Day 9713

           As for the title that is how many days old I am today. Man the number of days makes me feel even older. Oh well. Anyways moving right along. The gym is still lame, and since I refuse to diet and give up carbs I am making little progress, oh well que sera sera I can wear my wedding ring without cutting of circulation and not having to pay over $200 to have it sized up (yay!), my pants are a little loose but not loose enough to change the size I wear unless I want that oh so unflattering muffin look. Sigh. Life is currently full of stress not just at work but also on the personal front. But alas that is life and I strive to make the best of it and not dwell on the negative. Which sometimes I fail miserably at. I am so ready to sale my house and move. I want to decorate but DH says no. No decorating that might put holes in the walls, not decorating because our next place might not work with the same decorations. I am tired of sad white walls. DH says I can decorate our next plaxe however I want. But for now I am stuck with the blank canvas that is the walls of our house.  *insert unhappy sigh here*
           Moving right along we went to the uproar concert last weekend, it was tons of fun. Even won a hat and a tanktop. DH met his favorite band Disturbed and also met Stone Sour. An event that is wasted on me. I can care less if somebody is famous and a certainly don't  want to meet them for the sole reason they are famous. Don't get me wrong I like their music I just don't want/need their john hancocks. But all in all it was fun, got a few bruises from the pit. Now I never have any intention of moshing and yet everytime we go to a rock concert I end up standing where the mosh pit starts. It's like I am drawn to the locale like a moth to a flame. At one point I could have lifted both feet off from the ground and still not fallen. I feel like I understand what sardines feel like when they are packed into cans. Good thing I am not clausterphobic right?
              We are trying to potty train our 2 year old he is having none of it. Once and awhile he will us the potty the rest of the time he just tells us No his is not a big boy he is the baby and wants his diapers. Gah. Our 3 year old when we potty trained him as soon as he was in big boy undies he was right on it, he has had 2 accidents and sleeps through the night getting up to us the bathroom. I understand we were lucky with him and that it doesn't normally work this way but I am at a loss on what to do to convince my 2 yr old he wants to try using the potty  on a regular basis.. Any suggestions? I am open to all suggestions. Whether I take them reminds to be seen but I am open to hearing them. I hope all is well in all of your lives (that is if anybody is reading).

The Sierra Club No Impact Week

           As I am sure I said before I follow the Cash Only Living blog (which you should totally check out if you haven't yet). Anyway I found out about this No Impact Week from her blog (you can check out her current blog about it) Or you can go to the No Impact Man and sign up at this link. After reading her blog I was a total followere and went to the link signed up and got my 17 page document about the a one-week carbon cleanse that is the No Impact Experiment. The plan is to do the daily challenges for the week (anybody can do a week right? It is only 7 days in the grand scheme of things) and after that who knows. Maybe we (my family and I) will make some permenant changes that orginated from this challenge. So people check it out, sign up and give it a whirl. What really is the worst that can happen? The best that can happen is you leave a smaller carbon footprint and hey maybe you will save some money while doing it. I am not asking you to do anything extreme, I am just asking you to check it out. The plan is I will blog about my daily challenges and from what I understand I won't be the only one.

Today falls under a good day?

