"Rock Star" - not Cleaner

I asked Julia to clean up her area.  Then later in the van, I asked her to pick up some stuff on the floor. This is what she said to me: " I am a Rock Star and an Artist, not a Cleaner."
Then she proceeded to tell me "You boss everyone around & we don't like it."
I said something about even rock stars & artists were children who cleaned up after themselves!

Apparently there has been discussion among my family members.
THEY don't like being bossed around!

My response - clean up your stuff. Simple! : )

Missed Bus (MTA) 2X this week!

The title of post explains it all. I usually ride the bus 1-2X ... so this week I didn't ride it at all!
I'm going to try to ride 2-3 times next week. I'll let you know how it goes. : )

Parent meeting/PTO success

Once again I am backfilling posts ... I wish I could write posts more quickly. I read emails usually within day or so, why cannot do that with blog posts.

Anyway, today (8/21/14) we had Parent meeting at J's school.
It was good turn-out. We learned what's happening at IES.
Exciting news like Reading Recovery program for first grade students to help basic reading skills.
Also Reading Clinic for other students to help with reading deficits.

• We had food & drinks! 
• We had more teachers present than last year. 
• Some teachers helped with child care. 
• We elected PTO officers. 
• We had door prizes. 
• We have meeting dates set for year. 

Overall it was great!

First Day of School

Hope everyone that started school today had a good first day!

Julia greeted me with 

"It was awesome to be in first grade. I love my teacher!" 

... ahh, those are good words to hear.

Little tears are forming again as I write. : )

I had "best FIRST day ever" (15 years as MNPS employee) - it was amazing!

Extremely impressed with how smooth the day went at Amqui ES.

I'm exhausted, but it was good day.

Enjoy tomorrow off if you have kids (sarcasm as I know you might wish it wasn't so) at home.  They get back to school on Friday (school buildings are used for election sites so that is why no school on Thursday).

Remember to vote tomorrow! Long lines mean participation! : )

New Commute, New Transportation possibly

I like my new commute, very little traffic, fewer miles, less time in car.
How will I listen to those audio books anymore?! : )
I'll probably leave home around same time in order to avoid school zones (hate them!!!).
Also allow me to have some quiet time in office, maybe get some tasks done (I can tell that I will be running ALL day like at previous schools!).
I am going to explore taking bus to work since I live & work now 0.25 mi from Gallatin Road.
I am sure it will likely mean a longer day.
No driving, less wear & tear on 11 year old car, walk to bus stops - all good!
Regardless it is a more peaceful transition for me from home to work.
Drive home is more traffic, more people awake I guess, but nothing like driving home from PMES.

Update on bus (mid-August):
MTA Swipe & Ride program - I thought was free since Jai used it at NPL.
It is free IF employer pays for it. Unlike NPL, the state, Vanderbilt, MNPS does not. : (
This year is first for MS & HS students having free bus passes which is awesome.
It will help with traffic & less teen drivers on the road! : )
However, it would be fantastic if MNPS paid for employees as it would help with traffic & stress.
I tweeted about it & included @MetroSchools as Jai taught me. I doubt it will be retweeted as other tweets have been! : )

Regardless I purchased a 20 ride local pass = 10 trips. My goal is to ride bus 3 days a week. I will have some kind of PTO meeting almost every week & there will be day I miss bus or want to drive.
I rode it 1 day last week (I had appointments or meetings other days). It was fine.

I cut it close in morning - bus was almost there when I got to stop. I caught up on some texts I'd not had time to reply. Walk to school was farther than I estimated. A colleague saw me & hestitated to stop. It was funny! I had plenty of time in afternoon & got to stop no problem. However, bus was late which had me worried! I texted some more! : ) Then I got off in wrong place & had longer walk home. Not bad overall. I need to have magazine or book, maybe get audio book on my shuffle.

Happy Birthday, Tara!

This is what I wrote to my friends on day before my birthday! : )

Dear Friends!

Well, today is my last day as 43 ... OMG! I cannot believe I am "mid-40's" - HA!

Yep, though I am a planner, I am now sending email with plan for dinner tomorrow.

Nothing fancy or wild, but craving some Drunken Fried Rice so Thai it is.

I'm getting it Medium too - kids will have to get another dish!

We heard Pad Thai Kitchen on W. Eastland closed so this is our other favorite place in East Nashville.

Friday, August 1

5:30pm - yes, we eat early.

We're basically senior citizens with young children!

Thai Phooket Restaurant

www.thaiphooket.com

207 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37213

(615) 248-7933

If you want to join us, come on!

