Statistics

I have to admit, I'm fascinated by statistics.  Not the study of (I really stunk at that class), but rather the viewing of.  I love to see those results.  Right now I'm a tiny bit obsessed with the statistics that Blogger provides me for my blog.

You probably can't tell, but I have 1 viewer from Germany and 3 from Japan!  Who could be reading my blog from those countries?  I don't know if it's through random clicking through Blogger, from another blog I've linked to or what, but it just tickles me to no end.  

I felt this same way the first time I had a non-friend follower on Pinterest.  

It was such a thrill to have someone I didn't know pin something that I to had pinned.  I don't know why.  A friend recently posted a link on FB to an article that was titled "Why You Never Truly Leave High School"  (http://nymag.com/news/features/high-school-2013-1/). I don't know if my feeling this way is related to that.  Like this validates me in some way, makes me feel "popular"?  I don't know.  I'd like to think that I'm past that, but maybe not.  All I know is that these little things make me happy in a small way and I'll take that for now.  

Oh...I realized that I stink at cutting and pasting since I missed a section of my daybook where I show you what is out my window.  Here is what is out my window today.  I have to admit that fresh, sparkly snow is pretty.

My Daybook for February 1, 2013

Can you believe that it's February already??  Where does the time go?  I remember my parents telling me when I was a child and moaning about how time seemed to drag that one day time would fly.  Yet another thing about which my parents were correct!  

February is chock full and seems to be filling up more and more each day.  I just hope February doesn't have as wacky of weather as January did.  Though it started out with a bang!  Woke up this morning to -2/-22 wind chill.  That's cold!  It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow though with a high of 18.  I figure that has to be better than the negatives.  

On to my day:

I am wearing....jeans, a sweater and my slippers.  I'm trying to stay warm!

I am creating...organization.  Or a semblance of it.  We're in the middle of Girl Scout cookie sales and as one of the cookies moms and a leader, I have all that paperwork piled on my desk, along with other Girl Scout stuff.  I really need to get it all organized. 

I am going...to Chicago tomorrow night!  One of my college roommates lives in the city with her husband.  She was nice enough to sell Girl Scout cookies for the girls down there, so we're delivering the cookies and going out to dinner with them.  

I am wondering...how Carlos, my beast, manages to get his Mario ball stuck under the tv stand all the time.  

                                                 This was caught before he "lost" it under the tv...again.

I am reading...a collection of short stories by Melissa Marr.  She writes the "Wicked Lovely" series that I've been reading and some of the short stories are related to that series.  I finally finished "A Woman of Substance" by Barbara Taylor Bradford and really enjoyed it.

I am hoping....that I'm not getting sick.  

I am looking forward to...warmer temps.

I am learning....nothing in particular right now.  

Around the house...I'm working on making every Friday our cleaning day.  I get myself very stressed out when the house isn't clean and then am a mad woman getting it all done.  I've tried different "programs" for cleaning and they just don't work with our family's schedule.  So Friday it is.  

A favorite quote for today..."I believe I learned the secret of life.  It is to endure" Emma from "A Woman of Substance".

One of my favorite things....a clean house.  

A few plans for the rest of the week....the trip to Chicago, Band-o-Rama on Sunday to see the nieces, nephew and friends playing and getting ready for next weekend.  

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

We're having some unusual weather here in K-Town.  It was in the 60's today with a lot of rain, which for those of us who were here when the tornado came through in January of 2008, it can make you a little nervous.  You want to enjoy the break from the below zero temps from last week, but you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Tomorrow it is supposed to be back down in the 30's and winter storm Magnus is coming our way.  It will be interesting to see if we get our first real snow storm of the winter or not! 

My friend over at Amnicon Studio posted the "Chats on the Farmhouse Porch" last week and I really found 

it intriguing.  I had to head over to Everyday Ruralty to check it out.  This was especially cool for me with being new to blogging and trying to find my voice, which just may be completely random, and that's ok with me.  Please check out both blogs and say hi!

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 78

Questions

1. Have you ever been on a boat? (Motor boat, sail boat, cruise ship, ark, or Good Ship Lollipop)
2. Do you need an alarm to wake up in the morning, or do you wake up naturally? If you have an alarm, tell us what type.
3. Have you ever had a yard sale?
4. Do you like kitchen gadgets? What are some of your favorite?
5. Do you read labels at the grocery store?