         Today has a lot of annoying points at least. I hate it when people try to rush through something and make multiple mistakes that they wouldn't have made if they took the time to do it right the first. (Which in the end after all the mistakes they made doing it right the first time would've been faster). Gah. I especially hate it when it directly effects me.. Work today was luke warm. Around here that's a grea tthing. I will take a drama free day at work any day. It was actually busier than last monday still much slower then the mondays prior. Ah must mean the season is wrapping up. Pretty soon all the potatoes will be harvested, along with mass majority of the onions and on to the corn. We are still waiting to see if we pick up with apple leaves and the such. I am feeling rather indifferent on the matter. Some days being busy with work is great, other days i like a more mellow flow. But come december when the ground is frozen and we have no work to do I will be wishing for samples. (Maybe we will have some research samples this winter).
               I still have a decent chunk of PTO for the rest of the year. It's a use it or lose thing, you can roll one work week worth of PTO over to the next year, and I will probably roll over close to (if not all of that) this year. Next year I will probably use all my PTO. The goal is to go overseas for about a month next year. Go to Scotland, Ireland, Paris, London, Germany, probably not all of those places but at least a few. My sister will be stationed in either London or Germany, so largely we will be taking the kids and going to see her and such. We are going to have to get a house sitter for that time though. I don't like the idea of nobody being at the house for 4 weeks. We will have to see though, her orders are set in stone yet and we aren't sure when we would be going. I tell you this though we are going somewhere next year. If not overseas at least on a cruise. Maybe the Rockboat. We had some friends who went this last year, they said it was fun. And we enjoyed our cruise.
               The boys are still growing like weeds. They wear the same size right now, which is convenient and at the same time not. Nothing like a three year old and a two year old fighting over how gets to wear the choo choo shirt or the cars shirt or complaining the other is wearing their shirt. We usually let them pick out their own clothes (which can look pretty weird at times). Though sometimes I just decide what they are going to wear, sometimes DH decides without consulting them also. Though in DH case sometimes you can't tell the difference between what they pick at times and what he picks at times. Oh well, I am probably just to nit-picky about it.
               My SIL and her two girls are staying with us for another week. They got in today (while I was at work). But DH said they were arriving and without any mishaps on they way here, thank goodness. My SIL's husband won't be here for the major part of the duration, he has to work but he is here for tonight. At least they only live about 2.5 hours from here. The boys get to see their cousins multiple times a year, which is nice. Besides I know DH likes seeing his sister.  So for the week I will have a house with 4 (yes count them, 4) kids ages 3 and younger. We must be insane to do this. It's not the first time they've stayed with us for a visit. They stayed last month for 2 weeks. So my house is clean right now, by the end of the week it will not be as clean as it is. It won't be trashed but as you can imagine 4 toddlers can do a number on a house.
         Speaking of in laws, my BIL will be back on thursday night. DH is happy that his brother will be back. And not just because he babysits for us so we can go to the gym together. Have I mentioned lately I loathe the gym? If not, I do, I loathe it. Anyway returning to my orginal thought process (or as close as I can get to it). They are appearently doing the laundry room this weekend to complete finish, trim and all. Or so DH claims, I don't think BIL knows yet. Lol. DH hates doing trim, I think he would pay somebody else to do the trim if I would let him. But no I am a cheapskate like that and won't. Not that he has asked.  I do not think his plan will come to fruition this weekend, since we have that concert on friday night and we are taking the kiddos to see the animals at the fair on saturday. So yeah, unless he can do it all on Sunday or choses to let SIL and me take the kids by ourselves (which I would rather not have the kids out number use 2 to 1 in huge crowds of people). But we will see. I know DH is uber excited about the concert. Me? Not so much. Don't get me wrong I am sure it will be lots of fun and all. But really I would be okay never going to any concert. I love music but music live isn't more amazing (imo) then it is recorded. But concerts are fun, and occassionally I go to them. DH will go to a Disturbed concert if there is one in a 14 hour radius of where we are at. Not saying he does but he would if I would agree to the costs involved. Which I won't. Because once again I am a cheapskate.

Life and Drama

                    I wonder if you can ever live life without having drama touch it. I guess is you never had contact with other people. Years ago I stopped associating with people who seemed to thrive on drama but the past few years my work seems to run rampant with it. I am told that every job has this issue, so if I like my job otherwise I should just accept it. Drama irrates me, normally it's petty and childish and these people are definately old enough to behave better ESPECIALLY while they are at WORK. It so unprofessional but I guess if the management just lets it goes on. I think that no matter how hard you try to not get involved they drag you in kicking and screaming. No I don't want to give my eye witness account, I just want to stay uninvolved doesn't work when their supervisor wants to hear what everybody saw and heard. Argh. It's sad. I don't go to work to do the he said she said game. Oh well, I guess they are right and it's a fact a life.
                     My youngest turned two recently, it's crazy to think I have a 3 year old and a 2 year old, it seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with my first son. The boys are getting bigger, every day I swear. My DH loves it, he can't wait until they are old enough to taking fishing, and hiking and camping and I quote "go spend the night at their friend's". We are going to try taking them camping this year, I am not so sure how it will work out. So wish us luck. Still doing the gym thing, still disliking the gym thing but I guess it's my only option until I get the time to do other physically active things to be healthy and everything. And with a job, school, kids and a marriage I just have a hard time to find time to do even more things on top of what I do now.
                  I have been reminiscing about the past and thinking about all the teachers I have had and I realize that while I have enjoyed a lot of my classes and teachers it was really easy to pick my favorite. Mr. Murray was my favorite teacher, he was my homeroom teacher in high school, my creative writing teacher and the teacher who was over the AI study for Advance Writing I took He was the kind of teacher a kid respected and looked up to. He respected people and stood up for what he believed was right. He was a good all around person and I was lucky to have him as a teacher. Don't get me wrong I liked a lot of the teachers over the years and I had a lot of good teachers over the years. But Mr. Murray will probably always be my favorite teacher. I know kind of random, but it's been on my mind lately so I figured I would just put it out there.
           All in all things are going good in my life. I have an amazing husband, adorable good little boys, a good job (even with drama), we are healthy and happy, we can pay our bills (which in this economy is a good thing, I know people who can't seem to make ends meat). I hope you all are enjoying your Saturdays, now I am off to play with those two adorable sons I have.

