It's been CRAZY! In addition to kid, there's work, then school, and now, a national competition! This first two weeks it was tough to adjust to the new schedule, but everything's in place now.
Hour long meal preparations have been replaced by chicken & fish and prewashed baby spinach. I know by heart the location of kid friendly restaurants with free wifi. Spring gardening has been replaced with a CSA. Saturday adventures are now punctuated by Saturday class + impromptu play dates w/ other student's kids. After the first time I brought The Girl to class, all the other children seemed to come out of the wood work. Give them a mat and a ton of legos and they're good :-)
Work has been more stressful, however. The pressure's really on and I have more responsibilities. Too bad it didn't come with a raise!
However April turns out, I will be relieved it's over. I'm sure my blood type is french roast at this point; and I, for one, am certainly looking forward to some down time.
BTW, revlotuions are happening in Africa & the Middle East, Japan suffered the worst natural disaster in my lifetime, we're appearently bombing Libya, the Senate & the House have lost their darn minds, and Big Love left way too many loose ends.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Friday, November 5, 2010
How to quit shopping at Target
After doing my pre-holiday/bday season budget, I realized I spend too much of my money at Target. Nothing crazy and NOTHING like that woman on Hoarders (Dear God, that show is scary!) But with a college student's budget and a kid to support, $25-30 a month at Target is more than I want to spend on life's extras.
Step 1. No more Starbucks at Target. That's half the battle right there. It's so nice to head to Target w/ The Girl and grab an apple juice & a latte. We walk around the store, enjoying our drinks and each other's company. My solution? Pack a sippy cup of juice and a thermos of a fake, office kitchen made, latte when going. I'll save about $10 a month!Step 2. Make a list, and actually stick to it this time! I'm always making lists (Shopping lists, To-Do lists, Weekly Menus.) Sometimes items on my shopping lists can be found at Target! We get there and I pick up the items on my list: new pink Sharpie, extra socks, and new lip gloss. Then I decide I need mittens, Autumnal tights, an aqua Sharpie (for contrast, duh), etc. Next thing I know, my $9 list turns into a $22 purchase! Now I'm going to make a list; and ONLY buy the things on the list. If I see something else I want, I'll write it down. If I still want/need that item in a week or two, I'll put it on my official Target list. This sounds more complicated than it actually is....I promise.
Step 3. Just stay the hell outta Target! I'm not saying go to WalMart instead (Seriously, this is a Bad Idea .) Instead, I'm suggesting I think really hard to see if I actually need whatever I wanted to buy. If it can at all wait, I'll put it on the list & wait until I actually need it. No more "recreational" Target shopping for me! |
| OMG. I could have pink sunglesses, RIGHT NOW. But seriously, we were just trying stuff on for laughs. |
I don't think I'm at the point where I need 12 steps to quit Target; three will do. So, anyone else been caught is Target's sneaky tentacles of shopping joy?
 |
| Look at the puppy! Doesn't he make you want to buy crap from Target? |
Although I must note I'm still a little pissed at Target for giving money to a very anti-gay rights candidate. But that's another story....
Thursday, October 28, 2010
A Quick Word on Going Insane
I sometimes have the tendency to over schedule & commit to too many things. I do this because A: They all sounds like great things to do. B: I can be over ambitious. C: My concept of time must be all kinds of messed up.
Take the next 4 days.
Thursday:
Work. It's schedule day. I output about 2000 pages of drawings and specs.
Bank. Before 5 or bad things will happen (my bank sucks)
School. Mid-Term and I have a whopping 10 minutes to restudy before class.
Everything else. Bedtime routine for The Girl, eat, prep for Friday
Friday:
Moving. I have to get everything out of my storage unit THIS DAY. This will involves lots of trips w/ my little car, heavy lifting for this tiny gal, and disassembling some desks so they fit in my car. All in 4 hours.
Work. Tying together loose ends from the week.
Shopping. My cupboards are getting more bare than I would like. I have plenty of food, but some fresh fruit & veggies would make everyone happier.
Socializing. Visiting BMF in the next county so our kids can play and we can relax
Prep. Getting everything ready for the Halloween party I will be attending. Also prepping for the Rally to Restore Sanity. God knows I could use some freakin' sanity!!! Making an overnight bag for The Girl's stay at her bestest Auntie's house.
Saturday:
Pre-Rally Brunch. "Mimosas to Restore Sanity" For me it will be simply "Coffee to Restore Sanity" and "OJ for the Girl Who Has to Wait More Than 15 Years to Have a Mimosa to Restore Sanity"
Rally. I'm not exactly sure how this will all pan out. I'll take pics for you all!
