The Dreaded Plauge



Now that fall has really arrived, you know it's going to happen... like the dreaded plague sweeping through Europe, some icky virus will sweep through the schools, after school activities or work. Mowing everyone in your family down, like a blade of grass in July.  Of course, we've just finished our first round. The Cuddler got it first, then Lala and finally to me. Guess who took 48 hours to fully recover?

When you are huddled on the couch, or cleaning up after a sick child, you do not want to be thinking about what is for dinner or whether you've got some more medication in the cabinet. Luckily, this summer I snagged some medical bargains for yours truly and was prepared for my own demise.

Today, I also found this article on I'm an Organization Junkie, all about preparing the family for cold and flu season. Although, I currently have almost everything on the list, there are a couple items missing and it's not all organized in one area. The last thing I will want to be doing with a sick child crying in bed, is searching the house for the last place I remember putting the thermometer.

There's also a couple of things a single parent should add to their list organizing for the ickies.

1. Back up person. When you get that dreaded guess who just vomited in class call from your child's teacher, it is always at the most inopportune time. I'm pretty sure it's an incontrovertible law of the universe. They will also fall ill the of the day you most need to be at work. Having a back up person can save your life or possibly your job. You may never need this person - I have only ever had to use mine once in four years - but knowing that option is available just makes your life a little less stressful. Pick someone who is a stay at home and offer to bring them dinner when picking the child up... who can resist a stress free dinner?
2. Always have peanut butter, jelly and bread in your house. Even a four year old can make themselves a PB&J sammy (and think they are pretty darn cool for doing so), thus saving super sick mom from having to make a dinner. One somewhat crappy dinner is not going to kill them. And it is probably healthier that the Ha**y Meal I bought last Sunday.
3. Be germ phobic. Lead kids by example and wash your hands constantly for longer than you think is necessary. Exaggerate holding up your elbow to cover coughs and really, really enjoy those healthy foods. Back in the dinosaur days, someone told me that if you want someone to copy what you do, you have to perform that action twice as much as you want the copier to do. Exaggerate what you do and your little germ factory children will follow that example enough to keep you healthy. And maybe them.



48 Days to Organization

I have been busy getting organized. Really, I have.

The first weekend, I tackled my junk cupboard. Some people have junk drawers (which I also have), but I have a junk cupboard. It's the junk cupboard, because my plan for several years has been to take it down. Remove it from my kitchen. However, this is a task I find extremely daunting for some reason. Otherwise, it would be gone after seven years, right? But having that space empty proved to be too tempting... for the stuff that didn't really have a permanent home, that needed to be put out of the reach of children, and that I didn't have time to put back into the far reaches of some other storage place.

In case you're wondering, yes... those are insta-bibs in the corner. Not that anyone has actually worn a bib in over a year and half.  Suffice it to say that the cupboard hadn't been organized in a long time.

I pulled everything out, tossed what I didn't need. I gave away the bibs and the kids place mats. Returned the lawn fertilizer, paint and lighter fluid to the garage and basically got ride of everything wasn't needed in the kitchen. It was night time by the time I finished - between feed kids, refereeing fights and laundry, it took all day.



And that is why I'm working so hard to get organized. All day for two shelves? Crazy!

Meanwhile, I've been trying to work through piles of paper, mountains of laundry and the explosion of toys before the holiday season arrives to bring in all new stuff. So far, I've given away two garbage bags full of clothing and plan to drop off another four today. I wish I could be organized enough to sell everything online, but at this point, I just need to get rid of it. Plus, there is a little good feeling in knowing that those unwanted items are going to help someone else.

Next on the list is the 'toy-splosion'. I feel a little sick about posting photos of the kids rooms online... but I've seen other kid rooms, so I know that I'm not the only one who runs to shut doors when company comes over unannounced.

Olden Days

What did people do with toddlers on trips before lap top computers, Ipads and netflix? Because I may have gone crazy without them... 

Mom Tip #33

Keep your car gassed up! I know, it sounds silly… and raise your hand if you heard your Dad’s voice when you read that first sentence. Yah, me too.

In light of last week’s events, keeping at least it at least half-tankfull seems like a good idea.

