Tuesday, June 28, 2011

"Full-Time Grown-Up"

Do you remember when we were kids, wishing we could grow-up, faster, and be grown-ups? I know I wasn't the only one who was "Sick of being a kid" when I was like 13.

FF twelve years and I am a grown-up.

I have been married (at the courthouse) & divorced (not proud of this but it was a BAD situation, all around). I have a 3 year old whom I have primarily raised on my own. I am in school full-time, slated to graduate with my masters, spring 2012 (may). I am working part-time (24-30 hrs/week) M-Th while shadowing in schools (during the school yr) and Pre-schools. Paying bills & rent for a house that I will own by this time 2013. I have a gym membership and my daughter tumbles at the gym 1 day a week (when I remember).


When did all this growing-up happen? I feel like I just graduated HIGH SCHOOL. Like just last week I was staying at school till 9pm and coming on Saturdays for guard or yearbook.


But last week, I was not in high-school, I worked, got into a car accident, had to get a rental for 14 days, schedule to get my un-driavable, car fixed, get a new carseat,  paid bills & stressed about money, went grocery shopping, DID SCHOOL WORK, did dishes, laundry, cooked dinner, had my mom and step-dad over for dinner,  went on a "date" with my wonderful, understanding boyfriend, went to a birthday party for my 1 year old cousin, went to a family dinner at my Grans, Had my dad, step-mom & little sister over to catch-up, played outside, daily, with my girl, watched tv, etc. 


That is just a snap-shot of my everyday life. I am this busy, sometimes busier, every week. I love every minute of it.


In the last 10 weeks I have gained weight... I haven't had time to go to the gym. I know excuses. 


As a child I always wondered how my mom got so much done in one day. She too was a single mom. I have realized that, what ever needs to get done, has to be a priority. I have to decide how important said thing is to me.


As of Sunday... I have made it a priority to get back to the gym.. made it part of my daily schedule. I will make use of the money I am spending for my membership each month. I can't justify just letting that money go to waste.


I lost a ton of weight 3 years ago when E was born, I gained about 8lbs back while I was living in PA. When I moved back to FL last June... I lost about 6 of the 8 that I had gained. We were always moving, looking at houses, moved into my house, was single, etc. I was only in 1 class and had a lot of time. I was at the gym 5 days a week. 


In just one year, I am at the tail end of my graduate program, I have been/am in 2-3 classes at a time. I am settled into the house, working more, and in a HAPPY RELATIONSHIP and heavier than I have been in years. I am no longer comfortable with myself or in my clothes. 


I expressed to my wonderful man how I felt and he is now a member of my gym. He said he wants to support me in my desire to loose weight. Now when I get home from work (he is a teacher and is off for the summer), he is in gym clothes ready to go & has fed E her afternoon snack and she is ready to go. All I have to do is change and we are out the door. 


I am following the old weight watchers program (not the new points plus), as well as tracking my calories, exercise, etc with My Fitness Pal on  my iPhone and computer. 

Who knew being an adult would also come with weight struggles? and There never being enough hours in the day.

Yesterday was good. Followed the plan of gym when I get home, no lounging around till after my little is in bed. We had a great day. I had less stress, who knew that about 1 hour to myself at the gym is exactly what I needed. I can't believe it has been a month sice I was at the gym. I don't know how I have lived without it.

I hope in one month I can update with a 4-5 lbs loss (1 lb a week is my goal).

It is going to take some discipline to stay on track and go to the gym, M-Sat and do my homework (not fiddling around on the web) the minute E goes to bed instead of when I get home from work. My last class ends in Oct... I am off all of Nov/Dec and start student teaching Jan.

Needless to say things won't be slowing down anytime soon so its time it make things work in my day-to-day schedule.

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli


Friday, June 24, 2011

"Five Question Friday"

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link-up!

Questions for Friday, June 24th: (Special thanks to @TheSpunkyDiva,@dosweatthesmallMaryanneAdventurezInChildRearing, and Pam for their question suggestions! I love to link people in #5QF, so if YOU would like to be linked, head on over to my community to offer up your best question suggetions, or shout 'em out to me on Twitter. [Remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF])

1. What is your current favorite tv show? Wow this is a hard one. We have been watching the second season of "Wild Fire" from ABCFamily on Netflix -- I also really like "Switched at Birth" its a new series on ABCFamily... I guess I really like that channel... yes I am a grown-up... ha.