Dinner. Taking The Girl to meet up w/ my sister & her friends to have a wonderful dinner at Oyamel. One of Jose Andres' awesome restaurants in the DC area.
Halloween Party. I don't get to see too much of my DC friends, so this will be a real treat. No costume ideas. Might just slap on some fairy wings & call it a day.
Sunday:
Breakfast with the girl; something simple. More coffee
Trick-Or-Treating! The Girl will be a princess, again. I will make sure to inspect her candy and remove any Kit Kat bars I feel are in excess.
When thinking about time lines like these, I begin to worry about how I'm going to pull everything off and who I'm going to likely disappoint. Somewhere along the line, I will run late, forget something, or have to cancel on someone. Crap happens and The Girl always has to come first. I just have to stop, take deep breaths, and remind myself that at one point, I'll get to take a break and it'll all be ok in the end.
On Monday Starbucks will start selling their gingerbread lattes. It couldn't come soon enough!
Take the next 4 days.
Thursday:
Work. It's schedule day. I output about 2000 pages of drawings and specs.
Bank. Before 5 or bad things will happen (my bank sucks)
School. Mid-Term and I have a whopping 10 minutes to restudy before class.
Everything else. Bedtime routine for The Girl, eat, prep for Friday
Friday:
Moving. I have to get everything out of my storage unit THIS DAY. This will involves lots of trips w/ my little car, heavy lifting for this tiny gal, and disassembling some desks so they fit in my car. All in 4 hours.
Work. Tying together loose ends from the week.
Shopping. My cupboards are getting more bare than I would like. I have plenty of food, but some fresh fruit & veggies would make everyone happier.
Socializing. Visiting BMF in the next county so our kids can play and we can relax
Prep. Getting everything ready for the Halloween party I will be attending. Also prepping for the Rally to Restore Sanity. God knows I could use some freakin' sanity!!! Making an overnight bag for The Girl's stay at her bestest Auntie's house.
Saturday:
Pre-Rally Brunch. "Mimosas to Restore Sanity" For me it will be simply "Coffee to Restore Sanity" and "OJ for the Girl Who Has to Wait More Than 15 Years to Have a Mimosa to Restore Sanity"
Rally. I'm not exactly sure how this will all pan out. I'll take pics for you all!
Dinner. Taking The Girl to meet up w/ my sister & her friends to have a wonderful dinner at Oyamel. One of Jose Andres' awesome restaurants in the DC area.
Halloween Party. I don't get to see too much of my DC friends, so this will be a real treat. No costume ideas. Might just slap on some fairy wings & call it a day.
Sunday:
Breakfast with the girl; something simple. More coffee
Trick-Or-Treating! The Girl will be a princess, again. I will make sure to inspect her candy and remove any Kit Kat bars I feel are in excess.
When thinking about time lines like these, I begin to worry about how I'm going to pull everything off and who I'm going to likely disappoint. Somewhere along the line, I will run late, forget something, or have to cancel on someone. Crap happens and The Girl always has to come first. I just have to stop, take deep breaths, and remind myself that at one point, I'll get to take a break and it'll all be ok in the end.
On Monday Starbucks will start selling their gingerbread lattes. It couldn't come soon enough!
Monday, October 11, 2010
15 Ways to Get Out The Door in the Morning
Morning routine need a makeover? Always late because you have so much to do in the monring?
Someone smart said "An ounce of evening is worth a pound of morning." So true! I used to run around in the morning, trying to get everything ready. I had to pack lunches, make breakfast, get everyone showered & dressed, find all the missing objects (keys, shoes, homework...) I was going bananas before i even set foot in the office. It can still be a little hectic & rushed, but after some editing of my morning, everyone's a lot less stressed!
Here's some tips that helped me. Feel free to add any tips that help you!
Pack lunches the night before. You might think this can be skipped because you fell you can make a lunch in 5 minutes before you leave. You'd be surprised how 5 minutes can turn into 15-20 when you're rushing around trying to bag lettuce and find ingredients. Just pack it and toss it in the fridge. Keep the non-perishable stuff on the counter beside the fridge so you don't forget to throw it in.
On especially early mornings, put little ones to bed in their clothes. This might not work with a high schooler, but for kids under 10, should be just fine.
Shoes by the door, everyday. We take our shoes off at the door anyway. We never have to wonder where they are, unless the cat stole one.
Keep nice shoes at the office, wear "everyday" shoes out the door. I have a collection of "office appropriate" shoes in a drawer at work. I can wear comfy flats out the door & after work to run errands, and slip on the purdy shoes when I clock in. Saves my knees & toes the extra effort too!
