Week in the Life 2014 | Wednesday

Just for future reference, these pictures are taken with my iPhone and my Canon.  Neither of which I operate well.  The goal is to capture the story, not a perfect picture.

The stories for today.

I don't want to like coffee, but I do.  And I want to love coffee with coconut milk instead of 1%, but I don't.  Regular milk is so much better.  It's so hard to be healthy, most days.  Who am I kidding, everyday.  It's a struggle.

I am thankful that Alex and Sofia can drive to school.  It gives them a bit more time in the morning.    They are supposed to leave the house at 7am, while lately it's closer to 7:10am.  She sweet talks her teacher and doesn't get a tardy.  He says he takes it like it is, and gets a tardy pass.  I heard Sofia finally go to sleep last night at 1:20 am.  No wonder she sleeps through her alarm and is usually running to his truck. Alex always doesn't wait so patiently.

I do love dropping off the boys at school, even when it's dark and wet at 7:15am.  I want to remember how cheerful JH is in the morning and how chatty he is, and his daily sharing of gum with Chi.

By the time Lilia catches the bus, it's light out.  She stays in my car until she sees the bus in the rear view mirror.  Then it's chapstick on an a kiss and an I LOVE YOU.  I'm lucky she loves school and loves taking the bus with her BFFs Esther and Estella.

I want to remember the story of my morning drive.  I usually leave my neighborhood by 8:30, my drive is all of 10 minutes.  I do my best thinking in that time.  I have awesome ideas of things I want to do or explore.  The minute I sit at my desk to write them down, I've forgot them all.  The story of now at work is all about the upcoming elections -- specifically focused on passing I-1351, a reduced class size initiative.  Phone banking is expected and I don't like it.

The story of pumpkin carving.  Tonight was our only night.  I left Alex $20 and he went and bought 5 pumpkins at Winco.  We carved tonight.  JH didn't finish as he had an attitude and went to bed.  Sofia realized half way into carving that her pumpkin was juicy, very juicy.  I was busy making dinner and when I looked inside her pumpkin it was rotten and stunk so bad.  We tried to salvage it, but decided to just compost.  I am thankful for Alex and his patience to carve out Lilia's drawn idea.

I want to remember that Lilia loves to get her hands ewey dirty and dig out all the seeds and scrape the sides. She is by far the best in the family and did JH's too.

I want to remember the story of watching our first holiday movie The Holiday --- OUR FAVORITE.  We (the girls) are in love with Jude Law.  I think we watched it at least 10 times last year.  It makes us excited for the season.

I want to remember the story of Rhea and Sofia sharing a pumpkin and researching how to make a Harry Potter face. 

I want to remember the story of 9pm homework.  I am thankful that Rhea helps Sofia write papers.  She likes it and I don't.  They make a good pair, when they aren't laughing.

Week in the Life 2014 | Tuesday

The words and stories from today.

I want to remember the story that Lilia is self-sufficient in the morning, she gets herself up and ready, for the most part, on her own.

I want to remember that Lilia loves to catch the bus.   She is punctual to get out the door.

I want to remember that I have an amazing employer and colleagues who are flexible when I need to get home early.  I was home by 3:15 pm today, to prepare the flowers to honor the seniors in Beamer's last regular season game.  I want to remember that Sofia arrived at the same time and Rhea had pasta ready for her pre-game meal.

I want to remember the story of friends who come to support Sofia, even when they are blurry.  Romi and Sophie are our BFFs.
 

I want to remember the story that when I finally get home at 7:45 pm, sometimes it's okay to go from my car to Alex's, so that we can go get gas together.

I want to remember the story that even though I'm tired, it's nice to make a late night run to Costco, and eat dinner solo at the food court at 8:30 pm and talk about life.

I want to remember the story of Lilia calling and saying she would shower and be ready to make cookies.  She was ready and opened the door for me with open arms.  So we baked.

I want to remember the story of sharing my bed with this 9 year old.  Yes, she still sleeps with me, but she keeps to her side and has great reading habits.

I want to remember that today was so busy, that I saw poor JH for all of 30 minutes today.  Some days are like that....this will mean extra love tomorrow.

Week in the Life 2014 | Monday

Let's try this again.

I'm participating in Ali Edwards Week in the Life.  This is the third year I've documented a week in the lives of the CK5.

The goal is to document each day for one week -- the rituals, the stuff, the daily grind -- capturing the stories of what is happening now, at this chapter of my life.

Ali suggests we answer the question, "what is the truth of my day?" as I walk around my house, my work, my kids school...think about the truths that make up my day.

