Monday, January 28, 2013

Checking in...

I wrote this a week ago but due to technical difficulties that day it never posted.  Better late than never I always say!

Monday and the boys are home from school.  Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States for a second term today and although I did not watch the event I am still a proud American. Sometimes I get very frustrated with my FB friends who post insults and harassment about the President because I am of the opinion that no matter if we like him or not we should respect the office of POTUS and the person who represents our country to the world.  The months leading up to the elections were a difficult time on FB because people were so committed to their beliefs.  That in itself was a great thing. The mudslinging and rudeness was not.

I spent my morning curled up on the couch reading this. It is on my list of things to accomplish in January and I am really close to finishing it.  I have enjoyed the book and writing down some aha moments. I want to compile my own list of Rules of Adulthood sometime.  I want to be an adult a little longer before I do that.



This week is an interesting one. I have some things on my calender that I am pumped about and a few things I am pretty unsure about.  The unsure one comes first. Tomorrow morning Nic and I are going to Children's Hospital in Plano to see a Nephrologist.  This is a doctor who specializes in kidney function.  We had no idea that there was anything wrong with Nic's kidney function, and there still may be nothing actually wrong but we were referred by his Dr. after his last well-child check-up.  He had some protein in his urine specimen and upon a return a few weeks later it was still there.  In actual truth there was protein in his urine last year too but there was never any follow-up.  I sincerely hope that is not a problem but I sincerely hope I find out tomorrow.  Specialist are a funny bunch of doctors and honing in on one body part seems like it would get old real fast but this is a pretty significant body part so I hope the Dr. has a good bedside manner and that he shares ANSWERS tomorrow.  I am nervous about the unknown.

Children's says that an appointment can take 1-3 hours. WOW what a window!  We are prepared for even longer but certainly hope to be on the short efficient side of the range while still walking away with INFORMATION and ANSWERS.

After the appointment Nic should go back to school and I will be prepping for a PTA meeting. Then I have carpool, William has a rehearsal with his pianist for his solo competition piece that he will play on Saturday and I will crash.  Fred is out of the country so at least I get the middle of the bed!  The little things bring me joy and happiness!

Another calendar filler that will make me smile is that I have a dentist appt on Thursday. Just a 6 month check-up with cleaning but those always make me smile. I LOVE the feeling of clean polished teeth and expect no big issues so it should be a wham bam thank you m'am!

I am working on Friday at the Middle School in 8th grade English. Should be an interesting day.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Happier

Happier

That's it! That is the word of the year!  It has taken a few extra days to decide but I am excited and looking forward to an even HAPPIER 2013.

So the year so far, 9 days in, is going really well.  Boys are back at school. Science Fair project is complete, turned in and is moving on to the school level from the class level competition. Nic is working on his next thespian foray and Fred is busy at work while also working on the details of our 20th anniversary trip to Paris and London in his free time.  I am hopeful that hotel/apartment details will be secured by this time next week.  Plane tickets have been purchased already!

I was challenged by a FB/Blogger friend to put some things down for reflection and inspiration about exactly what I hope to accomplish in the first 6 months of 2013. This idea appealed to me because cutting the year in half seems so reasonable. 182.5 days seems like a manageable chunk compared to 365.  So why not take it a step further and chunk it into what I hope to accomplish each month during those first 6 months?  Here goes.  This is totally off the cuff.  And by no means of complete list. Just a few for each month.

January -
1. Make great progress in cleaning up the piles around the house that replicated in late 2012. Specifically on my back hall desk and my scrapbooking desk. 
2. Finish reading Happier at Home
3. Attempt to participate 100% in bible study this month.
4. Walk

February -
1. Complete LOAD213 with 28-35 completed pages
2. Read another book from the armoire
3. Get all of the PTA stuff in order for a smooth transition for next year while finalizing this year (teacher grants)
4. Walk 20 miles

March -
1. Recover from LOAD213 by cleaning up the scrap desk and displaying some pages before putting them all in scrapbooks.
2. Take a whole week OFF from PTA while chilling with my boys on Spring Break.  Make some real memories and use technology less.
3. Read 2 books (one from the armoire and one from Kindle)
4. Walk 40 miles

April -
1. Get really busy mapping out daily itineraries for days abroad.  Begin packing list and shop for versatile clothing and shoes that will be comfortable.
2. Read at least 2 books (one from armoire and one from Kindle)
3. Begin working on the summer calendar of programs and plans for the Baker Boys
4. Walk 50 miles

May -
1. Put the time in the wrap up school year with PTA with a bang. Field Days, 8th grade treats & t's and other grade level fun
2. Read 2 books (one based in London and one based in Paris)
3. Hand write thank you notes to each of the boys' teachers and counselors to put into words how grateful I am for each of them.
4. Walk 50 miles

June -
1. Pack, prepare for and ENJOY my anniversary trip to Europe
2. Spend a day with my mom
3. Relax as much as possible


The walking thing was the last thing added and could certainly stand to be increased but we'll start with those numbers and improve as we can.

Okay, off to make beds with clean sheets and put my shoes on to start walking.  How far will I get walking while watching an episode of the ELLEN show?