Cleaning the room!

Carlie's room just seemed to be getting smaller and smaller. It's already the smallest room in the house! There just wasn't room for anything anymore. So, I decided it was time for a major overhaul. I cleaned that room for two days! Every nook and cranny was dusted, mopped and de-junked! I can't believe how much stuff I took out of her room. I hadn't really done that since she was born. Ialso did a double closet rod so Carlie can reach all her dresses all by herself. (big hit with her!) I feel so much better now that there's room for everything, and everything has a place. Carlie has thanked me 3 or 4 times for cleaning up her room. Below are some pictures of her helping me clean. Alex, you're next!

Very focused on the job.We counted the dresses..... 51....that we're keeping because they fit. Next fall when she grows out of them it's Ebay all the way! Below is a picture of Carlie and Ollie when he was a puppy. She wanted it right at her headboard so she can see him up close.
Carlie has a hand signal her Dad taught her for I love you..... Cool chick in her cool room!

Pictures

Carlie

Carlie with her long hair

Carlie's wand she made out of popsicle sticks and sea glass. Pretty creative!

Playing on her sister's phone, in a box.

I love staying home more these days. I fall more in love with my kids the more time I spend with them. They're so sweet and cuddly!

Picture update

Carlie with new shorter hair

Goofing off!

Carlie with my sweatshirt and her Harry Potter glasses

Alex doing homework. :)

Alex LOVES to read. I'm so happy about that as reading is one of my favorite things in the world. With a good book you'll always be entertained.

Carlie with long hair. She picked out her own outfit that day. She reminds me of a little fairy, she has such a free spirit and is so caring and loving. She worries about every little animal, even her vegetables. It makes it easy to get her to eat them. She'll eat one piece of broccoli and I'll get her to eat the rest by telling her the rest of the broccoli family wants to be with it's mom, or dad that she just ate, so down the hatch with them all!

Carlie after picking her clothes for the day, I mean hour!

Ollie is the best dog. He loves being with his people, and he's just amazing with the kids.

Carlie and Ollie

Alex munching on a snack

Carlie
The new hair. I think it looks a little better in person. I'm not super photogenic!

Happy Birthday Alex!!!!!!

Alex is 12 today. Happy Birthday Sweetie! I love you!

2010 reflections so far...

I was sitting reflecting on what this year has brought so far. Why do it at the end of the year? This way I can modify as I go.

So far this year has brought me many needed things in my life. 2010 will be a great year I have a feeling. More time with my kids, which I am so incredibly greatful for, less income, which has forced me to budget and cut where I can, (but somehow I feel great about my money situation whereas I really did not earlier....what's that about? Maybe I'm comfortable with less and happier staying home more even if it means giving up some things...) more time to organize my house, even if it is one room at a time, and a vacation later this year (more on that later!). For the next few months I'd like to keep my focus on organizing, de cluttering and just getting rid of everything! The happiest times in my life were when I had the least "stuff". I think I'll start with ebay next week.
As I'm organizing I may just pick up a few bucks by selling the extra stuff on ebay. That brings me to my second focus, saving money. I've been able to save a little these past few months and would like to continue the trend. I saw a great article the other day about a savings guru. She said you first have to do a budget, everyone will have different priorities. One woman may consider weekly massages a necessity for her health while another may consider her $250 a month beauty appointment a must have. I used to be like these women. I would rationalize my $50 shapmoo and conditioner because they make my color last longer, so instead of getting my hair done (at $200 a pop) every month I can stretch it to every 6 weeks. Oh, yes I had to spend that much on my hair because I worked in a business that values appearance.... Blah, blah, blah. I was rationalizing my budget to fit my high income, not budgeting for just what I really NEEDED, or could get by with. Now I color myself at home for $7 every other month and I get $15 haircuts and I buy Suave shampoo on sale for $1 for the family size. You know what? The Suave works just as well!
All our possesions weigh us down to some extent. "Things" have energy and they need upkeep. Clutter robs you of your energy. (seroiusly, think about how you feel looking at a big pile of junk in your house, like a stack of bills or mail on the counter. Now imagine coming home to counters that are clear and clean - feel the difference?) Being clear creates focus, and allows clear energy to flow.
I really feel soooooo free! If I can do this on my hair and feel so good, what if I get rid of cable, Cell phone, and the $40 a bag dog food? I have only just begun!

So, the rest of this year will be a challenge for me to see how much I can cut from the big ole fat budget, how much I can organize, how much I can get rid of in the way of "stuff" and how truly free I can feel by the end of the year. I have a feeling if I keep this going I'll have a whole new, happier, more energetic, more creative me!

The hair...

Carlie at Wildlife Experience with new haircut

Three days ago Carlie said "Mom, lets go get my hair cut short." If you know me, I'm pretty in to letting my kids make decisions about hair, clothes, whether or not to wear a coat etc... BUT, I do advise them on the best course and they are left to deal with the consequences when they refuse to wear a coat to the bus stop (Alex) and comes in 5 minutes later with blue lips to grab one!

So, when Carlie asked to get her hair cut short, above her collar, I sat down with her at the hair salon and showed her pictutres of what it would look like. I also said "If you don't like it it's no big deal, it'll gow fast." I also advised she should think about getting it cut a little longer so we can still put it in a ponytail. It's hard for ME to cut her hair. If you've seen her pictures she has such long beautiful hair. Carlie chose a great hairstyle, see picture above, and we can still put it in a ponytail!

Now, when she was getting her haircut I thought I should get my annual trim. We went to cost cutters because I have a thing about paying more than $20 for a kid haircut. Heck, I can even cut the kids hair, but they freak out every time I suggest it... So, we had never been to this place. The lady is about to trim up my hair and I ask her "IF you were to cut my hair short, what would you do? " She smiled and got a picture and showed me. I said let's do it! (insert bravery here) I got a cut like Halle Berry's and I LOVE it!!!!!!! Best $15 I've spent on myself in years! I'll post pictures when I get some taken. Boy will you be surprised!

Kickboxing.

Jeff Ford
Where do I begin? It seems like so much time goes by between postings that it's hard to get it all down anymore. I promise myself I'll update this more often!

I went to a meetup.com meeting the other day. I get the emails all the time "we've found a group that meets your interests...." I usually delete them, but this one caught my eye. It was an ultimate fit challenge. I went to check it out and it was too good to be true! Jeff Ford (Big Diesel) who is a 5x world champion MMA fighter was putting a group together for a reality show. Kind of like a Biggest Loser show, but not as large, on many levels! :) It would be free to participate, you just needed to be over 39 years old. He wants it to be for 40 year olds in particular and I turned 40 this last week. We'll be filmed working out, then go home to our usual life of work and kids. A nutritionist will be helping us with our diets. Jeff and Harvey (from celebrity fit club) will train us in kickboxing. The winner, most improved, gets a makeover and a trip to Hollywood for a red carpet event. I was so excited! A month goes by and Jeff is finalizing everything when he emails us that the cost will be $500 to participate. What a bummer! I HIGHLY doubt I'll be doing the challenge, but the good news is that it's motivated me to kick butt and get in shape. Now if I can only find the time.......