Many people call it "Spring Cleaning" but if you were to visit our home it might as well be called spring, summer, fall and winter cleaning. Every season I get into moods where I start organizing, de-cluttering and cleaning things that don't get the USUAL weekly go around (i.e. vacuuming, mopping, cleaning the stove/fridge/counters, bathrooms you know, the usual)...Last year when the school year was over I made a list of "To-do" for the summer and I completed it in a week because I was so excited to check items off of my list.
Well, a couple of weeks ago I got into I guess what is technically "winter cleaning." And the feeling hasn't gone away and the list is being formed and checked off daily. I think I got my husband, Chase, in on it too, he started cleaning a shelf in the pantry... of course this could have been to make room for the alcohol my mom gifted us. My mom is going on a cleaning streak in her kitchen and she is passing items onto me... (like the aforementioned alcohol). So, of course I decided i should clean out my entire house and I have been busy.
Last week I decided to tackle my closet. I went through my 2 drawers of workout clothes, and through all of the hangers. Once I was finished I had to go shopping. I hold onto things that either no longer fit, are falling apart, or unflattering (why did I buy THAT in the first place?? lol)
Today I went through the pantry.. I typically "organize" the pantry every couple of weeks after grocery shopping, but actually cleaning it and de-cluttering, that's once every 3 months...However, even though I tackle this favorite job (seriously I love organizing my pantry items) I found some stuff that shouldn't have been in there... first of all I found some beef jerky that had got shoved in the back of the pantry... it had mold on it.. i didn't even think that was possible..then I found some food items dated 2010 and 2011....needless to say I threw those items away.
Yesterday I organized the "Spice cabinet".. I like to only keep spices in there, but somehow there were spices, medications (some dated 2009!), and an old sticky timer...
Next up are Claire's toys/clothes... so if anyone around here that's reading this blog is looking for (or knows someone who needs) toddler type toys/clothes let me know, she has wayyyy too many.
After Claire's toys/clothes I will probably be done until next season, unless I find something else that needs organizing/de-cluttering... I do keep a junk drawer in the kitchen, but I organized that a couple of weeks ago too... it has a battery kit, candles and some pens/paper for lists and such....
My Aunt Cindy once told me that I should start a business, de-cluttering people's items, because I love it so much. That would be the BEST job ever.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The artist in all of us
“Art is not only for the
few who develop a talent or master a medium. We all can use various art forms to
facilitate self expression and personal growth.” Natalie Rogers, Theory and
Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy by Gerald Corey
Thank you Natalie Rogers for that reassurance! A few people recently have asked me why I decided to start blogging. Blogging is a way of self expression, an artwork... I have always kept a prayer journal, this journal is similar, but electronic and public. N. Rogers has encountered many people with sad stories about how they no longer feel as though they are contributors to the art world. Perhaps they were coloring a picture in grade school and the teacher told them they were using the wrong colors, or coloring outside the lines. Our education system, whether you like it or not, pushes conformity. It is desired that all of the students to do the exact same thing and travel down the exact same paths and color in all of the same lines. There are many problems with this, but mainly we are squashing any hopes of creativity.
If we want our future to be creative souls then we need to accept them for whatever color they may choose to be their favorite. Right now, my daughter, Claire's favorite color is Brown. However, this color changes daily.
She is getting to the age (approaching 3 in May) where she desires to be just like me and wants to marry her daddy. (my favorite color is not brown, but she doesn't know that yet). This is totally normal! Of course, I am getting a little nervous that I am going to cause her to forget who she is and become who I want her to become. She will ask me everyday when she is getting dressed "Mom, are you wearing your boots today?" "Yes, Claire I am wearing my boots today." "OK, then I want to wear my boots too." or if she gets to choose an M&M, a treat for using the restroom (she doesn't need this potty training reinforcement but we both really like peanut butter M&M's so we still eat one.. anyway, she will ask me, "Mom, did you choose the yellow M&M?" "I haven't picked mine yet, you pick first." "OK, but I want you to pick the Yellow one like me." "OK, I will."
You see where this is going? This is my daily conversation, with everything. You name it, she wants to make sure that I approve, agree, comply and that I am also going to be enjoying what she is enjoying and visa-versa.
