Chit Chat: What's the point?

For the most part, I don't mind cleaning.

• Bathroom...check. done.
• Vacuum...check. done.
• Dust...check. done.
• Windows...check. done.
  
• Mop...check. done.

But when it comes to dishes and laundry, I catch myself wondering "What is the point?"

I hate doing the dishes...they are never done. As soon as you unload the dishwasher, there are more dishes to put in because, let's face it, it isn't like we stop eating or drinking while the wash cycle runs. I would love to always eat off of paper plates and with plastic-ware...but it costs money (which, apparently, doesn't grow on trees) and it is bad for our environment. I guess doing dishes is one of those things that is unavoidable (kinda like taxes)....unless we start eating out for every meal. There's an idea....but I think I would get tired of McDonalds and Wendy's after a while. And if I didn't get tired of the food, I'd definitely get tired of the McHips and McButt that would come with it. So now I am back to unavoidable.

I also hate doing laundry. I think I hate doing laundry more than doing dishes because once again, it is never done...and the process takes forever (at least unloading the dishwasher takes 10 minutes)! But with laundry it's wash, dry, fold, put away. REPEAT. Even if I do get all my laundry done in a given weekend, as soon as it's bedtime, the day's clothes come off and there's more to do. Oh yea...and then you find that shirt that was in your gym bag and those socks that somehow ended up under some random piece of furniture. So, I could probably avoid doing laundry by joining a nudist colony (I could save money on buying clothes too!), but EEEEWWWWW! YUK! I don't even like for people to see me in a swimsuit...let alone naked. Oh and I blush seeing underwear commercials, so how would I handle seeing a bunch of naked people. That just isn't happening...no way! Not ever! Perhaps I could avoid laundry by just buying new clothes when I am out of clothes. Oh wait...I tried that in college. It doesn't work. Eventually you run out of money (because money doesn't grow on trees, remember?) So I guess laundry is unavoidable too.

So even though I may feel like doing dishes and laundry is pointless, I know it is unavoidable. So now it's time for me to quit procrastinating and to start folding that laundry from last night (and of course there are some dishes waiting to be put away too!)

What household chores do you hate doing and ask yourself, "What's the point?" Leave a comment and let me know!

Chit Chat: I've been AWOL lately

If you haven't noticed, I've been away from my Blog lately. It was a long week last week. My company let some more people go on Wednesday. While I was not one of the people let go, it will affect the way I do my job. There will be more red tape to cut through, as I will have to outsource almost every project. Needless to say, in light of all the change at work, I didn't feel like writing at home. I've been seriously reeling and wondering how I am going to finish projects that were left in a lurch, and how I will move forward.

If you were planning to participate in "Recipe Swappin' Saturdays," I'm so sorry I bailed on you this week. Don't worry though--save your post for next week. We'll keep the theme the same...Afternoon Snacks.

Chit Chat: Dreary Winter Darkness

This whole Daylight Saving time change thing is the pits. It stinks! It bites! I hate it! Now, not only is it dark when I wake up, but it is dark when I drive home as well. At work, I sit in an area where I don't have a window. I never see the sun (well, except for the 35 minute drive I have to work, but that doesn't count in my book).

The only good thing about "falling back" for Daylight Savings is the extra hour of sleep I get one day a year. Oh wait a minute, now that I have a child, that doesn't happen. So really there are no redeeming qualities about the Winter Daylight Savings! (BTW, if you can think of any be sure to leave a comment below and let me know!)

Since the time change, I feel like it is time for Baby Boy to go to bed as soon as I get home from work. There's no more going outside for a walk after we get home. There is no chatting with the neighbors as we unload the car because no one is out working in their yard in the dark. There is no going to the park to play for a few minutes after dinner and before bed.

The Winter Daylight Savings is isolating. I wish we didn't have to turn the clocks back in the Fall. I would prefer it to be dark in the morning when I am rushing around getting ready for work, and to have a few extra moments of sunshine to enjoy in the evening when I get home. Perhaps I can try to change my hours at work...get there early and leave early. It is worth looking into, right?