Keep a hairbrush & hair ties in the car. Brush during red lights (only if you can do it safely!), have your kid brush their own hair while you drive, brush before you get out of the car, etc.
Pre-bag baggies of cereal. You can do it while you pack lunch. So if you have to run out the door without time for a sit down breakfast, you'll be covered.
Do your make up at the office. You probably already touch-up once you get in; might as well combine both steps.
Shower the night before. Unless you're a sweaty sleeper, this will save you a lot of time in the morning. Getting hit with cold, after shower, air is a lot easier to take in the evening and not something most people look forward to when they wake up.
DON'T check facebook or emails. Unless you're expecting an important message (they should call you instead!) and there's something you can do about it before you reach the office. And why risk getting sucked into 20 minutes of checking your friends' overnight facebook status?
Make a To-Do list the night before. You won't have to pace around thinking of what is was you just HAD to do. You'll also be able to take a fresh look at your items and prioritize.
Keep all papers & kid's homework in one place. Your hall table or somewhere in the kitchen might be good places. If your kid has a backpack, make sure the homework makes it in there as soon as they're finished with it.
Do homework as soon as you get home. You don't want to get up 30-60 minutes early to help the kid with math. Fill out permission slips, too. Don't forget about YOUR homework!
Have two (or three!) alarm clocks. Snooze addict? 5 more minutes turned into 1 more hour? Try doubling up on the clocks, get a puzzle alarm, or one of those sunrise alarm clocks. If your current set up isn't working, try something new.
Coffee pot on a timer. Also serves as an alarm! You'll be more willing to get up & go once you smell some hot fresh joe. Keep your travel mug next to the maker so you can just pour & go. (also keep sweetener at work!)
Someone smart said "An ounce of evening is worth a pound of morning." So true! I used to run around in the morning, trying to get everything ready. I had to pack lunches, make breakfast, get everyone showered & dressed, find all the missing objects (keys, shoes, homework...) I was going bananas before i even set foot in the office. It can still be a little hectic & rushed, but after some editing of my morning, everyone's a lot less stressed!
Here's some tips that helped me. Feel free to add any tips that help you!
 |
| Holiday cups? Already? |
Pack lunches the night before. You might think this can be skipped because you fell you can make a lunch in 5 minutes before you leave. You'd be surprised how 5 minutes can turn into 15-20 when you're rushing around trying to bag lettuce and find ingredients. Just pack it and toss it in the fridge. Keep the non-perishable stuff on the counter beside the fridge so you don't forget to throw it in.
On especially early mornings, put little ones to bed in their clothes. This might not work with a high schooler, but for kids under 10, should be just fine.
Shoes by the door, everyday. We take our shoes off at the door anyway. We never have to wonder where they are, unless the cat stole one.
Keep nice shoes at the office, wear "everyday" shoes out the door. I have a collection of "office appropriate" shoes in a drawer at work. I can wear comfy flats out the door & after work to run errands, and slip on the purdy shoes when I clock in. Saves my knees & toes the extra effort too!
Keep a hairbrush & hair ties in the car. Brush during red lights (only if you can do it safely!), have your kid brush their own hair while you drive, brush before you get out of the car, etc.
Pre-bag baggies of cereal. You can do it while you pack lunch. So if you have to run out the door without time for a sit down breakfast, you'll be covered.
Do your make up at the office. You probably already touch-up once you get in; might as well combine both steps.
Shower the night before. Unless you're a sweaty sleeper, this will save you a lot of time in the morning. Getting hit with cold, after shower, air is a lot easier to take in the evening and not something most people look forward to when they wake up.
DON'T check facebook or emails. Unless you're expecting an important message (they should call you instead!) and there's something you can do about it before you reach the office. And why risk getting sucked into 20 minutes of checking your friends' overnight facebook status?
Make a To-Do list the night before. You won't have to pace around thinking of what is was you just HAD to do. You'll also be able to take a fresh look at your items and prioritize.
Keep all papers & kid's homework in one place. Your hall table or somewhere in the kitchen might be good places. If your kid has a backpack, make sure the homework makes it in there as soon as they're finished with it.
Do homework as soon as you get home. You don't want to get up 30-60 minutes early to help the kid with math. Fill out permission slips, too. Don't forget about YOUR homework!
Have two (or three!) alarm clocks. Snooze addict? 5 more minutes turned into 1 more hour? Try doubling up on the clocks, get a puzzle alarm, or one of those sunrise alarm clocks. If your current set up isn't working, try something new.