A few years ago, we had a severe wind storm. A lot of damage and no electricity any where. Many people were living like a pioneer for more than two weeks. Listening to our local radio station it seemed like half the population was lined up at the only working gas station in the area. Some ran out of gas waiting in the line – imagine what would have happened if that person had had to leave because flood or tsunami? Luckily we didn’t have to head for the hills, but the peace of mind in knowing that we could was well worth the extra ten minutes.

We think about getting our children’s favorite snack and making it to swim team practice on time. Some how we’ve got to put those rarely needed, but desperately needed tasks in to the mix too.

Mom Tip #63

I can’t remember where I saw this, but it worked like a charm!

Mildew in bath toys? Pour some vinegar inside (or pour a tiny bit on top of the hole and then depress toy carefully and release, so that the toy will ‘suck’ in the vinegar). The vinegar will kill off the mildew.

The article also recommended not buying any more of these types of toys, but if you are like me, that isn’t always a choice. I almost never buy toys and yet we have a household.

Mom tip #27

Are you a regular user of dryer sheets? If so, there is something that needs to be done to keep it in top condition and possibly prevent an electrical fire.

Wash (and I mean scrub) your lint trap!

The other day my parents visited my home. While my step mother was doing some laundry she took out the lint trap to empty it and noticed dryer sheets on a shelf nearby. After asking if I used them regularly, she took the lint trap into the kitchen and ran it under the water faucet. The water did not go through! The screen was filled with water!  Using the dryer sheets clogs the screen of the lint trap.

Give it a good scrub and your dryer will dry the clothes faster, use less electricity and keep it working for a longer time.

Or you could hang it outside… should be in a climate where it’s not going to be raining daily for the next three months.

Things that make you go Awwwww…

This morning, I asked the cuddler where Mommy’s kiss was. He quickly pointed to his mouth and laughed.

Happy Mother's Day!

Especially to those who are celebrating for the first time!

I hope it is a wonderful day for everyone!

I'm a Mom

We did it! This morning, we got loaded up and headed out the Y. The cuddler went into the kidlet's rooms and Lala and I went swimming. It's all part of the big plan to start one the activity treadmill. I felt like such a mom! Sadly, the town I live in is pretty much stuck in 1972, so there are few activites for littles and almost none offtered on the weekends or evenings. If you can't make it Tuesday at 10am, you are S.O.L. I have to make it up as we go along and we're almost always solo because those activities are where you meet other moms... which we can't go to.

Lala begins swim lessons next month (the only thing offered on weekends in her age group). She is not good with change (and who can blame her?), so we're spending Saturday mornings swimming during "family swim"  to get used to the "big bathtub". It took about 15 minutes to get to the point of standing in ankle deep water. Luckily, there is a walk in area and a very shallow area for littles. Twenty minutes we were "swooshin" around the little river-like play canal. We tried to play motorboat, but the concept was a little confusing. Maybe next week.

The cuddler had a fantastic time in the kidlet area and Lala was a bit jealous. Next week I may try to squeeze in a work out and let her play for a bit. It may be pushing the time limit for the cuddler though.

PS - Lala used the big potty to pee! The first time outside of the house! We're on a roll!

Ack!

This morning was an interesting one. Yup, I can now write that brushing your teeth with eyeshadow is not, in fact, toxic, just dusty.

I can also pretty much guarantee that this may become the most g**gl*d post on my site, because this fact is not listed anywhere that easily brought up in your results. I know. I tried. Then I became very worried that the reason I couldn't find it was that everyone else just called 9*1 instead of searching the internet.

Now you know.

crafty? Not so much...

I have so many crafty projects simmering on the back burner right now, I have to remind myself that some things are just better not started. Like having chickens... I can't even find time to put my desk back together! Where will I find time to build a chicken coop?

Plus it's started raining again and probably won't stop until May.

As a parent of two small children (and how good is it to be able to say that with the ring of truth?!?), I just have to accept that there are some things that I just can't do, no matter how much I want to it and other things will are going to take a lot longer. I need at least 6 hours of sleep a night and the dishes and laundry must be kept up with. Food, given to the children at regular intervals is very important. Taming the mountains of crap in my bedroom - not so important. Painting the cuddler's room in a normal color - probably not going to happen until summer, if ever. He's 19 months old, he really doesn't care about his wall color. He cares about easy access to the dog food and his blankie.

