Tactics

Some nights I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep. Actually, most nights lately. After I go to the bathroom and drink some water, I run through a rather long list of ways to get back to sleep. What do I do when I can't sleep at 2:30 in the morning? Apparently blog, and some of these:

• I try not to think about the fact that I once heard that ghost like to visit around this time. I'm a horrible wimp. 
• I just try laying there. I try to empty my mind completely. Every time a thought or anxiety creeps in I         just try to push it away.
• I count backwards from 100 to zero.
• I do a mental walk through in my head of my childhood home. I try to remember every little detail I possibly can.
• I think of things that make me happy.
• If that doesn't work, I do something for a little while. Usually, I put the tv on or go on Pinterest. I try to avoid Facebook. 
• I lay back down and if there is no going back to sleep, I wait until it starts to get light and I get up.

Do you ever have sleepless nights? What do you do to help yourself get back to sleep?

These Moments

He is getting too heavy for me to carry for long periods of time. He runs fast and giggles often. He has perfected his mad face. He loves music. He sings to every song in the car, and asks me to sing along. He says things like, "We LOVE Adele/ Lady Gaga/ Taylor Swift." He calls me his "sweet Babu" and requests "beautiful hugs." He is the most beautiful boy. 

12 Resolutions for 2012

A new year is always full of fresh promise. It's an opportunity to do things different, perhaps even better. I really liked some of the ones that I had last year, and I still need to keep trying some of the old ones. For 2012, here's what I hope to accomplish:


1. Lose some weight.
2. Eat healthier and more clean
3. Plan my meals for the week
4. Clean and organize every drawer in the house
5. Create a mail center to finally corral the paper clutter
6. Read more books
7. Take more pictures
8. Write down three things I am grateful for each day.
9. Decorate my house. Hang things on the walls. I'm not sure what those things will be yet.
10. Learn to sew.
11. Be a super fun mama to a super fun kid.


Finally, because I liked this one, and it was incredibly motivating the first time around, I'm keeping this one again:


12. Be Brave. Do something new every week, even if it scares me.

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2011 Resolutions, Revisited

I always like to look back at last year's resolutions and see how I did. I'm sharing with you, and plan on sharing my new ones this week! Here is a blast from the past, January 2011:

1. Venture out more into blogging. This means writing more often, including some new topics that I'm passionate about, linking up to parties, and leaving comments. The last two are a little scary, cause I'm kind of shy sometimes.
Hey, I kind of did this one! When I started this year I had about five followers, and now I am super lucky to have  a bunch more. 

2. Continue our voyage into attempting to live more frugally. I want to make use of more free and wonderful resources that are available in our area. I'm contemplating making my own cleaners (which goes hand in hand with my desire for a healthier, greener living). I plan to start utilizing meal planning and coupon clipping more often. I want to save more money in order to continue to stay at home with my little boy.
I did some of this too! I make my own laundry soap and dishwasher soap. I make a great deal of more food from scratch. I tried to make my own bread. I still need to meal plan more often and be more consistent with my coupon usage. 

3. Live healthier. It's really a nicer way of saying that I want to lose weight. I'm hoping to include more new recipes that are healthy and yummy into our diets. I'm on a mission to try new fruits and vegetables, be more active, and feel happier. And I might just buy the Thirty Day Shred with some of my birthday money. I feel a little afraid after typing that last sentence.
I've incorporated new healthy recipes into our diet. My kiddo eats fruits and veggies like they are going out of style. 

4. Become an organization princess. The Martha Stewarts out there leave me in envy. I'm just like them, in believing that everything should have a place. BUT sometimes while cleaning up, I end up with stuff that doesn't have a designated place, and someone is ringing the doorbell and I will *cough*cough*cough shove said homeless stuff just anywhere it will fit for the time being. By "anywhere" I usually mean the computer armoirethat I never use. It is one of my shameful secrets. But this year I'm making up for it. In my mind this means restarting (and sticking to) my cleaning schedule, purging, and organizing even those areas that I don't often address until it is too late. Helloooooooo kitchen pantry, and closet o' mystery in the basement. I'm coming for you.
I am just started working on this one in December. I am looking forward to continuing this is 2012.

