Project: Chore Board

So pinterest has given me all kinds of ideas! This is my creation from a bunch of pins and somewhat born out of frustration lately w/ the lack of chores from the little one and her attitude that if she does good in school she can do whatever at home. Not anymore; Enter the chore board!

The ribbons have clips for the day that slide down to the "DONE" area when tasks are completed. The left side is for daily tasks and the right for weeklies. Along the top there is "extra credit" which are tasks worth $ if she'd like to earn more or balance out days she didn't complete chores or did poorly w/ her school behavior. These weekly extra credit tasks are worth anywhere from 10-50 cents.

On a daily basis if her tasks aren't completed she loses 50 cents and if she gets a non green or blue day in class she loses 25 cents.

The clip titled school fun is for her reward idea of the week. In the past it's been bowling, an arcade, picnic/park day, a movie, etc. This can be won by getting all green or blues for the week at school.

She's happy about it and rushed to get all of her daily tasks done tonight which makes me thrilled!

Gardening

So unless you follow my facebook it's unlikely anyone would be aware that I've been actively gardening away. We're in this rental house and it's first impression is BLUE. That's right- I live in a big blue house with blue accents and a RED door. I live in a freakin cartoon house but what's nice inside is really nice... and spacious... and there's a spa tub!

Ok so despite the fact that it's a rental I've been plugging quite a bit of $ into the yard. The landlord doesn't really care what I do- I think she's just glad it's getting some TLC.
I put in a liriope border by the fanned stepping stones at the front door. There are solar lights behind them and on the yard side there are some FL friendly gold (pic) plants (a type of stonecrop) placed which are a really BRIGHT evergreen ground cover. It's filling in painfully slow but I'll like the finished effect (if I ever live here to see it... lol)

I've also planted purslane which I LOVE for they were apparently one of Gandhi's favorite foods. It's very rich in vitamins and has beautifully colored blooms that open during the day. I've got yellow, orange and pink and have them planted near the driveway. The house side of the driveway's yard is... poor. Not true grass and many weeds. There was a large tree there that  uprooted a few months before we moved in so it's hard to dig there from the remaining roots and there are wood chips strewn about the sandy substrate. I just wanted to get something easy and pretty down that will thrive... and thrive they are.

Along the front of the house I've planted Bulbine which I love. It's hard, a good plant for xeriscaping in FL and get beautiful blooms. Mine are not nearly as gorgeous with the foilage as they should be... I think I had some issues w/ transplanting but they still bloom like crazy. Absolutely gorgeous. They're a tuber plant and I'm hoping will slowly spread out in the area I've planted. Did I mention they have the medicinal qualities of aloe? Great plant.

I've also selected some salvia, milkweed, buddleia, lantana and dill for a small butterfly garden patch I will be planting this weekend.

Other than that I've been attempting to grow some food, also. I have two unfortunate heirloom Mr. Stripey tomato plants (I think aphids have done some damage- they just look... leggy and not so great). I've got two kinds of eggplants, 2 strawberry plants, 4 small brussells sprouts (which I'm sure won't produce in FL but I enjoy the look), 6 small jalapenos, a sweet banana pepper, a petite orange bell, an established flowering cherry tomato and some small sugar snap pea plants. I'm sure there's some more. Other than that I DID have arugula, buttercrunch and red leaf lettuce but only two arugulas since that smackdown rainstorm yesterday. I need to figure out a way to shield them and still provide plenty of sun.

In the back yard I've planted a few potato vines to help cover some baren ugly areas along the house. I have a little strand of coleus along the window and a few other plants here and there. the backyard is largely shady and doesn't grow grass well.

I'm trying to be mindful of FL requirements and plant as many xeriscaping plants so once established can thrive with minimal water use. So far so good and I'm enjoying this great practice for when I can purchase my own place!

Things that are incredibly frustrating

1. Supply list on J's school page was LAST years. It's wildly different from the list I finally found in the shuffle of the move.

