rummikub...

this game is an oldie, but a goodie..
and I have had the pleasure of having a friend, whom I hope I will have the pleasure of calling and oldie but a goodie in another 20 or so years... taught me this game a few months back and while I am addicted and play on-line all the time..
I escaped my humble home and went to Panera for dinner and a few games and some much needed down time. it was an amazing time and for the first time in a really long time, I feel, relaxed, rested and renewed.. who knew that a little dinner, chit chat and game playing could renew you so well.

If I knew better, I would already be planning my next night out ..
Thanks Di!
:) Monique

tested...

Oh.. my oldest is really testing me..
she pushed me to the point where I was literally screaming at the top of my lungs and I realized that it wasn't getting me anywhere.. I stopped.. took a breathe and then called my DH.. like he can do anything about it.. seriously.. what was I thinking...

so.. we slowed down.. took a breathe and moved on..
decided to put it behind on and went on to have a great day.. together..

and tonight, we both agreed to work on listening more and yelling less..
both of us..

I love my daughter and I think I love bedtime most of all.. we talk about things, snuggle up in the comfort of her bed and just talk.. just us.. she drives me crazy, but I totally love her...

going to bed.. praying that she wakes up feeling better in the am...

if I knew better.. I would still be praying for the same thing..

a good cry

Today.. I am simply feeling overwhelmed & very under appreciated..

the house is so slow in going.. and it's getting to me.
I have been tired and can't seem to do anything at night..
the baby is cutting more teeth, recovering from an ear infection and wearing cranky pants today.. needs to be held and just desires my constant attention -- which she rightfullly deserves..
and then, just as she is about to slip into a peaceful morning nap.. a binky, the beloved little piece of rubber that makes her happiest ... any of the 26 that I have purchased.. are no where to be found.. NO WHERE... so.. I cried.. I lost it.. she cried too.. then laughed at me because I was crying..

amazing what a smile from a baby can do..
I still feel crummy.. but I feel better.. atleast for this moment..

we did find a binky and she is napping.. so it is getting better..

if I knew better.. oh, evil thoughts are filling my mind.. so I will resist the temptation to even write them down...

:) Monique

junie b.

if you have a child, particularly a girl around kindergarten or first grade -- like me, you should totally read the Junie B. Jones book series by Barbara Park. These books are great.. Junie B. is very sassy and very sweet. okay, maybe more of the sassy, but a totally enjoyable read..

my big one is 6 and we have read all but one of the first set of books.. we are reading it this week.. it will be done soon.. if we ever get to bed on time, she might be able to squeeze in 2 chapters instead of one, but the bedtime routine has gotten a little bit pokey here in this house..

none the less.. today, she played hooky from school and I dropped the baby off to the sitters and we went to see the play..Junie B. Jones - Personal Beeswax.. it's about the journal that Junie B. keeps.. it was cute musical.. she enjoyed it.. but I think that the show we saw a few months back with a friend and her same aged daughter was better.. it was a smaller local theater company.. theater in the round sorta thing.. much better than this, but thsi wasn't bad either.. the other was just better.. my dd really enjoyed the day, just us.. after the show we went and did some shopping and went to lunch.. just us. it's great to spend days like that together.. just us..
I was able to explain that we have these days "just for us" every now and then.. because I know how hard she is working to be patient with her baby sister.. she has to give up time with my or her dad so that we can take care of the baby.. and for once.. she got.. the lightbulb went off and she understood it. made me happy.. spending a day with just her was wonderful for us and our relationship. Things I hope to be able to continue to do.

so, for today.. I did something right.. makes me happy to think that..

if I knew better.. I would blow off all the work I SHOULD be doing and go to bed..
I will make lunches and bottles, but that is it.. going to bed...

night all..
:) Monique

monday, monday...

no secret that I like mondays.. they really make me feel like a new start is truly possible..
I especially like it when they fall on the start of a new month.. which is today, june 1 and a monday.. got so much more done today than I had expected too.. but it is still never enough.. big pile of junk always awaits..

the best thing to happen is that I finally have a kitchen/living room floor.. I live in a raised ranch. this space is massive and is a large bulk of the living space we live in. and since the water spill accident (still not ready to laugh -- details to follow on this) happened on april 1, and they pulled out the floors in the second week of april, and the baby started crawling and walking just about the same time. it's been fun.. oh.. so much fun.. either way.. I have a pretty new hardwood laminate floor. it's pretty too.. darker than the other floor, but really pretty and we are working to declutter the space.. the first thing to go.. the TV.. yes folks, beleive it or not, the tv in this space is GONE! it's a shock and is a massive adjustment.. but you know what.. we, as a family are spending more time with one another and less time with the tv on.. tongiht, I laidon my couch and read 2 chapters to my daughter in her Junie B. Jones book series while the baby unearthed 2 boxes of toys and a bucket of magnets.. we laughed, relaxed and just listened to music (i have my ipod set with with the dock station and speakers) and you know what.. it's amazing.. no hannah montana, no icarly, no spongebob... seriously, so nice..
another benefit to this, my oldest is watching much less tv. today, she chose to NOT watch tv or play on the computer and instead came upstairs and her & I colored while the baby took her afternoon cat nap.. so what that dinner making was delayed, I made some great time with my kids... totally worth it.

the basement is being worked on later this month.. working on packing it up a little each day.. cleaning and purging as I go.. it's going to be a very long and very tedious process, but one I am sure will thrill me to the bone when it is all done..

Since I did not get to this yesterday..
I am grateful for..
1. my family...
2. the baby is finally starting to feel better.. life with her was rough for a while there..
3. the new car -- still getting used to being a mini-van mama, but everyone else likes it.. so it works for me..
4. summer plans are slowly falling into place
5. I might actually have an illustrator for my children's book.
6. my ipod, who knew that such a tiny little tool could make me so very very happy
7. my husband.. he works so hard for us..
8. I get to be a stay home mom... I know how rare a blessing this is..
9. Farkle -- this game is very cool -- quick too, so I dont' waste a ton of time on facebook
10. my new creating keepsakes came in today..when I am done with some of the things I have to do.. I can snuggle up in my bed and get inspired...

if I knew better.. I would be doing the dishes.. but this pile of junk on the floor is so calling my name..
:) Monique

organizing..

I love to do this.. I love taking a big old pile of junk and turning into a mess that I can live with..
pretty containers, happy little homes.. it makes me giddy with excitement..

but why does it never ever last..
why does it make me happier to do it for others.. seriously.. if there was a market for it right now.. I would consider becoming a professional organizer... in this economy.. good luck!

If I knew better, I would be cleaning up my basement.. but I have limited time, so I am going to sneak in my shower BEFORE the baby wakes up from her morning nap.. okay.. might sneak in another load of laundry too..

:) Monique

maknig me happy today

what is making me happy today.. I bought the cutest little flower key covers for my keys.. they are so bright and cheery.. they just made me smile.. 3 buck I probably didn't need to spend, but for the happiness they brought me.. totally worth it.

If I knew better, I would be trying to make my keys less appealing, so the baby would want to eat them less.. but hey... they simply made me happy..

:) Monique