When I was a kid I lived across the street from the library. In those days, the librarian had to actually hand print the book titles onto my card. I seem to remember the rule being no more than six books could be borrowed at once. I'd take out six books, carry them home, read them and bring them back...about three times a day. Not sure why I didn't just stay there. My sister and I always had books with us whenever we went anywhere. My uncle's wife told me years later that when they first started dating she found it weird that I would actually sit and read encyclopedias. Until I moved to Korea, I probably read five to ten books a week. My lifestyle was always so busy and I just didn't make the time. I still read but not to the degree that I had my whole life. I LOVE books. All kind of books! The best is now the child loves books, too.She ALWAYS has a novel or two with her when she leaves the house.
I promise to make time for reading and to spend at least 30 minutes a day reading.
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to BEP's Dirty Bit.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink and with a huge slice on the side of my hand where a glass popped while I was washing it.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. Hula-hooping.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was homemade Shepard's pie.
7. am on day day of training the kittens to use the toilet. Another big step tomorrow.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. did not go to sleep by 12:35, but I slept A LOT today.
10. did a yoga video.
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
13. finished organizing the hall closet.
14. took my vitamins.
15. read for a few hours.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
One A Day
To be perfectly frank, there are a few promises that are easy-peazy! They are things that I need to do every day that don't need a big 'ole explanation and don't have a warm story to go along. I'll be using those on the days that I just don't have any more in me to give. Sorry. I may be growing into a more positive person but I'm still human. Despite being pieces of cake, these are still important things that will improve my life.
Today I'm pulling out an easy promise because I volunteered at the child's school until lunch, did some errands and ran around even more after school. Momma's wiped! This promise will help to improve that exhaustion, though. Everyday I promise to take a multi-vitamin. Actually I'm taking a vitamin D, too, because I'm not out in the sun like I am in the summer, so make that: everyday I will take my vitamins. Chee-ahs!
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to P!nk...again! She is our fave!
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. The hooping of the hula continues as I expect it will for the next week. This one will take a while.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was Korean take-out.
7. am on day eight of training the kittens to use the toilet. One major break-thru today!
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. did not go to the gym...again but I got my ass seriously kicked by Jillian Michaels...bee-otch!
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
13. organized the hall closet but this will take more than one day.
14. took my vitamins.
Today I'm pulling out an easy promise because I volunteered at the child's school until lunch, did some errands and ran around even more after school. Momma's wiped! This promise will help to improve that exhaustion, though. Everyday I promise to take a multi-vitamin. Actually I'm taking a vitamin D, too, because I'm not out in the sun like I am in the summer, so make that: everyday I will take my vitamins. Chee-ahs!
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to P!nk...again! She is our fave!
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. The hooping of the hula continues as I expect it will for the next week. This one will take a while.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was Korean take-out.
7. am on day eight of training the kittens to use the toilet. One major break-thru today!
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. did not go to the gym...again but I got my ass seriously kicked by Jillian Michaels...bee-otch!
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
13. organized the hall closet but this will take more than one day.
14. took my vitamins.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Get 'er Done!
Today was a snow day. No school. Yay! It gave me some time to do one of the promises I'm dreading. I'm dreading it because once I start that means I'll have to do it everyday. Yikes! See here's the deal: When we moved back to the land of the great white north from the land of the morning calm I shipped almost our whole household, including the TV and the desktop computer. A few months later I moved into an apartment of a friend that was moving back to Korea. She left a lot of things for me. Then less than a year later my grandmother and then my aunt passed away and I moved into their house. To contribute to that, I may have a tiny shopping problem. Let's just say I have way too much stuff. Actually come to think of it this explanation is leading to two other promises, but I'll let you know the others another day. Anyway, I need to get more organized and today on snow day I did a bit of that. And now I'll do more everyday. This promise will be to organize a specific area in the house. Maybe someday I'll be able to cross this promise right off the list. Here's to hoping!
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to John Cougar Mellencamp's (does he still use the Mellencamp?) Hurt so Good.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. Tons of hula-hooping.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was pork chops and rice.
7. am on day seven of training the kittens to use the toilet. New step is going better. Next new step tomorrow.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. did not go to the gym...again but I shoveled snow and hula-hooped again.
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
13. organized the linen closet.
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to John Cougar Mellencamp's (does he still use the Mellencamp?) Hurt so Good.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. Tons of hula-hooping.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was pork chops and rice.
7. am on day seven of training the kittens to use the toilet. New step is going better. Next new step tomorrow.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. did not go to the gym...again but I shoveled snow and hula-hooped again.
