A perfect task for Valentine's Day, right? I thought so.
Especially when the power went out about 6:30 from the crazy windstorm. Fortunately, we'd already eaten dinner (another plus of being early eaters!) We had just settled in to watch the Charlie Brown Valentine special when the lights went out.
Because I live on Finn Hill and this seems to happen a lot - we've got a surplus of candles. Holly and I busied ourselves lighting votives and hurricanes and smell good candles all over the place. Meanwhile, Jeff consoled Sydney who was balling b/c we weren't able to watch Snoopy and Woodstock.
Once the kids were calmed down and we came to find out that 2,946 other homes had also lost power (tree fell on a power line), we knew we were in for a good chunk of time in the dark.
So, I got busy with the massages. Sydney was first, then Holly. Both opted for shoulder rubs and then foot massages. They were in heaven. Then it was on to the Mac Daddy - all 6'5 of him. Yikes, that's a lot of area to rub! Jeff has what must be one of the longest torsos/backs on this earth. But he enjoyed it and the girls maybe helped a little. Well, they actually tickled him, but it was pretty dang cute.
Afterwards, the girls put on a talent show.
Happy Valentine's Day, indeed.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Day 16: Day of Sloth.
Well, I did it. I skipped my Sacred Yoga Sunday class, in lieu of it being "Sloth" day. I'm still a little shocked. I never miss.
So, the day got started off on a good, slothy note. But then I remembered I needed to make cupcakes for Holly's Valentine party @ school. And then I felt like making Soup Nazi Soup for dinner. And then I had to organize all the craft supplies for Holly's class party and put together the goodie bags. Then I had to clean up the kitchen from the aforementioned tasks. (Oh, and the day prior to Sloth Day, I had to clean like a banshee. Because if the house was messy, I just wouldn't be as apt to relax.) So it was closer to 11am before the true slothing began.
Some high points of the day:
By nature, I'm a planner and a do-er. I like to know what's on deck and I really get a high from crossing stuff off my To Do list. I think I'm just happiest when I'm "doing". If I have unfinished tasks looming over me, I usually get anxious and crabby and become uber self critical.
I'm glad I can recognize this quality about myself now and embrace it. In the past, when people suggested I "slow down" or "just relax" or asked "why do you do soooo much", it's made me doubt myself and think I have some type of issue or psychosis. (Yes, I can also be uber sensitive! After all, I am a Pisces!) But, it's time to just enjoy being me. Not what people want me to be. Another goal of the 40's: enhanced authenticity.
Anywho, I like that I go the extra mile on most things. I like that I try to think of "everything" when I'm packing for trips or having parties. I like that I can make things look like it wasn't a ton of work, even though it was. I like that I try to keep family traditions going, even though it can be a colossal pain in the butt sometimes.
I've grown to see that achieving happiness (for me) is really about recognizing the process of happiness, rather than just the end goal. The "before" the big thing actually happens, if you will. It's why I love packing. It's why I love being at the airport before the flight takes off and the vacation actually begins. It's why I love Christmas Eve. It's the anticipation of being happy that makes me the most happy. And that process of being "busy" is a large part of what, ultimately, defines joy for me. That "busyness" keeps my eye on the prize. It keeps my mind engaged and my heart full.
But I'll give a "shout out" to Sloth Day, because it did allow me the time to ponder this and feel really good about the way I am living my life...
Score: Day of Sloth 100, Normal/Busy Amy, 10 billion.
So, the day got started off on a good, slothy note. But then I remembered I needed to make cupcakes for Holly's Valentine party @ school. And then I felt like making Soup Nazi Soup for dinner. And then I had to organize all the craft supplies for Holly's class party and put together the goodie bags. Then I had to clean up the kitchen from the aforementioned tasks. (Oh, and the day prior to Sloth Day, I had to clean like a banshee. Because if the house was messy, I just wouldn't be as apt to relax.) So it was closer to 11am before the true slothing began.
