A whole month

I find it hard to believe that it has been a month already. 

Our household is a lot more relaxed these days as we aren't in panic mode to get from place to place like we are when we both work...so that's really nice.  I'm finding that my memory isn't as bad as I thought it was...it turns out when you've got too much to remember you just start to forget.  It can't be helped.

The TV is off once again this week...there is a nice hush about the house.  I typically don't like quiet...I listen to music everyday at work and I find it odd that I have still gone and picked up new music during my time off, but I haven't listened to it at all.  When I get back to work it will be fun to listen to all that I purchased during my time off.

I have to admit my Betty Draper day wasn't all that exciting.  I had my first glass of wine and I didn't like it...too sweet.  So it just sort of made me tired and I fell asleep on the couch...pretty dull.  Olivia thought it was weird that I was dressed up in nicer clothes with make-up on when I wasn't going anywhere.  She doesn't know who Betty is and that's a good thing.

So with only 3 weeks until I'm back in the office, this week is about me planning...planning for the week and coming up with strategies to keep my life smoother and more relaxed going forward.  I'm tired of being high strung!

Hard to commit

Aren't weekends great?

You've probably noticed that I haven't talked much about exercise or activity...it was to be a corner stone of my time. So far not so much. I still believe that I will turn it around but making the commitment is hard.

And it isn't just hard things and major changes that I have had trouble committing to...

As most of you know, I love to cook and bake. I have found a great looking recipe for cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing. I still have not made them. How is it that the fat girl cannot commit to a cinnamon bun? Am I conflicted between the healthy exercise and unhealthy baked goods? NO! I ate cheezies last. No conflict in sight.

If I can unlock this commitment thing I think I might be on to something.

...on a different note...my watching curling this week has affected the way I cheer at ringette. I was yelling "Hard!" a lot. That with my cowbell made me giggle. It appeared to be affective...Liv (defense) scored the game winner as she was falling down to her knees!

Ode to Betty Draper

Well the day is finally here...Betty Draper Day!

It started off with a bang.  I made breakfast burritos and banana/strawberry smoothies.  I have to make myself presentable to take Liv to school (thank-you mother nature).  And then I get to be home with my wine :).  Sure hope it warms up so Liv doesn't need a ride home.

I'm looking forward to doing laundry and dishes with a glass of wine in hand.  You know it will mean some SingStar in the middle of the afternoon...

I suppose I should think about what I'm making for supper.  If I wanted this day to be more authentic, I should hire a maid/nanny.  And I guess I should start my time on my own a la Betty Draper by going through my husband's pockets and trying to break into a locked drawer...yes that would be authentic Betty.  Or maybe I should BBM him and just let him know that his computer is still at the house :P

Stay tuned...

Ahhhh Shopping

I toyed with having today being my "Betty Draper" day, but decided that Olivia's plea for deodorant was more pressing.  So I think tomorrow is the day...get ready for drunken blogs and tweets.

Over the past week something happened to my laundry sorting station downstairs.  The cloth portion ripped and the plastic frame just can't take the weight of our clothes.  So off I went this morning to find a replacement.  I found what I was looking for...no more plastic...just metal and cloth.  But as I walked around looking for my laundry item, I started to fill the cart with all kinds of things. 

I remembered that we could use a new shower curtain liner...check.  I heard today on Canada AM that February is a good month to buy sheets as they tend to go on sale (who knew).  Turns out Canada AM was full of shit, but I started looking at bedding.  I had a new bed skirt, duvet cover, and extra pillow cases in hand.  I kept looking at bedding and then thought that I didn't love the colours and put everything back.

I picked up some measuring cups, garlic press, a fancy hand mixer and Tassimo Chai Latte.  I had to keep looking...

Then I saw the nicest garbage can ever!  I loved it.  It would fit in my little kitchen perfectly.  It has a larger bin for garbage than we have now and a compartment for recycling.  If you've been to my house you know that I just have reusable bag on the floor in that we toss recycables in.  Hugo loves taking all pop bottles, milk jugs, and juice bottles out of the recycling to play with (tear apart).  It isn't pretty.  So I was pretty excited about this awesome garbage can.  It was $200.

So I fired a BBM to my husband asking for his thoughts...the garbage can is still in the store (sigh).  I bet Betty Draper has an awesome garbage can...

No TV is out...

...for the week. Why? Curling. I don't know what it is, but I love watching curling. I've played twice in my life.

The first time I had a couple of rye and cokes and had fun. I thought I was pretty awesome sliding up and down the ice. My hip flexor was sooooo sore the next day it was unbelievable!

