Good bye 2008

This was definitely not the worst year of my life, but I am looking forward to putting it to rest and excited to see what 2009 is going to bring.

This year I watched my children grow so much. I watched the bug learn to walk...again. I watched the peanut learn so many new words and stun me with her vocabulary everyday.

The hubster and I kept communicating through times of feeling down and like somethings not right. We love each other more and more everyday and try are hardest to be as supportive as we can.

Our number one priority for 2009 is our health! We both have issues on the radar that will require some attention this year and we have vowed to make our health a priority. Which means better menu planning and more exercise.

Our life is getting closer to what we want. We don't feel so out of control any more. We are gaining more and more control everyday over our money, our schedules, our emotions.

We are a work in progress. We are working and WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!

Goodbye 2008 it has been nice knowing you!

HELLO 2009 Bring it on!

Christmas Aftermath!

Whoa. I can only hope that everyone has had as wonderful of a holiday as we have. We managed so many things this year. We managed to create a wonderful and meaningful Christmas with our families. We made some gifts and stayed on budget for the rest of our expenses. We had great food and made great connections with our family.

the Bug had a great birthday and was delighted that Santa did not forget about us. When he found a gift under the tree for him.

We are finishing up his birthday festivities today with a playdate for him and 3 friends, which should be a great break for all of them in their school holiday.

The peanut just had great fun running around being a crazy 2 1/2 year old, exploring and enjoying all the holidays have to offer.

We have even managed to get them back on somekind of schedule. they are so worn out each day from all the playing that they happily go to bed when the time comes, we have not had too many arguments or meltdowns. Pretty good for everyone being home for 5 days in a row.

We got the tree taken down and the decorations put away. the new clothes are washed and put away. We have cleared out some old toys to donate to make way for the new toys they received. We even have money in the bank. shhhhh! don't tell anyone!

So besides the obvious family and friends being the best part about christmas. I got a prety great surprise. My hubster bought me a NEW CAMERA. A Nikon D60 to call my very own. What a surprise! So I have been having fun learning all about my new camera and taking photos, hopefully I will have some time soon to download and post some photos.

I have to admit we have been very fortunate this year. We have taken steps to control our destiny and our financial situation and they are starting to work. This is the first full year that both the hubster and I have been receiving a full paycheck so that could be why this year seemed a little easier. I have to tell you the prospect of erasing some debt this year instead of just holding it at bay is very exciting.

Sorry this post was a little all over the place. I have a playdate to prepare for. I'll be back soon.

Christmas list - check!

My sister and I went out to the mall tonight to finish up our shopping. We just needed a few things each and we hoped it wouldn't be too busy as most people would be our at Christmas parties.

We were RIGHT! It was still busy but not crazy. the lines were moving and it was actually not painful to get everything done.

I still feel like I am forgetting something but oh well. I'm sure I'll figure it out and have to make one more trip.

I am really proud to say that I think we did really well this year. We got special things for family and friends and did not go overboard. We got the kids their Skuut bikes and one small art set for each of them, which they will love. We got them little toys in their stockings and I think that will keep them busy till all the other stuff kicks in.

This year is much calmer and less frenetic.

Today we made a popcorn string for the tree, because, just because.

Botox, flu shot and Casts for AFOs

What a week we are having. And our week started on Friday. Friday we travelled to our Orthopedic Surgeon's hospital so that she could do Botox injections on the Bugaloo legs. (If your new here you can read about his CP in the CP posts)

This time our appointment was at 2:30pm which meant the Bug could each jello and drink until 10am and we did not have to leave for the hospital until 10:30am. (I'm not sure if this was better than leaving at 8:30 and trying to cram jello into him in the car until 9am). We get to the hospital (1hr 15 mins drive from our home)get registered, pick up our prescription at the pharmacy and then check in at the pedatric day surgery unit. There we (i mean the bug) is weighed, measured, blood pressured, heart and lungs checked out, we answer amillion questions and then...we WAIT. and wait some more and just when you start to get antsy, we wait some more.

Then finally one of us (this time me) gets to carry him in to the procedure room and try to calm a child that is freaking out because they are going to put a mask over his face that is going to make him go to sleep. (that's the hard part) I try telling him a story about the time I broke my arm when I was his age and had to have it fixed and they had to put a mask on my face and ..... he's not buying it. So I hold him while he crys and in seconds he falls asleep and I have to leave my little man there on the table. (It does get easy, not better, but easier)

15 mins later the doctor comes to tell us that she gave him 16 injections, he's waking up and asking for us and a pink popsicle.

