RIP Do This Instead

In memory of my friend Jennifer's Blog, I decided to write this post. So, this one is for you my dear!

As all my loyal readers know, I work out at the gym. A few of my pet peeves are right on display there. First, those who dress up...hair done, make on full fledge. Helllooo? You are suppose to be there to sweat, not have cocktails and pick up men. Second, those who are wearing waaayyy too little clothing for their bodies. Unless you look like this:

Please cover it up. If you don't I just might take a picture of you fat rolls and put it on my fridge for the next time I get an ice cream craving.

Instead, wear clothing that is comfortable and FITS. You can be sans the pancake make up as well. If not, I just might have to smack you down!

Fall Break Plans

My goal for this long 2 week break is to not kill my children, or double my medications. Considering how our "first" day of vacation went, this is not going to be an easy task. Apparently I need to find ways to entertain the kiddos while on a budget. (And if you are not sure why I am trying not to spend too much money, obviously you haven't seen any news feeds on the stock market collapse).

So what do you do with 3 school aged children that won't cost too much? And for this week we will not bake in the sun. My first reaction is to go to the public pool. Good idea, until I looked at my "mommy-suits". Well, they don't fit me very well. Too late to buy a new one now, unless I want to wear a sweater to the pool. I guess I'll just wear shorts. Other than that I am stumped on how to occupy them. Maybe I need to get crafty.

If I don't get creative, they will be spending a lot of time at my work out center's play area and the free sitting at Basha's. I can just read Jason's report now, "I did nothing fun on my vacation."

Helllooooo??? It IS Fall

Or at least that is what the calendar says. Apparently someone forgot to inform mother nature here in the Valley of the Sun (or Sunburn). Today our soccer schedule had us baking at a toasty 100 degrees from 9:30am till 2pm. It was miserable. The poor kids were complaining. Jason played almost the entire game, starting at 12:30. I thought he was gonna drop in the third quarter while still on offense. It wasn't even cool in the shade. I want cooler temps, and I want them NOW! It is almost October, you wouldn't think I was asking too much.

Proud Parenting Moments

Well, if you are here to read my ranting on about something, forget it! I'm gonna actually write a happy post, so deal with it (yep, put those big girl panties on).

My childrens parent teacher conferences were this week. Jason is the student every mother and most teachers dream of. He is polite, courteous, studious, smart, never gets in trouble. He made the honor roll this year (this is the first time he was eligible), and we are continually proud of his academic success. Amanda is his polar opposite. Not to say she is a terrible student or a discipline problem, but she is just so *different*. Well, lo and behold! Guess who aced the first semester of 2nd grade! Watch out Jason, you might have some competition in your little sister. She is smart and popular! I came from her conference beaming! Now Rachel, she is hard to decipher. I haven't figured out what kind of student she will be. She makes her siblings DNA make sense. She has similar qualities of both Jason and Amanda. I was a bit skeptical going to hers. A pleasant surprise awaiting me there too! Her teacher raved about her, and she is hitting her points as well! Right on target!

Maybe I'm not such a terrible parent afterall.

Women Rule the Roost

If you haven't had your morning coffee and read the newspaper, here is the link to the article I read this morning:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/basics/2008-09-25-gender-power-main_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

No big surprises for me on this one. I know I am the Domestic Goddess of this house. On the weekends, John just asks: "Ok, what is the schedule?" No input, no decision making, just blind following the activities. I also thought about other areas in which he hasn't had much, if any input what-so-ever. Well, I picked out all my appliances- alone. I chose the furnishings for the dining room, kitchen, all three childrens rooms- alone. He did choose which TV and sectional we have, but only after I narrowed it down to three choices. My car? He just wanted to sign the papers and go....he didn't even drive it for 2 months! But the biggest decision I made with some input was our house! I did almost all the leg work in choosing where we were to live in AZ, he just picked this floor plan over another as the final decision.

Our checking and savings accounts? He probably knows the balance to the nearest thousand or so. He does know where the checkbook is, however. I ask for input on the kids schooling decisions, and he has confidence in my knowledge. Doctor appointments, sign-ups for scouts and sports are all my responsibilities. We'd be naked and eating take out with plastic ware if I didn't take control of these areas also!

I suppose I could look at it negatively, that he is uninvolved. But I'd rather take it as a compliment; he has confidence in my decision-making abilities.

Inner Strength

I must be getting soft in my old age. Back in the day, I was a force to be reckoned with. I was hurt a long time ago, and came back in a rage. No one would get to me again. I empowered myself and took action. What didn't kill me, made me stronger in the end. Or did it? It seems I've lost some of my self confidence. Self doubt has crept into my thoughts and actions. I need a boost to my confidence, and need it to be done in a healthy, positive way.

Vanity Sizing

As most of you know from reading earlier posts of mine, I have been successfully losing weight. This week I went on a shopping spree to celebrate. All of my size 6 clothing were starting to look too big for me, and hey I deserve some new threads (even if I'm shopping clearance). My friend Jamie and I headed to the mall last night (yep, just the two of us, out at the mall on a Friday night!). My ego was stroked! At Anne Taylor all the size 4s were too big! Unfortunately, they didn't have much left in the 2s. But for fun, my loyal friend handed me one of the size 0 which were too BIG for her. Yep, I could zip the jean up (not too sure if I could sit though). I looked like a hoochie momma, but hey this was a major accomplishment. Now I might just become an Anne Taylor loyalist if I can lose the last 5 pounds and get into those 0s. So much for Old Navy...which the 4s are comfy! But this made me start wondering. A little research later, and here is what I found: http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-04-19/whitford-vanitysizing

My suspicions were correct. But I must admit it felt good to wear smaller sizes. I guess I am vain after all.