My challenge for the next twelve months is to live a simplier life. I've been really good at walking to school, cooking and eating at home and not buying unneccessary things for our family. Instead I've put my energy into spending my friends' money. It's my new joy.
I haven't stopped walking around the malls or surfing for deals online. Instead I'm shopping for others. I encourage my friends to buy the things that I can't have. If I can't have it then at least I can watch from afar.
I've was pleasantly shocked today when I got my Visa bill and it was way below what we normally spend. I think almost $500 less!! Woohoo!! I'm patting myself on the back but I know it's been only two weeks since I started this challenge. I haven't really been tempted...although after our camping trip last week I've been wanting a camping trailer so bad!
Camping isn't that bad...
This weekend we went camping with five other families. It was a gorgeous weekend and we all had such a great time that we re-booked our camp trip for next year. It's a nice time to bond with our good friends and family. The kids had a fabulous time burning their marshmallows in the fire. I, myself, cringed every time they ate what I called "cancer on a stick" but they gobbled them down like they were the best thing ever.
Seasoned campers might cringe when they see how we camped but for us camping is a chance for the kids to be out in the fresh air and sleep in the tent. My husband complained every time an electrical appliance had to be squeezed into the van...but isn't that the beauty of car camping at a site that offers electricity and water? In went the coffee maker...butane stovetop...electric griddle...rice cooker. I didn't hear him complain whenever we poured him a cup of coffee or as he devoured the Thai curry chicken or slow cooked beef. Check out the food on my blog Fork in Food.
There were a few things I should have brought...
Seasoned campers might cringe when they see how we camped but for us camping is a chance for the kids to be out in the fresh air and sleep in the tent. My husband complained every time an electrical appliance had to be squeezed into the van...but isn't that the beauty of car camping at a site that offers electricity and water? In went the coffee maker...butane stovetop...electric griddle...rice cooker. I didn't hear him complain whenever we poured him a cup of coffee or as he devoured the Thai curry chicken or slow cooked beef. Check out the food on my blog Fork in Food.
There were a few things I should have brought...
- I didn't bring my pillow so I had to rest my head on my duffle bag which felt like a block of wood under my head.
- I really should have brought along earplugs too because the sounds of nature kept me up most of the night. Crickets, frogs and the wind drove me nuts!
- And a couple pairs of adult diapers because there was no way I was going to walk 5 minutes to the bathroom at 3am! I was forced to stumble to the back of my tent to weewee as tree branches...or I hope they were tree branches...brushed my butt as I did my business.
WoohooOOoooo! School is back tomorrow!!
Well...we had a wonderful weekend before school starts again tomorrow. The men went camping with the boys and the women hung out with the girls. I have to admit it was nice to hang around the girlfriends for a few days. The best part is that with so many willing and able hands there didn't seem to be so much work to do around the house. Dinner was fabulous and since everyone pitched in it seemed effortless. It didn't even seem like work.
Now I am back at home looking at all the camp and weekend gear sitting in the foyer and thinking about all the back to school stuff that I haven't even prepared. It's making me a bit nervous but I think I will be able to survive the first week of school.
My daughter will be going to grade one this year which means I will have almost 6 hours to myself every week day from now on. I'm excited! There are so many possibilities. I've convinced my husband that it's still too early to go back to work but I have a new commitment for the next twelve months.
I am going to live a SIMPLE life.
Now I am back at home looking at all the camp and weekend gear sitting in the foyer and thinking about all the back to school stuff that I haven't even prepared. It's making me a bit nervous but I think I will be able to survive the first week of school.
My daughter will be going to grade one this year which means I will have almost 6 hours to myself every week day from now on. I'm excited! There are so many possibilities. I've convinced my husband that it's still too early to go back to work but I have a new commitment for the next twelve months.
I am going to live a SIMPLE life.
- I will not be buying anything that I do not need. I have way too much of everything.
- I will be de-cluttering our lives of junk.
- I will be cooking more at home...healthier meals and it will help save $$$.
- I will walk the kids to school more often. We need to be more physically active.
This is my goal for just one year. I hope it will change the way we live our lives for the better. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can be strong.
Labor Day?!!!
Labor Day Weekend is approaching...fast and furious...and labor is what I did today!! My goodness! I'm sure this is one of the most stressful days of the year. I think it was even more stressful than packing for the 24 hour drive to Florida.
I don't know what my hubby was thinking when he agreed to a Father/Son camp trip with the men. In fact I was actually shocked when I heard that he said he would take ALL three kids camping. I was a bit apprehensive to say the least. We've convinced my daughter not to go and join the women for the weekend instead.
So he agreed to go camping with the men....but I bet you any money it was the women that packed all the clothes...bought all the groceries...and checked off everything on that darn list! I bet I'll be the one loading the van tomorrow morning too!! Darn him!! I dragged the kids with me the entire day running last minute errands. PMS must be looming it's angry head because I was NOT a happy camper having a brood of kids whining and fighting behind me as I grabbed food for THEIR weekend. Absolutely no appreciation!!!