Hopefully, my room will be put back together again soon and Lala's skirt will be finished before the end of the month. Those are the two projects for the month. Perhaps I will get to move on to paining the dressers or at least switching them so that the cuddler won't be able to throw all of his clean clothes around his room and (a big and!) I'll be able to shift some things from his closet so his clothes can go in there.

Yah. It's all talk right now. But maybe one day...

PS. Still avoiding the treadmill. Must figure out motivation.

Someone needs a visit to the eye doctor!

We all went up to a local children's museum on Monday. When I say a good time was had by all... I mean that two kids were busy every second for over three hours. The only time they were off exploring and building something was when we at lunch. It was a nice break in the activity before anyone got overloaded.

While we were having lunch, another mother was feeding her baby nearby. We started chatting about nothing in particular. Then she made a comment about the cuddler's hair color, which isn't a usual color. Then she remarked as to how both kids look so much alike except for their coloring. Luckily, I wasn't drinking anything, because I'm sure I would have choked. We all look so little alike that I have actually worried about having to prove that the kids really belong with me. I guess I don't have to worry so much, eh?

Dreaming Away

Lately, I've been dreaming of moving to New Zealand. You know, it's all clean and shiny... it doesn't rain almost every day and the kids wear uniforms to school.  No more policing children's clothing at work or arguments about whether the rip is "just above the kneee" or "displaying the thigh". FYI, in the teen age mind, there is apparently a separate and distinct, body part between the knee and the thigh. It's called "justabovetheknee."

Working in a high school gives me lots of foder for thought on Lala's future schooling. For example, although I know the elementary school teachers in my district are wonderful and kind people, I really don't want Lala to attend school here. The kindergartners are foul-mouthed, illmannered, and apathetic. How is a kindergartner not excited about school? Although my community has several things positive about it, there are many that are not. Racism abounds. Schools are free day care/court monitoring and learning isn't a high priority. Neither is discipline, respect for others or hygiene.

So then the question becomes where does she go to school? Private is pretty much out, unless I find a job at a private school that allows children of staff members to attend for free. Homeschooling could only be an option if I found a work at home job that offered insurance (ha!). Which leaves moving as a viable option. And if you're going to move, why not make it a great international experience? Lala could have a cute Kiwi accent and say things like "yissss," instead of "yes" and we could go to a beach with swim suits instead of jogging suits with fleece jackets. I could get used to eating pickled beets (they're on everything in that part of world... ) and Lala could gross out all her Kiwi friends by eating peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches.

Ok, it's January and constantly raining. Pictures of sunny beaches give you funny ideas.

No!

Over this week, I've noticed that the cuddler has really discovered the word no. Although, it's more "noooooo".  It's now his favorite response to almost any question.

"Do you want a cuppie?" "Noooo", while simultaneously walking in to the kitchen and opening up the dishwasher in search for a cuppie.

"Do you want to play on your firetruck?" Noooo."

"Do you want to play with legos?" Noooo."

It doesn't really matter what he wants or doesn't want, he's just in love with his newfound power of communication.

Lala has definitely moved into independence. She wants to do everything herself. Buckle her own seat belt, put on her own socks and clothes, change her own diaper.... good times, good times.

It's a little stunning to realize that the baby days are over. This week I put all the bottles away. I suppose I should throw them away, but it seems so wasteful. Although, who is going to want them? They've pretty much gone through two kids and they're plastic. The cuddler has somewhat attempted to crawl out of his crib, so I'm sure that toddler bed isn't too far behind... and then I'll have two kids, rather than two babies. Wow.

Amazing Baby

Some of the things the cuddler has learned to do over the holidays...

• open the dishwasher to fetch a bottle, when I attempt to give him a "cuppy". I think it's time to wean.
• climb various pieces of furniture to grab containers of snacks.
• finally discovered the joy of a "blankie". Up to now, he's never cared.
• at lunch will say "sandwich", take a bite then say "mmmm!"
• take off his own clothes
• operate a cell phone. Luckily, he has not figured out how to use a smart phone.
• will bring his boo-boos to me to kiss-and-make-better.

He just gets smarter and more grown up every day.

