Bed time, on the other hand, is not going so well.  I just want to curl up and go to sleep, yet they are totally still fighting going to sleep themselves (and this is an hour and 39 minutes past their bed time). 

I truly hope to accomplish something around the house tomorrow.  Something beyond the normal daily chores since our garage still looks like a disaster zone.

Not much else to really talk about today. Its been a long, slow, tired day.  Hopefully I can get to sleep earlier tonight then usual.  I need it.

Fishy fishy

Today was a lot of fun.  We took the train down to the Children's Aquarium this morning.  Fair Park was an interesting area, and I hope we get to check out all the different things it has to offer.  The boys had a lot of fun and really enjoyed seeing the aquatic animals. 

I also had my first Jimmy John's sub.  What rock have I been living under?  Seriously, that was a quality sandwich for sure!  I sure have been missing something there. 

It sounds as if a storm is brewing outside.  Let's hope it is just rain and thunder tonight.  I don't need any "excitement".  And as I am typing this, it seems we are getting rolling brown outs...or something similar. 

Guess that means it is time to wrap this up.  Short and sweet today.

Out

I miss my girl friends.  Don't get me wrong - - I love my family to pieces.  Yet, it has now been over a month and I feel the cabin fever setting in.  I love getting out and about with the family, and hope to do so again tomorrow.  But sometimes a girl just needs her girl friends.  I would love to go out to a movie.  Or just go hang out somewhere, have a drink or two, and have fun just being with my girls.  I truly am trying to be positive and make the very best out of our new situation, but it seems to be getting harder actually as time goes on...no easier.

On a similar note, I would REALLY love getting out alone with my husband.  It was nice even just to grab a bite to eat or head to a friend's house sans the kiddos.  Right now, that is completely impossible as we have no one for a sitter and don't know anyone out here really either. 

I have a lump in my throat right now as I am typing all of this.  I wish I could be more positive about all of this, but frankly, the truth is I miss people and I miss being able to do things we are used to being able to do.  I understand that might sound selfish, but I can't help the way I feel about it. 

So now with tears streaming down my face...I should probably stop while I am a head and regain my composure before I get myself too upset. 

So lovely, wonderful family and friends...please know how much we miss you all and love you!

And don't take for granted all those girls' nights and date nights...the are so amazingly precious, even if few and far between.

Not where we need to be...

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.  ~Henry David Thoreau

I am missing both home (Vegas) and Tennessee right now.  My heart truly belongs in Tennessee, and family and friends are in Las Vegas.  I have felt so torn on that for a while, but not the way I do now that we are here smack dab in the middle in Texas.  Talk about torn in between.  So many would think, why how great! You're in between both places...except its just not where we want to be.  It seems that we just aren't settling in well.  We are having a good time exploring and the like, but still the idea that we live here is almost foreign to our minds and bodies.  Just trudging through...

Month two begin...

So its officially the beginning of my second month in Dallas.  Carless in Dallas...lol.  But I'm still okay with that...minus the fact that today got to 101! Uh oh...that definitely means the boys and I have to get our errands done EARLY in the day from this point on.  I am also hoping to set up a mini splash park of sorts in the back yard, with sprinkler toys and such.  Hopefully that'll help us beat the heat.

Today I am pretty excited for a good friend.  She got some really awesome news and I am pretty happy for her.  She has been given a great opportunity and I support her in it 110%!!! I just think its awesome and couldn't be happier.  It has helped with my really good mood today, too.

I have started on items for my etsy shop and tomorrow I hopefully will get it up and running! YAY! I'm really excited.  Maybe I'll get some items sold soon.  Even a little fun money is nice.

Its been a good day, even if its been uneventful.

Cleaning and Organizing

I spent most of the afternoon cleaning up and organizing both our house and my blog.  I just didn't feel "at home" with my blog look, so I spent a good amount of time working on it.  Unfortunately, I am still learning all the ins and outs of blogging, so its not perfect...but really, who wants perfect anyways. ;-)

Tonight is the last night with the car, and we are running some errands after dinner.  Hopefully we are getting the boys to the park as well.  They would really enjoy it and I think they need it too.

Now its some rest time before I go to make dinner.

A normal day

Nothing big to report today. Except maybe reminders of how much we miss home. Mostly it was just a lot of working around the house. Some day we'll be unpacked. 

I did watch a great documentary today - Lord, Save Us From Your Followers. It was really good and hit all my qualms and issues with all the religious and political quarreling in this country.  I have been meaning to watch it for some time now, and am glad I finally did. I have been saying for a long time now there just needs to be a conversation not yelling of opinions, doctrines, and beliefs at one another.  I have hope for this world some day...sadly, I don't know if we'll see that day.

Its late and technically tomorrow so I need to find my way to my pillow.