Friend Test

                   Would you pass the Friend Test? Seriously would you? Take a look around at everybody you call a friend, even the ones you call a friend only when they are around. Now ask yourself am I a real friend to all these people. Now if the answer to that is yes that's great. If it's not maybe some of those people should cut you out of their lives. Harsh? Maybe. Honest? Yes. Now out of these people you call "friends" how many of them are real friends to you? Okay, now the ones that are, great. The ones that aren't maybe you should cut them out. Okay now your saying to yourself, I can't be a real friend to everybody all the time. Umm why not? If they are your friend shouldn't you be their friend. And this doesn't mean talking to them all the time, doing every favor they ask, hang out all the time. But it does mean doing what you say you'll do, doing favors you agree to do, and being there when they truly honestly need you. Like say they fall break their leg and need a ride to the hospital, you have a car, you aren't doing anything but it's inconvenient to drive over and take them. Well too bad you'd want your friend to do it for you, so by goodness do it for them. Now if you are 300 miles away you can't really do that. You are stuck at work and can't leave or you something, fine. But not just because it inconveniences you. Now your saying I don't want to cut out the people I am not really a friend to but they are a true friend to me. That's right why cut out the person you are using to help you out in life. They are willing to take the friendship without me being a real friend why should I change that? Short answer, because it'd be the right thing to do DUH. If you don't want to put the effort forth to be their friend don't but don't call them your friend when it's convenient to you. Now people probably won't cut out the people who are there for them even if they are there for those people in return. So the people out there busted their butt being friends with somebody who can't bother truly being your friend, STOP. I am not saying you shouldn't help people when they need help. But there is no reason to drop your plans or rearrange your life for somebody who only has something to do with you when they want something. Why should you be the only one putting forth the effort? There are always exceptions and always times people don't live up to your expectations, and when you won't live up to theirs. And that's fine, that's life and you have to understand that. But when they never live up to it, don't lower your expectations, move on. And if the only live up to it when they think your aren't going to be their friend if they don't. I think I'd have a heart to heart with them and then walk away if they can't really be my friend. Now there are the friends where you just naturally drift apart, that's fine and that is life also. You don't have to write them off. You can make the effort to be friends and if they want to make the effort great. If not well.....

"25 things about me"

     I follow Cash Only Living, it's one of the three blogs that I really make sure I follows, others I follow and when I have a decent chunk of downtime and desire to do so I will go to where I last read and read up to the current point. Anyways taking the cue from Cash Only Living's current post I thought it would be fun.  So this is my "25 things about me"  post. Which are hopefully 25 things about me that you didn't already know.

