Hello World!

Posted in Family, Holidays and Seasons by teamtradermom

No, I’m not coding my first computer program.

I had a 2+ hour nap today and it. felt. awesome. Seriously, I haven’t felt this rejuvenated in a long time. I’m not even sure the last time I got a nap. I think it was back when I fainted. Or maybe around Christmas. Whenever, it’s been too long. Naps, I’ve missed you.

We’ve had a busy weekend and the nap was much needed. I don’t think I’ve been to bed before 11 p.m. since Wednesday. I’m one of those people that needs their sleep and my usual bedtime is around 9:30 p.m. So staying up 2 or more hours later than that, and still getting up at the same time, has taken its toll.

At any rate, we had a fun weekend and I spent a lot of time with Isabella. She and I both needed that. I can’t even tell you how much I love her and how much she amazes me every day.

Here are some of the highlights from the long holiday weekend.

Friday night we went to the park and she rode the teetor totter all by herself.

Yes I know she’s facing the wrong way but she’s still riding it without any help. She had a blast too. I have to make a conscious effort not to hover too close to her when we’re out at the park. I’m trying to remember to give her some independence and try things on her own, without help from me. I’m still close enough to catch her if she falls or make sure she’s doesn’t get hurt, but far enough that she is free to explore on her own. I can’t believe how grown up she’s getting! She turned 20 months today! AH!

Saturday I spent the morning getting my hair cut and colored. I wanted something fun and different so I told my hair dresser Mike to go crazy. He went darker all over and then we angled the cut to give it more body (my hair is SUPER fine and thin. I have like 3 hairs on my head. I would love to have super long hair but it would look horrible so I have to accept the fact that my options are limited).

I am happy with how it turned out though I’m still getting used to it. The sad part is that I can’t put it in a ponytail anymore. *gasp* Whatever will I do on a bad hair day?

Sunday we headed to the beach for the first day of pick up sand volleyball at Lake Manawa (while we were gone, the realtors had an open house for us and no one showed. Bummer). We set this up every year and basically spend every Sunday at the lake, playing volleyball, swimming and just chilling with friends. The weather looked worrisome in the morning but it actually turned out to be a great day, hot even! We only had enough people for doubles so I definitely got my workout in! 3 games of doubles in the hot sun was enough.

Isabella had fun too. She played on the little playground, dug around in the sand, walked along the beach and made a new friend.

We were all pretty exhausted that night. After Munchkin went to bed, CJ and I crashed out on the couch and watched some DVRed shows while chowing down on popcorn.

Today we met up with my family for brunch and then did a quick shopping trip at Babies R’Us. We got Isabella ready for summer with a some new sunglasses and a sun hat.

I know it’s blurry (used my phone real quick), but you get the idea.

Then we spent the day playing outside, either in the backyard…

…or at the park.

She has never been a fan of the swings but I was able to get her to sit on my lap today. She didn’t last long and she wasn’t happy about it, but it was a baby step.

(it was crazy windy out today which is why my hair looks like such a mess. Please don’t take that as an indication of how my new style looks!)

I even got CJ to demonstrate to me that he can in fact do pull-ups. (I tried and I can’t do them. I very impressed with people who can)

Isabella had insisted on bringing her new shades with her but of course dropped them as soon as we got to the playground. CJ was in charge of them from that point on.

Any guy who can do pull-ups is man enough to wear blue butterfly sunglasses. And hey, they actually match his Batman shirt!

That’s about it. Tomorrow it’s back to work for a short 4-day week, which is sure to mean craziness. But for once I feel like I actually got some rest over a long weekend so I’m ready to tackle the day job!

Have a great week!

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Girl’s Day

9May2011

Officially Official…and other stuff

Posted in Family, Holidays and Seasons, House and Home by teamtradermom

Our house is officially on the market! Phew! I’m exhausted from all the work we’ve done to the house but it’s not over yet. We still have a “to do” list of small items that need to be checked off. Then we have to continue our search to find a new house for us. And once that is done – we actually have to move ! Eek!

I’m tired just thinking about it…or maybe I’m tired from this darn summer cold I still have. We’ve now entered phase 2. Phase 1 was a constant sore throat and aches. Phase 2 is a REALLY stuffy nose. I feel like someone inflated balloons up in my sinuses. I just hope there’s no phase 3!

