New cupboards...

The man and I have been working really hard these past few weeks to clean up our eating habits. We're now a part of an organic produce coop and have switched to organic milk and eggs. We are slowly switching over other food items, and have started buying meats from local farmers. We've kind of started our own "food revolution" in our house. Surprisingly, the kids are actually not fighting it. We're hoping to start a garden soon so that we can supplement the produce we're now getting bi-weekly.

A started swim lessons two weeks ago - she loves it. I think she's really found something that she enjoys and she's doing incredibly well. Mr L is busy being a grumpy 2 year old. That apparently takes quite the effort.

D is still traveling lots - and I'm still working all the time. It's exhausting, but my hard work is sending us on an anniversary cruise this summer. I'm getting pretty excited. We're leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale going to Grand Cayman then to Cozumel. I beyond anxious to see the ruins of Tulum...

So, I'm a degenerate...

Well, in a not so literal translation. Most of you that have known me, have probably seen me in glasses the majority of my life - I think I got my first pair in first or second grade. My sight isn't actually that bad, but my astigmatism seems to really mess my left eye up. Went in for a regular eye exam last Monday, and the doctor found some "abnormal" lesions on my retina. Over to the retinal specialist I went. After what seemed like absolute torture (they call them tests) I was diagnosed with premature macular degeneration.

Wow.

I'm freaking 32 years old, and I have a disease in my eyes that causes blindness but that doesn't usually come on until you're in your 70s. Talk about wigging out a bit.

Friday I was terrified.

Today, I'm determined.

Friday I cried at the thought of not being able to "see" my kids get married.

Today, I laughed at work about becoming blind.

If you can't laugh, right? I'm still scared. But I'll take my vitamins (the only help available for the disease now) and when my 10-20 years is up on my sight, hopefully there will be some medical breakthrough - stem cells, transplants, whatever.

I've learned since Friday to literally "see" things differently. I will no longer take for granted how incredible my kids look to me, because some day I may not be able to see their faces, or their kids' faces. I will wear my sunglasses, religiously (sun apparently is a terrible thing for MD). I will do my own investigation in hopes of finding a ray of hope. Being able to only see for 20 more years, is not an option I'm willing to live with.

So if I crack a joke about whether or not insurance will pay to have my rottie trained as a seeing eye dog, laugh with me. If I hound you to get your own eyes examined - do it. If I od on spinach and lutein, please bake my man a cake. And by all means, please pass the "eye" vitamin coupons along - those flippin things are expensive. :)

Just Pictures

I'm too tired to blog - I've been working a lot lately and I think it's catching up with me. So, tonight is "just pictures".

Blah.

The weather has been dreadful here this week. Last weekend with our "Winter Blast 2010", and yesterday with a round of heavy rain...I think I'll move further south. This cold isn't for me. But snow usually means cute kid pics, and I do have a few of those. The man and I took the kids sledding in our yard Saturday - and we all had a blast...

Poor L looks like he can't move. :)

I'm biased, but boy if he isn't handsome. :)

And my pretty little lady. :)

Thanks Ms Melody for these too cute pics of the boy!

Life today

"Don't take your shirt off."

"Don't take your panties off."

"Ok, at least eat dinner, then you can get naked."

"Leave the dog alone."

"Please don't lick the dog."

"The dog is not a horse. Get off her."

"Stop feeding your chicken nuggets to the dog."

"Stop feeding your grapes to the dog."

"Don't even look at the dog."

"L, no dumping water out of the tub onto the floor."

"A, you stop it too."

Yes. All pieces of conversations from JUST this evening.

I can't even begin to describe our hectic days - especially when the husband's not here. Up, by 545, shower, kids clothed, dogs pee/poo, meds are dispensed, lunch along with snacks packed, milk poured, out the door preferably around 630. Drop kiddos off with Ms B 7-715 at the office by 730. Work till 4-430, pick kids up, home around 5-530. Dinner is cooked/assembled/microwaved, eat, dogs pee/poo, kids pee/poo, dishes washed, floors cleaned, movie watched, skype daddy, baths, books, bed. Mom goes back to work after kids are in bed 730ish and hopefully gets a wii fit workout in there sometime. Whew. I'm pooped.

Down 32lbs as of yesterday morning. I'm pretty excited about that. I'm a serious chocolate lover, and that has probably been the hardest habit to kick. Luckily, I've found "No Pudge Brownies" - fat free and around 120 calories per serving. You can easily make one serving in a coffee mug, and save yourself from downing an entire pan of the yumminess. Two tbsp of the mix, with one tbsp of yogurt - nuke one minute - yummmm. I usually serve mine in a coffee mug, with a little fat free chocolate pudding and fat free cool whip on top.

I'm terribly slack. Well, in the blogging world that is. I've been inspired by some of my favorite blogs, so I'm jumping back on the wagon. I'm hoping this becomes more than “just a post pics of the kids” kind of thing. I would love to be able to use our blog to share my favorite things with those who are willing to listen - crickets chirping.

Right now I'm somewhat obsessed with life organization. That includes my home, our finances, our health and finding bargains. I’ve completely convinced myself that I will find all my answers and do a complete family makeover and our clan will love my new life altering changes. Easier said than done when one of your kids eats nothing but mac and cheese 24/7, and your husband has a certain thing for a hotdog place in Georgia.

Why a transformation? Well, why not. I’m tired of being completely baffled over how to keep everything running smoothly day-to-day. Maybe smoothly is a bit much to ask for, but anything’s an improvement over total chaos. With the hubby out of town pretty much most of the week, every week, I’ve got to be more structured. That covers everything from a cleaning schedule, to meal planning. So is the life of a working mom, I suppose, but there has to be a better way – and I’m on the quest to find it.

I’ve come up with some goals for Amy for this year – and hopefully those spill over to the others in my house.

-If it hasn’t been used in the past year, it’s time for it to find a new home (unless it’s a sentimental, then we’ll reevaluate on a case by case basis). I’m tired of clutter. 2010 is my year to attack my clutter – metaphorically and literally.

-Get healthier. Eat healthier foods and exercise. Pretty simple logic, but implementation is an issue in our house. I’ve lost a little over 30lbs since mid-October, and I’m bound and determined to keep it up. I’d love to switch to mostly organic, locally grown foods, but of course that brings up an entirely new subject, budget.

-Maintain healthier finances. That one’ pretty self explanatory.

-Decorate my home. Once I’ve battled the clutter, I want a pretty home – and I’ve found great sources of inspiration to help with that – cheap. I’ll be sure to share those sites. We’ve lived in our house for four years now, and it’s time to make it look like a home. I’m no Martha Stewart, but I’m determined to make it lovely and livable.