2. What's the worst haircut you ever got? I got one in Jax before I found my goddess, Beth. They said my hair was too think (NEVER the case, ever!) I have thin hair so I was like "Uh no I don't" then they were like let us "texturize" your hair. I was like "Okay that sounds edgy" HAHA! No they thinned out my already thin hair and it looked terrible. After that I found Beth, she fixed me the best she could. I went to her until Jason (her husband) got restationed in TX! :-( I moved to Orl shortly after and found Mandy. She has been doing my hair for over 3 yrs.

3. What was something that you did as a child that you thought you were so cool for doing?
After swimming with my cousins we would wrap towels around our waists/body like dresses/skirts and pretend to have fashion shows. 

4. Do you have any GREAT frugal family fun tips?
Im looking forward to reading other answers. I live in FL and it seems to cost a lot to do anything.

5. Would you drive across country if you had the money to fly?
Yes! You see so much more driving.

Friday, June 17, 2011

"Quarter of a Century"


Today I turn 25.

This is one birthday that I have been totally okay with, I have plans with my friends for a fun, not crazy, night out. Singing some karaoke and munching appetizers.

This is the first b-day celebration my sister, Jessica, will attend.

I have the most wonderful boyfriend, who worked in cahoots, with my bestie to delivery a card-a-day during my bday week. They were all hilarious!

I woke-up to my beautiful daughter inches from my face, screaming HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mama (according to TM when she woke up at 4am (she was calling him through the monitor), she asked him "is it time yet?"-- HOW SWEET is she!!!)

Best way, hands down, to wake-up on my 25th birthday.

I asked for an ironing board and blower... received BOTH! E helped me open my blower.

TM bought everything needed to make my favorite breakfast: Banana pancakes and bacon! Love him. Breakfast will be enjoyed tomorrow when E can enjoy with us. She is in "summer camp" at her school during the week, M-F, 9-2.

I AM OFF WORK on Friday's -- I AM SPENDING MY 25TH RELAXING IN MY CHAIR (I did run to the store to get E some much needed shorts, shes a 4T now!), watching the Casey Anthony Trial. BLISS.

Basically this has been the best birthday I have had in 25 years. I have never been happier with my life, it makes me excited to celebrate many more bdays this way. This officially tops 2006 (If you were present, you know what Im talking about).

**EDIT
TM & My mom BOTH got me two (totaling 4) new charms for my Pandora bracelet. Mom got a swirly one with purple stones and a flowery one with black stones. TM got me an ELEPHANT (!!) and a house... b/c my house is now a home & he is thankful to be a part of this family. :-)
/EDIT**

Monday, June 6, 2011

"Mom, Im Driving Home"

This past weekend was glorious! We had the perfect Friday night, grilling, playing in the back yard, eating dinner on the back porch and just watching the sun go down over our pond. It was so relaxing and much needed "family" time.

"feeding" the fish blueberries

How freaking cool is this pic? Unintentional.

Since E was out of school this past week her and I had a lot of bonding time. I loved every second of it, but I am ready for her to start "camp", she is attending camp 5 days a week from 9-2; we are nervous but excited about the 5-day thing. She started in Feb. going 3 days a week. If things pan out well with 5 days a week then come Fall she will go all 5 days a week, when did I get a pre-schooler! I am freaking out here about how old/big she is getting.

TM & I wanted to kick-off our summer (I know tech. summer starts June 21) in an awesome way. So we decided to take a day trip to TMs hometown, Saturday. He is from a quaint coastal town in southern FL.
How gorgeous, right?!

While we were there we got some serious beach time in & I got to know his family better, esp his mom. He is a mama's boy (not in the still living at home when hes 30 and calling her 5 times-a-day way, in the he had a special bond with his mom and I desperately wanted her approval way)

I LOVE HIS FAMILY!! I can not wait to be a part of such a fun group of people one day. 

water for her sand castle...

checking out the gulf

Hard to believe we were in FL

TM enjoyed having reign over my camera & we loved that it was h2oproof

Having a mamadaughter pow-wow

On a hunt for the perfect seashells

She was loving that she could touch! I loved the calm gulf waters

Once we got back to TMs parents house, we all showered and got ready to go to dinner. We went to a cute pizzeria where E was smitten with TMs younger brother (21). After dinner we were boxing up leftovers and E came up to me, hand out, and said "Hey Mom, Im driving home!" 

WTF?!

Apparently TMs dad told E she could drive home. I had to explain to her that she is not big enough to drive home, she was sad and cried. 

I am freaking out, panic attack style, that E is in 'camp' 5 days-a-week, with a new class and a new teacher, the thought of her driving being old enough to drive would send me to the loony bin. 

They grow-up so fast I can't handle it. I want a stop time! 

