Crazy Lady

Leave it to me, Jack Ass Numero Uno, to walk into the first day of classes with nary a pen, piece of paper or a text book.  So much for spending my entire winter break trying to organize myself and this little family pod of mine! The kids can tell you at a moment's notice what the plan is for the day, the week, and quite possibly the upcoming month. But can I, their so-called "organized" Mom, find her way to class prepared? Not so much.

Thankfully, my class is in the building that I just happened to discover last semester when I had to make up an exam that I missed due to a ....ummmmm...sick child?

Once I found my class room (did I mention I was late and walked into a classroom that is anti food and drink...with a coffee in my hand?) After attempting to hide my much needed coffee under the last and very squeaky chair left-of course located in the front of the classroom, I was thrilled to discover that my Micro Biology professor is a true gem from the good old days. We're talkin' oooold school. He even said that he will call us "Toots" if we should so desire. I am pretty sure I heard some quick inhales in the classroom, and I tried to keep my giggle quiet, but lets face it, that is NOT a strong suit of mine.

Walk with me for a moment. Picture Droopy the old sad looking cartoon dog. Now picture Mr. Magoo.....okay...got it? Mix them together. Yup. That's my man. The man that I have named as Mr. Monty. Under some kind of delusion, he shared with us the many nick names he had growing up. One of which was Monty (for Monty Python) Really, Professor? Now how am I supposed to let that go?

So what have I learned from this experience? Being organized is a great concept. Being organized allows one to live in the present moment which allows for less stress, fear, and anxiety. It can, however, cause dependence on said organization and then cause lapses in forward thinking. Woops! Note to Self: Look ahead as well as in front of you.

Oh. And by the way, Mr. Monty's class is going to kick my ass.

Follow Me on Twitter

Recently discovered the beauty of this whole Social Media thing. Mostly because, well, I'm just going to say it. I have outgrown FaceBook. Don't get me wrong, FB is great for the reason I signed up- to share photos of the kids to the family and friends we left behind in Vermont. Yet...there is this new fancy site...Pintrest...that may become the next thing to consume my interest (story to follow, I am sure.)

I digress.

Follow me on Twitter (@mothersgraffiti) for up-to-the-moment giggles of raising my dear, sweet, ADHD son and my scooter-riding (indoor scooter riding, that is) daughter.

How Many Hours Can You Squeeze?

Busy moms that we are...ever track what you do during each hour of the day? Ya. No wonder I am always tired.

5-6 AM: Yoga, mediatation, make coffee, read Gmail Calendar, freak out about what I haven't done.

6-7AM: Get kids dressed, fed. Yes. It takes that long.

7-8AM: Finish dressing self, drink coffee, freak out about things not done, try to pre-plan the next step.

8-9AM: Drops kids off at school, travel to work/school, stop by coffee shop for heavily caffeine laden coffee in a to-go cup because you still can't figure out how to catch up on everything missed yesterday, that has to be squeezed into today and still finish today's list because you are a good role model and finish your lists just like you insist your children do....and don't tell me I can't do it!

9-10AM: Switch to decaf tea.

10-11AM: Work/School/Errands

11AM-Noon:What was I doing again? I think I need to take a nap. Coffee anyone?

12-1PM: Why am I hungry? Did I eat breakfast? oooooohhh...I straightened my hair today. So, no. No breakfast. But I need to call the doctorsandfriendsandmakethegrocerylistandruntothepostoffice...

1-2PM: Water, must remember to drink water today. Call the (enter any number of only open Mon-Fri 9-5, but closed 12-1 office-type place that you have been trying to reach since last freakin' week.)

2-3PM: Breathe, finish everything up before racing to meet the bus/pick up the kids at school. Put on black and white referee shirt, psych self up to catch/re-channel/intervene and/or inspire exhausted, grumpy and hungry post-school children.

3-5PM: Focus. Homework. Snacks. After school activity. Stop hitting. No he did not take it on purpose. Well give it back then. Homework! Has anyone fed the cat this week. No, you may not have any more snacks, dinner is in 15 minutes. Go play outside. Hmmmm...I wonder...if you are cold outside, do you think winter boots are better than flip flops?