12 Months of Habit Building

It’s this time of year that everyone, whether they want to or not, reflects on the year passed. Some make resolutions to start anew, others decided to remain as they are. I’ve always been a part of the ‘start anew’ group. In fact, I have multiple calendar dates to start again – NYE, the 1st day of school, the last day of school… and so on.
This year, the latest crazy hitting the blogosphere is “101 in 1001 days”. Or maybe it’s not new, but rather hitting the blogs on my google reader. Either, it’s interesting reading. I created a list of my own and was even going to post it, until I realized that it is the same list I’ve had for the past five years. Posting it online probably won’t bring them to fruition any more than they have in the past five years. Honestly, my yearly goal for school is ALWAYS to keep up with grading and yet, EVERY year I somehow end up with stacks and stacks of papers. I’ve been ‘dieting’ since I was 12… and I still get the talk every time I see the doctor. Also, never run a marathon. And so on.
Instead what I need is a life style change. As a strict creature of habit, I need a change in habits. I am such a creature of habit, that some times I find myself in a middle of a task not realizing that when I began doing it, what I was doing before and… even more scary… if I did anything between those tasks. For the next 12 months, I’ll tackle a new habit each month to see if I can make a real change in my life style. If I hate it, it’s only 28 to 31 days. If it’s something I can really do, the month should make it into an ingrained habit for me. And it’s only one thing. Or rather, one personal habit and one professional habit. Everything else I can let slide… or at least not get in a sweat about.
For January, my habit is the basic evening and morning routines from FlyLady.net (see professional goal here). Starting January 1st to January 31st I’ll attempt to faithfully do both. Obviously, I would love to have a loverly, organized and clean house. Sadly, with two toddlers and a dog, I just don’t seem to be able to do that… but I’m hoping that I can keep the chaos at bay. And possibly not do the “please let there be a clean pair of underwear in the drawer” game every morning.

Evening Routine

• Pick up living room and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes and shoes
• Kitchen – shine sink, lay out clean dish cloths and start dishwasher
• Clear hot spots in entrance and dining room
• check calendar for tomorrow’s appointments
• pack breakfasts and lunch
• put items I don’t want to forget into bag
• lay out clothes for tomorrow
• brush teeth, wash face and take vitamin
• go to bed at a decent time

Morning Routine

• make bed
• shower and clean shower while in there
• fix hair
• swish and swipe
• reboot laundry
• check calendar
• check dinner plan – thaw if needed

My hope is that by making this one small change, I’ll be able to have a little more organization in my life and perhaps make it run a little smoother.

Year In Review

Illness Continues...

Or, Wherein I praise God for the writers of Finding Nemo.
Of course, the cuddler gave me his stomach virus, just in time for the annual preparations for the trip to the ol' homestead. I spent much of the weekend sanitizing myself so that Lala wouldn't be the next victim just in time for Santa's visit. Or rather, our visit to my parents house.
We're leaving tomorrow morning. That should have meant me packing, doing laundry and cleaning in preparation for the long trip. Instead I napped most of the day. As usual, I'll be rushing around in a panic tomorrow morning, leaving the house in a state of disaster and probably forgetting something important - not be realized until at least 100 miles away - like my wallet.
So far, the presents have been wrapped or packed. Snacks have been purchased. The kids have clothes to pack, although I do not. And they still need socks. We never have enough socks. No cuppies or food additives have been packed and the car hasn't been cleaned out for the trip. I also need to install the DVD player, get dog food and some how give the dog sitter the keys. And someone gave the cuddler a frosted sugar cookie, so he'll need a bath. All done before 10 am tomorrow.

