Living Life Exhausted

Life gives us such funny moments, don't you think? Sometimes, we may have to put some distance to our moments though before we find them funny! That has been my week. I have been busy and I promise you, there have been tears shed!

I have had my share of moments to laugh at as I find a new level of exhaustion. My hubby has been out of the country for work, family has come and gone with visits, and my little one is teething which has lead to almost no sleep the past week. I thought I would share with you some of my funny moments, in case you need a laugh yourself. Go ahead, laugh at my expense, I don't mind:

1. I have a keurig and drink coffee on days I absolutely can't wake up. A few days ago, I poured the water into the spot where the k-cup goes. What a mess to clean up, water was everywhere!

2. Upon waking, I put on my reading glasses because I didn't have the energy to put my contacts in. I ran around the house picking up from the night before and started breakfast. My mom walked in and asked if I was going outside or if I just like wearing my sunglasses inside. Yeah, I never even gave it a second thought as to how I still couldn't see nor did I notice the room getting darker.

3. Since we are doing some painting at our new house, I had to stop at a local hardware store and get some paint rollers. I was at the checkout when I realized I didn't have my wallet (aka: NO money). My mother-in-law saved the day by stopping in and loaning me some cash. Still embarrassing. 

4. You would think with #3, I would have learned to take my wallet with me or, at the minimum, stick some cash in my car. Once again, I found myself running to town to pick up fast food, only to discover I forgot to grab money! I turned around and made dinner at home. Great way to save money, I guess!

5. I ran a quick errand while my mother was watching my daughter (this time the wallet made the trip) and amazingly everything went smoothly. I came home, went to take off my shoes, and gasped in horror as I realized I wore 2 different sandals on my errand run!

It may be time for this momma to call it a week! 

Okay, I did actually have some very successful moments, too! My mom came to visit and we spent an afternoon shopping. I got this new tank and absolutely love it!

I am kind of embarrassed to admit I have already worn it a few days this week! It is going to be a great on-the-go, throw-it-on tank for me!

I also got Payton signed up for swimming lessons! We have been "practicing" by swimming in our pool almost daily! Grandma enjoyed this time, too! 

How has your week gone?

A Bit MIA

I realize I have been missing in action for a bit now. I could go into the list of reasons why, but ultimately. Life. Happens. There is just way more on my plate than I could possibly handle so I have been doing the best I can. I end my days with an overwhelming to-do list for the next day, not my style. 

My week actually started out well with a beautiful, long walk.

Then, it became chaotic in an instant. Although I planned for it, I hadn't planned for the projects around the new house to be so time consuming or for extra life stuff to happen.

So what am I doing? I have been working on the (new) house trying to get it cleaned and painted before we move in. This isn't typically a must before moving day but we can't actually live there until all the plumbing issues are corrected. So, while the plumbers work, I work (and then some because I have found plumbers seem to work limited hours).

With the assistance of my mother-in-law this week, we started with the living room. Here is the before picture:

 The crown moulding in the middle was removed and we found peeling paint. A trip to our paint store and we learned we had to scrape walls and then prime then before we could even consider painting! All I wanted were my walls painted! Oy vey!

After hours of scraping and 1 coat of primer, we got this (excuse the mess):

After 2 coats of paint on all the walls, this is our progress:

We couldn't be happier (with the result and that this painting project can conclude)! We are planning to get some crown moulding along the top before we call this room done!

This new house has been so much work already that Payton added in an extra nap one of the days. I desperately wanted to join her.

I also regret to report that I did succumb to coffee this week. Really, the only way I have been able to get through these long days and nights (baby is teething) is to live on this stuff.

In all reality, I am struggling horribly. I miss my normalcy and want my routine back. I am hoping we get moved quickly and I can find my balance again. And get some sleep. Much needed sleep.

How has your week gone?

College or Not?

Mel at brokeGIRLrich was gracious enough to let me do a guest post on her blog on how my college education enhanced my career. See an excerpt:

                   Recently, a friend of mine said, “If I could give back my masters

                   degree to get rid of the student loans that came with it, I would.”

                   This is an individual that I went to grad school with.

 

                   She got me thinking about how I wouldn’t change having a college

                   degree for anything. Going to college was one of the better

                   investments I have ever made in my career. Let me share with you

                   why it can pay to invest in yourself and earn a college degree.

Click on over and join the discussion... Is grad school worth it? Also, if you are considering college but are worried about how to pay for an education, be sure to check out my E-book.

The Guy Behind the Blog

So, as I mentioned here, I am going to participate in the Guy Behind the Blog series. Unfortunately, this is the last of the series, but never late than never! Five simple questions were given for my husband to answer and let me say, he is a man that gets straight to the point. I couldn't help but insert a few of my comments as well!

