SAHMy & the Leftovers

I have discovered a new culinary trend that only a SAHMy can truly understand.  That trend is the leftover trend.  I am pretty certain, since I started staying home, 80% of my meals have been leftovers.  For example:

Last night - leftover noodles, half eat sausage, old greens (mushrooms were new!)
This morning - two half eaten eggs and half of a box of juice (organic 50/50 juice - see what I'm doing there - no judgies!)
Lunch - leftovers of the leftover noodles, half eaten sausage, greens and mushrooms.

I know you all are so jealous!  Thank goodness I am a decent cook.

I'll just have to make myself feel better with some brownies (which were also made with leftovers):

Exit Work Stress - Enter Life Stress

It has been about 6 weeks since I gave up the corporate life for the SAHMing life, and it has been great.  There are ups and downs.  The girls were definitely restless by the time they went to school and have not really complained about it (I think they secretly love being in school).  I don't have to worry about work at all, which is refreshing.  What I do have to worry about is the money.  All was well in good until we found out our renters in AZ were new renewing their lease.  Enter life stress.  I have been working the budget for a couple of years in case of a SAHM + no renter situation, but it is still another worry to deal with for now.  Life is never simply, but it sure is interesting.

When Does School Start?????

School started for the girls Wednesday, and what and exciting day!  Little V is now officially a Kindergartener and could not wait to get rid of me.  "Can you not walk me to class?  J can do it."  (she adjusted quickly).  J is ready for 3rd grade, albeit a bit apprehensive of the social networking situation in class.  I am excited to finally get some of my SAHMing goals completed!

Fast forward to Thursday.

The house is a disaster!  It's messier when the girls are NOT home.  They don't even pretend to clean.  All that time I thought I was going to have is non-existent.  Between shopping, appointments, and errands, I was home the sum of 2 hours before the girls came home from school.  That was enough time to eat, shower, and catch up on my correspondence.

I know I know - it's only the first day.  I have not yet adjusted to the lack of hard deadlines and work at your own pace environment that SAHMing offers as a benefit.  It is a double edged sword however.  I can't get everything done on the first day, but I worry that I will become complacent or overwhelmed with the daily routine and completely lose sight of all of the goals and life work I want to accomplish while I stay home.  Sure - I have lists and timelines and goals, but what is going to motivate me to do that as opposed to sit in front of my computer with my second cup of coffee and toaster strudel (finally itched that scratch) and aimlessly surf the internet? 

The answer is nothing; for the first time, I am going to have to motivate myself.  No school, no club, no job, and the implied authority, is there to nudge or force that action.  I will have to do this myself.  Can I be my own boss?  Maybe.

Soooo Tired

One thing I did not expect while staying home with the girls - being SO tired!  I secretly relished the fact I could sleep in while the hubby had to get up and go to work early, while the girls and I could sleep in, at least during the summer.  In the back of my mind I also knew I could crawl right back into bed after dropping off the girls at school. 

I learned rather quickly that being home with a 5 and 8 year old 24/7 is exhausting.  We are going on week 3 of staying home together and there are some days we just don't get out of bed until 10AM; it's too much effort.  Granted, we have not been great at keeping a schedule at the moment, and school will help that once it starts up, but I'm not sure if it's trying to figure out what to do or if it's chasing the kids around while doing the errands and chores that makes me so tired.  My 5 and 8 year old are independent to a fault at times, so it's not like they are constantly harassing me to do something.  I don't know how all the mothers I know with toddlers do it!?!?  If there is a secret, please let me know.