Thursday, November 3, 2011

Procrastination- Thy Name is Rayna

In light of the fact that I am trying to be a better me, today's post is how I'm trying to be a better student.  As most of you know I've been in college for over 10 years and only have an Associates to show for it.  I'm currently working on my Bachelor's and have just over 84 weeks to go.  I like to count it in weeks.  Weeks are shorter than months (thank you Cpt Obvious) and 84 weeks sounds shorter than 20 months to me.  So in a little over 84 weeks I will be the proud holder of a Bachelor's in English with a minor in History.  And I will be 33 years old. 
Normally I'm a disorganized student.  I try really hard to be organized.  A little too hard.  I spend more time trying to find a "system" that works for me than actually doing my work.  So instead of trying to organize my assignments to death, I'm just going to do them.  Sounds easy right?  Well, habits are hard to break and I'm still organizing more than I should, but it's getting better.
I also procrastinate until the very last minute and beyond.  I used to just wait until right before an assignment was due to do it, but lately I've been waiting until the last day I can hand it in and get credit.  This class I've just started should be good to kick my ass in gear for this one since assignments can only be one day late to receive credit.  Anything past that and you're screwed.  Since I've screwed up enough in past classes to have my GPA weeping, I need to get my ass in gear!  In my past psych classes I've learned the reasons for procrastinating and have finally come to terms for why I do it.  I used to make the excuse that I was too busy doing other things to concentrate on the work, not that I was afraid of failure.  In actuality I am afraid of failure.  For most of my academic career I was able to coast on the bare minimum of effort and get B's.  Now not so much is that working any more, and I am afraid.  Afraid that even with my very best effort I will fail. 
Anyone else have reasons for procrastinating?  Did you get over them?  How?

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Groundhog Week

This is going to be a very long week.  Today is Tuesday, but I'm pretty sure we're stuck in some sort of alternate universe, kinda like Groundhog Day.  But instead of reliving the same day over and over again, we're stuck with REALLY LONG days.  I'm sure that all of us (and I mean ALL of us) being sick is not helping.  Lil Miss has been sniffling for almost a week now and Munchkin has been coughing non-friggin-stop since Saturday.  According to the doc it's a viral thing and could last 2 un-ending weeks-possibly 3.  How do you keep a kindergartner from bouncing off the walls because he has to stay inside because he's sick?  I could really use some tips pretty please?  With a cherry on top? 
Halloween went swimmingly last night.  We were out for only about 45 minutes and the kids are loaded.  Not that they'll get to eat all that candy.  I'm not a sugar Nazi or anything, but I am trying to teach them moderation.  We're working on an 80/20 frame.  80% of the time I make them healthy balanced meals and 20% of the time we eat cookies for dinner. 
Today after Lil Miss's nap we're heading to the store for cough drops and groceries.  My kitchen is looking barren....

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Yuck, blah and ehhhh whatev's

It's been one of those things.  You know, one of those things where no matter what your intentions things go to shit?  I started off the week so strong with conviction.  I quit my job on Tuesday.  And while I miss the job after I did it I felt like a weight had lifted.  I thought we were in a position where I could go back to work but we're just not.  Quitting was the right thing to do for me and my family.
Wednesday seemed pretty good.  Was going to walk the munchkin to school, but when we went to walk out the door it was kinda raining so I decided to drive him.  Should've walked because by the time I got us loaded into the car it had stopped raining.  After school there was a book fair so we stayed for that and bought two new books for the munchkin.  When we left there my throat was sore, had been for a couple days.  So I went to the ER, just in case ya know?  After two (count 'em TWO!) cases of strep in a month I was being somewhat cautious.  Especially since I'm here by myself with the kiddos for a month.  Fortunately it wasn't strep.  But I am sick.  Not so sick that I can't do anything.  But sick enough that I know if I over-do I'll be too sick to do anything.  So I'm slowly getting this house in shape.  Finally got Tommy's room cleaned up.  It was beginning to look like Toy R Us had thrown up all over it.  Next up, to FINALLY get my office done.  It's been on the list since we moved in.  6 months ago.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

A New Day Dawns

Today is a new day, well it's almost over but you get the drift. I've tried blogging a few times before this but it was a scattered effort. And sporadic at best. So now I start over. This blog is going to be about my life and all the craziness that entails. If you're easily offended this blog is not for you. I'm sarcastic, and have been known to drop an F-bomb from time to time. My husband drives me nuts, and occasionally I might rant about that. My kids drive me crazy at times, and there might be a few heated posts about that as well.
But beyond that I really am happy with my life. I adore my family, every single one. Even the ones that are bat-shit crazy. I currently reside in West Point, NY. That's right, I live on the US Military Academy. I'm surrounded by officers and their wives. Let me tell you, I've never felt so frumpy in my entire life!
So part of this blog is about how I plan to change all things about myself that I've always wanted to change. I've never been happy with the way I look. I know, I know self-esteem and all that. But I can't continue to be unhappy with my the way I look if I don't do anything about it, ya know? So with the inspiration from my cousin I'm going to start taking care of myself. Diet and exercise and all that. Wait, wait. Lifestyle change, not diet.
I'm horrible when it comes to managing money. Bills get paid-barely. But that's about it. We have no savings, and that needs to change. I've started to realize that material possessions will not provide happiness. But I'm a shoe-a-holic. Shoes don't make you feel fat. And at least that size number is small, unlike the pants size. That number will never be discussed outside the fact that it is a double digit-hopefully not for much longer.
So here's to the rest of my days. I hope you'll be here to support me and cheer me on and hold me accountable. I'm gonna need it.