Did I tell all of you about the time I asked Claire what her favorite thing to do was? If I did, sorry for the repeat, but when I asked her, she answered that she loved playing outside with her best friend Bobbi. I asked her what her next favorite thing to do was and she said "Poop and Pee!" and then we both laughed all the way home from school! However, the other day she asked me what my favorite things to do are and I answered that I loved snuggling on the couch with her and reading stories. You guessed it, I asked her yesterday what her favorite thing to do is and she answered "read." She has actually always been a lover of written words, just like her mom and dad : ) but I hope she still loves playing outside with Bobbi and of course going to the bathroom works too, I will accept her even if I don't agree, ha ha.
So what are some other art forms that I use for self expression and personal growth, besides writing? I run, attend spin classes and boot camp style/cross fit classes... I'm not super fast, and I am not in the Olympics, but exercise is a release for me, a way of letting go of the troubles through my days, a therapy of sorts. I don't have to be "good at it" like I would have to be if I were to join perhaps a soccer or dance team. For all of you that know about how uncoordinated I am, don't worry I won't be joining any teams.
I am excited to grow with Claire on her journey, explore her artistic nature, help her find her ways of self expression and personal growth. I am excited to see how she glorifies God with her life.
So, let me conclude with this question: Were your artistic abilities squashed? What happened? How are you creative today? How do you express yourself? What helps you in your journey of self exploration?
Thank you Natalie Rogers for that reassurance! A few people recently have asked me why I decided to start blogging. Blogging is a way of self expression, an artwork... I have always kept a prayer journal, this journal is similar, but electronic and public. N. Rogers has encountered many people with sad stories about how they no longer feel as though they are contributors to the art world. Perhaps they were coloring a picture in grade school and the teacher told them they were using the wrong colors, or coloring outside the lines. Our education system, whether you like it or not, pushes conformity. It is desired that all of the students to do the exact same thing and travel down the exact same paths and color in all of the same lines. There are many problems with this, but mainly we are squashing any hopes of creativity.
If we want our future to be creative souls then we need to accept them for whatever color they may choose to be their favorite. Right now, my daughter, Claire's favorite color is Brown. However, this color changes daily.
She is getting to the age (approaching 3 in May) where she desires to be just like me and wants to marry her daddy. (my favorite color is not brown, but she doesn't know that yet). This is totally normal! Of course, I am getting a little nervous that I am going to cause her to forget who she is and become who I want her to become. She will ask me everyday when she is getting dressed "Mom, are you wearing your boots today?" "Yes, Claire I am wearing my boots today." "OK, then I want to wear my boots too." or if she gets to choose an M&M, a treat for using the restroom (she doesn't need this potty training reinforcement but we both really like peanut butter M&M's so we still eat one.. anyway, she will ask me, "Mom, did you choose the yellow M&M?" "I haven't picked mine yet, you pick first." "OK, but I want you to pick the Yellow one like me." "OK, I will."
You see where this is going? This is my daily conversation, with everything. You name it, she wants to make sure that I approve, agree, comply and that I am also going to be enjoying what she is enjoying and visa-versa.
Claire colored this picture and I labeled each person for her.
Did I tell all of you about the time I asked Claire what her favorite thing to do was? If I did, sorry for the repeat, but when I asked her, she answered that she loved playing outside with her best friend Bobbi. I asked her what her next favorite thing to do was and she said "Poop and Pee!" and then we both laughed all the way home from school! However, the other day she asked me what my favorite things to do are and I answered that I loved snuggling on the couch with her and reading stories. You guessed it, I asked her yesterday what her favorite thing to do is and she answered "read." She has actually always been a lover of written words, just like her mom and dad : ) but I hope she still loves playing outside with Bobbi and of course going to the bathroom works too, I will accept her even if I don't agree, ha ha.
So what are some other art forms that I use for self expression and personal growth, besides writing? I run, attend spin classes and boot camp style/cross fit classes... I'm not super fast, and I am not in the Olympics, but exercise is a release for me, a way of letting go of the troubles through my days, a therapy of sorts. I don't have to be "good at it" like I would have to be if I were to join perhaps a soccer or dance team. For all of you that know about how uncoordinated I am, don't worry I won't be joining any teams.
I am excited to grow with Claire on her journey, explore her artistic nature, help her find her ways of self expression and personal growth. I am excited to see how she glorifies God with her life.
