My wish was not granted

DD has long curly hair that gets tangled.  I try to keep it up and out of her face so it does not get messy and so it's not a tempting pull toy for DS.  Brushing her hair has become a battle.  She cries at the thought of having to get her hair brushed.

I was flipping through a catalogue from One Step Ahead, which is a great catalogue with neat things for parents.  I came across something called the Knot Genie and after reading what it promised, I decided I would try it.  Anything is better than a crying child!

I used it this morning, but DD didn't want her hair brush, so she feigned pain.

I then used it after her bath on wet hair, and it worked fine.  I then dried her hair and used it again.  And I found this brush to be mediocre...

It is made of cheap plastic.  The brush resembles a pet brush and seeing the hair in the brush made me think of the dog's brush we had.  After brushing DD's hair, I learned that the brush is actually two pieces.  It came apart in my hands after a few strokes.  In addition to it coming it apart, it just does not feel right to me.  I am used to something with a handle, but this I had to spread my hand over the brush.  Maybe because I have arthritis, I just did not find holding it very comfortable.

Oh and while I was putting DD's hair in a ponytail, we came across some tangles and she cried!  She tried to be brave, but this brush did not work like it claims to or maybe I can't use it correctly.

I will try to use it again, but if it comes apart on me again, I may contact the manufacturer.

Freedom

It's Friday! Like that means anything to a SAHM, LOL!

We got our good news.  We put our home up for sale as soon as DH received orders to Milwaukee.  We had to do a short sale since the property values dropped almost immediately after we purchased our home.  While we had a few showings while we were living in the house, we did not receive any offers.  It was quite difficult keeping it show ready and not cluttered with two small children in the house.  After we left, we finally received an offer back in July.  We had to jump through so many hoops for the offer to be accepted.  Yesterday, the new homeowner finally closed.  We were putting about $200 a month towards the house to keep it in good condition, with utilities.

We understand this will have a negative impact on our credit report, but we could not rent it out to pay the mortgage and we could not go Geo because the housing allowance amount was about $300 less in Milwaukee.

We should find out in December if DH makes the revised cut for E7.  We are thinking we'd like to stay another year if we can.  We like the area.  We may have different thoughts after the winter, LOL.  The only thing I am worried about is if the homeowner we are renting from decides not to rent another year.  It will be a lot of hard work to move all of our stuff.  So hopefully, the homeowner will keep the place for rent for at least another year.

Exercising is going well.  DS has been having some separation anxiety, but once I leave, he does well.  He does better with DD, but she has schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  This morning I was quite exhausted.  Last night, we got our flu shots and DS nursed all night long.  I decided to go to Zumba.  I took an advil before leaving.  I don't know how, but exercising gave me more energy and I feel pretty good.  I may go back this evening for Family swim with DD; if she behaves.

We may go to the zoo this weekend, it is supposed to be nice.  It's been kind of dreary the past few days, but I guess we need the rain.  I think we will do a picnic again.  And then get the yummy ice cream.  We've been getting the use out of our membership.  I can't wait to go when the snow is on the ground and see the polar bears!

Next weekend starts the Halloween festivities.  We have a party with the mom's group, and then trick or treating at the zoo, DD has a party at school, and our friend T invited us to go trick or treating in her neighborhood.

peep

It's been about two weeks since I joined the gym and things are going well.  It's become part of our routine.  After breakfast, we head out either to they gym or we take DD to school first, depending on the day.  Because I am incorporating it as part of my routine, I don't think about trying to get out of it.  I actually look forward to going to the gym.  We aren't going today because the library has story time and DD has a medical appointment.

DS has been having some separation anxiety which makes it a little difficult.  Usually he's fine with DD with him, but yesterday, DD was at school and he started crying before I put him down on the floor, once he realized where we were.  He was fine after I left.  But as soon as he saw me when I came back for him, he started the water works.

Hoping to have good news tomorrow.

L is for Loser

I was having a pretty good day, had my workout, the kids were behaving.  And then... DH texted me.  The text asked if I wanted to be the unit ombudsman.

A few years ago, I would have jumped at the opportunity.  But yesterday, it was like a punch in the gut.

The last position I had before I resigned, I was happy to leave.  I liked everyone in the office.  However, I was new and did not know who to trust.  In addition, I went from autonomy to micromanaged.  I left that position feeling like a failure.

So, to be asked if I wanted a job, those feelings of failure washed all over me.  I can't do this, I think to myself.  And then I think, well the team lead was a jerk, maybe I can do this.

And then I thought about my kids.  I did look forward to moving so I could resign and be with my kids.  I don't think I will look for a job when DS is preschool age like I first thought I would.  I enjoy being able to take DD to school, to take the kids to the library, and have playgroups.  Furthermore, I get to go to the gym.