Yesterday we swam at my moms house and floated around and just relaxed in the sun. I love watching E in the water, she is such a great swimmer, Thanks to my step-dad, he has been spending everyday, almost, in the water working with E. I swear that girl has gills.

I know this summer is going to be amazing, my girl can swim, she loves being outside & loves the beach. 

I already see a lot more chalk & bubble time, watermelon hunks in the backyard, running through the sprinklers & swinging on the swings happening soon. 

I could live on the sound of my girls joyful laughter & the sweet, sticky kisses she gives me, if I could. They re-fuel me, when school/work drains me. 

I look at my life 1 year ago today and I am so thankful to be where I am TODAY. I have come so far in one year & I am proud of myself. I am EXACTLY where I want to be. 



Thank you for all the support and love I have gotten from all of you. Your comments cheering me on, have helped me get to where I am. I love each and every one of you. 

**11 days till I am a quarter of a CENTURY old! I am ready for it... bring on 25 and beyond. 

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli


Thursday, June 2, 2011

"I'm A Little Scattered"

Hey guys! I am sorry it has been eons since ive written a real post.

A lot has been going on so I think its time to catch every one up.

-I am in the tail end of my graduate program. I have been doubling up on classes, which means twice as much HW and twice as many papers & twice as many of observation hours, so I can graduate in time to teach in the Fall (August) 2012.

-I [tentatively] graduate May 2012. Before I can graduate I have to student teach in 2 areas, Elementary school for 12 weeks and Preschool for 6 weeks. I start student teaching January 2012, because my last class ends in October 2011.

-Before I can student teach, I had to take and pass two subject area, state certification exams. So I have been studying my behind off. I took one May 27 and the other one on May 31st... and PASSED both. To get certified in FL I have to take 4 tests; I have taken 3 of the 4 and PASSED all 3. Hard work and a great support system pays off. 


-TM & I had signed-up to teach VBS (read about last yr here) but b/c I am so overwhelmed with school and work, I had to "resign" from teaching. 


-We haven't been in church as much as I would like and I am trying my darnedest to get back in that pew next to my grandma, every sunday.


-TM moved in on May 31st. That in itself is exciting. I am so in love with this man and I am excited about the direction our relationship is headed. So we spent Memorial Day making room for his things and moving him in.

-I have been getting estimates on new tile for the kitchen & other random home improvements. I am so excited that I will own this house in early 2013. I know it seems far away but really its less than 2 years away. I want to be teaching full-time before I buy it, I will be more financially stable.

-I have been totally enthralled in the Casey Anthony case, lame, I know. But it is so good/ interesting. I have been interested in this case, as everyone in my area has been, since 2008.

Now for a little E update:

-I enrolled E in "summer camp" at her preschool. She will be attending 5 days a week; That is HUGE. During the school year (since Feb.) she only went 3 days a week. We are trying 5 days a week, tentatively, over the summer to see how E does. If she does well she will go 5 days a week come Fall.

-We have been spending a lot of time in the Drs office in the last few weeks. She has been sick a lot. I think we finally have it under control. As many of you know when you have a sick kid it makes for long, rough nights and tired slow moving days.

-A month after she turned 3 we got family pictures taken at JCP with some of just E, some of my mom, step dad, E & I, some with TM, E and I, some of E and my mom and some of E and my stepdad and some of E & me. I will do a post just on those but here is a preview:

-She is so smart and I know every parent says that about their kid. For example: We have Uno Moo and yesterday while I was cooking, unassisted and undirected, she took all the animals and not only did she make a pattern (blue, green, red, yellow, white, repeat) she grouped them by animal inside her pattern. TM teaches kindergarten and says they did a similar activity.

-She loves to read and play letter games. We have SuperWhy! letter cards that we play games with. She also has a leapfrog scribble & write and loves to play with that. 

-She is fully potty-trained. The only thing we have problems with is night time. Some times she wakes up DRY, others she wets. So we are wearing pull-ups at night. But the wet mornings are getting fewer and fewer. 

-She knows how to swim. My step-dad, mom and I  have been working in the pool with her daily & she is a fish. We still have to supervise her carefully b/c sometime she gets "too brave" and tries to swim too far. Here are some pics taken with my Mother's Day gift from E, a waterproof digital camera:





-She loves playing on her 4-wheeler and her big girl bike. She also loves when I take pics of her & she poses all on her own.



I think thats about it for now. I hope to be on the blog more now that my big tests are over. I still have a lot of HW and papers but I have been taking time off work to get it all done. It makes me stress about money but not about school.

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo
-Kandid Kelli