Tropical storm Irene has brought an early start for fall clean up.....which means it's the start of hours and hours of my most hated noise in suburbia the #@#$ leaf blower!
You know the folks out here love their lawns to look as though they lived in TV land so it's a sin to have one leaf lying on your lawn or around your flowers.
You know it's all about convenience out here so it's a minority of us who actually rake and put the leaves in a bag....and then while we work we have to listen to the incessant buzz of leaf blowers. Of course because the majority of people use them it means that when one stops another one begins and before you know it you've spent your entire weekend "in the country" listening to leaf blowers!
My neighbor's leaf blower started at 8:30 this morning and it's hasn't stopped since! (not an exactly efficient tool) I wish I could make it stop. But I can't so I'll just close the windows :(
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Best Day in Suburbia
Thanks to hubby, yesterday was my best day in Suburbia EVER!
I've always dreamed of driving a race car and yesterday that's just what I did! For my birthday hubby enrolled me an introduction to racing class and I got to drive a real race car, all by myself.
It was exhilarating, exciting, scary, challeng and the most fun I've had in CT. I can't thank hubby enough (and the kids who were awesome on the 4 hour drive).
I've always dreamed of driving a race car and yesterday that's just what I did! For my birthday hubby enrolled me an introduction to racing class and I got to drive a real race car, all by myself.
It was exhilarating, exciting, scary, challeng and the most fun I've had in CT. I can't thank hubby enough (and the kids who were awesome on the 4 hour drive).
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| "Mom, did you like your surprise?" |
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| In heaven |
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| "I can't believe this is actually happening!" |
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| "Remember knees together if you spin out in a turn." |
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| "I can reach the pedals. All good." |
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| Yeap! I was the only city girl there :) |
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sugar Coating
Before I even had a chance to catch up and tell you how amazing and awesome our summer in Europe was and how depressed I am to be back, I've been pushed back into the suburban life.
It all started this morning when the kids next door ran down the street screaming we know who are teachers are for the year! It's posted! Have you checked?
Two seconds later I'm sitting in front of the screen trying to login into my parent account (needless to say my username and password have been erased from my memory!). And the results are in....
Son #2 gets assigned an awesome teacher who is a perfect fit for him, she loves science, he loves science.
Son #1 gets assigned a teacher with a reputation for screaming and putting down his students in front of the whole class...a horrible fit for my son who is super affected by screamers and needs a whole lot of positive encouragement in order to do his best.
My first reaction was to call hubby and share my concern and sadness. My second reaction was to call the principle and share my concerns. He had such a great year last year I just desperately want to ensure that Gabriel has another great year.
Third reaction...take a deep breath.
Final reaction...I refuse to be a crazy helicopter mom who sugar coats their child's life. The truth is that I can't always protect my kids from life's ups and downs. They have to learn how to deal with it on their own. I only know this teacher through second hand accounts, I can't project, I have to see for myself what our experience will be. I have to trust our school's decision because thus far we've had such a great experience. And worse case scenario I know my kid enough to know if he's really in trouble and then as always I'll be his strongest advocate.
Welcome back everybody!
It all started this morning when the kids next door ran down the street screaming we know who are teachers are for the year! It's posted! Have you checked?
Two seconds later I'm sitting in front of the screen trying to login into my parent account (needless to say my username and password have been erased from my memory!). And the results are in....
Son #2 gets assigned an awesome teacher who is a perfect fit for him, she loves science, he loves science.
Son #1 gets assigned a teacher with a reputation for screaming and putting down his students in front of the whole class...a horrible fit for my son who is super affected by screamers and needs a whole lot of positive encouragement in order to do his best.
My first reaction was to call hubby and share my concern and sadness. My second reaction was to call the principle and share my concerns. He had such a great year last year I just desperately want to ensure that Gabriel has another great year.
Third reaction...take a deep breath.
Final reaction...I refuse to be a crazy helicopter mom who sugar coats their child's life. The truth is that I can't always protect my kids from life's ups and downs. They have to learn how to deal with it on their own. I only know this teacher through second hand accounts, I can't project, I have to see for myself what our experience will be. I have to trust our school's decision because thus far we've had such a great experience. And worse case scenario I know my kid enough to know if he's really in trouble and then as always I'll be his strongest advocate.
