It's frantic this time of year. Kids have projects due, while you have gifts to buy, parties to attend and people to entertain. And this is all on top of regular job/life duties.
Here's 5 lessons I've learned:
1. Label Christmas/holiday decoration boxes. We have about 20 boxes with lights, snowmen, wreaths, ornaments and more. Yes, my man loves Christmas. The labels will keep you from making a mess finding just where the heck you placed all those outdoor lights you bought on clearance. Or where you keep the stockings, ornament hooks, etc. Stay organized by returning all the items you pulled out in the right box. Otherwise, you'll be throwing a tantrum and wasting time looking next year. Plus, you'll need to clean up your mess after.
2. Just sign the card. I no longer worry about personalizing every holiday card. Believe me, most people are just happy you've remembered them. And if anyone complains about your lack of personalization, just ignore it. Why add to your stress? 'Tis the season to be jolly, not grumpy. Another option, get cards printed with a holiday greeting from your family. Photo cards are great because it feels a bit more special to get a picture. Plus, your names are already printed on the card. If you need to say more, I suppose you can consider a holiday letter. I'm not a fan. They take too much time.
3. Keep a list of addresses. In today's digital world, sometimes a physical address is forgotten. Take time one year to collect them, then send out an email or Facebook post asking friends to send you a private message if their address has changed from last year. The address list also can be used to make quick mailing labels.
4. Keep a to-do list. Yes, you might remember everything. But you might not. A list is helpful for remembering and planning ahead, saving you trips to the store. Besides, checking off things you've accomplished feels great. Remember to put down everything you need to do. That includes things like: pick up wine for party, wrap gifts, buy gift cards for teacher gifts, RSVP to neighbor's party, and buy supplies for class science project. Besides, being prepared reduces stress when your kid tells you that the science project is due tomorrow (you'll know because of the list) or you're running out the door to a party and NOT have to stop by the store.
5. Just say no. If it's too much to handle, don't feel like Scrooge for saying no. Stress can be terrible on your body, and slow you down when you don't have time to spare. So take care of yourself and your family first. Be gracious if you must decline a request, but be upfront and offer an alternate solution if you have one. "I'm sorry but I can't watch your kids while you shop, I'm already committed to a family event. But I know a great baby sitter looking to make some Christmas money." Or ..."Thanks for thinking of us. I've already made plans for that night. Let's plan to get together another time."
Cheers!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Getting good seats to "Breaking Dawn Part One" without waiting in line
I generally avoid going to movies, especially ones with lots of hype, on opening weekend. Sometimes I luck out and happen to hit a theater without crazy lines of people waiting to save seats for all 20 of their friends.
However I will be at "Breaking Dawn Part One" opening weekend, making my tween crazy happy. She'll be able watch the Bella's and Edward's love become legal, and chat about it Monday at school.
I won't be camping out to grab decent seats. Nor will I be frustrated when half the theater is reserved for friends who won't show until just before the movie previews start to roll. That's because I have my center seats already reserved.
My secret? Well, I don't know any of the movie managers. I just bought my tickets from a showing at AMC Esplanade online. The dine-in theater lets customers select seats at the time of purchase. You just need to make sure to bring the credit card used on the purchase to the theater.
There is a warning to arrive 30 minutes early. I'll be testing that out this weekend. But with the dine-in option, it's wise to arrive early and place your order so that it's ready when the movie begins.
Cheers.
However I will be at "Breaking Dawn Part One" opening weekend, making my tween crazy happy. She'll be able watch the Bella's and Edward's love become legal, and chat about it Monday at school.
I won't be camping out to grab decent seats. Nor will I be frustrated when half the theater is reserved for friends who won't show until just before the movie previews start to roll. That's because I have my center seats already reserved.
My secret? Well, I don't know any of the movie managers. I just bought my tickets from a showing at AMC Esplanade online. The dine-in theater lets customers select seats at the time of purchase. You just need to make sure to bring the credit card used on the purchase to the theater.
There is a warning to arrive 30 minutes early. I'll be testing that out this weekend. But with the dine-in option, it's wise to arrive early and place your order so that it's ready when the movie begins.
Cheers.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Blue Man Group rocked
I'm a huge fan of taking kids to the theater. It's just magical seeing a good performance on stage.
Blue Man Group isn't exactly what I think of when theater is brought up. However, they are performing at ASU Gammage in Tempe through Nov. 6. They won't disappoint.
Audience participation begins before one Blue Man steps on stage. An electronic board acts as a humorous "voice" to get the audience engaged. The Blue Man Group's show features music, not voices. Electronic board message highlights included a reminder not to text because you make the older folks feel inadequate, oh, but tweeting is OK; a happy birthday wish to an audience member (no singing allowed) and a funny take on helping another get rid of a headache (think of it as a cow...and you kill it). My kids were practically falling out of their seats laughing. And as my son points out, it's hard to make him laugh.
The 90-minute techie-comedy-musical show was colorful, loud, bright, gross (briefly) and silly (a lot). It features lots of drumming, paint, Captain Crunch, texting, reading, paper, balls and CRAZY FUN MUSIC! Those guys can be quite humorous without saying anything.
My 11-year-old daughter noted some "inappropriate humor" for kids, but acknowledged that "little kids won't get it." Those jokes include the "hard" Viagra post on the GiPads (gigantic iPads), a quick message flashing about naked people and euphemisms for butts. Plenty of kids 5 and older were in the audience. I don't see myself having an issue with kids seeing the show. The bigger concern is if your kids are sensitive to strobe lights, sudden darkness and loud music. Only you know your kids.
