Live in the NOW? Can I plan to do that??

    Yesterday, strangely enough, I was told by a doctor that I need to  start "living in the now". I was taken aback by his words because first of all I was in his office to talk about physical aliments. Secondly, I like to pride myself on being able to enjoy the little things and being thankful for the small moments. But...maybe I am not doing as well as I thought. What have I been thinking about lately?
I try to keep myself in check today and take note of things I was thinking about. Here's what I found...

• Should we buy that house around the corner...or keep looking...
• Should I check the job site again to see if the position I applied for is still posted...what if I don't get that job...
• Ben needs a haircut--so do I. I better make some appointments next week.
• I hope the kids like their swimming lessons next week. I hope we can adjust to the added "running"
• I really need to get back to the gym. Since I have had headaches I haven't been working out.
• I am going to start doing math drills with Adam---he doesn't like them and if we do them together he will get better.

Humm....all those things are in the future. Maybe that doctor was right.  Did I enjoy the day, right now, right here?  I did notice that I reallllyyy enjoyed my coffee this morning today. I also smelled Ben's hair when I was working with him on his letters and felt his excitement when he drew a Z-- also noticed he needed to get it cut. Nathan kissed me in the bathroom this morning and I thought how I am glad I am married.

Don't we all live a little in the future? How else can we plan or dream? Like everything, it has to be a balance, right?  I wonder what it would be like if for one week I really lived in the now, the present and only tried to think about what is happening as it unfolds around me? Can someone do that and run a household? Maybe if I start just "noticing", just stopping and becoming "mindful".

Here's wiki's definition. Just some food for thought.

What do you do to live in the now? Please share if you have some insights.


 picture from  ineedmotivation.com

Remember the good times...

              I've been battling headaches for a month now. I had been "headache free" for a week. I decided to back off on the medicine and lo and behold--a whooper, that has lasted three days! The thought that I keep coming to me was-- "when you feel good you forget what it feels to be in pain."  I had forgotten how much these headaches hurt and intrude in my life. Kindof like you can't go back to feeling your labor pains! Your mind protects you from it.That is probably true with emotional pain too. Can you truly feel how you felt at your darkest? You haven't forgotten it, but you can't go there completely in your mind.

         I don't think it works the other way around. When I feel miserable, I can REMEMBER what it feels like to feel better. I crave it, I know how I am suppose to feel. You swear you will never take it for granted again. I can only imagine if I were really sick. How much I would worship my healthy former self! Never taking anything for granted. That is what they mean by, "live as if the day were your last", don't let the good stuff slip away.

      Well, yesterday, at the height of "headache" hell, my six year old came home from school, proudly announcing that he lost his first tooth! I swelled with pride and excitement. I didn't think such a thing would cause such a reaction. As  I peered into his little mouth to check out the hole and new little bud...I was instantly taken back to that first baby tooth. That was the same one that came in first. I could smell his little baby self, his drooling mouth exposing his new little pearl! I hugged him and I felt this warm glow in my heart. I had remembered the good times, my mind let me go back. I could "feel" my old self, holding my first baby. It was if I was there...

         Even though I still felt "down" with the headache, I also feel like this was one of the days I want to remember! The day Adam lost his first tooth. I want to remember his sweet smile and new gap! I want to remember his excitement and the story he told about losing it. But when I go back to that moment I want to leave out the part where I had a headache!

This post is part of the 30 minute blog challenge at Steady Mom.

I disappeared!

I kindof disappeared from this "blog". I had really good intentions...don't we all!

Lots has happened since I began writing. Ben and I have had a fabulous time together-- time I can't get back. And meeting Adam at the door each day is priceless as well. Working is definitely different than staying home!

I am going to try and keep up this blog going....it might change into something new. Who knows where I am going now. My time at home may be extended since the "teaching" job market doesn't look too promising. Some days I am disorganized, as my last post stated, but some days I really do well and make the most of my time.

SO.... 

Here's to starting again! Taking time to reflect, taking time to give back, taking time to teach, taking time to record, taking time to love, and taking time to really live the life I have been given. I think this blog might help to do just that.

See you tomorrow! (or maybe later today!)

Which Mommy am I??

I have such respect for all those mothers out there that have been doing this stay at home thing for quite some time. It is a real challenge. There have been days that I feel organized, productive, and nurturing. Then there are days I feel chaotic, depressed and grouchy. I will give examples of each of days that I have experienced the last month. True story...don't judge me!