Then I noticed the lawn needed cutting...well...I was in no mood to hear whining from my hubby too so I mowed it too! Fuming the entire time but that's my fault for not mowing it yesterday.
Boy I can't wait for this weekend to start because once I get to my sister's place...I'm not doing anything!! Just going to hang with my girlfriends!!
(Sorry for the rant but I had to vent a bit before I finish up all the packing and head to bed.I know everyone reading this will understand where I am coming from.)
I don't know what my hubby was thinking when he agreed to a Father/Son camp trip with the men. In fact I was actually shocked when I heard that he said he would take ALL three kids camping. I was a bit apprehensive to say the least. We've convinced my daughter not to go and join the women for the weekend instead.
So he agreed to go camping with the men....but I bet you any money it was the women that packed all the clothes...bought all the groceries...and checked off everything on that darn list! I bet I'll be the one loading the van tomorrow morning too!! Darn him!! I dragged the kids with me the entire day running last minute errands. PMS must be looming it's angry head because I was NOT a happy camper having a brood of kids whining and fighting behind me as I grabbed food for THEIR weekend. Absolutely no appreciation!!!
Then I noticed the lawn needed cutting...well...I was in no mood to hear whining from my hubby too so I mowed it too! Fuming the entire time but that's my fault for not mowing it yesterday.
Boy I can't wait for this weekend to start because once I get to my sister's place...I'm not doing anything!! Just going to hang with my girlfriends!!
(Sorry for the rant but I had to vent a bit before I finish up all the packing and head to bed.I know everyone reading this will understand where I am coming from.)
Back to School Denial
I've got a major case of back-to-school denial. Don't get me wrong...I can't wait for the kids to get back to school. Looking forward to it actually but for some odd reason I've been procrastinating. I'm just not in the mood to buy any school supplies...don't even want to look at new clothes or shoes for the school year...haven't even put the kids back on a reasonable bedtime routine.
This summer was strange. Weather was cold. Kids were quiet. Busy with visitors. Summer seemed too short. I'm a bit sad that it's over. Can't really believe it since I'm usually the first one to be jumping for joy at just the mention of the first day of school. Something must be wrong with me...
This summer was strange. Weather was cold. Kids were quiet. Busy with visitors. Summer seemed too short. I'm a bit sad that it's over. Can't really believe it since I'm usually the first one to be jumping for joy at just the mention of the first day of school. Something must be wrong with me...
Week with the girls...ahhhhhhh....
My sisters and I have been trading kids over the summer. I sent my oldest to Florida for six weeks (hallelujah!!) and then my middle son went to Orillia for a week of camp with my other sister's kids(double hallelujah!!). I have been able to breath a little easier over the summer but it's still been quite busy with out of town friends.
This week I have my sister's daughter over and my middle son went home with her. Can I just tell you what a difference it is to have two little girls at home as opposed to any other combination of children such as one girl/one boy or two boys.
I can honestly say I haven't heard a peep out of them all day. They play together all day without an argument or fist fight! Not completely shocking because my sisters and I played relatively well together when we were young. I wouldn't mind keeping my niece for another week but I don't think my sister would agree since that would mean she would be stuck with the boys. She has already got dibs for the girls for next year. I'm going to catch up on housework and sleep this week and treat the girls to some special activities...to be determined...
It just so happens that my husband has a business trip for two days this week but will I be doing the usual complaining? Nope.
This week I have my sister's daughter over and my middle son went home with her. Can I just tell you what a difference it is to have two little girls at home as opposed to any other combination of children such as one girl/one boy or two boys.
I can honestly say I haven't heard a peep out of them all day. They play together all day without an argument or fist fight! Not completely shocking because my sisters and I played relatively well together when we were young. I wouldn't mind keeping my niece for another week but I don't think my sister would agree since that would mean she would be stuck with the boys. She has already got dibs for the girls for next year. I'm going to catch up on housework and sleep this week and treat the girls to some special activities...to be determined...
It just so happens that my husband has a business trip for two days this week but will I be doing the usual complaining? Nope.
Long Live Chubby!!!
Hooray! I just read some fantastic news today!
A Japanese study declared that "People who are a little overweight at age 40 live six to seven years longer than very thin people, whose average life expectancy was shorter by some five years than that of obese people, the study found".
Hehe...I'm forty...I'm chubby AND now I can be proud of it!! I should print this out and frame it in my kitchen.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they aren't actually comparing chubby people to those that are sickly and ill such as those suffering from anorexia or terminal illnesses 'cause you don't need a study to tell me that I'm going to live longer than them.
