Right Wing Mom

What a great start to the New Year! I managed to drag my butt out of bed and to the gym for a 6am start. It was a great workout, but what a wake-up! I’ll hopefully talk a little more about that tomorrow.

But for now - its home school time!

2008 was a good year for us as far as school was concerned. We finished our English, Math and History books - what a relief! This year I am planning on buckling down a bit more and becoming a lot stricter in both our schedule and expectations.

There have been far too many weeks that we take a day off here and there. We always make the work up, but I am really starting to despise the inconsistent schedule and habits that I have been passing on to the kids. But, no more!

I have worked out a rough lesson plans that takes us into the summer. If followed, we will be able to complete our English, Math, History, Latin and Science books. What is awesome is that we just started new English, Math and History books today! We will need to follow a 5 day schedule, so if we take any “days off” or field trips, we will need to make it up on Saturday. The girls understand this and are excited about implementing the new schedule!

I am also giving the girls more independent study type activities. Take for instance, math. They are required to do a full lesson a week with 5 worksheets. I don’t care when they get done but they must work on math daily, doing flash cards at a minimum if they have finished their worksheets. They will have a test on Friday and not passing is not an option! Latin will be done in a similar manner.

As far as school with Jake goes, its pretty much more of the same - consistency. Another big change for him is that their is no computer, Wii or tv time till all his school work and chores are done. He is not too happy about that rule, but he managed to get everything done today with minimal whining and was quite proud of himself!

Time for bed… this fat chick needs to hit the gym bright and early!

I am claiming 2009 as the Year of Me

The Year of Alicia

What exactly does that mean?

I am vowing to myself and my husband and family, that I am going to be taking care of myself this year. I will be putting myself first, on occasion, this year. I will not be selfish. I will not forsake my family or their needs for my own. But… I will be thinking of myself and taking care of myself a whole lot more than I have done in the past.

I have made my list of what I want to accomplish this year. I am excited about what this year holds for me. The seas I will cross, the mountains I will climb, the marathons I will finish. All these being “proverbial” things, mind you. This fat chick aint climbing any mountains or running a marathon anytime soon!

Instead of posting all of my list in one day, I thought I would break it up over the course of the week or so. That way we can discuss a little more and share our goals. Sounds like fun, right!?!

First up - the dreaded WEIGHT issue. Everyone’s favorite right? Ok, I know the answer, not really. But it really seems like the obvious choice for discussing first.

My main goal for this year is to lose about 45lbs. I will be working out 5-6 days a week. 4 days doing a circuit course with weights and cardio and 1-2 days just cardio. I will be counting calories and keeping a very close eye on my carbs.

This goal is very attainable for me. The workouts can be added to my day with no problem… I just need to dedicate myself to getting up about 30 minutes earlier and NOT getting on the computer till after lunch! (thats going to be a little hard!)

Food may be a little trickier, just because I really like food - but who doesn’t? Right? Again, dedication and persistence will come into play here.

I know I can do this.

Who’s with me?

Oh boy… I need to get cracking! Its almost the New Year and here I am with no solid plans!

You see, the past few years I have been making a list of everything I want to accomplish for the new year. Its got everything in it : weight and exercise, school goals, recipes to learn, techniques to master, places to go, books to read, movies to see, scrapbooking goals and (finally, I think) Motherhood and Wife “goals”

I seriously don’t know why I make this list, other than the fact that I am a compulsive list maker. Well, no so much a compulsive list maker as a compulsive cross something off my list maker (or something.) Anyway, I don’t know why I make this list because It really does nothing more than depress me come December. I look at all I didn’t accomplish (all those missing crossed out lines!) and well, it makes me feel like a big fat looser. Hmm, knowing this you would think I would skip the list, or perhaps make it more “manageable” but alas, I do not. I think I actually make it longer each year.

So, I am off to work on “THE LIST.” Hopefully I can get something together in the next 48 hours or not. Would that be such a bad thing? Not getting it together?

Ummm, yes. Yes it would.

So, I’m a day late - whoop-dee-do! I’ve been busy you know?

We had a great Christmas! Lots of laughs and gifts and love and cookies… just the way it should be.