Chit Chat: Mondays

I dread Mondays. After a fun-filled weekend of playing with Baby Boy and visiting with friends, I do not look forward to dragging myself out of bed on Monday morning. Today is no exception. We had so much fun over the weekend...a Fall Festival at Church, a Halloween party at our house with a pinata for the kids, a Sunday afternoon nap.

Baby Boy is talking babbling more and more. It is so fun watching his little personality emerge.

I wish that every weekend was a 3-day weekend; of course, I do realize that if that wish were granted, I would then want a 4-day weekend. And since it is not a 3-day weekend, I must get back to the grind.

I'll leave you with some pictures from the weekend.

Chit Chat: Let it Snow!

Colorado has been getting dumped on all day. The white fluffy stuff hasn't let up since late last night, and it is expected to keep coming down until mid-day tomorrow. I love snow. Before Baby Boy was born, a good snow meant waking up at oh-dark-thirty, grabbing our ski equipment and getting on the road (before I-70 became a parking lot) to ski.

Now that we have Baby Boy, a good snow causes me to about whether his day care will close early, and wonder how early I need to leave work to make sure I pick him up on time. Now, snow means canceled meetings and uncompleted tasks.

Today I got a call at 11:30 a.m. announcing that Baby Boy's daycare was closing at 1 p.m. I left early thinking the roads must be really bad, and I don't want to be late. As I was driving, I discovered, the roads were mostly clear, with a bit of slushiness on the side streets. Now in my book, a wet road isn't a good reason to cancel school. Not at a time when positions are being scrutinized. Not at at time when companies are trying to figure out ways to cut costs. Not ever.

So, I did a little digging around...the school district in our community did not close today, not a single other daycare in our community closed today, and many of the childcare facilities in the town I work in were still open as of 4 p.m. today.

So now, I am looking for an alternative for my daycare. This is not the first time an unnecessary snow closing has happened, and they take many other non-holiday days off. I can't keep using my very limited vacation time frivolously.

In the meantime, check out Baby Boy playing in the snow for the first time!

Chit Chat: Best Blog Award?

I got another blog award a few weeks ago.

Both the The Suburban Jungle and Rocky Mountain Memoirs bestowed upon me the "Best Blog Award!" I am shocked! Best blog? Me? Wow! Someone pinch me—I can hardly believe it! Oh, and make sure you visit both The Suburban Jungle and Rocky Mountain Memoirs. I love visiting these blogs. Angela, at The Suburban Jungle is always posting some great tips and is very open about all she has learned about blogging. And Rocky Mountain Memoirs is a wonderful writer...check her out!



The Best Blog Award rules are:
1) To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Every blog I follow deserves this award. It was really hard who to pass this along to. That said, I'm giving this award to:

A Mom After God's Own Heart
My Net Finds
Stay in the Car Mom
Mamma Talk
Keeping up with the Bowens
Lunchbox Limbo
A Nut in a Nutshell
The imPERFECT HOUSEWIFE
Kara's Kitchen Creations
Savvy Moxie
Smart Cents Mom

Chit Chat: Weekend Report

I didn't blog much this weekend. The weekend went by in a blur. Here's what I was up to:

• I did watch the Ugly Betty 2-hour season opener.
  
• I did get the kitchen floor mopped.
• I did get the taco soup off the ceiling (one of those things that happen if you turn you back on a 17 month old for 5 seconds and you have no idea how it happened).
• I did get the bathroom cleaned.
• I did get the house dusted.
• I did get the house vacuumed.
• I did get almost all the laundry washed, folded and put away.
• I did attend a barbecue and catch up with some friends.
• I did take turn with hubby following Baby Boy around and around and around friends house to ensure nothing got broken.
• I did wonder why "of all the other 5 toddlers/preschoolers at the barbeque, mine was the only one who couldn't sit still and required constant supervision."
• I did have lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a long time.
• I did watch the movie I rented last Sunday.
  
• I did get to church almost on time.
  