2. Can't speak of it here.

Just checking in

We're finally mostly done with the big move and I must say I'm very relieved to be living in my home neighborhood again! It's just a short walk to my parents and from their house a short walk to my brothers. My mom is pleased to have us in close proximity and it really boosts the convenience factor as far as babysitting and after school pick ups go. My best friend literally lives 3 turns away from me and is about 2 minutes by car if you catch the one traffic light.

We have four rooms and 2 living room and 2.5 baths. Definitely the most space I've had to call my own, ever. The backyard is a gentle slope down to a pond complete with turtles and cypress trees. My only complaint can be the color of the house but hey, that's why it's a rental!


I have an oceanic and dark wood guest room that needs a bed. And a charcoal gray studio that needs setting up. Judith's room is a sunny yellow as mine was as a kid. Our room is compete with en suite spa tub and seperate shower stall. Love. Bathing with a glass of wine after work has been a new treat. Especially when drawn up and waiting for me by Denis.We're still settling in and that always takes awhile because I like things to come organically together (and work a full time job w/ long hours. and help care for a stepdaughter.)

Anyway, life is good.

weight loss after 3 weeks

Down another 2.4 lbs for a total of 11.6 gone. Just shy of my 12 lb goal for this wi but just barely. Interestingly enough the site gave me a *warning* that I'm losing too quickly. Apparently they don't think I should lose more than 2 lbs/wk after the first 2 weeks. Not appreciated. I could understand if I suddenly lost 7 lbs or something ridiculous (outside of being on the biggest loser lol) but 2.4? That's a win to me.

Tuesday

Looking through Judie's school papers yesterday and found one where she wrote about our day at Adventure Island and drew a pic of the two of us in the wave pool. Dunno why but it melted my heart. Definitely keeping those two papers stashed away to show her when she's older. She did good in school yesterday which is excellent. We were a little concerned bc she was out a week sick, had a bad week at school and then had easter/spring break but luckily she started back with a green face.

Also, I made them most delicious lunch today. Chipotle roasted new potatoes and chik'n cutlet with salsa and cheddar cheese. so good. I will be making it again for sure!

Off to study for my cert review before picking J up from school. Going to commit to a date tonight based on how many of these review Qs I get right. It's very possible I may just study the renal, reproductive and pedi sections and wing the others that I'm good at/ see on a regular basis. I HATE studying.

so..

Down a little over 9 lbs since starting WW. Hoping to hit 12 down at next weigh-in. We'll see. Lost a little less this week but with easter dinner and eating out with the kid too much over her spring break it could have been heaps worse.

Taking the dog for a walk and then seeing if I can get into some trouble with friends tonight. I go back to work Sunday and am straight up dreading it. My job is almost unbearable now that we are losing so many people to attrition because of the budget.

Thankfully, Denis got my vacation for July 1-10 approved. We're gonna do the 4th up at his dad's place in Marietta with Judie and then head back and HOPEFULLY if scheduling and passports work out be hitting up the Bahamas :)  If that doesn't work out now I'll be bummed but you best bet I'll have something else planned- a keys trip, perhaps- I'm getting a $750 merit bonus from work.

keepin on

So this weight watchers thing is a bit of alright. I've already lost 2.5 lbs with minimal exercising- been a busy work week and having to catch Judie up on homework since she was out all last week. Cleaned house today (well, dishes, laundry, living room, kitchen and bathroom anyway), I've got some food cooking away and just generally trying to enjoy the rest of my afternoon before picking Judith up from school.

Also, have I mentioned I'm going to be moving most likely in a couple of months? A friend's mother has a property over in Forest Hills (it's off of N Blvd which I'm not crazy about but the back yard is on a nice pond). She's got some kids living in their right now but they should be out by then. I'm gonna give her some dates to go see it and if it fits the ticket we'll be moving in July. I'm looking forward to living closer to 'home', just want to make sure it's right for us before doing so.

New journey

Started weight watchers. we'll see. Yesterday was my first day to get settled in and figure the site out and today was my first official 'weigh-in'. Well, that was depressing. I've gained significantly since my last logged weight in my scale back when I was training for a 5k and before I got in a relationship and before I hurt my knee. Kinda sucks that my initial weight loss will just be to return me to where I was last year when I was exercising to lose weight. Oh well, I've been kinda witchy lately and depressed so I'm looking forward to that return of happiness and feeling comfortable in my skin at most times. (Despite being way overweight I still have good self-esteem most days).


