Journey back to ME!!- I'm getting bugged!!

[pearlieq]

Drat those dogs! Nothing like a fine coating of feathers everywhere to liven things up.

Good luck with the sale and the office project!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Julie, hope your new office is all settled in! And good luck getting ready for the sale. Have I ever told you that your schedule amazes me and makes me tired? Don't know you do it!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Julie,

Hope you're having a good week so far! Did you get the office done?

Have a great Wednesday!

 

[keenercam]

Hey, Julie! How are you doing? How did the yardsale go? Is your office re-assembled? Are you pleased with how everything looks now that it is painted and you have new furniture?

Hope all is well!

 

[goldcupmom]

I'm back & actually not sitting on the floor! But, the hutch for my desk had a broken part, so I'm really going to be about another week+ before I can really get things put away. I have a computer again, tho! I was really suffering from withdrawel!

No word back yet on my Pap. No news is good news, right?

DDis off today & Monday, so we're planning to go see 'Horton' before she has to go to work. First, we have to go to IHOP so she can get 'Horton' pancakes. Hopefully I can behave & find some breakfast type not too bad.

Went to WW yesterday. Up 1 lb, but not bad since I have missed 5 weeks.

Garage Sale went well.... better than I had expected actually. DH parted with his non-working goldwing!!!!!!!!!! $600, but it's worth it to get it out of my yard!! I made about that & DS18 sold a bunch of stuff & made over $300.

I've really been in sleep deprivation. GSale, I had 3 hours 2 nights in a row & was physically ill from lack of sleep. Hauling kids & having to drop DS21 at 10 p.m., sometimes also picking DD up at 10:30, drive home, wake DS18 @ 3:15a, sometimes drive him, then back to bed briefly before waking DD at 5:45, picking DS21 up at 7 & DS18 up at 8 is killing me!! Not to mention my gas bills are outrageous with all the driving.

DD is now within 4 hours of her license & I've decided I'm going to surprise her & take her on Monday. She'd like to do it today, but this is prom weekend here (thus no school Fri/Mon) & it's a bad driving weekend for teens.

Somehow I've got to find a way to get my bug in, check engine & airbag lights are on. But, we can't do with just 1 car due to too many people needing hauled at the same time.

I've got to really find a way to focus on exercise & my weight. Only 36 days til I leave for FL & babies, 94 days til I leave for FL before the cruise, & 107 until the cruise!!!

The only real success I've had is that today is day 19 of me doing Power 100 DVD of 200 crunches a day. DD just laughs at me & says I'll never have a 6-pack due to all the fat covering it. My response was that at least I'll look good on the inside. It's what's inside that counts, right???? But hey, that's 3800 crunches I've done!!

I promise to catch up more later....time to wake DD & get moving!

Hope all is well with everyone!!

Cam, I eat in at my computer or with a book ALL the time (DH takes his to the bedroom by the TV - why would I eat alone?) I prefer to eat with my 'friends'!!

 

[traceycooper]

Better clarify, Tracey! TOM is our monthly fun. Tom is my DH!!!!!

ooohhhh i'm so sorry Julie
i dont want to cause an argument!!!

Hope Tom is doing well & stays around for good!!!

Great news on the garage sale
i hope you get to catch up on some sleep - i really dont know how you do it!!
I would just been plain evil if i didnt get my 8 hours in!!!

Have a great weekend

 

[keenercam]

Oh, Julie! You poor thing! I have no idea how you drag yourself out of bed and out of the house for all the chauffeuring! I can't wait for your sake until DD gets her license but I wonder whether that will lessen the burden on you or if you'll just have the added worry of her driving around AND the pressure of not having that car at your disposal. Sending you hugs! Hey, if I thought i'd be sharing a meal with my WISH friends at the computer, I'd do it, but I'm convincing myself to eat consciously.

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

Great job on the garage sale!

Please be sure and get some sleep this weekend.

Have a great weekend!

 

[Lesli54]

Hi Julie!

Do you feel like you are a bit too busy some days? Catching up on your journal has worn me out. But seriously, I am a bit concerned about you not getting enough sleep and needing to drive so much for the family. Please try to get a bit more sleep for your health and sanity, as well as your safety (remember, I have been there and done that).