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
13. organized the linen closet.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tangly
Second day back to school for the little one and this whole project is starting to get a bit tangly. Tangly! I love this word. The first time I heard it was from one of my friends from Newfoundland while he was behind the bar playing some tunes. We were hanging out in our local pub in Korea and he was using it to describe one of my very favorite people, my dear Irish friend. It was appropriate usage as those that know No-no will attest. She is prone to get a bit tangly after a few rum and cokes (or white Russians). The smartest, kindest, most generous friend EVAH (I actually have two of them...I'm quite blessed), but definitely tangly after a few. The thing is in our very tight group of international expat chingus, No-no and I were the few non-musical ones. Most of the others belong to an amazing band that plays the local clubs, still to this day. The others as superbly musically inclined play in other bands or solo.
I love music. Love going to see live bands. And absolutely adore watching my talented friends do it up. The problem is I don't know music. I've never quite figured out how people just know what to listen to. Since I started going to the gym I've needed to load the iPod passed on to me (probably two years ago now) by my cousin. I've never used it. I sent out a request for some tunes to help me move it. The most awesome TS from isinginthekitchen.com obliged and then some. Heaps of moving it songs. Today's promise is an easy one because it can be combined with another. Yay for killing two birds! In order to progress positively I need music! Luckily for me I also need music to dance with my baby. This evening I had a chance to test one of TS's suggestions and it was a hit with the girlie & her momma.
Today's promise is to listen to music everyday!
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to The Decemberists' The Perfect Crime #2.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. We have moved from shoes to hula-hoops, which to my surprise are nothing like swimming & riding a bike. Just because you could do it at age 9 doesn't mean you still can. Just sayin'.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was tilapia with steamed veggies and rice.
7. am on day six of training the kittens to use the toilet. New step is not going well. One more day and it could be over.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. did not go to the gym but I shoveled snow for an hour, twice. That'll do. Plus that hula-hooping is freakin' hard!
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
I love music. Love going to see live bands. And absolutely adore watching my talented friends do it up. The problem is I don't know music. I've never quite figured out how people just know what to listen to. Since I started going to the gym I've needed to load the iPod passed on to me (probably two years ago now) by my cousin. I've never used it. I sent out a request for some tunes to help me move it. The most awesome TS from isinginthekitchen.com obliged and then some. Heaps of moving it songs. Today's promise is an easy one because it can be combined with another. Yay for killing two birds! In order to progress positively I need music! Luckily for me I also need music to dance with my baby. This evening I had a chance to test one of TS's suggestions and it was a hit with the girlie & her momma.
Today's promise is to listen to music everyday!
Today I:
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to The Decemberists' The Perfect Crime #2.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. We have moved from shoes to hula-hoops, which to my surprise are nothing like swimming & riding a bike. Just because you could do it at age 9 doesn't mean you still can. Just sayin'.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was tilapia with steamed veggies and rice.
7. am on day six of training the kittens to use the toilet. New step is not going well. One more day and it could be over.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. did not go to the gym but I shoveled snow for an hour, twice. That'll do. Plus that hula-hooping is freakin' hard!
11. ate dinner with my child.
12. listened to music...see #2.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Dinner With My Baby
Today was day two of the monthly menu plan. I've had to make some adjustments already but that's okay. Yesterday we went to my aunt's for dinner. We usually go on Sunday but we were going to be out of town so it was changed to Monday. The dinner for today was meant to be Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli. I took the chicken out of the freezer this morning when getting The Peanut ready for school.
While getting my lunch ready I noticed a jar of roasted red peppers that I have had in the cupboard for a month or so. I don't know if I mentioned it before but it's a big thing so it's okay if I repeat it: I don't cook. I often have the greatest of intentions, but I rarely follow through. I do like red peppers and bought the jar in hopes of making something with them. So I found this jar and started looking around for things that would go with the red peppers along of thinking of ways to cook the chicken using said RRPs. I chopped them up with some garlic, basil and cheddar cheese; cut the poulet sideways; stuffed the mixture in and popped it all in the oven.
Then I went to grab the girlie from her friend's where she had been playing in the snow for three hours. Even though the house smelled amazing, I was highly sceptical that she would actually like it. I was pleasantly surprised. She LOVED it! We both ate it right up! And while she was eating her lovingly-created-by-her-momma dinner, we had a nice chat. Today was the first day back to school after 18 days off. She had a great day and I loved hearing about it.
Today's promise is to eat dinner everyday with my baby. I know I won't be able to do this everyday, but everyday I can, I will. And we will chat. And I will find out things like so-and-so had a grumpy face in gym class when she was tagged out in freeze tag. I need to know these things, you know!
Today I (will add numbers because it's getting complicated):
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to Katy Perry's Firework.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She tied the shoe twice in her room without my help. Something new is necessary, I think.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was chicken stuffed with roasted red peppers.