Coffee pot on a timer. Also serves as an alarm! You'll be more willing to get up & go once you smell some hot fresh joe. Keep your travel mug next to the maker so you can just pour & go. (also keep sweetener at work!)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sometimes it just gets crazy
I only have 20 minutes for lunch today. We are insanely busy at work. Great news for the housing industry!! Bad news for my already tired looking skin. I'll have 8 hours here at the office, 1 hour transporting the girl to her friend's house and myself to campus, 3.5 hours in class, 30 minutes bringing the girl home. I. Am. So. Tired.
I normally don't work on Friday. It's a wonderful day to have off. Everything's open and I have the option of taking the girl to preschool or keeping her out. It's a great day for adventures to Ikea, the South Mountain Creamery, or Sugarloaf Mountain. But last week, this week, and next, I will be working full days at the office. *Pout*
No one is taking this well. My friends are disappointed I canceled our Ikea trip, the girl is upset she isn't going to the cow farm, and I certainly needed that day off to recharge from such a busy, no good, week. It hurts most that my mommy friends are upset with me. Three or four times in three weeks I've had to cancel because of unscheduled work, late babysitter, or the STBX. My mommy friends have been especially understanding of the difficulties I face as a single mom, working & going to school. But I guess even they have limits. The girl and I will be hanging out with Best Mommy Friend tomorrow evening. I'll bring over some wine & maybe a Starbucks card. Hopefully I can buy my way back into her good graces!
Note:
South Mountain Creamery isn't giving me, or paying me, anything. I just think they're totally awesome.
I normally don't work on Friday. It's a wonderful day to have off. Everything's open and I have the option of taking the girl to preschool or keeping her out. It's a great day for adventures to Ikea, the South Mountain Creamery, or Sugarloaf Mountain. But last week, this week, and next, I will be working full days at the office. *Pout*
 |
| Can you imaging how happy the cows must be to live here? |
No one is taking this well. My friends are disappointed I canceled our Ikea trip, the girl is upset she isn't going to the cow farm, and I certainly needed that day off to recharge from such a busy, no good, week. It hurts most that my mommy friends are upset with me. Three or four times in three weeks I've had to cancel because of unscheduled work, late babysitter, or the STBX. My mommy friends have been especially understanding of the difficulties I face as a single mom, working & going to school. But I guess even they have limits. The girl and I will be hanging out with Best Mommy Friend tomorrow evening. I'll bring over some wine & maybe a Starbucks card. Hopefully I can buy my way back into her good graces!
Note:
South Mountain Creamery isn't giving me, or paying me, anything. I just think they're totally awesome.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday Randomness
I'm sitting here, blogging on my lunch break. I somehow went accidental vegetarian today. Toast & an apple for breakfast. Chick'N patty & kale for lunch. Will have yogurt for mid day snack. Potato w/ fake bacon bits & more kale for pre-school snack. Maybe I have some meaty goodness in my fridge for my after-school pretend dinner snack.
I've tried the three square meals a day thing. It's soooo not for me. I have about 4 hours between breakfast and lunch. But then I have anywhere from 6-10 hours between lunch and dinner. After lunch I get hungry; really hungry. My blood sugar drops, and I go from sweet go getter to angry murderous dinosaur in no time.
So I usually have a small lunch and two lunch sized snacks before a small dinner. On school nights, I pretty much do nothing but snack. And I keep emergency anti-dinosaur food on hand, like apples, potatoes, granola bars, packs of instant oatmeal.
Some of my coworkers cautiously eye the random potato that usually sits on my desk. What they don't know is that lowly potato is sometimes the only thing in between them and the number four.
(Ok, that's a gross exaggeration. I really like all my coworkers, and my job, and would never think about hurting anyone with the number of the day. But I do get might cranky if I don't eat enough)
I've tried the three square meals a day thing. It's soooo not for me. I have about 4 hours between breakfast and lunch. But then I have anywhere from 6-10 hours between lunch and dinner. After lunch I get hungry; really hungry. My blood sugar drops, and I go from sweet go getter to angry murderous dinosaur in no time.
 |
| That's supposed to be a butcher knife. Most people don't go on rampages with the number four. |
(Ok, that's a gross exaggeration. I really like all my coworkers, and my job, and would never think about hurting anyone with the number of the day. But I do get might cranky if I don't eat enough)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Chorizo & Chicken Chili
Most of my meals don't follow a specific recipe. I look at what's on sale and what's in my fridge/pantry/freezer. A coworker had brought in some lovely jalepeno & bell peppers, chorizo was on sale, and I had 8 tons of shredded chicken to deal with in the fridge. Hmmmm.....Chili!