It was fun. 15 people total, 9 adults, 5 kids.

We had interesting service, not typical, but kept us guessing. 

Also they bought a cake & sang "Happy Birthday" - that was hilarious!

We'll probably still have some folks over later in August for casual back yard "party."
Grill meat, kids play in baby pool, nothing fancy AT ALL!

Julia's AFRO!

While cleaning (future post-dated post to be written soon I hope) in bathroom closet, I found this comb/pick. I don't use a pick, but it probably came in a package with comb & I kept it. I throw away lots of things, but you never know when someone might need a pick. : ) So anyway I decide to put it in cup on sink counter that holds girls' brush & comb, not really thinking that anyone will notice. I don't know what I was thinking - of course, Julia would notice. I'm surprised Jacqueline hasn't, but she's not really into hair yet. ANYWAY, Julia started messing with it, using it on her hair. Whew, buddy! She blows out her hair into quite an afro.

Obviously it is time for her "back to school" haircut. Actually it is. Darn! Another item for To Do list. :( : )

Regardless, every night that girl is using that pick on her hair. Also I got bottle of Beautiful Curls detangler & leave-in conditioner for all us "girls" to use (love that stuff) & she likes it so she puts that on hair too. HILARIOUS! You know she really wants some long hair to swing around like all her classmates were doing last year. Nope, not going to happen ... until she plans to take care of her hair, it is staying short & I usually cut their hair. Maybe the afro will be her thing! : )

Summer 2014 projects

This is list I wrote on June 4 I think. : )
Many of these tasks have been on a list for a long time.
Highlighted/crossed out items are ones accomplished ... some will get moved to new list, hopefully not many!
Highlighted items are in progress ... not quite completed! Close, but no cigar. : )

• hang rod & curtain in doorway of Tara's office
• contact company re: garage renovation (now has become basement project)
• Julia ride Bike (independently, even with training wheels)
• Jacqueline potty trained
• Julia write comic (something she & Jai were doing together) - I really don't know re: its status
• Get additional needed camping gear & supplies (go to Friedman's, yard sales, Amazon)
• organize & clean (basement, garage, Jai's office, Tara's office) - Jai did office while we were in NC
• Go to Y outdoor pool often - duh, like this wouldn't happen!
• Get "new" lawn mower (pawn shop, Goodwill, FreeCycle before purchase @ Home Depot)
• Get picnic table - Julia & Jai DIY project, very colorfully painted!
• BUGS - find solution (company we'd hired for 2 years wasn't doing it!) - hired new company, better
• Fix basement door knob & handle
• Fix cot (been in Tara's office for years, Julia broke it after we'd had it for a week!)
• Fix back door handle - this was recent addition, but really concerned re: personal & house safety)
• piano tuned, lessons for Julia

Here's August & future lists. Happy Reading!
Mid-August update, these Highlighted/crossed out items have been completed. : )

Deadline: August 31

1. drill hole in middle of picnic table
2. get umbrella for picnic table
3. hang Nicaraguan breastfeeding picture (finally got frame!!!, gift received when Jacqueline was baby!)
4. get frames for 2 more items (Jac's Mother's Day poem [original one broke], RPCV poster)
5. continue potty training efforts with Jac
6. Tree work done (week of Aug. 4 or 11) (removed TALL hemlock & holly bushes from front)
7. Tennis date with friend (Tara)
8. Dude date with friend (Jai)
9. Trim shrubs (front & back), vines on mailbox - Jai doesn't want to do this, cannot barely see box!
10. Date Night (Aug. 2 girls @ Parents Night Out, Aug. 9 girls @ Bonnie) - until September, yay!!!!

Deadline: January 2015

• piano tuned, lessons for Julia
• regular weekly tennis play (with friend or join league) (Tara)
• consistent daily & weekly Exercise schedule (BOTH)
• Lose at least 2 pounds per month (BOTH) - June 2015 goal: Tara (25 lbs), Jai (50 lbs)
• decide on plan for 10 year wedding anniversary celebration in June 2015 (BOTH)
• Jacqueline is potty trained! (BOTH/Jai)
• monthly dude date with friend (Jai)
• Garage purge - every Saturday in August (until done!) for 2 hours - see notes below

GOAL: fill trash can weekly (not typical occurrence), take appropriate items to Trinity Lane

1. toilet (been there for 2.5 years!)
2. "upstairs" loft area - what is up there??!!
3. hang bike(s) - GET bike for Tara (hers stolen 2-3 years ago!)
4. wood shop area - clean & organize it!
5. sweep out leave, cobwebs
6. LOTS MORE!!!