Some high points of the day:
- Staying in my PJ's until about 2:30.
- Watched "The Kids are All Right". Loved it.
- Caught up on mags: O, BHG, and the mother lode, Vanity Fair.
- Read some of "The Happiness Project" (prepping for future task). This is such a thought provoking book for me. And it really dovetails (LOVE that word) with this -40- day project. More on the book later.
- Enjoyed a quiet house. Jeff took the girls to Costco, then the park and then they went to Grandmas for dinner. Adore me some quiet time. There's something so 'effin fantastic about being alone in my own house.
By nature, I'm a planner and a do-er. I like to know what's on deck and I really get a high from crossing stuff off my To Do list. I think I'm just happiest when I'm "doing". If I have unfinished tasks looming over me, I usually get anxious and crabby and become uber self critical.
I'm glad I can recognize this quality about myself now and embrace it. In the past, when people suggested I "slow down" or "just relax" or asked "why do you do soooo much", it's made me doubt myself and think I have some type of issue or psychosis. (Yes, I can also be uber sensitive! After all, I am a Pisces!) But, it's time to just enjoy being me. Not what people want me to be. Another goal of the 40's: enhanced authenticity.
Anywho, I like that I go the extra mile on most things. I like that I try to think of "everything" when I'm packing for trips or having parties. I like that I can make things look like it wasn't a ton of work, even though it was. I like that I try to keep family traditions going, even though it can be a colossal pain in the butt sometimes.
I've grown to see that achieving happiness (for me) is really about recognizing the process of happiness, rather than just the end goal. The "before" the big thing actually happens, if you will. It's why I love packing. It's why I love being at the airport before the flight takes off and the vacation actually begins. It's why I love Christmas Eve. It's the anticipation of being happy that makes me the most happy. And that process of being "busy" is a large part of what, ultimately, defines joy for me. That "busyness" keeps my eye on the prize. It keeps my mind engaged and my heart full.
But I'll give a "shout out" to Sloth Day, because it did allow me the time to ponder this and feel really good about the way I am living my life...
Score: Day of Sloth 100, Normal/Busy Amy, 10 billion.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Day 15: Cook something new.
I actually baked something I've never made before. I had planned on "cooking" but we were going to dinner at a friend's house...and she asked me to bring dessert. And she requested something chocolatey. Easy Peasy.
I opted for a chocolate pound cake with chocolate fudge icing. After using up almost all the butter in my entire house and after baking it in the bundt, the pound cake looked promising (see exhibit A). And it smelled heavenly. In fact, the hubs commented several times throughout the day how good the house smelled. And the fudge icing (more butter) was ooey and gooey and oh-so-chocolatey. Sampled that. Yum.
We had strawberries on hand, so I spruced it with those for more festive, Valentine flair. Yay! Off to the dinner...
Exhibit A (looks promising, right?)
My GF made an odd, but delish combo of a Italian soup/stew and a salad that just may be my new favorite thing ever. It's a Tom Douglas salad (Spinach, Pear and Frisee Salad with Bacon and Curried Cashews) served at his restaurant, Etta's. In fact, we loved it soooo much, I am making it for our Valentine's Dinner tomorrow. Let me just say that those Curried Cashews are like crack...And by crack, I mean - Spicy and Salty Little Pieces of Heaven that you just cannot stop throwing down.
Thus, the bar had been raised.
Sadly, the cake, after that taste medley of a dinner, was a total let down. The icing was delightful and the strawberries were fab! But the cake was just like something you would find served at Applebees. Yeah, Applebees. Major Boo!! How can a cake with -3- cubes of butter possibly be blah? I just don't get it....
C'est la vie! Good times with some old friends. Sometimes the company just surpasses the "num nums", anyway, yes?
I opted for a chocolate pound cake with chocolate fudge icing. After using up almost all the butter in my entire house and after baking it in the bundt, the pound cake looked promising (see exhibit A). And it smelled heavenly. In fact, the hubs commented several times throughout the day how good the house smelled. And the fudge icing (more butter) was ooey and gooey and oh-so-chocolatey. Sampled that. Yum.