7. am on day six of training the kittens to use the toilet. New step in place. It'll be about two more days until the next one.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. went to the gym and exercised for 30 minutes as soon as I took the kid to school instead of coming home and sleeping like I usually do.
11. ate dinner with my child.
While getting my lunch ready I noticed a jar of roasted red peppers that I have had in the cupboard for a month or so. I don't know if I mentioned it before but it's a big thing so it's okay if I repeat it: I don't cook. I often have the greatest of intentions, but I rarely follow through. I do like red peppers and bought the jar in hopes of making something with them. So I found this jar and started looking around for things that would go with the red peppers along of thinking of ways to cook the chicken using said RRPs. I chopped them up with some garlic, basil and cheddar cheese; cut the poulet sideways; stuffed the mixture in and popped it all in the oven.
Then I went to grab the girlie from her friend's where she had been playing in the snow for three hours. Even though the house smelled amazing, I was highly sceptical that she would actually like it. I was pleasantly surprised. She LOVED it! We both ate it right up! And while she was eating her lovingly-created-by-her-momma dinner, we had a nice chat. Today was the first day back to school after 18 days off. She had a great day and I loved hearing about it.
Today's promise is to eat dinner everyday with my baby. I know I won't be able to do this everyday, but everyday I can, I will. And we will chat. And I will find out things like so-and-so had a grumpy face in gym class when she was tagged out in freeze tag. I need to know these things, you know!
Today I (will add numbers because it's getting complicated):
1. checked TPP.
2. danced with my kid to Katy Perry's Firework.
3. will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
4. worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She tied the shoe twice in her room without my help. Something new is necessary, I think.
5. blogged.
6. ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was chicken stuffed with roasted red peppers.
7. am on day six of training the kittens to use the toilet. New step in place. It'll be about two more days until the next one.
8. said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
9. will go to sleep by 12:35.
10. went to the gym and exercised for 30 minutes as soon as I took the kid to school instead of coming home and sleeping like I usually do.
11. ate dinner with my child.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday Madness
It's Monday. School starts back tomorrow after the holiday break. I have spent the ENTIRE freakin' day running around. This will be brief.
I am not my ideal weight. I need to exercise. I joined the gym with my cousin a month ago but I haven't gone since the child has been out of school. I returned today. It was good.
Today's promise is to exercise everyday. 끝
Today I:
checked TPP.
danced with my kid to Pitbull's Calle Ocho.
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She practice with the shoe again.
blogged.
ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was at Hyla's.
am on day five of training the kittens to use the toilet. The next step didn't happen but it will tomorrow.
said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
will go to sleep by 12:35, if not sooner even though Jon will be on fire tonight!
went to the gym and exercised for 30 minutes, which isn't great but it's better than nada.
I am not my ideal weight. I need to exercise. I joined the gym with my cousin a month ago but I haven't gone since the child has been out of school. I returned today. It was good.
Today's promise is to exercise everyday. 끝
Today I:
checked TPP.
danced with my kid to Pitbull's Calle Ocho.
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She practice with the shoe again.
blogged.
ate off the monthly menu. Dinner was at Hyla's.
am on day five of training the kittens to use the toilet. The next step didn't happen but it will tomorrow.
said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
will go to sleep by 12:35, if not sooner even though Jon will be on fire tonight!
went to the gym and exercised for 30 minutes, which isn't great but it's better than nada.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These
This will be short and sweet...I hope. The Peanut goes to a school that starts quite early which means she must get up early. And since she has eating and weight issues which I cannot be bothered to get into too deeply on this Sunday evening, she has to get up even earlier than most of her peers. Basically she doesn't feel hunger, has no interest in food, and needs to be told to have EVERY.SINGLE.BITE. I could just give her a set time frame and let her deal with the consequences later, but like I said, she doesn't feel hunger...and she's underweight. She doesn't eat much of her lunch at school so it's my job to make sure she has a full, healthy brekkie and dinner because that's all I can control. The breakfast battle takes a LONG time and requires much patience.
For years before she was born, and before she went to school, I was a night-owl. These days, I've discovered I need more sleep. Ideally, I should be going to sleep around 10:30 so that I would get 8 hours and maybe I'll strive for that long-term but for now I'm hoping to be asleep by 12:35. Yeah, I know the thirty-five is odd but that's because I *heart* Jon Stewart and his show ends at 12:35. I'm going to try to watch it online so that I get to sleep earlier, but like I said, that'll be down the road a tiny bit. One step at a time!
Today's promise is to go to sleep by 12:35...and now I'm off to get that started.
Today I:
checked TPP.
danced with my kid to Shakira's Wherever, Whenever.
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She tied a shoe twice!
blogged.
put the monthly menu that will start on Monday on the fridge.
am on day four of training the kittens to use the toilet. Next step will happen tomorrow.
said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
will go to sleep by 12:35 (even though Jon's not on tonight).