• I did get Sunday lunch in the crock pot before church.
• I did spend the afternoon at the pumpkin patch with my family.
• I did have lots of fun.
• I did smile and laugh as Baby Boy told me "I need more" while I was sharing my ice cream with him.
  
• I did relax after Baby Boy went to bed on Sunday night.
  

And the things I blew off...

• I did not fold the last two loads of laundry.
• I did not blog more than 30 minutes.
• I didn't post the blog awards I received a few weeks back and have been procrastinating posting. (Maybe I'll get to that tonight).
  
• I did not exercise or run (except after baby boy).
• I did not return the really overdue book to the grocery store.
• I did not go to the grocery store.
• I did not plan any meals.
• I did not work on any of my projects I brought home.
• I didn't knit (or crochet)...I'm never going to finish the baby blankets I am working on.
  

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good weekend. I'm amazed at how much I got done. Although, not having my meal planning done will probably make for a pretty chaotic week. Maybe I can sneak out of work early and make a quick trip to the grocery store before picking baby boy up from daycare this evening.

Chit Chat: Getting Ready for the Season Change

In case you didn't know, summer is officially over and it's now Fall. We spend Saturday up in Rocky Mountain National Park watching the elk bugle. This is an annual tradition for us (check out last years pictures here). This year we took a couple of Baby Boy's friends, so their parent could have a date night before their 3rd baby arrived in a few weeks. I didn't get too many good pictures because I was too busy entertaining 3 little boys.

Anyway, we had a great time. While the boys were climbing rocks, a bull elk walked by in the field below and bugled. Baby Boy decided to bugle back, which in some ways was quite humorous, but I also held my breath since depending on how the elk responded it could have been an accident waiting to happen! When we saw the second, bigger, bull elk, Baby Boy didn't just want to bugle back to it, he wanted to pet it or ride it...who knows what was going through his mind. Every time he thought we weren't watching, he'd try to make a break for it (Note to self...Don't let your baby ride pony's at the county fair until they are old enough to understand not all animals are tame). It truly is a good thing that Baby Boy's friends were well behaved and listened to our directions.




As we were driving down the mountain, I was thinking it won't be long before we start getting snow. We had the threat of snow last week one day, but the weather man was wrong. So now, I am scurrying around gathering supplies and building up my arsenal to entertain Baby Boy on days we are stuck inside.

So far we have crayons, finger paint, construction paper, glue. I'm not sure what else I'll get. I'm looking for suggestions. Baby Boy is almost 18 months old. What would you stock in your rainy day supply cabinet for an 18 month old? Leave a comment and let me know.

Chit Chat: Too Funny Not to Share

I came across this somewhere this afternoon. I clicked to it from Yahoo. Anyway I don't know the baby. I just thought it was too funny not to share (It's had my lunch bunch cracking up all afternoon!)



After watching this one we found this...which is weird and hilarious at the same time.

Chit Chat: In the Quiet of the Morning

Saturday morning Baby Boy woke up entirely too early for my likes (5 a.m.), so I got up and brought him back to bed with me (hubby had already left to go hunting). Baby Boy was happy with this solution, and went back to sleep. An hour and a half later, I feel Baby Boy reach up and pet my hair, and then he rubbed my face. I said to him, "shhhh. Be still." So then he sits up and falls back on me and laughs, and again I say to him, "shhhh. Be still." Next, he proceeds to stand up and body slam me (he wrestles with his dad a lot), and again I say to him, "shhhh. Be still." Needless to say it was obvious that this boy was ready to start his day. So I got up and fixed breakfast.

As I was watching him eat, I was thinking about the start of our morning, and I wondered...

As busy and hectic as things have been lately, how many times has God said to me, "shhhhh. Be still." And how many times have I responded the same way as Baby Boy did earlier this morning?

Unfortunately, the answer to those questions are quite humbling. There have been too many times that I have refused to "Be Still" before God, and on Saturday morning, He finally got my attention...through the actions of a 17 month old boy.

