Weekly Update

Rob

Sadly, my plans for getting this done on Saturday failed.  Yeah, I was
actually planning on having it done for Saturday so that I could get
it out on Sunday morning for a change, but pesky life keeps getting in
the way.  For the most part, this week was really standard and boring.
The biggest change from standard protocol was that the kids didn't
get their homework done on Wednesday, so we missed D&D night again,
this is three in a row now!  It seems like they are able to carry on
without us, which is actually pretty good - I don't have to feel
pressured to make it.  I did start getting some forward progress on
refinancing the house this week, with the new credit union approving
the loan, pending my paperwork checks out.  Basically, I just have to
get copies of the mortgage note, divorce decree and divorce agreement,
saying that I own the house, and it should be all set.  Two months
without a mortgage payment, and then around 400 bucks a month less
going to it!  On top of that, it means my interest payments will be
higher, so my tax deduction will be bigger, at least unless that tax
benefit is taken away.

I got most of my W2s and other tax forms needed, so I started entering
the information into H&R Block - looks pretty grim so far.
Apparently, I am outpacing a lot of the 99%, but I don't have Cayman
island accounts and huge capital gains to keep me fiscally sound, so I
will be paying roughly 35% of my income in taxes, all told.  I thought
it might be as high as 30%, but this is just painful.  If that isn't
enough mind-numbing bureaucracy for you, I also got notified that I
need to renew my security clearance, so I have a decade of employment,
familial, residential, financial and social to document... Be prepared
to hear from the Government about me, they might want to ask my
siblings about me, just tell them that I can keep a secret - it's even
true!

As to getting this done on Saturday, I was hoping to not have to worry
about it on Superbowl Sunday, but Allison and her friend were coming
over to watch the game here (why get an awesome new TV if you can't
show it off?) and I had mucho cleaning to do.  I didn't get much help
from the kids, so Saturday was a hellishly draining day of chasing
messes down, and trying to distract Archer enough that he would not
make new messes.  In the end, I got the house mostly clean, at least
enough that I wasn't embarrassed. I would rather not talk about the game itself.  

Stupid Giants.

Carrie

Let's see........Last week was hectic to put it mildly.  Chase got a stomach bug Sunday.  Kayla got it Tuesday.  Monday they ripped out the old oil tank and installed a new one.  Tuesday they started putting in new doors and windows.  All while I had kids puking.  Fun times.  Poor Kayla had to move room to room while they installed the windows.  I cannot believe how many bugs my kids have had this year!!  Insanity.  Everyone was better Thursday :)  My windows and doors are beautiful!!  Super happy with the kitchen especially.  The contractor who did the work also looked at the roof for us.  Water spots on the ceiling in three places :(  Come to find out we need a roof.  Not very excited about that.  I think I don't want to be a homeowner anymore.  It's not all that fun :( 

Sean finally had a whole weekend off!!!  Friday our friends Dominic and Kristine brought their baby Gabriel over.  Love getting a baby fix!!!!  Saturday Sean took the kids to the airplane museum.  He needed a daddy-kid day.  Saturday night Keving (Sean's brother) and Lucy came over.  They're looking for houses in Lebanon!!!!  Sunday I took off with Heather and Laura to Providence.  Laura saw Kurt to get her hair done and Heather and I went and ordered our bridesmaid dresses (FINALLY)!!!!!  The wedding is in April.  Waited long enough.  Then girl scouts, then Superbowl.  My friend Crystal and her family came over for the game.  Good busy weekend.  Lot's of company!  Rare around here.  As for my goals, I am right on target.  -2 lbs. a week.  Of course it doesn't come off where you want it to.  But I'm increasing my workouts this week, adding in more cardio and reps.  Yesterday I killed it!!  :)

Kurt

Last week was a week of THRIFT SHOPPING.  Sunday I found a pair of brown leather pants for $40!  Then my most favorist jacket in Boston for $50. Later on that week I was in NYC for a friends bands performance. I wore another thrift find...a purple women's jacket. 

I took some pictures on a rooftop  

I then found size 14 men's cowboy boots to paint for my statue cause my others are too small. Especially when my feet swell while working. And I got a pair of jeans that are treated and LOOK leather. 

Woohoo

This week is PACKING so I can store stuff in carries basement.  Because she is apparently my parents

Kim

This guy is a stud.

 

We loved watching the Giants win in the Super Bowl. (Sorry Rob but you must know I hate the Patriots and always have...long before you loved them.)  Jake picked the Giants at the beginning of the season as "his team".  He tends to be incredibly lucky like that.  

The rest of the week kind of sucked for me since I was sick, as in lost almost two whole days to illness.  That's pretty rare for me.  I felt REALLY badly on Tuesday and Thursday.  I'm still kind of cruddy (wondering if I now have a sinus infection?) but so much better than Thursday that it's hard to complain. 

I've been wondering lately what I really accomplish in a week--it so often feels like nothing--that I've spent some time trying to decide if I need more structure in my life.  Now, for those of you that know me well, that should be funny.  It took me a bit to realize just how funny.  

I make a new recipe every week.  I serve fish once a week.  I serve homemade soup once a week.  I do all my laundry one day a week.  I clean my entire house one day a week.  I volunteer at school one day a week.  I attend church once a week.  I bake muffins on the weekend.  I hold FHE every week(which really means planning a great dessert once a week.)  I do yoga at least twice a week.  I walk with Lori in the morning(except when I'm sick!).  I read a book for book club every month.  I attend multiple PTO meetings every month.  I pack lunches every morning.  I make a dinner menu every week.  I shop every Monday and fill up my gas tank, whether it needs it or not.  I go to the library once a week. 

Zuppa Toscano-This week's new recipe and soup all in one.  Delicious.

Maybe the problem is not LACK of structure but just the opposite.  Maybe I need to throw caution to the wind and have a week with NO structure to see how that feels.  Maybe that would help me see how much I really am accomplishing.  Maybe not.  That just sounds crazy.  And a little irresponsible. 

Likely, I just need to be more mindful of the little things I do to help out my peeps.  After all that's my main job right now...I helped Ben with a "time line" of his life last week.  Took Jake for his driving test.  He passed and can get his license next week if we can find the time.  Helped Rachel master her 71 phonograms-whew, I'll be glad to finish 1st grade forever.  Helped Dave out with his Deacon's quorum combined youth activity.  Picked up the repaired french horn.  Comforted Rachel's broken heart.  Supported Ben for baseball tryouts.  Avoided mortally wounding a disrespectful teenager.  Celebrated the kids' accomplishments, including Ben's third award for all-around awesomeness at school.

All this while I was sick.  I'm rocking this job.  I'll do it again this coming week.  Enough said.