Boot Camp is Over

We made it through the NaBloPoMo challenge! This has helped me get over trying to write a perfect post. I know I need a little more meat in my writing, but now I'll feel like something is missing when I don't post anything for a while.

Thanks to all those who have come by to read my work. I hope we can keep writing and building this blogger community. It's nice to have this little corner in the blogosphere to vent, cheer, share, and learn.

Christmas Shopping

Is anyone planning to do all Christmas shopping online? It's probably a good time to do that so the orders can arrive on time. I'm not sure if I can do ALL my shopping online this year, but it the way I would like best. If I go to any store, I'll be there early in the morning to avoid lines. I worked retail many years ago, and I am still tramatized by the holidays at the mall. Just can't take the crowds.

Musician in the Making

My daughter was just playing around in the kitchen, as usual, and she put a small plastic wrapping on her head as a hat. Then she got a yogurt container and water bottle from our recycle box. She started banging the yogurt container with the water bottle and she was making the beat to the 'Everybody Conga' song. It was priceless. I ran to get my camera, but she ran after me and she didn't do it anymore. I need to have my camera with me at all times if I want to capture these spontaneous moments.

On Hold

I was on hold to speak with a service rep at Apple today. I waited about 20 minutes or so, and finally someone took my call. Of course, this was when my daughter started to act up. She was whinning about something and my computer just went out at that moment. The service guy had to wait for ME to get my computer running again so I could give him the serial number. My daughter got louder as I finally was able to give the guy the number. Just as I thought I had successfully given him the info, I realized the line had disconnected. Yikes! I called back again but eventually hung up without getting a response from them. Very frustrating, to say the least! I'll have to call back at an earlier time.

Workout

I went to the gym on Saturday and Sunday. I felt tired during Sunday's workout which is probably because I didn't give myself enough time to rest between exercising days. I'll wait until probably Wednesday to go back again. Still trying to find that workout groove!

Just a few more days...

We've blogged daily for almost a month. I'm glad I joined in and want to continue with blogging. Next month I want to plan out my posts and work on them a bit before posting.

Playing

With all these toy recalls, it's tough to know what is safe for our kids. I usually don't buy a lot of toys for my daughter because I see that she hardly plays with the ones she already has. I do like creative type activities like drawing and painting. We bought her an easel from Ikea, and she uses it all the time. I've been making play dough for her and recently bought some Play-Doh with cutters. She loves it and can't get enough. It's amazing how these basic materials can entertain children and help them with their development. And this is so much easier on the pocketbook!

Black Friday

I did not shop today. I saw all the ads and was tempted to take advantage of the great deals. I might get out there tomorrow to buy a few things, but won't if it looks too crowded. The stores will have more sales in the next few weeks, I'm sure!

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a great day with family and friends!

Sponge Worthy

My daughter understands that Spanish words are different from English words. She'll even preface by saying "Spanish" before she begins to speak it. I don't speak Spanish around the house enough for her to really pick it up, so I have to make an effort to teach her. She's such a sponge right now, so I know she would benefit from learning a second language.

Running

I've gone to the gym twice so far this week. That's about as much as I can handle right now. It's a start. I'm planning to go again at least once since we have these two days off for Thanksgiving.

It feels so good to run again. I run for about 3 minutes and then walk for 2-3 minutes. I keep this up for about 25 minutes. I'm aiming for a couple of 4 minute intervals next time. I used to run 4-5 times a week many years ago, so I'm trying to build back up to that. When I got home, I felt energized and actually ready to work the mommy/wife shift!

Reading

I started reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn a few months ago. I get into it for a while and then lose momentum. I just picked it up again last night, and can't wait to get back into it. It's such a painful story. It reminds me of Angela's Ashes. The main characters are both young and must struggle in childhood, but they have so much potential to break from poverty. Life is tough, but makes us stronger in the end.

Food Diary

It's about time that I held myself accountable to for what I eat. I've been trying to lost weight, but I've actually gained about 5 lbs. in the last month. I've had too much pizza this last week. Parties and lunch and Costco. So now I will write down everything I eat. At least I will do this today. I won't expect perfection, but my mind is on healthier choices.

City Noise - Draft

I live in an urban area in Southern California. There are mostly single-family homes around here. Outside noise surrounds us. First off, it is common to hear helicopters on the weekends. Then there is the ambulance. I haven't figured out exactly which house it is coming from, but there is a garage band that plays all the time. They are not that great, so I don't enjoy hearing them. Right now I can hear some music, maybe a bass playing. It actually sounds pleasant, so I don't mind it.

