So Meghan and I went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic this afternoon. What a great movie! I honestly don't know who enjoyed it more, me or Meghan.
Then again, maybe the woman sitting behind us who kept snorting long drawn in snorts as she was trying to breathe enjoyed it more than we did. (I thought for sure she had sucked her nose in clear to the back of her head a couple of times) Or her friend with her 5 bags of candy and smelly feet that were propped a mere two inches from my left ear. She maybe enjoyed it more than we did. But it's hard to say because that would've required them to shut up and actually watch the movie. (of course the theater was empty! you just know it was! those people never sit behind you when it's full!)
But obnoxious people aside, it was a lighthearted movie that made for a fun Saturday afternoon escape that was only made better by the tub of popcorn that Meghan and I devoured!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Schires Storehouse.
The Mormons have this great thing called the Bishops Storehouse/Family Storage Center. It's a warehouse type store where you can go and purchase large quantities of dry goods at rock bottom prices . We're talking 25 pounds of rice for $11.35. 25 pounds of Spaghetti noodles for $17.45. 25 pounds of Oatmeal for $9.80. The idea behind it all is being self reliant; being able to feed your family for up to a year if need be.
I love this idea! I love the idea of being prepared. I love the idea of being "set" if something should happen. Marty does too.
Since we aren't Mormon and can't make use of the Bishops Storehouse, Marty and I decided to make our own storehouse. We're calling it the Schires Storehouse. I have spent the past week cleaning out a closet to make room for bulk sizes of food. I am glad I did.
We got news yesterday about Marty's job. As of now we are only guaranteed two more weeks.
So, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves or worrying about what looks like the inevitable, we have decided to make it a great weekend of collecting dry goods for the Schires Storehouse with a goal of having it "up and running" by Sunday night.
We have our list made. We have talked with Meghan. (Noah is still too young to understand) And our attitudes are positive. The only thing left to do is say..........
Costco here we come!!
I love this idea! I love the idea of being prepared. I love the idea of being "set" if something should happen. Marty does too.
Since we aren't Mormon and can't make use of the Bishops Storehouse, Marty and I decided to make our own storehouse. We're calling it the Schires Storehouse. I have spent the past week cleaning out a closet to make room for bulk sizes of food. I am glad I did.
We got news yesterday about Marty's job. As of now we are only guaranteed two more weeks.
So, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves or worrying about what looks like the inevitable, we have decided to make it a great weekend of collecting dry goods for the Schires Storehouse with a goal of having it "up and running" by Sunday night.
We have our list made. We have talked with Meghan. (Noah is still too young to understand) And our attitudes are positive. The only thing left to do is say..........
Costco here we come!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Making Changes.
So, after much contemplation this week, I have decided to make some changes to my daily life. Positive changes. (I hope.) I should clarify; the things I'd like to start doing are positive things what I am hoping for is a positive end result.
After thinking (a lot!) about my homemaking post the other day, I have decided instead of brooding about what I wish I was doing, I need to take steps to start doing those things; no matter how small or insignificant those steps feel.
So what have I decided to do? Well for starters I am going to attempt to bake once a week. Anything more would be too much. No, it won't be from scratch. But cookies from a break and bake package can be just as welcomed as cookies made from scratch. (can't they?)
I have also decided to create something once a week. For years I have kept a notebook of things I thought would be great to make or try. So, I have decided to dust off that notebook and attempt to do one thing from my wish list each week. I figure by doing this I will be killing two birds with one stone: I'll be decorating our home (something I've wanted to do for a while now) and nurturing my creative side (something I wish I could do more of, but for whatever reason can't!)
The last thing I decided to do is hit the gym at the Y three times a week. This last decision will be a lot tougher for me to follow through on. Why? Because I loathe doing anything by myself. I cringe at the thought! But I am finding with my schedule and three kids, getting workouts in at home is just not happening anymore and it's eating at me. So, I figured since we're paying for the Y already, I might as well get a few workouts in. I'll feel better about myself, I'll feel better mentally and I'll finally lose the last of the baby weight. (woohoo!) Who knows, maybe I'll even learn to enjoy doing things on my own a little??! (Nah! Who are we kidding!)
While I have other changes I'd like to make, I think these three are a good start. They aren't overwhelming nor are they drastic, but I think in the end I'll feel better. And in turn I'll be a better wife and mom. And who knows maybe I'll learn a thing or two about myself in the process.
After thinking (a lot!) about my homemaking post the other day, I have decided instead of brooding about what I wish I was doing, I need to take steps to start doing those things; no matter how small or insignificant those steps feel.
So what have I decided to do? Well for starters I am going to attempt to bake once a week. Anything more would be too much. No, it won't be from scratch. But cookies from a break and bake package can be just as welcomed as cookies made from scratch. (can't they?)
I have also decided to create something once a week. For years I have kept a notebook of things I thought would be great to make or try. So, I have decided to dust off that notebook and attempt to do one thing from my wish list each week. I figure by doing this I will be killing two birds with one stone: I'll be decorating our home (something I've wanted to do for a while now) and nurturing my creative side (something I wish I could do more of, but for whatever reason can't!)
