Saturday, February 03, 2007
No Shampoo
I have been without shampoo/conditioner for 2 weeks now, and I am AMAZED at how much better my hair is doing! I do a wash with 1 Tbsp. baking soda in 1 cup warm water, and a rinse of 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar in 1 cup warm water.
I'd had dry scalp since giving birth to Parker (hormone related, I've been told), but it got much worse in the past year, and nothing I did helped. Since switching to this, it honestly has NOT been an issue at all! And, instead of having to wash every 1 or 2 days with shampoo/conditioner, I only am having to wash it twice a week. It is totally amazing.
Labels: Kristin, simplicity
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Saturday, January 20, 2007
Simplifying toys/toyroom
I am scared to do this, but it NEEDS to be done. The room is wrecked every day, there seems to be too much honestly for them to do, and I can't stand it! I can't help but wonder, what guidelines should I follow for toys to get rid of/sell/donate?
I'm also worried as Kira has a birthday coming up -- in three weeks! I want to tell everyone "no gifts", but I also know she'll love opening things up.
Labels: family, parenting, simplicity
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Friday, January 19, 2007
I'm just so .... tired.
I hate not having any time for myself anymore. I have totally over-extended myself, and I can't see how to slow everything down!
I essentially am working full-time, but my own hours, which means whenever I can find the time. I have my kids to care for as well. And Parker has classes two days per week for several hours. And we're members of 6 or 7 social groups (I've honestly lost track) which often have overlapping events that I feel we need to get to. I'm sure you are thinking, "Oh, woe is Kristin", and that the simple solution would be to cut some of the groups/activities, but how do I choose?
I have friends in these that I really don't see maintaining the relationship outside of, since that's when I get to see them. And some of the groups kind of are interconnected, so if I dropped one, it would be odd to drop another. And I'm a leader in two of them, though I just passed on leadership of another (whew!). And, I don't want to hurt feelings or feel like I'm "dissing" my friends.
I'm trying to cut back on the work, and we're upping our rates to that end, and taking on fewer projects. But last year, we made as much with our business as Jeff's work salary! (Now, he makes okay money, but it isn't spectacular, so it isn't like an option would be to quit his job with its enormous benefits and just do our business).
I've considered cutting Parker's classes, but he enjoys them, and it is time that is set aside where I cannot do anything else or think about anything else, which is really a good thing. Besides, where else is he going to learn tap and ballet, and have the opportunities that the art classes or science classes or even Spanish have, where I can actually be involved too, or observe if I choose?
But I know it is out of control, too, since there are days that I'm trying to figure out how to get to several events, bring food, and arrange for time where Kira can nap if she needs to (she's intermittent in her desire to completely forego napping).
Part of it is that even when I tell Jeff that I'm getting burned out, he can't even offer suggestions or give his opinions, because he's probably feeling similarly, between his job, our business and the kids.
Labels: community, homeschooling, Kristin, simplicity, sleep, stress
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Thursday, November 30, 2006
A Down-sized Christmas
I was just talking to my MIL last night, telling her that more than gifts, we wanted them to come visit, and trying to emphasize that. I know it is easier to just buy stuff and send it (if you have the money), but we don't need it! I like simplicity, and I love that Parker makes Star Wars battle scenes with MegaBlocks, instead of having so many Star Wars vehicles he can do it with those. I like the inspired creativity that NOT having it ALL brings.
We already have too much. Jeff and I are going to pare it down somehow, and just get one or two BIG gifts, mainly useful things. We're going to Disney, and annual passes are our gift from my parents. That's it in total. It'll be a small Christmas in terms of presents under the tree, but it'll be a big one in terms of adventure and love.
Labels: Christmas, Parker, simplicity
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1 Cents Added:
It's ironic. I'm all about paring down the items in the house (I've even started to say maybe I can get rid of some comic books - SHOCKER!), and yet I'm still having to fight myself everytime I see an awesome toy and I have an overwhelming urge to have it - just because.
Is there as excorcism for consumerism?