I'm somewhat thankful my job place is so diverse because there is a 40-something Haitian tech I work with named Smith and he's never been shy to point out a weight gain. It's devastating at the time but I know it's coming from a cultural/friendly place and not a malicious one when I really sit back to reflect it. Comments like those sting at first but in the end are constructive and not nagging. When I lose weight I may give him a thank you.

My boyfriend has been wildly supportive through all of this. He is attractive to girls of all sizes but wants me to be comfortable in my skin and live long and healthy. He's got some weight to lose too but nothing like I do. Really, if he just bumped his activity a little bit and felt better he doesn't even necessarily need to lose weight.

soap

I've become obsessed with soaps. 'organic' soaps with woodsy bright scents. it started with my trip to tarpon springs, was elevated by that expensive lush store and ended with me wanting to make my own. but i would name mine things like beestung and winter's scarf. seriously. especially if we move to the 4 bedroom house in forest hills. our room, judies room, office and craft/spare room. that room will definitely have space to work in. not to mention a backyard to grow ingredients. excited about this potential income hobby.

here's my most recent purchase. not sure how i'm going to like them as they haven't been tested yet but the scents are kind of subtle so we'll see. definitely love etsy because everything I buy almost always comes with a free gift or samples. love that.

Camping?

Trying to set up an impromptu camping trip that is kid friendly for Saturday night. Wanted to go to Oscar Sherer SP but it had no availability. Hopefully I can find something else. If not I'm thinking Bok Tower on Saturday. I want to do something outside and springy!!!

I'm gonna try to find non SP's to camp at either in the Ocala area or near Sarasota. I really wanna camp, darn it.

Livin the life

Phew!

The working weekend is finally over! I have a glorious three days off, 1 on, and three more off. Really looking forward to it!

Our schedules still haven't gotten any easier. Denis is not having much luck getting transferred to days. The game really feels like his supervisor would like him to put in 2 weeks so the department will finally be short enough to be able to rehire. Meanwhile he's applied to the clinics and hopefully we hear some good word back. We haven't seen much posted in the surrounding area as far as huc/clerk work. Even if he can only find part time work to keep some money coming in, that'd be beneficial. We're making the child care work for now and will likely go to extreme measures to keep his little girl in our care. I think this family would be shattered if anything else happened.

Speaking of the kiddo- Hillsborough County schools are out today. I think we're gonna do some errands and then maybe hit up the pool. Just as soon as I get some more caffeine in me :D

the sickness!

Last Thursday I had to leave work early! We were having quite the day as far as pt acuity and staffing went so I toughed it out until 4p but at that time I was so emotionally and physically spent that it's a wonder I drove home safely. Denis came home at his usual time and took one look at me and felt my forehead and called our camping trip off. We were set to leave early Fri AM for a quickie camping trip at Paynes Prairie just outside of Gainesville. I had hoped to see some bison, cracker cattle and wild horses...

but instead I just saw a whole lot of....

I'm still planning on going to this park... as I have for the past few years... maybe next month sometime.


The photos in this post are from the Florida State Parks website.

I've had a lot of ups and downs lately. I was in a really positive and energetic mood yesterday, despite being at work. Now today I was off and did nothing with myself. I didn't plan any trips. I watched a bit of tv and took a long nap. I ate poorly. I generally am depressed from my laziness today and think it's the weather?? All of the sunny days have been my work days lately. I really want to get out to the beach and get some vit D stat.

Presently reading some fat loss journals... trying to find some that work for me. Usually boosts my energy and esteem and snaps me out of it when I find a good one to follow. Anyway, I work tomorrow and then am off Fri, work an 8 sat and a 12 sun. we will have Judie this weekend and she usually livens things up a bit.
Not sure if I'm going to start the book American Gods that Denis bought for me or if I'm going to keep looking for blogs until bed. He's playing a creepy game and I'm keeping him company so I'm guessing blogs.