We had strawberries on hand, so I spruced it with those for more festive, Valentine flair. Yay! Off to the dinner...
Exhibit A (looks promising, right?)
My GF made an odd, but delish combo of a Italian soup/stew and a salad that just may be my new favorite thing ever. It's a Tom Douglas salad (Spinach, Pear and Frisee Salad with Bacon and Curried Cashews) served at his restaurant, Etta's. In fact, we loved it soooo much, I am making it for our Valentine's Dinner tomorrow. Let me just say that those Curried Cashews are like crack...And by crack, I mean - Spicy and Salty Little Pieces of Heaven that you just cannot stop throwing down.
Thus, the bar had been raised.
Sadly, the cake, after that taste medley of a dinner, was a total let down. The icing was delightful and the strawberries were fab! But the cake was just like something you would find served at Applebees. Yeah, Applebees. Major Boo!! How can a cake with -3- cubes of butter possibly be blah? I just don't get it....
C'est la vie! Good times with some old friends. Sometimes the company just surpasses the "num nums", anyway, yes?
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Day 14: Join SAM!
I am now a member of SAM! The last time I was a member, I was in my 20's. So this is exciting to me!
Holly and I had a good time together when we went to the Picasso exhibit back in November. I can't wait to go back and just linger. In fact, it was a Picasso quote I saw on the wall at the exhibit that planted the seed for this -40- in -40- project:
It takes a long time to become young.
I feel like the 30's were a time of growing "old-ish". Lots of big things happened to me. It was most definitely a "game changer" of a decade. Losing my mom to leukemia, having two kids, leaving a career, finding my own way as a mother and wife, etc. It was a lot to take in. It still is a lot to take in. And many of those days were just about surviving. But I'm finding myself happier and more confident at the tail end of the 30's...and better equipped to "not sweat the small stuff". As I say "hello" to the 40's, it's all about "becoming young".
Love that.
Holly and I had a good time together when we went to the Picasso exhibit back in November. I can't wait to go back and just linger. In fact, it was a Picasso quote I saw on the wall at the exhibit that planted the seed for this -40- in -40- project:
It takes a long time to become young.
I feel like the 30's were a time of growing "old-ish". Lots of big things happened to me. It was most definitely a "game changer" of a decade. Losing my mom to leukemia, having two kids, leaving a career, finding my own way as a mother and wife, etc. It was a lot to take in. It still is a lot to take in. And many of those days were just about surviving. But I'm finding myself happier and more confident at the tail end of the 30's...and better equipped to "not sweat the small stuff". As I say "hello" to the 40's, it's all about "becoming young".
Love that.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Day 13: Hike Tiger Mountain.
I wonder how many times in my lifetime, I have driven past Exit 20 on I90 East and wondered why in the heck are all those cars over there? Many, many times, I can assure you.
And now I get "why in the heck all those cars are over there". The Tiger Mountain summit is a great hike. Easy to get to, a great cardio workout and it's a well maintained trail, even in the winter. And there's enough people coming and going, that I didn't really feel unsettled about going by myself. Needless to say, I did check in with the hubs and a GF to let them know where I was headed and when I planned to be back.
A couple of "silly me" moments. Since, I've seen cars parked along the frontage road, I assumed you need to park there. So I walked about 1/2 from there to the actual start of the trail where there is a ginormous parking lot. No biggie, a good warm up. I also did not know there would be bathrooms, so once I started the trail, I went and relieved myself in the woods (morning coffee gets me every time). Naturally, I got back on the trail and there was the restroom. However, it was probably fortuitous that I did not hit the potty on the way up because there was this sign posed on the door...
Hmmmm, a little scary, eh? The posting was from April 2010, but still. Freaky!
