Navigating through molasses

Do you ever feel like you are trudging up hill - through a river of molasses - in February? Then you can relate to my current state of mind!!!  I could continue with many cliches about how I am feeling, but I think that pretty much sums it up! Let me tell you where I am at....

I started out the year with a clear vision in my head of how I wanted the year to go (organized, prepared, focused, etc.).  It has not gone so well!!  My house is a disaster - I still have my Christmas bottles on my mantle - they should have been painted for February about 2 weeks ago.  I'm supposed to have my laundry room and my office done and organized - not even started!  I'm supposed to have a routine and a schedule and a family organization center - um..... nope!! There's more.....

On the other hand, I have started exercising every day, whether its yoga, strength training, walking the dogs, its something every day.  I've been drinking the amount of water that I am supposed to be drinking.  I've started teaching art in two more classrooms and am interviewing for a paid art position next week. I threw Jaidyn a really, really cool birthday party.  I worked 17 days in a row to help cover a situation at work.

After reviewing the month of January, looking at my goals and my vision, reflecting of progress made or not, and looking ahead at where I need to be, I have come to the conclusion that my life plan needs to be way more flexible that it is currently!  So, my 12 week plan has become more of an as I get it done plan.  I don't feel the need to beat myself up for not sticking to a set timeline.  Life happens daily and sometimes I am motivated to get things done and sometimes I'm not.  Yes, my life is chaotic; yes, it stresses me out; yes, changes need to be made.  But, no more timelines.

I have a renewed commitment to my goals. I can do this; I just have to navigate through the molasses.

The Diva's 10th Birthday

Overall, the Diva Party was a HUGE Success!!!  The girls had a grand time getting their make-overs and then walking the catwalk to show off their amazing styles.  I am SO grateful to the slew of teenage girls that helped with the stations - as well as a couple teenagers at heart!!  And the immortal words that every mother wants to hear at the end of the day from the birthday girl, "Wow, Mom!  That was the best party ever!!"

Yay, ME!!!  {HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE} Just imagine it in your head!!

The Cake

The Make Up Station - Thank You, Tori!

The Nail Station - Thank You, Sam!!

The "Make Your Own Lip Gloss" Station - Thank You, Shannon!

The Hair Station - Thank You, Sierra!

Short video of the glamour session.  Taylor Swift, Blank Space - playing in the background.

The Diva herself

Strike a pose!

The Presents

The Toast

The FUN!!!

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!!  If you have any questions about the decorations or stations, please ask, I'd be happy to share my recipe for hair chalk, lip gloss, or any other part of the party!!

Week One - My Sanctuary

So, I know that this post is a couple days late.  I really did have my task completed on time and then life happened so ....

Anyway, I'm excited to share the before and afters of my sanctuary.  Please let me know what you think or any questions you might have!!

The Befores:  (I resisted the urge to clean before taking the pictures - it took everything I had!  Please remember, this is a judge free zone!)

Note, the mess on the dresser - it is a catchall!  My knick-knacks are stuck in the corner behind my jewelry box.

Mom should be proud, my bed is made at least!

Another catch all place!

The Afters:

My corner revamped.  My knick-knack shelves are organized and displayed nicely.  My jewelry box has been put up on the wall since this picture was taken.  I was tempted to take the TV out of the bedroom altogether since we have quit watching it there, but then I made a dvd of a fire burning and it gives off a nice ambiance.

When we first moved in together, Darin and I started this 'He said; She said' board.  It was cute and fun and romantic.  It was exciting to try and find something new written on it.

Instead of removing the TV, I tried to disguise it, somewhat.  The wine bottle is what we drank the night he proposed.  It holds our ticket stubs, wrist bands, and other mementos from that evening.  The 'Pink Taco' cup and Buzz Balls are from Vegas when we got married.  The water bottle holds the ticket stubs from the Queensryche concert we attended.  My one and only total rocker girl moment when Geoff Tate took a drink out of it, threw the rest of it on the crowd and then dropped the bottle into my hands - it will be forever remembered and cherished. I am not ashamed to admit that I screamed like a typical 80's groupie girl!!!

My bed and nightstands, (minus the weighted blanket, I keep that folded and in one of the drawers under the bed).  Darin's nightstand is his domain so I just kind of straightened it a little - mine is much more organized!

