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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Time for a Tune Up!

"The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well" Lewis Carroll 

 Do you ever feel like Alice in Wonderland tumbling down the rabbit hole?? Some days I feel like everything is just wooshing(yes that's a word) by me as I grasp for a moment of sanity, while others days I feel like I've done nothing of use to myself or anyone eles.  Learning to balance time and energy sure is a job all in it's self!

I am slowly getting use to this SAHM thing, but I find that I am starting to get a bit depressed by it. Maybe it's that idea that school starts in a few weeks and for the first time in 25 years, I am not setting up a classroom. I am beginning to realize that I have identified my existence as 'Teacher". I never thought I would be lost without 20 small humans to care for each day!  I am now really trying to  focus on being wife and mom, but with my stupid sucky illness (MS) I know that I also need to take the time to care for myself and not get lost in the shuffle.

I came upon this great blog  from Roxanne at Haven of Home awhile back and I think it hits the nail right on the head.  Here's how she sums it up....

I realized something the other day. I take better care of my car than I do of myself.

Case in point:

If the Car gets new tires when they begin to be too weather-worn,
Then I should keep my finger and toenails up-to-date.

If the Car gets to go to the car wash regularly to keep in shiny,
Then my daily shower takes on a newer purpose.

If the Car gets its oil changed,
Then I should moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

If the Car has an outward appearance that is sleek and smooth,
Then my legs, underarms, and eyebrow area deserve the same.

If the Car's color begins to fade or (gasp) peel, showing the sheet metal beneath warranting a new paint job,
Then I should make sure my gray stays covered on a regular basis.
(Note: Others embrace their gray. Mine will be held at bay for many years to come.)

If the Car gets its fluids topped off routinely,
Then those 8 glasses of water each day are critical for me.

If the Car gets decluttered and neatened on the inside,
Then I should declutter the fat.

If the Car gets to have high-priced gas,
Then I should buy organic when possible.

If the Car gets its upholstery and rugs vacuumed,
Then I should keep my clothes in great condition.

If I want my chassis to last a lifetime, I need to pay it better attention.



Pretty good huh?  I am totally  guilty of this. I actually have a service that comes to my house every week to wash my car, but half the time I don't even brush my rat's nest hair!  Looking back on those awesome 50's wives, they may have been totally devoted to their Dear Husbands, but they always took the time to care for themselves.  My MaMaw died at 78 years old with a full set of make up on. she would NEVER have dreamed of stepping out of the house without being done up!

So to keep my engine running smooth here is what I am commiting too:
  • Dry brushing before every bath/shower to remove the rust

  • Moisturizing everyday to keep the "Dents" out.

  • toping up my fluids by drinking water everyday (I really hate water)

  • getting a monthly wax (the all over kind not just the brows!)

  • mani/pedi twice a month

  • weekly massage (don't hate me cuz your jealous!)

  • Facial every two weeks

  • Weekly shampoo/set at the salon

  • Dye my hair ever 4-6 weeks (if my hair wasn't naturally this lovely auburn of course)

  • start my engine everyday and by that I mean get my lazy butt outside for a walk every morning!

  • use premium fuel instead of filling p with the fast food low grade crap

  • get better tires (stop wearing $2 flip flops and get something better on my feet!)

  • take her out for a spin (go out and have fun more often!)

Sounds like a lot of pampering tome.... HHMMMM maybe I am starting to like this SAHM stuff!

PS.  If it seems a bit over endulgent to you please remember I am in Thailand where I can get a massage, mani/ped, facial and shampoo for about $20.00 (for all)  Ahhh I love Thailand, even without Taco Bell!

Time for a Tune Up!

"The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well" Lewis Carroll 

 Do you ever feel like Alice in Wonderland tumbling down the rabbit hole?? Some days I feel like everything is just wooshing(yes that's a word) by me as I grasp for a moment of sanity, while others days I feel like I've done nothing of use to myself or anyone eles.  Learning to balance time and energy sure is a job all in it's self!

I am slowly getting use to this SAHM thing, but I find that I am starting to get a bit depressed by it. Maybe it's that idea that school starts in a few weeks and for the first time in 25 years, I am not setting up a classroom. I am beginning to realize that I have identified my existence as 'Teacher". I never thought I would be lost without 20 small humans to care for each day!  I am now really trying to  focus on being wife and mom, but with my stupid sucky illness (MS) I know that I also need to take the time to care for myself and not get lost in the shuffle.

I came upon this great blog  from Roxanne at Haven of Home awhile back and I think it hits the nail right on the head.  Here's how she sums it up....

I realized something the other day. I take better care of my car than I do of myself.

Case in point:

If the Car gets new tires when they begin to be too weather-worn,
Then I should keep my finger and toenails up-to-date.

If the Car gets to go to the car wash regularly to keep in shiny,
Then my daily shower takes on a newer purpose.

