I hear noises. Then all is quiet. Then noises again. It sounds as though someone small is running up and down the hallway. I look at the clock. 1:17 AM. What is going on? Did I really hear noises or am I dreaming? No, I am awake. I lie still and listen. Yep, there it is again. Something is sliding across the floor. Bouncing and sliding. I get up, go out into the hallway and I see it run away. I walk toward the front room. It runs at me, then around my feet at lightning speed. Non-stopping it jumps up the one step into our family room. Racing, across the floor and up over a recliner, then back down the hallway. I try to catch it. I try to catch her. It is our cat. Her name is Monkey. I call her Monster Monkey. I walk to the kitchen and she comes in. Calmly. As if she was just strolling by. Like, hey, what are you here for? Going to feed me? I’d like soft food please, only the soft food. Monkey, I say to her, go to bed! Off I go back to bed. I hear some more noises but then all quiet.
Meow. Meow. Meoooow! It is 3:52 AM. I put my head back down on my pillow. That cat wants soft food. Forget the fact that she has dry food in her bowl. That is not what she wants. She jumps up onto our bed and bounces across it landing twice before jumping off the other side. This wakes the big guy who swings at her. He misses. This scene plays out 3 times total. I better get out of bed and feed her. She runs to the kitchen, meowing loudly. You would think by the sound of her meows that she is starving. She is not. She is spoiled. I open the can, put half of it into her bowl and she rears to make sure I am going to put the bowl down in front of her. There, now be good. Back to bed I trod. Enough Monkey business, it’s almost time for me to get up.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Moving On
I have been stuck in time – at least here on my blog. Time to move on. Happy New Year!
I hope this year is all that you make it. Resolutions. Did you make any? I made two. I lack the discipline to stick to such things; therefore, I thought if I made only a few, perhaps my chances of accomplishing them would be greater. After all, like you, I want to be successful. They are no different from all the other resolutions people make. My resolutions are: To eat healthier and exercise daily.
Eating healthier. This doesn’t really sound hard but I have two children and a husband that sit down to the table with me every morning and night. Although the children are trying and eating a larger variety of foods, my husband is a “meat and potatoes” guy. So yes, it is a bit of a challenge. The only green food item our children will eat is broccoli and maybe a couple of green beans. That is dependent on their mood, their day, the other food that sits on their plate. Many factors. Factors I face every day. But alas, have no worries, my kitchen is slowly turning into a lab of sorts. I am an avid reader of cookbooks, nutritional books and magazines. I know you have heard about the book that will help you get those nutritionally-packed fruits and vegetables into your children (devious mothers raise your hands) and they won’t taste a thing. Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. Check it out at your local library or stop by your local bookstore and add it to you own collection. It is a mothers’ guide to cooking and baking with pureed fruits and vegetables. Your opportunity to boost the nutritional value of the meals and goodies you make for your family. I am also working into our diets, a new way of eating. It is called clean eating and basically it is eating fruits, vegetables, low-fat proteins and whole grains without masking their flavors with fatty sauces, butters and every other bad thing we eat without thinking about. If you are interested in eating clean, just google Tosca Reno. Every recipe I have tried is delicious! There has not been one I have not liked. Buy her cookbooks. You will be glad you did and your body with thank you.
Exercise. I have been doing well with this one. I walk during my lunchtime almost every work day. With my employment change last fall, I have access to an indoor track so northeast winters don’t disrupt my lunchtime plans. No excuses. I don’t mind walking in the snow or colder temperatures because I can bundle up. But add wind to those weather conditions and I don’t want to go outside. Now I just walk across the street and into the building to access the track. I am very fortunate. Nice work perk! During the summer, as I work on a university campus, I have many trail options to walk – all beautiful. I take the stairs at work as my office is located on the 4th floor. Up and down. I have also been working out at home at night. Not every night – right now my goal is to workout 3 nights per week. Do-able. After the little ones are tucked in, the kitchen has been cleaned, our items are gathered for tomorrow’s trek out of the house. I dress to sweat. I have some DVD workouts that I love. I actually look forward to working out at the end of my day. Crazy, but if it works, don’t mess with it.
Little changes are easy. Little changes can become habit. Little changes can have great results. That is my ultimate goal – results. Eating healthier, exercising and feeling wonderful.
I hope this year is all that you make it. Resolutions. Did you make any? I made two. I lack the discipline to stick to such things; therefore, I thought if I made only a few, perhaps my chances of accomplishing them would be greater. After all, like you, I want to be successful. They are no different from all the other resolutions people make. My resolutions are: To eat healthier and exercise daily.
