It Doesn't Hurt to Ask

I have been frustrated with the state of my home since I have been working full time. At first, John really pitched in. For a week, the house was spotless. But slowly, slowly the novelty of being Mr. Mom wore off. Our house has collapsed from the inside out. We are officially living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). See www.flylady.net for more info on that! Anyway- I haven't been cooking dinner, haven't had time for laundry, and I've been too tired to come home and clean after I've worked a 10-hour shift.

I came up with the perfect "ideal" full-time schedule for me. I would love to work from 9-3, six days a week. That way I can be home in the morning to take the kids to school, work while they are in school, and be home in the afternoon to pick them up from school. I would be GONE during lazy Saturday mornings when obnoxious cartoons are blasting from the television. It would be ideal because I would be home to cook dinner at night, and with the same schedule every day, routines for cleaning, etc. would be possible. I told John my "daydream," and he said I should talk to my boss about it; that it wouldn't hurt to ask. I thought to myself, "John just doesn't get it- we have to work 10 hour shifts; that is the way it is set up."

Well, when I was at work today I visited the manager over scheduling and asked him how open he was to a somewhat unconventional schedule. He said, "That depends on what it is." I told him my idea. His response? "Sounds good. We'll start you on that schedule next Monday." John was right. It doesn't hurt to ask!

Lazy Sunday

I was cold, cold, cold today. I complained to John and the kids that I was miserable, and they took care of me. Believe it or not, I actually fell asleep like this!

We went camping last summer. If you know me at all, you know that as a rule I am NOT a camper. Here are some pictures- proof that I can suck it up and spend a few days in dirt and grime.

We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with John's parents and Christmas Day home alone as a family. John and I both had the day after Christmas off work, and we lazed about in our pajamas all day. I never once looked in a mirror or at the clock. It was wonderful!

It snowed all day both on Christmas and the day after. It was magic to be warm and toasty inside and to watch snow accumulate, knowing that for this one storm we didn't have to even think about shoveling.

I have been vacillating back and forth for a while now: To create a blog, or not to create. I have been content to lurk silently (and often) in the blogs of others, and I'm not entirely sure I want to publish my own comings and goings to the world.

The kicker? John informed me he doesn't want to move out of state after he graduates. I had dreams of adventures in Colorado, or of moving back to Seattle...I am still coming to grips with the fact that I will be a "U-tard" all my life. John's reasoning is sound, though, for wanting to stay. He wants to remain close to extended family. He wants our children to see that family is the most important thing in the world. He misses dinners with the cousins and enjoys Sunday dinners with my side of the family. He loves playing pool with his dad, and doesn't want to give that up. So, because I love John-- and because, believe it or not, he can be more stubborn than me--we are in Utah to stay.

That brings me back to the creation of a blog. We are SO busy right now, it is nearly impossible to stay connected to those we love. I feel like I still "know" a few cousins because of their blogs. Maybe it is time for you to become reacquainted with me!