"Got my GAME on" type of day:  

7:00- Wake up early, shower, get coffe, write in my notebook planner
7:30- Bath kids and give them straws in the bathtub. (They love this!)
8:30- Take Adam to school, everyone is in a great mood.
9:00- Go to the workout room with Ben. He plays Widgets and I sweat!
10:00- Ben and I play outside, ride bikes, play with the bouncy balls and burn energy.
11:00- Ben plays Legos, I help him, patiently. We listen to a kid's cd and dance.
12:00- Healthy lunch at the table. I have a salad with fresh fruit.
12:30- Story time, puppet show-Ben loves stories and lots of pretend play with his stuffies. I make up a quick story with his stuffed panda.
1:00- Nap time. I do several loads of laundry and clean up. I check the finances and pay some bills.
3:00- Ben wakes and watches Noggin and I start getting ingredients ready for supper. I am using a new recipe from HyVee and it is very low in calories.
4:00- Walk to the bus stop and play "I Spy" with Ben while we wait for Adam. Then Adam gets off the bus and tells me all about his day while he holds my hand.
4:30- The boys play cars and I prepare supper.
5:15- Nathan comes home and we sit down for a great dinner. The kids love the cresent rolls, Nathan is impressed with the Salmon recipe, and everyone wants more chocolate chip banana bread.
6:30- We play several rounds of UNO. Then I do some homework with Adam.
7:20- PJs and Story time, the boys go down to bed great and everyone is happy.
7:45- Nathan and I sit down and watch a  couple of  shows and pop some popcorn.
8:30- We both read in bed and have a great conversation about our days and our books.
10:00- Asleep and cuddled in!


Feeling like Sh*t day:
 7:30- I hear Nathan in the kitchen. He doesn't have milk for his cereal; I hear him making toast. He asks if  he has any socks, he can't find any. Whoops!
7:45- Do I have to get out of bed? The kids are already up and playing Star Wars- on our bed!
8:00- I give Adam some cereal as I throw on some clothes. We decide to skip the bath. Haven't I said "get your clothes on!" like 6 times! Ben wants to wear pants that are three inches too short and a cape.
8:40- Adam can't find his other shoe and Ben is looking for toys to bring to work out. I am shouting, "We are going to be late...let's GO!"
8:43- The ride to school is quite. Adam gives me a look in the mirror,;he looks like the teenager he will be one day. He sneers at me. He can't stand it when I am pushing him to get ready.
9:00- We arrive at the workout place. Ben is having a fit because I am doing the same exercise everyday, "you always do that one, Mommy!". He wants me to lift weights. I have a headache and walk on the treadmill, but I do it a bit more slowly. I am not sure I even sweat. I am tired.
10:00 Ben sits down at the computer and plays on the PBS website. I putz on my laptop.
11:00- Ben asks for more time, I give in. I get another diet coke and read the New York Times and check blogs.
12:00- Ben eats a  sandwich and I just munch on some chips, and cookies...
1:00- Ben doesn't want a nap. I don't feel like a story, I ask him if we can do it when he gets up. "NO". I read a story and just hope he settles down. I lay down with him and fall asleep with him.
3:00- SHIT. I only have about an hour until we pick up Adam. I need to take a shower and still make beds. Opps. What am I having for supper??
4:15- Get Adam for the bus stop. He tells me about his day and holds my hand.
4:30- I call Nate and asks him if he wants me to order a pizza. Oh, and I ask him to pick up some milk.
5:30- Eat Pizza and watch "Funniest Home Videos". We use TV trays.
6:30- The kids are driving us CRAZY! They are wrestling and tackling and seem to have boundless energy!
7:20- Get the boys ready for bed. It takes FOREVER. Every time we think they are down, one of them calls for us. More water, still hungry, too hot, leave the light on!, can't sleep, giggling...
8:30- We sit down for TV and we veg out until we go to bed.

Am I the same person??? The first mommy would probably "fire" the second mommy. Yes, that is right I would fire me on those bad days!  My kids must be confused. I don't remember being this inconsistent when I worked?? Maybe it is the freedom I have, or just insanity. Which mommy am I- Super Mommy or Miss Frumpy Grumpy Pants? Some days I have my stuff together, other days I am a total mess. I hope to some day be somewhere in the middle-- that will probably be the week before I return to work!

Bye for now.
Hopefully it won't be so long!

Home Manager Pioneers

Why reinvent the wheel, so to speak, on home organization when others have paved the way? Other, greater home managers than I, have come up with schedules and planning for this process that we call "staying at home".  I am sure it dates back to beginning of motherhood! I just haven't been in this career path before...of course I have been a mom, just not while the rest of the world is off to work and I am alone as the boss of the whole operation, or in this case, chaos.


While cruising around the internet (my new found passion!), I have found some amazing mom sites and blogs. I have also found some schedules and weekly lists to help with the organization. I would like to share them with you as you try to establish a stay at home schedule and plan.



SIMPLE MOM
This is a great site for home managers. It boost a 15,091 subscriber list! This lady knows what she is doing! Check out her download section for her Daily Docket sheet.












THE ORGANIZED MOM
This site has lots of tips for organizing. She also has a daily planner that you can pay for and download. She has loads of helpful tips.



MY SIMPLER LIFE:
This site is all about having a saner, simpler life and organizing your time at home. The author is a Simple Life Educator. She also has a resource section that has daily planner that you can download to Word and change as you need.


These are just the tip of the iceberg of resources out there, but it is great to find these experts to learn from.