For years before she was born, and before she went to school, I was a night-owl. These days, I've discovered I need more sleep. Ideally, I should be going to sleep around 10:30 so that I would get 8 hours and maybe I'll strive for that long-term but for now I'm hoping to be asleep by 12:35. Yeah, I know the thirty-five is odd but that's because I *heart* Jon Stewart and his show ends at 12:35. I'm going to try to watch it online so that I get to sleep earlier, but like I said, that'll be down the road a tiny bit. One step at a time!
Today's promise is to go to sleep by 12:35...and now I'm off to get that started.
Today I:
checked TPP.
danced with my kid to Shakira's Wherever, Whenever.
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink.
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She tied a shoe twice!
blogged.
put the monthly menu that will start on Monday on the fridge.
am on day four of training the kittens to use the toilet. Next step will happen tomorrow.
said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
will go to sleep by 12:35 (even though Jon's not on tonight).
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Where There is Hate, Let me Sow Love
Now that I have one week under my belt, it's clear that these daily promises seems to be neatly falling into four categories. This is not intentional, by the way. As I've said before, I'm playing this all by ear. I have the things I'd like to do to get healthy; the stuff I do to enjoy my life with The Peanut and to help her grow; the jobs I need to do each day to keep the house clean and organized...and then there are the spiritual things that help me mentally. And believe me when I say I need all the help I can get!
I have never been a particularly religious person, although growing up I probably went to church more than anyone else in my immediate family. As a young child I would sometimes go to church with my grandmother. When I got to middle school and was living in the Catskills, the kids all seem to hang out at the CYO or the Jewish Community Center. It just happened to be that kids that lived near me were the RCs so I ended up also going to Mass and CYO dances. I went to a Catholic university, where I always went to Mass when I wasn't working, on Ash Wednesday, and for the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. I always enjoy the feeling I get from being at church, but I've never deeply believed. I love the stories, the lessons, the guidance, the unity. I'm just skeptical about a lot of things. I have, however, always been a deeply spiritual person. As all those that know me well will verify, I am very emotional and ever-so sensitive. I cry at the drop of a hat. Any guidance I can get to keep all my crazy feelings in line, the better. There are a variety of ways I've always done that. Mainly through reading, having creative outlets, and the biggie...talking for hours with great friends who are very intelligent. I'm analytical. I talk to myself. I pray.
Even though I have no idea what is out there...or up there, I get peace from praying. One of the prayers I adore and that makes me want to be a better person is the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. There are many versions. This is what I say daily:
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Ke$ha's We R Who We R
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. The hair was brushed. We tried to tie some shoes.
blogged
got the groceries for the monthly menu that will start on Monday
am on day three of training the kittens to use the toilet
said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
I have never been a particularly religious person, although growing up I probably went to church more than anyone else in my immediate family. As a young child I would sometimes go to church with my grandmother. When I got to middle school and was living in the Catskills, the kids all seem to hang out at the CYO or the Jewish Community Center. It just happened to be that kids that lived near me were the RCs so I ended up also going to Mass and CYO dances. I went to a Catholic university, where I always went to Mass when I wasn't working, on Ash Wednesday, and for the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. I always enjoy the feeling I get from being at church, but I've never deeply believed. I love the stories, the lessons, the guidance, the unity. I'm just skeptical about a lot of things. I have, however, always been a deeply spiritual person. As all those that know me well will verify, I am very emotional and ever-so sensitive. I cry at the drop of a hat. Any guidance I can get to keep all my crazy feelings in line, the better. There are a variety of ways I've always done that. Mainly through reading, having creative outlets, and the biggie...talking for hours with great friends who are very intelligent. I'm analytical. I talk to myself. I pray.
Even though I have no idea what is out there...or up there, I get peace from praying. One of the prayers I adore and that makes me want to be a better person is the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. There are many versions. This is what I say daily:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Ke$ha's We R Who We R
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. The hair was brushed. We tried to tie some shoes.
blogged
got the groceries for the monthly menu that will start on Monday
am on day three of training the kittens to use the toilet
said the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Making of a Couple of Mr. Jinxes
The dear, clever, beautiful child wanted pets. She wanted a million pets...well just a cat, dog, hamster, fish, turtle, maybe a chicken, and probably a few more I'm blocking out. She has had three fish. They've lived what I think was quite a while, considering they're from one of the two nasty looking pet stores in town.
