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.......

Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was a little hectic. Alex, Carlie and I drove out to Salt lake the week before Christmas and were driving back the day before Christmas eve. We got to Larime Wyoming when the weather got really bad. We drove about 30 mph all the way to Cheyenne. The road was a solid sheet of ice. When we finally made it to Cheyenne I found out the roads were closed to Denver. The wind was howling, the roads solid ice and it was still snowing. The temperature was 10 below with wind chill. The waitress at the Village Inn where we stopped to eat told me there was a back way to Denver - I had to work at 8am the next morning! After looking at the roads - the main ones were all closed - I decided that wouldn't be so smart to go on the "back roads" with two little kids in a blizzard, late at night, where there's no cell service. So, we hunkered down and found a nice little motel. I had all the kids luggage, presents, DVD players, toys, food etc in the car. You know what they say about staying in a motel, never leave anything in the car. So, I gave the kids insrtuctions to stay put in the room while I proceded to unload the car. Eight trips later, up two flights of stairs in 10 below temperatures, in the snow, we were unloaded! We went to bed. I woke up at 5am to RE-PACK the car and get us on our way before 6 so I could make it to work by 8:30. The roads were open, but they were terrible! We finally rolled into Denver around 10am. (it's only 83 miles from Cheyenne to Denver- it took 4 hours!) I drove straight to work after dropping the kids off at grandma's. Afterwork we went to dinner at Grandma's and THEN I finally got to go home! Whew! So Christmas morning I was pretty tired. We had a good Christmas though. The kids got what they wanted from Santa. Carlie got rollerblades, Alex got clothes. Here are a few pictures...I hope you all had a great Christmas too!

The treeAlex Alex and Mom

Alex opening presents

Mom and carlie opening presents

Carlie with her Rollerblades Santa brought her

Alex with Maggie

Carlie with her Barbie Castle

Margaret and Rita's house

Christmas morning

Rodeo

Carlie looking the part at the Rodeo

Matt and Carlie went to the Rodeo last night. Matt was excited to see Miss Rodeo ans Carlie was excited to see all the beautiful horses! Carlie told me all about the fireworks, horses and the bulls. She was most impressed with the fact that there was another girl rider there with the name Carlie. WAY cool in her book! They had a great time!

After watching some of her sister's videos, Carlie wanted to make her own movie so she could be famous! So here is her debut!

Big enough yet?

Ollie is just seven months old here, and as you can see he's a lot bigger than his 40 pound mom! He's a super sweet, cute dog! He looks like a big bear, or a sheep, or a Wookie!

He doesn't shed at all, not even one stray hair. It's awesome! I can hug him and I'm not allergic! I've never been able to do that. I love it!

Just threw this one in, Carlie is ready to tackle the snow.......

More of the Big Dog!

Poulton Party

Every year Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna host a party at their home for the Poulton side of the family. There were about 20 kids there under the age of 16. It was amazing. No running, no crying, no one was hurt! At the end of the evening I went down to the basement to retrieve my kids from the fun and I was shocked to see the place was spotless! All the kids things had been put away, all the trash picked up from opening presents. The kids had picked up and kept the place clean all night. We had a great time. It was great to see everyone. Big families are the best! Here are a few pictures from the big night...

Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna - the hosts Bob - my dad
Bob and his cousin Kim

Pam, Bob, Gina, Jim, Kim and Tuck

Bob, Gina, Jim, Kim and Tuck

Orin and June's kids, Bob, Gina and Jim Poulton Carlie opening presents from Jim

Alex in a sea of kids opening presents at Jim and Donna's house

Carlie showing off her present Carlie and Reid eating dinner at Jim's

Bob and his brother Jim. (My Dad and Uncle) Gina, Aunt Marge and Uncle Cy Aunt Donna (Jim's wife), Gary and Emily

Jackie, Uncle Cy, Uncle Jim and Bob

My Cousin Heather (Gina's daughter), her son and Me