Chit Chat: Weekend Hunting Widow

Saturday was the opening of Muzzleloader Season here in Colorado. Hubby hunts every chance he gets (his chances are a lot less frequent since we got married). Muzzleloader Season is his favorite season. It's a great time to be out in the woods, the aspens are turning, and normally, the weather is nice. Because he's gone back to school and works full time, Hubby opted to hunt in the foothills near our town and only to hunt Saturday and Sunday. The area he drew his license for is a heavily trafficked area with lots of ATVs and weekend campers. So, Saturday morning at 4 AM, Hubby's alarm went off and we took off on his little adventure.

So...back on the home front, the weather was rainy and cool here. Baby Boy and I were stuck indoors (for the most part).

After dinner, I was getting Baby Boy out of his high chair...

Baby Boy: Dada! Dada!
Mommy: Daddy is hunting; he won't be home until after bedtime.
Mommy: The weather is pretty yukky outside.
Baby Boy: Yeeeaaaah!
Mommy: Do you think Daddy will bring home a deer?
Baby Boy: NOOOOOOO!
Mommy: Me either, but I'm sure he's having fun exploring the woods.

Just then....

The door open and in walks Hubby! As I tell Hubby about this little exchange, we chuckle. Turns out Hubby did get a deer (and to think I thought he was just looking for an opportunity for some alone time).

Tonight...I spent my evening grinding and packaging meat! (Yuk--I'll spare you the pictures!)

Chit Chat: My Life According To...Sugarland

OK...so I saw this floating around the internet and thought it would be fun to post. Here's how it works:

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions on your blog. Link to it using the McLinky List below. Make your Link the name of the band you choose. Try not to repeat a song title. It's harder than you think.

Pick your artist: Sugarland

Are you male or female: Take Me as I am

Describe yourself: Just Might (Make Me Believe)

How do you feel about yourself: These are the days

Describe your current boy/girl situation: Keep You

Describe where you currently live: Everyday America

If you could go anywhere you wanted to go: Already Gone

Your favorite form of transportation: We Run

Your best friend(s) is(are): Something More

Your favorite color is: One Blue Sky

Favorite time of day: Time, Time, Time

If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: Speed of Life

What is life to you: Wishing

What is the best advice you have to give: Stand Back Up

Thought for the Day: It Happens

How I would like to die: Fly Away

My soul's present condition: Happy Ending

Chit Chat: My First Blog Award

Theta Mom awarded me the "One Lovely Blog Award." What a nice surprise! I discovered Theta Mom's blog a few weeks ago. I look forward to her posts. She is warm, creative, encouraging, and funny!

The rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award" are:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my ‘newly’ discovered blogs:

• The Thrifty Home
• In the Trenches of Mommyhood--Sarah is the fearless organizer and leader of the September Shredders (make sure you stop by and visit each of the gals doing the September Shred. They all have some pretty amazing blogs too!)
• Raising my 4 Sons
• Web-Savy Mom
• Hope Studios
• Undercover Princess
• i am mommy
• Love & Olive
• Mission Mommy

Chit Chat: You Can't Turn It Off

So the other night, I had a headache. I took two Excedrin PMs and went to bed. I was sleeping fine until this horrible noise started coming out of the baby monitor. I started rooting around trying to figure out how to turn this thing off.

My hubby said to me, "What are you doing?"

And I replied, "Trying to turn this thing off before it wakes everyone up." [My parents are visiting, so I guess that is what I meant by everyone.]

To which he said, "You can't turn that off--it's the baby. You gotta get up and check on him!"

And to think I thought it was the alarm! Hum...maybe I should rethink the Excedrin PMs.

Chit Chat: A Humbling History Lesson

The other day, I was driving to work and the radio station's "Patriotic Moment" came on the air. A prerecorded voice read the Pledge of Allegiance...

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[Insert sound of screeching breaks] Wait a minute, where's the "under God?" He just left out the "under God!" Did I hear that right? When did they change the pledge? This isn't the pledge I learned in school! How could I not know that the pledge was changed? " This rendition of the pledge really ruffled my feathers. (Note to self: Stop trying to get by glimpsing at the Yahoo headlines, watch the news more!)