A few years ago we tried to adopt two cats. I thought they would be perfect. They were older, fixed and declawed. They weren't siblings (is it even called 'siblings' in the cat world??) but they had been together since they were six months old. I thought they would be settled, plus keep each other company. See the other bad thing about declawing, is that the cats need to stay inside...which in and of itself, is a nice concept. You don't have to get up in the middle of the night to let the cat in or out. You don't have to worry about them catching diseases from eating things they shouldn't and can thus get away with not giving them their needles. Not to mention, just the nice feeling you get from knowing they're not going to get in a fight with a skunk nor get run over by a car. All these positives go out the window when you think about the big, nasty, stinky NEGATIVE about having an indoor cat: The Litter Box!! Oh man, when we had those two guys I hated the litter box. They were older and set in their ways...one of their ways being the kicking of the litter all over the place. Despite TLB being the the absolute worst thing ever, I dealt with it. The thing I couldn't deal with, however, was that they were huge beggars. No meal could be eaten in peace, and you couldn't leave food on the counter or they would jump up and eat it. I have friends and relatives that have cats that don't do this.I know that this should be unacceptable. Unfortunately, these fellas were seven years old, and they just couldn't be re-trained after that many years of obviously being fed people food. They sealed their fate the day I set my Whopper down on the table for ten seconds to run (literally run) into my bedroom to grab my phone. Don't mess with Momma's food, Mofos! I sent them back from whence they came.
Fast forward two years. The child is older. Her obsession with kitties has not subsided. She has just spent three and a half months in Korea where her auntie (really Momma's best friend, but same, same) has two kitters that are brothers. I started casually looking for kittens...very casually. I also said, she could have a hamster or a turtle if we found the perfect one. Then one of my friends announced that her cat had kittens. I told her to let me know more about them later when it was closer to adoption time. A few weeks later, my cousin's rabbit had babies. Cutting to the chase, we now have two twin kitter-boys, and they have a baby bunny brother.
Here's the deal-i-o. It's winter. Either these cat-boysies learn how to use the toilet or in the spring they will become outdoor cats. Whether they're indoor or outdoor doesn't matter so much to me. I'm getting them neutered and vaccinated next month so if push comes to shove they will be going outside, but all those positives above about having an indoor cat are true. I would really like to keep them safe because damnit they are cute...and the child has become quite fond of them. It's that one big negative that I have the problem with. I hate the litter box so much!! I change it everyday. This involves a lot of bleach, the vacuum and scrubbing the floor...every.day!! At a later date, we'll get more into housework, but believe me when I say I do not vacuum and wash the floor everyday. Beginning two days ago I have started to train them to do their business in the toilet. I expect it'll take a while, but I have friends that have done it and I think these fellas will oblige. After them, I'm moving on to litter train the bunny.
The promise of the day is to work with pets everyday. Train them, try to teach them something new, have a play or just a cuddle. For now it's trying to get Ernie and Pistachio to behave like Mr. Jinx and use the big-people potty. Wish me luck...I anticipate it'll be a shitty job!!
Today I:
checked TPP...and it made me mad, sad and then hugely loved
danced with my kid to the theme song to Nickelodeon's Victorious
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She brushed her hair and we started with tying shoes.
blogged
made my grocery list for my monthly menu plan
am on day two of training the kittens to use the toilet
A few years ago we tried to adopt two cats. I thought they would be perfect. They were older, fixed and declawed. They weren't siblings (is it even called 'siblings' in the cat world??) but they had been together since they were six months old. I thought they would be settled, plus keep each other company. See the other bad thing about declawing, is that the cats need to stay inside...which in and of itself, is a nice concept. You don't have to get up in the middle of the night to let the cat in or out. You don't have to worry about them catching diseases from eating things they shouldn't and can thus get away with not giving them their needles. Not to mention, just the nice feeling you get from knowing they're not going to get in a fight with a skunk nor get run over by a car. All these positives go out the window when you think about the big, nasty, stinky NEGATIVE about having an indoor cat: The Litter Box!! Oh man, when we had those two guys I hated the litter box. They were older and set in their ways...one of their ways being the kicking of the litter all over the place. Despite TLB being the the absolute worst thing ever, I dealt with it. The thing I couldn't deal with, however, was that they were huge beggars. No meal could be eaten in peace, and you couldn't leave food on the counter or they would jump up and eat it. I have friends and relatives that have cats that don't do this.I know that this should be unacceptable. Unfortunately, these fellas were seven years old, and they just couldn't be re-trained after that many years of obviously being fed people food. They sealed their fate the day I set my Whopper down on the table for ten seconds to run (literally run) into my bedroom to grab my phone. Don't mess with Momma's food, Mofos! I sent them back from whence they came.
Fast forward two years. The child is older. Her obsession with kitties has not subsided. She has just spent three and a half months in Korea where her auntie (really Momma's best friend, but same, same) has two kitters that are brothers. I started casually looking for kittens...very casually. I also said, she could have a hamster or a turtle if we found the perfect one. Then one of my friends announced that her cat had kittens. I told her to let me know more about them later when it was closer to adoption time. A few weeks later, my cousin's rabbit had babies. Cutting to the chase, we now have two twin kitter-boys, and they have a baby bunny brother.
