NEW BLOG- Final post here

Hi all- I'm switching over to Wordpress...you can continue to keep up with me at http://gardengatesblog.wordpress.com

At the Y-M-C-A!

So, I will admit, I joined our Y in January of 2006 and NEVER used it, with the exception of programs Connor was enrolled in. And if that's not wasteful enough, Mark never used our family membership either. And if THAT'S not enough, my parents didn't use their memberships...$67 a month down the tubes. So, this is the year I find my skinny self again. I've had some health issues that helped me pack on the pounds (PCOS, pituitary/thyroid), however, I also love food. Not in the fast-food obsessive way we have in this country, but in the decadent, gourmet, calorie-laden way. Rich, luscious desserts, sumptuous comfort food dishes, and of course, being a full-time mom and full-time employee elsewhere, whatever I can grab from the kitchen. I love to bake, try new recipes, and every good cook knows that skinny just doesn't taste as good as fat. It is what it is.

I've tried it all when it comes to dieting and eating changes- what's missing is the exercise. I am proud to report that I lost 25 pounds in 2008, via watching what I eat (read, depriving myself of the really good stuff). However, when you're this fat, no one can tell when you lost weight. As I go to declutter at home and settle things as I want them, while committing to not buying things/spending money (another fun challenge in itself), I realized I have NO ENERGY to deal with this mess, and exercise has always given me energy.

So, I did it. I went to the Y last night for my fitness orientation and some perky, 20-something guy asks me what my goals are. Hmmm, is it not obvious??? I was nice- responded weight loss and toning. He set me up on an exercise program and a weight lifting circuit. And "yeah me", I went back today and did my 30 minutes of torture on the elliptical, which I actually started to get into after the first 10 minutes. So, 2 miles down and 200 calories burned, I relinquished my machine for the next guy, walked a few laps to cool down, realized I should have brought a water bottle, and went off in search of a fountain.

My thirst slaked, I went to the weight-lifting circuit and did my machines. Please don't ask which ones; I don't know. I just did what my FitLinxx told me to and I did survive the whole circuit, feeling just a tiny bit sore. And you know what? I feel GREAT! Oh so great! I came home, made a healthy lunch, and Connor and I are off to conquer the clutter downstairs and weed through the toys he no longer plays with.

Garlic-Dill Aioli

As my weight-loss quest continues, I am in a constant search for EASY foods that entice my tastebuds, while remaining natural and as unprocessed as possible. My requirement is that I already have most, if not all, ingredients on hand. Returning from the gym today I was craving something that would jazz up my boring turkey sandwich, so here's my creation:

1/3 C. Olive Oil Mayo

2 cloves garlic

1/4-1/2 tsp. dried dill weed (fresh is best, but it is out of season. Go sparingly with fresh)

Twist or two of fresh ground pepper

Optional: fresh lemon juice (1/2 tsp.)

Note, all measurements are approximate- I don't measure anything! Mix all together, use as a sandwich spread. Store, covered, in refrigerator.

Decluttering Continued

Something about the promise of a new year inspires me to leave 2008 behind and proactively make choices for 2009. I'm definitely in a mode of simplifying, decluttering, and overall, getting the junk out...physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Here's to 2009 and de-junking!

Out with the Old, in with the New!

Ah, 2009...how surreal it seems. Remember as a kid when you thought Prince's song "1999" seemed light years away? Over the past few years I've completely moved away from the whole bit around resolutions. I was too busy and tired to care, and as a type-A perfectionist the thought of declaring a resolution for something I was sure to break was leaving me in the mood of "why bother?" This year, I feel differently about it.

A friend of mine recently posted a note on Facebook about resolutions, and really, how they are promises we make to ourselves, because we must take care of ourselves, and I tend to agree. I become so busy as mama, wife, employee, daughter, sister, friend, and neighbor that I tend to overlook me. I'm not talking about being selfish, but I am convinced that better care of me certainly means a happier me, which enhances all of my relationships, along with my life. A better me equals a better mama, better wife, and so on.

When I look back over 2008, I've had some great starts that are important to continue. I've started cleaning up this cluttered mess of a house that has no storage. I'm starting to see no storage as a good thing. Unless they are holiday decorations, I probably don't need what is packed away, save for the baby items I wonder if we'll have the opportunity to use again someday. My three big themes for 2009 are faith, health, and simplifying/de-cluttering.

