This semester is winding down and I'm thinking toward 2012 and my goals for next year.
I feel like I am going to be in school forever and the stress will never end.
This year:
Drew broke his arm while we were in Alabama for my cousin's wedding
My sister had her second son in October
I know other great things have happened but right now my brain is mush. One more final to go...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
My Summer Workshare
This summer I have been doing a workshare CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) at a local farm. At this farm, by doing jobs such as planting, mulching, harvesting, washing lettuce, etc. a certain number of hours per week gets us a full share of vegetables, berries and herbs each week from June to October.
I have been wanting to join a CSA for a few years, but we haven't been able to put out the cash ($500ish) in years past. At the IPFW health fair this past spring I saw the booth for a local CSA and thought I would talk to the folks there. I was very excited when they told me about the work share program -who doesn't love (sort of) free stuff??
The work has been fun, rewarding, hard, and sweaty. I have learned a lot - really the tip of the iceberg - about what different plants need in the soil, how to harvest different vegetables and which bugs to squish versus which ones to put back on a plant. I've also met a lot of people form all walks of life who love fresh vegetables.
What I like best about the farm is that it is organic. I know the vegetables are safe for my family to eat, and quite frankly they taste better than what is available in the stores. I also love helping triple-wash the lettuce and knowing it is thoroughly checked over and I don't need to wash it again. I always wash lettuce from the store even if it says it is safe not to!
I would definitely suggest joining a CSA to anyone who is interested in fresh, delicious and flavorful food. A workshare is a great option for those of us who have time but might be lacking a bit in the money area. I consider the CSA workshare to be a terrific way to feed my family nutritious food all summer (and part of autumn!) long.
I have been wanting to join a CSA for a few years, but we haven't been able to put out the cash ($500ish) in years past. At the IPFW health fair this past spring I saw the booth for a local CSA and thought I would talk to the folks there. I was very excited when they told me about the work share program -who doesn't love (sort of) free stuff??
The work has been fun, rewarding, hard, and sweaty. I have learned a lot - really the tip of the iceberg - about what different plants need in the soil, how to harvest different vegetables and which bugs to squish versus which ones to put back on a plant. I've also met a lot of people form all walks of life who love fresh vegetables.
What I like best about the farm is that it is organic. I know the vegetables are safe for my family to eat, and quite frankly they taste better than what is available in the stores. I also love helping triple-wash the lettuce and knowing it is thoroughly checked over and I don't need to wash it again. I always wash lettuce from the store even if it says it is safe not to!
I would definitely suggest joining a CSA to anyone who is interested in fresh, delicious and flavorful food. A workshare is a great option for those of us who have time but might be lacking a bit in the money area. I consider the CSA workshare to be a terrific way to feed my family nutritious food all summer (and part of autumn!) long.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We moved!
That's right folks - we moved with 1 1/2 weeks notice! One night as we were driving home I wanted Tony to go through a certain neighborhood (because I have this thing about looking at houses). He didn't want to and went a different way and we saw a house for rent that we had actually looked at a year ago.
He called the guy renting the house, worked out a great deal for us and signed the lease. We moved a week and a half after the lease was signed! Needless to say, the sorting through and purging I was planning on doing when we moved did not happen. I have giveaway boxes by my side as I am unpacking and am filling them up, slowly but surely.
Although it isn't a perfect house and not one we would buy, there are many things I love about this house:
~ We have a garage!! At this time it is still full of boxes, but soon we will be able to park in it!
~ Backyard - BIG backyard! The boys and I already played outside and had a blast! There is also a great patio with a firepit and a spot for a garden. Austin wants to grow corn and Drew wants to grow carrots.
~ We have a new fridge and a garage fridge. The fridge that was here is not very big and the bottom shelf is
cracked, so we bought a fridge since we will need one wherever we buy next.
~ Trees! Squirrels! Birds! It is great to look out the back window and see squirrels running around.
~ The den is big enough for me to have my craft table set up. This is a first in my adult life and I am looking forward to relaxing as I create. Being able to stop and not put everything away for dinner will be very refreshing.
~ We are allowed to paint (and we did). After living in no-paint apartments for the past three years it is really nice not to have all white walls.
~ Austin has two closets, one full of shelves. All of his Legos are set up in scenes on the shelves. It looks great, and he has played with them more since they are more accessible.
~ Drew is so happy he has blue walls! His xylophone and drum pad are also set up all the time so he can make music whenever he wants.