1. I have not finished college but am hoping to finish a degree now. Which of course isn't the degree that I was going for when I finished high school. It was going to be a psychology degree and now it's going to be a chemistry degree. I say hoping because between working fulltime and being a fulltime mom and wife, school is hard to fit in.
2. I am slightly dyslexic. I say slightly because well I've learned how to cope with it and it is not a major roadblock to me in my life. I just have to focus harder on somethings then other people might. And this is not information I tell just anybody and everybody (though I seem to be doing it now). And it is only mild dyslexia not severe and not all encompassing. I just can't really read maps and I takes me time to figure out left and right. I also hold my pen "incorrectly" but I have lovely handwriting (or so I have been told a lot of times). I used to write with my head right next to the paper, but I outgrew that also.
3. I LOVE to read. Wouldn't have thought this post would follow the other post would you have?
4. I am a certifiable genius. You know mensa and the whole bit.
5. I am a huge lover of the outdoors. Except dealing with spiders, I loathe spiders. But as long as they don't get too close to me, I can deal.
6. I enjoy water activities but I don't know how to swim. Well I "know" how to swim, I understand it logistically but when it comes to applying it to real life, I panic. I almost drown once when I was like 5 and since then I am fine as long as I can touch the bottom with my head above the water, am on top of the water or in a life jacket (usually). All other times I panic and will drown myself if somebody doesn't save me. Not rational I know but what fear is?
7. I love to bake and cook. Though I get stressed out if the timing isn't prefect or if it doesn't turn out prefect.
8. I don't like being in large crowds or with lots of people for any real period of time. Though I used to do it when I would go party (I have never done drugs or smoked).
9. I am the proud mother of to little boys. I really wanted a daughter. We are done having kids and I would never trade my boys for anything. But I am still disappointed in not having a daughter.
10. I love to dance, jazz, ballet, hip hop.
11. My favorite animal would be a horse. And one day I will have a horse again.
12. I love animals but am not sure I want a pet. To me having a pet is like having another child and since my kids are 3 and 2 I am not looking for another "baby"  at this time.
13. I can draw well but I can't paint worth beans.
14. I enjoy sewing and designing clothes and costumes. I would never do this for a living, it falls in my to relax and enjoy section of life.
15. I want to write a good book. Maybe not good in anybody else's opinion but good in mine. Maybe even get it published.
16. I love to travel and go do things but not alone. Maybe it pathetic but I find things more fun with a friend or somebody you care about.
17. I do NOT buy into the organic craze. Please don't try to convert me I am well versed on the topic. And while somethings might be a bit healthier not all things.
18. I adore horror flicks but I like chick flicks too.
19. I have a Twilight opinion. I know those books aren't great literary works or anything. But I did enjoy reading them. (and yes I admit I watch the movies (though they are NOT as good as the books)) And I think the HEALTHIER choice would've been for her to pick Jacob. Really crawling in some chick's window (who's blood you want to drain) and watching her sleep is NOT romantic it is CREEPY. In my humble opinion. But the question is what is wrong with them she is selfish and whiny. Didn't once think about her family in her decision to become a Cullen did she? Okay ending my tirade now. lol
20. I loathe running and the gym. Hiking I will do happily, tennis, riding a bike outdoors, I am good with. Stick me in a building with lots of equipment (most I still don't know how to use) I hate it.
21. I have PTSD. The details on why I do I am keeping to myself or well at least out of my blog.
22. The shortest job I ever held lasted 3 months. And yes I quit, I am proud to say I have never been fired (yet and hopefully ever).
23. I know sign language. I have since I was a little girl, my grandma was deaf.
24. I am bilingual. It's just english and french. Not english and spanish which is what people are looking for in the area I live. (And pay quite well for also). I can speak italian, german and spanish but I am not fluent in any of them.
25. I have known my husband since we were six. We rode the same bus, lived down the street from each other. We did not date until we were like 19.

      So there you have 25 things you probably didn't know about me. And hopefully they didn't scare you away from me and my blog. I hope you all are having a great weekend.

Updating

         Yes I know I am very lazy, I haven't been blogging as I should. So still doing the gym thing, still hating the gym thing. Feeling no closer to my goal. Sigh oh well one day maybe. Lets see since the last time I have blogged. I found a blue metal bunkbed on craigslist for $50.00, score. Way cheaper then the 800 to 1000 for a new one. Then we purchased two new mattresses for $99.00 each. Not a bad price I don't think. $248 in total is still cheaper then $800 plus the mattresses.  The boys love the bunkbeds also. My SIL and her kids stayed with us or two weeks. I love my SIL and my nieces but two weeks is too long for my sanity with 4 kids 3 and under in age. Can you say loud? They will probably visit again and stay with us again but I am thinking not longer than a week until they are older.
        Work is crazy hectic. Ah joys of an ag related job. On top of our normal hectic summer work load we got around 200 research samples of these funky soils. So now we are uber busy for the week. And I get to go into work early on friday. Yay overtime. Lol. Even though we are busy it doesn't feel as busy as it did when I first started this. The weather is beautiful here but too hot in my humble opinion. I am more of a never about 90 kind of person. Oh well maybe one day.