Randomness

I quit my "perfect" job at the Winner School. Why? Because the amount of energy it requires is far more than the benefits. And my dear husband finally realized that a part time job isn't going to change much financially but it certainly does increase the havoc level at our house. So I gathered my gumption and went in a quit. Do they think I'm a flake? Very likely. Does that really matter? Nope. I'm going to finish out this week and then I'll be done. I'm just going to stick with R and help the V Group run smoothly. This summer the monkeys will be in summer camp and I will have time to work and some time to play. Sounds nice.

On another front, somebody out there HATES my front door. I mean really hates it. Enough to send me a very rude anonymous letter stating that I can't possibly think it looks good and I need to repaint it ASAP. All I could say after reading it was "WOW". I will say that my front door is quite bold and I knew when I painted it that it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. But I cannot fathom that someone out there really thinks that I give a rats ass about their opinion of my door. There are some very deluded people out there with an over abundance of self importance. Oh well. I promptly went out to look for patio furniture to match my front door and found a bunch of sets that have cushions in the exact colors this person seems to think are so awful. Interesting isn't it? I've been saving and have enough to go purchase a set as soon as I can borrow my dad's truck. I'm seriously considering painting the garage door to match!

On the subject of school schedules: Why on earth would they give us last Thursday and Friday off, this Monday off, hold school on Tuesday Wednesday and a short day on Thursday, then have Friday off again? It's maddening.

Tonight is my birthday dinner with some of my girlfriends. Hooray. Turkey sandwiches with Caramel Coffee Cake for dessert. I can't wait!

My dear sister A has not had her baby yet. Making us all crazy with anticipation. I am so excited to have a little nephew. I think it is more fun to have a new baby in the family when you are past the baby phase yourself. When my neice R was born I had a 11 month old and a 4 year old. I don't actually remember much of her as a baby. This time I think I will have a chance to enjoy it. And then in August I will have a new V neice and nephew! How fun!

And finally, I have daffodils! I have tulip leaves (no flowers because unbeknownst to me, deer LOVE tulips and will eat them while you sleep!). I have new green sproutings on my perennials! I love Spring! It is definitely my favorite season. More and more I appreciate the feeling of rebirth and awakening that accompanies Spring. This felt like such a cold, snowy, freezing Winter. Spring reminds you that you will make it through the seasons of your life, literally and figuratively.

Expectations

I often find myself going overboard to live up to "their" expectations. But who are "they" anyway? I'm not really sure, but "they" seem to be ever present in my mind. I'd rather go overboard than underboard. So I spend too much on gifts, I freak out over potluck dishes and I make sure holidays are overpriced and overstuffed. Why? Where did I get this crazy idea that simple isn't enough?
I read in Martha Beck's book Finding Your North Star that we all have around 5 people that make up our "they". When we are making choices we are thinking about what these people would think. Of course they change over time and we may or may not actually know these people. It is totally possible that you could be making decisions in your real life based on what you think your favorite movie star would think about your choice. Isn't that crazy?
The funny thing is I had a conversation with someone who I realized makes up one of my "they" people this weekend. I'm going overboard to impress this person, and this person is wishing that we could all just relax, simplify, and make our lives easier, more affordable and enjoyable. Because this person suffers from the same need to go overboard! I'm so glad we talked!
So I'm going to do my best in situations that require me to put myself out into the public sphere to stop, figure out what it is I think "they" want me to do, then figure out what I want (now there's a concept!) and simplify! Simplify the cost, the presentation, the effort. Because if we all keep trying to keep up, we actually out do and expectations keep going up, up, up.
With the economy that way it is, I really want to be saving my money and investing it instead of wasting it on pretentions. I'm so glad to know that others feel the same way. I shouldn't care what others think, but I do. But if I'm honest and tell others where my priorites lie, I might just find out they feel the same way. And if they don't, at least they know where I stand, right?

Sunday Catch-up

Just thought I'd post a few new pics and an update.

Life is good. Spring is in the air (thank goodness!) and my mood is improving. It did snow last night but as I sit here I can see the snow melting away. I love that about Spring, you know it will melt! The forecast looks sunny and warm for the week. I am ready to get these kids outside and moving! Here is a pic of President's Day at our house.

I joined the gym at the beginning of the month. I've been trying to go each morning at 7 am, right after R comes back from his workout. I made it three times last week. I'm determined to go at least 4 this week. Can I see a difference? My clothes do feel better and I've received some very lovely compliments. Have I been following THE WAY? Pretty much. I need to revise THE WAY a bit and really commit. It's sure hard when it is birthday week and the Girl Scouts are selling those damn cookies!

I've been quite busy this week, in a good way. Tuesday I ran into my friend L at Target. Always nice to see her. Then I ran into the Long Lost H again. Weird how we didn't see each other for 4 years and now we see each other and have all these mutual friends. Cahraaazy! Wednesday I took Z to the candy factory for a tour with our Mommy Group. Always a good time. I bought 4 marshmallow eggs, ate one and then the dog ate the rest. Oh well. Thursday I took Z to go skating with my friends Piper and Kim. Great fun but I'm sure I picked up a virus there. Then I went to see Michael Pollan speak on his books The Omnivores Dilemma and In Defense of Food. I went with my friends Bridgette and Kevin. Love those guys. Love Michael Pollan! I highly recommend his books. I'm seriously a food geek! Friday night R and I went to a Gala event for the Utah Board of Realtors with Brad, Billy and Dinnie. We had fun but R ticked me off and it kind of threw off my groove. Oh well. At least I got a pretty new dress out of it. Here we are (minus Billy)

Saturday morning I realized I had definitely picked up some sort of virus, but M had a karate belt test. I'm so proud of the kid! He got his orange belt. He has been very dedicated and works hard, so he certainly deserves it!

I spent the rest of the day feeling pretty crappy. I finally took some ibuprofen and felt much better. We went to celebrate our little friend N's 6th birthday last night. We had a lot of fun. I sooo look forward to getting together with our awesome group of friends on the weekends. I've decided I am very social, just not a planner. Plan it, I'll be there. If I have to plan it, I'll stay home and read. Lazy, I know. I need to work on that.

I just finished Louise Hays Heal Your Life. What a great book. Simple and quick but really profound. My next bookclub read is The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. I'm going to really try to read less non-fiction, less self-help and more uplifting fiction. I'm going to have to wait until Summer to tackle some of the deeper books I've been wanting to read. I just don't have the emotional strength right now.

Today R is off at Man Camp with his friends. They hiked up to a yurt and will hike and snowboard or ski all day, stay over in the yurt and come home in the morning. Doesn't sound to fun to me. I'm home with the kids and a nasty cold. But later we are going to see Horton Hears a Who with Family W. Should be fun. I've taken some meds hoping not to sniffle, cough and blow my nose through the movie. I'm just no good at staying home and feeling sorry for myself. I'm going to breeze right through this cold dangit!

Hope all is well with everyone!

Peace Love and Happiness!