Reading about your train trips to Galesburg was really cool and pretty much put you in my back yard. Although, I am a bit further from that area now, my Gran still lives a short distance away. Too bad, you are passing through Chicago at the end of May or I would definitely join you and Pearlieq, but alas, we will be on our way to WDW at that point. I hope your trip is a very relaxing one.

Sending you strength and stamina to get that office finished.

 

[pearlieq]

Girl, you are running yourself ragged! I need a nap just reading about all you've been doing. I reallly hope this crazy schedule calms down soon.

Glad to hear the garage sale went well. It's always nice to clear out your clutter AND get money for it!

Good job hearing all those crunches in. Strengthening your core is awesome, so your DD can just take her little teenage self and move along!

Speaking of your DD18, did she have fun at prom?

I hope you're doing well. Make sure to take good care of yourself.

 

[traceycooper]

Hope your having lots of nice long naps Julie

 

[goldcupmom]

Hope your having lots of nice long naps Julie

You're so funny, tracey!!! I wish!!!

I actually got a couple of almost normal nights sleep, tho, which has helped a bit. My eating is still haphazard. One day perfect, next horrid. Which is probably why I'm not losing. UGH!!!! Must regain control.....somehow!

Got a call from DSis in FL earlier. Oldest DNiece who is at 35 wks today is headed to the Dr with what looks like MRSA on her leg. Her DH had a spot on his side of it a few months back & this looks the same and the school nurse(who just went to a conference in FL on it) says it looks really suspicious. Not sure what that would mean to baby or to waiting for Delivery.

Office is still not done. Still awaiting the piece for the hutch. I spent about 6 hours Sunday cleaning out files, sorting, shredding & refiling. Glad that's basically over. Yesterday I had to finish DS18 taxes. should have been quick, but the NM efile site was 'down for routine maintenance' for 18 - 24 hours. this message finally popped up after we redid everything like 8 times & sat clicking submit for over an hour. Had to hunt down some paper forms. So, it ended up taking a large part of my day. DD was not happy as it was her last day off & had wanted to go do something. Oh well.....

DD didn't go to Prom - only 16 & a sophomore. She & DD18 & a couple of his female friends are going to the "M88 prom" on the 25th. It started out years ago as a homeschool prom & has grown. M88 is a large, Christian radio station & this year the live band is "SuperChick" one of DDs favorites.

IF DD can find everything she needs to take in her garbage dump room, I will be taking her after school to get her license. Not positive she'll be able to find the paperwork, but I know she will try.

My 'to do' list is continually growing & I seem to not be making any progress, but I really am trying! It will help when I have the office back together enough to find things and not have to walk over piles of stuff all over the house. All I really want to do is begin packing for Florida!!! (and of course sleep!!)

So, in an effort to get back on track, I'm going to REALLY REALLY TRY to post food here until I leave.

4/15 - 32(days til 1st FL trip)/90(days til 2nd FL trip)/103(days til cruise)
Fiber 1 yogurt(0)
Fiber 1 cereal(0)
panini(7)
tiny m&ms(2)
ww ice cream(2)


64 oz water

Took Musashi on a walk...didn't take Garmin as I can't find it (surprise, surprise) but I know it's somewhere between 3 - 4 miles....lots of hills. Were gone about 40 min. Good news is I remembered to wear my 'dork hat'. Bad news is every spring I forget that at 6000 ft 75 is really warm! Needed water & sunscreen. need to add a pack to the list of dog supplies. Make her carry it! maybe it will help get rid of some of her energy!


Off to intermittently visit some journals while picking up, sorting, paying bills, etc.......,

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

It sounds like you have been super busy. How do you manage to get it all done? Please don't forget that you need time for you too. If possible, can you delegate some of your to do list?

Sending our good thoughts and prayers for your DNiece. Please keep us updated on how she is doing.

Be sure and take good care of you, Julie!