The last thing I decided to do is hit the gym at the Y three times a week. This last decision will be a lot tougher for me to follow through on. Why? Because I loathe doing anything by myself. I cringe at the thought! But I am finding with my schedule and three kids, getting workouts in at home is just not happening anymore and it's eating at me. So, I figured since we're paying for the Y already, I might as well get a few workouts in. I'll feel better about myself, I'll feel better mentally and I'll finally lose the last of the baby weight. (woohoo!) Who knows, maybe I'll even learn to enjoy doing things on my own a little??! (Nah! Who are we kidding!)
While I have other changes I'd like to make, I think these three are a good start. They aren't overwhelming nor are they drastic, but I think in the end I'll feel better. And in turn I'll be a better wife and mom. And who knows maybe I'll learn a thing or two about myself in the process.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Gift Cards.
I don't know about anyone else, but I absolutely love gift cards. I love getting them as gifts, I love earning them as rewards at Target and Walgreens; to me they are just one of life's many simple pleasures! But the funny thing is I don't spend them! I hoard them. Which is even funnier, because anyone who really knows me knows I am not a hoarder!
I had a McDonalds gift card that I had had for two years. It only had $10 on it, but do you know that I finally used it up this past November? Two years I carried that card in my purse! Me! The person who can't wait to cash their check and spend it on payday! Hard to believe, I know!
Last week I was cleaning out a cupboard and you know what I found? 4 Starbucks gift cards! 4! Where they all came from I have no idea. I know one was a Christmas present from Chris and Amanda last Christmas. One was from Marty that he won at work. But the other two? Couldn't tell you. I looked online and sure enough all four were fully loaded! How fun was that?! Now, I will admit that I have treated myself to Starbuck's three times since finding them and while it does seem excessive on my part, I figure at the rate I typically spend gift cards Addison will have graduated from college before I use them all up. (maybe by then they'll accept gift cards as tuition payment?!)
I had one to Macy's that took me 10 months to use. A Walgreens that I am still using from 2 1/2 years ago. (I'm finally down to $1.81 on it) Two Caribou cards, both fully loaded, from who knows when. Two to our church's Fair Trade store that we got two Christmases ago, still fully loaded. And I always have a stash of Target ones lying around. This past October I took part of my Target stash and paid for my entire shopping trip. Sure one only had maybe a dollar left on it, but the others were still full. It was like shopping with found money!
We always joke that when my parents pass away whoever has to clean out their house will find coffee cans with money stashed everywhere. Well, in our house you will find my gift cards!
I had a McDonalds gift card that I had had for two years. It only had $10 on it, but do you know that I finally used it up this past November? Two years I carried that card in my purse! Me! The person who can't wait to cash their check and spend it on payday! Hard to believe, I know!
Last week I was cleaning out a cupboard and you know what I found? 4 Starbucks gift cards! 4! Where they all came from I have no idea. I know one was a Christmas present from Chris and Amanda last Christmas. One was from Marty that he won at work. But the other two? Couldn't tell you. I looked online and sure enough all four were fully loaded! How fun was that?! Now, I will admit that I have treated myself to Starbuck's three times since finding them and while it does seem excessive on my part, I figure at the rate I typically spend gift cards Addison will have graduated from college before I use them all up. (maybe by then they'll accept gift cards as tuition payment?!)
I had one to Macy's that took me 10 months to use. A Walgreens that I am still using from 2 1/2 years ago. (I'm finally down to $1.81 on it) Two Caribou cards, both fully loaded, from who knows when. Two to our church's Fair Trade store that we got two Christmases ago, still fully loaded. And I always have a stash of Target ones lying around. This past October I took part of my Target stash and paid for my entire shopping trip. Sure one only had maybe a dollar left on it, but the others were still full. It was like shopping with found money!
We always joke that when my parents pass away whoever has to clean out their house will find coffee cans with money stashed everywhere. Well, in our house you will find my gift cards!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Homemaking.
One thing I really struggle with in life is homemaking. I manage my roles as a wife and mom ok, but I cannot get the homemaking aspect under control. I have all these great ideas of things I'd like to do~ decorate for the seasons and/or holidays, bake yummy treats for my kids, learn to use my sewing machine, decorate my house in general.
But for whatever reason, I cannot do it. The baking never gets done. The supplies never even get bought. The house never gets decorated because I either cringe at the price or can't decide if I like something or not. (or both!) I don't know why I don't decorate for the seasons. Price maybe? Lack of storage maybe? Lack of place to put things because I haven't decorated in general? Lack of ideas?
Really, throughout my days I accomplish very little. I think it's in part because I spend half of my time cleaning (small house and three kids!) and doing laundry and the rest of my time is spent trying to keep Meghan and Noah from killing each other and Addison from killing the cat. It's 9:30 at night before I have any time to do what I want and by then I am too exhausted. Or too stressed. Or both!
Maybe that's part of why Mormonism appeals to me so much. Women are really encouraged to be better homemakers. They have the Relief Society to help them, to lean on, to teach them skills. They have each other! I read their blogs or visit their websites and I get so inspired and think "I can do this!" But in reality, I can't.
