Musings of a Michigan Mom

I can finally start posting again!  For some time my laptop had been acting up and finally crashed on me due to not only my backlight, but my screen going out.  Yesterday I finally was able to get it back from the computer shop so I can start posting again!

Can I just say it’s nice having someone it the medical field in your extended family when you are a first time parent you have little ones.  I can’t tell you the number of times my sister-in-law has saved us from taking our kids into the doctor by having some of the medical equipment on hand so she could look in their ears to let us know that no, they dont’ have an ear infection or by listening to their breathing to let us know that it doesn’t sound like bronchitis or pneumonia.   It makes me think maybe I should of done gone in the medical field like that too, but since I have a hard time with the sight of blood I still don’t think that would of been the perfect fit of a job for me.   I still am glad I chose the route I did as staying home, watching the kids grow up brings me so much joy!  (Unless they are in their crabby moods and are fighting)

Since we did our taxes this year I’ve realized that I really need to keep better track of our “business” receipts. Since last year was my first year as an “independent writer” I had no clue what would be a write off. Now that we know, I find myself keeping more receipts and the envelope I’ve been putting them in seems to be getting a little small. So my goal today is to get all my business stuff organized so come next year I’ll be ready. I do good on writing everything I spend (so you could say I have good document management skills, it’s just the putting the receipts away where they won’t get lost instead of throwing them in a pile in my room.

Do you own a business?  If so, where do you put all your receipts?  In an envelope?  Shoe box?  File Cabinet Or do you have yours nice and organized in something else?

Every night when I go to bed I get my motivation to start working on my loosing weight and getting in shape.  Then when morning comes that motivation is long gone.   I just can’t help but look at my classmates facebook pictures and want to kick myself in the butt for getting the way I am.  I can honestly say I’m quite jealous of the way they all stayed in shape, of course most of them by reading their wall or looking at pictures are still all involved in doing things like running, riding bikes more than just a ride around the neighborhood, playing sports.  That’s where my problem started. 

When in high school I was involved in basketball and soccer which helped me keep in shape.  (Even though back then I thought I was still fat.. now I would love to be back at that weight)  Then once I graduated my exercise came to a stop and my life instead revolved around working close to full time and going to school full time.  I never made time for me then.  Once I got my associates degree I just worked full time in an office and by the time I would get out of work, I ended up just vegging instead of getting out and moving around.  That’s when the pounds started sneaking on. 

Then I moved out into an apartment with a friend and it’s amazing how the pounds can come on then too as at least for me it was  a lot easier to either stop at a fast food restaurant or buy something I just needed to throw in the microwave or oven for a meal since I was cooking for just me.

Once I got married I still worked full time and got out a little more, but fishing and hunting isn’t the exercise I needed to get like running or bike riding would do for me.  At least I was cooking meals since there was 2 of us, then 3 and 4.  The only thing is I still didn’t give time for myself (and honestly still don’t) as being a mom is 24/7 for me.. take that back, I do get 5 hours a week to myself now, but during those 5 hours call me selfish, but I would rather grocery shop by myself or get the house cleaned and have it stay that way until the kids get home from school.

So today I am on here questioning myself.  Will today be the day that I start taking control over how much I eat and get out and get some exercise.  Not run 5 miles since that would kill me, but go for a walk or a bike ride.  Smell the fresh air and just let my mind relax and not have to worry about hearing MOM!!!! 

I can’t help but think how much easier it would be if my husband was on a normal shift instead of working 3pm-1am.  By the time he gets home and falls asleep it’s more 3am and then he tends to sleep in until 11-12 and by then we are having lunch and by the time all that gets cleaned up and put away he is about ready to walk out the door, leaving no me time for me.

While some people will say just find a baby sitter for to watch the kids so you can get out or for loosing the weight try taking some diet pills that will help jump start your weight loss… I really don’t see either one for me.  I suppose I could find someone to watch the kids, but the whole time I would be feeling guilty as that’s money that I’m taking out of the household fund just so I can out?!?  I should instead just take the kids with me, but been there and done that and honestly that is so stressful for me as our roads around here are quite busy and my biggest fear is having one of the kids getting hit by a car.

While for some people taking diet pills help them, I just would rather do things the all natural way.  I have read things like apidexin reviews and other diet pill review and while they say they might have good ingredients or be all natural, I still would rather drink things like apple cider vinegar (with water) or eat honey to help things along.

So here goes.. .I’m getting off the couch and will be doing what.   First.. clean since Paul is sleeping, but once he wakes up, maybe just maybe I’ll make that time to myself.

Do you ever have one of those days when just the little pet peeve that someone does actually sets you off today where you would love to tell them off, but instead you bite your tongue?   That’s about how I’m feeling already.  Here I get mocked for being on the computer, but what happens when Paul or one of his friends needs something looked up?!?  Sure enough…. I get to hear the “Jen, can you look something up for me”?  Do you know how many times I would love to say “look it up yourself!” but I don’t.  Instead I bite my lip and take my time looking it up so I can see what’s new on Facebook first.  ~grin~

I do have to admit at least I don’t mind looking up what they need me to.  Usually is about hunting or trying to find them a cheap place to stay when they go on their fishing trip.  That kinds of stuff I suppose I can handle.   At least it’s not asking me to look up and read something like no xplode reviews to see if it works or not.  Of course if I was into working out, weight lifting.. etc I bet I wouldn’t mind looking and reading them because I would want to know the same information.  But when I read about hunting & places for the guys to go.. it’s also a win for me because that also means the cat will be leaving so us 3 mice (Kevin, Katie & I) will be able to play hard too!  ~smirk~

Why is it that loosing weight it a lot harder than gaining weight?   I just wish there was something as a quick weight loss.  Actually I’m sure there is if you just cut your portions and exercised, but sometimes  I don’t think I have enough time in the day or enough motivation. 