The hike itself is a lot of uphill switchbacks with a little bit of leveling out in between. Round trip it took about 2.5 hours (including some chill time at the summit). Not too shabby for 30 degree weather and an almost 40 year old, right? I thought I was kinda tough, until my descent down when I passed a senior citizen RUNNING (and by running, I mean hauling ass!) up the trail in running shorts and no shirt! I am not kidding. Must be one of those zany ultrarunners I read about it in "Born to Run"!!) Me not so tough! Humility restored.
I loved every minute of it and so glad I included this baby on my list. And let's talk about the sunshine! That much sun in February is such an unexpected gift for Seattle Folk. I think I even got a little sunburn on my cheeks. Yay, Vitamin D!
Since I was not in a rush to get home, I drove the 10 minutes to North Bend to grab a latte. Of course, a stop at the Gap Outlet, was necessary - where I found a darling jean jacket for $1.97. My old one had an unfortunate incident in the dryer with a green crayon. So my GF and my sister got jackets, too. Three Gap jean jackets for less than $6. Crazy Talk.
A hike and a frugalista bargain. Me likey.
Photos below document that I made it to the top! :)
And now I get "why in the heck all those cars are over there". The Tiger Mountain summit is a great hike. Easy to get to, a great cardio workout and it's a well maintained trail, even in the winter. And there's enough people coming and going, that I didn't really feel unsettled about going by myself. Needless to say, I did check in with the hubs and a GF to let them know where I was headed and when I planned to be back.
A couple of "silly me" moments. Since, I've seen cars parked along the frontage road, I assumed you need to park there. So I walked about 1/2 from there to the actual start of the trail where there is a ginormous parking lot. No biggie, a good warm up. I also did not know there would be bathrooms, so once I started the trail, I went and relieved myself in the woods (morning coffee gets me every time). Naturally, I got back on the trail and there was the restroom. However, it was probably fortuitous that I did not hit the potty on the way up because there was this sign posed on the door...
Hmmmm, a little scary, eh? The posting was from April 2010, but still. Freaky!
The hike itself is a lot of uphill switchbacks with a little bit of leveling out in between. Round trip it took about 2.5 hours (including some chill time at the summit). Not too shabby for 30 degree weather and an almost 40 year old, right? I thought I was kinda tough, until my descent down when I passed a senior citizen RUNNING (and by running, I mean hauling ass!) up the trail in running shorts and no shirt! I am not kidding. Must be one of those zany ultrarunners I read about it in "Born to Run"!!) Me not so tough! Humility restored.
I loved every minute of it and so glad I included this baby on my list. And let's talk about the sunshine! That much sun in February is such an unexpected gift for Seattle Folk. I think I even got a little sunburn on my cheeks. Yay, Vitamin D!
Since I was not in a rush to get home, I drove the 10 minutes to North Bend to grab a latte. Of course, a stop at the Gap Outlet, was necessary - where I found a darling jean jacket for $1.97. My old one had an unfortunate incident in the dryer with a green crayon. So my GF and my sister got jackets, too. Three Gap jean jackets for less than $6. Crazy Talk.
A hike and a frugalista bargain. Me likey.
Photos below document that I made it to the top! :)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Day 12: Read a book written by a political conservative.
Okay, okay, I have not yet READ the books. But I've picked it (I mean them) out. After much online researching and thinking about what I would likely start and actually finish, I selected TWO titles! Gooooo, liberal me!
The first pick is Mitt Romney's book. http://www.amazon.com/No-Apology-Believe-Mitt-Romney/dp/0312671733/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297388974&sr=1-1
And just for kicks, I'm also going to read Meghan McCain's book, too. http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Sexy-Politics-Meghan-Mccain/dp/1401323774/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297388924&sr=8-1
I just know Mitt will be all over the place, sooner than I'd like to think. Eeeee Gads, I am not mentally ready for another "silly season". But, I might as well learn a little about him and tryyyyyyy to be open-minded.