Here's the deal-i-o. It's winter. Either these cat-boysies learn how to use the toilet or in the spring they will become outdoor cats. Whether they're indoor or outdoor doesn't matter so much to me. I'm getting them neutered and vaccinated next month so if push comes to shove they will be going outside, but all those positives above about having an indoor cat are true. I would really like to keep them safe because damnit they are cute...and the child has become quite fond of them. It's that one big negative that I have the problem with. I hate the litter box so much!! I change it everyday. This involves a lot of bleach, the vacuum and scrubbing the floor...every.day!! At a later date, we'll get more into housework, but believe me when I say I do not vacuum and wash the floor everyday. Beginning two days ago I have started to train them to do their business in the toilet. I expect it'll take a while, but I have friends that have done it and I think these fellas will oblige. After them, I'm moving on to litter train the bunny.
The promise of the day is to work with pets everyday. Train them, try to teach them something new, have a play or just a cuddle. For now it's trying to get Ernie and Pistachio to behave like Mr. Jinx and use the big-people potty. Wish me luck...I anticipate it'll be a shitty job!!
Today I:
checked TPP...and it made me mad, sad and then hugely loved
danced with my kid to the theme song to Nickelodeon's Victorious
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new. She brushed her hair and we started with tying shoes.
blogged
made my grocery list for my monthly menu plan
am on day two of training the kittens to use the toilet
Thursday, January 6, 2011
What's For Dinner?
Inevitably, I was going to have to go down the dreaded physical path of the daily promises. Make no mistake there will be lots of promises in this category because this is truly the part of my life that has been neglected the most. Surprisingly, a recent work-up of my blood does indicate that I'm healthy, but the scales, size of my clothes and huffing & puffing that would likely happen if I ever actually attempted to walk anywhere, would beg to differ.
The first place I'm going to start to make my life healthier seems easy but, to be perfectly honest, for me it will be a huge challenge. I do believe that not everyone needs to eat three squares a day, but I think if you're one of those people that do the several-small-meals-a-day approach you need to be health conscious. I, right now, am not that person. For as long as I can remember 99% of the time, I have only eaten one meal a day...and that meal is never breakfast...and is usually bought by me instead of being made by me. So for the immediate future, I'm not going to worry so much with exactly what goes in my mouth as opposed to when. I'm going to concentrate on eating three home-cooked meals a day. I'll worry about the content of these meals down the road, don't fret about that.
For someone that hates cooking and hasn't habitually prepared brekkie, lunch and dinner everyday, some organization is required. Today with the help of some friends that can cook (and seriously cook well) I prepared a full menu plan for a month. I'm actually looking forward to this challenge of cooking from the menu plan every day.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to The Proclaimers' 500 Miles
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new...continuing the hairbrushing
blogged
made my monthly menu plan
The first place I'm going to start to make my life healthier seems easy but, to be perfectly honest, for me it will be a huge challenge. I do believe that not everyone needs to eat three squares a day, but I think if you're one of those people that do the several-small-meals-a-day approach you need to be health conscious. I, right now, am not that person. For as long as I can remember 99% of the time, I have only eaten one meal a day...and that meal is never breakfast...and is usually bought by me instead of being made by me. So for the immediate future, I'm not going to worry so much with exactly what goes in my mouth as opposed to when. I'm going to concentrate on eating three home-cooked meals a day. I'll worry about the content of these meals down the road, don't fret about that.
For someone that hates cooking and hasn't habitually prepared brekkie, lunch and dinner everyday, some organization is required. Today with the help of some friends that can cook (and seriously cook well) I prepared a full menu plan for a month. I'm actually looking forward to this challenge of cooking from the menu plan every day.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to The Proclaimers' 500 Miles
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new...continuing the hairbrushing
blogged
made my monthly menu plan
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Too Early??
I'm hoping that by posting the thing I promise to do everyday for today won't jinx me. I am, after all, the epitome of procrastination and slacking off. Meh...here goes it: today's promise is to journal everyday. Obviously this blog will be my journal for days I'm able to be on the computer.
You have no idea how proud of myself that I have been actually posting for...how many days four, five?? Not even a week yet, but hey, I'm proud. It is a big accomplishment for me, but I also am aware that the more I add (not to mention when school vacation ends), it's only going to get more difficult to keep up.
That's all I've got for today.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Train's Hey Soul Sister
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new...she's flying with the hairbrushing, btw.
blogged
You have no idea how proud of myself that I have been actually posting for...how many days four, five?? Not even a week yet, but hey, I'm proud. It is a big accomplishment for me, but I also am aware that the more I add (not to mention when school vacation ends), it's only going to get more difficult to keep up.