~ Finally, I don't feel guilty about the boys playing like boys and chasing each other around the house and yelling and (fun) screaming. It is so nice not to tell them to be quieter because "our neighbors are on the other side of the wall".
We will most likely live in this house until I am finished with school (May 2013). Then we will decide where to live, here or Indy or wherever I find a job and we agree on. It should be a nice place to call home for the next couple of years.
He called the guy renting the house, worked out a great deal for us and signed the lease. We moved a week and a half after the lease was signed! Needless to say, the sorting through and purging I was planning on doing when we moved did not happen. I have giveaway boxes by my side as I am unpacking and am filling them up, slowly but surely.
Although it isn't a perfect house and not one we would buy, there are many things I love about this house:
~ We have a garage!! At this time it is still full of boxes, but soon we will be able to park in it!
~ Backyard - BIG backyard! The boys and I already played outside and had a blast! There is also a great patio with a firepit and a spot for a garden. Austin wants to grow corn and Drew wants to grow carrots.
~ We have a new fridge and a garage fridge. The fridge that was here is not very big and the bottom shelf is
cracked, so we bought a fridge since we will need one wherever we buy next.
~ Trees! Squirrels! Birds! It is great to look out the back window and see squirrels running around.
~ The den is big enough for me to have my craft table set up. This is a first in my adult life and I am looking forward to relaxing as I create. Being able to stop and not put everything away for dinner will be very refreshing.
~ We are allowed to paint (and we did). After living in no-paint apartments for the past three years it is really nice not to have all white walls.
~ Austin has two closets, one full of shelves. All of his Legos are set up in scenes on the shelves. It looks great, and he has played with them more since they are more accessible.
~ Drew is so happy he has blue walls! His xylophone and drum pad are also set up all the time so he can make music whenever he wants.
~ Finally, I don't feel guilty about the boys playing like boys and chasing each other around the house and yelling and (fun) screaming. It is so nice not to tell them to be quieter because "our neighbors are on the other side of the wall".
We will most likely live in this house until I am finished with school (May 2013). Then we will decide where to live, here or Indy or wherever I find a job and we agree on. It should be a nice place to call home for the next couple of years.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2011 Resolutions
Happy New Year!
As I start 2011, I can not believe I am turning 30 this year (next month!). Even when I was 20, 30 seemed ancient and here I am, knocking on the door. Now although my 10 year old thinks I am super old, 30 doesn't seem that bad to me. 40 is a different story . . .
I have resolutions for this year and in some ways I feel I have had the same ones for years and years. I suppose at some point I will fulfill at least one of them! Here they are:
1. Get healthier! I want to eat better and exercise more. I need to not care who will walk into the room when I am exercising and just do it. I know how/what I should eat but I talk myself into "treating" myself because I am so stressed, etc and that needs to stop. As a nurse (student and professional) I should be able to set a good example for my patients.
2. Continue purging our stuff that we don't use or need. We got rid of stuff this past year and it felt good! More is needed, partly because we don't have much storage and partly because we just plain old have too much crap.
3. Be more in the moment with my boys. I can't get this time back. It is easy to let stress or fatigue get to me and let them watch tv or play video games (yes even Drew - nickjr.com!) but really, they are young for such a small amount of time and then they are gone. I see this even with Austin - at 10, he doesn't want to do all the small things with me, such as building block castles or drive cars around on the carpet. It was a bittersweet moment today when he told me he wanted to box up his Bionicles and give them away (my feet are happy, but my little boy is growing up!). Anyway, I know I was involved with Austin and want to be the same way with Drew. How did I have so much more energy back then - am I really that old???? I'm not 40 :)
4. FIND A HOME CHURCH AND GO TO IT. This one is getting ridiculous.
5. Have fewer moments where I feel inadequate about nursing and feel like I want to quit school. Feeling like I am bad at things is not my favorite way to be.
6. Reupholster the ottoman and rocking chair. I have the fabric, just need to get it - as in me - together (and figure out how to use my sewing machine).
Well that about sums it up for this next year. We shall see what the year actually brings.
As I start 2011, I can not believe I am turning 30 this year (next month!). Even when I was 20, 30 seemed ancient and here I am, knocking on the door. Now although my 10 year old thinks I am super old, 30 doesn't seem that bad to me. 40 is a different story . . .