Of course, I can hear my neighbors from time to time. Sometimes I can hear their joy through laughter and singing. Sometimes they argue and I can't help but want to know what it's all about. (Yes, I am nosy!) I don't really know them. We'll smile and say hello, but it ends there. I have a reputation for being aloof.

The sounds tell stories. I can hear cars speed up and race by that express aggression and impatience. Dogs bark and make me wonder if it is danger they sense or just a cat that they see. I can hear the pulse of the city. It stops. It starts. It gets louder. I can close the windows, doors, and my eyes. I can even put on my headphones and listen to blaring music. But the noise, the cacophony of life, streams down the veins of the city and must be heard.

The Agony of De Feet

My throbbing feet tell me that I need to sit for a while. I usually change into my flip flops after work, and that is so comfortable.

Now all I need is tub of warm water to soak my feet.

Running out...

of things to write. This week is getting the best of me. Must go to sleep earlier!

Can you believe it?

For the NaBloPoMo participants, we are almost halfway through this! For someone who did not blog regularly before, this is quite a feat. Two more weeks to go, so:

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

These guys know how to keep it real!

Wasting Away in Front of the Tube

The E! Channel sucked me into watching the True Hollywood Story of Patrick Dempsey. I really like him, but thw show ended at midnight and I was cranky in the morning. This is the problem with me and cable. I'll watch it because I want to get my money's worth, but then I end up watching trivial shows. My hubby wants to have cable because of football, so we can't get rid of it yet.

What shows suck you in even when you know better?

Unexpected Guest

A family member came by unannounced to drop off some goodies yesterday. She wasn't planning on staying, but my husband insisted. Of course, the living room looked like a tornado hit it. So embarrassing! I always feel like failure when something like that happens, but I do have the power to change. This is hitting rock bottom. No more excuses!

Mr. Deity

Hurray

The weekend is here! Glad to have a little time off this month. Not much write except that I am so tired I can't stop yawning. Good night.

20% Off

I'm thrifty by nature and love a good deal. I had a 20% off coupon for Old Navy and purchased a few things this afternoon. I try to buy a few new items when I feel my wardrobe is getting too predictable, but I don't overspend. I'm not concerned so much with fashion, but I do need to wear decent clothing to work. I try to buy clearance, too. It can be a pain looking through all those mis-matched items to find the right size and color, though. But it is so worth it when I get the final total and know I saved money. Cha-ching!

Hugs Banned?

A middle-school in Illinois has banned hugging, and one student recently got detention twice for hugging her friends. What next? You won't be able to smile at your friends or wish them a good day?

But this guy has the right idea:



HUGS to you all!

Forgetful

I was so caught up in my day that I almost forgot about blogging today. Blogging isn't something I am used to doing, so it's tough to even get something down. It's almost been a week since we have started, and I feel good about my progress. My posts have been skimpy, but I'm getting to it. I'm glad to see others who have been making the daily deadline as well. Slow and steady...

Exhausted

I did manage to go to the gym on Saturday. If I can go at least 3 times this week, I'll feel accomplished. Finding the time and energy to go is another story.

My hubby has been cooking dinner more often, and he always goes to the grocery store when we need it. I've been extra busy at work, so this has been a relief for me. My daughter is so curious about things and keeps me on my toes all the time. She hasn't started to ask "Why?" yet, but I know it is coming. My hubby and daughter keep me laughing all the time, and this keeps me going after long days. It's a crack up fest up in here!

I checked out iLike and will post up the widget thingy soon. I had planned on writing about music more often, but that has not been working out the way I wanted. It's still early in the month, though!

Secrets

If you've never heard of the PostSecret community, check it out here:

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

What brave souls to send these out for all to see.

Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight

Amos Lee, one of my favorite artists...



Enjoy!

Creating Routines

October was such a busy month. My home is beyond recognition right now. I need to get a grip on housework and have routines to follow each day so I can keep up with everything. I even have a timer next to me so I can manage the time I spend online. I'll post updates here on my progress. Being accountable will make a difference. I don't like to disappoint!

There actually is a website that shows you how to develop routines and stay organized. It is www.flylady.net. If anyone else is interested, we can keep tabs on each other while we go through the steps. I have been trying to do this for much longer than I want to admit, but it's getting to the point that I I need to get serious about this. Ok, time to clean the sink!

Trick or Treat

Too much candy in the last few days. It's been bad. Really bad. I should start to hit the gym tomorrow or the next day before I can't wear any of my jeans. I'm supposedly running a 5K in December, but no one would know it from the way I've been indulging. Better at least lose a few before Thanksgiving rolls around.