Do you ever feel stuck? That’s how my brain is right now. I came out of the wintery, cold gloomy season so happy to start anew. But I’m not sure what my “anew” is. I have so much percolating in my head that it keeps me up at night. Actually, I collapse most nights and sleep quite soundly. But around 4:30, I wake up and my thoughts start racing, so I can’t back to sleep.

Some days I feel like I have so much to do that I’m stuck. Paralyzed. Don’t know where to start. But I never stop moving. I do laundry. There is always laundry to get done. And it’s not like I’m not doing anything. I’m making great progress on our financial goals, and our children are fed and happy, but it feels like it’s not enough. I’m telling myself it’s okay to be focused on one thing at a time. That these neverending to-do lists (like house repairs and backing up the photos from the computer that’s making very bad noises) will get done eventually. But when? When will I not feel stuck?

How do you get unstuck?

Photo from jdn at Flickr

Just when I thought I was getting really really good at dealing with head lice–since we’re in our third week of it and of course it’s the child with the wild curly hair so it takes forEVER to go through–and just one day after I actually called my sister to celebrate the face that we were lice-free…

My son got head lice. Here we go again. I did 14 loads of laundry last week, because of the head lice. I am constantly itching. I am constantly picking through everyone’s head, even at the dinner table until my husband tells me to stop.

 Oh, and the third child has a mysterious illness that makes her moan and groan and not go to school or eat anything, but the doctor says it’s not strep and wait it out. And now we’re expecting a giant snowstorm that will make us housebound, which makes me moan and groan because I’ve been housebound between sick kid and head lice kid for four days already.

I will get through this, because Tough Times Don’t Last.

At least it is taking my worries off the furlough and the disappointment of cancelling our spring break trip since we don’t know what’s happening with my husband’s job.

How was your weekend?

I’m in a hospital waiting room, waiting for my sister to have a baby. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air is playing nonstop on the TV, and others are here waiting as impatiently as I am.

It will be hours. I’m trying to be helpful, be calm, ease my mom’s fears from many states away. My kids are so excited–as we all are–to find out if it’s a girl or a boy. I just want the birth to go smoothly, for my sister’s sake.

Spending time with my two nephews this weekend takes me back to those early days with my son. For all the struggles we have now, arguments over homework and violin practice and fighting with his sisters, I appreciate how he has grown. When I head home tomorrow, I’ll be thankful for my big kids who can feed themselves, clean themselves, and still like cuddling (thank goodness).

Wishing you all a wonderful winter break and a very Happy Holiday! Thank you so much to everyone who reads MoneywiseMoms, leaves comments, engages on Facebook and Pinterest, and emails me. I love hearing from you, and I so appreciate you. I hope you have lots of fun with your families this week and are thinking about starting the New Year fresh and enthusiastically. I’m eager to get it started with you!

I’m taking a computer break and will be back next Friday, December 28th, with a big giveaway, my 2012 Financial Goals review, and more.  Remember to enter my current Aquaphor Giveaway full of winter skincare products, a Dwell hooded towel and $50 Visa Gift Card.

Have a great week!

 

Today I’m joining bloggers across the country in honoring the victims of Friday’s tragedy by with Thank a Teacher Today. With the busy pace of today’s world, we rarely take the time to show our appreciation for those who have devoted themselves to our children. They care for our children for hours a day, helping them grow, learn, and stay safe. The beautiful people who lost their lives in Connecticut are a reminder of the hundreds of thousands of teachers who would do the same for your child.

Today–please take a moment to write a note, send an email, offer to volunteer, or anything you can do to thank a teacher in your life. I’ll be following the movement on Twitter with hashtag #ThankATeacher, sharing how I’m participating and learning how others are thanking in their communities.

 

I hope you and your family are together today, enjoying each others’ company and making memories together. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

This has been a tough holiday for me for the past few years. My dad passed away on Thanksgiving morning in 2006, after living with us for 14 months. I’m so thankful we had that time together, and although they are blurry memories (that was the period of bedrest + 2yo toddler + infant twins), they are good ones. I noticed a shift in myself this year; it no longer feels like “yesterday” that he died, and I’m not as quick to think, “Dad would love that.” I do think of him often, especially since my new nephews are reaching the age where my son was during that year with my dad.

This Thanksgiving will be a joyful one. It’s my nephew’s 2nd birthday, and we’re gathering to celebrate. There’s a new cousin this year, plus another on the way. I’m thankful my sisters live in the same city now, so we can see them more often and make new memories together. I’m thankful we can afford to travel this weekend and enjoy a special meal together. I’m thankful that my kids are healthy, and I’m really hoping to be thankful for a no-carsick trip (hasn’t happened yet, but maybe this time?).

I’m also thankful for YOU. Thank you for reading MoneywiseMoms and coming along on a journey of family frugality. I hope you’re able to enjoy the benefits of your hard work during the year throughout the holiday season.

Today only–Thursday, November 8th–get 10 FREE Holiday Cards with FREE Shipping from Cardstore. If you’re not ready with a holiday photo yet (I know I’m not!), consider making 10 Thanksgiving cards instead. There are some really cute designs! Use a photo of your kids in the leaves or capture one afterschool today so you can order tonight. Or, choose a no-photo card and be ready for whichever holiday you choose.

This offer is valid on Thanksgiving, Season’s Greetings, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s cards. Just use code CCN2433 at checkout to bring your price down to zero with FREE shipping.

I appreciate that Cardstore doesn’t require you to input a credit card number when your order is zero. Get started at Cardstore now.

 

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Well, not my friend. Here’s what happened:

I have a TON of laundry to do today, not a fun way to spend the day. I’m in the laundry room, I see something move out of the corner of my eye. Now, we’ve had large spiders in the basement, and I’ve gotten used to it. I know they’re not poisonous or going to bite me, no matter how big and hairy they are.

But this thing didn’t move like a spider, and it was dark black. It was a SNAKE!

What I should have done

Stayed calm

What I actually did

Stood still in complete shock and then started having an anxiety attack

What I should have done

Found a way to scoop it up and put it out the back door into the garden

What I actually did

Grabbed the first thing I could find–stain remover–and sprayed it at the snake, which then went into a tiny hole in the wall.

What I should have done

No idea

What I actually did

Ran to the computer to look up the snake–a black ring snake about 6 inches long, not poisonous–and then herded all the children up to the top floor of the house to play. “Hooray! Let’s build a tent up here. So fun!”

Now I’m trying to decide between closing up the hole and just avoiding the laundry room forever. What do you think?

Rather than relax, be fed breakfast in bed, etc. I decided it was a great idea to spend 8+hours in the car with my family this weekend. Ha!

We’re off to Philly to celebrate Mother’s Day with my sister (her first!), my other sister (her second!) and my mom (her 40th!). The kids are excited to meet the new baby, and we’re hoping to get to the Crayola Factory while we’re up that way.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. See you Monday!

 

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