Eating healthier. This doesn’t really sound hard but I have two children and a husband that sit down to the table with me every morning and night. Although the children are trying and eating a larger variety of foods, my husband is a “meat and potatoes” guy. So yes, it is a bit of a challenge. The only green food item our children will eat is broccoli and maybe a couple of green beans. That is dependent on their mood, their day, the other food that sits on their plate. Many factors. Factors I face every day. But alas, have no worries, my kitchen is slowly turning into a lab of sorts. I am an avid reader of cookbooks, nutritional books and magazines. I know you have heard about the book that will help you get those nutritionally-packed fruits and vegetables into your children (devious mothers raise your hands) and they won’t taste a thing. Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. Check it out at your local library or stop by your local bookstore and add it to you own collection. It is a mothers’ guide to cooking and baking with pureed fruits and vegetables. Your opportunity to boost the nutritional value of the meals and goodies you make for your family. I am also working into our diets, a new way of eating. It is called clean eating and basically it is eating fruits, vegetables, low-fat proteins and whole grains without masking their flavors with fatty sauces, butters and every other bad thing we eat without thinking about. If you are interested in eating clean, just google Tosca Reno. Every recipe I have tried is delicious! There has not been one I have not liked. Buy her cookbooks. You will be glad you did and your body with thank you.
Exercise. I have been doing well with this one. I walk during my lunchtime almost every work day. With my employment change last fall, I have access to an indoor track so northeast winters don’t disrupt my lunchtime plans. No excuses. I don’t mind walking in the snow or colder temperatures because I can bundle up. But add wind to those weather conditions and I don’t want to go outside. Now I just walk across the street and into the building to access the track. I am very fortunate. Nice work perk! During the summer, as I work on a university campus, I have many trail options to walk – all beautiful. I take the stairs at work as my office is located on the 4th floor. Up and down. I have also been working out at home at night. Not every night – right now my goal is to workout 3 nights per week. Do-able. After the little ones are tucked in, the kitchen has been cleaned, our items are gathered for tomorrow’s trek out of the house. I dress to sweat. I have some DVD workouts that I love. I actually look forward to working out at the end of my day. Crazy, but if it works, don’t mess with it.
Little changes are easy. Little changes can become habit. Little changes can have great results. That is my ultimate goal – results. Eating healthier, exercising and feeling wonderful.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Time
Stop and think about the clock and how fast time really ticks by. I thought people were crazy when they said “time flies”; however, my opinion after becoming a mother (and aging) has changed.
Time does pass too quickly. Every day, hour, minute, second. Motherhood opened my eyes to the passage of time. You watch with awestruck amazement at your beautiful baby and they change so quickly. Every day. Right in front of you. They start to recognize you, smile, roll over, crawl, stand, walk, talk. All this in one year! You hardly have time to enjoy each stage and they are moving on to the next. Children want their parents’ time. They can only play or watch television for so long. They need your attention (really listen to your children), they need your love and they love doing things with you. Get those crayons out and color. Get creative. Bake. Play outside. Hike. Just spend time together. In the long run, that is what matters. All children would rather have their parents’ time instead of a substitute. Money cannot replace your time.
Each year passes more quickly. As we age, time seems to speed up. The new year starts and before we know it, we are preparing Thanksgiving dinner and worry about writing Christmas cards, buying and wrapping gifts and did I bake enough this year? Remember being a seventh grader and thinking your senior year would never come? Well, ask a high school senior if their year has gone slowly? I bet they’ll tell you they cannot believe it is almost over. Time moves all too quickly. In every stage of life.
Time. We never seem to have enough time. Time for our families. Time for ourselves. Time escapes us until it is too late. If you ask the question, “What one thing would you want if you could have anything?” Most people, seriously, would want the opportunity to spend more time with someone dear to them. I know I would. Almost 23 years have passed since my father passed away. As an adult, I never got the chance to know my father. I have questions that go unanswered. I have lost grandparents, aunts, uncles and dear friends. The time that they have been gone from this earthly world has ticked by. I have parents and relatives that I pray for daily because they have health issues or are in good health and I pray that they remain healthy. Fear flames high when I hear the word biopsy, cancer or testing. What happens then? You wait. Tick tock, tick tock. Many people regret that they don’t spend more time with family members or loved ones. They realize this when it is too late. Too late – sorry. Think about it. Prioritize. What really matters here in your life? People? Money? A huge house? Children? Parents? Family? Friends? Material Items?
Life is nothing but time. (We all have a preset time to be here on earth). Time does not move faster. Each minute has 60 seconds. Each hour has 60 minutes. Each day has 24 hours. How we manage our time is what is important. Some people waste time and do nothing. Others try to accomplish or experience too much and run themselves ragged. So much so, they don’t enjoy what they set out to accomplish.
We need to slow down. Smell the flowers. Write (not email) that note to a long-lost friend or family member. Hug your family and tell them you love them. Sit down and eat together. Snuggle. Play. Read that book. Stroll down memory lane with those photos you have stored some place.