Welcome back everybody!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Girlfriend Network
If you move to the burbs, you're number one priority to should be to meet similar minded women. It's taken me a while but over the last two years I've become friends with some wonderful women who have similar family commitments, similar outlooks and values and who have become my indispensable girlfriend network.
When life throws you a curve ball it's so much easier to handle when you have a network.
A couple of weeks ago both my kids got sick with a contagious virus which of course declared itself at 8:00PM at night. The next morning at 8:30 both hubbie and I were expected at a school meeting we couldn't cancel. I texted a girlfriend, explained my situation. First she offered to take my two sick kids for the morning even though she has two of her own. I refused. Then she kindly called her babysitter and arranged for her to be at our house by 8:00AM the next morning! Life saver.
Last night, son #1 announced that he had his end of year presentation today at 2:30. Of course super girl has to be somewhere completely different from 2-3PM. Again I was able to make last minute arrangements with a girlfriend so that I can literally be in two places at once this afternoon.
I'm so grateful for my network!
When life throws you a curve ball it's so much easier to handle when you have a network.
A couple of weeks ago both my kids got sick with a contagious virus which of course declared itself at 8:00PM at night. The next morning at 8:30 both hubbie and I were expected at a school meeting we couldn't cancel. I texted a girlfriend, explained my situation. First she offered to take my two sick kids for the morning even though she has two of her own. I refused. Then she kindly called her babysitter and arranged for her to be at our house by 8:00AM the next morning! Life saver.
Last night, son #1 announced that he had his end of year presentation today at 2:30. Of course super girl has to be somewhere completely different from 2-3PM. Again I was able to make last minute arrangements with a girlfriend so that I can literally be in two places at once this afternoon.
I'm so grateful for my network!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Never say never!
My next door friend and neighbor (who is an uber do-it-yourselfer, no project frightens her!) gave me lots of encouragement and even offered to help! My dad, who is also Mr. fix it, said the same thing. The competitive New Yorker in me said "watch me I can do this!."
So instead of paying a stranger a $1000 bucks I've decided to do it myself. I started this afternoon with the bathroom tile floor. I cleaned the whole floor with, vinegar, baking soda and a toothbrush! No denying that I felt like Cinderella and my hand is a big fat cramp, but it looks good and it was "free." I hope I have it in me to do the other two bathroom floors. I'm thinking of enlisting the help of the kids for their bathroom floor, it seems only fair (or would it be considered child labor?)
I have to learn this lesson over and over, never say never!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Money in suburbia!
Owning a house in suburbia is pushing me to two things I really hate to do: manage a budget and compromise. I've always hated both but I resent it even more now that it's for really mundane things like re-caulking the bathroom shower!
It seems to me that there is a limited amount of money ( the budget) and an endless list of house related expenses! I'm not complaining, we could be millionaires and this would still be true.
Do I really have to sit here and assess whether we should repaint the kitchen or have the garden mulched. Or whether we should splurge on an exterminator but then again the showers need to be caulked!
And let me tell you before you even suggest it, this city isn't going to learn how to caulk a shower. (what's the point, one day I'll have a building super who will do it for me again!) And truthfully, I'd rather be playing with my kids, cooking them a super meal or working with my coaching clients.
It is what it is but I don't like it!
It seems to me that there is a limited amount of money ( the budget) and an endless list of house related expenses! I'm not complaining, we could be millionaires and this would still be true.
Do I really have to sit here and assess whether we should repaint the kitchen or have the garden mulched. Or whether we should splurge on an exterminator but then again the showers need to be caulked!
And let me tell you before you even suggest it, this city isn't going to learn how to caulk a shower. (what's the point, one day I'll have a building super who will do it for me again!) And truthfully, I'd rather be playing with my kids, cooking them a super meal or working with my coaching clients.
It is what it is but I don't like it!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Make it for me!
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| Kale, Collard Green, Cucumber, Avocado, Garlic, Apple & Herbs |
Out here it's a little more difficult to get someone else to make your meals.
Today I discovered a take out option if you're into healthy, clean foods.
The Stand in Norwalk, CT offers amazing veggie & fruit juices! Delicious sandwiches which are all filled with veggies and nuts.
The only inconvenience is that I can't walk there....which might be a good thing because it would fuel my addiction!
The Stand
31 Wall Street
Norwalk, CT
203. 956. 5670
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