What a year 2010 was........

Here is some eye candy for you.......



What can I say, but I am happy to say goodbye to 2010!!
It was a tough year, it was an exciting year, and it was a crazy year. In some ways, we got what we wanted and in other ways, we sacrificed what we had.....

We are making our way here on our little journey, which has been a very long process and we are not quite where we want to be... but it is happening slowly. I am just thankful the boys are little and Rob and I can some day look back, and it will not seem so bad.

Things really fell into place once it was in motion. We started out in January 2010 excited at that time to be putting our house back on the market- this was going to be it- one last try at selling in a shitty market- but we had to do it- we felt like it was the last chance we would have in that time in our life. We knew if it didn't sell- that was it - we were VERY tired of having it be pristine, like a show piece, getting it ready for the next strangers to walk through our doors......
So we got a new realtor, I actually had a home stager come to our house - we rearranged furniture, took out some things, painted the kitchen and master bath , hung new art up, lights and tables in different places and crossed our fingers. This was our last chance.
All while both of us working full time, me with a long commute 65 miles one way, 2 preschool age children, a large home to keep pristine, and trying to live a normal life.

By the end of April we were ready again to have it be listed...... May 1st, it was listed- and miraculously, it sold that very same night!!!!! In a twist of fate, while we had been waiting for over 2 years to sell and move, the same day we listed, we had an offer, and the buyers wanted us out in 3 weeks!!!!
So there we were- scrambling to purge ( there was a neighborhood garage sale 2 weeks later that we planned on doing and thankfully we were able to sell a lot of things we did not want to move), pack, find a new place to live, since the plan was to move locally into a rental, make our way out West, and of course say goodbye to really, a very awesome house. It was bittersweet, the house was just in the wrong state ; (

Fast forward to the closing the end of May 2010- we moved to a local rental with a basement and kept most our things packed - except the "essentials" waiting for our next phase of this journey. So here we are.... renting..... knowing that we really wanted to get out to AZ before J started kindergarten. I looked into that, and found out- that yikes- Az school starts early- beginning of August. So here it is, in June 2010 and Rob speaks to his old company- who then proceed to offer him a job, he really can't say no to. The twist of this is that they want him out in AZ starting to work- by July 5th!!!!! We had just moved into a rental the end of May and now we are contemplating another move the end of June!!!! We had to do it!!! It was fate again- it was just all in fast forward mode!!!!! We were able to get out of our rental lease- they were thankfully, able to find new renters- and here were are - renting ( AGAIN) the largest truck possible to drive without a CDL license to move to AZ. We did it though-- we were on our way to Phx and it was happening......... happening really fast..... So fast, that when it was all said and done, we were moved here over the 4th of July weekend, unpacked, moved our still packed boxes into a storage unit, signed J up for school, signed up O in daycare, both Rob and I started new jobs, in a place that was oddly enough, very familiar to us, yet, very different then where we had been for the last 5 years- it was EXHAUSTING to say the least.

I really think it has taken Rob and I MONTHS to catch up mentally to what we all did these last 7 months, that now, just now, we are finally getting use to living here and getting a "new routine". ( Not to mention, I took a new job in November at a place with better hours and better benefits, yet still a change).
Why do you ask, why I am rehashing all of this???? Well....... not only is this writing cathartic for me.... there is another purpose........ This will be the end of this part of the journey for me.....
I am done talking about this, I have decided to move on...... I am moving forward and not looking back--- I will not be talking about this past year again. I am washing my hands of it- I am moving on and there is only forward thinking for me. I will not forget 2010, but I will no longer be referring to it.... I'm over it!!!
Now onto 2011- I am soooooooo looking forward to this year.
I am looking forward to walks on the beach, Pacific Beach that is, I am looking forward to getting back to my love for photography, with eagerness and excitement, hiking, getting outdoors more , getting healthier myself physically and mentally, focusing on our boys and taking them to places and giving them experiences they haven't had yet and really living in the moment and NOT in the "next step or phase mode".
There will always goals that R and I have, but this year is for living in the present day and not looking ( dwelling on the past or future). I can't wait , for tomorrow is a new day, new year!!!!!


Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

2011

I have been thinking about 2011. It will be here before we know it. I usually try and set some goals each year (notice how I avoid the term resolutions). Some times I meet them, sometimes I do not, but I do not worry about it. I still strive for those goals.

I am going to make some real simple, broad, goals this coming year

create
be present
relax

Sounds simple enough, but believe me, these can get tricky for me. I really should just tape them up all over my place as a reminder
Another concept I am working on for myself is setting small personal goals- stop trying to get everything done in some unrealistic time frame, only to be let down when it doesn't happen..... this is huge for me I have set myself up, and then when it hasn't worked out- there is some weird guilt..... it is strange- but hey, at least, I see it : )

2010 was a very interesting, difficult, stressful, yet exciting year- is that even possible??? All these weird conflicting emotions are how I describe 2010 and my mind is still catching up with it all.
I just have to keep in mind create, be present and relax

latest faves.......

OK, here are my latest faves......


- of course, it is now Christmas cup time at Starbucks

-'Parenthood' TV show- it is one of the best shows on-

-having the windows opened during the day and night

-DVR- I love it- we finally have it since we moved here and I am now just getting use to recording, pausing live shows!!

-2010 Starbucks cup Christmas ornament

-Vera Bradley clutch wallet

-Christmas music 24-7 on 99.9 FM

- not having to wear a coat- but only a sweater as a coat.....

- burt's bees lip balm

-hiking at South Mountain- my Saturday hiking partner though is in Sedona this weekend....

-the latest Phoenix Magazine- reminds me of "Boardwalk Empire" on HBO

-helping J read his books he wrote at school and listening to him do simple math

-hearing Owen "giggle out completely" as we talked about all the Toy Story Characters as he named them and how he wants to get all of them in a Christmas ornament

-boys yelling out in excitement as they pulled out the Christmas ornaments one by one

Duds...

Some crafts are just duds...... they are the ones that really do not turn out the way they were intended.
This happened the other night, and I really only had time to try a couple of different pics.
We were making Christmas ornaments with pics on transparency paper- but I think the pictures I chose were not dark enough with the tinsel...... Well, here is step one..... the next step will be to try different pictures....

this and that

We have been making some crafts here lately since J has been ill.

Rob and I came up with a "Beach Jar" where we throw in money for our vacation next spring to the beach. Then the kids and I made a "fun money" jar for their vacation too. The kids decorated it themselves and it is basically a bank they have where they will be able to take their money out for any fun souvenirs. The kids had fun making them, and they are clear so they can see it build up over time.

We are trying to keep busy- Fall break is over tomorrow- and I do not think J will be able to go to school. We will see. I am going to see how he is in the morning- but tonight he had another 103 fever!!! I feel so bad for the guy. I took him to be seen on Sunday, but was dx with "the common cold" which I am questioning. However, other than a cough, that doesn't sound productive, he doesn't have any other symptoms, other than the fever.
Tomorrow will be day 6 of a temperature- so I guess if he has a temp- I will call his pediatrician.

I have the next 2 weeks off- and I have some crafty things in mind to do- and also catch up on some reading......

Autumn, kind of......

Wow-- what a week this has been. Exciting, stressful, tense, confused all going on... so far I feel kind of schizo the last few days, and it is only Thursday.
I wonder what the rest of the week will bring. Life is ever changing. They say there are major life changes that everyone goes through that cause the most stress- marriage, divorce, death, move, selling a home, job change, birth..... I have experienced a few of those - and I feel it......
I just have to remember the mantra "this too, shall pass"......... All in my own doing- all in the name of trying to improve life and see my family more and live a more normal existence......This has got to be it...

Well - it is Autumn in Sunny Southwest and halfway through October, although, weather wise, does not seem like it is Autumn. I have to retrain my brain that it IS actually Halloween season.
I have put up a few things to decorate- but I actually have more in storage..... J keeps asking me when we are going to decorate??? Ha ha, he is too wise. So far - we have put clings on the window, a Halloween night light, some pumpkins and goards and a new flicker Halloween light on the table.
I probably should go to the storage unit- just to get more into the season of things and decorate.......
especially since the weather seems like it is July.
The A/C is back on - but I hear this weekend, the highs will be in the low 80's - which will be very nice!
The next 2 weeks, I will be doing some things for me. I will be resting up, recharging and moving more.