I started P90X today! Well, I actually started it 2 weeks ago but with all of life’s craziness and getting sick, I only got 2 days under my belt. So I’m starting over today. I’m not following the P90X diet plan. I don’t have the book and trying to find info online is confusing. I’ve gleaned that there are several phases and the first one is high protein, low carbs, so I’m trying to do that. I will allow myself to eat some carbs, just pushing to get a little more protein in, to build up the muscle. Don’t worry, I won’t write a daily entry on it like I did with the Shred. That would be come a really long post after 90 days and you would get sick of it. But I will provide periodic updates as I progress. And I might whine a little too… Winking smile I can already feel the soreness setting in from this morning!

Mother’s Day was nice. Pretty laid back as we had to do work on the house. At one point, I was in the kitchen scrubbing cabinet doors and looked up to see CJ reading the paper while drinking his coffee, Isabella playing with her toys and Samson staring at me wanting food. Now, what’s wrong with that picture?

But we did have a nice afternoon at the museum and then dinner with the extended family. Isabella was crabby at times but all in all, a day with the family is a good day indeed! And the best part – I got a gift certificate for a 90 minute massage which I will be more than happy to use!

At the museum. Isabella was a little tired here from running around so much!

Me, my mom and my sister. 2 of the best moms I know!

Believe it or not, I’m actually going to take the night off from house work. I plan to repaint my toenails and watch Dancing with the Stars. Go Hines!!

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25Apr2011

Vacation from my Vacation

Posted in Family, Holidays and Seasons by teamtradermom

With my new job, I now get to enjoy extra days off. It’s a beautiful little concept called Exchange Holidays! That gives me 3 extra holidays a year! Boo-yah! My first official exchange holiday was last Friday (Good Friday) so I am coming off of a 3 day weekend.

And now I need a few days to recover from it.

CJ and I basically saw this weekend as a chance to hammer out more work on the house. Isabella saw it as a chance to put mom to the test. The combination resulted in aching muscles, tired eyes and frazzled nerves.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

CJ and I are dividing the house work up based on ability. He has the knowledge and skills to do lots of construction type work, having been in the biz for 30+ years, and I am really good at bossing him around. This weekend, he was focusing on getting our bedroom/bathroom finished up, along with various other things (including an unexpected plumbing project). I was going to be the one in charge of Munchkin so that he could work. I was really looking forward to spending the extra time with Isabella. Boy did I get a taste for what being a stay-at-home parent is like!

Friday was good. We played, we had snacks, and we ran to the store for some miscellaneous stuff. After she awoke from her nap, we went outside as it was a nice afternoon. She tried to help me pick up Samson’s dog poop using her bare hands. Luckily I caught her before she touched anything! I must have looked like a freak to my neighbors as I frantically waved my arms in the air and yelled NO!NO!NO!NO!

I can hear then now, “Gee Bill, I wonder what kind of interpretive dance Sarah is doing over there? Huh. Oh, maybe she got stung by a bee…”

I decided to take Munchkin to the park since it was so nice and neither of us wanted to go in. After playing for a few minutes, she decided it would be super fun to push the stroller so I let her push it all the way back home (about 2 blocks)!

Saturday is when the trouble started. I think Isabella has a little cold, or else she’s getting some teeth, and she was really crabby.

The morning was fine and she had an epic 2.5 hour nap after lunch. When she woke up we went back outside to play. It was a colder day though so we couldn’t stay out as long. She wanted to pick up flags. A few weeks ago CJ staked little flags out in our yard to mark the sprinkler heads so that the aerator guys wouldn’t run over them. Then he had Isabella go out and help him pick them up. Child labor is a beautiful thing. She remembered that and wanted to do it again, only there weren’t any to pick up! Well, ok, there was one. So I let her go out front and get that one but I wouldn’t let her run around with it for fear she’d fall and jab herself in the eye. Then I’d have to rush her to the hospital and she’d end up wearing an eye patch. I was not about to have her become a pirate and go blind on my watch!

She got very angry that she had to a) give the flag up and b) go inside. The cry-fest lasted for about an hour, off and on. I had to make a storage run and I ~~asked~~ begged CJ to come with. I was running on fumes and needed the extra help. I figured we could all go together, then stop and grab some chinese on the way back (food, not people). Crab Rangoon make everything better.

She whined/cried for most of the trip, partway during dinner and through her bath (which she normally loves). It took 30 minutes to get her to bed too. By the time all that was done, I was drained.

Easter Sunday started out great. We got up, had breakfast, did an egg hunt and Isabella got her Easter basket. It was getting to be about 10:30am and she was very tired. She started acting up. She wanted to be held and then she yanked on my hair. When I reprimanded her for it, she started crying.

That was all it took to break the dam loose.