The first two are somewhat obvious...but the simplification goes much deeper than material possessions and a clean house (not that I'm even close to a clean house). There's too much emotional clutter in my life, to the point that I feel scattered, and instead of investing my time and efforts in a few key areas, it becomes spread too thin and renders itself ineffective. And I started to wonder, how many other women feel this way...and I was, may I admit pleasantly, surprised by the answers...many of us struggle with maintaining friendships worth keeping. It's not through a deliberate choice to struggle, but one of allowing everyday life and circumstances take away from our own needs, one of which being strong friendships.

When I look at my mom I see friendships that continue, spanning 35+ years, and I wonder how they did it. Well, they didn't work outside of the home, but that's not the entire answer. There was time made for things we don't tend to make time for anymore...a cup of coffee together, time sewing together, time just to chat. Once we moved, there was also the commitment to continue to stay in touch and to visit. And to this day my mom and her friends make that happen. In this great technological age, with all of its advances, there is also the negative of not needing to make an true effort anymore, and I'm guilty of this as well. Phone calls slack off, letters become non-existent, emails decline, and we are reduced to a hello on the Facebook wall. Again, totally guilty of such.

What does this mean for 2009? I've committed to myself that I will genuinely invest in those relationships that are meaningful to me...be it with a girlfriend around the corner or across the country. And while it sounds harsh, the flip side is I will no longer invest the time or energy in those relationships that lack authenticity, regardless of how long they have been in place. Ah, I feel relief just typing that. How interesting that when we break up with a guy, most of us are direct, specific, and resolute. We are direct with our kids and our spouses, yet why is it that women will not usually take the direct approach in acknowledging when a friendship has gone south? I have one relationship in particular that comes to mind, and I'll admit, I'm not taking the direct approach out...it's not one specific thing, it's not a monumental blow-out type of thing, rather it's years of seeing how different we are and I can no longer bridge that gap. For those in similar situations, struggling with letting a friendship go, I highly recommend http://www.lizpryor.com/.

I can assure you, if you are reading this blog, I am not talking about you, except in the sense that I need to focus more and up my efforts :) I wish everyone a wonderful and prosperous 2009, blessed beyond your imaginations! Peace-

We Be Jammin'!

Connor has four primary teachers for preschool this year, plus numerous others that support his class- the gym teacher, music teacher, and so on. In order to be able to give a small gift to all, we made jam. This was my first attempt at jam and it went MUCH better than the peach butter I made this summer. I spent a Saturday morning at Max's house and made peach, raspberry, and blueberry jam- YUM! Connor decorated and stamped gift bags, and we also had homemade cocoa mix in Ball jars. These gifts were a sweet success, at little cost, that I plan to cook up for years to come. We made over 30 jars of jam and 6 jars of cocoa, and all were distributed. Connor also made homemade dough ornaments and he was so proud to give these. And while in the domestic mood, I made buckeyes, rumballs, and fudge for my neighbor. We also received a California Wine gift basket from a neighbor who was playing secret Santa. I love it!

We're Back!

After a week in Dallas for work, the stress of re-packing in a few short hours, and waking a 3 year old at 4am to go to the airport (who cried when he had to take his shoes off and Mommy got a pat-down...did I mention how I LOVE when the random security check happens to a family with small children?), we made it to Orlando! And we had a wonderful week! I'm blogging as Connor takes his bath, so I must be brief, but I was so proud of him; a whole week with no naps, extended schedules, routines out the window and mealtimes at odd hours, and NOT ONE meltdown. Woo-hoo! Here are a few pics to get us started, and I hope to post more in the next few days. I have yet to get Christmas cards out and the house is a mess, so this would now be the downside of leaving for 2+ weeks in December, but we certainly enjoyed the time as a family.

Christmas tree at Sea World.

Mark's mom (Judy) and my brother Matty also joined us. Sadly, Matty only had two days off with us, but Connor sure loved having time with his "Uncle Rudy."

Marketplace at Mexico in Epcot, or as Connor calls it "Apri-cot." I know many families with young kids who shy away from this park, but since Connor enjoys understanding how things work, this was a great park for him. His favorite attraction was "The Land." This is a boat ride through gardens and an aquaculture area. The ride that won his heart here is "Test Track." Nothing like zooming along at 65+ mph!

Meeting Mickey again.

Ok, I'm off to put Connor to bed and attempt Christmas cards. More to come soon. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all!

Making It Through the Week...Blogging Break

It's a crazy time with my company and chaos and stress abound. I have a business trip this week, which I am not prepared for, leaving in the morning and catching a flight home Friday afternoon, and fly out again Saturday...Disney vacation! Unfortunately, you cannot just "show up"- you have to prepare, pack, etc. I pray for STRENGTH to make it through such a chaotic and stressful week of travel, work meetings, returning home safely, packing again, and flying out again about 12 hours later. Please keep us in your prayers- thanks!