I am sure I can do that job and not have my time with my kids challenged.  Right now, I don't get to do my crafts because I am constantly keeping tabs on DS.  Maybe when he is a bit older, I may take on the challenge, but for now... I am going to enjoy being a SAHM

We came from a place with a huge military presence and this place does not have one.  I like it!  The only real reminder that DH is military is when he brings his uniform home on Friday to be washed.

I don't think I want to do the job.  I do have until the 15th of November to turn in my application.  I may change my mind, but I don't think I will.

a little progress...

On Tuesday, I met with a Results Coordinator from the gym.  We checked my weight and she asked me what my goals were and why I joined the gym.  Since I want to lose weight and be healthy, she drew a triangle and said fitness and losing weight were like a triangle.  Nutrition being 80% was on the bottom of the triangle and then cardio and strength took up the other sides.  She also told me I should do cardio at least 4 times a week for 30 minutes each and strength training twice a week for 30 minutes.   She mentioned that I should not do the strength training two days in a row.  I found her to be very helpful.  Since we had some time, she showed me how some of the equipment worked.  I then signed up for a few personal training sessions.

I also signed up for my fitness pal.  It keeps track of the food I eat and my exercise activity.

We had our first session this morning.  It was hard, but I feel good.  And then I weighed myself and I lost 3 pounds since Tuesday.  Yay!

I find it humorous that DH cheats to lose weight.  He takes laxative or drinks shakes to make him poop and then he makes weight until the next weigh in.  I, on the other hand, have decided to work for my weight loss by actually watching what I eat and exercising.

Because the session was this morning, I had to wake DS and he did not get his morning nursing session, so he was not a happy camper in the child watch area.

After the gym, I was brave and went to Costco with the kids.  We usually do those kinds of things on the weekend, when DH is home, but I wanted to get a few things and avoid the crowds.  While the drive is about 45 minutes each way, the actual shopping part was stress free.  The kids behaved and we did not have to wait to check out.  I think I may do this more.

I'm hoping to have good news to share on the 18th.

Here's to the seasons

With a new season, comes change.  We are making a few changes, hopefully for the better.  Our house should be sold by mid month.  While it was a great house, because we had to move, we could not afford to pay the mortgage in addition to rent on our new place.  We've had to keep the utilities on to keep the house in show condition.  It will be nice not to have to pay those bills.

When we received orders to come to this place, instead of getting stressed about finding a job and child care, I decided to stay home.  It turned out the cost of child care at our last unit basically negated my pay check.  And child care in this area is supposed to be one of the highest in the region.

I was actually excited to get to stay home with the kids.  I found a preschool for DD and researched doctors and fitness places.  Figuring the Y was probably the least expensive route for fitness, I was dismayed to learn how much more it would cost.  In addition to the higher price, child care was an added fee and the closest facility was a bit far.  I put the desire to get fit on hold and enjoyed the summer.  Besides we had a swimming pool.  We also have a fitness room, but I would have to wait until DH gets home from work to keep an eye on the kids and I need the pool because of arthritis.

I got a flier in the mail this past weekend for a gym with month to month memberships starting at $20.  I decided to look them up after noticing one of the photos on the flyer had what looked like a child area.  Most places that offer cheaper rates don't have child care, classes, or pools.  The website had a wealth of information.  The center has land and pool classes and child care.  To get the membership with the child care is $20 more, but that includes other things like free tanning (not for me) free towel service, and few other things.  But for $40 a month, that's a savings of $60 if I were to go to the Y.  The child area was in a safe area.  The pools are kept between 80 and 90 degrees. There is a whirlpool too.  I think I may check out what this Zumba thing is finally.  The center also offers open family swim time on the weekends.  DD is excited to go swimming.

I really needed this.  I've been feeling a bit depressed.  Now I can have a way to channel stress and get fit.

Great start to a new season!

Yay! It's Fall!  I love the brisk weather and the changing colors.  Seeing the purples and oranges makes me want to craft.  I'll get to do some this weekend hopefully.  I want to make some fall cards, and start on the Christmas cards.  I also signed up to bring salty snacks for DD's class, so I am going to decorate the bags with the snacks.

Speaking of snacks and DD.  She had her day to bring snacks.  I found a snack on Pinterest.  I think it went really well.  I also googled skinning kiwi and found such an easy way to skin the kiwi.  We made rainbow skewers. 

We also went apple picking.  Both kids loved munching on the apples.

DD had a field trip to the farm and she got to get real close with the animals.  We were in the same pen as an emu.  Her favorite thing was milking the cow.  We also picked some pumpkins.

We also went to the beach!  The beach of Lake Michigan.  The water was very pretty.  It was a nice day to go.