So, let me conclude with this question: Were your artistic abilities squashed? What happened? How are you creative today? How do you express yourself? What helps you in your journey of self exploration?
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
learning stuff
I am learning a lot of cool stuff at school.
I come home every Tuesday/Thursday with a brain-full of new information to relay to any poor individual that comes within my path.. Typically my husband, Chase...my sister, Justine.. or my 2 year old daughter, Claire.. and now you dear reader.
So last week in my Abnormal psychology class we discussed the DSM4 and the 5 Axis (or Axi ? ) ... anyway there are 5 of them.
Axis I, is where a therapist/counselor/psychologist would code the client for any current disorders..anything and everything is here from autism to anxiety.,..
Axis II, any personality disorders (a long standing inflexible, maladaptive personality trait that is impairing the persons functioning.) For example a psychopath has an antisocial disorder..
Axis III is any medical condition that the person may have (be careful here for hypochondriacs hahaha they've got them all ha.. oh that's not funny.. ok it is a little).. For example: someone with generalized anxiety (axis 1), may have a dependent personality (axis II), and they may have hypertension and high blood pressure (axis 3) you see how these are all related!?
Axis IV is the Psychosocial and environmental problems a person may have, perhaps they are homeless, have no insurance, no job, financial problems, marriage problems.. the list goes on and on. Axis V is their current level of adaptive functioning (THAT is quite a long list I won't go into much detail.. ok just a little in a minute)...
So take this example
Imagine a a herion addict ... on axis I they have substance dependency.. Axis II may have an antisocial personality...on Axis III maybe they shared too many needles, now they have HIV or hepatitis C, they could be homeless, Axis IV.
In order to determine their level of adaptive functioning one would want to use the GAF (global assessment of functioning) Score.. this is from a 1-100 (being number one on this scale is NOT desirable..that would be something close to being in a mental hospital strapped down to a bed doing .. well not doing anything much.) I would have to agree with my professor and say I know no one that is a 91-100 .. a 91-100, if they exist they have superior functioning over a variety of activities with no symptoms or conditions... if you find this person I bet they are pretty annoying or boring.
Most people are about 61-80, a transient/mild with predictable reactions to stressful events, mild symptoms, a little anxiety or depression every now and then, may have some difficulty at work, sometimes can't sleep.. etc...
I would much rather be in this range than the 21-40 impairment/hallucination zone.. think shopping cart lady that argues with an illusion.. no thank you! anything lower than 20 they definitely need to be watched they are a danger to themselves and others...Who decides what your score is? A counselor, of course. And according to my professor scores can go up; there is HOPE!
Then, last Tuesday night I went to an amazing class called Counseling/Psych 174: Introduction to Counseling. I have a great, talented, smart instructor and I am super excited about this class. We talked about counselors, their issues, and how they need to be self aware so they don't unknowingly bring biases into a counseling session. During this class I realized one of the many reasons I am obtaining my Master's in counseling... my favorite part of teaching junior high was developing their trust...the interactions with my students, giving advice, being real, enjoying their company. I think that Junior high students need an outlet, besides just their peers and parents, a safe adult to talk to and reach out to and to look up to as a role model. The teaching part is fun, don't get me wrong, but teaching basic facts is boring, teaching life lessons, now that's where the real fun is! Tonight we will discuss Ethics. I get to find out if it is ok to buy kids lunch.. I hope so...
This morning in my abnormal psych class we talked about tests... like the ink blot kind of tests... my professor asked if someone was fixating on perhaps female anatomy that maybe they would be categorized with a problem.. of course always the funny one I retorted with "or they may be a gynecologist " Don't worry he thinks I am funny, and doesn't take me seriously. Anyway, then he showed us some ink blots from the Rorschach... The first one I saw the Eiffel Tower and a girl next to me saw seahorses.. some other people in class saw some other cool things.. anyway he told me and my elbow partner that we are lucky to sit together because we both answered the way a normal person would/should. Ha! I thought that was hilarious news. Then he said we should take these "ink blots" and other discussed tests with us when we are pursuing our potential "suitors".. Of course we all laughed, but then I thought "Oh my poor husband! He's going to get analyzed for life!"
What do you see?