And, the MM book will be interesting to read as I hear there is a fair amount of Palin-bashing (I'm horrible, aren't I?) and, I've seen enough interviews with her to think she is kind of intriguing. Definitely not the typical GOP poster child....
Oh, and by the way, I am most certainly not purchasing these books. Requests for them have been made with good ol' KCLS. I'd rather spend my Barnes & Noble gift card on David Sedaris' latest book, even if the reviews are terrible...http://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-Seeks-Chipmunk-Modest-Bestiary/dp/0316038393/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297389278&sr=1-1
Maybe HE should get into politics. Now, that would be something.
Speaking of reading and books, here's an update on my foray into E-book reading: Finished "Born to Run" and enjoyed this book immensely. Compelling, thought provoking and one heckuva narrative! Now, that my little scholars, is what a book should be! And reading it on the Kindle was actually kind of fun. I like the groovy screen saver illustrations. And it's a nice compact size. I can see myself reading books of the hub's that I like on it (and they would be free), but I can't see myself making a serious commitment to the Kindle. Honest to goodness Books (hardcover, paperback, dog-ear'd, coffee stained, etc.) still rule supreme in my little world, thank you very much!)
The first pick is Mitt Romney's book. http://www.amazon.com/No-Apology-Believe-Mitt-Romney/dp/0312671733/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297388974&sr=1-1
And just for kicks, I'm also going to read Meghan McCain's book, too. http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Sexy-Politics-Meghan-Mccain/dp/1401323774/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297388924&sr=8-1
I just know Mitt will be all over the place, sooner than I'd like to think. Eeeee Gads, I am not mentally ready for another "silly season". But, I might as well learn a little about him and tryyyyyyy to be open-minded.
And, the MM book will be interesting to read as I hear there is a fair amount of Palin-bashing (I'm horrible, aren't I?) and, I've seen enough interviews with her to think she is kind of intriguing. Definitely not the typical GOP poster child....
Oh, and by the way, I am most certainly not purchasing these books. Requests for them have been made with good ol' KCLS. I'd rather spend my Barnes & Noble gift card on David Sedaris' latest book, even if the reviews are terrible...http://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-Seeks-Chipmunk-Modest-Bestiary/dp/0316038393/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297389278&sr=1-1
Maybe HE should get into politics. Now, that would be something.
Speaking of reading and books, here's an update on my foray into E-book reading: Finished "Born to Run" and enjoyed this book immensely. Compelling, thought provoking and one heckuva narrative! Now, that my little scholars, is what a book should be! And reading it on the Kindle was actually kind of fun. I like the groovy screen saver illustrations. And it's a nice compact size. I can see myself reading books of the hub's that I like on it (and they would be free), but I can't see myself making a serious commitment to the Kindle. Honest to goodness Books (hardcover, paperback, dog-ear'd, coffee stained, etc.) still rule supreme in my little world, thank you very much!)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Day 11: Be an active listener.
In general, I think I'm a really good listener. To acquaintances, friends and to siblings and relatives.
But I'll admit I am not always the best listener to my own kids. Horrible! Shocking! Bad Mom! At least I'm honest about my "areas that need work", right?
The first few years with young kids can be brutal. At first, you are soooooo excited when they start talking and then it's like "OMG, please stop talking". Who can relate? It's the sheer relentlessness of it.
Let's start with the fact that I am not a big talker. If I have something to say, that I feel is important or relevant, I'll pipe up. But, I don't feel the need to talk just to fill the silence. I adore silence. :)
Luckily, my first born, is like me. She can get riled up and be a chatterbox, but only in spurts. In general, she's a "watcher" and is thoughtful and tends more to the quiet side. The youngest, however, is anything but. From the moment her feet hit the floor in the morning, it's constant jibber jabber about everything under the sun. This is one of the reasons I have to get up earlier than she does. So, mercifully, the caffeine has time to kick in and I can deal. The gift of the "Neumann Gab"- that's what I call it. Jeff's mom and sister could win a championship chatter contest, whereas Jeff or myself would most certainly be disqualified (yep, the "gab gene" skipped over Jeff).