"I know Math"

That is what Julia says to friend Nieves at our spontaneous playdate/snack dinner yesterday.
I don't remember what they were discussing, but that was Julia's response.
She was right, but oh, the confidence & attitude.
Who does she remind me of ...? : )

Organizational Anxiety (Home & Work)

This post really is being written 3 weeks later in mid-August ... well ... that's what I do.

I return to work on Monday, July 28. Summer break is over after 7 weeks ... not shabby at all, very great vacation time as MNPS employee. Despite 14 years of this process, I have anxiety about returning to work - like I've forgotten how to do my job & my brain stops functioning. It is strange, but true. In addition, I am going to a new school where I know no one other than principal & assistant principal whom I met ONCE in the interview. Not that I care about having friends at work, but my shy side is feeling scared about going to a new place.

Anyway, back to blog title. Not that I haven't done anything all summer, but there were a few items on my Summer To Do list (future post-dated blog post) that I had not tackled - my office, bathroom closet, garage, basement - some hail-Mary attempts were made. Sometimes it seems silly with less time, you'd think I'd read book or go to Y pool or combine those 2 and just relax. Nope, I freak out, need order in the ensuing chaos so I organize. Jai dislikes post-vacation-pre-work Tara mode -- really stresses him.

3 of 4 of tasks listed above are not going to be completed in few days. They truly were summer projects. I could list excuses, mainly didn't want to do them earlier. I want them done, but it is not something I felt like doing post-work-beginning vacation. I truly need to veg, especially as I'd packed up my previous office AND I stored those boxes in part of garage. 

Garage - 1 reason I didn't do much (other than work boxes being in there) is I need Jai's help since that is typically his domain. However, Jai is not really interested in organizing anything. Once I packed van with work boxes to take on July 28, I was able to move around. I reorganized the camping supplies so they are all in 1 place (took shelf from basement which helped clean out that space)!!!! We started purging on July 27, but it is definitely an August/September project. Jai is excited about prospect of on-going fun! : ) Really he doesn't want to be forced to do anything ... we have been married 9 years, garage is mess, we need to use space differently. He's not going to do it alone ... we're doing it together.

Basement - mainly shifting some stuff (purging) & sweeping bugs & dirt - that was necessary per instructions from new bug consultant to deal with our bug problem. Plus we were having consultation with architecture & construction company to discuss renovating basement. I needed to clean & organize space. It is NOT done, there is definitely lots to do.

My office - once again during a break, I didn't want to tackle this task. It is small space, doesn't get used often, it really isn't disorganized ... except for huge box & pile of papers (paper bills or receipts mainly) that sits on desk. There was moment when I needed to find document & searching through this hot mess pile was annoying & fruitless. Frustrating! Didn't change outcome - most of it needs to be shredded at this point I suspect. Project for Fall Break! : )

Bathroom closet ... small project, attainable goal, really needs to be cleaned anyway since it is public health concern. No, not really, just Tara's public health standard. : ) Basically I took everything out and washed shelves & walls. Then I laid grip liner on shelves & rearranged everything. I got rid of few items, mainly shifted placement of items, hopefully making space more efficient & user friendly. Even though I am primary user, it is used by Jai some for Jacqueline's care, more Julia now as she becomes more independent & manages her skin & hair care. I am enjoying results - much easier to find what I need & use products I have. Example: found container of body salt scrub which I should use to exfoliate, especially legs before waxing. Probably been in closet for 2 years, all dried out, block of salt ... I added almond oil to it, now I can use it again!!!

I also organized some stuff I have in my mini "office" downstairs in living room. I had piles of file folders, but it was a mess too. I used these beautiful batik like cloth nested containers made in Ghana that I bought at RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) conference here in Nashville in June. Cool thing is it is functional, practical, looks like decoration too. Brillant! I actually can find what I need more easily. Overall it makes me feel good, especially since I paid money for containers & supported a good cause!

Work project
I get to Amqui ES on Monday - my office is dirty. Understandably so since previous occupant packed up her stuff as I did, but she didn't clean the space (as I did not either). Since I am OCD about cleanliness, I grabbed paper towels & wipes, whatever I could find in main office (asked principals & custodians), vacuum cleaner, & I got to work on this new space! I moved every piece of furniture which was going to be necessary since I knew I would rearrange where desk, shelves, tables were anyway. I broke 2 parts of a lamp. First bulb cover shattered, then bottom collapsed. This meant I had to vacuum again!  1 vacuum cleaner "exploded" - it was old! It took a few days to clean & organize everything just right, which meant I was delayed organizing & planning for School Counseling Program. However, having your work space right is critical, especially in my job where I work with so many different people - it has to function in certain way.