That's all I've got for today.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Train's Hey Soul Sister
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
worked on teaching The Peanut something new...she's flying with the hairbrushing, btw.
blogged
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
It's a Hairy World
To be perfectly honest, there are some logistics to this mission of mine that I haven't completely thought through. Like what to do when I reach the forty-second day of this promise mission. Truthfully, I don't even have a list and am winging it everyday. Meh...I'm a cross-that-bridge kind of girl. Today's daily promise will probably need some input from others at some point, but for now I have enough material to go forward for more than a few weeks. It's just how to do it that has me a bit boggled.
The smaller of the two girls that live here, needs to learn many things...things that when I think about it, I already knew when I was her age. And as the momma, it's my job to teach them to her. This tiny girl has VERY long hair. Long and thick! I'm talking it has to be divided into sections just to wash it. She has had it cut several times, but it grows fast and is generally to her waist or her bottom. It's not too knotty and a breeze to take care of everyday, so I have been slack in teaching her how to take care of it herself. Starting today she will be taught how to brush her own hair.
Today's promise is to teach P something new everyday...and by everyday, just so that we're both not completely overwhelmed, when the new task is learned, a new one will be taught. I do foresee some battles, because she's small and her arms just aren't that long. Also, she gets easily frustrated when she isn't immediately successful at something. That will be the ongoing battle with this particular promise. Wish us luck!
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Dynamite
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
will work on teaching The Peanut something new
The smaller of the two girls that live here, needs to learn many things...things that when I think about it, I already knew when I was her age. And as the momma, it's my job to teach them to her. This tiny girl has VERY long hair. Long and thick! I'm talking it has to be divided into sections just to wash it. She has had it cut several times, but it grows fast and is generally to her waist or her bottom. It's not too knotty and a breeze to take care of everyday, so I have been slack in teaching her how to take care of it herself. Starting today she will be taught how to brush her own hair.
Today's promise is to teach P something new everyday...and by everyday, just so that we're both not completely overwhelmed, when the new task is learned, a new one will be taught. I do foresee some battles, because she's small and her arms just aren't that long. Also, she gets easily frustrated when she isn't immediately successful at something. That will be the ongoing battle with this particular promise. Wish us luck!
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Dynamite
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
will work on teaching The Peanut something new
Monday, January 3, 2011
Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink
Yesterday when I said most of these promises I'm making to myself in order to improve my life will be mental and/or physical, I went on to explain about the parental daily duties I have. Another part of my daily duties that I have thus far failed to talk about will also, inevitably, be a big part of the 42 ways to positively live my life. The reason this particular category of promises will be a big part is because a) I'm not wealthy, b) the child is too small plus it's against my own (possibly messed-up) parenting rules c) I'm the only grown-up living in this house and finally d) despite my many efforts at trying to live like a piglet, it really isn't for me...damn my mother for raising me in an immaculate house. You've guessed it!! I'm talking about the never-ending, daily chores it takes to run a household. I don't go overboard...I just try to make sure we're not sinking.
Speaking of sinks...today's promise is to make sure when I go to bed at night, the kitchen sink is empty of dirty dishes. I know, I know it seems like a given but this is kind of a big one for two main reasons; the first is I don't have a dishwasher...I am the dishwasher!!. In the winter, despite having tried every lotion available on the market, my hands get dry, cracked and washing the dishes is painful. I could use those ridiculous pink gloves but I find them uncomfortable. Usually by the end of January, I can no longer stand it and the gloves are pulled out from under the sink. The second thing is there are only two of us...one of whom right now only eats one meal a day (we'll get to that at a later date). There really aren't a lot of dishes to wash, so I do have a tendency to let them build up for two (or gasp) three days. They should be done everyday. I feel good when they are done. It's a small thing that makes me feel proud, so today's promise is to make sure there aren't any dirty dishes in the sink when I go to bed.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Katy Perry's (aka my friend JAF-H) California Girls
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
Speaking of sinks...today's promise is to make sure when I go to bed at night, the kitchen sink is empty of dirty dishes. I know, I know it seems like a given but this is kind of a big one for two main reasons; the first is I don't have a dishwasher...I am the dishwasher!!. In the winter, despite having tried every lotion available on the market, my hands get dry, cracked and washing the dishes is painful. I could use those ridiculous pink gloves but I find them uncomfortable. Usually by the end of January, I can no longer stand it and the gloves are pulled out from under the sink. The second thing is there are only two of us...one of whom right now only eats one meal a day (we'll get to that at a later date). There really aren't a lot of dishes to wash, so I do have a tendency to let them build up for two (or gasp) three days. They should be done everyday. I feel good when they are done. It's a small thing that makes me feel proud, so today's promise is to make sure there aren't any dirty dishes in the sink when I go to bed.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid to Katy Perry's (aka my friend JAF-H) California Girls
will go to bed with an empty kitchen sink
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Raise Your Glass
Obviously if I'm talking about things I promise to do daily that I feel will improve my life, many of these things will be either physical or mental. A lot of them, for me, being the lone parent to an only child will also be parental. Let's face it, most of the things I do daily are for The Peanut...which in turn, actually benefits her and me both. Win-win!