The second time was after my 2 achilles tendon ruptures. I can't push out from the hack due to the damage in my leg so I pretended to skip. I was convincing placing my broom and tapping the rocks just like the ladies I watch on TV.

I really don't know how to curl, but marvel at the shots made. So this week I've got the TV on and I'm armchair curling. Hurry! Hurry hard! Whoa!!!!!

3 weeks gone...

I find I think about whether or not I'm doing enough with my time off...and I've come to realize that I am doing exactly what I need to do.

When I had Gabrielle, we (new moms) only had 6 months of maternity leave.  I was 25 and not one of my friends were married and they didn't have kids either.  Since I felt out of touch I actually went back to work after 5 months off. 

Three years later Olivia came along.  At that time I was babysitting kids in our home to make ends meet and stay at home to raise my family.  I took 3 weeks off after Olivia arrived and was back babysitting.  It wasn't much of a break.

When I look back to the time I didn't take in the past, I realize that this time really cannot be wasted from where I sit.  If all you can muster is to chill out for a time, then that's what you need.  There doesn't have to be deep meaning in every moment.  Just being and being happy about just being is a wonderful thing.

So three weeks in...I'm at peace.

Sing like no one is listening

If you know me you know I love me some SingStar! If you haven't played you should.

I'm not a good singer, but I live to sing! I play this game on my own until my voice is thick and I can't score well...that's not true...I'll find songs that are easy to sing and do them hoping that I can belt out just one more song!

I'm playing tonight until I can't sing any more...and then I'm going to sing and dance some more.

I hope you are doing something fun tonight with your friends or family.

Any requests?

I scream, you scream

I think the world becoming more undone by the day...which is sad.

Tomorrow night I'm having a Float Bar. You remember floats right? Pop and ice cream...yummy! I bought all kinds of pop because there are so many great combinations: the grape float, orange (creamcicle) float, classic root beer float and the good 'ol Coke float. As a kid the Coke float paired best with Old Dutch ripple chips and Kraft dill pickle dip. Oh the memories!

I went to grab ice cream. I pondered the difference between vanilla and French vanilla. Would it make the float taste different? I grabbed a Breyers carton for $6. As I lowered it into the cart I noticed it was a frozen dessert. Pardon? I searched that carton for the words ice cream. They were nowhere to be found.

When did ice cream become frozen dessert? What is in it that it can't be called ice cream? I don't want to have a slice of pie with frozen dessert! How does that translate from a la mode? What the hell is happening?

I did find a carton of ice cream and bought it. Oh I have the frozen dessert too. There will be taste tests my friends...stay tuned!

Does Netflix Count?

I haven't had the TV on during the day since I started my sabbatical.  And really, I haven't missed it.  But today I was in the mood to watch the Tudors on Netflix, so I did.  So I'm debating if I broke my no TV rule.  I suppose I did.

I think the universe is saying that I did as well.  Once I completed season 1 (or at least I think I completed it) I went to turn off the PS3 and put the TV on.  Now the TV won't see the cable box.  I mean the damn thing won't even boot up properly.  Is that a sign?

So here I sit on my favourite TV night without my biggest TV working...oh what is a girl to do?

Stylin'

Well I managed to get out there and go for a walk with Hugo this afternoon.  I was excited.  He was excited.  And then we started walking...

It is a tad bit icy here in Regina.  Hugo started to pull and at times it was almost like waterskiing.  There I was, a fat chick being pulled behind her dog.  Our first dog Winston didn't like like the ice.  He was a little Pom-Poo cross who would "Bambi" on the ice...hell he could "Bambi" on our tile floor.  But regardless, his actions had no impact on me while I walked.  Hugo is a whole other story.  God helped me when he'd hit the cement while I trailed behind on the ice!

I'm thinking I need to start rockin' a helmet while walking him.  I could start a new trend right?  I'm sure a helmet is cuter than Rhonda with a brain injury.  So if you see a stylish lady walking her dog with a helmet on...you should come and say "hi".

Holy Shit!

Well the day is zipping by!  I was super productive today doing all of the things that are a pain in the ass while at work. 

I started the day doing our income taxes.  I was very organized.  I had my receipts, the girls' SINs, and the T4s.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the statement of our RRSP contribution limit for 2009.  Well I had it, but it was in the filing cabinet.  Now I hope you are better and keeping records than me, but our filing cabinet is sort of like a black hole for papers.  Statements, pay stubs, appliance receipts all sit on our little letter holder upstairs until we decide to have a party and then I 'clean' it up and move all of the papers (minus the expired coupons) down to the filing cabinet.  Do I file the papers?  NO!!