To be honest, the truth is I'm filling a bit on auto pilot with my life now.  I'm not living the day, but living the motions that make up my day.  Just one day at a time.  Over and over.  Without really living.  I feel stuck.  I'm hoping this documentation might help me reflect some.  More than pictures, I want to capture the stories.

But as I started out, I soon forgot.  My pictures and words are limited.  My thought is to post here, then compile an album next week.  I can only hope.

5:55 am | my alarm goes off
I hop in the shower.

6:10 am | I look out my door, there is evidence that JH has been in the shower, with the boys bathroom light on.

6:20 am | Alex starts to wake up, while I go and turn Sofia's light on.  She is up the latest with homework, so her mornings are hard.

6:45 am | Alex eats waffles, drinks milk, 180 days a school year

7 am | Alex and Sofia head to school.  Lunch for A: 1.5 P&B sandwich; S: 1/2 P&B, nuts, brownies, multigrain chips, hot cocoa and toast

7:15 am | pick up Chi for carpool

7:25 am | back home, Lilia is up and on the couch

1 pm | conference call

6 pm | grocery shopping

7 pm | dinner & dishes

8 pm | Lilia jumps in the shower

8:30 pm | Sofia comes home from Monday night soccer dinner social and heads to do homework

9 pm | JH heads to bed

9:30 pm | Alex writing a paper for school

9:45 pm | Laundry

10:45 pm | Bed

Pressure

As much as I wish I could be a “blogger”, I just can’t.  I don’t have the time or will to make it a daily habit and/or make it a priority.

And the pressure, uggh, the pressure.  It consumes me.  To post and to post “good”. 

Look, it’s November 11, and I’ve been off for three days and nada.  And I’m “supposed’ to reflect thankful this month.  Ugg, I suck.

I shall reflect.

I am thankful for my employer.  I’ve worked at the same place since 1984.  Can you believe it!  Yikes.  And I thought I’d stay just five years, hello LIFE.  I have had the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of working for an organization that provides for me and my family...salary, benefits and favorable working conditions.  I can’t complain.  And I am thankful.

I am thankful for friends, close and afar, that inspire me to be a better person and look for the positive in life.

I am thankful for FPFG, who humbles me. 

Today, I am grateful.

xoxo

Day 5

So I lost a few days....darn Comcast and a bad modem.  And, I was too lazy to create a post with my fat fingers on my iPhone.

Today, I am thankful for Comcast and high speed internet.

I am thankful for neighbors who love my kids as much as their own.

I am thankful for girlfriends who get me, who allow me to be vulnerable without judgement.

I am thankful for my family.

Cousin Love

I really can't believe it's November.

At bedtime, Lilia and I say our prayers and give thanks to the Lord.  Every night, "thank you for Papa and Lita and thank you Lord for keeping them healthy," without a doubt, it's on the top of her list.  I try to instill a "thanks for blessings" in our prayers, rather than the "asks".  It's a great reminder that we are truly blessed for what we have, a home, food on the table and loved ones who support us, daily.

November seems to be the social month of thanks, so I thought I'd fire up the old blog and document my thanks here.

I am so thankful for iCloud and instant photostream of my iPhoto pictures to this laptop.  No uploading necessary.

This morning's sunrise and sky.  Amazing.

And cousins that love, deeply love.  (They would kill me if they knew I posted this...but they were so cute at dinner, which was soup, caesar salad and yummy rustic bread.)

This month brings us one step closer to the holiday season (squeal).  Tonight the halloween decor came down, hot chocolate was served and we are watching The Holiday.  

Day 1 was great!

xoxo

Tiffany

I met Tiffany many years ago.  At the time, she was best friends with my cousin's wife.  In later years, my cousin's best friend married Tiffany.   

We became friends, as the circle of friends would hang out and party, during my early years of my marriage.  Her and her husband Jimmy were just smitten over one another, a love that grew so strong over the past 20 years. 

TIffany was diagnosed with breast cancer about five years ago.  She fought a long hard battle and lived her life fully in these last few years.  She lost her battle on September 6, 2013.  She leaves behind a great man, who is so fragile now it hurts and two kitties that she loved more than life. 

I've been a baking fool all day.  All day.  A double rainbow cake is in the works.  She always wanted a rainbow cake made by me.  I am sad that I'm making it for her a bit late.  Also two sheets of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.  Oh.my.

Tomorrow we celebrate her life. 

I know she will look down from Heaven with the biggest smile.  She will watch, as we remember, honor and share the love she shared so willingly with all of us.

Miss and love you, dear sweet Tiffany.  xoxo