Board #2 and 'Our Story' board

He Said/She Said board #2 - it didn't work as well with the markers and the black board.  We couldn't seem to write as small or as many things.

Everyone has a love story, I like ours the best!

Our first year on a board.  Our rings, our first cards, little notes, mementos, reminders of  the whirlwind romance.

No more catch-all!  The black laundry basket is for dark clothes, the white for light clothes and when one is full, it gets washed, dried and put away.  I end up doing about 3 loads of laundry a week for us.

This is the new version of our love boards.  On occasion, we will write little notes to each other about the little things that we do that sometimes go unnoticed in our busy lives.

Now my room is a place that I want to go to escape the rest of the world.  It is peaceful and calm and quiet.  Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!!  Stay tuned, I'm working on my laundry room and system and it's going to be AWESOME!!

12 Weeks till Spring ....

I mean, 12 weeks until spring break is over.  At which time my house will be deep-cleaned and organized.  Let me share my plan:

Week One:

The bedroom should be an area of sanctuary in the home.  It should be the one place that everything is at peace and the rest of the world can be shut out.  Those reasons are why I chose to focus on my bedroom first.

Week Two:

My biggest challenge, hands down, is keeping up with the laundry.  I have tried the load-a-day system, the all-in-one-day system, the each person does their own system - fails, every single one!  I HATE laundry, so the thought of doing it every day is awful (I really tried to think of a more colorful way to say that but it just flippin' sucks!).  Doing 10 loads in a day inevitably leads to a load left in the washer, a load left in the dryer, a couple unfolded loads on the cedar chest (where I put them after I moved them from the bed so I could go to bed....), a tub of unmatched socks, stack of clothes that haven't yet been put away and maybe five loads completely put away.  I don't even want to tell you how the 'everyone do your own' thing didn't work out - suffice to say it was an epic fail.  So, in addition to deep cleaning and reorganizing my laundry room, I will also come up with some kind of laundry system.

Weeks Three and Four:

My second biggest challenge is keeping up with the paperwork.  My 'office' consists of stacks of papers, randomly placed craft drawers, bins of magazines, etc.  I cannot see my desk top and haven't been able to for a couple of months now.  I gave myself two weeks for this project because it is going to require purging and filing and sorting and.....

Week Five:

My bathroom

Week Six:

The Living Room

Week Seven:

The Dining Room

Week Eight:

The Upstairs Bathroom

Week Nine:

The Kitchen - I'll have to kick Darin out or do it while he is at work since I will be invading his territory!!

Week Ten:

The Shed - It's a small shed, meant to hold gardening supplies and yard equipment.  Unfortunately it leaks - something we didn't know until we had stored cardboard boxes in there.

Weeks Eleven and Twelve:

By far, the largest project is The Music Room.  It is a 10 X 14 metal shed that has become a storage place for whatever we couldn't find a place for in the house, including everything that came from my classroom - I accumulated a lot in 2 years!  Unfortunately, while storing things, order was not the first thing on my mind.  It is chaos - there isn't even a path from one door to the other - it's horrible!  The two weeks that I have slated for that project are the two weeks of spring break.  Darin is taking one of those weeks off; I think we can get it accomplished.

Each week I will post pictures of the before and after of each room and describe how I did what I did.  Please comment and make suggestions, I can use all the help I can get!!

Say 'Hello' to a brand new day!

One of the things that I love about January 1st, is that it seems to be a chance to start fresh.  To say, "OK, this is where I was, this is where I'm at, this is where I want to be."


So, while perusing Pinterest, I came across this really cool template that I thought I would share.  It took longer than I had anticipated and was not nearly as easy as I had expected!  These aren't in any particular order, just what happened to cross my mind.