5. Make my house prettier. I've been inspired by all those in blogland who live on a budget but manage to make their houses beautiful by using their creativity and imagination. I have a couple of new things that I want to attempt. Perhaps even BY MYSELF..... WITH TOOLS.
It just didn't happen this year.

6. Be brave. Try at least one new thing every week for a whole year. It is easy for me to get stuck in a rut and have one week blend into the next. I'm going to make a conscious effort to do something that may or may not be enjoyable and may or may not make me comfortable. But I am bound to learn something. Hopefully about myself.
I started this one with a vengeance, but started to slack off as the year went on. But I did do one thing this year that was super brave, and that I thought I would never do. I entered into therapy. It hasn't been easy, but I know that in the long run, there will be a very large benefit. 

7. Continue to try and be the best possible parent that I can be. With extra kisses.

I have tried to do this every day. But it is my personal belief that there are just never enough kisses. 

I heart: Old School TV

Do you remember your favorite television shows as a kid or a  teenager? I do. Distinctly. As a matter of fact, I have a list of my very favorite television shows to share with you right now!

1. Full House

This is the first show I ever remember looking forward to each week.  I related to DJ, since I was the oldest of three girls. My middle sister was always being stopped in the store, because they thought she was Michelle.  I loved that it showed a non-traditional family, and that any problem was resolved happily in thirty minutes...... well except for the one episode with Michelle falling off a horse. Plus, Uncle Jessie was cute!

2. Saved By The Bell

I really don't remember how old I was when I watched Saved by the Bell, but I do remember thinking it was the best thing in the whole world. It was even better than neon jellies and Wilson Phillips. I wanted to be Kelly Kapowski. I was in love with Zack Morris. Reflecting on it now, I realize that Saved by the Bell must have been where my love for trouble makers originated. In hindsight, I probably should have stood away, but who am I kidding? This show was five pixie sticks all at once with a chaser of Kool-Aid (which I was never allowed to drink, by the way).

3. Boy Meets World

My oh my.   Cory would rant and do crazy things in the name of love, even if no one else believed. Eric was funny. And the very lovely Shawn Hunter was gorgeous and bit troubled, which meant I totally spent a fair share of my time fantasizing about dating him. I loved that as they got older it showed how strong and important childhood friendships could become.  I watched every single episode, and ate it up. I just adored EVERY. SINGLE. MINUTE. I still watch the reruns when I catch them, and love them just the same.

4. Dawson's Creek

4. Dawson's Creek was my ultimate favorite show as a teenager. Dude..... (*hello 90's flashback*) these people could have been my friends. I felt all of it epitomized my life from the philosophical talk to the longing looks.  High school was dealing with non-stop drama, growing up, and unrequited and sometimes requited love. I was never team Dawson and Joey. I was always team Pacey and Joey...... with emphasis on the Pacey part.

5. Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls was on for seven years, and in my opinion it should have been on for at least seven more. I was so enamored with this duo. I wished I was them. They talked fast, and were beautiful, witty, and smart. Rory was always reading these books that I would check out of the library but get bored with after the first chapter. Lorelei was the coolest mom around, and their relationship was one that I envied with every fiber of my being. The characters were unique and Stars Hollow could have easily been my small little town. I loved this show so much, that I may or may not have been inspired by one of the characters names when I named my little boy.

Did any of you love television the way I did? Or was I the only one living vicariously through imaginary television characters? What was your favorite television show growing up? 

Grateful

Yesterday was my son's third birthday party. I will share the details later this week, but for now...... I am so grateful that my son is growing up with a large support system of family and friends. We are thankful every day to have those individuals in our life. 

Squished Sleeping Quarters

Tonight I am sharing a bed with one sleeping toddler; one television watching cat; two Pillow Pets; one giant green dog, who goes by "Green Big Cup;" and one giant brown stuffed dog, who is named "Brown Big Pup." Seems crowded for a queen size bed, right? But wait, my friends, that is not all. Upon further inspection, I am also in bed with a blue Halloween pumpkin (which has a whole colony of Smurf figurines inside), and five glow sticks. Honestly? I might not get much sleep, and I might be a bit squished, but couldn't be happier.