So here I was sorting through papers...I was finding bank statements from 2004 (unopened).  By the grace of God, I found the papers I was looking for and finished the taxes.  Refund!!

As a result of going through the cabinet, I shredded 2 large garbage bags of paper.  I broke a hard fast rule of our house and I tossed the paper in the garbage.  As I did I almost broke my neck on the ice that formed at the front step.  So I cleared that off. 

Now it was time to tackle the back yard.  Our new dog, Hugo, has made a nice mess of the back yard.  He chews on most everything.  I have found 2 of my solar lamps shredded at the back door.  He started to play with a basketball (which was super cute).  In about 2 minutes I noticed that he had punctured it.  It is starting to thaw here in Regina.  This big dog has big poops.  These poops are now being revealed as the snow disappears.  I removed the first layer of shit from the yard.  I think it was about 25 lbs...no word of a lie.

So I guess I need to keep on top of this going forward or we'll be knee high in shit come spring.

Hope your day isn't shitty (aka...awesome)!

2 Weeks Behind Me...

Well now it feels like something other than a holiday...we're at the start of week three and it is Valentine's Day.

I had a great weekend.  I took our youngest daughter up to Saskatoon for a Ringette tournament.  The husband and oldest daughter stayed at home.  I loved my time with Olivia.  Seeing her run around with the girls at the pool and her excitement with most everything we did reminded me that I need to take the time to appreciate our time.

Once I get back to work, I will make sure when we have tournament weekends that I take time off so I'm not feeling rushed to get back and clean the house or do the laundry.  That kind of thinking really takes away from the experience of spending time on the road with your kid.  Instead of waking up and hitting the road, yesterday I let her waterslide for an hour and a half before we left.  We stopped on the way home in Davidson for a burger instead of powering home.  Why?  Because I didn't feel the pressure to get home to get things back in order.  It felt great!

So what's on the agenda for this week?  I'm not sure...I plan on having a Betty Draper day at some point during my sabbatical.  I will walk around with a glass of wine in my hand all day...I just want to see what that's like :).  I also have visions of going to a matinee by myself at some point.  I know these are weird little things, but I guess they seem important to me as I've never really been alone.  I've never lived on my own.  I lived at home, them roommates, moved in with Clayton and got married...so doing things on my own is something that sort of makes me anxious. 

The other thing that I wanted to do while off was have more fun.  I fed my SingStar habbit in a big way last week.  I purchased 30 items from the SingStore.  I sang each new song and I think I danced all of the new ones too.  I'll have to pull together a group to sing and dance into the night. 

"Come on Barbie, let's go party!"

Old Before My Time

I've lost track of how many days I've been off, so that's a good thing.

So I'm really excited that it is warming up today.  I'll be taking Hugo for a walk at some point.

Looking outside I see that we had a little bit of snow and I now feel an odd bond with our old neighbours.  And when I say old, I don't mean the ones that have been here since we moved in 10 years ago...I mean the 'blue hairs', 'raisins'...I mean 'seniors'. 

Our neighbourhood has a fair bit of old folks in it.  We are in the south end near the new development.  Every year I watch as those retired folk remove every last snowflake from their driveways and sidewalks.  I've often thought, wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of time?  Well here we are...I have the strongest compulsion to get out there and remove the 1cm of snow and make my walkways prestine.  What does that mean?  Am I 40 going on 72?

I know that I still have one foot in a younger reality as I don't want to have an annual 3 day garage sale like my older counterparts...it would take more than 7 weeks off to change that.

BTW...banana inventory went down by six yesterday.

Old Habits Die Hard

Well after this week I think I won't feel like I'm on just another vacation.  I honestly I thought I'd be sleeping in a little.  I'm usually awake before 6am...just like if I was working.  I think I'll see if I can't just have a week that I'm lounging in bed when the house clears out, but then again, what purpose will that serve?

One thing that I though would be easy to change while off was my shower routine.  Don't worry, this isn't a TMI moment for Rhonda.  With my hair being long, I've been wanting to change my routine up and shower at night.  My hair takes a long time to dry and if it isn't bone dry, I don't have options like curling it at my disposal.  Sounds easy right?  Move the shower from the morning to the night.  How hard can that be?

Apparently it is really tough!  I've only managed to pull it off once.  When it comes down to the evening, my old routine is reigning supreme.  Last night I had every intention of having my shower, but then we watched the last 2 episodes of Mad Men from season 4 (what will happen to SCDP in season 5?).  After that I'm wiped!  An hour of dancing during the afternoon is really tiring (thanks SingStar Dance). 