 

[goldcupmom]

Well, DD does NOT have her Drivers license. Went to DMV, sat for 30+ min, got up & gave them her 50 hour driving log, Dr. Ed cert, State issued ID, 2 permits & the lady sarcastically told us " I guess you haven't been in in awhile. You need 2 proofs of residency. The laws changed as of 10/7,2008". So I question it being only April of 2008. She meant 2007. And as of age 15 in NM you need 2 of the following(all in the 15 year old or olders Name/Address and not more than 30 days old: Rental agreement or home purchase agreement ;Mortgage lending information; Utility bill - cell phone doesn't count; Proof of enrollment in NM school - sorry official transcript & grades don't count - you have to go to the school & request a written letter of enrollment & they have to MAIL it to you; Your welfare cards; Car insurance bill or car title; Record of enlistment in armed services; For 1 of them I can sign and have notarized (in triplicate) an affadavit of my residency. Oh, and US Passports aren't valid as proof of age/identity....but your welfare card is!! Wouldn't accept her W-2, Her receipt from NM Dept of Revenue showing her name/address/ssn & that she received a refund & paid NM taxes.

Ridiculous!! Maybe at 18 or 21, but at 15????? So, tomorrow she has to go to the school & try to get them to hustle an enrollment letter. Meantime she held it together in the DMV, then cried for over an hour here at home.

I managed to eat only 1 cookie during all this. Really stupid, but if we were on welfare, she could show her medicaid health card & her food stamp card or free school lunch card. But her student ID doesn't count.

GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Well, yesterday was OP & this morning, despite just under 4 hours sleep, I feel fairly in control....so far.

I feel motivated to get things done, but I also desperately want to go to the gym & swim. I'm not sure which will win out. I won't be walking Sashi today as the wind is already picking up & we're to have 30 - 50 mph 'light breezes'. Springtime in the high desert.

4/16 - 31/89/102

slimfast(ravenous at 4:30 am while driving) (3)
fib.1 yogurt & cereal(0)
berries(0)
4 double fiber bread(2)
turkey(1)
grn olives(2)
sm banana(1)
rf peanut butter(4)
sun chips(1)
m&ms(3)

32 oz crystal light hydration 48 oz water

Today has been exhausting: up at 3 because DH said the dogs needed out(if they move, he thinks I need to potty them), wake DS18 at 3:15, make sure he's up at 3:30, leave to drive him to work at 3:45, return at 4:15, starving & had a slimfast, back to bed at 4:45, wake up DD at 5:45, make 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, potty 4 dogs, did 100 crunches, checked email, unloaded dishwasher, hauled several piles of office stuff down to storage closet, quickly dressed & went to pick DS18 up at work, took him home, pottied dogs, fed dogs, ran to Kmart to pick up DS18 allergy meds, made & ate lunch while moving stuff around & sorting in office, woke DS21 for work at the ice rink, ran to pick meet DD at school & give her her ID so she could take it in to pick up her letter for DMV, home to pick up DS21, take him to work at ice rink, back to school to get DD(school & rink are about 1/2 mile apart about 1 mile from home), took DDs friend home who had hitched a ride, home for DD to gather the needed items for DMV & fix her hair (gotta look good for that DL pic), pottied dogs (& me), ran to DMV, got right in , but they made me copy her 50 hour driving log over on their special forms which say right on them that they are optional - took me 40 min!!, ran her home to dress for work, made her a SB pizza, dropped her at work, home to fix dinner for DH, out to return movies, home to finally shower, potty dogs, run to pick DS21 up at ice rink, bring him home & make him a sandwich before he went to bed for about an hour when I have to get him up for work at WM, grabbed a banana & the jar of peanut butter & sat down here.

Is it any wonder I'm tired??????? I'm so glad I never do anything!!!!! It's 7:34, have to wake DS21 at 8:30, fix him a lunch for overnight, then take him to work & pick DD up at work, wait for her to unwind a bit & shower before bed. Meanwhile DH & DSil (his sister who moved here) are at the casino.

I did manage to get the clutter possible cleaned up from the office & I now only have 1 med storage container in the closet, 1 stack on a bookshelf & a box of misc/envelopes in the DR to pick up & take care of when the hutch for the desk arrives. I still have 1, maybe 2, walls that need to be repainted - 1 is spotty & the other may not match. Tried to insure DD online & I'll have to call them tomorrow instead. Almost finished all my rebates, got out my suitcases for May, paid a couple of bills, reattached the handle of the gazebo that had come loose in the wind, took out 2 bags of trash, emptied upstairs cans & hauled in most of my Amazon grocery order (so far 144 individual serving packets of gatorade and 240 bags of chips - sunchips, baked lays, habanero doritos & sour cream cheddar lays). Yes, I buy in quantity, especially when Amazon has their good codes out, free shipping & no tax.