I  would love  to say, “have fun creating your own schedule” to all those moms out there, but I only have four followers. Not to mention, one which is my own mother-- retired and no longer staying home with kids. Another is a long, lost  male friend who is not doing home management. So that comes down to two followers who may or may not read this post!

I’ll keep working on my own schedule and will post that soon.

Bye for now!

Schedule...do I need one??

Our bodies are not naturally programmed for a rigid, busy schedule—at least mine isn’t! When left to an unstructured day I dither around and waste enormous amounts of time. For example,  I’ll check my blogs, lay on the floor and giggle with Son #2, linger at the park, check Facebook, wander through the grocery store at a snail’s pace, read the New York Times app on iphone, drink another cup of coffee on the porch—you get the idea! As wonderful as it is to live this way, it is not a productive work environment.  It is more appropriate for my “summer mode” when taking a break from teaching. But now I have embarked on a new “JOB!” as  SAHM! And a worthy job has a structure. I need structure!

When I was teaching, I set up a flexible schedule for the kiddos in order for them to feel safe and able to trust in the predictability. It also keeps us humming along. I think it is important to have that kind of structure at home too. Especially if you are like me and when faced with an open expanse of time, you putz around and find time sucking activities to fill the day.

As I am hammering out for my new “schedule” I am collecting some good rules of thumb for others. Hope they can be beneficial to you.

1. Be realistic. Schedule in time to relax and enjoy that time at home with and without your kiddo.     (Nap time is a great time to recharge!)
2. Remember that you are home to enjoy time with your kiddo, not to have a  spic and span house and a neglected child.
3. Spread out tasks, so that not one day is overloaded.
4. Be flexible, if a play date comes along that sounds great- combine the chores  for that day and the next day, and give you and your little one a break day to go out.
5. Know what you would like to get done while at home. Writing it down gives you a clear idea of your expectations.
6. Create a “vision” of what you want to accomplish at your time at home.
7. Talk it over with your partner. See if they think it is too much to get done. It can also give them a perspective of everything you are doing. Sometimes the things we get done at home  aren’t easily noticed.
8.  Have a start time and an end time for the day. When Daddy comes home have  down time, so that you aren’t struggling with dishes or at the store when he arrives. Plan to have that be your down time together. One needs a break after a long day at work- both of you!
9. Revisit your schedule after a couple of weeks and tweek it to meet your needs.
10. Ease yourself into a schedule. Remember you aren’t superwoman. If you worked outside the home you probably weren’t instantly great at your job, you had a training period. Give yourself some time to get use to being at home.

I also think it is important to make a master schedule of your day. This is similar to   my teaching “daily teaching schedule”,  this outlines the basic structure of the day. It is flexible and general. Then you also need a plan for the specific day. This is like a teacher’s lesson plan, outlining your goals and objectives for the day. This can be done in the morning before the kiddos get up or the night before. You then know what you want to accomplish and also what you would like to do with your child for the day and if you have materials to gather.

    Well, that is all for today, I am going back to dithering and wasting time until the official schedule is made! I can smell the coffee brewing and the porch calling! Son #2 is on noggin.com and I can feel the day just being sucked away—a few more unstructured days left to savor!!

Bye for now!

What's the motive?

All day long I had this nagging question taking up space in my brain, "Why do you want to blog?" Am I really ready to make a commitment to writing down my thoughts and sharing my little, boring life with others? Who would read it anyway? Who is it for? Is it for me? Or was I just so intrigued with the whole Julie & Julie movie? Is this just a way to make my time at home more meaningful?

I think I have arrived at some level of understanding about my motives. Here's what I believe to be my reasons for this new blog.

1. I like writing. I like words. I like journaling. I like the "idea" of collecting my random thoughts to somehow make them more orderly.

2. I am addicted to learning about technology, web 2.0, social networking and the whole shift that our world is making in how we interact, react, and learn from each other. I want to be part of it.

3. I need structure. I will dwindle my days away at home if I am not careful. It seems if I have a list of things I want to do--I'm more likely to do them. I want my time with my children to be meaningful and I need to plan out our days together.

4. I hope to discover something about myself. Not sure what that is exactly. Haven't discovered it yet!

5. I want to share some things about teaching, organizing, cooking, and simple living. I would also like to share things about technology. How I will weave those things together, I don't know.

6. I want to connect with other SAHMs out there.

7. Okay...okay...maybe it would be cool to have some followers.  It might be neat to have someone become interested in my life. But how does that happen? That seems pretty unlikely at this point and should not be a reason to blog. That could lead to something I think of as "tech rejection". Kindof like when you post on Facebook and no one responds, and you swear it was a super cool status update! Definitely not a motive I want to embrace. But also need to acknowledge that that is something in the wee back of my brain. (is it for all bloggers...??)

8. Last,  but not least, if you keep a blog, it will keep you. I think it will help me become more present in my life, force me to reflect, and also document my days. I have a awful memory~ maybe this blog will help me to remember those things as I recreate them in writing.

Well, I guess I have successfully convinced my self to go ahead with the project. I will try it for one month and reevaluate then.

Bye for now!