She cried and cried and cried. For a solid hour. I tried everything and eventually just figured there was nothing I could do. I changed her in to her Easter dress (which I never got a picture of because of all the meltdown) and got her ready to go. Magically, a cure for her distress was found – hangers. Yes, that’s right, clothes hangers. In her teary-eyed daze, she wandered over to her closet and pulled out 2 hangers that were on the floor. She clutched those in her little hands and wouldn’t let go. She even took them with her to grandma’s house. Hey, fine with me. If I had known that, I would have given her that for Easter!

The rest of the day was basically more of the same. She had a few good hours here or there and then would break out in tears. We managed to get her through the egg hunt before laying her down for her nap. She was so beyond tired at that point that she refused to sleep. My mom had to use her super grandma powers to rock Munchkin to sleep. When she was finally down, a moratorium was put on the house that no one was to make a sound for fear she’d wake up. All the guys took that as their cue to nap too. Us women spent the time gossiping over cheese and crackers while the kids played outside. When Munckhin awoke, she went out and joined them.

Once we got home, she broke out in more fits and it again took about 30 minutes to get her to sleep.

By the end of the day, I was actually looking forward to going to work, just to get a break from the tantrums.

I tell ya what, I have renewed respect for my amazing husband who stays at home with Isabella every day. From the outside looking in, I get jealous that he gets all this time with our little darling while I’m at work dealing with deadlines and things. While he is lucky to spend so much time with her, and be a part of things I can’t, it’s not all fun and games and can be very exhausting. I definitely got a taste of that this weekend.

If only Arbor Day was an Exchange Holiday. I could really use another day off.

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25Mar2011

Runnin’ on Empty

Posted in Holidays and Seasons, Work and Professional Life by teamtradermom

T.G.I.F.F. (I’ll let you fill in whatever you want for the extra F).

This has been a very long week. Not a bad week mind you, just long.

The CEO of an organization I am on the Board of Directors for was in town this week. Since I am the local President, it was up to me to organize her visit, take her out for meals, etc. Tuesday night I picked her up from the hotel and we went to dinner. That was my fist time meeting her and she was really great. You always wonder if someone in that position will be arrogant or uppity or uptight but she was none of those things. She was very personable and I really like her a lot. Wednesday night she gave a presentation to our organization. I had to be there as the overseer and emcee. Thursday she came to the company where I work and met with some of us. Then I took her out to lunch with the rest of the B.o.D. All in all, I’d say her trip was a huge success and I’m very glad she came.

There were a couple downsides to her visit though. For one thing, I had to dress up all week. I HATE dressing up and being that way all day. I don’t mind getting dolled up for a night on the town or a special occasion, but having to wear heels and dress pants and suits all day every day is loathsome. I suppose I’m an oxymoron (or maybe just a moron?) because I like to be fashionable and always try to look nice for work, I just want to do it in jeans.

When I was young and ready to conquer the world, I was all about being dressed up and stylish, regardless of comfort. Not anymore. As Patrick Henry once said, “Give me comfort or give me death.” Or something like that. I’ve learned that for me, coziness is akin to productiveness. The more relaxed and comfortable I am, the more work I will get done. Case in point, the 3 days that I had to be dressed up this week were my least productive days. Today I was back to wearing jeans and I kicked major ass!

CJ and I have debated this over the years. He is one of those people who would love a job where he had to wear suits all day. He says it’s because of his finishing school background and being taught that to present well you had to be dressed up. I think it’s because he worked in construction most of his life wearing jeans and “dirty” clothes so the idea of dressing up sounds exciting. I’m the opposite. I had to be business professional for so many years that I abhor it now. It used to be that when I got home from work, I’d head straight to our bedroom, rip off my work clothes and change immediately in to pajamas. CJ pointed out that this wasn’t very sexy of me. Apparently it’s not “hot” to be shuffling around the house in flannel p.j.s, slippers, and my hair thrown back in a ponytail. For better or for worse mister, that’s all I gotta say.

But I do see his point so I make more of an effort now and resist the urge to dive head first in to my jammies until at least Isabella goes to bed or I know there is no chance of any baby making happening that night.

The other downside to the CEO visit was that I was away from the family a lot and didn’t get a lot of sleep. Tuesday I wasn’t home until 7:30. Wednesday it was 7:45. Both of those days I got to see Munchkin for maybe 15 minutes at the most. I hate it when we don’t get time together. I feel like she starts to forget me or loses that closeness. Thank God we had some extra time on Thursday before volleyball and again tonight, for our girl’s night.

Because of all the stress and running around, and going to bed later than usual, my knees were really achy this week. They were doing their fire dance every single night. I tell ya, I’ve popped more Ibuprofen this week than I did all last month (when I went back and reread that sentence, I thought it said “I POOPED more this week…” Ha! As if anyone wants to read about my bowel issues…).