Embracing it alright.....

OK- haven't posted for some time..... I have been one busy Momma.....


through vomiting, diarrhea, it has been grand here for the past few weeks- it seems every morning one of us has been having some sort of bowel issue..... hopefully, we are over it

anyways, I am still struggling with my new schedule, the demands of working full time and being able to keep up with demands of the family
Embracing change, you ask?? Not so much..... haha!

I am trying. I have had such a shitty attitude lately- I am wanting to turn this around.
I picked up the book The Power and I am hoping I can think positively to change my negative attitude- you know, the Laws of Attraction!!
I have been able to steal a few moments to read before I fall asleep, so I have just started to read it.
I also have been meaning to MAKE some time to create something. Not sure what- have some ideas rolling in my head.....

I also have this desire to get out of the heat here and escape to Jerome or Flagstaff and walk around amongst the hippies..... maybe that will pull my carefree self out- I know she is in there somewhere.............

Rearranging

I love to rearrange furniture.

I haven't done this in some time due to our circumstances of selling of a home, moving, etc.

Ever since we moved to our rental, we haven't really liked the placement of our furniture.
Now granted, when we moved, we needed to get moved in pretty quick and it was a REALLY hot day here in AZ ( after driving across the country). When we got here, we were really just trying to hurry up and get it done. It was crazy- we were moving some of the stuff inside the apartment, some was going to a storage unit and the other stuff to a garage here. I wasn't even one of the "movers" I had to take J to be registered for school and wasn't even here, much of that time.

Anyhow, Rob and I have been thinking about rearranging, but we are limited in where we can put the TV vs computer and with our furniture - which isn't really made for an apartment, we only had so much to work with.
We are only using 2 parts of a 4-5 part sectional couch and another recliner.
We both like this layout better- it is cozy, yet functional. Also, the kids now have a place behind the couch to play and color and the space will not be in the middle of it all.

Check out below ( Oh and I also added some pics of the kids- being silly, making faces and playing outside) The last one, is Jake using his NEW jump rope- the one he has been bugging me to get since he started gymnastics and they taught him how to do it. :^ )

Moonsoon = cool sunsets

Cool cloud colors over here at sunset ....

A little painting going on here.....

I have had some wooden letters for some time now of the boys names.
Since it has been hot out here and we can only be out for short lengths of time ( I am afraid they will get dehydrated- the nurse in me ; > ) I thought a fun thing to do is have J and O paint their letters.

Well- J wanted me to get "the colors of the rainbow" - "including black, gray, and white" so we had many choices. This is how theirs turned out.
O was very selective in his colors and was very careful painting them on- so that they didn't mix. J, he started out with one color- but then eventually mixed them all together- except for the letter " J ".

Not sure why???

Art

This picture was done my O, age 2, and it is titled "Kids" per O.

Above- the teacher circled where O wrote his own name!!


Art can take many forms.

It could be a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, a pencil drawing, poetry, writing, film, acting in a play, or some early drawings from a 2 year old.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, when schools are cutting back their programs due to funding, or shall I say, mishandling of money, it is up to the parents to try and expose our kids to the arts.
When there is more emphasis on sports, vs music or art class, then it is our responsibility to nurture and promote art.

I am not saying I do not believe being athletic or participating in sports is not important, I think it is. It supports learning to play well with others, learning to be a part of a team, can build confidence and should be promoted just as well. And of course, it is great for our health.
The problem I see, some parents see their kids as the next Michael Jordan or Brett Favre and believe their kid will be the next sports phenom- to be endorsed, make millions, which in most instances is not the case. Or worse yet, the parents are the ones who are getting pissed at the kids in the little league game, yelling at the referee and making an awful scene if "the call" wasn't in the favor of their child. Or they treat the game as if it is the next NFC championship, when really, it was just for the fun of playing the game.....


At the school where our J is a kindergartner, they do offer some after school programs- gymnastics and Spanish, but we have to pay for it.
They do have computer labs on Wednesdays as part as their curriculum, music and art on Thursdays and Music and Library on Fridays - which is great. I am just wondering if this is the norm????