Simplify your life. The more you simplify, the better life gets. Simple is good. Simple is sweet. Take the time to do those things you keep saying you will do. Just do them and enjoy them. Take the time! Perhaps it’ll seem that the minutes are not flying by. Savor the moment.
Time does pass too quickly. Every day, hour, minute, second. Motherhood opened my eyes to the passage of time. You watch with awestruck amazement at your beautiful baby and they change so quickly. Every day. Right in front of you. They start to recognize you, smile, roll over, crawl, stand, walk, talk. All this in one year! You hardly have time to enjoy each stage and they are moving on to the next. Children want their parents’ time. They can only play or watch television for so long. They need your attention (really listen to your children), they need your love and they love doing things with you. Get those crayons out and color. Get creative. Bake. Play outside. Hike. Just spend time together. In the long run, that is what matters. All children would rather have their parents’ time instead of a substitute. Money cannot replace your time.
Each year passes more quickly. As we age, time seems to speed up. The new year starts and before we know it, we are preparing Thanksgiving dinner and worry about writing Christmas cards, buying and wrapping gifts and did I bake enough this year? Remember being a seventh grader and thinking your senior year would never come? Well, ask a high school senior if their year has gone slowly? I bet they’ll tell you they cannot believe it is almost over. Time moves all too quickly. In every stage of life.
Time. We never seem to have enough time. Time for our families. Time for ourselves. Time escapes us until it is too late. If you ask the question, “What one thing would you want if you could have anything?” Most people, seriously, would want the opportunity to spend more time with someone dear to them. I know I would. Almost 23 years have passed since my father passed away. As an adult, I never got the chance to know my father. I have questions that go unanswered. I have lost grandparents, aunts, uncles and dear friends. The time that they have been gone from this earthly world has ticked by. I have parents and relatives that I pray for daily because they have health issues or are in good health and I pray that they remain healthy. Fear flames high when I hear the word biopsy, cancer or testing. What happens then? You wait. Tick tock, tick tock. Many people regret that they don’t spend more time with family members or loved ones. They realize this when it is too late. Too late – sorry. Think about it. Prioritize. What really matters here in your life? People? Money? A huge house? Children? Parents? Family? Friends? Material Items?
Life is nothing but time. (We all have a preset time to be here on earth). Time does not move faster. Each minute has 60 seconds. Each hour has 60 minutes. Each day has 24 hours. How we manage our time is what is important. Some people waste time and do nothing. Others try to accomplish or experience too much and run themselves ragged. So much so, they don’t enjoy what they set out to accomplish.
We need to slow down. Smell the flowers. Write (not email) that note to a long-lost friend or family member. Hug your family and tell them you love them. Sit down and eat together. Snuggle. Play. Read that book. Stroll down memory lane with those photos you have stored some place.
Simplify your life. The more you simplify, the better life gets. Simple is good. Simple is sweet. Take the time to do those things you keep saying you will do. Just do them and enjoy them. Take the time! Perhaps it’ll seem that the minutes are not flying by. Savor the moment.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Can't be Bought
Pure enjoyment. Family time. Vacation time. Time together with no routine.
We have enjoyed the time we have had over December. We have spent time together. Doing nothing special yet very special. The time we have spent together has created memories, laughter and contentment. Money cannot buy what time can.
We cherish our time together. We play, bake, color, craft, snuggle. We've enjoyed visits with family members. We enjoy our special dinners. Our late mornings and large breakfasts. The day-long fires in our fireplace. The sledding and the special hot cocoa with marshmallows. Our little guy tattled on his sister stating she liked the hot chocolate from our local coffee house better than mine. He told me he liked mine better. What to know why? Because I make my hot cocoa with love! Time and love. Money can't buy that.
Pure enjoyment. It has been wonderful. But all good things must end. The day after tomorrow, that alarm will go off way too early (yes, I have been sleeping in)and we have to jump back into our routine. Work. School. Homework. Our family nights will be something we look forward to after our long swim in togetherness.
We have enjoyed the time we have had over December. We have spent time together. Doing nothing special yet very special. The time we have spent together has created memories, laughter and contentment. Money cannot buy what time can.
We cherish our time together. We play, bake, color, craft, snuggle. We've enjoyed visits with family members. We enjoy our special dinners. Our late mornings and large breakfasts. The day-long fires in our fireplace. The sledding and the special hot cocoa with marshmallows. Our little guy tattled on his sister stating she liked the hot chocolate from our local coffee house better than mine. He told me he liked mine better. What to know why? Because I make my hot cocoa with love! Time and love. Money can't buy that.
Pure enjoyment. It has been wonderful. But all good things must end. The day after tomorrow, that alarm will go off way too early (yes, I have been sleeping in)and we have to jump back into our routine. Work. School. Homework. Our family nights will be something we look forward to after our long swim in togetherness.
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