In all the pre-Christmas crazies that were going on around here, I neglected to do a little Christmas tour of the house. There is a blog called boomama. She does a wonderful online tour of homes and I really wanted to participate last year. Well, with Emma coming a little late and not getting my Christmas act together till just a few days prior to the big day - I missed it! I was determined to hop on the tour of homes bandwagon this year, but I’m sure you could guess from this post, it didn’t happen. Oh Well! There’s always next year right?

Here is our beautiful tree, I was really happy with the way it looked this year and I didn’t even out one ornament on or even adjust any! I let the kids take over!

This year I wrapped lights all along the banister upstairs. I really liked the way it turned out!

Here is a close up of one of my favorite ornaments (too bad its out of focus!)

I did something a little different with the mantle this year too. I am VERY happy with the way this turned out! (again with the our of focus… I think I need new contacts!)

A close up of my Nativity. I can’t tell you how much I love this set!

Here I got a little festive in the kitchen with some garland above the cabinets.

And finally… my little Santa soap dispenser

I would have shown you some Christmas day photos too… but in all the craziness, I forgot to take any. Thats right… NONE. Mommy of the year - thats me!

At least that is the way it felt Saturday!

Kaitie and Mandy had to be at the gym at 9 and I thought, since I was going to be out… I might as well swing by the grocery store and pick up a few things that I needed.

The problems started as I was driving down the freeway on my way to the store. I was behind an SUV when suddenly I see a had extended out the passengers window and dump a huge cup of soda out the window! Nothings says “Its going to be a great day!” more than a soda car wash at 60 mph.

Next I had to dodge a car that cut me off so bad! I was making a left turn into the parking lot as he came across 5 lanes of traffic, form the other side of the street to pull in before me. He almost didn’t make it, but I slammed on my brakes in time.

Thankfully the store wasn’t too crowded, so that went well. However, as I was getting into my car I noticed that some lovely, thoughtful person decided to adjust my side view mirror. A big adjustment too, as in in is hanging by wires cause they broke the darn things right off!

So… I am driving down the road and all I can hear is “bump, bump, bump” as my mirror is bumping along hitting the side of my van every few seconds.

As soon as the girls get home from practice we hurry to the store for some clothes. We were going to The Nutcracker that night and they had nothing to wear! We managed to find an outfit for them, matching outfits at that!. Why they wanted to match? I have no idea, they are weird like that.

Of course, we had to go to 4 different stores to find shoes!

And lastly to cap off my exciting Saturday, I will describe to you what I was wearing to The Nutcracker. A cute and smart looking black pinstripe suit with a cranberry tank and a pair of super cute black heels. Oh, wait… that was what I had planned to wear. What I actually wore was that cute and smart looking black pinstripe suit with a cranberry tank and a pair of red crocs.

Yes, I did.

You see, I hate wearing heels around the house and I wear my crocs like slippers or house shoes. I was wearing my crocs as I got the kids ready to go. Marc was even joking about me wearing them - LOL! “No, Of course I wont forget to change my shoes! You big dork!”

Well, we got to the theater with about 10 minutes to spare. I got out of the car and something felt off. I looked down and gasped! I couldn’t believe I had forgotten! I was so embarrassed, but what could I do?

Oh, well… 2008, the year Mommy wore crocs to see The Nutcracker. It could be worse right?

I have a bunch of pictures to post and hopefully I can get them up later today. I have a ton to do! Wrapping (haven’t started!) Baking for us (haven’t started) and perhaps a trip to the mall for a picture with Santa (oh joy).

I’m sitting here thinking to myself, “What is today?” (meaning the date) WHAT!?!? December 18? Oh boy, Christmas is a week away… a week. Am I ready? Ha-Ha-Ha! Of course not. Will I be ready? Of course I will, I work better under a deadline, its that whole procrastinator thing. Let me backup by saying, I will be mostly ready. There will be cookies and such that will not get made, presents (for family) that will not get bought in time and I’m not sure I will be able to sneak in all the Christmas movies in time. Although, this weekend amy turn into a movie marathon!

Speaking of movies, what are your favorite Christmas movies? I could watch the all! I love a good Christmas movie. But, I do have three favorites, here they are, in order:

#3 A Christmas Movie

I love this movie! And yes, we are one of those families that watch the Christmas Story Marathon on Christmas Eve/Day. We will watch it 4 or 5 times usually before we turn it off. Love this movie!!