Answers

1. I have been on quite a few different types of boats in my lifetime.  I grew up going out in small fishing boats with my family during our camping vacations.  I wasn't often allowed to drive them after I drove the boat in circles.  Dad wasn't very happy since it killed the engine.  :)  I've been on pontoon boats, a yacht, a catamaran and a cruise ship.  I'd love to take another cruise, by my hubby isn't too keen on the idea.  
2. Oh I have to have my alarm.  I am sooo not a morning person and never have been.  Right now I have a CD alarm clock, but I use the loud, annoying beep to irritate me out of bed.  I love that I can set the length of the snooze time on my clock.  I keep it at 9 minutes so that I have to think a bit before I hit it.  Right now I know I can hit it twice before I get out of bed and still not be late.  A third time is pushing it just a little too far.  
3. I have a garage sale at least once a year.  With two girls, we have A LOT of clothes.  So it's a good way to get rid of them and make a little money too.  We also use it to get rid of the junk that we haven't used and the toys that the girls have outgrown.  We try to have a purpose for the money.  Almost two years ago, we purchased a new outdoor conversation set.  This year, the money was used towards a dance studio for the girls in the basement.   
4. I am a moderate gadget collector, though I tend to mostly forget I have them.  I like my choppers and various specialty utensils the most.  I'm not sure if it's considered a gadget or not, but my newest addition is a food processor.  I've been wanting one for quite a while and my hubby bought me this one for Christmas:  

        It's a Hamilton Beach 14 cup wide mouth food processor.  It's so very nice!  Making my pico de gallo has never been easier!

       5. I'm not much of a label reader.  It depends on the food and if I'm dieting at the time!

Random slips of paper for my "jar"

This past weekend, we went up north to Pearson, Wisconsin for the first time as a family.  I grew up going to visit my grandparents there and have wonderful memories of that time.  I was lucky enough to make a wonderful friend who lives in Pearson and I've been able to go up there over the years since college.  I've been married 13 years and a mom for almost 11 and I'm almost ashamed to say that I had never taken my family there prior to this.  I don't know if it was fear that they wouldn't find it as wonderful as I always have or what, but I needn't have worried.  They all loved it!  Unfortunately, I'm terrible with pictures at times and didn't get one of the girls playing in the snow, though the hubby did take some pictures around where we were staying. 

Kind of an old slip, but this past Christmas was the one where Dancer, my oldest, asked the dreaded question about Santa.  She took the news well and did not let it slip to Squink.  I thought for sure that this meant we no longer had to deal with the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and the like.  Not long after Christmas, Dancer lost a tooth.  Just like every other time, she put it in her tooth pillow and then hung it on her door knob (which was a slight change over hanging on her old headboard).  Needless to say, both my hubby and I forgot to play Tooth Fairy! 

Larry the Cable Guy as the Tooth Fairy

from one of the girls' favorite movies

Dancer was so upset the next morning.  She had woke up before I did and was already in the family room waiting to tell me the bad news.  What she didn't know was that I had realized our mistake and quickly threw some quarters in the pillow for her tooth.  As she's telling me how the Tooth Fairy forgot about her, I'm a little shocked to realize that she's completely serious and couldn't believe that she was forgotten.  I gave some lame excuse and a few minutes later, she went back to her room and decided to check her tooth pillow again.  Dancer came running out with her face glowing with excitement because she had found the money.  Just two days ago she lost another tooth and we went through this again, though we remembered the money the night before.  While part of me is amazed that she hasn't put it all together, another part of me is just happy that she's still a little girl. 

A couple of days ago, my mom's group was discussing how many teenagers and 20 somethings don't seem to know a lot about the music from the 70's and 80's.   We tend to listen to a lot of country and pop in our normal listening habits, but occasionally something different will get thrown in.  Tonight was one of those times when we put on a mix cd in the car that was made by a friend of ours.  Squink sang along with ABBA and then became very excited when the Violent Femmes came on, squealing how she LOVED that song. 

Both she and Dancer want these and other "old" songs added to their iPods.  It gave me a satisfied feeling that they're being exposed to more than what is on the radio. 