Today's promise is parental, physical and mental. The second promise of 42 is that I will dance with my kid everyday! Today since Ke$ha was already on, and since I don't censor language, music...or really anything except I'm not fond of play involving guns, we got our groove on to the party-girl pop-star with the nasty lyrics. And just because P!nk is P's favorite, we threw a bit of her in, too.
I like this particular promise because a) it's making me move my bottom and b) if anyone knows P's daddy, you know he is an amazing dancer. I have a friend from Harlem that swears his parents are lying to him and that there is no way he is 100% Korean. I hate that she misses out on getting some of that great talent. Let us all hope that moving her bottom along side mine doesn't hinder her ability to bring out her inner daddy.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid
P.S. I like your beard!
Today's promise is parental, physical and mental. The second promise of 42 is that I will dance with my kid everyday! Today since Ke$ha was already on, and since I don't censor language, music...or really anything except I'm not fond of play involving guns, we got our groove on to the party-girl pop-star with the nasty lyrics. And just because P!nk is P's favorite, we threw a bit of her in, too.
I like this particular promise because a) it's making me move my bottom and b) if anyone knows P's daddy, you know he is an amazing dancer. I have a friend from Harlem that swears his parents are lying to him and that there is no way he is 100% Korean. I hate that she misses out on getting some of that great talent. Let us all hope that moving her bottom along side mine doesn't hinder her ability to bring out her inner daddy.
Today I:
checked TPP
danced with my kid
P.S. I like your beard!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Day One
Here I am, one that generally NEVER makes a New Year's resolution, embarking on a journey of 42 resolutions. Not exactly resolutions, per se. More like things I should be doing every day that will make my life better. The significance of 42 is nothing special, except that after 41 years of doing a lot to NOT make my life better, I thought in my 42nd year I'd try the opposite and see how that works for me.
So, in no particular order, the first thing I promise to do everyday is to check TPP. See a long time ago, way back when I was pregnant for my daughter, I was living in Korea. I did have two Canadian friends living nearby that were pregnant as well, but I really didn't know what I was supposed to be feeling, what medical care I was supposed to be getting, what changes to expect. I joined an online parenting website that had discussion groups divided into months according to when expecting women were due. After delivery the groups continued for two years. Almost eight years later, 15 of us in our original group are still connected. I adore these women and their families, not just the special seven year olds that I feel are my nieces and nephews.
The original website lost it's appeal for many of us due to content changes, and eventually two members left and started their own parenting website, The Parenting Pod. B&B have done an absolutely amazing job at creating this wonderfully welcoming place. Checking TPP everyday keeps me updated on many people I care deeply about; not just members of my original expecting group, but all the members. It's small, close-knit, and...lovely. It makes me feel connected. I love giving my advice, opinions and input. Unfortunately, with the social network age we are all in, I have found most of my Pod friends on Facebook and I have severely neglected my podding. I miss being more involved in the lives of my Pod pals, so my first of 42 promises is to check on my Pod family everyday.
So, in no particular order, the first thing I promise to do everyday is to check TPP. See a long time ago, way back when I was pregnant for my daughter, I was living in Korea. I did have two Canadian friends living nearby that were pregnant as well, but I really didn't know what I was supposed to be feeling, what medical care I was supposed to be getting, what changes to expect. I joined an online parenting website that had discussion groups divided into months according to when expecting women were due. After delivery the groups continued for two years. Almost eight years later, 15 of us in our original group are still connected. I adore these women and their families, not just the special seven year olds that I feel are my nieces and nephews.
The original website lost it's appeal for many of us due to content changes, and eventually two members left and started their own parenting website, The Parenting Pod. B&B have done an absolutely amazing job at creating this wonderfully welcoming place. Checking TPP everyday keeps me updated on many people I care deeply about; not just members of my original expecting group, but all the members. It's small, close-knit, and...lovely. It makes me feel connected. I love giving my advice, opinions and input. Unfortunately, with the social network age we are all in, I have found most of my Pod friends on Facebook and I have severely neglected my podding. I miss being more involved in the lives of my Pod pals, so my first of 42 promises is to check on my Pod family everyday.
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