Does organizing help with the anxiety? Yes, I think it does. It is some kind of order. I sleep poorly usually the few days before work starts. Physical work helps with exhaustion to aid sleep. There is some peace is completing task, especially when there is an aesthetic benefit as well. Am I crazy? Pretty much ... like all of us, just in my unique way. : )

Visit PDOs for Jacqueline

It is time for Jacqueline to go to school. YEAH!!! : )
It really is a good thing for everyone, especially around this 2.5 year age.
Emotions run high! Tempers flare! Balance is needed in universe.

We started talking about where she would attend school back in January actually as we contemplated enrolling her sooner than Julia. Having 2nd child has really impacted all of us, but particular Jai being stay-at-home parent. We started tours in April & May as we had learned about more since Julia enrolled at Inglewood UMC's PDO.

1. Inglewood UMC - learned that director was retiring, no one hired yet.
So we got on waiting list, but didn't pay registration fee to hold spot.
2. Dalewood Baptist - much cheaper we discovered years ago so hoping this might be good fit.
Jai & Jac visited. Learned that director was retiring, no one hired yet. Trend!
We got on waiting list, but didn't pay registration fee to hold spot.

However, didn't really like look/vibe - something not right, so not too concerned.
3. Dalewood UMC - learned from parent of former PDO classmate of Julia's about this NEW place.
It's called a Creative Preschool, run by retired Pre-K MNPS teacher. Fee is slightly more, but not crazy!
We checked it out today. Really liked it. Still really close to home. Also runs from 9a-3p - SWING!
Completed registration paperwork & paid registration fee next day!

We got info about getting ready. Guess what?! Start date is way earlier than expected... in August! Basically they follow MNPS calendar which other PDOs do also, but Julia started after Labor Day. This is fantastic. We'll all start within days of each other so we'll get routine established soon.

Awesome sauce!!!! I am probably most happy for Jai. This way he can have some breaks. Hopefully will be easier to schedule appointments, consistent exercise routine, accomplish some tasks, find job. : )

Menopause ...What?!!?

Yep, that's the title. WTF is what I said!! I don't understand.

I referenced "hormonal changes" in my June 3 DietBet post. Well, I keep notes in calendar of my menstrual cycle (surprise, surprise!) & some weird (for me) happenings last few months. Unusual is better term, not weird really, just atypical since I'm regular kind of woman. Anyway I have my annual well woman checkup in July so I thought perfect opportunity to discuss this concern with my medical provider. Marty (nurse practitioner extraordinaire at MNPS Bransford clinic, love her!) says "why don't we check your hormonal levels as well as thyroid, make sure all is normal."

Well, it is NOT normal! She calls me next day (yep, results are that fast at clinic, again love them!!) & says "You are in middle of menopause." Again WTF! I don't understand. At this point, I'm a week away from next birthday, yes, I'm in 40's, but I'm not 50! I thought maybe I misheard Marty, but I looked at numbers when I received copy of lab results. Some numbers look like I've almost shut down shop!

Not sure what is next step. According to my mom's recollection of her menopausal experience (some of which I remember!) it is process, years, not months. Hopefully hot flashes will be nice since I'm frequently cold. At least I might be done before Julia hits puberty though it seems like that girl is already there!

I'll read that chapter in Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I skipped it 7 years ago when we were trying to get pregnant. No kidding that clock was ticking!. Schedule follow-up with Marty. Fun times are a-comin'! : )

July quotes from Julia

I know there are more, gosh, there are so many!
However, if I don't write them down, it's gone in a flash ... like Julia! : )
Thankfully my sister wrote 2 down & I got this 1 down before memory fails.
Ahh, the almost 44 year old brain is so tired. Gosh, I am almost 44! That is crazy!

7/9/2014
while visiting with 2 friends & telling Julia story about how she talks lots.
I remembered this one which actually happened in June - AMAZING!
So glad Susie wrote this one down - classic. : )

Backstory - I asked Julia to stop talking ... you know why.
Julia: "I really like to talk. I have lots to say!" (also said with lots of enthusiasm & volume)

7/10/2014
Lunch @ Sushi Train with friends Anne Marie & almost 6 year old son, Sam (Julia's peer since pregnancy)
Julia & Jac running around restaurant like crazy people. It was bad. I was so embarrassed.
Sam: "Is this a playground or a restaurant?"
I kid you not, he said this. Ahh, out of the mouth of babes, right????!!!!
I am over taking my children to restaurants. Hey, this will save me money too!