My final slip of the night also happened today.  As I had mentioned in my daybook post from a couple days ago, Squink has been sick. In looking at her throat last night, I noticed that it was quite red and had white patches on it.  It was decided to keep her home and take her to the doctor to make sure it wasn't strep.  She had just gotten over strep about a week ago and the swabbing to determine it was not pretty.  In Dancer's words, "Her behavior was just embarrassing!"  We all know the swabbing of the throat for the strep test is no fun.  They stick it back far enough that you gag and if they're really "good", you have to stop yourself from vomiting all over the nurse or doctor. 

After her strep test earlier this month, Squink wrote on her calendar, "the worst day of my life", so traumatic was the swabbing.  I try not to lie to the girls and so I did tell Squink that there was the possibility that she would have to have another test.  This lead to crying and yelling and so much carrying on that you thought I was sending her before the firing squad.  I tried to talk to her about how she could make it easier, but she was not listening.  She cried all the way into the doctor's office, while sitting in the waiting room, into the exam room and even while the doctor was doing the initial exam.  It was determined that a strep test would need to be done and the hysterics escalated.  Anyone who has every sat with a child who is acting this way can surely imagine the scene.  I tried to play it cool like this behavior didn't phase me.  Luckily, it didn't phase the doctor.  He was AWESOME!  He took the time to talk to her, find out her fears, give her demonstrations and put the power in her hands.  She made the decision to stand in my arms, holding my hands gently and sticking out her tongue and saying "aaaaahhh" instead of having the doctor use the tongue depressor.  The test was over and done with before she knew it and she was so proud of herself for taking charge of her own actions.  It was a proud moment as a parent to see her do that.  Now if we can get this to work for the dental x-rays this summer.....

My Daybook for January 21, 2013

Here is a little peek into my day today...

Outside my window...it's cold outside baby!  Right now it's 7 degrees, but feels like -11.  Plus we have lots of wind with gusts of up to 25 mph.  We did get a dusting of snow, but it's all blow away now.  Here is a picture of our courthouse from outside one of our office windows:

 

I am thinking...that I might need to limit my computer time.  I have this crick in my neck that I think is associated with the amount of time my right hand is on the mouse.  Please note that I said "thinking" about this.  The fact is that it won't probably happen.  I'm addicted to my computer. 

I am thankful...that I have a warm office to work in and a warm house to go home to today. 

In the kitchen...going to be making some stuffed spaghetti bread!  I love, love, love this recipe!  Isn't it purty??

 

I am wearing....work clothes: grey sweater with a black turtleneck underneath (cause it's cold if I haven't already mentioned that), black dress pants and black ankle boots.

I am creating...nothing right now.  I do want to get back to my knitting.  I have a washcloth on the needles and need to finish that up yet. 

I am going...to the library tonight.  I have a book due that I'm hoping they'll let me check out again.

I am wondering...when Squink, my youngest, will get over this cold.  She's had a head cold for about four days now.  She's ready to be done. 

I am reading..."A Woman of Substance"...still.  It's a biggie, but I hit a spot that was holding me back.  I've broken through that wall and am really enjoying it, but of course now it's due.  Hence the trip to the library tonight. 

I am hoping....to get to bed at a decent hour tonight.  I've been pushing my bedtime later and later since the holidays. 

I am looking forward to...snuggling. It's definitely snuggling weather!

I am learning....how to work with Blogger.  It's been a little frustrating. 

Around the house....Not too much going on this time of year in Wisconsin.  I am making lists though...

A favorite quote for today...this one is from Squink - "They put holes in your nose and THAT's why they're called nose holes."

One of my favorite things....my fuzzy lined sweatshirt.  It's a terrible color for me...cream...because I'm the queen of stains, but the warmth and comfort it gives make it worth it. 

A few plans for the rest of the week....just getting caught up on laundry, picking and delivering Girl Scout cookies and meal planning.  Nothing too exciting!

So there you have it!  How was your day?

Jar of Memories

For those of you on Facebook, it was probably hard to miss the post that was flying around at the end of 2012.  Create a jar of memories by writing down a good memory or event that occurred, then place it in the jar and read them all on New Year's Eve of 2013.  Sounds like a great idea doesn't it?  Who doesn't want to remember all the little things that happen over the course of a year?  I know I do and of course cannot remember them all.  Especially when you have children, it seems as if there are so many things that you want to remember and just can't. 