1. What was your first job? I was a grocery store stocker and bagger in high school. 

Kelly says: He also worked full-time at a grocery store after high school while he decided what direction he wanted to go in life. He left that field to go to college and become an electrician. 

2. What is the biggest risk you've ever taken? Buying my first house. 

Kelly says: Agree, buying a house is very scary. It was also well worth it.

3. What is one thing you can't live without? My baby girl. 

4. What is your least favorite food? Peas. 

Kelly says: He is still a trooper to try a few whenever we have them (which is very rarerly). 

5. If you could time travel, where/when would you go? Nebraska pioneer times to see what it was really like. 

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed reading his answers as much as I have!

Leibster Award

At a time when I was starting to question if blogging was the right move for me as I already have so much on my plate, I received notification from RVA Urban Mom that I had been nominated for a Liebster award! I am so honored and can't tell you how this came at a perfect time! Do you ever have one of those days where you question everything you are doing? Yeah, me neither (wink, wink).

What is a Liebster Award?

It's basically a chain letter, but in a blog post form.  Once someone awards it to you (again, thank you Sarah), you have to answer certain questions in a blog post and pass the love along to a set number of blogs who you think deserve recognition and exposure.  I'm going to take this as a compliment and I intend it as a compliment to those I honor with the award.

 

Liebster Award Rules

• thank the person that nominated you and link back to the their blog
• answer 11 questions from the nominating blogger
• provide 11 random factoids about yourself
• nominate 11 small blogs you feel deserve the award
• create 11 new questions for your nominees to answer

My Questions to Answer

1. Why did you start blogging?

I talk more about this here, but I really wanted to document my life so that one day my daughter could see what life was like for me at this time. When I became pregnant with her, I thought a lot about my own mother and wondered what life was like for her when she was my age. I considered keeping a journal, but I have a tendency to lose things, so I thought this route worked better.

The second reason why I chose to start blogging was that if I helped someone along the way, that would make it even better!

2. What is your favorite food?  Why?

I love pastas! Spaghetti is my go to meal and we have it all the time (ask the hubby, as he likes to complain about how often we have this meal). I don't really know why I like it so much, it just tastes delish. When I was pregnant with Payton, we seriously ate spaghetti a couple of times a week during my last trimester (sorry hubby)! My taste buds were going wild at that time and spaghetti seemed to taste so amazing during that time.

3. The mountains or the beach?  Why?

This one is a tough one, because I would do either. I have enjoyed trips to both. Lately, though, I really want a vacation to the beach. The mountain vacations are more for camping, hiking, and being on the lake. Overall, they are more active vacations. The beach, on the other hand, is more for lounging, laying poolside, and drinking delicious alcoholic beverages. Yeah, I could go for a beach vacation.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I actually want to be where my family is! Right now, we are within 3-4 hours of our immediate family and I definitely don't want to increase that distance. We would love to get even closer in distance to them, but are happy where we are at!

5. If you had a magic lamp, what would you wish for?

This is a tough one! I think I would wish for my family and friends to find happiness in life.

6. What is a quick and easy dinner recipe you enjoy?

Sloppy Jo sandwiches. They are so easy, cook hamburger, drain meat, add ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce (eyeball amounts, no actual measurements), and mix. Serve on hamburger buns.

7. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Flying! I used to dream all the time about flying when I was a child. I also love the Harry Potter series, which involves people flying.

8. What was one of your favorite movies as a child?

I loved Disney movies but I remember watching My Girl all the time! This movie is about a young girl and her life. Her mother died giving birth to her and she was raised by her father, who runs a mortuary. He starts dating for the first time since the loss of his wife. Her best friend, Thomas Jay, is with her 24/7 until something tragic happens (won't spoil the movie). This movie is also a book and I have read it almost as many times as I have watched it! I also really loved the movie Now and Then.

9. What is your favorite book?

I hope you are getting the general idea that I love to read! The books are almost always better than the movies (that doesn't stop me from seeing the movie though)! I have always loved the book A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin. This is a tear jerker!

10. What is your favorite quote?  Or, what is the best advice you have received?

"Learn to live in the moment." A college professor told me this once. He was teaching about mindfulness (I touch on how to do this a bit here), which focuses on being fully invested in what you are doing, within that moment. I  still work on this everyday, but I used to constantly be thinking/planning my future. That caused a lot of stress in my life. 

11. What is your favorite post that you have written?

I would have to say this post on my child's first birthday! I don't necessarily think it was my best work, but it was a day I documented that meant so much to me. I still can't believe she is 1 year already! We were so blessed by such a great party and a house filled with family and friends to celebrate!

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I loved high school. Many people seem to not like looking back at this time period, but I had a blast at this age. 

2. I am very afraid of many animals. This includes many bugs, mice, rats, snakes, coyotes, badgers, spiders... The list goes on and on.

