The tree is going up

We are getting our tree put up today.  And Bubbles won't stay out of it.  Even with a short season, it is going to be a long Christmas season chasing the cat out of it.  I wouldn't object to not even having it up, but I am a known Scrooge.

My shopping is mostly done.  I don't buy for many people at all.  Mr. Incredible did most of the shopping for Violet, he kept having ideas for her. 

We have some cookies to bake this week.  Violet wants to take cookies to her art teacher next Saturday.  She did it last year too, and she said he seemed really surprised and happy to get them. 

This photo is of Bubbles in the tree last year.  I'm afraid it is what we'll be seeing again this year.

Tough winter

We had our third snow of the season today.  We got several inches.  Not enough to cause Violet's art class to be canceled but enough to have to shovel and worry about what the roads would be like.  We've had a cold spell, and tomorrow the temperature is supposed to only be in the teens again.  This is shaping up to be one tough winter.

I go back to work on Monday after 7 days off.  It was so nice to be off!  I wish I could be off permanently.  But alas, that is not to be.  At least I'll be working from home and not driving in.

My muscles are starting to speak to me again.  I did 3 miles today (at a quick walk, no more running for this old Freakmom).  I was so tired at the end of it.  I didn't sleep well last night, that may have something to do with it.  I was hoping to be down to 150 by the end of the year, but I seem to be stuck at 153.  I guess if I can stay there and not go up that will be good.  There are so many goodies sitting out on the counter calling to me.  It is hard to resist those once a year treats.

If anyone has use Khan Academy's geometry course as a full high school geometry course, let me know what you think.  We are considering it for next year.  I'm wondering if there's enough practice in it to be a full course or not.

So sore

I got the bright idea to run on the treadmill on Tuesday, instead of walking.  I only did about a mile at a run, my other 2 miles were a fast walk.  I am still so sore today.  Yesterday I did a medium walk thinking that would help.  If it did I hate to think how much worse I'd feel today.  I kept waking up during the night with my muscles hurting.

I'm going to walk again today, no more running. Guess I'm too old for that. 

Tonight I'm leading an online book discussion on "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by ETA Hoffman.  I've never lead a discussion before.  I hope it goes well.

I've finally admitted it

I do too much.  I'm overworked.  I'm exhausted.  I'm stressed out. 

There I said it.  I'm no longer pretending that everything is under control.  I work too much.  Homeschooling does take time.  Volunteering eats into the day.  I didn't have enough time for me.  I've been trying to change all that.

I've been spending less time on the computer.  I've been reading more.  I've been working out more, and listening to books while walking on the treadmill.  (Oh yeah, I bought a treadmill last summer.  I got tired of being chased by dogs and almost run over by cars.)  I've lost 14 pounds.  I'd like to get down another 7 or so.  That will get me to my "pre-baby" weight.  You know, it takes 9 months to put on the weight, 14 years to take it off.  Sounds about right. 

I've cut our Girl Scout meetings back to an hour instead of an hour and a half.  It is amazing how much that has helped.  One third less of the time to try to come up with activities for the girls.  They don't mind.  In fact, one of the moms is really happy about it.  They babysit a 2 year old.  One hour is about her attention span hanging out at our house.  Win-win.

I've set office hours at work.  Most days when my hours are up, I can turn off my computer and walk away.  Not every day.  I am still a manager and a professional and sometimes things do need to get done.  But enough days to notice a difference.  Will this attitude and schedule get me promoted?  Nope.  Doesn't matter.  And I did it with my partners' blessing (and on their advice).  A few people don't like it.  They can suck it.

Sadly, my new schedule has cut out a lot of my blogging.  But I'm still here.  Hanging in.  But I do pop in and read your blogs when I can.  And I think of you all.  You can find me at Abigail Adams Academy, I'm working on improving my education by reading as much as I can.  And I'm on Goodreads.  I'll try not to be such a stranger.  But, I'll still be strange!

Freak