A Step Away from Social Services?

No, not really, but...

I went to pick Connor up from my parents' today and he wanted to show me something "SO COOL!"

"Look Mom, it's my coffin!" (he says beaming with pride)

"WTF?" (I silently think)

Ever since Halloween Connor has been obsessed with Dracula and Frankenstein. They don't scare him; he'll tell you they are "really cool pretend monsters, but don't be scared, they're not real." Connor wears a cape. Daily. So, it's really interesting when we're out in public and someone says, "Oh, a superhero! I've never met a real, live superhero before!" Connor then gives a look that implies "you idiot" (yes, he gets that look from me) and says "I'M DRACULA!" puts his arm up and covers half his face with his arm and cape, just as Dracula does...to which sweet old ladies in the grocery store are probably silently thinking to themselves "WTF?"

It was a cold afternoon full of indoor play, so my mom and Connor decided their craft today would be to create a Dracula coffin. We have a big cardboard box, complete with coffin shaped opening, a pull tab on the inside lid, and a pillow inside. I can just hear Connor now..."I"M DRACULA and I sleep in a real coffin at home, on my floor."

It's bad enough I cannot get my house cleaned, cannot seem to break through the chaos, and now, we have a coffin in the house, that Connor wants to sleep in each night, with his cape. I just imagine Connor sharing his coffin story, or the fact that he likes to crawl into the dog crate, with some stranger in the grocery store and the calls to Social Services flooding in. As I tell Connor's preschool teachers: I won't believe everything he says about you, if you won't believe everything he says about me.

Out of the Mouth...

"Hey Connor, we are going to Disney World soon! Are you excited?"

"YEAH! Will I see Uncle Rudy?"

"Yes, we'll see Uncle Rudy."

"Will I see Uncle Mitchell?"

"No, Mitchell lives in Charlotte now."

"Charlotte's web? Mitchell moved to Charlotte's web?"

Homemade Granite Cleaner

I'm all about saving some $ and getting our kitchen granite clean, disinfected, and streak-free. Since it's black, it really shows any streaks. It reminds me of when you'd spill liquid on your lab table in biology class and as much as you'd wipe and wipe, it just wasn't coming up, leaving streaks everywhere. The Method granite cleaner is $6 for a little bottle which is gone in about 2 weeks. I decided to experiment and here's a recipe I found. I checked online and the alcohol is safe on granite, plus it disinfects.

1/2 c. rubbing alcohol
5-6 drops dish detergent
1/4 c. water

Mix it up in a spray bottle and for pennies you have a great granite or countertop cleaner. I've also been using it as I clean out the fridge. It does have an alcohol smell to it, but it works great, so I can't complain.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

#1
"Mom, I get confused with God and Jesus. Is Jesus God's last name?"

#2
We were reading a story tonight about heroes.
"Who is your hero Connor?"
"God!"

3:03am

Yes, I am blogging when I should be sleeping. Connor's school Christmas photo is today and I couldn't find his plaid shirt I wanted him to wear, so I asked Mark to look. I put Connor to bed, but fell asleep with him, at 8pm, which means...

• I didn't find the shirt, and neither did Mark
• I didn't finish editing my designs at work
• I didn't get anything cleaned up

I know I only have one child, but I am feeling overwhelmed. The house is a MESS, I cannot seem to find the time or energy to get it cleaned and keep it that way, so we are in a constant state of CHAOS and "where is...?" is a constant question around here. UGH!

SCORE!

I'm a big bargain hunter, but I hate shopping. For Christmas this year we wanted to get Connor a playhouse, and I found a cute one by Step 2, but I was concerned that it's $300, another $150 in shipping b/c the stores don't carry it, and it's only 48 inches high. My mom and I ran to Toys R Us Saturday morning and found quite a bargain:

Meet the Savannah playhouse. It was 50% off, plus I had a coupon for another $10 off, and yet another coupon for another $10 gift card. WOO-HOO! For under $240 total, I got this one, which is Connor's big gift from Santa this year. My dad looked it over and said you couldn't even buy all the wood and accessories for $240 or less, so it was a great deal, plus it's over twice the size of the Step 2 playhouse, will grow with Connor, and can be used as a garden shed when he's done with it. And we got the last one in stock at the store...serendipity! Now, the box says "easy assembly"...

Out of the Mouths of Babes

"Connor! What do you have shoved in your ears?"