#2 Elf

I remember when this came out in theaters. I took the kids, but I had prepared myself to walk out before the movie was over. Will Ferrell isn’t really know for being family friendly, you know? I couldn’t believe how great this movie was, we laughed so hard and it instantly became one of my favorites! A little side note - When I was at home laboring with Emma, I watched this movie, which I find very funny.

#1 Its a Wonderful Life

Could it be any other? I have loved this movie since I was a little kid! I remember when it was played everyday before Christmas. You could watch it a zillion times during the Christmas Season and I usually would!

What are your favorite Christmas movies? Any that you cant live without? Any that you despise? (LIke The Christmas Shoes? Oh, kill me know!)

Thanks everyone for adding your favorite and not so favorite songs. Its fun to see where everyones taste lies!

Yeah, Yeah… I know, this should be my meal plan post. But, well, I just don’t feel like it! Face it, I’m a rebel!

In all actuality, I have done my meal planning till New Years Eve. Seriously, December 31st. Not only am I a rebel, but I am an over achiever too. (Those that know me in real life: Stop laughing!)

I may post the meal plan later in the week when I get bored or something.

In the meantime - lets talk Christmas! Everyone getting excited? I wish I was more in the “mood”, but sadly, I haven’t been truly in the “Christmas” mood for a good 5 year or so. I think it has something to do with our near 80 degree weather. I’m sure of it. I still revert back to my childhood and I remember cold and white - yep thats Christmas to me: cold and white.My house is getting decorated, every day or so I think of something else to fiddle with. Presents are mostly bought - there is one that is elusive and one daughter may be a little sad at not getting it - but I am sure she will survive. Cookies are being debated and may or may not get made - just not sure I’m up for it this year. How pathetic is that!?! Me, who could live in the kitchen baking, thinking of not baking. I know I will cave and overdue it - I always seem to do that.

But I really wanted to talk about is music! I love Christmas music!!!! And I love radio stations that play Christmas music 24/7! That makes very happy indeed! Here are some of my all time favorites:

***Jingle Bell Rock by Brenda Lee***
One of my all time favorites since I was a kid. So many people have covered this song, but Brenda is my favorite.

Here is a slightly disturbing one I found

I was quite the Billy Idol fan at one time… but this is just weird and creepy.

Another favorite:
*** All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carrey***
I really like this song, but I have a gripe. Her voice is just too darned high! I sound like a howler monkey in the car trying to sing along with this. Not sing along? Hmm, that is so not an option!

***O Holy Night by well, just about anyone that can sing well!***

If I had to pick, I think my favorite version would be this one:

Johnny Mathis does a real nice job too!

I could go on and on and on and on… trust me, I could! But, I won’t

But, please share - What are your favorite Christmas songs? Any that you cant stand?

After being sick or dealing with sick kids all last week, I am ready to get back into reality. So much chaos last week and truthfully… WAY too much fast food! Blah!

So, after not meal planning for awhile… I am ready to jump right in again!

We are going out of town this week for 1 day (plus 1/2 day traveling both ways) so the menu will reflect that!

Monday:
(b) Baked Oatmeal
(l) Grilled Cheese and Veggies
(d) Baked Chicken, Rice and Gravy and Broccoli

Tuesday:
(b) Eggs and Bacon
(l) Chicken Fried Rice with Mixed Veggies (using leftovers from Monday)
(d) Meatloaf, Baked Potatoes, Broccoli

Wednesday:
(b) Waffles with Fruit
(l) on the road
(d) on the road

Thursday:
(b) on the road
(l) on the road
(d) on the road

Friday:
(b) on the road
(l) on the road
(d) Tuna Noodle Casserole

Saturday:
(b) Bagels and Smoothies
(l) Egg Salad Sandwiches and Veggies
(d) Taco Rice

Sunday:
(b) Fritatta
(l) Deli Sandwiches with Chips and Veggies
(d) Chicken Soup with Dumplings

Enjoy!

Here are the 11th and 12th month pictures I promised. I didnt get them up sooner because this house is full of germs! The kids passed it around and yesterday I found myself feeling rather nasty. I am reminded of a quote from the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” : “I am just a stomach flu away from my goal weight” OK, so I am no where close to goal weight, but a stomach flu is a (not-so) great way to drop 5 lbs over night. Alright enough of the TMI. Here are Emma’s pictures. I will post her birthday portraits when we are all well enough to travel to the mall

11 months - my little Minnie Mouse

12 months - my baby