I have resolutions for this year and in some ways I feel I have had the same ones for years and years. I suppose at some point I will fulfill at least one of them! Here they are:
1. Get healthier! I want to eat better and exercise more. I need to not care who will walk into the room when I am exercising and just do it. I know how/what I should eat but I talk myself into "treating" myself because I am so stressed, etc and that needs to stop. As a nurse (student and professional) I should be able to set a good example for my patients.
2. Continue purging our stuff that we don't use or need. We got rid of stuff this past year and it felt good! More is needed, partly because we don't have much storage and partly because we just plain old have too much crap.
3. Be more in the moment with my boys. I can't get this time back. It is easy to let stress or fatigue get to me and let them watch tv or play video games (yes even Drew - nickjr.com!) but really, they are young for such a small amount of time and then they are gone. I see this even with Austin - at 10, he doesn't want to do all the small things with me, such as building block castles or drive cars around on the carpet. It was a bittersweet moment today when he told me he wanted to box up his Bionicles and give them away (my feet are happy, but my little boy is growing up!). Anyway, I know I was involved with Austin and want to be the same way with Drew. How did I have so much more energy back then - am I really that old???? I'm not 40 :)
4. FIND A HOME CHURCH AND GO TO IT. This one is getting ridiculous.
5. Have fewer moments where I feel inadequate about nursing and feel like I want to quit school. Feeling like I am bad at things is not my favorite way to be.
6. Reupholster the ottoman and rocking chair. I have the fabric, just need to get it - as in me - together (and figure out how to use my sewing machine).
Well that about sums it up for this next year. We shall see what the year actually brings.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas 2010
Christmas 2010 is over, but was a lot of fun with our boys. Austin couldn't get to sleep Christmas Eve because he was so excited, and he woke up early to open gifts. Poor thing, we made him wait until his little brother woke up!
Tony and I got what we were hoping for this Christmas - Drew is now potty trained! We started this past Monday and he only took 2 days to be accident free. I love it!
Tony surprised me with a ring that I can wear to nursing clinicals (and future job) - my ring now sticks out and catches on gloves, so I just haven't been wearing it to school. I was shocked because we weren't supposed to get each other anything, and I think he was pleased with my reaction because he said my facial expression was priceless when he had Austin get the ring out of the tree.
Austin said this was his best Christmas ever (funny because he says that every year!) and it was more fun this year because Drew was really into the whole Santa thing and actually knew what Christmas entails. Austin has been putting together his legos every minute we have been home and Drew sleeps with his pillow pet as his main pillow now (so cute!).
Christmas night we went to my parents' for dinner and gift exchange and then today we went to Tony's mom's for lunch and gift exchange. We got to see Tony's aunt and uncle who were passing through on their way home, so that was nice.
Other than our tree's lights slowly dying over this month, it was a great Christmas season. We actually have plans for New Year's Eve so Tony is excited!
See you in 2011
Tony and I got what we were hoping for this Christmas - Drew is now potty trained! We started this past Monday and he only took 2 days to be accident free. I love it!
Tony surprised me with a ring that I can wear to nursing clinicals (and future job) - my ring now sticks out and catches on gloves, so I just haven't been wearing it to school. I was shocked because we weren't supposed to get each other anything, and I think he was pleased with my reaction because he said my facial expression was priceless when he had Austin get the ring out of the tree.
Austin said this was his best Christmas ever (funny because he says that every year!) and it was more fun this year because Drew was really into the whole Santa thing and actually knew what Christmas entails. Austin has been putting together his legos every minute we have been home and Drew sleeps with his pillow pet as his main pillow now (so cute!).
Christmas night we went to my parents' for dinner and gift exchange and then today we went to Tony's mom's for lunch and gift exchange. We got to see Tony's aunt and uncle who were passing through on their way home, so that was nice.
Other than our tree's lights slowly dying over this month, it was a great Christmas season. We actually have plans for New Year's Eve so Tony is excited!
See you in 2011
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Thankful
I am so thankful I don't have to work and go to school at the same time. Sometimes I feel like I might go crazy just with studying and taking care of my family (and really, sometimes the home life is a little neglected).
I am so thankful I have a husband who can cook and likes to cook so I don't have to worry about dinner most days. He possibly just doesn't want to eat my cooking, I'm not sure. But I really don't care! I'm just so thankful he cooks!
I am so thankful Austin is old enough to have cleaning the kids bathroom as one of his chores, so that cuts down on my cleaning also. He usually does a great job too!