Well...gotta go...I'm skipping over to Costco now and scarf down a hotdog and fries...and feel good knowing that I'm going to outlive those skinny, minny skeletal models and super stars. ;0)
By the way, here is the link just in case you don't believe me.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090619/health/health_japan_lifestyle_weight
A Japanese study declared that "People who are a little overweight at age 40 live six to seven years longer than very thin people, whose average life expectancy was shorter by some five years than that of obese people, the study found".
Hehe...I'm forty...I'm chubby AND now I can be proud of it!! I should print this out and frame it in my kitchen.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they aren't actually comparing chubby people to those that are sickly and ill such as those suffering from anorexia or terminal illnesses 'cause you don't need a study to tell me that I'm going to live longer than them.
Well...gotta go...I'm skipping over to Costco now and scarf down a hotdog and fries...and feel good knowing that I'm going to outlive those skinny, minny skeletal models and super stars. ;0)
By the way, here is the link just in case you don't believe me.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090619/health/health_japan_lifestyle_weight
Middle Child = Trouble
So...I thought that by getting rid of my oldest son for the summer would bring me some peace. Two kids MUST be easier than three, right? Wrong! Not when you are talking about my kids.
It's been a week and a half since I shipped him off and I can't believe that I've been busier than ever. I have discovered that all the trouble lies on my second son. He's the middle child so he plays, or should I say fights with my oldest son AND my youngest daughter. I haven't had a quiet day yet!
He loves to annoy and bother my daughter who cries and whines at the slightest thing. The other day I was literally at the end of my stick and I threatened them saying if they continued with the drama that "this stick would be their bums' best friend". As soon as that spewed out of my mouth I almost burst out laughing so I turned abruptly and left the room before they noticed the huge grin on my face. It worked for about two hours before they started the theatrics again. I'm running out tomorrow for some earplugs!!
It's been a week and a half since I shipped him off and I can't believe that I've been busier than ever. I have discovered that all the trouble lies on my second son. He's the middle child so he plays, or should I say fights with my oldest son AND my youngest daughter. I haven't had a quiet day yet!
He loves to annoy and bother my daughter who cries and whines at the slightest thing. The other day I was literally at the end of my stick and I threatened them saying if they continued with the drama that "this stick would be their bums' best friend". As soon as that spewed out of my mouth I almost burst out laughing so I turned abruptly and left the room before they noticed the huge grin on my face. It worked for about two hours before they started the theatrics again. I'm running out tomorrow for some earplugs!!
Summer Screamin'
Ok...so the kids have been off school for about a week and a half. God help me!! If I thought I could seriously stop screamin' when I turned forty then I was seriously wrong. If anything I think I am worse! Stuck with each other for about 16 hours a day is going to result in me having a mental breakdown....in fact...a nice padded room with the sound of silence sounds pretty inviting right about now.
Honestly I don't remember fighting or annoying my sisters all day when I was a child. Why do mine feel like they need to torment each other for fun and in turn drive me absolutely mad.
My oldest son will be leaving for Florida for six weeks to "help" his auntie with her three little ones. I'm sure he will have a great time and hopefully there will be some peace while he is gone. I'm hoping that by the time he comes home, he and his sibling will have realized that they actually love and miss having each other around. Miraculously even become best friends.
Um...please don't burst my bubble...I'm going to continue with this fantasy until he actually returns...
Honestly I don't remember fighting or annoying my sisters all day when I was a child. Why do mine feel like they need to torment each other for fun and in turn drive me absolutely mad.
My oldest son will be leaving for Florida for six weeks to "help" his auntie with her three little ones. I'm sure he will have a great time and hopefully there will be some peace while he is gone. I'm hoping that by the time he comes home, he and his sibling will have realized that they actually love and miss having each other around. Miraculously even become best friends.
Um...please don't burst my bubble...I'm going to continue with this fantasy until he actually returns...
End of the "Ten Pound Challenge"
Can you guess I didn't reach my "Ten Pound Challenge"? If you follow Fork in Food you'll know that all I've been doing this month is eat and eat and eat!! Hey you only turn forty once, right? So I milked it for all I had...and more...
The "I'm turning forty" excuse was fabulous!! All I had to do was say that and I could do no wrong! I got to go away for two weekends alone without kids and hubby and that has never happened before. I also got to go out with my friends all month without any complaints. I even bought myself things that I would never have bought but all in the name of FORTY!!
Forty is FABULOUS so far!! Can't wait to see if the next eleven months is as much fun. I have to say that so far this has been the best birthday EVER!!
(By the way, I still managed to lose four pounds even with all that eating. )
The "I'm turning forty" excuse was fabulous!! All I had to do was say that and I could do no wrong! I got to go away for two weekends alone without kids and hubby and that has never happened before. I also got to go out with my friends all month without any complaints. I even bought myself things that I would never have bought but all in the name of FORTY!!
Forty is FABULOUS so far!! Can't wait to see if the next eleven months is as much fun. I have to say that so far this has been the best birthday EVER!!
(By the way, I still managed to lose four pounds even with all that eating. )
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