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Some really exciting things are happening around here for our family. I've been busy gettin ready. More posts to come!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Stay tuned.....
Some really exciting things are happening around here for our family. I've been busy gettin ready. More posts to come!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lower your Expectations
I got so frustrated with the Roo this morning about still not getting herself dressed. She's almost 6 for goodness sakes. But I'm still thinking about what my pastor said the other day about anger. It usually stems from something else somewhere deep inside of us. My anger this morning stemmed from embarrassment-what would people think if they knew this about her/us? So I step back and say to myself "who cares"? And then I think even more about the time that I spend with her. She's definitely doing this to "get my goat". But why? To have more time with me is my guess. She's getting older and wanting to do more on her own but then she doesn't. It's frustrating when I do make "just us" time and then she chooses something else. But she's growing and I'm loosening my grip a little each day. For now I will loosen my expectations on the actions I know will come. It's a delicate dance our relationship. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Lower Your Expectations—Be Happier!
My parents are late to everything. They have missed many things, including Thanksgiving dinners, flights, and the beginning of almost every movie, just to name a few. My grandma swears she takes Turbo Kick at her retirement community and that I should try to make it harder. I have explained to her on, oh, at least 100 occasions that she's actually taking a Tai Chi class. My relatively new car already smells like a blend of Happy Meals and small sweaty feet. My husband is a bit fuzzy when it comes to the difference between a Phillips-head and flat-head screwdriver. The "cheap-o-matic" vacuum I bought has cost me double its price tag in repairs and maintenance. At least once a year I get a nasty email from a disgruntled customer, who hates my programs, hates me, and hates the world. I know that each time a certain high school girlfriend calls it's because she has a new trauma-drama in her life and seeks my advice (ya right!) again.
These things used to get me down, disappointed, frustrated and/or mad. You probably have someone in your life who routinely has you in fits, consuming your energy or monopolizing your thoughts. Maybe you're frustrated by the constant chaos that raising a family creates. How often are you disappointed by the same set of circumstances, same friend, same frustrating co-worker, same relative? Why don't they just see the light, strand up and fly straight once and for all?
Ironically, the person who disappointed you most recently tried to tell you this was going to happen. If you really thought about it, you should have expected this, right? I mean let's face it, Grandma is 76 and believes what she believes. I should stop trying to change her mind and just ask her, "How was Turbo Kick today?" My husband is never going to build an extra wing on our house, but he gives Emeril Lagasse a good run for his money. I bought a crappy vacuum and should have expected it would die an expensive death. We serve over 16,000 customers; certainly I should expect to rub some people the wrong way. That's realistic.
Why be disappointed by things we should realistically expect? Most people behave consistently, whether it's consistently reliable, consistently bad or consistently inconsistent. If your best friend remembers your birthday a week late each year, why be disappointed this year? It has nothing to do with her adoration for you. Maybe she's just bad at remembering dates. Get real.
Unrealistic expectations are a sure-fire way to stir up stress levels and harbor futile frustration. It is useless. You can expect that one of your household appliances will break down the day you need it the most. You can expect that your "flaky" relative will be just as unreliable this year as he was last. Expect that your toddler will use a Sharpie to make his mark on your beautiful "company only" white couch. That is the kind of thing toddlers do. Expect that which is likely, predictable, and realistic based on past experience and then relax when it happens.
When I invite a house full of kids over, I can expect that they will spill Gatorade on my floor, break something, seek and destroy the temporary order in both kids' rooms. I can expect a trail of water from the pool to the bathroom, a fight, and a healthy decibel level. Someone will want something to eat, another will pee on the toilet seat, and my kids will declare they're "bored" the moment everyone leaves. Now that I can safely assume these things will happen, I can chill when they do.
Don't throw a party if you're a controlling clean freak. Don't rely on someone who has been unreliable in the past. Don't expect a person of low character to behave differently with you.