7/12/2014
Memphis for Jai's family reunion, at pool with few children @ reunion other than mine
Really sweet girl close to Julia's age whom she'd played with endlessly night before & during morning tour.
However, I guess Julia had reached her limit.
Julia: (in whisper at side of pool where I am) "I am pissed off @ ...."
Really! What happened?
Nothing probably other than someone else talking to her as much as Julia talks to everyone else.

Like I already wrote, I am sure there are more, but unless they are repeated, it's gone! Until next time I remember! : )

Summer 2014 vacation trips

Lots of driving - probably no more planes until we strike it rich!

June 6-14 Chicago - long drive, girls did fantastic, stopped in Kentucky on way up, St. Louis on way back, stayed with friends both places, good family time, went to museums, took train which was fun (also instead of driving & paying outrageous parking fees!)

June 16-28 briefly home for Julia to attend ENCORE camp - awesome sauce! didn't like driving to Robertson Academy 2x/day, but plan to network & carpool next year!

June 30-July 6 North Carolina - long drive, but girls did great. Stopped in Asheville both ways, stayed in hotel both times (different ones). Susie was wonderful to drive most of it since I had calf injury. Also to help with child care so Jai could stay home for first solo vacation in 5.5 years ( I had mine Oct. 2013 during Fall Break!)

July 11-13 Memphis - ahh, family reunion, fun times, thank goodness for short drive - it was fun, lots of yummy BBQ, good tour (too long!) ... what will happen in 2016? Where will we go?

July 18-20 camping @ Rock Island State Park (about 2 hours away from Nashville, in White county) - rained, but fun, must get better sleeping pads & fly tarp!

Jai & I talked about doing a 'driving across TN' trip in 2015 & 2016 instead of going to other places. It was exhausting to be gone so much of summer. Routine was shot, lots of eating out, not enough sleep - not really that different from other summer breaks! : )  However, there are 96 counties in TN, lots of state parks, other Wildlife Refugee areas. Looking at map as we had to troubleshoot wrong turn (good map reading skills without GPS), we realized that we have been to less than 20 of 96 counties, probably most in middle TN. Kind of get off beaten path, take some smaller highways, see more of our home state.

Re-read this post in 11 months. : )

Thanks, Nicole Kidman!

I wish I could write that I met her or saw her like my friend did at church.
Reading this quote from billboard while driving on interstate is next best thing, right?!?!
HAHA! I'm such a comedian.

Seriously though I thought this was cool advertisement.
Important message, using your star power appropriately.

"I'm part of the story. Are you?"
- Nicole Kidman
part of NPL Foundation campaign
(NPL = Nashville Public Library)

What is the story? Giving money to support NPL? I hope so because that is needed.
What is that other quote about "great library = great city"?
NPL provides lots of wonderful services beyond traditional book lending.

• I am very grateful for borrowing books since we no longer buy books unless for kids' birthdays. 
• We love participating in Summer Reading Challenge - all of us. 
• Going to local branch where they know us by name. 
• Visiting branches for programs like Storytime at Main NPL which we have not done this summer!

I remember one year I made a donation for my nephew's birthday - thought it was a cool idea.
My brother was pissed (since I didn't give him anything else!). I guess I could have gotten him a book too.
I was young & carefree, no kids yet - still in my 20s! : )

Always #LikeAGirl

   

This made me cry! Go girls, teens, women! Be yourself!

NC text quotes

Strange title I'm sure it seems to anyone unaware of this tradition we started a few years ago - not texting since that's recent, but fun quotes from road trips, usually found from driving on country roads in NC.

Yesterday we drove to beach at Emerald Isle & I starting texting them to Jai (my dad was driving!). It's random & out of context so it can be confusing. Jai's responses were probably just as funny as he tried to guess where we were. I guess he didn't know we were in car. Sometimes I remember to write down name of church, most times I do not. Anyway here goes some of them. Enjoy! : )

1. Remember to take Jesus on your vacation (Pelletier Free Will Baptist Church)
This might be 1 of my favorites. Jai guessed Cracker Barrel. HA!
I also thought "like we would leave Jesus behind in Nashville. He rides shotgun!" : )
2. We are not Dairy Queen, but we have Sundays
3. God Bless the USA (this one is from 2013, but it has to be listed)

There were only 2 quotes I found in phone, thought there were more, definitely some good ones last summer! These quotes are good times. Also calling Niki when I see crazy stuff when I'm driving. Like prostitutes or people wearing fur coats when it is 100 degrees in August. Happy Summer! : )

Addition on 8/3/14
While walking Johnders this morning, I saw this gem on sign at Eastwood Baptist Church.
7 days without God makes you weak

I love doing homework & other great quotes

Yep, those words were said by 5 year old daughter ... during SUMMER vacation.

