When Is Enough, Enough?

As I sat at the computer clicking through the various picture packages from a recent basketball photo session for G, I was really thinking how do I get out of this? I don't want to buy anymore completely overpriced pictures (and a mug too) that are going to sit in a drawer for all eternity! Of course G thinks he (we) desperately needs to commemorate any and all life events by way of an $11 mug. Then guilt gets the better of me and I order the least expensive package so we'll have at least one and he'll have some to pass out to his friends. Unless I can get a handle on this, I'm pretty sure this will be a lifelong pattern and you can never have too many coffee mugs.

A New Favorite

Last night Goose and S were riding bikes/running. It's been so nice (in the 50's) here that S wanted to take advantage of being outside and Goose wanted to go too. I used that as an opportunity to do a little shopping. I didn't have a lot of time so I went down the street our open air "mall". I usually hit the GAP and Banana Republic because 1.) they're right next to each other and 2.) they're usually having a sale. I found what I was looking for at GAP so no need to go into BR.

Merino Sweater - GAP

The sweater does run quite small and is a little shorter than I would prefer but I can already tell that it's going to be well-loved. I ordered it in an extra large. This would generally be worrisome as I've recently (over the past 6 months) lost a bit of weight and was incredibly happy to not be in an extra-large. The psychology of losing weight? But after reading the reviews on-line it seems that most anyone that ordered this sweater had to size up in order for it to fit. It is incredibly soft and looks like the type of material that won't fade after washing. Bonus: I only paid $15. It was part of their 50% of sale items and since it was Tuesday, I got another 10% off for using my GAP card.

Running/Gym Etiquette

On Wednesdays Goose has basketball practice. It's at a facility that has an indoor track above the basketball courts. After a couple of weeks of sitting in the hard plastic chairs courtside, I thought I'd make a go of actually moving while he was practicing instead of sitting like a bump on a log. Up to the track I went. As I started walking and interacting with all the other gym-goers, I noticed a few things I'd like to share about what people should or shouldn't do at the gym.

• DO follow the rules that are clearly posted on the signs. The arrows that show which way track traffic is supposed to go aren't a suggestion.
• DON'T take up the entire width of the track with your pack of walking/running buddies. You're impeding traffic on the track. Nobody likes to be back-logged.
• DO make every effort to NOT smell. I know, I know you're at the gym and working up a sweat. If I can smell you from three lanes away, that's excessive and you should do something about it. Throw on a little deodorant and you'll be doing everyone a favor.
• DON'T crowd the lanes. There is no need for you to brush up against me when you're passing me. There's plenty of space for you to pass the "slower" runners/walkers without giving them a sweat bath.
• DON'T use the railing that overlooks said basketball practice to get your stretch on. 1. You're interrupting the flow of traffic by standing in the middle of a lane and 2. If I can see your man parts in all their glory, so can the 2nd graders that are right under you. Not appropriate, take it somewhere else.

These are just a few tips that would make the gym experience more pleasant for everyone.

Staying Active in the Winter

It's no secret that I'm on a mission to lose weight (and be a healthier version of me). I started a jogging regimen in late summer but mother nature is cruel and the days kept getting shorter, colder and eventually the daylight disappeared before S was home from work. Since I'm too self-conscious to join a running group (I'm incredibly slow and would be THAT person) and not brave (or stupid) enough to run outside in the dark. I took it inside. We have a treadmill in the basement that has been working out nicely. Straight running on a treadmill is torture...but I've managed to bypass the boredom by doing a couple of things. First, I do a walk/run. Meaning, I'll walk for one minute and then up the speed and run for four minutes. Second, I use our iPad to watch Netflix. I'll prop it up on the book stand, plug in my earphones and watch away. I try to do a minimum of 30 minutes 5 days a week but regularly do 60+ minutes. I'm super excited that I've been able to stay motivated and moving until I can get back outside. I can't wait for the new season of House of Cards to come out in February!

Neutrogena Visibly Even BB Cream

In an effort to step up my game and be a little more presentable in public, I'm slowly incorporating different products into my morning workday routing. I blame this new found interest in my appearance on losing weight. I've never really had the patience to do the whole make-up/skincare thing in the morning but as I get older, that neglect has started to settle in and my skin just isn't as "fresh" as it used to be. Sure I use a moisturizer daily and in my younger years and I would put a face on before going out, but generally speaking I'm pretty laid back. I've been using whatever moisturizer S picks out and I've been happy with that system. With the dark spots from breakouts and getting older, my skin is just blah. To dip my toe into the pool, I decided to use Neutrogena Visibly Even Broad Spectrum BB Cream. I picked it because I wanted a daily moisturizer with SPF (it has a SPF of 30) and it was tinted. Throwing a little coverage in the mix sounded alright to me. I have the light to medium, but in hindsight I should've gotten the fair to light for the winter months.

Thoughts on the product:

Good: It does even out my skin tone somewhat but if you're looking for heavy coverage, this isn't it. I can still see some old acne marks after application but I expected this. Even S noticed a difference and said that my skin looked nice. I like the idea of light vs. heavy coverage.

Not So Good: Even though it's a moisturizer, my skin still feels tight. I need to wear my regular moisturizer underneath in order for my skin to feel moisturized. This may be good for the summer when my skin isn't as dry as it is in the cold, dry winter months.