So, with constant chatter from Ms. Sydney for almost 3 straight years (yep, she was also an early talker!) - I'm a little deaf to it, to say the least. Which is not a good thing, because much of what she says is HILARIOUS. And she can be very wise. And what a vocabulary! For a not quite -4- year old she regularly uses words like "identical", "usually", "actually" and so on. I am not saying she's a genus, just very well versed in chit chat.
Anywho, I've decided it was time to pay more attention. Which led to "Unplugged Night" every Tuesday at Casa Neumann. And Jeff was just thrilled! HA!
Unplugged Night = no phones, no texting, no computers, no email, NO BLACKBERRY, no iPhone, no TV! And it begins when Holly gets home from school.
And it's really, really fun. Honest to God.
I planned the "active listener" task for a Tuesday b/c I knew it would be an ideal time to really focus on what the kids are saying to me, to one another, to the dog, etc. Jeff happens to be out of town this week (which equates to increased level of difficulty because it was just me and the kids and no adult conversation in the mix!) so we did make an exception for one phone call with him. Other than that, it was homework, reading, playing, coloring, fighting, me breaking up fights, and a long bath followed by sprints up and down the hall (the kids, not me). We laughed and hugged and giggled and talked. And I listened. And listened some more.
And was reminded how incredibly lucky I am....Not bad for Day 11 of my -40- in -40- day challenge. Not bad at all.
But I'll admit I am not always the best listener to my own kids. Horrible! Shocking! Bad Mom! At least I'm honest about my "areas that need work", right?
The first few years with young kids can be brutal. At first, you are soooooo excited when they start talking and then it's like "OMG, please stop talking". Who can relate? It's the sheer relentlessness of it.
Let's start with the fact that I am not a big talker. If I have something to say, that I feel is important or relevant, I'll pipe up. But, I don't feel the need to talk just to fill the silence. I adore silence. :)
Luckily, my first born, is like me. She can get riled up and be a chatterbox, but only in spurts. In general, she's a "watcher" and is thoughtful and tends more to the quiet side. The youngest, however, is anything but. From the moment her feet hit the floor in the morning, it's constant jibber jabber about everything under the sun. This is one of the reasons I have to get up earlier than she does. So, mercifully, the caffeine has time to kick in and I can deal. The gift of the "Neumann Gab"- that's what I call it. Jeff's mom and sister could win a championship chatter contest, whereas Jeff or myself would most certainly be disqualified (yep, the "gab gene" skipped over Jeff).
So, with constant chatter from Ms. Sydney for almost 3 straight years (yep, she was also an early talker!) - I'm a little deaf to it, to say the least. Which is not a good thing, because much of what she says is HILARIOUS. And she can be very wise. And what a vocabulary! For a not quite -4- year old she regularly uses words like "identical", "usually", "actually" and so on. I am not saying she's a genus, just very well versed in chit chat.
Anywho, I've decided it was time to pay more attention. Which led to "Unplugged Night" every Tuesday at Casa Neumann. And Jeff was just thrilled! HA!
Unplugged Night = no phones, no texting, no computers, no email, NO BLACKBERRY, no iPhone, no TV! And it begins when Holly gets home from school.
And it's really, really fun. Honest to God.
I planned the "active listener" task for a Tuesday b/c I knew it would be an ideal time to really focus on what the kids are saying to me, to one another, to the dog, etc. Jeff happens to be out of town this week (which equates to increased level of difficulty because it was just me and the kids and no adult conversation in the mix!) so we did make an exception for one phone call with him. Other than that, it was homework, reading, playing, coloring, fighting, me breaking up fights, and a long bath followed by sprints up and down the hall (the kids, not me). We laughed and hugged and giggled and talked. And I listened. And listened some more.
And was reminded how incredibly lucky I am....Not bad for Day 11 of my -40- in -40- day challenge. Not bad at all.
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