10 Highlights:

1. Mom - It may seem odd that Mom's passing would be on the highlight list; one of the last conversations that we had, she talked about how she felt trapped and helpless.  Now she isn't.  I like to imagine her soul at peace and if there is a heaven she is riding her horse around the streets of gold.
2. Student Success - While I can't share details, I had 2 students that were extraordinarily successful last school year.
3. Xmas Party - The first adult party that I have hosted, it was a pretty good success.  A good time was had by all, I think.
4. Charlie's Graduation - I am combining his graduation with his 18th birthday.  It is almost an indescribable feeling of pride, love, hope, and so many more emotions, while at the same time surreal.  It doesn't seem like it's been 18 years.
5. Married - Viva Las Vegas, Baby!! What a fantastic week it was!  On April 1st, I did what I had sworn never to do again and I'm loving every minute of it!
6. 42nd b-day - Those who have read The Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy will understand the significance of the number.  For those who don't, in that book, 42 is the answer to everything.  So for this year only, I have been the answer, whenever the kids don't know, they just say, "Mom is the answer!" While that has been fun, I put my b-day as a highlight because my party was small and fun and planned for me! Then, the night ended with my honey and I in the hot tub under a softly falling snow - big flakes, REALLY big flakes. It was perfect.
7. Teaching Art - This fall I have been volunteering in Jaidyn's classroom as an Art Heritage Instructor.  It is great to have interaction with the students and be teaching again.
8. Award Winning Tori - Tori is involved in many activities in which she is outstanding and contributed to the group in so many ways.  However, one area that spotlights her is her pianist ability.  When she competes, she wins.  She is amazing.
9. Xmas Presents - I handmade the majority of Christmas presents that were given this year.  On top of that, they were individualized.  I gave with love.
10. Acceptance - There were many self realizations this year, but the most significant was realizing that my dream/vision of teaching was not reality and that reality sucked!  It takes a special person to be a teacher - connecting with students and inspiring them to be their greatest in a world that constantly drags them down. That I can do; I can build a relationship with a student, inspire them, build them up, teach them to be and do and think.  Unfortunately, that is only 15% of the job.  The rest of 'teaching' is paperwork, parents, administration, cohorts, meetings, agendas, duties, lesson planning, and, so much more.  I have never been organized.  I have never been a planner. My favorite excuse is that I work best under pressure.  These qualities don't fit the requirements needed for 'teaching'.  When I was able to accept that my vision and the reality would never coexist, I was able to let go of that ideal and with that, I was able to let go of the disappointment, anger, and guilt of which I had been holding. It was an amazing release.

10 5 Disappointments:   (I thought for many hours but my year really didn't have that many downs.)

1. We were not able to attend the State Marching Band tournament.
2. We were not able to attend the All-State Choir Concert.
3. I didn't get my paperwork turned in in time to renew my CO license.  To be honest, I didn't know if I even wanted to renew it when it came time.
4. My teaching contract was not renewed at the end of the school year.
5. Even though I am making attempts, I can't seem to find a routine that keeps our family organized, our chores done, and chaos out of our sanctuary.

3 Game Changers:

1. Losing my contract and not securing another teaching position 
2. Loss of Income but with the same output
3. Adjusting our schedules to fit with the night audit position

3 Things I focused On:

1. Stepping back into the role of Mom - By that I mean reading with the kids every night, making super cool treats to take to classroom parties, helping more one on one with homework, playing more games, and spending quality time together. It's a work in progress.
2. Being a better employee - my last position suffered because of my lack of organization, I am trying to be better organized at work with the steps I take to complete my work
3. Organization - This is a work in progress and I didn't make nearly as much progress as I had hoped!

3 Things I forgot:  I'm sure that by this the template meant tasks or projects; I took it a different way.

1. To be a wife - The last half of the year has been overly stressful because of the circumstances we are facing.  Our focus has been on survival - day by day survival. At times it has felt like I am living with my best friend instead of my husband.  We have kind of lost touch a bit in the romance department. It's ok, though; I have a plan!
2. To have fun - When we first met, our family spent a lot of time playing music together, hanging out with friends, being outside our home and socializing with other people.  Recently, we have become hermit-like in our struggle to survive.
3. To step outside my bubble - I have been so focused on trying to fix what's going on in my home and in my bubble, that I have failed in checking in with those in my outer bubble.  I have said, "Yes, lets get together!" and then never made a date.  I've said, "I'll call you later!" - 3 months ago. I realize that true friends are able to pick up the phone and pick up where they left off and we do, but in the meantime there is much that is left unshared. 

Reflection and plans for next year:

Over the past year, the obstacles and challenges have been few, but they have been momentous and daunting.  I am stronger for having been challenged by them.  I would like to say that I have overcome them all, however, that would be a big, fat lie.  I am working toward it.  I don't put much faith in resolutions, but I think having a vision of where you want your life to go during the year requires planning.