Well, I am sure you are super excited to have read a small bit about what I am learning about right now. Be excited, be very excited.
Maybe next time I will blog about some more cool stuff Claire is up to...like vacuuming couches..
Oh, and number one lesson from my psych teacher: Empathy is key.
I come home every Tuesday/Thursday with a brain-full of new information to relay to any poor individual that comes within my path.. Typically my husband, Chase...my sister, Justine.. or my 2 year old daughter, Claire.. and now you dear reader.
So last week in my Abnormal psychology class we discussed the DSM4 and the 5 Axis (or Axi ? ) ... anyway there are 5 of them.
Axis I, is where a therapist/counselor/psychologist would code the client for any current disorders..anything and everything is here from autism to anxiety.,..
Axis II, any personality disorders (a long standing inflexible, maladaptive personality trait that is impairing the persons functioning.) For example a psychopath has an antisocial disorder..
Axis III is any medical condition that the person may have (be careful here for hypochondriacs hahaha they've got them all ha.. oh that's not funny.. ok it is a little).. For example: someone with generalized anxiety (axis 1), may have a dependent personality (axis II), and they may have hypertension and high blood pressure (axis 3) you see how these are all related!?
Axis IV is the Psychosocial and environmental problems a person may have, perhaps they are homeless, have no insurance, no job, financial problems, marriage problems.. the list goes on and on. Axis V is their current level of adaptive functioning (THAT is quite a long list I won't go into much detail.. ok just a little in a minute)...
So take this example
Imagine a a herion addict ... on axis I they have substance dependency.. Axis II may have an antisocial personality...on Axis III maybe they shared too many needles, now they have HIV or hepatitis C, they could be homeless, Axis IV.
In order to determine their level of adaptive functioning one would want to use the GAF (global assessment of functioning) Score.. this is from a 1-100 (being number one on this scale is NOT desirable..that would be something close to being in a mental hospital strapped down to a bed doing .. well not doing anything much.) I would have to agree with my professor and say I know no one that is a 91-100 .. a 91-100, if they exist they have superior functioning over a variety of activities with no symptoms or conditions... if you find this person I bet they are pretty annoying or boring.
Most people are about 61-80, a transient/mild with predictable reactions to stressful events, mild symptoms, a little anxiety or depression every now and then, may have some difficulty at work, sometimes can't sleep.. etc...
I would much rather be in this range than the 21-40 impairment/hallucination zone.. think shopping cart lady that argues with an illusion.. no thank you! anything lower than 20 they definitely need to be watched they are a danger to themselves and others...Who decides what your score is? A counselor, of course. And according to my professor scores can go up; there is HOPE!
Then, last Tuesday night I went to an amazing class called Counseling/Psych 174: Introduction to Counseling. I have a great, talented, smart instructor and I am super excited about this class. We talked about counselors, their issues, and how they need to be self aware so they don't unknowingly bring biases into a counseling session. During this class I realized one of the many reasons I am obtaining my Master's in counseling... my favorite part of teaching junior high was developing their trust...the interactions with my students, giving advice, being real, enjoying their company. I think that Junior high students need an outlet, besides just their peers and parents, a safe adult to talk to and reach out to and to look up to as a role model. The teaching part is fun, don't get me wrong, but teaching basic facts is boring, teaching life lessons, now that's where the real fun is! Tonight we will discuss Ethics. I get to find out if it is ok to buy kids lunch.. I hope so...
This morning in my abnormal psych class we talked about tests... like the ink blot kind of tests... my professor asked if someone was fixating on perhaps female anatomy that maybe they would be categorized with a problem.. of course always the funny one I retorted with "or they may be a gynecologist " Don't worry he thinks I am funny, and doesn't take me seriously. Anyway, then he showed us some ink blots from the Rorschach... The first one I saw the Eiffel Tower and a girl next to me saw seahorses.. some other people in class saw some other cool things.. anyway he told me and my elbow partner that we are lucky to sit together because we both answered the way a normal person would/should. Ha! I thought that was hilarious news. Then he said we should take these "ink blots" and other discussed tests with us when we are pursuing our potential "suitors".. Of course we all laughed, but then I thought "Oh my poor husband! He's going to get analyzed for life!"
Well, I am sure you are super excited to have read a small bit about what I am learning about right now. Be excited, be very excited.