If the Car gets its oil changed,
Then I should moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

If the Car has an outward appearance that is sleek and smooth,
Then my legs, underarms, and eyebrow area deserve the same.

If the Car's color begins to fade or (gasp) peel, showing the sheet metal beneath warranting a new paint job,
Then I should make sure my gray stays covered on a regular basis.
(Note: Others embrace their gray. Mine will be held at bay for many years to come.)

If the Car gets its fluids topped off routinely,
Then those 8 glasses of water each day are critical for me.

If the Car gets decluttered and neatened on the inside,
Then I should declutter the fat.

If the Car gets to have high-priced gas,
Then I should buy organic when possible.

If the Car gets its upholstery and rugs vacuumed,
Then I should keep my clothes in great condition.

If I want my chassis to last a lifetime, I need to pay it better attention.



Pretty good huh?  I am totally  guilty of this. I actually have a service that comes to my house every week to wash my car, but half the time I don't even brush my rat's nest hair!  Looking back on those awesome 50's wives, they may have been totally devoted to their Dear Husbands, but they always took the time to care for themselves.  My MaMaw died at 78 years old with a full set of make up on. she would NEVER have dreamed of stepping out of the house without being done up!

So to keep my engine running smooth here is what I am commiting too:
  • Dry brushing before every bath/shower to remove the rust
  • Moisturizing everyday to keep the "Dents" out.
  • toping up my fluids by drinking water everyday (I really hate water)
  • getting a monthly wax (the all over kind not just the brows!)
  • mani/pedi twice a month
  • weekly massage (don't hate me cuz your jealous!)
  • Facial every two weeks
  • Weekly shampoo/set at the salon
  • Dye my hair ever 4-6 weeks (if my hair wasn't naturally this lovely auburn of course)
  • start my engine everyday and by that I mean get my lazy butt outside for a walk every morning!
  • use premium fuel instead of filling p with the fast food low grade crap
  • get better tires (stop wearing $2 flip flops and get something better on my feet!)
  • take her out for a spin (go out and have fun more often!)
Sounds like a lot of pampering tome.... HHMMMM maybe I am starting to like this SAHM stuff!

PS.  If it seems a bit over endulgent to you please remember I am in Thailand where I can get a massage, mani/ped, facial and shampoo for about $20.00 (for all)  Ahhh I love Thailand, even without Taco Bell!

Old School Baby

Before Pickles was born I made a pledge to use only cloth diapers. since they don't have any of the fancy AIO here in Thailand, I spent a ton of time sewing diapers.  OM goodness they are soooo cute!  Unfortunately the whole thing has been a bust. We tried many different patterns and Google even designed his own before we could get a good fit, but we still have major problems. Basically we can't get the right fabric here to make the diapers waterproof and so wearing cloth means changing bedding or pads continuously!  Good Lordy the laundry that makes. Well,our motto around here is "Try, Try, Again" so, we instead of giving up on the whole cloth diaper bit we are going to give up the prefolds, and go old school.

So here is the new plan....

Back in May Dirty Diaper Laundry placed a flat diaper challenge.

Here are the rules:

  • You MUST use Flats.Ok, no problem you can get them here.
  • You MUST handwash them.  How is up to you.  (bathtub, sink, large wash tub, portable non electronic washing machine, or camp style washer (bucket and plunger- think churning butter) Again, no problem, we hand wash the majority of our clothes.
  • You MUST air dry them.  (indoors or outdoors, makes no difference) Is there any other way??? (I haven't had a dryer in 10 years)
  • You MUST limit your number of covers in rotation to 5 or less. Yikes, now I need to makecovers!
  • You can use any detergent you want.  (Keep in mind that you still want cloth safe detergents)
  • You can still use your nighttime diapers but I ask that you try to make flats work.  Maybe try a prefold wrapped in a flat.
  • You can use disposable liners. Yeah helps for poop!
  • You CAN’T use a diaper sprayer.  I thought long and hard about this one, but at an average cost of 40.00 this is one diaper accessory that is out of range for many families.  Dunk, swish, flush, or scrape! Sorry Not giving up my sprayer It's Thai culture
  • You MUST start the morning of May 23 and end the evening of May 30. OPPS I'm a day late and a dollar short!
  • You MUST fill out a completion survey about your experience.  Results will be published here and can be republished on your own blog. 
Can you believe that 400 moms took this challenge?? Holy Guacamole!

So, I am to late to do the formal challenge, but I figure it's never too late. Google and I have been contemplating this for months.  Prefolds are cool, but what ever happened to good 'ol diapers and rubber pants?? I used them for the Grown Ups and never had a problem, so why not use them now?  So in traditional 50's housewife style I am going to start my own little vintage baby challenge. Starting September 1st our little jungle home is going retro and using flat cloth diapers from now on.

Sorry if I don't blog for a while, I might be busy washing diapers!