At end of year, students received a bag full of various materials, including some artwork, but also workbooks & instructions to encourage students to read during summer etc.

On 6/13, while we were on vacation in Chicago, Julia was writing letters & words in her handwriting workbook. We heard her say "I love doing HW."

On 6/29, while assisting Susie with making batch of green smoothies. Julia was tasting it.
She then found me to declare "Delicious ... like sweet grass. I like green smoothie." Really - you know what grass tastes like. Sweet?!

On 7/2, while on vacation in NC, at beach, she shared about her experience with the ocean.
"The wave spanked me ... then I spanked the wave back!"

Where do these phrase gems come from? Oh, to be in the mind of a kid. : )

New job for Tara

I decided to transfer this year, at least be looking for schools near home. Even though 11 miles one way might be nothing to some, I am over it. Also with little kids, it would be nice to be closer.

I completed transfer process in March & started looking & talking with people around MNPS, especially keeping eyes open for retirements. There were a few, particularly in East Nashville area, it was amazing. Sadly I applied, but nothing panned out, jobs went to others. I even applied at schools I wasn't interested, but it was good experience. You are not desperate, but can practice your answers. : )

Actually interestingly it made me ponder what I was doing, what are my goals at year 15, where am I headed. I knew it wasn't the right fit, but questioning "what is it I want." Ironically at this interview I saw counselor leaving her interview, then she got the job, so her school was open. I still wasn't thinking about that school as it wasn't in East Nashville, but my coordinator encouraged me & I talked with counselor. I emailed principal. We met next day & I got an offer. I accepted.

During the 2014-15 school year I will be School Counselor at Amqui Elementary School.
It is about 300 fewer students than PMES and 5.8 miles away from home.
Madison is much better commute for me - straight North, no traffic.

Good deal! : )

Fascinating Observation

For lack of another clever title, I had an interesting conversation today. I went to a 1/2 day training, unexpected as it was intended for MS & HS counselors mainly, but I found out & went. Glad I did, great stuff about college readiness & preparation & it really is a Pre-K-12 mindset. Hopefully this speaker will be brought back for ES counselors soon.

I sat with some colleagues whom I know mainly from my MS days which is where both individuals have worked most of career as counselors. One person I know better asked about my children, talking about how big they've gotten, in school now, wow, already, where does she go to school ... you know they drill, we catch up a bit. My children are young, theirs are not, they each have 1 grown child in college. They both are not much older than me, yet are less than 5-10 years of being eligible for retirement (30 years of service) & I am only 1/2 way. Example, person said in 7 years can retire at age 52 ... that means I am only 2 years or so younger. WOW! Such different places you know.

Anyway, I asked where their children attended school. Keep in mind that they have worked these 20+ years for MNPS as teacher & counselor. 1 person said some private school for K-8, then DA for HS. Other person said USN for K-12. Conversation already included discussion about college fees & how they weren't going anywhere during summer because Belmont was getting all their money & they get no financial aid from completing FASA because they appear to make too much money. Luckily that will NOT be our situation since we have 1 income. : )

OK - so this is interesting to me. This is not first time I have encountered this scenario. You work for MNPS, but your children attend private school. 15 years ago MNPS was a different place ... actually that is around the time I started working for MNPS. Both individuals are African-American women - not sure if that makes a difference, just interesting, also both children are female. Actually they are friends - I asked if they knew each other at Belmont. Not sure if moms were friends & kids met or whatever, but they've all known each other a long time. Regardless interesting stuff. Person 1 whose child graduated from DA said that her child attended a "public" college (MTSU, TSU, UT),  but couldn't handle it so had to go to private.

Not sure what that means, but again interesting stuff. Oh, best part, when discussing money, person 1 said her child gets no scholarships ... initially I thought because she didn't get any. NOPE! She didn't apply! No way. I applied for EVERYTHING in HS even some Delta & AKA affiliated scholarships & I didn't know anything or anyone connected to those organizations. She said she talked with her about it, but she wouldn't do it & she's a school counselor. WTF! Unacceptable. It is called, stop paying for Belmont, young person gets a job, apply for some scholarships. I know what TSU was like for graduate school & it was shockingly different from Wellesley & I was older than 18 or 22, but I finished & it was definitely cheaper.