Maybe next time I will blog about some more cool stuff Claire is up to...like vacuuming couches..
Oh, and number one lesson from my psych teacher: Empathy is key.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Disneyland 2013
Disneyland.
5 girls.
1 hotel room
1/2 marathon
running
swag
Lounging poolside
exploring
eating
California adventure
Mouse Ears
5 girls.
1 hotel room
1/2 marathon
running
swag
Lounging poolside
exploring
eating
California adventure
Thursday, January 17, 2013
And.. I'M IN!!
 | ||||||||
| Master of Science in Counseling; option School Counseling and Pupil Personel Services Credential.....that's a lot to say at once! School started today and I got accepted.... TODAY! After taking a semester off (contemplating Masters programs Reading or Counseling which one which one??) I am BBAAACKKKK!!  I got to enroll today, and of course most of the classes I need are full or wait-listed. Don't worry that won't hold me back one bit. The classes I will be taking will start Monday afternoon/evening, which is perfect since I am going on a fun girls trip this weekend to Disneyland where I will run a half marathon, great way to start the semester off, right? Now I REALLY have something to celebrate : ) I have been anxiously awaiting this wonderful news for several weeks now and this morning I woke up to this notification on My Fresno State portal: Congratulations! You have been admitted to CSU, Fresno.
 Great news right? | |||||||
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Working it out
Obstacles come in many forms. Mine are the following:
I don't have time. Who will watch Claire? I'm not strong enough. I'm not tall enough. I'm not fast enough.
I can counter each and every one of those today with a easy answers. There is time. Claire is cared for by MANY people that love her. I am strong enough, tall enough and fast enough to do anything I want.
Excuses, or obstacles as you may, can take over. I have always been a positive thinking person, but recently I have began to recognize when these thoughts try to take over that they are not MY thoughts, not healthy thoughts, and I have no room in my head for them.
Christmas 2005 something opened my eyes to the fact that my family medical history was kinda disheartening. I never got to meet my Grandpa Gary (my mom's dad) as he had a heart attack (or stroke I'm not sure) at the age of 39, in 1982, while playing racquetball with a friend a couple of weeks before Christmas. My family needs to be conscious of our heart health and cholesterol (especially on my mom's side.) My dad's family health history is a little less known, besides knowing that he has an addictive personality (to beating women and doing drugs, fun stuff right?).
So, in 2005, I am not sure what happened, but something clicked. I realized that if I am going to be heart healthy I needed to do some cardiovascular routines and if i am going to be addicted to anything it will be fitness, so I can live a long healthy life for my family.
So, I started off small. I ran a few blocks from the apartment Chase and I shared to the local high school track. (Yes we had an apartment together in 2005 and yes we were not married until 2007, just in case you're keeping track). I would run to the track, run around the track a couple of times, and then jog/walk home. I remember feeling good after running, but I got terrible shin splints. Well, wouldn't you know, shoes make a giant difference, this took me a while to find out, so I didn't run much. Then, Spring Semester of 2008 I took a step aerobics class at COS and a weight lifting class about an hour after. I would do step, then I had an hour to kills, so I would run a few laps around the COS track... and then go to weight training. A few laps turned into a few miles by the end of the semester it was exciting counting from 4 or so laps to 24 or so laps ( and counting my miles saying I ran about 3 miles a week to about 25).
The instructor I had for step took our measurements (waist, hips, legs, bust, arms etc.) and at the end of the semester measured again. I noticed a considerable difference and I knew I had to keep this up.
I tried keeping it all up on my own. Doing many of the weight lifting moves that my teacher (the football couch) had taught us and cardio at my local gym.
I got pregnant in 2009, and lost that child. A very ignorant person told me that it was my fault I lost the baby, due to working out too much. I got pregnant again a few months later and continued working out just as much and was blessed with the ability to run 7 miles the Sunday before my daughter Claire was born. I totally kept it up and that ignorant person was proved dreadfully wrong. Still thinking about being in that grieving time I am sad that a person could say something so hurtful, yet I know it was out of ignorance and not cruelty. (Same person blamed my recent miscarriage on having taken birth control before, THEN told me I work out too much again! LOL). Just a simple clear disclaimer, do what your doctor says is OK! Don't listen to other people that don't know your medical history, problems or anything else that may be going on.