We go to see him in recovery and he starts to cry. (this happens every time) We calm him and let him know he is safe. He finishes his popsicle and asks when can we go home. Soon buddy soon. About this time the hunger and thirst kick in. Apple juice, no problem. After an hour, the last set of checks, blood pressure, temp, and circulation, we are given the go ahead to leave. It is now 4:15pm and we are all starving, hubster and I had breakfast but no lunch and split a bag of chips and bottle of water in the waiting room. East Side Marios is right across from the hospital so we decide to go for it. They tell us to take it easy that heave food will make him sick after the anesthetic, but we decide to go for it!

We eat our fill and head home. What a day!

Tuesday I had to take the kids for flu shots and the Bug needed an immunization for school. The kids were soooo good. I can forgive the 3 minutes of full on chaos that ensued when the needles came out. The BUG looked right at the doctor and said,"that was horrible, just horrible". the doc tried to supress a giggle, but the bug caught her and gave her a dirty look. the peanut screamed bloody murder but who can blame her, she was second and already new what was coming.

Whoppee we're having fun now!

Today, we are going to orthotics clinic to get casted for new AFOs since the Bug had Botox and is also growing like a weed.

Today will be alot of waiting, we hope they are on time but will pack lots of snacks and activities since our appointment time is close to lunch and will probably span over the lunch hour.

thankfully this ends our medical appointments until the new year and we can look forward to celebrating the bug's birthday (24th) and Christmas.

Hoping your week is going better than mine. hang in there it's almost over.

Wrapping Party - It's a good thing!

Ah! I just had the most fun.

A few weeks ago I received an invitation for a Wrappping party. mmmmm. What new party plan could this be???

No party plan. Just a Party with a Plan. My friend A invited her girlfriends over for food and drinks and to get their Christmas wrapping done! Oh My God! What a great idea! Why didn't I think of this before. No more mad wrapping a 2AM. What will I do with my time.

Anyway, all teacher, therapist, co-worker, miscellaneous gift exchange gifts WRAPPED!

I still wanted to wrap the kids gifts with the hubster, because HEY that's our thing.

But all the other.. DONE, DONE, and DONE SWEET

And that's a WRAP!

Tagged!

So I have been tagged by my good friend Jenn to provide you with 7 little known facts about me.

1. I passionately fear going to the dentist. I hate dentists, dentistry, teeth. HATE. have to make my appt first thing in the morning so I can go home and shower before I go anywhere. He's a Great man. Just HATE the profession. I'm what they call a WHITE KNUCKLE patient. But don't what my teeth to fall out of my head.

2. I'm allergic to something in RED wine :( Can't have it. Break out in a rash and can't breath. Interestingly enough this happened after having a glass of homemade wine at a wedding over 15 years ago. Have not had more than a sip of red wine since.

3. My favorite comfort food is Beans and Weiners. This is what my Dad used to make for me for dinner when my mom was out for for the evening. Neither my brother or sister like it. But to this day if it's just me and my Dad that's what we have for a meal. We're a little more health concious now and add a salad with it.

4. I have a magazine obsession. I have been known to purchase 15 magazines in one month. ONE MONTH! I am inspired by the colors and items displayed but it has been getting out of control. Maybe I will do a blog post on it. Needless to say I have sworn the hubster to crack down. I have been allowed 2 subscriptions and I am on a TOTAL magazine BAN for 2009. NOT ONE purchased magazine. I'll let you know how it goes.

5. I am truly so very happy with my life. I may gripe and complain now and then about my job or my commute or feeling frazzled. But I have a wonderful husband, partner , best friend, two gorgeous kids who are amazing, great family and friends. I am so very THANKFUL!

6. I still LOVE coloring with crayons, in a coloring book, or just on paper.

7. Brad Pitt is my second choice. (boo-ya)

Now I have to tag someone hmmmmm. I think not. If everyone else is a busy and overwhelmed as me I won't add to their stress. I will defer and save this tag for someone in the New Year! Watch out it might be you!

Can I get a valium??