"HUH?"

"WHAT DO YOU HAVE SHOVED IN YOUR EARS??? IS THAT CHALK???!!!"

"No Mom, I'm Frankenstein and those are my bolts!"

Ah, well,... that explains the small blue pieces of chalk barely sticking out of the kid's ears.

You've Got to Find the Humor

So, work is CRAZY, I'm stressed out 100% of the time, and lucky me, today was my annual at my OB/GYN's office. Now here is where I just need to find humor in the situation...

My doctor is the same one who delivered Connor and is overall an amazing and compassionate woman. She travels to Africa to provide volunteer medical care and the people she meets there have a special place in her heart. You can tell from being in her office that these experiences have had a profound impact on her...there are necklaces for sale in the lobby, made by African women, with all money going to an AIDS charity, photos of her journey hung around the office, and so forth.

One photo, actually the positioning of it, I found HILARIOUS! So I'm sitting on the table in the exam room, looking around while I wait, and one of her Africa photos is on the wall across from the exam table, posted at eye level. I started to laugh...HYSTERICALLY!!!

The photo is composed of approximately 10 plus male teens, and it appears that they are all looking slightly downward at something. The angle of the photograph and its position on the wall directly across from the foot end of the exam table all combine to appear that you have a very captive audience during your exam.

Halloween...and what time is it REALLY?

Argh! It's Cannonball Connor!

Mark and his little pirate.

Ready to trick-or-treat!

The really cool thing about living in the neighborhood you grew up in is to see your child take part in activities and traditions that you were involved in as a kid. We have an annual Halloween parade and Connor now participates, and I love that it starts in front of our home. Even better, seeing friends I grew up with in the neighborhood returning with their kiddos and joining in the fun. I saw so many friends from school, and they made the mistake of talking me into joining Facebook. I've been addicted since joining late Friday night. I digress...

Connor had a good Halloween. Here's how we've progressed:

2005: Dressed as a pumpkin, too little for candy

2006: Dressed as a shark, too little for candy

2007: Dressed as a shark again (he begged to), went trick-or-treating, more interested in looking into our neighbors' homes than in candy. Candy, what's candy? My mommy doesn't let me eat that.

2008: Dread Pirate Cannonball Connor. CANDY! OMG Mom, you go to peoples' homes and THEY JUST GIVE YOU CANDY!!!

Now, what to do with all of this crap? So much for the weight I've been losing...already screwed that up with some Reese's. My MAJOR annoyance with Friday night was that our gym was still continuing with swim lessons- no refunds and no make-ups. What kind of idiots expect kids ages 2-9 are going to show up for a swim lesson on Halloween night??? Swindlers!

And I know the time change is only an hour, but I am completely thrown off and headed to bed.

"Booed!"

This is the first year I've heard of such, but we have been "booed" by some friendly neighborhood ghosts. Actually, double booed. We returned home from an evening in Norfolk to find not one, but two, treat bags on our front porch, each with a neighborhood boo poem. How cool, and how loved we feel to have scored two bags. Tomorrow is the last day to return the favor, so we'll be sure to do so.

Have no idea what I am talking about? Check here: http://organizedchristmas.com/youve-been-booed

Our treat bags are so nice, not just candy, but pencils, straws, and little toys that Connor loves. Yeah neighbors!

From the Mouths of Babes

Last night Connor helped make goody boxes for some family friends, in preparation for Halloween. He was bummed that there was not one for him and I said that I'm sure he'd receive some candy and treats for Halloween. Here's where "creative parenting" comes in...I was tired of listeng to him whine about it AND I remembered that "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" would be on TV last night, so I said..."Maybe the Great Pumpkin will bring you some treats."

That was probably a big mistake. I met a girlfriend for a drink last night, so I did not do bathtime/bedtime with Connor. This morning, Connor woke me up with:

"MAMA! MAMA! THE EASTER PUMPKIN DID NOT COME LAST NIGHT! THE EASTER PUMPKIN DIDN'T COME!"

It's first thing in the morning, I'm still in bed, just waking up to the panic that the Easter Pumpkin didn't come. Reminds me of a girlfriend who fell asleep and forgot that the Tooth Fairy was supposed to visit her daughter's room that night- try explaining that one! So, in recovery mode, I asked Connor, "Did you put out your treat carton, with the pumpkins?" and he responded, "No."

"Ok, well that must be the problem Connor. I think if you put your treat carton out with the pumpkins tonight, the Great Pumpkin might come by with some treats."

Note to self- this just started a new tradition in the house.

Wordless Wednesday