101 Things in 1001 Days

1. get up early to exercise 31 days in a row
2. create a menu plan for a month and stick to it
3. do dishes every night before going to bed for 31 days in a row
4. visit NYC
5. organize front closet
6. organize desk
7. fix desktop computer
8. go on a camping trip
9. enter a 5k race
10. get rid of the baby clothes
11. throw an adoption completion party
12. paint kitchen cabinets
13. get a gas stove
14. post to blogs 3x's a week for six months
15. organize purse
16. purge kids toys
17. take more videos
18. go sledding
19. teach Lala to tie her shoes
20. potty training
21. hair cut
22. add more photos to blog posts
23. hang curtains in the cuddler's room
24. get doors for shelves in kitchen
25. go the hands on the museum 2x's a semester
26. sign Lala up for swim lessons
27. sign Lala up for dance lessons
28. get an electronic keyboard
29. take dog to dog training classes
30. do Visiting Teaching each month
31. get a nightly routine and stick to it
32. reduce the number of hours the TV is on
33. run a marathon
34. make a five year plan
35. create a family tree picture
36. learn to golf
37. learn to set tile
38. throw away bath stuff I won't use even if it is a waste done 19.12.09
39. renew my teaching certificate
40. read sense and sensibility
41. attend a renaissance festival
42. Take Lala to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
43. go on a date
44. re-read the Book of Mormon
45. no fast food for a month
46. stop drinking coffee
47. pay tithing in full
48. start every day with family prayer
49. do Family Home Evening
50. organize baby calendars and save
51. keep up with grading
52. go on a family picnic
53. organize files for medical reimbursement
54. install screen door for back porch
55. plant entire garden
56. keep up with weeding
57. create a budget
58. post one book review per month
59. create an emergency fund of $5000
60. write a short story
61. perform 20 Random of Acts of Kindness
62. loose 30 pounds
63. create a front porch “room”
64. email grandma ones a week for a year
65. take kids to fly kites
66. host a dinner party/game night
67. make a major chore schedule and stick to for 3 months
68. Re-do kitchen
69. Re-do Bathroom
70. go horseback riding
71. do a book pass
72. learn to make Challah
73. do a full Spring Cleaning
74. save $5000 for a new car
75. Learn SQL
76. Create a curriculum map for AP Classes
77. Sew a new dress
78. do a craft project with kids 2xs a month
79. Update first aid card
80. complete foster care training
81. learn to cook healthier dishes
82. pay off student loans
83. get a safety deposit box
84. get Lala a passport
85. Go to Shakespeare Festival
86. Keep up with laundry
87. use reusable bags for shopping 10xs
88. drink 8 glasses of H2O for 31 days
89. Teach Lala to snow ski
90. Visit yosemite park
91. start project 395
92. organize pantry
93. complete unfinished craft projects
94. submit an article for publication
95. save $5000 for moving expenses
96. Repaint the cuddler’s bedroom
97. Get a design plan for the living room
98. create a flower garden in front yard
99. write blog post every week
100. go on 10 hikes
101. take Lala camping

Kids Play Kitchen Hack

Saturday I bit the bullet and headed up to Ikea. It’s about an hour and half drive – more if you miss your exit… twice.

I did however get some good stuff. I picked up some kids kitchen ware, new plates and bowls for the kids, silverware for the house, new curtains and a rug for the cuddler’s room, some stocking stuffers for the cuddler, some toddler safe tree decoration (at 25% off… they were so cheap that I saved a whopping $1.25!) and two new sheet sets for me. I also looked at the play kitchens. They did not have the cheaper one from the catalog and the one they did have was very short. The perfect size for the cuddler who is a normal 18 month old height. Lala, however, is about the size of your average 3 year old. She would have towered over it.

Just behind the play area I found this! The Trofast system of storage. It was the right height for Lala and with a sink placed on the and some burners, it would be a great kitchen. Plus all the food and dishes could be stored in the bins underneath.

When she grows out of it, we can return it to it’s natural storage system state for clothes or shoes or something. Kids always need more storage. It’s a twoferone buy.

This is recently played with end result. The sink was purchased online from somewhere I don’t remember. In fact, I purchased it last year… it’s one of the gifts that I was never able to give Lala and has been sitting in the closet forgotten. The burners are wooden plaques I got at JoAnns. I used a sharpie to color on the rings. Right now, they’re duct taped to the top of the cabinet. I told Lala, that they had to stay on the top. We’ll see how long it takes for the cuddler to rip them off. The cabinet was about $50, bins included. (Ikea sale item). The sink was $5, plus shipping and the ‘burners’ were $1.79 ea.

So far, it’s been a bit hit. I decided to give it to her, since A. I probably wouldn’t have time later this month to put the cabinet together and B. I’m sure as heck not driving it across the state and back while we are on our holiday pilgrimage.

We just have to find a place to put it. There will have to be some furniture shift tonight to find a new home.