Check back soon to see my plan for the year 2015 - it is going to be an amazing journey!

Sleep is overrated!

Every couple of months or so, some crime drama will have an episode that features a soccer mom hooked up in some kind of meth ring.  Their excuse is always that they just needed to keep up.  I can see the appeal!  Not that I would ever go there, but if I didn't have to sleep, I could get SO much more done!!!

I may have over extended myself a bit this holiday season.  This year I decided to make the gifts I'm giving.  Unfortunately, I spent lots of time planning and didn't get supplies until last Friday.  Now I find myself in a crunch because I have to have most of my gifts done by the 21st, our family Christmas.  I also have gifts that need to be sent off by the 17th.  In addition, we are having an 'Ugly Sweater Party'.  It will be the first adults party that I have thrown and I am super excited, but the prepping, planning, cleaning, decorating, etc.....  I'm feeling a bit like the walls are closing in.

To combat this feeling, I have decided to make a plan that will allow me to get everything accomplished.  Here it is, lets see how close I can come to actually carrying it out!!

THURSDAY

1. Clean and finalize decor in living and dining rooms
1. Vases
2. Printables
3. Village
4. Lights

FRIDAY

1. Make gifts 2, 4, 6, and 12 (I'm using code - all will be revealed after Christmas!)

SATURDAY

1. Make my niece's birthday cake topper.
2. Weekly household blessing:
1. Bathrooms
2. Laundry
3. Grocery Shopping

On Saturday nights post, I'll add pictures of everything that was accomplished.  I've not been idle the last few days, our tree is up and decorated.

Such a beautiful family!!!

Or not..........

They actually cooperated with each other while decorating - it was peaceful!

Love our life!

There have been concerts:

1. Charlie - How Far To Bethlehem
2. Charlie - Let It Snow
3. Charlie - The Holly and The Ivy
4. Tori - Silent Night
5. Tori - Baby It's Cold Outside
6. Tori - Christmas Medley - her solo is at 4:24
7. Tori - O Holy Night

The Parade of Lights to attend:

Charlie joined the CHS choir to relive the 'Glory Days' for a night.

Charlie - Silver Bells

Charlie - O Holy Night

The moon was amazing with the clouds and the lights.

Charlie in front of the Lego float

Smith has been busy:

Day 11 Stocking Smith

Day 12 Yoga Smith

Day 13 Sliding Smith

On top of it all, are a couple of little side projects that I am exited to share after the Holidays!

Check back on Saturday to see how I did on my To-Do list!!

The Feeling of Accomplishment

So, I'm a week into this personal challenge to overcome my procrastination habit.  I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself.  I feel like I have accomplished more in the last week than I have in the last month.  Some of the tasks are even ones that I have been putting off for a couple of months!!

If you haven't checked out my project list, yet, I'll fill you in on what I've gotten accomplished.

1. My family pics are done, thanks to my sister, Sheila, photographer extraordinaire!  Thanks, Sis!  They turned out amazing and I can't wait to post them on my page of pictures.  Look for them soon!
2. My Thanksgiving dinner is planned and my turkey is thawing, invites have been extended, and the decorating is underway.  Speaking of decorating....



Before:  This is taken from a different angle, on a different day.

3. I now have a 'fake mantel'!  This was HUGE, to me.  I have been trying to figure out how to get it done in the quickest, easiest, and, let's face it, cheapest way possible!  In the end, the total project cost me $10.82 - this is how:

Before:  I would like to note that I was too lazy to clean it for the before picture because I knew I would be tearing it to shambles.

Halfway done: I arranged the couch and put the bookcases on the tables. Charlie thought it was a great spot for Buddha!

After:  I bought 2 cans of spray paint in a dark brown ($3), used a spare shelf from another bookshelf for the top, used a spare piece of wood from the shed for the base, extra garden fence for the grate (I have decided that I need to paint it as well), and a plant to fill out the inside.

The lights were from Halloween, they flicker to simulate firelight.

The bottles were left from our wedding reception.

The vases and frames came from the dollar store. $5
The 'Give thanks' print came from here
My apologies because I can't find the site that had the other print.

My honey got this for me.

The Thanksgiving print came from here

The Thanksgiving print came from  here

The finished project