Check out the recipe & pictures after the Jump!
Check out the recipe & pictures after the Jump!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A Typical Tuesday
6:00 am
First alarm goes off. A silver double bell from Target. No snooze button, so I fumble & manually turn it off
6:15 am
Second alarm. Cell phone across the room. Stumble across the room & hit snooze.
6:20-6:45 am
All alarms go off. Clock radio w/ two alarms & cell phone. Ok, now I'm up, but I'm not happy about it! Make my way to the little one's room and sing her the "good morning" song. She is not amused.
7:00 am
Get dressed. Nudge, tickle, sing to, and otherwise coax little one out of bed. Luckily, getting her dressed is easy. I pick out all her clothes for the week on Sundays.
7:30 am
Everyone into the car! Bags of cereal, bags of lunch, school work, jackets, sunglasses, cell phone, hair clips. Will forget at least one of these things in most cases.
8:00 am
Drop little one off at preschool. Brush her hair (it wouldn't survive the car ride), hugs & kisses.
8:30ish am
Make it to the office. Open email, get crappy office coffee (hey, it's free.) Wooooorrrrrrkkkkk.........
12:30 pm
Heat up lunch & Facebook/Pay bills while eating.
3:00 pm
Talk a walk, see the sun, hear the wind. Keeps me sane during my fluorescent lighted day.
4:30 pm
Clock out and touch up homework. Print out any needed materials and study for any tests
5:00 pm
Pick little one up from preschool and make way to friend's house across town...at 3mph with all red lights.
5:30 pm
Catch up w/ friend; chat about kids/school/weather/dogs. More hugs & kisses for the little one and I'm off to school
6:00 pm
Park a thousand miles from the school and head to the classroom. Schoooooollllll.....
9ish pm
Snag a tired child from friend's house. She's fed, bathed, and content. But I need a crow bar to pry her away from the toy cars.
9:30 pm
Story time & bed time for the little one. More songs, hugs & kisses.
10:00 pm
Finally, some time for myself. Do the dishes, heat up some dinner and plant myself in front of the TV. Sort mail, do homework, play w/ my Google phone, write notes while watching tv (Rachel Zoe?)
11ish pm
Shower routine, check facebook/email, snag magazine/book and head for bed.
12am ish
Guess it's Wednesday! Sleep.....
First alarm goes off. A silver double bell from Target. No snooze button, so I fumble & manually turn it off
6:15 am
Second alarm. Cell phone across the room. Stumble across the room & hit snooze.
6:20-6:45 am
All alarms go off. Clock radio w/ two alarms & cell phone. Ok, now I'm up, but I'm not happy about it! Make my way to the little one's room and sing her the "good morning" song. She is not amused.
7:00 am
Get dressed. Nudge, tickle, sing to, and otherwise coax little one out of bed. Luckily, getting her dressed is easy. I pick out all her clothes for the week on Sundays.
7:30 am
Everyone into the car! Bags of cereal, bags of lunch, school work, jackets, sunglasses, cell phone, hair clips. Will forget at least one of these things in most cases.
8:00 am
Drop little one off at preschool. Brush her hair (it wouldn't survive the car ride), hugs & kisses.
8:30ish am
Make it to the office. Open email, get crappy office coffee (hey, it's free.) Wooooorrrrrrkkkkk.........
12:30 pm
Heat up lunch & Facebook/Pay bills while eating.
3:00 pm
Talk a walk, see the sun, hear the wind. Keeps me sane during my fluorescent lighted day.
4:30 pm
Clock out and touch up homework. Print out any needed materials and study for any tests
5:00 pm
Pick little one up from preschool and make way to friend's house across town...at 3mph with all red lights.
5:30 pm
Catch up w/ friend; chat about kids/school/weather/dogs. More hugs & kisses for the little one and I'm off to school
6:00 pm
Park a thousand miles from the school and head to the classroom. Schoooooollllll.....
9ish pm
Snag a tired child from friend's house. She's fed, bathed, and content. But I need a crow bar to pry her away from the toy cars.
9:30 pm
Story time & bed time for the little one. More songs, hugs & kisses.
10:00 pm
Finally, some time for myself. Do the dishes, heat up some dinner and plant myself in front of the TV. Sort mail, do homework, play w/ my Google phone, write notes while watching tv (Rachel Zoe?)
11ish pm
Shower routine, check facebook/email, snag magazine/book and head for bed.
12am ish
Guess it's Wednesday! Sleep.....
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