                                                                   

I was all hyped up to do this jar and then it hit me, there was absolutely no way I was going to keep up with something like that.  First of all, there was the issue of having pieces of paper available to write it all out on.   Then I would have to find a jar that was satisfactory for me that would hold all the memories I planned to add to it.  Right off the bat I was creating complications for myself (which I'm really good at doing).  I tend to be a Type A personality, so I would feel obsessive about having to do this and then I'd have issues with the jar and paper sitting around taking up space.  I knew this was just not going to work for me. 

If you read my first blog post, you know that a friend gave me a push to do this.  When she read this, she was concerned that I felt pressured to do this blog.  I was quick to assure her that she did not pressure me at all. I had been twirling the idea around and she just nudged me in the right direction.  One of the reasons I was considering starting up a blog again, was to record those little moments and keep my memories of the days passing someplace that I could pull them up and review them as I wanted to.  The trick is to keep up with it in a non-obsessive way.  Stuff like this is all or nothing for me.  So bear with me as I try this again in conjunction with The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

My first memory of the year is going with my family to a water park for a night this past Friday.  My girls LOVE water parks and this was a reward for the hard work they did at a rental property we rehabbed.  We went to a place we had never been at before called Timber Ridge at the Grand Geneva Resort.  It was fabulous and we had a wonderful time.  The best part was seeing my husband actually relax.  It doesn't happen often when we travel and it was almost shocking to see him fall asleep on the couch in the room. 

Oscar relaxing!!

I didn't actually get any pictures of the girls in the water park, but here is one of them eating ice cream and cookies that I had waiting in the room when we got there:





I forget how nice it is to not have to worry about housework, animals, homework, practices, and all of life's other details that we rush around dealing with when we're at home.  This past weekend was a nice reminder. Now to keep remembering...that's the trick!

Getting a little push

Today, while home sick, a friend messaged me and during our conversation, she asked when I was going to start blogging again.  I had told her that I didn't know, because I feel as if I never have anything important or interesting to say.  I could picture her shaking her head at me and then she suggested using "The Simple Woman's Daybook" or a similar format.  I thought about it and after reviewing the daybook format, I can see how that would be a good way to kick start my blogging juices...not that I'm so sure I have much!  

To do this, I had to come up with a new blog because my daughter had taken over my old one.  Now there was the pressure of coming up with a title.  This was not easy and I think it may eventually change.  But for now, it's based on my hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin, affectionately called K-Town by the locals.  Once I have a better idea of the direction that the blog is going, I may change the title.  

On to my first daybook post!

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/  is the link for the Simple Woman's Daybook if you're interested in starting your own!

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...there was a lot of ice and a little snow, but lots of sunshine. 

I am thinking...that I wish my two day headache would go away.

I am thankful...for a job and employer who allows me to take off when I need to. 

In the kitchen...I have been trying out new recipes from Pinterest again.  Tonight was Doritos Chicken Casserole and it was a hit!  I made a few modifications, like pureeing the salsa and serving the corn on the side, but it was delicious!

I am wearing...my pajamas and my cozy hoodie.

I am creating...my blog!

I am going...up north for the weekend. 

I am wondering...if I should take the leap with something.  It's a big step and I just am not sure if it's the smart thing to do.  

I am reading...A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford.  It was a recommendation from a friend and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. 

I am hoping...that my oldest daughter, Dancer, is picked for a charter school for middle school. 

I am looking forward to...bed!  I hope sleep will help with the headache. 

I am learning...to relax.  It's not always easy.

Around the house...we just finished up the dance studio for the girls in the basement.  I have many plans for the rest of the basement, but we will need assistance with the carpentry portion.  

I am pondering...what we're going to do at our Girl Scout meeting tomorrow night.  I have some of it planned, but still have to come up with a few other things.

A favorite quote for today..."Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving." by Erma Bombeck.  It's appropriate for a conversation I had with a friend today.  Plus I have to stop allowing guilt to control my actions.  

One of my favorite things...my Kindle.  I love having 100's of books at my fingertips whenever I want them. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...back to a regular schedule of dance, piano, Girl Scouts and other activities.  

A peek into my day...I came home sick from work, so I had a nap, which helped, then actually sat and relaxed with my laptop, my book and my dogs.  

So there it is...my first daybook entry.  I hope to stay current with this, but most likely not every single day.