My only hope, is that we provide enough exposure to a variety of activities, and show the kids all the possibilities that are theirs if they choose it.
I guess that is what most parents want.

Enjoy O's little artwork- he spelled his name for the first time at age 2. I am one proud Mama!!

Recovering

Whole Foods- E and I checked this out the other day- cool place- we even had a sample of cheese and wine
Isn't this a cool cover- it is a small photo album that holds 48 pics- I found this at the Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago on my lunch hour......
Phx on our way up north
So many unique choices......( however, I did not choose any)
A lot of fountains where we are....


Here are some recent snapshots. This was going to be an exciting week of changes- but instead, I have spent the first 2 days laid up in bed or on the couch after having the stomach flu with vomiting and diarrhea- fun, eh??
I lost 5 pounds- but that is NOT the way I would like to do it!!!
Yesterday - I was somewhat recovered, but realized halfway through the day- I was not drinking enough fluids- feeling a little dizzy when standing up. Along with all of the fun with my stomach- I have been fighting some sinus issue- congestion and "fuzzy" feeling in my head. Sudafed has been my friend, along with Ibuprofen.
I am recovering and getting back to my old self, slowly.

Big Day coming up Monday

Big Day coming up Monday- my schedule is changing and I have some big plans......more pics to come to document my success

Discoveries

We have been back in the Southwest now for about a month. In this month, we have been acclimating to living here again. It has been very interesting. Physically, we are here, but mentally, we are still reeling from the move(s) and the very fact that we indeed sold our house, quit our jobs, got new jobs, packed up, moved and drove 1800+ miles, started the kids in new schools and are moved into a 2bed/2bath apartment.
It is interesting, because in less than 2 months, we did all of this and I think it is taking time for our minds to "catch up".
Granted, don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I told Rob a long time ago, when all of this started, and I know I had this conversation with my sister, but I had said, you know when this happens, it will happen very fast. It did.




In this past month, we have been busy, settling, making a new routine. It all takes time.
The other funny thing is, and maybe this has to do with the jobs we currently have, they are the ones we had before we moved. This has been like taking a step back in time. Except, now our infant is 5 years old and we have another great little boy who is 2 and no Jo-Jo dog...... Oh, and I think we have aged a bit..........in more ways than one........

Along this return to the Southwest, I have made some new discoveries, and some rediscoveries in no particular order.......

-speed bumps
-a mountainous view in ANY direction
-desert rain smell- love it!!!
-round abouts- more than when we left
-Rubios
-the need for no socks--- ( ok, maybe I will need them in December- but I am going to try not to)
-very little time to get from point A to point B, especially since I do not leave Ahwatukee and have no commute
-misters
-palm trees
-hot ass steering wheels in a closed up car w/ no sun shade
- speaking of, sun shades
-water
-no desire for pop
-dusty car after a rain
-Paradise Bakery Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad
-people who are nice- strangers who say hi, or make small talk, and who buy you coffee
-California license plates
-Starbucks pretty much anywhere
-Trader Joes and their frozen spinach pasta
-diversity
-96.9 FM
-3 laned surfaced streets
-Snip Its ( see my other blog)
-locked mail boxes
-grocery stores who match ANY sale and double coupons!!!
-Whole Foods
-Jamba Juice
-everyone being from somewhere else
-playgrounds that have water features...... the kids love it!
-cars/ doors/ sidewalks- hot to touch to the bare skin mid day
-dog friendly
-bike lanes
- monsoon storms

Corners of my world, my small world

Here is some of my scrapbook photos and table in the corner of the living room. Haven't done much with it yet- YET!! I am still working on my desk- which can not be seen in the photo, but is to the right of the picture. I am still organizing and making our small space livable.

We went to the storage unit yesterday- and really, when you look at everything- I don't think we have as much stuff as we thought. Rob even thought- it wasn't that much considering we went from a 4 bedrm home to an apt. That being said- though, I still feel I could "purge" more.

The other pic is one from my kitchen- I kept out some recipe books- and there is mostly healthy ones-
The pampered chef one- not too healthy- but I want to try some recipes out of all of them.....
So not only- do I have some health conscious goals, I also have some creative ones in cooking and scrapbooking........