5-6PM: EAT! No elbows on the table. I am so excited to hear your story, please wait until you are done chewing. Who is kicking the floor? I notice your plate is still on the table, and you are the living room, does that mean you are done with dinner?

6-7PM: Family Time.

7-8PM: Get kids ready for bed, keep eyes open with some twigs you found in your son's backpack. Read. Kisses. Hugs. I SAID GOODNIGHT!

8-Midnight: Clean the house, do the dishes, look at to-do list. Burn it. Grab a glass of wine, pour it back into the bottle because, oh yeah... YOU have to study.

Midnight-5AM: Sleep in the 1/2 of the bed that isn't covered in laundry or books or animals (or husbands, should you be so lucky.)

5AM Tuesday morning: Where is that naked Cabana boy with my coffee, and why isn't there an app for that yet?

Tell me how you spend your days!

HILARIOUS! 14 Reasons to NOT Stay at Home

I am passing along this hilarious list from a fellow mom-blogger. Also, 14 reasons why I found myself back at school as quickly as possible! I hope you enjoy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/dani-klein-modisett/being-stay-at-home-mom-sucks_b_1198338.html

Happy Day!!

Cue the Stress

I have 12 days left of vacation and then school starts for the spring semester. This morning, when I turned my 5 AM alarm clock off, I did so with the knowledge that CRAP! I haven't done anything I specifically said I would take care of during my winter break. 

What have I been doing?

Well...I discovered the world of Twitter, which is kind of fun (as well as educational-no seriously, it can be!) I have fallen head over heels in love with my monkeys, and cleaned up most of the piles that accumulated during last semester. (Note that I said "most" of the piles.) I established an organization system for our family, started a book that I have been waiting to read, tried to dig into the stack of recommended how-to-be-the-best-parent-you-can-be books, found my gym card and then proceeded to actually use it! I reconnected with some friends, and made some new ones. Dealt with financial aid, and loss, I worked, I wrote, I played...

...ooooh...so THAT's what I've been doing.

Still not sure that I am ready to live in a text book for the next 12 weeks...or the next 3 years for that matter.

If I could just find that coffee delivering cabana boy...

Calendar Success

T n Q absorbed in Science Night

We have success! Everything has worked!! I even witnessed T using the calendar. I almost jumped for joy, but then realized that may have been a bit misunderstood, so instead opted for some really big internal flips of excitement. I may have a slow processing department, i.e.: my brain, and many of you out there may already have something like this in place and are thinking...ummmm...Hello! What took you so long...but already this week, the calendar has alleviated 4 dinner disasters, 2 tantrums, and almost no TV has been watched!

Conscious Parenting. Yea. Check it. I'm finally on the-understanding-how-this-works-train. Well...for this week. :)

Christmas Tree Clean-Up

1. Carefully lift ornaments off branches trying not to shake anymore pine needles (or tree crumbs) onto floor than are already present.
2. Give up as tree is shaking and needles, crumbs, as well as ornaments are falling everywhere.
3. Rip lights off. No need to be conservative now, all of those bloody needles are on the ground anyway.
4. Drag tree through house, completely giving up on tree crumb prevention, muttering under breath while all those sweet smelling tree crumbs find every nook and cranny in your house and body only to show up in July when you thought every last one of those buggers were finally gone!
5. Toss that blasted tree into the garbage and swear by all that is holly... next year....a fake tree.

Bring on The New Year!

Why is it so much easier to be motivated to do "good" things at the beginning of January? :)

Today we had an extra family meeting, set up our new weekly menu plan, family activity plan, and schedule-calendars. I cleaned off the sad, warped and smudged old "art" pictures from the front of the refrigerator to make room for, and to hang up, the crisp clean new calendars.

My hope is this will keep us organized, will help in preventing dinner time meltdowns and flat out refusals (because as a group we picked out the menu) and because the agreed upon schedule is written on the calendar. Translation...we have to do it because the calendar says so!

Here's to trying!

New Year's Resolutions

Some New Year's resolutions that we are considering around this house....
1. Using toilet paper at appropriate times.
2. Torturing family cats less.
3. Brushing hair daily.
4. Being "nicer."
5. Using our words, not our hands.
6. Organization. Right! I forgot about that one. Yes. To become organized!

Seems manageable...right?