Personal Responsibility and Time

I'm copying this from a blog I read (The Happiness Project) I think it's a wonderful thought.

Is there anything that you see people around you doing or saying that adds a lot to their happiness, or detracts a lot from their happiness?
I wish people wouldn’t say “I don’t have time to do X, Y or Z.” Instead, we should say “I won’t do X, Y or Z because it’s not a priority.” Often, that is a perfectly adequate explanation. I could tell you I’m not going to sew Halloween costumes for my kids because I don’t have time, but that’s not true. If you offered to pay me enough, I’d probably do it! Since that’s not going to happen, I can acknowledge that I just don’t think it’s as good a use of my time as working, playing with my kids, sleeping, or reading magazines (see above). But that’s a little harder to say about other things – “I’m not going to read to you tonight, sweetie, because it’s not a priority.” Blaming a lack of time takes power out of our hands. Owning up to our choices ultimately makes us happier – because we can see that if we don’t like our choices, we have the power to change them.

This is something I'm going to try to remember.

My List

So, I just finished reading "The Next Thing on My List" by Jill Smolinski. In it, the main character works to finish another person's bucket list. As I began reading it, I thought it'd be interesting to work on my own... apparently so did the author because it's one of the suggested activities at the end of the book.
More on my lists later.....

Back to School

So, we've been back in school a week... and I love my class this year, but boy, am I TIRED! The girls seem to really like their teachers, and it seems that going back to school has been good for them - I knew they needed to see other people, especially people their own age.

Now, off to run 5 miles before school (gee, Iwonder why I'm tired?!?!? :) )

Conversations with a 2-Year-Old

So, I have to share today conversation with Sam as we were getting dressed....

Sam: I have boobs.
Me: Yes, you have boobs.
Sam: I have 2 boobs.
Me: Yes, you have 2 boobs.
Sam: Mommy has 2 boobs.
Me: Yes, I have 2 boobs.

Healthy Living

OK, so Peter wants a food log. I did really well with this last summer... loved that I had a framework of what to eat (hint, hint). So, I have set up a new blog chronicling my eating, drinking, and exercises for each day. Not necessarily exciting reads, but easy to access from anywhere and easy for Peter to see.
I do like being held accountable -- even if no one is really reading it -- and the scale was my friend this morning :) (Although at first, I just looked at the last number since that's what changes, and had a brief moment of "oh my that's much higher than it should be." Then it hit me, I broke into the 130s (barely). :)

Two Boobs

So, silly me thought when I stopped nursing Sam back in April that my boobs would be my own again....
Sam did great weaning (something I'm wasn't sure either of us as ready for, but it was time).
For awhile, she'd point to my chest and say "milk all gone, milk in cup." Now, her new catch phrase is "2 boobs." I told her most everyone has 2 boobs. This too shall pass, eventually, hopefully well before the next baby (assuming we do have another one in a couple years).

My Kids Could Make a Mess in an Empty Room

That was my thought of the day this morning.... and seemingly so true.
For the remaining few weeks of our summer vacation, I decided to come up with some sort of schedule. We are so driven by our schedule during the school year that I think it hurts us not to have one during the summer. Also, to combat the clutter that is driving me batty, I have vowed to find at least 10 things each day to give away, sell, or throw away. Hope it helps! :) I heard about the 100 Thing Challenge and think it's a bit much for me... I know I have easily over a thousand books (not including the children's books). Maybe I need to think of a way to modify this for me.... hhhmmm, something to think about.

Summer

I thought it was interesting the other day when Michael asked me why I was so stressed.. because it was summer. There is that mind set that summer is this laid back, relaxing time. So not true in our house. In some ways, I feel more stressed over the summer. Maybe because we're off our normal schedule, maybe because we need to see other people, maybe because we're bored. Our school year schedule is so routine, so set for the most part. Our summer, not so much. The biggest "routine" is making sure Sam gets her nap. In some ways, I love nap time -- it's quiet (kind of). In some ways, I'll be glad when Sam no longer takes a nap. It really does put a kink in the day.... you get up, get moving, and it's soon time for nap. After nap, there never seems to be enough time either before I have to make dinner. I don't understand how people find time to go to the pool every day -- I need to find some more of that time (It would give us something to do, and it would tire out the kids.) Mostly, since I am at home, I feel the need to get all those projects done at home (and on top of that, the kids are home more and are making a bigger mess)
Anyway, that's my rambling blog for today.

Running Goals

I read about a goal to run 1,000 miles in a year. This works out to be about 20 miles each week. I know I could do it, but do I want to? Before, when I ran so much (about 4 miles a day 5-6 days a week, I think), my muscles got VERY tight and my flexibility decreased. (I know, I know, stretch, warm up, cool down.... but the thing is, that all takes TIME. And time I do not have much of. I REFUSE to get up any earlier... 5 a.m. is already so early. Anything before that seems just plain wrong.) Bottom line, I'd like to have a goal... a certain number of miles to run in a year.... attainable but still challenging. Something I can be proud of. I'd also love some kind of countdown thingy on the side of the blog. (Where do I find one? Guess I'll have to google it.) Maybe I'll go for 750 miles as the goal -- an d try to get to 1,000 anyway because it's such a nice round number. (And doesn't it sound so much cooler than 750?!?!?)
I'd like to run at least one more half marathon too. And better my time....Tybee last year was 1:57:08 (time on the clock not time from my shoe tag). I know I can do it if I can find a way to sustain energy during the race... I'm thinking Pixie stix :)
I'd love to do a 10K in under 50 minutes too. Again, I know I can do it. I just have to do it.

OK, off for my last run before the Peachtree on Sunday.... I am beginning to think I'm crazy. Running a 10k in July in Georgia with 55,000 people. It will be an experience.

Five Minutes Peace

I bought this book from Scholastic based solely on the title (of course it helps that I can get books very cheaply through Scholastic).
If you're a Mommy (or Daddy), you will relate :)

Heading in a Different Blog Direction

After looking at a bunch of blogs for this Web 2.0 class I'm taking, I have decided to do something a bit different here. Instead of general rambling (which I'll still do), I'm going to focus on a few things: books I've read, my running, and general rambling about my life. Enjoy!

Background

OK, so I set up this account about a month ago, and I'm still trying to get it started. Maybe that helps explain why I'm so tired. No time, incredibly busy -- hmmmm, maybe!?!?)
I set this up because it sounded like something interesting to try, not because I actually think a bunch of people will read it and care. (But if you do, awesome!)
Anyway, so to start with some basic background information on me.
The first thing anyone should know is that sarcasm is my friend. It helps get me through some crazy times (and boy are there crazy times around here.) I always say my kids (both at home and at school) keep my life interesting.

So, some basic demographic information: (and a few reasons for the Tired Mommy title)
* Married to Michael since April 2001
* Beth was born November 2002
* Abby was born April 2005
* Sam was born April 2008
* Been teaching special education full time since August 1999
* I enjoy running. I am not a sprinter, nor will I ever be. I like distances. My steady morning runs are 4 to 5 miles.

So, now that you know a bit about me, on with the random ramblings of a very tired mommy.........