“Ya Se Acabo” (It's Over.)

Those are Strong words. Complete. Determined. Hard. Hurtful. Strange.

It’s hard to realize something has come to an end and to prove to yourself there will be another beginning. That hope will reign, that someone can become better, become stronger, become who they used to be.  Finding who you once were, your core beliefs, your essence…this is something that novels are written about but an author can’t tell you the path you will be on, how hard it will be, or who might help you along the way.

This may not make sense to my readers but it makes sense to me. A ton of bricks landed this morning in a heaping pile on my head after listening to some music…I asked for these bricks to fall and I will be patient to let those wounds heal…to see what’s hurt and to repair the damage. I wish the bricks would have fallen only on me but I know some may have ricocheted to those around me (some more than others) and for that I am truly sorry and sad and hurt that I have wounded and caused pain to other people that I love. I’m not saddened by the ending of the chapter…I’m devastated by the consequences of it. I don’t think I can put into words the emotions, feelings, and process I am going through but it is HARD. Complete. Determined. Hurtful. Strange…..Hopeful.

Banking Time

Schedules, timelines, to-do lists, blah blah blah….how is a mom supposed to get everything done in the day/week/month/year? I saw another post by my favorite blogger, James at Bleubird talking about how to get everything done without losing your mind. Here are my thoughts.

I find my days extremely exhausting! My days are repetitive but it works for me because I know once I have my chores done, I can relax or do something that has been pushed to the wayside.

Food: I make lunches for the next day and dinner at the same time so I can save dishes and time. While little man takes a nap in the evening I run on the treadmill and shower (sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn't).

Fitness: If I shower at night, that saves me 30 minutes of blow-drying my hair. If he doesn't nap then we go for a walk outside. I recently lost 30 pounds, I'm not about to gain it back and I want to teach him to exercise or play daily! I also curl my hair and do my makeup at the same time....trend maybe?

Cleaning: Let’s be honest…this is usually the last thing I get to. I have forgone sweeping for mopping everything into a pile and then picking up the remains…lazy? Maybe. Out-of-time? Definitely! Showers I clean before I get in the shower, it’s already running so I might as well clean it as I clean myself. Each toilet has a bottle of cleaner next to it so I can just put some in, scrub and let sit till the next time it gets flushed. Dusting with a swiffer duster is the only way I have found to make that easier and faster. I live in AZ so everything is dusty…my motto: Get over it. Vacuuming…tough task. I would like to do it when little man is sleeping but he will wake up. So I usually get this done when dad is home on the weekend and can entertain the boy.

Others: I usually get my crafting time on the weekend when daddy gets little time in. Groceries happen on weekends and I try to shop for the month as much as possible so I can limit that errand. I pay bills/budget on breaks at work.

I like to do things in a way that "banks time" … doing 2 things at once saves me the extra time to do them separately. Anyone have any other ideas?

Hope this helps!

XO Sharon

Image location

Bucket List

 

Yup...I'm 29. That means there is only one year left to do fun, crazy, what-were-you-thinking activities in my 20’s. Some stuff you can pull in your 20’s….in your 30’s it’s just sad.

I decided that each week I am going to choose one thing on my list and work on it. A few are weekly things that have to happen consistently so I will touch on those a bit.

Opinion Requested: Should I add anything to the list?

·         Create a blog with more than 20 subscribers – COME ON people I can’t do this without you clicking the “Follow” button at the top of the page! (Thank you by the way J )

·         Learn how to use PhotoShop – Created Silas’ “Thank You” Cards..that was new.

·         Week in Collage – I have made a few…just forget to post those…will do when I get home tonight

·         Learn conversational Spanish – got Rosetta Stone…now need to use it

·         Yoga – I need to find a yoga video that I can do at home when Silas naps…about 30-40 minutes long, any suggestions?