(I can't give up control of the laundry though. I tried last year, and Tony did fine, but my anxiety over him drying some of my clothes in the dryer was worse than me popping loads in when I have time. I don't mind the folding either, just the putting away. Clothes usually stay in the basket for a few days, or until the boys run out in their dressers!)
I am so thankful the weather has been nice (70 today) so we have been going to parks to play everyday. It is a joy to watch my boys play and they also work off some energy!
Last but not least,I am so thankful people have started putting up some Christmas decorations outside. I probably won't decorate fully until after finals, so it is nice to look at other people's Christmas decor!
I am so thankful I have a husband who can cook and likes to cook so I don't have to worry about dinner most days. He possibly just doesn't want to eat my cooking, I'm not sure. But I really don't care! I'm just so thankful he cooks!
I am so thankful Austin is old enough to have cleaning the kids bathroom as one of his chores, so that cuts down on my cleaning also. He usually does a great job too!
(I can't give up control of the laundry though. I tried last year, and Tony did fine, but my anxiety over him drying some of my clothes in the dryer was worse than me popping loads in when I have time. I don't mind the folding either, just the putting away. Clothes usually stay in the basket for a few days, or until the boys run out in their dressers!)
I am so thankful the weather has been nice (70 today) so we have been going to parks to play everyday. It is a joy to watch my boys play and they also work off some energy!
Last but not least,I am so thankful people have started putting up some Christmas decorations outside. I probably won't decorate fully until after finals, so it is nice to look at other people's Christmas decor!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10/10/10
10 Things I am Thankful For:
1. God's grace and forgiveness
2. My husband
3. My two wonderful boys
4. My mother in law always willing to watch Drew when I am at school, and wanting to watch both or one boy on quite a few weekends
5. No car debt
6. A roof over our heads
7. Good friends who are honest when needed and uplifting
8. Good health
9. Air conditioning
10. More food available than I could ever need
10 Things I would Like to Accomplish in Life:
1. Strong, God-centered marriage
2. Raise Godly children
3. Adopt a child
4. College degree
5. Volunteer as a family on regular basis
6. Travel outside the USA
7. Move back to Greenwood
8. Visit my friend in WA before she moves back to IN
9. Buy a house
10. Buy a fairly good car with cash
10 Things I need to Change:
1. Deal with stress more constructively
2. Exercise more more (at all!)
3. Better food choices
4. Less TV
5. Remember hubby and I are in it together, not to take stress out on each other
6. Purge some stuff
7. Quit feeling inferior to others for whatever reason I can think of that they must be better
8. Listen to more music at home since it relaxes me and brightens my day
9.
10.
I know I have more I can change, but since I've been up since 6:15 this morn with 2 energetic little boys, I can't think of any more at the moment. By no means am I going to try and change everything at once, I don't think that would help me change #1 (deal w/stress more constructively). Some of the future accomplishments are already in the works and some are a bit farther off. Who knows what will actually happen, that is part of the excitement of life -nothing is certain.
1. God's grace and forgiveness
2. My husband
3. My two wonderful boys
4. My mother in law always willing to watch Drew when I am at school, and wanting to watch both or one boy on quite a few weekends
5. No car debt
6. A roof over our heads
7. Good friends who are honest when needed and uplifting
8. Good health
9. Air conditioning
10. More food available than I could ever need
10 Things I would Like to Accomplish in Life:
1. Strong, God-centered marriage
2. Raise Godly children
3. Adopt a child
4. College degree
5. Volunteer as a family on regular basis
6. Travel outside the USA
7. Move back to Greenwood
8. Visit my friend in WA before she moves back to IN
9. Buy a house
10. Buy a fairly good car with cash
10 Things I need to Change:
1. Deal with stress more constructively
2. Exercise more more (at all!)
3. Better food choices
4. Less TV
5. Remember hubby and I are in it together, not to take stress out on each other
6. Purge some stuff
7. Quit feeling inferior to others for whatever reason I can think of that they must be better
8. Listen to more music at home since it relaxes me and brightens my day
9.
10.
I know I have more I can change, but since I've been up since 6:15 this morn with 2 energetic little boys, I can't think of any more at the moment. By no means am I going to try and change everything at once, I don't think that would help me change #1 (deal w/stress more constructively). Some of the future accomplishments are already in the works and some are a bit farther off. Who knows what will actually happen, that is part of the excitement of life -nothing is certain.
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