Fascinating stuff ... Julia & Jacqueline be ready to get some money for college, no free ride from parents. : )

Not in the mood

Nope not what adults might say to each other! : )

More Jac quotes - awesome sauce!

"I am not in the mood."
"That's enough."

Guess whom she said these 2 phrases to?
Yep, Miss Julia.

I wonder why ... yep, you guessed it.
We say them OFTEN to Julia apparently.
Ahh, the funny things kids say ... hear ... repeat : )

Diet Bet challenge

In May my friend Niki told me about this program, invited me to join this DietBet challenge she was doing for 4 weeks. $30 entry fee, goal to lose 6% of body weight, if you do, you get your money back. Great incentive & motivation. Bonus is you get % of pot if other people don't lost their 6%. Pot was $85K at that point, later it grew to over $100K. Initially I thought it would be great for Jai to do, as I really was living in denial world about my weight. I thought I'd gained a bit, but didn't realize until I decided to join with them & stepped on scale how wrong I was. I weighed as much as I did when I started Virgin Diet ONE year ago. I was SO pissed since I'd lost 18 pounds in 3 months, felt & looked great (still had another 10 or so pounds to lose).

Logistics
1. You create account, choose Diet Bet you're doing, pay entry fee
2. Receive BEGINNING email with secret word which you write on card/paper
3. 2 photos are taken & uploaded while standing on scale
photo 1: put card on floor next to scale, take photo of number on scale (aerial photo)
photo 2: distance photo showing you on scale
3. Upload photos as directed on website, wait for review process for approval
4. Lose weight, you can post info on website, use social media, encourage others, see your progress
5. Receive ENDING email with secret word which you write on card/paper
6. 2 photos are taken & uploaded while standing on scale (same process as before really)
photo 1: put card on floor next to scale, take photo of number on scale (aerial photo)
photo 2: distance photo showing you on scale
7. Upload photos as directed on website, wait for review process for approval
8. Hopefully you're a WINNER!!!!!!!

If you win, you get money deposited into your account. It can be used for future DietBet challenges or processed for PayPal account reimbursement. Jai & I both said from beginning "I just want to get my $30 back!!" : )

May 5-June 2 was basically the 4 weeks for first challenge I did. I lost 1-2 pounds each week, loving this process, especially posting on Twitter or sending "high 5's" to Jai & Niki. I started following Virgin Diet in week 2 to give me more structure. I also starting exercising consistently, returned to my routine at Y each morning before work. I hit a bump 1 week before END & gained 2 pounds which freaked me out (think it was hormonal) as I only had to lose 0.5 to win. I'm a fierce competitor - to be close & lose would really annoy me. I cracked down, limiting carbs, no chips or crackers for snack, & I did it. Got my final weight photos done & approved on Monday, June 2 (last day of work for teachers, also day I got new job) then celebrated on Tuesday, June 3 lunch at Calypso Cafe with PMES colleagues.I got rice with salad & fruit tea with meal (I rarely do that!). YAY!

I lost 7 pounds which is amazing. I felt great & wanted to continue that trend & momentum.
Overall goal for summer is to lose another 10 pounds.
Sadly Jai nor Niki met their % goal, but they lost weight - I got some of their money.

Fast forward to Aug. 3 when I'm really writing this post. : )
I had told Susie about this process & she decided to participate so we joined 1 together for June 6-July 3.
Luckily entry fee was $15 & I used part of my winnings. Unfortunately I was on vacation first part & then I don't know what happened when we returned to Nashville, but I didn't lose weight, actually I gained it. Later I discovered I'm experiencing some hormonal changes that I believe negatively impacted weight. Also we were eating out more (so typical in summer, especially while traveling) though exercising more I thought. Anyway, neither of us met % goal. : (

I have some money in account so not sure if I'll do another challenge or convert to PayPal, but I got "back on horse" & following healthy eating behavior & going to Y each morning (walking Johnders every morning too until I returned to work last week). I am back to my winning weight from June 2, shorts fit again (I don't want to go to Goodwill for me again until I lose overall goal of 25 pounds!), feel better. Limiting snacks helps - I have been eating fresh local fruit mostly instead of chips & crackers, trying to get gluten free as much as possible, but not being fanatic (no wheat!). I'm not following Virgin Diet - I need eggs & tofu sometimes, but not daily. No peanuts & corn are standard for me anyway. Limiting sweets always helps. I made applesauce cake when some friends came over last weekend & it was so strange. Delicious, but I hadn't baked in 3 months.

