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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Bare Minimum

I've decided that the month of July's theme is: Bare Minimum, which is honestly an exaggeration because it feels like the bare minimum would be an awesome accomplishment.

I'm teaching a summer class again, which means after working from 7:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., I teach for three hours, three days a week and then for another hour of Friday's. On those three days I teach at night, E. J. keeps K up a bit longer so I can tuck her into bed when I get home around 8:30. Even if it's just for a few minutes, I soak up each second.

After my much-too-short time with Kathryn, I shower, and spend a few hours preparing for class the next day. The five to six hours of sleep I get each night just isn't cutting it.

The weekends aren't much different as they are filled with grading and preparing for class..again. The hardest part is that K doesn't understand why I'm doing "homework" (as she calls it) and not paying as much attention to her. How could you blame her?
Taking a break from work and doing some Sunday afternoon exploring
I realize that all of this sounds like a bunch of complaints. Yes, I'm tired. I actually want time to clean the house (crazy, right? but, THE HOUSE IS A DUMP), and of course, I wish there was more time to spend with K and E. J. after a busy work day/week.  I can't imagine how terrible things would be if E. J. wasn't doing so much to pick up the extra slack.

But there is a positive side. More teaching experience looks great on the resume and of course the extra money doesn't hurt either. Plus, it's only month, so it will be over in a flash. Only three weeks left!

I'm taking a few weeks off from Project 52, since it's not realistic to hold myself accountable for completing projects around the house when I'm just barely getting things done that have to be done. But I'll pick right back up in just a few weeks and do some major catching up.

For now, we're barely making it, but we're making it. Here's looking forward to August 6, the day I give my final exam and join my family again. Until then, I need to get back to class prep so I can at least sound like I know what I'm talking about tomorrow. If I could only be so lucky.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth, a day late! We spent the entire day at home and enjoyed a low-key holiday. I was able to get some cleaning done, which should mean more free time this weekend (how about having every Wednesday off? I could get used to breaking up the week like that...although today at work I was definitely a little sluggish).
Showing off her latest school project, Uncle Sam style
And another school project...with most of the stars already ripped off
For dinner, we celebrated with the Pioneer Woman's delicious (and spicy) Spicy Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork (on sliders). She makes hers in the oven, but I like making it in the crock pot, especially on works days. We also had corn on the cob, sauteed zucchini, beans, and steak fries. I also tried this Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade recipe, which made it feel like the perfect summer meal. (Completely forgot to take pictures, though.) 
 Patriotic dessert kabobs along with homemade hot fudge sauce to dip. Delish!
It was a good day at home and now I'm even more ready for a weekend at home.

We returned to the weekday hustle today and couldn't be happier that the weekend is right upon us.
By the way, she's a pro in heels...just like her momma ;)

Hope you had a happy Fourth!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Project 52 - Week 23

I'm still catching up!

For week 23, I wanted (read: needed) to tackle some kitchen draws, which are not just any kitchen draws, they're Kathryn's favorite draws. She loves to grab a chair and help me in the kitchen any chance she gets. And by "help" I mean ignore what I'm doing and shuffle through draws, take things out, and maybe put them back. But I enjoy the company, so the mess that accompanies it is fine with me.

I finally had enough of the cluttered nightmare that I called kitchen draws and decided to go through them.
Draw #1
Draw #2
I was able to sift through items we no longer need and take some items out that can be better served by storing them somewhere else. Now that there's not as much "stuff" in the drawers, we'll see what kind of damage my little helper can do.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Project 52 - Week 22

Yes, I know, I'm a few weeks behind but I'm ready to catch up with my projects (and blogging) all together (and will do so over the next few days). 

For week 22, I did somewhat of an 'unconventional' cleaning...of the electronic sort. That's right, I cleaned out my Gmail. I consider myself a non-horder when it comes to e-mail and delete them regularly. However with over 100 sitting in my inbox (which is a lot for me) it was driving me batty.

I tend to e-mail myself anything from links to things I want, songs I want to eventually buy on iTunes, articles to read, and grocery list reminders that I think of as I'm falling asleep. So I'll often have e-mails sent to myself at 11 p.m. with "cheese, yogurt, and raisins" in the subject line. 
I even went through every folder and cleaned those out too. Oddly, it felt like a great accomplishement. I widdled my inbox to just 24 e-mails and finally responded to e-mails that I've been meaning to do for a while. Having a clean electronic space is feeling pretty good!