My little "BIG" Girl

Poor Bergen. She left her tricycle behind the Durango late last fall and I backed into it. I knew what it was the moment I bumped it and I was heartsick. I'd picked it out as a birthday gift and had wanted her to have it since before she was born! (Logan got a bicycle instead of a tricycle for his third birthday and I felt gypped. Shouldn't every child start out with a tricycle? I thought so.)

Of course we weren't about to go out and buy a new Radio Flyer... Well, I was, but my plan was overruled. So that sweet little girl has been tooling around on Logan's "Rocket" and has been pretty content with it.

Look at her! What a proud little thing. She's getting to be such a big girl!

 

I'm glad Bergen had a bike to ride this summer. But I'm hoping she'll have something a bit more girly next year.

Venting about Routine

Things seem to have become more than a bit routine since school started. And its not the routine I imagined it would be. I feel like I

• Get up
• Get Logan to and from school Monday through Friday
• Get Bergen to and from school Tuesday and Thursday
• Work some
• Workout some
• Have lunch?
  
• Stress out about all I'm not getting done
• Make sure homework gets done after school
• Put together some kind of makeshift dinner
• Read with the kids
• And put them to bed

I'm glad I have Craig here to do all he does. He's the one who takes the kids to school and he gets Logan ready in the morning. Okay, I take Bergen to school and pick her up sometimes, but he takes Logan and picks him up all the time. (It's their time together.) He takes care of Bergen's lunch when he remembers because I'm not always home at lunchtime. And best of all, he takes care of making sure Bergen gets her bath and Logan gets his shower.

I know I really can't ask for more... but I am.

I want a little time to myself. And I don't want it to be night time after the kids are asleep. I want time during the day to do something I don't have to do, and time at night with my hoosband (even though I know he has to work). Maybe even an evening to myself now and then that I don't have to worry about finding a sitter for.
What a concept!

I know I shouldn't be complaining. Things are a lot more "normal" now than they were last year at this time. I just really want to see some things change. Again.

I'd better get on it!

Yum.

We make homemade pizza once a month or so. It's a Ream family tradition. And our kids love it!

While I was working around the house today I decided that tonight would be a pizza night. Easy dinner is what I was really thinking. So I got some pizza dough out of the freezer. (Okay, so maybe everything isn't perfectly homemade, but close enough. Thank you Sam's Club.)

The kids had their usuals: a pepperoni calzone for Logan and a cheese pizza for Bergen. After I made them their personal sized portions there was enough dough left for another small pizza and maybe a half. So to finish things off I made a pepperoni pizza because I knew Logan would still be hungry and even if he ate until he was full there would be some left for Craig, and a little specialty pizza for myself... which is where the yum comes in.

I wasn't in the mood for anything heavy so Iooked in the fridge, spied some of those sweet peppers I like so much, and decided to try them.

 

Oh my goodness! Yum. Yum. My pizza was delicious and I will definitely be making it again.

This is SO me!

I read an article recently that made me think to myself, "they're talking about me!" I've known for a long time that I have this paralyzing problem. I'm glad to know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope I can find that tunnel...

I've changed some things to make this information apply to myself, but here's most of the original article:

I've never thought of myself as a perfectionist. One would only have to peer into my office to understand why.

My "spaces" have the appearance of chaos, confusion and disorder. "Appearance" is the operative word. I find the chaos to be completely functional. I rely on my own, unique organizational theory: It's better occasionally to waste time searching for items than regularly to take time keeping the place tidy with everything meticulously filed.

I know what you're thinking. My mother didn't agree with my theory either.

I admit that I struggle with procrastination. But me, a perfectionist? Hardly. A perfectionist is someone who does everything perfectly. I only think about doing things perfectly.

Not long ago, the person who wrote the article had the opportunity to hear what Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California, had to say on this subject. A procrastinator, says Warren, is nothing more than a frustrated perfectionist.

A perfectionist is convinced she must prove her worth by being perfect. A perfectionist craves approval. Warren contends it's the fear of not being able to perform perfectly that leads to procrastination. And procrastination eventually leads to paralysis.

There are times I can go over something for hours on end without completing anything. Even though I have a great idea, a clear-cut objective, and a plan to get there. Until I know I can do it perfectly, I'm paralyzed.

Have you ever felt paralyzed by your procrastination? Perhaps perfectionism is at the root of the problem.

Could it be that you're so worried about making a mistake, you find yourself paralyzed? Are you holding yourself to an unattainable standard of perfection? That could be what's keeping you stuck right where you are.

Perfectionism can keep us from moving forward, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are antidotes for perfectionism.

1. Believe that no one is perfect. You will liberate yourself when you lower your expectations from perfect to realistic. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. You don't have to be perfect to be happy.

2. Let go and let God handle things. It takes a lot of faith to let go of those things over which we have no control.

3. Learn contentment. Life must be lived in less than perfect circumstances. Accept that. Love the moment, and enjoy the journey. Dump the pressure that says you must be perfect to be accepted.

It's time to break out of my prison of perfectionism. I must identify what I need to do and take the first step. Even if I fall flat on my face, I will have gained at least five feet. Then take the second step, and the third. Before I know it, I will be making terrific progress. Not perfection, but progress!

©Copyright 2010 Mary Hunt
Everyday Cheapskate is a Registered Trademark

I truly admire people who say they are going to do something or think about doing something and do it! What I want to know is how they do it. I want to figure out how to do things right now; without hesitation. Because one day I'm going to be like that.