New goal - lose 2 pounds each month
Lower expectation so it's attainable & safe. That means I'll get to 24 pounds in year or sooner maybe which is great. I want us to be at "fighting" weight before 10 year wedding anniversary trip in June 2015. : )

1 Lawn Mower ... Taken ... Good news!

Cleaning out garage ... seems to be an annual summer activity, especially when I'm packing up my office & I need storage space for 7 weeks. So I find QUITE a few items that need to be gone, either taken to drop-off center off Trinity Lane or put on the street. I loaded up the van yesterday with some chemical liquids & other items, including full container of glass bottles, for Jai to take this morning.

Well, we also have a few lawn mowers, 1 that barely works Jai says & needs repair. The other does NOT work. So this morning on way to Y, struggling, I pushed it to the curb in front of our house. I figured someone who likes to fix machines might grab it at some point today. Hoping!

As I'm leaving for work & pull out of the driveway later this morning, a police car is driving by & motions for me to stop & asks if the lawn mower is mine. I say yes. Officer inquires if I meant to leave it there to which I reply "yes, it's no good, doesn't work." Officer: "Oh, it's kaput. Are you hoping someone will take it?" "Yes" I say. Officer says "maybe you should put a sign on it." I say "great idea, I'll call my husband. Thanks!"

I drive off as I am now even later for work, thank goodness it is a work day & I'll stay late again today to finish everything on my TO DO list. I call Jai & leave long voicemail & tell him the story. I finish with "it looks like rain, don't worry about a note." When I get home after putting away my stuff, I go to bathroom. Julia rushes in (there is NO privacy in this house!). With excitement, she says "guess what?! Did you see the lawn mower?" I said "no, actually, I didn't notice when I got home." Julia says "it's gone. I wrote a note that said 'Please take' and someone did:" She was SO excited, smiling ear to ear!

So great! On so many levels. My girl can write a note that helps us get rid of stuff. You know I love it! : )

Way to Go, Seattle!

This morning at Y while exercising I saw on TV news crawler that Seattle's City Council approved a phased-in $15 minimum wage which is highest in the nation. I don't know any more details, not sure how long the phase-in process is, but that is good news. I suspect the cost of living is higher in Seattle, but people need a chance at a living wage. I hope other cities/states follow this lead.

Toddler Tantrums & Sleep Challenges

I know we wrote a post similar to this title 3 years ago! Ugh! I hate this stage.
Tears, screams, meltdowns ... oh my, I feel like having a tantrum myself sometimes (and have!).
It also seems worse than with Julia, but hindsight is imperfect & subjective.
Partially due to Jacqueline having a role model who still has her moments - too many in my opinion.

I remember talking with some college friends at reunion 2 years ago about behavior issues.
"What is wrong with my child?"
We have children with similar age difference. I thought some behavior was related to Jacqueline's arrival 5 months prior & adjustment issues. As we discussed our concerns, I learned that one friend's 2nd child who is Julia's age, was doing similar behavior as had her older child (3 years older). I felt some relief that we weren't alone, basically normal development. I also felt dread as I realized that it would happen again in 2-3 years with Jac. Oh, despair! Enjoy those sweet baby moments because the toddler train of hell will roll along soon enough.  Fast forward to Destination fun times - we are already here! : )

Good news is it doesn't last forever, just is another developmental stage that has positives & negatives.

The sleep issue is another beast, definitely 1 created by circumstances of 2nd child & survival. Jacqueline slept in our bed & room WAY longer than Julia did. She rarely slept through night, while breastfeeding, even once she moved to girls' room, nor after weaning at 20 months old. She sleeps less than Julia which is sad for many reasons. Jacqueline seems like Jai's child for sure whereas Julia is a sleeper like me. We dealt with it, overall still getting more sleep than when either girls were newborns - it's all relative!

Then Jac climbed out of crib a year ago & it's been on. For safety reasons she has toddler bed now. She starts out there at bedtime, but when she wakes up at 1-2am, she walks into our room & climbs into our bed. We had a "child-proof" gadget on door knob - she cried, then knocked on door once she learned how to do that. Again for survival purposes, wanting to keep Julia asleep, especially once she started attending school every day, we acquiesced to keep the peace. We have tried "tough love" sleep training at points, but then someone gets sick & we fall back into bad habit. Also Jacqueline is stubborn & loud & we're tired. Vicious cycle.

Hopefully this sentence applies here also - "Good news is it doesn't last forever, just is another developmental stage that has positives & negatives." I really hope so because I want her out of my bed! Actually I really want to sleep alone again. I miss my alone time! The commute to work & daily shower is not enough. : )