I'm a stockpiler from childhood. Stems from living on an ammunitions base (where one of the 2 bombs dropped on Japan in WWII was final assembled) during the Cuban Missle Crisis - I can tell you a lot of cool stories, including the PINK stream we all waded in & fished in (come to find out it was apparently radioactive!!!!). When 9/11 happened & they went thru the list of things you should have on hand, well, I far exceeded it! Habit I can't break. I think we could easily live a couple of months on my stockpiles. But, I buy only when on sale except for produce & dairy.

Ok, I'm tired & rambling... off to get another drink & see why the dogs are all suddenly quiet. Can't be anymore feathers, but we are still not feather free....can't get them unstuck from carpet!!

Hope everyone had a good Wednesday!

 

[Lesli54]

Glad to hear that you got some sleep. Isn't it nice to know that soon your office will be decluttered and back together.

As for the DMV, I agree, that is very frustrating and very unreasonable to not even take a government issued passport. You provide more info and proof in applying for that than you do in signing a lease or hooking up utilities. That is crazy. Hey, but at least you only had 1 cookie during all that stress.

Hope things are going better for you today.

 

[pearlieq]

Oh how frustrating! The DMV is just the ninth circle of hell! I hope you can get it all worked it out.

I really hope there's some relief in sight for you and your scheduled. Time to get those kiddos an alarm clock and show them how to work the peanut butter jar. Momma needs her sleep!

Have a great day and take care of yourself.

 

[traceycooper]

thats after reading your post Julie!!!
That is crazy what happened with your DD's licence!!
Hope the office is straight soon!

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

How do you get it all done girl? You are always super busy! I am sending some your way.

Since I've been doing the CVS and Walgreens thing, I have been stockpiling health and beauty items almost for free. I love it! Now, I don't have to tell my DH to run up to the drug store to get toothpaste anymore! If you have any tips you want to share on stockpiling food, I'd love to hear them!

I hope you have some time for you soon. You're an amazing woman, Julie!

 

[goldcupmom]

Thanks for all the cyber hugs! I need all the support I can get!

today has been a blah day. Up with dogs at 2:50, up with DS18 at 3:15, drove him to work at 3:45, gas gauge on Yaris started flashing....UGH!!! I had reminded DH to get gas in it on his way to pick up DD - he almost never stops at Sams & pays way too much. I wanted him to run by the grocery where I have been shopping sales & had at least 3 gas discount credits of at least 5c gallon each. NOPE!!!

So, at 4 a.m. I have to stop, alone, & in my PJS at a quick shop in the middle of nowhere. And, pay at pump was broken!! Fortunately it was a 60ish+ woman working & I had thrown on a hoodie cuz it was COLD!! (snowing on the mountain, again!). Got $5 in gas & got home at almost 4:45, got DD up at 5:45 & had not yet gotten to sleep. No energy, so at about 8:30 I laid in bed with 3 dogs (would have been 4 but the old one at 105 lbs can't make it up) & actually dozed a bit as I missed WW at 9:30. Oh well.....

Rest of the day I just couldn't get motivated. Took DS21 to get his check - he called in sick last night (ate nothing all day, then donuts, cookies & soda at the ice rink & threw up - plus bad allergies). I had a splitting headache all day from the wind. I THINK it's finally calming down a bit.

DD is off driving alone for the first time. Took a friend to the mall....oh boy! DS18 still at school, just ran DS21 to a friends & DH is, of course, at the casino. tomorrow I need to get motivated again!!

4/17 - 30/88/101

OMG!!! I will be in FL one month from today!!!

oreo bites(2)
coffee(0)
flat bread(7)
fib 1 bar(2)
blue bird mini chocolate cupcakes(1) - WOW!! What a great 1 pt snack!! - unless I eat the whole box at once!!!
coffee(0)
slim fast(3)
1 cookie(2)

I've been craving the bags of Cadbury mini eggs I have stashed under my china cabinet. NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!! I will NOT give in!!!

I'm going to try to go to WW in the morning, but if I do, I'm not betting I've lost anything. I think stress & lack of sleep are keeping me from losing.

Off to visit some journals....Friday is coming!!

32 oz crytal light, 32 oz water,