It doesn't happen for me. I don't have a clue how to use my sewing machine. I couldn't even tell you if I had any ingredients for baking and even if I did, I don't know that I would find the time.....Marty and I have been married for 13 years and we still don't have bedroom furniture. Why? Becuase I absolutely cringe at spending $1,500 on furniture AND because I can never make up my mind on what I want. My pictures rarely make it off the computer to be printed or shared. And don't get me started on scrapbooking! I have supplies, like the hobby well enough, but totally lack ideas and rarely make time to sit and do it. But then on the rare occasion that I do it, I get so frustrated because I don't have the pictures printed or have the right color of cardstock so I give up. Then there's the grocery store or Target......I will have my list made, but inevitably I have forgotten something. Or I get to the store only to have to forgo half the list because the kids are acting up and we need to leave. It is quite common for Target to see me twice in a day. So there you have it......now if only I knew how to change it!
Ironically enough, I need to end this entry because I need to clean up a dishsoap spill. The dishsoap bottle tipped over in the cupboard and has leaked all over the place~ totally figures!
But for whatever reason, I cannot do it. The baking never gets done. The supplies never even get bought. The house never gets decorated because I either cringe at the price or can't decide if I like something or not. (or both!) I don't know why I don't decorate for the seasons. Price maybe? Lack of storage maybe? Lack of place to put things because I haven't decorated in general? Lack of ideas?
Really, throughout my days I accomplish very little. I think it's in part because I spend half of my time cleaning (small house and three kids!) and doing laundry and the rest of my time is spent trying to keep Meghan and Noah from killing each other and Addison from killing the cat. It's 9:30 at night before I have any time to do what I want and by then I am too exhausted. Or too stressed. Or both!
Maybe that's part of why Mormonism appeals to me so much. Women are really encouraged to be better homemakers. They have the Relief Society to help them, to lean on, to teach them skills. They have each other! I read their blogs or visit their websites and I get so inspired and think "I can do this!" But in reality, I can't.
It doesn't happen for me. I don't have a clue how to use my sewing machine. I couldn't even tell you if I had any ingredients for baking and even if I did, I don't know that I would find the time.....Marty and I have been married for 13 years and we still don't have bedroom furniture. Why? Becuase I absolutely cringe at spending $1,500 on furniture AND because I can never make up my mind on what I want. My pictures rarely make it off the computer to be printed or shared. And don't get me started on scrapbooking! I have supplies, like the hobby well enough, but totally lack ideas and rarely make time to sit and do it. But then on the rare occasion that I do it, I get so frustrated because I don't have the pictures printed or have the right color of cardstock so I give up. Then there's the grocery store or Target......I will have my list made, but inevitably I have forgotten something. Or I get to the store only to have to forgo half the list because the kids are acting up and we need to leave. It is quite common for Target to see me twice in a day. So there you have it......now if only I knew how to change it!
Ironically enough, I need to end this entry because I need to clean up a dishsoap spill. The dishsoap bottle tipped over in the cupboard and has leaked all over the place~ totally figures!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Life.
I haven't posted on my blog in a while. Not because I haven't wanted to, but because lately it seems I just haven't had a very positive attitude and I didn't want to just grumble on my blog. Not only because it isn't productive, but because who wants to listen to me complain?!
We all know life isn't fair at times. There isn't a thing we can do about that. What we can do is choose how we're going to react to the unfairness.
Marty and I have been talking at great length about life in general these days and we have both decided that maybe it's good to go through periods like this in life. It makes you stop and reevaluate. It makes you more aware of your own choices, behaviors and attitudes.
So what have I discovered about myself and my choices, behaviors and attitudes? I don't know! It's always so hard to see things in yourself be it faults or attributes, so that will have to be a work in progess. But I do know this......I am working hard at making positive changes in my life. Some are hard and will require a lot of effort and diligence on my part. Others are just a matter of saying "this is what I have chosen to do" and then doing it.
While life is still seeming very unfair, I will say I do feel like I am moving past some of it and starting to feel better about myself in the process. And maybe, just maybe I am starting to like the human race again. (well, let's not get too crazy!)
We all know life isn't fair at times. There isn't a thing we can do about that. What we can do is choose how we're going to react to the unfairness.
Marty and I have been talking at great length about life in general these days and we have both decided that maybe it's good to go through periods like this in life. It makes you stop and reevaluate. It makes you more aware of your own choices, behaviors and attitudes.
So what have I discovered about myself and my choices, behaviors and attitudes? I don't know! It's always so hard to see things in yourself be it faults or attributes, so that will have to be a work in progess. But I do know this......I am working hard at making positive changes in my life. Some are hard and will require a lot of effort and diligence on my part. Others are just a matter of saying "this is what I have chosen to do" and then doing it.
While life is still seeming very unfair, I will say I do feel like I am moving past some of it and starting to feel better about myself in the process. And maybe, just maybe I am starting to like the human race again. (well, let's not get too crazy!)
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