Photo of Blue Man Group National Tour by ©Paul Kolnik.
My son's favorite part involved a chicken. I don't want to give the set up away. My daughter had several favorite parts, including a "texting" segment and rocking out to concert moves. She did ask why I didn't get closer seats. Turns out she was totally jealous of the folks in the front rows because the Blue Men walked around them finding audience participants. It didn't stop her from yelling pick me several times. So cute! Best of all, I loved that my kids couldn't stop talking about the show on the ride home.
Blue Man Group
Where: ASU Gammage, Tempe
When: Through Nov. 6. Showtimes vary.
Cost: $41.50-$105.70 (prices include fees).
FYI: There is no intermission.
Some discussion questions:
-How would you entertain your friends if you could not use your voice? Could you even stay quiet?
-What would you have done if you were picked to go on stage? Do you think kids would be funnier than the adults who were chosen?
-What music was your favorite? Did you notice how sounds changed when they changed the length of the pipe?
Let me know what you think if you go. Cheers!
Blue Man Group isn't exactly what I think of when theater is brought up. However, they are performing at ASU Gammage in Tempe through Nov. 6. They won't disappoint.
Audience participation begins before one Blue Man steps on stage. An electronic board acts as a humorous "voice" to get the audience engaged. The Blue Man Group's show features music, not voices. Electronic board message highlights included a reminder not to text because you make the older folks feel inadequate, oh, but tweeting is OK; a happy birthday wish to an audience member (no singing allowed) and a funny take on helping another get rid of a headache (think of it as a cow...and you kill it). My kids were practically falling out of their seats laughing. And as my son points out, it's hard to make him laugh.
The 90-minute techie-comedy-musical show was colorful, loud, bright, gross (briefly) and silly (a lot). It features lots of drumming, paint, Captain Crunch, texting, reading, paper, balls and CRAZY FUN MUSIC! Those guys can be quite humorous without saying anything.
Photo of Blue Man Group National Tour by ©Paul Kolnik.
My son's favorite part involved a chicken. I don't want to give the set up away. My daughter had several favorite parts, including a "texting" segment and rocking out to concert moves. She did ask why I didn't get closer seats. Turns out she was totally jealous of the folks in the front rows because the Blue Men walked around them finding audience participants. It didn't stop her from yelling pick me several times. So cute! Best of all, I loved that my kids couldn't stop talking about the show on the ride home.
Blue Man Group
Where: ASU Gammage, Tempe
When: Through Nov. 6. Showtimes vary.
Cost: $41.50-$105.70 (prices include fees).
FYI: There is no intermission.
Some discussion questions:
-How would you entertain your friends if you could not use your voice? Could you even stay quiet?
-What would you have done if you were picked to go on stage? Do you think kids would be funnier than the adults who were chosen?
-What music was your favorite? Did you notice how sounds changed when they changed the length of the pipe?
Let me know what you think if you go. Cheers!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Still wishing for that extra hour in the day
I seriously thought not working the regular 40-hour grind would mean I'd get a lot more home projects done and have much more time with my kids. Umm, not true. Maybe it's because I am looking for work, and it's not like that doesn't take time.
But I fantasized that I'd have a perfect home by now, at least half a manuscript done (isn't every journalist a wannabe novelist?) and so many mom-son/mom-daughter days under my belt that my kids would tell me to leave them alone. I'm not quite as far along as I hoped. It just seems something always comes up to wreck my plans. Or maybe I'm wasting too much time catching up on things I didn't have time to do, like read, watch TV, exercise, cook (not buy take-out), dance with my daughter, etc. Is it really wasting time? Or am I finally making time for me?
I have managed to cross off some home organization projects. I won't feel embarrassed if someone just drops in...well, unless they see my kids' rooms or my garage. And I've been much more on top of homework. I don't think some teachers like me now. Kidding...maybe. I just wanted more done.
I don't know why I question my time spent. I know many moms who do the same thing. But I'm no Peggy Bundy. I'm not eating candy and watching daytime TV while the kids are in school. Reading more will help me with my book. Lunch with friends will possibly lead to that next great job. Exercising keeps me healthy. And an active weekend is good for all of us, and it keeps the house from getting messed up!
Still, I pray for an extra hour. I ask myself if I'd use it for tackling another project. Nope. I'd use it for sleep and me time. So why am I complaining?
But I fantasized that I'd have a perfect home by now, at least half a manuscript done (isn't every journalist a wannabe novelist?) and so many mom-son/mom-daughter days under my belt that my kids would tell me to leave them alone. I'm not quite as far along as I hoped. It just seems something always comes up to wreck my plans. Or maybe I'm wasting too much time catching up on things I didn't have time to do, like read, watch TV, exercise, cook (not buy take-out), dance with my daughter, etc. Is it really wasting time? Or am I finally making time for me?
I have managed to cross off some home organization projects. I won't feel embarrassed if someone just drops in...well, unless they see my kids' rooms or my garage. And I've been much more on top of homework. I don't think some teachers like me now. Kidding...maybe. I just wanted more done.
I don't know why I question my time spent. I know many moms who do the same thing. But I'm no Peggy Bundy. I'm not eating candy and watching daytime TV while the kids are in school. Reading more will help me with my book. Lunch with friends will possibly lead to that next great job. Exercising keeps me healthy. And an active weekend is good for all of us, and it keeps the house from getting messed up!
Still, I pray for an extra hour. I ask myself if I'd use it for tackling another project. Nope. I'd use it for sleep and me time. So why am I complaining?
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