Slice of Life — March 15: Spring Cleaning

It’s confession time.

I hate cleaning.

Everything about it annoys me from the endless time it seems to take to pick everything up to the number of cleaners and rags it takes to clean the multiple surfaces in my home. When I am done cleaning and finally sit down to enjoy the calmness and tidiness of my home, I almost immediately am sidetracked by the thought that the neatness and cleanliness won’t last. In a few days piles will need picked up, dust bunnies will begin to reappear, and footprints will begin to make their way across my once freshly mopped floor.

Did I mention that I hate cleaning?

Given this feeling, I surprised myself when I decided to go to school tonight to clean my office. The pile on the corner of my desk seemed to be growing exponentially and the clutter was simply driving me crazy. Reluctantly, I made myself go to school, shut my door, turned on some music, and started cleaning. I shredded, threw away, organized, and filed a mountain of papers. I cleared things out of my office that didn’t belong and packed a box full of coffee cups and odds and ends that actually belonged at home.

I hate cleaning, but I felt as though a certain weight had been lifted as I shut my office door and carried that box to my car, leaving behind a more organized and less cluttered space. Did I enjoy cleaning?  No. Would I have rather done almost anything else this evening?  Yes. But, one thing is certain — I can go to bed tonight knowing that I will walk in to a clean office in the morning.

Slice of Life — March 14: It’s Madness

Tomorrow the madness begins. March Madness that is.

It’s arguably one of my favorite times of the year. Sure, it usually signals the coming of spring break, but it also signals a time when underdogs become winners, contenders get pushed to the wire, and college basketball is at the height of its glory. It’s time for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Sure, I’ll be rooting for my favorite teams (Duke and Missouri) while also hoping s few underdogs make a run, knocking off some higher seeds and “busting” brackets along the way. I’ll also enjoy watching one of the greatest sporting events of the year, when it seems anything is possible, stars are made, and dreams come true. It’s a time when unexpected winners emerge, rivalries are rekindled, and teams experience their “One Shining Moment.”

So I’m going to sit back and enjoy the ride, cheer loudly, and root for the underdog. Let the madness begin!

Slice of Life — March 13: A Childhood Favorite

Today was a crazy day and by the time it was over, I was exhausted. My husband had church tonight, so I decided to reward myself with take-out from my favorite Chinese restaurant, Bamboo Garden. I know a lot of people who wouldn’t say this is their favorite place for Chinese. For me, part of the appeal is the fact that I grew up eating at Bamboo Garden. I remember when it used to be a tiny restaurant that looked like a converted fast food place. It then was replaced with a new and much bigger restaurant that remains today. As a kid, it was one of the few nice restaurants in Carthage, the town where I grew up. I suppose having eaten there so much as a kid and teenager is how I developed my love and “taste” for this particular restaurant. So, sometimes, when I am craving Chinese, or when it’s been a bad day, I make the drive to Carthage for some take-out from my childhood favorite.

Slice of Life -- March 11: Shopping for Baby Girl Things

As you probably know, this week we found out we are having a baby girl in July.  Since she will be the first girl in our family (I have a son and three nephews), none of us are used to shopping for a girl.  It was fun this weekend to pick out things for her nursery and I had to finally stop myself from buying outfits.  To top it off, my parents came to visit today, so we all went together to shop for the baby.  My mom and I had such a good time picking out clothes.

It's a little surreal still to think that we're having a girl.  I've been so used to buying things for boys and it's a totally different experience shopping for a girl.  I can't wait to dress her in all her cute outfits and I am already envisioning what her nursery will look like.  At the same time, it's been fun to pick out things for Wesley's "big boy" room.  We bought new furniture for him a few weeks ago and have been picking out things to decorate over the past few weeks.  He's pretty excited about his new room (and so am I) and it's helped him prepare for just one of the many changes that will come when his sister arrives in July. 

Slice of Life — March 10: Daylight Savings

Tonight is the night we “spring forward,” moving our clocks ahead one hour.  I love spring and certainly appreciate the longer days, but must we lose an hour of sleep in order for that to happen?  I’m not good at adjusting to the time change and neither is my son, another reason why messing with my sleep schedule is problematic. It may work to my advantage tomorrow as he will likely choose to sleep later, but it becomes difficult during the week when he won’t want to get up for school and my husband has to wake him in order to make it to daycare on time.  The bottom line is that I love sleep and anything that messes with it, especially causing me to lose an hour of it, is going to wind up on my list of things I dislike. I suppose I will be happy when it is still light outside in the evening, allowing us to enjoy the outdoors longer. Sure, that’s a good thing, but right now it’s hard to see the positive when my eyes are burning from being tired, the clock reads 11:33 p.m., and in my mind, it’s really 12:33 p.m.

Slice of Life — March 9: Tired Friday Night

It was a busy week! A couple of evening activities this week for both my husband and me meant busy evenings, too. As a kid, I remember Friday nights being the night I wanted to go do something with my family. It was a night to celebrate the start of the weekend. My parents were generous, and most Friday nights we went out to eat.

I still want to go out to eat on Friday nights, but I am much less anxious to go do something on the night of the end of the work week. By most Friday evenings I am absolutely exhausted. Tonight was no exception, as I fell asleep on the couch by 8:30, waking just in time to write this blog. Looking back, I realize my parents must have felt the same way on those Friday nights when I was a kid.

Slice of Life — March 8: My Favorite Things

For today’s post, here are ten of my favorite things. Enjoy!

1. Favorite Vacation Spot: Cancun, Mexico would definitely get my vote. The beach is beautiful and you can’t beat the relaxation and pampering that comes with an all-inclusive resort.

2. Favorite TV Show: It would now be considered an “oldie,” but Friends is still my all time favorite television show. I’ve seen every episode multiple times, can quote lines from the show, and can typically relate most everyday life events to an episode of this iconic show.

3. Favorite Sports Team: It’s March which means college basketball is in full swing and March Madness will be arriving shortly. Duke is my favorite team to watch and cheer for this time of year.

4. Favorite Movie: I absolutely love The Holiday. It’s a movie my husband and I watched together when we were dating and it remains my favorite. I have to watch it every year around Christmas and watch it each time I run across it on TV.

5. Favorite Food: This is a tough one because I love so many different types of food. I will say, however, that it’s hard to pass up Mexican. Any meal that begins with chips and salsa, queso, and guacamole is pretty good in my book.

6. Favorite Auhor: This one is a tie. Nicholas Sparks and John Grisham are my favorites. Their books are incredibly different, but I love them both nonetheless.

7. Favorite Color: My favorite color is red. It’s a good thing I work in Webb City!

8. Favorite Hobby: I wouldn’t say I have a lot of hobbies, but playing golf would be my favorite. I don’t get to play much anymore, but I still love the game.

9. Favorite Place to Shop: If it’s clothes, Banana Republic is my favorite place to shop. I can always find clothes for work and some good casuals options as well.

10. Favorite Season: I love fall! I love the colors as the leaves change, the cool weather, wearing sweaters, visiting the pumpkin patch, and enjoying everything pumpkin spice!