So, I had Claire in 2010 and I knew this amazing trainer, that was always getting results, at my local gym. I wanted him to be my trainer, but I used those excuses listed above, that I wasn't good enough for a personal trainer, I mean seriously, who am I? Am I famous?? Am I rich? Why do I deserve a personal trainer? All excuses and lies that I conquered. Now I have the BEST trainer in the world. He seriously gives us his all every class and helps us learn about proper diet and nutrition (a lot of times debunking myths, or explaining that supposedly healthy foods are actually not.) So, not that I am trying to sell my personal trainer (I don't want someone stealing my spot!!) but his name is Marcel Walker and honestly he gets it done. Here is a linkhttp://www.sweatunlimited.com/
SO, I have been going to Marcel's bootcamp style classes since 2010. When my diet is off my workouts suck, honestly. So, recently I have been really working on my nutrition. Maybe I will post a few recipes on here, but honestly I eat a lot of protein laden foods, add protein powder to my almond milk and coffee (that's one of my favorites!), tons of vegetables (lots of leafy greens, green beans, spinach and bell peppers, just to name a few favorites), and small servings of carbohydrates like a half cup of rice, tortilla, whole wheat english muffins (perfect for individual pizzas loaded with veggies and chicken), eggs, cottage cheese (my favorite)... etc.. I could go on and on...
Friday, January 11, 2013
My daughter does the sweetest things
So, my daughter Claire does the funniest and sweetest things in the world. Of course I am partial because she is my very own child, however I am thinking if I don't write these memories down once in a while someday I will forget them... So, today I will share a few with the world.. Some of them will be very recent.. some from long ago...
When Claire was about 1.5 she would try to say "I love you" of course those syllables were hard for her to dictate, so instead she would say what sounded more like "apple." I finally figured out that she was saying 'I love you' when I would tell her "I love you" and she would respond with "Apple mommy" or "Apple Daddy" to Chase. So for Father's day Claire and I made Chase these:
When Claire was about 1.5 she would try to say "I love you" of course those syllables were hard for her to dictate, so instead she would say what sounded more like "apple." I finally figured out that she was saying 'I love you' when I would tell her "I love you" and she would respond with "Apple mommy" or "Apple Daddy" to Chase. So for Father's day Claire and I made Chase these:
Of course we had to give him sunflower seeds and a Monster Energy drink in a World's best dad coffee mug, not just that coupon book! that included amazing coupons (that never expire) for free hugs, homemade dinners, breakfast in bed, options to sleep in and the like.
Next funny thing Claire has done recently, would have to be last night she sang me a sweet song..Let me preface this with the song CLaire sang at her thanksgiving luncheon for school. It was this
Turkey Turkey
Big and Fat
I'm going to eat you
Just like that!
so naturally she changed the lyrics for her sweet mom:
Mommy Mommy
Big and Fat
Big and Fat
I'm going to eat you
Just like that!
I explained that it isn't nice to call people fat... so naturally she sang it again and again.. she is actually singing it now.
Then there is the point she makes to me many times throughout the week. Let me start by saying we have 3 dogs: Jake (boston terrier), Molly (rat terrier) and Abby (our german shepherd, who recently moved to a bigger house with a giant yard.. much more fun for her!!) So, almost everyday Claire reminds me that our dogs are NOT people because they do not have thumbs and they cannot talk, like maybe I forgot.
She asks me who anyone and everyone are. Random people driving by, people at Target, and people at the dr.'s office to name a few. I typically laugh and say I don't know.. but recently she's been more insistent saying "Yes, but who IS that??!" I explain I don't know that person, and she doesn't take no for an answer. (don't tell, but sometimes I make up names and stories about people just to placate her.)
Finally, Claire's age changes daily, sometimes several times a day. I will tell Claire something such as "When you are 5 we will go to Disneyland." She will respond very straight forward with "I am 5." When I told her she can have earrings at 10 she looked me in the eyes, with no hesitation, and said "I am 10."
I need to write more of these things down. They are hard to remember all at once and I am laughing daily, hourly and moment by moment by her funny sayings. I am smiling all day long at her sweet nature and her kind words. I am truly blessed with this little ball of fire, and believe me she is a pistol, and I will have many more stories to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)