Now for a couple oddities. On Monday, Bubbles sent me a photo from the Annex. Just when you thought things had returned to status quo (if there is such a thing there), we discover this in the middle of the hallway:

First of all – really? A piece of paper taped to an upside down trash can? Really?! Secondly, what exactly does this mean? Is the tile going to jump out of the ceiling and start chasing me down the halls of the mall? Maybe that’s what happened to cause Scooter his injury. Or perhaps it means that the tiles are loose and could start raining down upon us at any moment, like the biblical locusts. I suppose the more likely scenario is that there is another leak. If that were the case, wouldn’t it make more sense to have the garbage can turned right side up? Phffft…that’s CRAZY talk!

The other oddity of the week – snow. Yes, 3” of snow at the end of March. My grandma’s birthday is tomorrow and she used to always joke about there being snow on her birthday. Well, this is the first birthday where we will not be celebrating with her as she passed away last September. So perhaps it’s only fitting for the universe to give us some white stuff in her honor. At least that’s how I choose to think of it.

It really was breathtakingly beautiful on my drive to work this morning. I snagged a few pics at home before I left.

Time for me to head upstairs and let myself be sucked in the couch. I need a night of brain numbing television (and extra PJ time!) to counter all the thinking I had to do this week.

Tomorrow night, the gang from the Annex is heading out on the town. Barry is playing in a slots tournament at the casino (yes, they actually have these) so we’re all (Bubbles, Bob and his wife, The Brit and her hubby, and me and CJ) going to meet down there, at the 360 Steakhouse, for drinks and dinner. Should be a good time and don’t worry, I’ll be sure to share all the good stories with you!

So what’s your verdict – are you a lover or a hater of dressing up? Please leave comments – I love hearing what you have to say!

Hey – have you checked out my art work yet? If not, head on over there. I’m selling it and all must go!

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15Feb2011

V-weekend, part 2

Posted in Family, Holidays and Seasons by teamtradermom

Now on to part 2 of our Valentine weekend. You can read all about part 1 here!

After we got home from Heather and Jeremy’s, we spent the rest of the day, taking it easy. The weather was really nice and the sun shining through the windows was awesome. Isabella and I both took a nap in the morning and while we were asleep, CJ hid Valentine’s around the living room for us. We went on a hunt for them together and Isabella had so much fun with it. I would see one and then ask her if she saw a “card” nearby. She would look around, spot the card, point to it and yell, “YES!”

Here she is handing me the pile of Valentine cards (they were superhero ones):

During the afternoon, I got my baking groove on and made a heart-shaped cake, some cake truffles and chocolate covered rice-Krispy’s, while CJ delivered Valentines to the neighbors (and took down the Christmas decorations). Sounds like a lot but I basically used the same ingredients for it all. I first made up the cake batter and used half of it for the heart-shaped cake and the rest got poured in to a mini-cupcake tin to be baked together. When the mini-cupcakes cooled, I put them in a bowl, crushed ‘em and added chocolate frosting. Mixed that all up and put it in the fridge to chill for a bit. In the meantime, the cake was cool so I frosted it with the remaining chocolate frosting. Then I took some chocolate almond bark and melted it. The truffle batter was chilled enough by now so I rolled it into little balls, dipped those in the melted bark and voila – chocolate cake truffles! With the leftover almond bark, I poured the cereal in and spread on to a cookie sheet. Then everything got topped with red sprinkles! Done and done!

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. Just a lot of playing and laughing and snuggling. Isabella must have known it was a weekend to celebrate love because she sure dished it out – and I soaked it all in!!

Monday arrived, the actual Valentine’s Day, and I woke up to find some flowers from my honey in the refrigerator.

I worked out, got ready for work and then found another gift in the cupboard when I went to feed Samson – a card and chocolate heart. CJ sure knows the way to my heart!

Sunday night I had made up and hid some more cards for Isabella to find and she had fun discovering them throughout the day. I was a little sad that I wasn’t home to see her find each one but at least she knew I was thinking of her while I was at work. Here is her collection of cards, including ones from the grandparents! She is one loved little girl!

After dinner, we gave Isabella a little gift. She got an Elmo Valentine book and a Leap Frog Alphabet Pal caterpillar (which she calls an octopus. I guess they do both have a lot of legs)!

That was pretty much our Valentine’s weekend! Fairly low key and simple, yet filled with lots of fun and love, the way V-Day should be. To me, it was the perfect way to celebrate.

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Snip

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