Breathe...listen...learn. The person reading the pledge, went on to say that in his life time the words "under God" were added to the pledge and Alaska and Hawaii became states. Wouldn't it be ashame if the students quit learning the pledge because of these two words, he asked.

Still not convinced that the words "under God" weren't always in the pledge, I brought it up with my "lunch bunch" at work. Our conversation went something like this?

Girl 1: "What radio station were you listening to?"

Me: "Some country one...I don't know which one!"

Girl 2: "Oh, I bet it was "xyz!" They do that every morning. It is some Senator talking! He probably knows what he is talking about...I doubt he'd make that up."

Girl 1: "When did Alaska and Hawaii become states?"

Girl 2: "I don't know, how's your pasta?"

Girl 1: "Great, it comes with its own strainer on the container."

They clearly weren't as distressed over this as I was. And went home thinking that voice on the radio was smoking crack. So this morning, I did a bit of research. My findings:

• the words, "under God" were added to the pledge in 1954.
• Eisenhower was president at the time and signed the bill to change the pledge.
  
• The man to first initiate the addition of "under God" to the Pledge was Louis A. Bowman (1872-1959).

Why, oh why, did I never learn this in school? Clearly, I must have been distracted the day this was taught. I apologize to the voice on the radio.

Oh, and by the way, if you were wondering...Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959.

Chit Chat: I Wish

The contents for today's post came to me in the shower. It is just a bunch of random thoughts...

I Wish...

• the media embraced women with all body types, and didn't bombard us with ultra-skinny models, actresses, and spokeswomen.
• the government was really for the people, because if it were, it wouldn't have turned a blind-eye to all the "creative" mortgages and lending practices that has put many people out of their homes.
• the Church integrated itself into mainstream society better...the way to reach the lost is to walk among the lost, not to segregate ourselves in our Christian circles.
  
• mothers didn't have to worry about perverts and child abductors.
• people didn't have to go to snopes.com to see if something is a scam before clicking on a link in an email.
• people would realize that Jesus is the only thing that will fill the void they feel...not alcohol or drugs, the latest iPod or other technology gadget, a bigger house, a nicer car, a better job title, the body the media constantly blasts us with or more clothes.
• scientists would find a cure for cancer.
• companies provided more vacation time for employees
  

Chit Chat: County Fair Visit

This weekend we spent a few hours at the county fair. Baby Boy got to ride the pony's. He seemed to really like it...especially compared to the other little boy close to his age. While at the pony ride area, I got to witness 2 boys about the same age, with 2 very different reactions.

Every time Other Boy's pony came around he (the boy, not the pony) looked absolutely miserable. His face was red and blotchy, and he was trying to climb off the pony. His dad just held him on the pony...no matter how much Other Boy squirmed his Daddy was going to make him wear his big boy pants and tough it out.

On the other hand, Baby Boy had a smile on his face most the time, waved at me a few times, and would lean forward to pet the pony every once in a while. I was so proud of Baby Boy's bravery and sense of adventure.


As I was snapping photos of Baby Boy and watching Other Boy on their pony ride, I wondered:

• Why do some kids just embrace a love for animals, and others react with fear?
• Is it the disposition of the kid, the reaction of the parents, a little of both, or neither?
• Do kids with pets respond to other animals better?

In the grand scheme of things, I guess these question don't matter, since Baby Boy enjoyed his pony ride, and I don't have to figure out how to nurture Baby Boy's love and respect of animals. Pony's, pot belly pigs, calves, horses, sheep, and goat...they all captured Baby Boy's attention.

Check out the pigs, Mommy! Can I get one?

That's a horse? It looks like a grown up pony? Are you sure it isn't a pony? Next year, I think I'll be ready to ride one of these Daddy!

Boy, that sheep isn't the smartest animal in the barn...it's trying to eat the metal gate!

"Too bad these pot bellied pigs were almost $200. I could have had a new pet!" thought Baby Boy.

I think it likes me, Daddy!