Day 5- but who is counting......

I am still here on my journey..... down 2 #'s so I guess that is an accomplishment...

Enjoyed a little visit today to REI- haven't been there is some time... it was great... For me, it is kind of an inspiring place- all the bikes, hiking, camping, yoga gear

I love Life is Good, Sherpani, Haiku, and Keen so it was fun
well I am working on dietary changes, and then once my schedule gets to be what it will be permanently I will be going to the gym.... this will be in 2 1/2 weeks or so.....
Small changes, small goals that will end up making long term goals
onward...........

Day 1

Day 1

Got up later than I wanted to. Not a great start when I am trying to get myself and 2 boys, fed and ready for school.
Needless to say, I have to get to bed a little earlier. I just could not get to sleep last night. For some reason, I was wide awake and I even tried reading, which usually works- but I couldn't fall asleep.

Needless to say, I think I need to plan to get up at 0545.......
That is my goal for the rest of this week, to get up, physically get up, at 0545.

I always loved this quote- I read it many years ago and it always stuck with me. It is SO true

"If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail"

Cha Cha Cha Changes........

We have changed so many things in our lives recently, I might as well keep going.

I am in need of some big personal changes... ones I have been struggling with for some time.
I am at a crossroads and if I don't make some lifestyle changes personally, then I will be going down a path that I do not want to take.

I have been putting this off long enough and the time is now to act....
I have some goals in mind, some are very superficial, some of just plain smart, and then there are the serious ones and it is time to really take a long hard look at myself and choose one thing at a time.
I mean, come on, this is what I do for a living- I empower people to make healthy lifestyle choices and changes and it is time I walk the talk.

I have decided to journal this, really for my own personal accountability. I am not doing it to share, but if people who are aware of this blog of mine are reading it- so be it.... Maybe it will help someone else.
I just turned 37 and it really wasn't that much of a birthday- not because of any family or friends, just my own personal frustrations. I am at a point in my life, where I am really happy with everything in my life- my family, my friends, our recent move, except my personal physical well being. There are some family health history I am trying to avoid and I really need to correct this area of my life. I feel it is holding me back in many goals that I have and I have changed as a person, less confident, less outgoing, and more negative.

I know what to do, I just have to put it in motion and be consistent. I have made some attempts in the past to get healthy, exercise, eat right and I have made progress, and then I have had set backs.
I have had valid obstacles, and then not so valid obstacles, but excuses. It is time to put Prochaska's transtheoretical change behavior theory to the test ; )

Now, ready, set, go!!!!

A little keepsake project

I am planning a little painting project that I am working on- I will share it IF it turns out. It is something I have not done before- but, if all goes well, then it will be a nice little keepsake.

We shall see -of course I will have pics......
Had a great day with the family- we worked on the house, watched New Moon, and now the boys are pretending to be wolves....
We played outside, colored and also still getting ready to list the house.
It was a very well rounded weekend, with not tons of pressure to get this, or that done in this or that amount of time and so it was all good.

Here are some recent pics of the kids 'computing' and some coloring

More to do......

I have much more to do today in order for my craft space to be fully functioning- I have now turned it into a catch all while I am sorting all my pics, and scrapbooking stuff- so hopefully, by the end of today - I will have made some progress!!!! If so , I will take a picture and post it-
I am finally feeling a little better ( I was sick for 3 days) so I am getting back to the swing of things. Spring is around the corner ( I am hoping) and there is SOOOO much to do and there will be even more going on ........ The boys are napping- so I better take advantage of my extra time!

Making Valentines Boxes

We had fun making some Valentines boxes for school. A couple of weeks ago, Jake and I went to Michaels and picked out some embellishments for his and Owen's Valentine box for school. While there, we also picked out some other crafty things to make- some glitter critters and also a hanger for their bedroom doors.

We had fun gluing and sticking hearts, stars and GUITARS on their boxes!! Jake picked out the glitzy guitar pack for him and Owen

They were both very proud of their work after it was all done.

Check it out....... ( I have been sick for the past 3 days- so please excuse my "look" )