I just don't get it. I have been up at 5am everyday this week. Can't sleep, This is soooooooo unlike me. I am a sleeper. I like sleep. I LOVE sleep. Don't get me wrong I can go with little sleep for quite sometime. I'm a tough cookie I can gut out tiny babies who don't want to sleep. Or stay up late several nights to complete a project. Sooner or later though I crash and I like it. Glorious sleep.

So I'm puzzled by this new development on waking at 5AM and can't get back to sleep? And I must vehemently declare I DO NOT LIKE IT!

Waking at 4 or 5 AM is for my derranged co-worker who is a coffee addict (and meth and speed and whatever) He is one of THOSE people. He wakes at 4am comes into work, runs 10K at lunch (in 50mins or less) works some more, leaves at 4-4:30 promptly to go pick up his girls and make dinner with them and spend sometime with them, then works some more and goes to bed around 11pm. PSYCHO!

I'm sure he crashes and needs a few days to re-group, in fact I know he does. I wish I could be a little more like him.

I just can't seem to get the productive side going.

Yesterday, I tried. I got up and had my coffee, read a time management book for some tips, threw in a load of laundry, laid out the kids clothes (from the laundry that hadn't been put away from the weekend, doh)made lunches for me and the boy, chatted with hubster when he woke up and got ready for work, had a shower, pulled out stuff for dinner, got dressed, dressed children as they woke up, packed up car, put kid 1 on bus, took kid 2 to babysitter, got to work realatively on time.

Does anyone know what's missing here. Well let me give you a hint. I discovered in at 9PM last night when I thought I should throw in a load of laundry?????

You got it. I nice big load of stinky wet laundry that had to be washed again.

HONESTLY. Like I said I just can't get all the pieces to fall together.

I'm having a pity party for me. Boo!

Today is a new day and I'm going to kick it in the ASS. I'll let you know how it goes.

Spinning my Wheels

I am mentally exhausted y'all. I am the first to admit I had a crazy november schedule and that bears NOT repeating. I pushed (my buggy) hard to get a handle on my Christmas to do's and they are relatively under control. But I hit the brick wall today. I barely made it through the bug's parent teacher interview. Hubster asked if I was going to work afterwards and I said NO.

I went home and called in SICK and have been spinning my wheels all day. I feel like I should be doing something but I can't seem to get it together.

In a last ditch effort to be productive today. I started to purge all the shit in my head. just scribbling things down on paper. circles, Squares, lines, stars, hearts. statements, wants, needs.

I feel better now. Hopefully after this brain dump I will be able to make some head way this weekend in my plan for myself this year.

Some of you may know that I am an independent consultant for CREATIVE MEMORIES and they have finally amended our internet policy and I can share the link for my personal consultant webiste on my blog.

So here it is www.mycmsite.com/sites/shannongeil come for a visit and check out the new Creative Memories. Please drop me a message if I can help you with memory keeping needs.

till next time.

Simplify

I've been seeing this flying around the blogoshpere. People are choosing their word to live by for the upcoming year. I've seen a few, Focus, Purpose, Happiness. My choice for this 2009...SIMPLIFY.

My life is far too complicated and I need to simplify. I need to de clutter I need to learn how to schedule well and say no to the rest. I need to assign some responsibilities to my wonderful spouse and try to to care how he gets them done.

I need to work a deal with my employer to cut my time at work. I need to clear out old clothes, I need to give away our double appliances, I need to clear out the cobwebs, I need to fix those things that need fixing, the towel rack, the receptacle cover the kids book shelf. All of these things will help me limit the self talk that says "why can't you just get it together"

I have been saying that to myself all year and it is just time to STOP. I am a busy woman and I like it that way. that is the way I am most productive. I have to learn to delegate and deal with it. I have to learn to let some things go. there is no reason I can't have things just the way I want. There has got to be a way to get it to all work together and I tell in 2009 I am going to find out!

I'm doing much better this year for Christmas than last Christmas I have a few t-shirts to pick up and a gift for my 7 year old nephew (if you have any ideas let me know)but other than that I am almost done!

I will be mailing out my out of town gifts tomorrow. Unbelievable! I'm feeling pretty good. And best of all I'm not even out of money yet which is awesome since this is where I usually have to perform some creative financing to get everything paid for. then I go crazy getting everything ready for our taxes so I can pay a few things back.

NOT THIS YEAR WOOT.

SIMPLIFY