3. As much as I fear animals, I love being outdoors! Camping, sitting around a firepit, walking, playing at the park, and lounging on a blanket or hammock are just a few of my fav outside activities.

4. My husband is my better half. Hands down.

5. Instead of putting corn and mashed potatoes separately on my plate, I routinely mix the 2 together. Others have thought this to be weird!

6. I get my hair cut 2-3 times per year. Honestly, I just don't make time for it.

7. I take the longest showers. I also have the tempurature very hot!

8. My first vehicle was a Pontiac Ford Escort. It was bright green. 

9. I do not like pickles.

10. I love to dance.

11. My name would have been Kelly regardless of me being a boy or a girl, although there was no significant reason for my parents picking this name. 

My Nominees

The blogs I nominated are ones that I LOVE and am currently reading everything they post! I believe I am following blogs that are 1) going through similar life stuff (ahem, having/raising kids), 2) can decorate like nobody's business, or 3) have style and a fashion sense that I only dream about. Here are my nominees:

1. Mallory @ Mal Smiles

2.  Cait @ Fierce, Fabulous, and Fit

3.  Penny Chevalley @ The Real Housewife of Caroline County

4. Tenns Reid @ New Mama Diaries

5. Jennifer @ Mommy Life After Ph.D.

6. Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures

7. Kelsey @ Organizing Life with Littles

8. Julia @ The Everyday Momma

9. Pamela @ Macdonald's Playland

10. Kelly @ * View Along the Way *

11. Jessica @ Sparkles & Glue

Questions for the Nominees:

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What is your favorite memory?
3. Tell us about your best vacation.
4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
5. If you had a magic lamp, what would you wish for?
6. What is a quick and easy dinner recipe you enjoy?
7. Name one item we can always find in your refrigerator. Why?
8. What was one of your favorite movies as a child?
9. What is your favorite book?
10. What is your favorite quote?  Or, what is the best advice you have received?
11. What is your favorite post that you have written?

I can't wait to see everyone's responses!

It's Official

We have finally closed on our new house! Let the craziness of moving and selling begin! You can't see very well, but our child has our new house key in her hand.

If I become a bit MIA on here, you now know why. I am planning on posting regularly, but it is hard to know how the move will go!

The Girl Behind The Blog

So, I just found this post that focuses on getting to know the men behind the (female) blogs. Each month there are a few questions for the men to answer. Since I follow many female bloggers, I think this is a great way to know more about the men in their lives, so I will be doing this for you this month! This is the last month this blogger will be doing this though, which is quite a bummer since I am just getting started!

Anyways, I won't be posting my hubby's responses until the 15th. Until then, I thought maybe I would give you my own personal responses first! Maybe we can see how the hubby and I compare!

So, here we go, these are the questions for this month and my answers:

1. What was your first job?
My first paid gigs were working at my grandmother's donut shop when I was 8 and babysitting at the age of 9! Before that, I accompanied my mother as she cleaned houses and businesses. If you met me in real life, I would hope you would say I work really hard, sometimes too hard. I am constantly working on playing just as hard as well!
2. What is the biggest risk you've ever taken?
I am really conservative and don't take many risks. BORING, I know! I would say that buying my first rental house with my husband (future post about this will come) felt like a risky move to me. I did tons and tons of research about becoming landlords and how to make a rental work. I think my stress levels were through the roof up until the day we found our first renter. That renter is still there, three years later! Best risk I ever took!
3. What is one thing you can't live without?
My family. My focus in life used to be my career and I would work 60 hour per week. My priority was to move up the career ladder and I was constantly focused on how to move up one more rung. That is no longer me. I want to work to live, not live to work. I want the special moments with my family, ones I know I will never get back. These moments are so simple, like the whole family crawling under a blanket fort and our baby giving kisses out of excitement. Yeah, I want that.
4. What is your least favorite food?
Hot dogs with macaroni & cheese. Although, we do eat this regularly because it is easy and our child (and the hubby) seem to really like this meal, I just don't care for it. I really have never liked hot dogs. It also always leaves me feeling like I am a bad mom who should be cooking a healthier meal, even if it means exerting a few more minutes of effort.
5. If you could time travel, where/when would you go? 

I have many moments in life I would absolutely love to revisit! I wouldn't necessarily want to restart my life from those spots, but a peek into past moments would be great! This week, I am definitely thinking about an ordinary day when I went for a walk with my mom. I may have been about 10 years old. 

We walked all over town and I don't remember much else about this day except that I was really happy, had a great day, and talked with my mother about how fast time was going. I remember saying, "before I know it, I will be in high school, and then married, and having kids of my own." Now, I feel like I did blink and over a decade has passed me by since that beautiful, summer day in my hometown. One of my many good memories!

What are your answers to these questions? I would love to hear your responses!