Yes or No: I'll definitely keep using this (at least until the tube is empty). It's an easy first step into a more presentable me. I'm new to this and I'm not ready to add a lot of steps to my routine. I need to master them one or two at a time and my preferences lean towards a more natural look anyway. Honestly, I'd rather concentrate on improving the condition and look of my skin as opposed using something heavier as a cover-up.

Wow!

So, it's been almost a month. I can only say Wow!  Holiday prep, sickness, work and everyday life got the best of me this month. I have to say that this year was a doozy and I'm glad there's only one more holiday left and then it's back to the regularly scheduled program. I'm looking forward to starting the new year. Fortunately, I'm only working today and tomorrow and then it's off until the new year! Our NYE plans are pretty low key. We generally let Goose stay up until midnight (if he can make it that long) and we have a nice, home-cooked dinner with sparkling grape juice. Business as usual but with a little sparkle thrown in. 

Quintessential Monday

  By 8:00a today, checkmarks in the "today's Monday" category have been sufficiently checked off...

1.  Unexpected Wi-Fi restore session at 5:00a so I can balance checkbook and watch Netflix while on the treadmill

2.  Only able to get 30 out of planned 60 minutes on treadmill (see #1)

3.  Forgot to put mini pizza bagels in the freezer for Goose's lunch...so a quick 6:30a trip to the grocery store for more

4.  Forgot to grab a yogurt out of the refrigerator for breakfast (I usually get one for each work morning)

5.  Because of #4, decide to get McDonald's sausage biscuit for breakfast instead.  Pulling up to order and realize I do not have my wallet.

6.  Decide it's necessary to drive home to get said wallet because while forgetting breakfast is not ideal, forgetting to grab a frozen meal out of the freezer and therefore not eating until dinner would be even less ideal.

7.  Run home and grab wallet forgetting again, both yogurt and lunch.  All before 8:00a.

8. Fast forward to 3:24p when I finally look at the clock.  Sheer panic fills my body as I realize that there is no way that I'm going to be on time for Goose's school for a 3:40p pick up.  Crap! 

9.  Finally get to school.  See Goose standing outside, where he's been for 10 minutes.  This wouldn't be so bad but it's 18° and it's the first time EVER that I've been late for work.

Fortunately none of these things are true emergencies or even "real" problems, but they did make for a long day.  As for Goose, he was easily swayed into forgiveness with a hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie from the Starbucks drive-thru.  I even remembered my wallet ☻!

Updates

So much has been happening around our house in the last couple months!  With the school year ending, a family wedding, summer camp and a new job (for me) there hasn't been a lot of time for blogging.  The biggest (and most stressful) change was the job change.  I was at a place that I loved and could see myself for many years to come but an opportunity that was too good to pass up came by and I've entered the professional world once again.  A funny thing is that I'm actually working less hours per week than I was when I worked at the school office.  It's also a lot calmer and less chaotic too.  It's amazing how less stressed I am even though my workload deals with more complicated matters.  I'm pretty excited about the opportunity and so far it's been a good change.  I've had a lot more time and energy to get things done around the house AND start working on some long neglected projects.

Gettin-er-Done

In the spirit of gettin-er-doneness, I’ve finally finished with hyena costumes and spring musicals are in the rearview mirror.  This week has definitely been a whirlwind but it’s thisclose to being over.  Here is a little snapshot of the finished product.  I wish this shot would’ve included the tail, but it doesn’t so bummer… For safety (and because I’m not 100% sure about showing pics of the boy), I’ve added the “black bar” to cover a good portion of his face.  The black bar reminds me of a Us Weekly hot or not column.

 

 

Hmmm...if only the mess in the TV room would clean itself.

Behind, Again...

Once again I find myself completely behind on everything…blogging included.  It’s public school spring break around these parts and schedules aren’t matching up.  Since I work in the office of a preschool that doesn’t adhere to the public school schedule and since I have a child in public school, our spring break schedules seldom (if ever) are the same.  So, this week Alex has been with me at school with me, at his grandpa’s and over at a friend’s.  That’s how we roll at our house, we piece things together to make it work.  I’m fortunate to have a great boss who lets me bring my kiddo to work during spring break and also a grandpa that watches my kiddo too!  They definitely help make the work/life balance thing workout.  I’ve crossed a few things off the to-do list, but I’ve added some too.  Such is life.  I was able to finish up the shirts for Alex’s musical.  I hope to share details before the weekend.

Two Weeks, Really?

Yes, it really has been two weeks of not committing to a regular cleaning schedule even though I've created one.  I'm pretty sure that makes me really lazy or a great procrastinator.  It's been sitting on my computer desktop waiting to be printed, laminated and put in a household binder.  Of course, since #2 & #3 haven't happened, I couldn't use it.  Does that happen to anyone else?  Inability to complete somthing because steps haven't been followed perfectly.  Hmmm, just me? I'm going to have to work on that.  Add in a snow day, hunting down a Marvel Comics costume (specifically Spiderman), volunteering to make/coordinate 20 hyena costumes for the 1st Grade Musical and a computer that decided to not work anymore and I've had a few things going on.  But since those are all normal parts of life, I shouldn't use them as excuses.  What, you don't volunteer to make 20 hyena costumes?  That's not crazy; that's working mom guilt!