·         Get a promotion – working on it J

·         Healthy body/Healthy Mind – in progress…see “running” and “Operation Beautiful”

·         Surprise my husband at least once per week – tried to take him hiking a couple weekends ago…but we got rained out. Surprised him with crab legs since he was craving them.

·         Skype – I will Skype my sister in San Diego this week

·         Grow something – working to keep my basil plant alive, it’s a little droopy at times but I think he’ll pull through – side note…need to find out how you dry basil….this guy has way too many leaves I think…side note to my side note, why do I grow basil if I only use it once per week?

·         Accessorizing – I just bought some more bracelets and earrings…eyeballing a few fall hats…may have to go grab some.

·         Hatchets – well…I have to figure out if there is anyone on this list… right now..not so much

·         One on One time – I am taking my niece Eva out for ice cream and “jewelry” shopping this weekend J Soooper Excites!

·         Friendships – unfortunately I haven’t been able to do this…but we are working on schedules

·         Organic – I may be too broke for this lifestyle…I am doing lousy on the intent part…I generally eat cause I’m hungry and/or bored.

·         Walking – I have been walking to the store more when I can with Silas. Work is too far…everyone else… too far.

·         Traditions – First edition: Go on a beginning of Fall camping trip (camping story to come soon)

·         Environmentally friendly products – working right now to use up all my “bad” products. Switching to ammonia, vinegar and baking soda combinations.

I HEART Fall

Fall by sabell82 featuring bamboo boots

Buckle boots
$48 - modcloth.com

Bamboo boots
$33 - amazon.com

Eugenia Kim wide brim hat
$365 - neimanmarcus.com                              

                           Way too expensive but pretty huh?

Portolano slouchy knit hat
$70 - saksfifthavenue.com

Jessica Simpson feather hat
$48 - nordstrom.com

Womens Hat, Menswear Plaid Fedora w/Flower
$12 - jcpenney.com

, Wall Words and Decals by Trading Phrases
$40 - tradingphrases.com

Back to School....and taxes, grr

As the school year starts … so does the need for supplies, books, computers, and field trips. Working in an office I can attest to the multiple fundraising ideas that parent (begrudgingly and some good aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends) bring in for their beloved school aged kiddo. While I feel there is a need to teach kids how to fundraise for something that is important to them…I know of a great option for schools!

You pay state taxes, like it or not. Do you know where your money goes? I dunno…maybe I paid for part of that side walk someone just spit on…maybe it went to the governor’s office and they are eating lunch with it…who knows. Well, you can change that.

In Arizona, you can donate your money to a school and even a teacher of your choice. The funds can be applied to extracurricular activities or character building programs. I understand it’s not computers or pencils or the basics but just think if your teacher doesn’t have to come up with it out of pocket, then those fundraising dollars that would have to go to a zoo trip could then be spent on a computer lab or music room or art supplies.

You do not have to have a child or even donate to the school in your neighborhood, you choose what school and if you want it to go to a certain teacher. You can donate $200 filing single, head of household or married filing separately and $400 when filing married filing jointly. You do not have to donate all to one school or all at the same time, you can do it as you see fit. Contact your school for where to locate their donation form.

The catch here is that you have to make your donation up front and then wait for your tax refund to recoup the cost. I would try to work this out with your tax professional so that you pay less out of your check every month so that you can do this if you are unable to comfortably front the cash. You must get it registered as paid by December 31 so be careful that some schools close for Christmas break and won’t be able to fill out the necessary documentation. I.E. don’t wait till last minute. Also you must have a tax liability of at least $100 for the year.

Arizona Form 322

Check here to see if your school qualifies to be in the program

Disclaimer: I am not a tax professional…just a blogger who heard of a fabulous tax credit. Contact a tax professional for details. 

xo, Sharon

Images from:

http://romulus.net/Pages/home.aspx

http://bearessentialnews.com/field-trip-guide.php

http://www.students.niu.edu/~z140184/website/Resume.html

http://www.mpsaz.org/zaharis/info/eca/