A friend of mine called the other day and asked what I thought she should do about a subordinate she found to have been "complaining" about her to another employee. I asked, "Are you the boss?" She replied, "Well, yeah." I explained, "There's not a person on the planet who, at some point, didn't have a complaint about the boss. Don't take it personal. It's just what people do to blow off steam." Sometimes we complain about other people to mask our self-recognized shortcomings. I've enjoyed and learned from every boss I've ever had. I've also found something to complain about. I love my staff and they love me (and if I find out otherwise, you're all fired!) However, I'm sure there are days when they need to poke pins in the Chalene voodoo doll. I wouldn't blame them. I expect it.
The opening line of the book, The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck begins simply, "Life is difficult." As one who wears rose-colored lenses, this line more than ruffled my feathers. I hated that line. But Peck's message (to simplify) was that if we expect that life will be difficult we will be better equipped to handle its challenges, and more likely to tighten our seatbelt and enjoy the bumpy-ride excitement. Children of healthy marriages expect that relationships take work and that conflict will arise and resolve.
When we accept that difficulties are a part of life, when we consider that most people are predictable, when we expect imperfection and malfunction, when we anticipate having to do the job ourselves and set expectations realistically, we learn to take every jolt in stride and lead a happier existence.
So set your expectations for peaceful perfection a little lower. This is life. There's always something. Enjoy the ride.
—Chalene
This article was a great reminder for me this morning:
Lower Your Expectations—Be Happier!
My parents are late to everything. They have missed many things, including Thanksgiving dinners, flights, and the beginning of almost every movie, just to name a few. My grandma swears she takes Turbo Kick at her retirement community and that I should try to make it harder. I have explained to her on, oh, at least 100 occasions that she's actually taking a Tai Chi class. My relatively new car already smells like a blend of Happy Meals and small sweaty feet. My husband is a bit fuzzy when it comes to the difference between a Phillips-head and flat-head screwdriver. The "cheap-o-matic" vacuum I bought has cost me double its price tag in repairs and maintenance. At least once a year I get a nasty email from a disgruntled customer, who hates my programs, hates me, and hates the world. I know that each time a certain high school girlfriend calls it's because she has a new trauma-drama in her life and seeks my advice (ya right!) again.
These things used to get me down, disappointed, frustrated and/or mad. You probably have someone in your life who routinely has you in fits, consuming your energy or monopolizing your thoughts. Maybe you're frustrated by the constant chaos that raising a family creates. How often are you disappointed by the same set of circumstances, same friend, same frustrating co-worker, same relative? Why don't they just see the light, strand up and fly straight once and for all?
Ironically, the person who disappointed you most recently tried to tell you this was going to happen. If you really thought about it, you should have expected this, right? I mean let's face it, Grandma is 76 and believes what she believes. I should stop trying to change her mind and just ask her, "How was Turbo Kick today?" My husband is never going to build an extra wing on our house, but he gives Emeril Lagasse a good run for his money. I bought a crappy vacuum and should have expected it would die an expensive death. We serve over 16,000 customers; certainly I should expect to rub some people the wrong way. That's realistic.
Why be disappointed by things we should realistically expect? Most people behave consistently, whether it's consistently reliable, consistently bad or consistently inconsistent. If your best friend remembers your birthday a week late each year, why be disappointed this year? It has nothing to do with her adoration for you. Maybe she's just bad at remembering dates. Get real.
Unrealistic expectations are a sure-fire way to stir up stress levels and harbor futile frustration. It is useless. You can expect that one of your household appliances will break down the day you need it the most. You can expect that your "flaky" relative will be just as unreliable this year as he was last. Expect that your toddler will use a Sharpie to make his mark on your beautiful "company only" white couch. That is the kind of thing toddlers do. Expect that which is likely, predictable, and realistic based on past experience and then relax when it happens.
When I invite a house full of kids over, I can expect that they will spill Gatorade on my floor, break something, seek and destroy the temporary order in both kids' rooms. I can expect a trail of water from the pool to the bathroom, a fight, and a healthy decibel level. Someone will want something to eat, another will pee on the toilet seat, and my kids will declare they're "bored" the moment everyone leaves. Now that I can safely assume these things will happen, I can chill when they do.
Don't throw a party if you're a controlling clean freak. Don't rely on someone who has been unreliable in the past. Don't expect a person of low character to behave differently with you.