So here I sit with wet hair in the morning...yet again.  Well I'm off to reduce the banana inventory in my freezer.  Today I'm baking banana muffins.

King of the World

I think if you asked my husband, he'd confirm what I'm about to say...I'm a good driver, but not a confident one.

Yesterday our daughter came home from school totally pumped because she had had her first hour of instruction for "Drivers' Training" in the car.  She parallel parked twice and was speeding down Albert St. (literally speeding...she was told to slow down).  Her success got me thinking. 

I haven't parallel parked since the day I turned 16.  That's right!  I got my license on my 16th birthday and have never done a proper parallel park since.  So if we did the math we'll find that Rhonda has not parallel parked in 24 years (OMG!).

My husband is a good and confident driver.  He backs into our garage so leaving is slick.  I've been to chicken shit to back into the garage.  What if I scrape the side of the car?  I'd never hear the end of it.  I still get teased about the time I ran into the garage door (going forward no less) and that was 15 years ago.  But today I dropped Liv off at school (-40C rule in effect) and Lenny Kravitz "Fly Away" came on the radio.  I'm not sure why that made me think of backing into the garage, but it did.  It gave me the courage to try.

So if you want a long story made short...I backed in no problem and as you can tell from the title of the post, I feel pretty good about it.  It's the little victories that make the day :)

One week done...

Where does the time go?

The week was pretty awesome. I got off my ass (GOMA)three times during the week. The most memorable was Saturday night. I took Hugo was a walk in the snow. It was gorgeous out! I got to running with the pup (70 lb. Pup). He was in a full out gallop at one point and I was laughing thinking how stupid this must look! I quickly realized that with us running and me being in such poor condition that I was in danger of losing control over the dog. I tried to put on the brakes, but found it hard to slow down the freight train that is Hugo. By the time I regained control, I was laughing hysterically and way out of breath...not the best combo for my lungs, but great for the soul!

I also cooked 9 new recipes during the week. Some were less than impressive while others were fantastic! Hits for the week included Reuben sandwiches, granola, black bean soup and chicken quesadillas. With my cooking spree in full swing I purchased a panini pan. Let me just say that every sandwich should be completed in a panini pan! OMG! And on a side note, Clayton lost 6 pounds between Monday and Friday.

I did not turn the TV on during the days at all. I read instead. I completed three books. For any TrueBlood fans out there, pick up the Charlaine Harris books that inspired the series. I've read all ten in the past six months and can't wait for the next one!

Here's to week deux!

Lucky Me

I've always been a little envious of those people that I see walking their dogs at odd hours.  You know the ones...you see them while you are driving to work and think what do they do that they can walk their dog while I am at work?

Today I was one of those people.  I took Hugo for a walk.  Now it wasn't a long walk; only about 20 minutes.  Hugo is a Lab/English Bulldog cross.  He has super short hair and I'm amazed at how well he does in the cold.  That being said, I didn't want to freeze his feet, so the walk was rather short.  I suppose that I could have put his jacket and boots on, but that's another story all together.

I feel lucky today; lucky as in fortunate.  I walked my dog at 1:30 in the afternoon and it was fantastic!

Rome wasn't built in a day...

There is a pressure to not waste a day.  I had a huge list in mind yesterday and realized that I need to relax a little and run this marathon rather than try to sprint.  So what did the first day look like?  Here's a run down:

• I did decrease my banana inventory by 6 yesterday.  The girls came home to the smell of banana bread (thanks epicurious).
• To the delight of my daughters, I made them their lunches.  I have insisted that they make their own lunches since they started school.  That way I don't have to hear how they don't like this or that.  Seeing as I'm trying new foods while off, I thought I'd extend that to their lunches and help them break out of their lunch box blues :)
• I shoveled and chipped the driveway and sidewalk for an hour and a half.  I had sort of set in my head that "normal" activities were not going to be counted as activity for me.  There is nothing "normal" about chucking snow and ice chunks 2 metres in the air!  I am so counting that as my activity for yesterday!  My back is so sore...
• I didn't turn the TV on during the day.  This is a big deal.  I get giddy every September, not because the kids go back to school, but because a new TV season starts.  I am also like a TV guide in my house...I can tell you what network the show is on and the times (yes, I can do East and West coast feeds).  As a result of my new no TV during the day I finished a book (Outlander - Diana Gabaldon)

So what am I working on today?  Well mission "get off my ass" needs to continue along with no TV.  I have picked 10 new recipes to try this week, so I'm off to the grocery store this morning!  I get to shop with all of the senior citizens.  And since I was up before 6am, there is a strong chance for a siesta this afternoon...that's a great little piece of Mexico right there!!