For example yesterday it was such a beautiful day that I decided to go for a walk with Katie.  What happens?  As soon as we get on the main road what does she do?  She decides that she needs to pick up every stone because they are so cool!  So not only did we not walk at a normal pace, but we also didn’t get to go to far as it was just driving me nuts!

What I need is something like today when Paul will actually be home and awake for more than the 2 hrs when he usually wakes up, has lunch, get ready for work and play a few minutes with the kids.   I suppose I could find the time even in those 2 hours.  I just have to say I’m going for a walk by myself and I will be right back.  Maybe then I’ll finally start being able to lose these pounds.

I somehow have a feeling not only will I be getting a new camera this year, but I also will be on the look out for a new printer.  I usually don’t print a lot, but it seems like lately there has been a lot of things I need printing and when I went to print our latest appraisal there were tons of lines through out the words.  I know I was low in one of my colors, but for black wording it still had lines.

So I’m thinking now might be the time I start looking at printers.  The one I currently have is an Epson R220 which is suppose to be good for pictures, but I very rarely printed pictures so I don’t think I need to find one that can print pictures from 4×6 to poster printing.    Instead I think I would rather find one that’s wireless since I now have a laptop and if it could make copies that would make it ten times better!  I do think if I can find a good one like that, I can see me printing out a lot more!

What kind of printer do you have?  Do you have a wireless one?  If so, do you like it?

Where or where could Katie’s crocs gone?  Oh where or where could they be?

It’s been 2 days now and I still haven’t found her pink crocs.  I know they have to be here somewhere, but I swear I have looked everywhere.  Under couches, under beds, in closets, in camps, outside in the sandbox, heck even in the bathroom cabinet!  I just can’t find them.   At least she has a pair of gym shoes she can wear, but I would just feel better knowing where they were as it’s still nice outside and she doesn’t have any sandals.

Maybe it’s a sign that I should start looking for some sandals or another pair of crocs for her as the ones she had were quite old looking.  I’ve seen some good sales online, but usually they don’t have the size in the color I want.

Speaking of sandals, that’s something I’m in dire need of too.   I had found some Born sandals a couple years ago that I liked, but didn’t have the heart to spend that kind of money on something for myself.  So instead I went with a cheap imitation and I can tell as after walking in them for a day my feet say no more.  I saw some Naot sandals online that looked comfortable and supposedly they are, but that’s just something I would rather buy at a store so I can try them on and really get the feel for them and not have to deal with shipping them back if they don’t work out.

What kind of sandal do you wear?  Do your feet love you the next day after you’ve worn them?  Or do they beg for you not to put them back on?

I actually woke up before the kids this morning and I have to say it was quite nice.  I was able to sit out here in the living room, listening to the birds chirp while checking my email and then putting my nose back into the book I’ve been reading.  Everything was going so smoothly until I went in the bathroom and actually took time to wash up and that’s when I looked in the mirror and wondered who that old lady was looking at me?!?   Where did she come from?  Just last night I was a middle aged mom of 2, but now I notice there seems to be some wrinkles and crows feet coming!  YIKES!!!   If Paul didn’t have to work today I just might of had to make a run to the store to buy some anti wrinkle cream in hopes that it’s not to late.    But I really don’t care for going to the store with both kids in tow… so maybe it will be ok if I wait until next Tuesday when at least Kevin is in school.  Maybe I can dare tackle a store with just Katie, but she’s the one that makes going to the store awful. 

Do you use any of the anti wrinkle creams?  Or you you have a home made remedy that works wonders?  All I know is I’m not quite ready to look like my Mom.    Please don’t get me wrong.. I love my Mom to death, but that just means I’m getting old and I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

I’ll never forget 5 years ago when Paul and I went shopping for a new computer for me.   When we got married his Dad ended up fixing an old computer for me so I could at least have something, but 3 years later when that computer was running SLOW and most of the programs were out of date we thought it was time we start shopping for a new one.

My sister at that time told me I should look at buying a laptop instead of a desktop and I remember thinking why would I want a laptop? The screens are so much smaller and I couldn’t imagine working on a computer with out a mouse! We ended up buying an emachines computer and while it did it’s job, 4 years later I ended up changing my mind and thought how it would of been nice to have a laptop as my desktop was in my bedroom so if I was on it during the day, the kids ended up having a free for all, which wasn’t good.

It was after I started blogging that Paul finally agreed that I indeed needed one. That way I could be out here in the living room with the kids, plus when we would go on vacation I could bring it along with us! Plus as he said.. a happy wife equals a happy home.

It’s only been 8 months since I bought my laptop, but I honestly can say it’s been one of my better investments. I do have to admit though there is one thing I don’t care about with the laptop versus my desktop and that is the way my pictures download into it. Instead of downloading in groups like I want (by month) it keeps downloading them by the day I took the pictures. So everyday is a different folder. I’m sure there is something I could do to change that, but until then I’ll just keep downloading my pictures into my desktop. The only problem with that is I’ve caught myself not downloading them nearly as much as I should. (That’s why you haven’t seen any updated pictures lately)   Maybe that would be a good project for tomorrow?!?