autismspeaks.org

26 January 2012

Yahoo! Project 1 DONE!

As I said before, I purchased this chair at Goodwill for $10!
It was a nice enough chair, but with the hardwood floor, and the table top being a similar finish, it was just too much wood. Besides, I love painted wood.



Now this little beauty matches my other chairs and bench! I used Kilz latex primer and a can of Behr flat white paint I had left over from doing Roci's dressers. I am off to buy a can of top coat to protect the paint from getting scratched up and the project is DONE! Wow:)

You might be thinking, 'That was easy. What's the big deal?" Well, it was EASY... but the big deal comes in when I have to find project 2 for February... and project 3 for March... and project 4 for  April.... ;)...

23 January 2012

Crazy ideas!

I had this crazy idea, well, it was actually a goal of mine for the new year but now I think it's crazy! Anyway, I had this crazy idea to set a goal to finish a craft or project once a month and blog about it so I could keep track. Hmmmmmm... It sounded great at the beginning of the year, but now that it is almost February, it doesn't sound so promising!
In order to get myself motivated and hold myself accountable I decided to just do it!!! Yikes. There. Now it's official. It's on the blog so that makes me committed... sort of;) No. I'll do it.

My first project will be easy. I found a chair at Goodwill for $10 and thought it would look fun painted white. I will take before and after pictures of course. That will be on my list to squeeze into my busy day tomorrow. Primer, paint and photograph the chair. Hopefully I'll have it done by book club.
Wish me luck!!!!!

20 January 2012

I can bring home the bacon...

"I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you're a man. 'Cause I'm a woman..."

Does anyone remember that commercial? It was an ad for an 8 hour perfume called Enjoli. As an impressionable young girl, I remember telling my mom she should by it because she would have lots of energy and never get tired. Just look at the lady on TV. I was also the same girl that told my mom to call the "Money Store" (a place that gave out loans promoted by the New York Yankee, Phil Rizzuto), when I heard her complain about us not having enough money to pay the bills. I thought all you had to do was go to the store and get some money. The commercial was very popular on WPIX New York. Yes, I spent many hours in front of the TV:)

Well, I got the job I applied for. I have very mixed emotions about working. My biggest is giving up my flexibility. When you say yes to one thing, you say no to something else. In this case, I'm saying yes to potential money and no to making my own schedule. It's only part time, but I forgot to consider the summer. You know, when the girls are home. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!
I don't think I would feel as bad if all my kids were grown, but I still have two young ones who need me. The supervisor did say she would work with me, so I hope that means I can occasionally take a day here and there.
In the meantime, I am thankful because this is an opportunity to get my foot in the door somewhere. Children do grow, I know firsthand!
The bacon I bring home won't even buy what's on that plate;), but it's a start. I'm sure I'll still be doing a lot of cooking and as far as the last part of that little jingle... well, it is TV, after all...

I still love you, Bobby!

13 January 2012

Happy New Year... and all that other jazz

Hey, hey, look who's back! Seven weeks in a cast is no fun. Oh, your body does forget how to do things when you don't use it! I always thought that was weird, but now I GET it. My arm, not just my wrist, was useless for a while until I could exercise it and 'teach' it to move again.

I am stunned at how quickly time passes! I guess that's why they say you go "down hill" after 40.
I had surgery on my wrist back in September and just finished rehab the Friday before Christmas. My wrist is about 85 percent recovered. I still have trouble with push ups and some yoga moves, but I'm still working on it.
I am a firm believer that the way you bring in the New Year will set the tone for the rest of the year. I brought the New Year in, in bed. It was about 11:30 when I decided to get under the covers and just read. I was a little sad that we were not in Northampton watching the ball, but it was so nice to be still and warm. At midnight, I received about 12 texts and a couple of phone calls wishing our family a Happy New Year. Mercedes came down stairs from her room and was a little surprised to find everyone sleeping, that is of course, but me.
I had a hectic holiday season this year. Most of it is a blur. But, it was nice to end the year relaxing in bed!
New Years, for me, means new beginnings. I know that may sound weird to some, but I feel a little bit of magic in it. A fresh, clean slate to start over with. I LOVE it!
One of my resolutions is to get a job. I've been inquiring, hoping to get a clerk or secretarial job of some sort. Just part time, of course, so I can still be home to do all my mommy things. I actually started back in September and I finally landed an interview for this Tuesday for a clerk's position.
I have to say that my most favorite job in the WHOLE world has been staying home. I am my own boss and I make my own hours. I get to take a 2 hour lunch if I want to and I get to move the furniture around when I get tired of looking at it. That is pretty hard to beat, except for the fact that I don't make any money doing it. I've come to realize that I hate money, especially when I don't have any. That would be where the job thing comes in.
I have been spending the last few days thinking about things that I am truly thankful for. My toothbrush, chocolate and toilet paper hit the top 10, along with my amazing family and incredible friends that I wouldn't trade for anything. I am hoping to add a job to that list. I guess we'll find out on Tuesday!
Wow, it's good to be back!