Chit Chat: About My Love of Ice Cream

I love ice cream. I use to think it was just a summer time thing, but then one day I realized. It really didn't matter if it was cold or warm out. I want ice cream all the time...if it is the right flavor. Mint Chip, Coffee, or chocolate are the flavors of choice for me (unless we are talking about a sundae).

Some of my favorite places (in no particular order) to get ice cream are:

1. Dairy Queen: Did you know that a junior chocolate or vanilla cup is only 3 Weight Watchers points? And it is just the right size, too!
   
2. Glacier Ice Cream and Gelato (in Boulder, CO): It's made fresh daily, and has all natural ingredients. I always get the gelato because it is a more intense flavor, and it has less points than ice cream.
   
3. Dairy Delite (in Loveland, CO). They have delicious soft serve dipped cones. I've never even checked the points.
   
4. Paciugo Gelato, they started in Dallas, Tx, but they are spreading to other states and there are two in Colorado. With flavors such as Hunka-Hunka Burnin'Chocolate and Amaretto Chocolate Chip, how can you go wrong by stopping in for an afternoon treat? Choose from milk-based, water-based, soy-based and sugar free flavors.
   
5. The Big Dipper (Upstate New York) I look forward to stopping in here while on vacation with the family, and since I'm on vacation...who's counting calories?!
6. Ted Drewes (a St. Louis, Mo tradition): Frozen custard. They're famous for their concretes, but my favorite is the Fox Trot Sundae...vanilla custard, hot fudge, raspberries, macadamia nuts and whip cream. YUM!
   

Have you got a favorite place to get ice cream? Tell me about it. Maybe I'll try it out someday.

Chit Chat: The Things Kids Do

Baby boy is at that age where he loves to explore...everything! He also likes to show us how strong he is. He walks up to everything and tries to shake it...chairs, tables, a large glass jug sitting on a brick fireplace. You name it, he wants to shake it. There are some days that he spends more time shaking his Little Tikes swing set, than he does sliding and playing on it.

Well, I didn't think anything of this until one day last week while dropping him off at daycare. He started shaking the play kitchen in his class room. His teacher proceeded to tell me that this was common behavior for him. She said she tells him, "Baby Boy, you can not shake the kitchen because it could fall on one of your friends and hurt them. You don't want to hurt your friends, do you?" Then she said, Baby Boy will walk away from the kitchen and play with something else. After a few minutes (or seconds), he will get up, walk over to her, and give her legs a big hug. Then he walks right back to the play kitchen and starts shaking it, she said.

I chuckled at this determination Baby Boy has, because we have seen this in several circumstances at home.

Tonight, it was while I was trying to unload, and then load the dishwasher. Baby boy wanted to explore the silverware. I would tell him he needed to put it back away, and help him put it wher it belonged. He would walk up hug my legs, and head right back to the silverware.

It is as if he has determined that by giving a hug, it makes the naughty behavior all A-OK. Boy, they figure things out young!

Chit Chat: Home Improvements

I am not a fixer-upper type of gal, but that is the sort of house my husband and I bought 4 years ago. Since we purchased our house, we have all new plumbing, a brand new bathroom (including the dry wall), new carpet, new doors, new paint, brand new kitchen, new kitchen floor, new door to the laundry room, new roof, new gutters, new sprinkler system, and new landscaping, and a brand new, create-your-own-blueprint shed. With the exception of the flooring and the gutters, we (and by we, I really mean my wonderful husband—after all, I did say I'm not a fixer-upper type of gal)have done it all.

The thing about home improvements is they look great when they are finished, but are they ever really finished? It seems we have tons of little projects—the final trim work, that just get pushed aside for the next big project. This summer we have committed to finish up all the little projects. I'll be really surprised if it really happens, but we have come a long way!


Now I am wondering if it is worth it...in this economy, that is. Considering that 2 houses on our block, with the exact same floor plan that were already fixed up, sold in the last year or so for less that what we paid for our house, I am guessing that we won't see the rewards of our sweat equity for a long time.

NOTE: Never purchase a fixer-upper home, just before the housing market crashes.