Dinner with Dad

Today was Craig's birthday, so tonight the kids and I joined him for dinner.

As soon as Craig left for work I started making cupcakes. Then the kids and I ran to the store. We had to get a few last minute things for our party.

At 7:20pm we picked up a pizza and headed to CAT. Craig called while I was driving over from Pizza Hut. He was waiting for us just inside the door and came out to the parking lot as soon as we got there. (CAT employees technically has a 20 minute lunch, but apparently everybody takes 30. Craig was in the car with us for exactly 20 minutes!)

The kids couldn't wait to give Craig his cards. Bergen made one this morning and she and Logan chose one together at the store this afternoon. I think it made him happy that they were so excited to give them to him. He wasn't even in the car before they started singing!

So we all enjoyed our pizza with some root beer; which was a must for Logan who had been planning for it all week. Seriously, he asked about the root beer every time we talked about our plans for having dinner with dad.

 

After dinner we had dessert. Craig had no idea we were bringing cupcakes. And a candle... Surprise!

 

When his time was up Craig returned to work and the kids and I set out to make his birthday even more memorable. We found his Jeep and decorated it! Logan and Bergen colored on the papers and I taped them to the windshield. Of course Berg had to climb up and help me! Then we headed home.

 

I had to laugh when Craig got home from work and told me his Jeep had been decorated. I had completely forgotten about it! I thought it might be fun for someone to see him get in it and realize it was his birthday, but no one did. Oh well, maybe a driver somewhere saw the sign he missed on the back tire while he was driving home...

It said "Happy Birthday!" And I think that's what he did.

Hula Lessons and More

My friend Laurianne invited the kids to learn the hula. Laurianne grew up in Hawaii and danced for the Polynesian Cultural Center. She is an amazing dancer and will be teaching dance classes at the Morton Center this fall. In preparation, she taught a group of children The Hukilau so they could perform it at Global Fest last weekend.

I was thrilled to have Logan and Bergen be among those invited to participate. They were excited too. They enjoyed the practices and had fun playing with the other kids afterward. In fact, they're still asking when we're going to have a play date with John! (I'm going to have to get on that.)

Unfortunately, when I put the performance on the calendar, the date didn't register. A few weeks into practice though, I realized things weren't going to work out.

Craig and Logan have a tradition that can't be broken. They've been going to the US Nationals every year for the last three years and will continue going for ever. Since they have their day, Bergen and I have established a girls day out for that same time each year. This year it was September 4th. Labor Day weekend. It's always Labor Day weekend.

Why didn't I look at the calendar more closely? I felt like a heel.

I spoke to Craig and we decided to let Logan choose what he wanted to do. We both knew the answer before we asked the question. He wanted to go to the nationals. I had made plans to go to Chicago and for a minute I seriously considered the possibility of not going. I even thought if I left super early I might be able to get home in time for Bergen to perform in the evening. Then I found out that the dancing was going to take place during the middle of the day.

I felt sick. I didn't want to let anyone down. I also didn't want to miss going to IKEA! This was my chance and there were things I needed to get! So I made my decision and told Laurianne neither of my children would be performing with the group. I didn't even take them to the last practice because I didn't think it would be fair for her to go through a dress rehearsal with kids who weren't going to be there for the real thing. And because I didn't have the heart to tell Berg she wouldn't be performing...

So Saturday came and we set off on our adventures. Craig called me once and left a message at Logan's request. They had a great day! Bergen and me, not so much. Not that it was awful; it just wasn't what I expected.

Maren came over on time and we left late as usual. Then Google Maps took us on a detour near Gary. A big one. It took us much longer than it should have to arrive at our desired destination. We were tired and hungry and it was lunchtime when we got to Schaumburg so we ate at The Cheesecake Factory (yum) before going shopping. I had a plan for my trip. There were things I wanted, and things I needed, and I was going to find them. I only found one thing on my list. Maren found a few more.

Long story short, we stopped at The Rack to look for shoes after leaving IKEA. Shoes were on my list, but no shoes were found and the place was crowded and stinky and the line was so long that I wouldn't have had the patience to stand in it if I had found the shoes of my dreams anyway. I was glad there was a McDonald's nearby so we could get a beverage before heading home.


Now that I've had time to mull things over I'm wondering if I should just have stayed home and let Bergen perform the hula. It most certainly would have made for a nicer day. Not that I didn't have fun with you Maren.

And in case you're wondering, Bergen was perfect in the car all the way to Chicago - and all the way back!

A Project!

I haven't sewn in a long time and I miss it! I've been to busy to sew over the summer, but today I had a project to do and that project couldn't wait! Since Logan lost his first tooth this morning I needed to prepare a place for it. We talked about how the tooth fairy would come and get it and he was adamant that it needed to be left under his pillow. So...

I made a pouch for Logan to stat using tonight and one for Bergen to use in the future. Bergen and I went to the fabric store to look for a toothy design, but we couldn't find anything, so we settled on stripes for Logan and circles for her. (Oh she would rather have had puppies on her fabric, but I think she may outgrow them before she loses all of her teeth and I wanted something that would last.)

Each pouch is about 4" square and has a ribbon drawstring.

 

 

Logan attached a note to his and was thrilled to put his under his pillow with the drawstring sticking out just a little bit. Good call Logan! The tooth fairy didn't have to search or wake you up to leave you your reward!

This was a fun and easy project. And now my sewing machine is ready to go again. Next up - baby blankets.