Love'in Laundry

I have a ridiculously large mountain of laundry that I have strategically placed in my main hallway. I am admittedly embarrassed by this filth. My intentions were worthy. The way I figure it is I will walk by the ever growing pile of dirty clothes about 80 times tonight and that alone will be enough motivation to start the 20 or so plus cycles that will leave us with empty laundry baskets for at least 10 minutes.

But I am an inherent procrastinator (a god-given gene from my father) so I decided to blog instead. However, because procrastination runs thick through my soul and leaves me deferring every last detail until the very last minute, despite my desperate claims to alter this dawdling behavior, I found myself daydreaming about the impending weekend instead.

My thoughts drifted into my fantasy land. I wish a babysitter could visit us tomorrow, to relinquish us from the daily demands of two determined (determined to drive us crazy, that is) children, allowing us to actually escape into this fantasy land where delectable food will delight our palates, fine wine will quench our thirst and alter our moods making us believe we actually live in this fantasy land all the time, conversations will drift into taking vacations abroad, and we will reminisce on all the joy our children bring us – consciously focusing on only the positive side of parenting to ensure we remain firmly suited within our fantasy land.

All this daydreaming was brusquely interrupted by the nagging mountain of laundry in my hall. The reality of slipping into this fantasy land with Paul tomorrow night requires me to wash, dry, fold and put away every last basket of laundry prior to the babysitter’s arrival to avoid being dubbed as a lousy housekeeper.

(Perhaps I have more immediate concerns to address than procrastinating – should I first focus on my obsession with how I am perceived by others?)

Maybe I could find a large closet to stuff all this dirty laundry into, to where it could wait, unseen, until we are forced to wear dirty underwear – which is typically my cue to stop delaying the inevitable.

Laundry is my evil nemesis. Someday when I am relinquished from inordinate daycare costs I think I will outsource this task. Paul believes we have a laundry fairy. I am going to become a believer too.

Just on a side note this post was going to be less about laundry and contain more pertinent, memorable events that occur in the Willoughby household but Paityn donned her “I love you Mommy” charm and sent me to the store in search of ice cream.

I obviously have more personal issues to add to my list of faults right along side procrastination and perception: Paityn’s ability to manipulate me into a midnight ice cream trip. And I didn’t just buy ice cream. I bought 5 PowerAde’s, a Sprite, Jelly Belly’s and a Snickers bar.

I am a sucker… who hates laundry… and worries too much about keeping my house clean for guests…

But tomorrow night these worries will all become distant memories of my former life as a peasant women when I assume the role of Queen in my fantasy land, dining at lavish restaurants, ordering only the finest wine, hiring a capable caretaker to oversee my princess and princes’ well being, all while I make future plans to perfect my kingdom.

Paityn’s Civil Duty Day!!!

Paityn was 1 of nearly 150 students, parents and community volunteers worked to clean up Ewing Young Skate Park on Martin Luther King Day 2010.

Green School Leadership students partnered with Chehalem Park and Recreation District and Hands on Mid Willamette Valley to mobilize community members to clear ivy and blackberries, and pick-up trash in the park. Participants were part of the national "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program sponsored through Disney.

As a family we are all hoping to be visiting Disneyland soon!!!!

Kite Flying Weather!!!

Monday January 18, 2010 was Martin Luther King JR day and we were able to spend the day with the kids....

Later in the afternoon the wind started to pick up and Maddux wanted to fly a kite. We dug out an old one from the garage, pieced it together and after much repare was able to go to the park and fly it....

Blogging Motivation

Blogging is very therapeutic for me… writing stimulates my brain and documenting my life finds me marveling in my many blessings and validating my happiness – but also finds me contemplating my existence, reconsidering my foul moods, questioning my abilities, etc. … all in an a way that encourages me to focus on the positive, clearly express my love, establish and achieve realistic goals, determine what I stand for, and truthfully reveal the ups and downs of life that make me who I am today.

I’m starting to forget where my life is taking me right now. So much is going on… so much has happened… so many plans are taking shape… I want to remember it all.

So today with my heart full of happiness and my mind whirling with so many plans in the works, I leave you with some rambling thoughts and a few snip its of happenings (all of which really deserve an entire blog post of their own).

Paul is actively seeking a new career. I believe in him and we will work together to make his choice the best for him and “the family”. I will support him in every possible way. Hunny, I’m behind you 100%.

Paityn is obsessed with softball. Winter practices have started up which we have to drive to Beaverton for that (about 45 minutes away). She is also hitting with Tracy once a week, and still holding strong with her Speed and Agility classes, twice a week. Paityn is one dedicated little girls and can see her future. She is doing great in school…straight A’s and has some really great friends.

Maddux is missing school. He asks me everyday if he can go back to school. I keep reassuring him that he will very soon. He misses the interaction with his friends and the ability to show me what he learned each day.

Welcoming 2010

As we leave the ought’s behind and enter into 2010 I find myself falling victim to resolutions that stem from the past year’s reflections. It’s chalked full of silliness – it’s just a date but I can’t resist the temptation to reflect and resolve.

I have no idea what I will declare as decree this year but I do know that I am incredibly blessed to have two beautiful, happy, healthy and unique children and a remarkable husband that simply adores me (at least that’s how he makes me feel most days).

So where do I go from here?

I think I will proclaim to keep this good thing going…

And…

Perhaps I will learn to touch my toes without the pain and threat of pulling a muscle. It always makes me feel a little inadequate when I watch Paityn run up and down the softball fields.

Maybe I will take Paityn to learn a new sport, perhaps skiing…

Or I might even curl up on the couch for a small nap so Maddux can cuddle while he’s watching Scooby Dooby Doo.

I believe in keeping things simple… one day at a time.

I can conceivably conjure up a bit more motivation to assert some noteworthy goals but I am insistent that my ambitions be realistically achievable so don’t hold your breath….

Happy New Year - 2010

We let a few fireworks off!!!!

Maddux and Lillee were even getting into the kissing part of New Years!!!!

And then the dancing began!!!!

2010 - Happy New Year!!!!