A friend of mine called the other day and asked what I thought she should do about a subordinate she found to have been "complaining" about her to another employee. I asked, "Are you the boss?" She replied, "Well, yeah." I explained, "There's not a person on the planet who, at some point, didn't have a complaint about the boss. Don't take it personal. It's just what people do to blow off steam." Sometimes we complain about other people to mask our self-recognized shortcomings. I've enjoyed and learned from every boss I've ever had. I've also found something to complain about. I love my staff and they love me (and if I find out otherwise, you're all fired!) However, I'm sure there are days when they need to poke pins in the Chalene voodoo doll. I wouldn't blame them. I expect it.
The opening line of the book, The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck begins simply, "Life is difficult." As one who wears rose-colored lenses, this line more than ruffled my feathers. I hated that line. But Peck's message (to simplify) was that if we expect that life will be difficult we will be better equipped to handle its challenges, and more likely to tighten our seatbelt and enjoy the bumpy-ride excitement. Children of healthy marriages expect that relationships take work and that conflict will arise and resolve.
When we accept that difficulties are a part of life, when we consider that most people are predictable, when we expect imperfection and malfunction, when we anticipate having to do the job ourselves and set expectations realistically, we learn to take every jolt in stride and lead a happier existence.
So set your expectations for peaceful perfection a little lower. This is life. There's always something. Enjoy the ride.
—Chalene
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Master bedroom artwork
But.... I don't love it.
I'm looking for a little more sophistication in our bedroom.
What I do love is these flowers!
I could eat them they are so cute.
Just material strips curved around to form a circle and pinned right on with straight pins.
Stay tuned for my next idea.....
Monday, March 7, 2011
Easy and healthier taco salad
Warning: We have some fancy dinners around here.
Try this for an easier taco salad dinner. Believe it or not my kids will eat this. Especially when I set out all the fixin's and let them assemble their own.
Roll some foil up into balls.....
Spray lightly with Pam
Cook at 400 degrees until a little brown and crispy.
Usually around 10 minutes but keep a close watch!
Fill them up with ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.
Enjoy!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
To my lobster
Happy Anniversary!
Thank you for not giving up on me all those years ago.
Thank you for leading me through the happy and carrying me through the sad.
You are my lobster.....and I love you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU39sqEQOms
Friday, February 25, 2011
kitchen 'mis'treatments
Here is my kitchen before my new mistreatments. The grass shade was here when we moved in and we kept it because it was custom and surely expensive. I did my time- I lived with them for 3 years. The kids art area was getting out of control. They are both now in school and it rarely gets used. My kitchen was stressing me out and Lord knows I already stress enough in the kitchen. I wanted a big change.
Once I decided on it, those babies came down and out in a heartbeat. And then I realized that I put up bulletin boards to hide the many MAJOR holes in the walls from the previous owners. We will be repainting and sprucing up the kitchen at a later time so the holes will have to wait.
My mom was coming in town for a short visit and we like to work on projects. This one would be an easy one right? Find some fabric and hang it up on a new shiny rod. As always, not that easy.
In all my cheapness, I bought a skinny curtain rod and rings on sale. I put that thing up so high and wide like I have been taught that it drooped on either side and wouldn't hold one shower curtain. If I brought it in any it wouldn't hide the holes. (I only used one support because i wanted to be able to close them all the way)
Enter the Nester, surely you have heard of her famous mistreatments. After realizing that a thicker rod wouldn't hide the holes either, I decided to try her ring on the nail head tactic so I could go all the way to the end of the wall.. And I LOVE them!
Oh and I have to say that this fabric was definitely made for me. I was going to go with some sort of red toile but couldn't find anything. I've been eyeing Nester's buffalo check curtain for years and recently Carrie's too. I found this at a fabric store that I didn't even know existed in my town in the clearance corner marked down to $8 a yard! Also, the check fabric made cutting the fabric on a straight line SO EASY. I didn't even hem them because when we do work on the kitchen I want to be able to have them made into curtains.
I hung the iron thing in the middle to hide more holes!
{And now I know that my kitchen is the hardest room in the house to photograph, geez.}
I'm off to go work out so I can have more energy to work on more projects. Mainly, art supply organization in a different location. (-:
Monday, February 14, 2011
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