Looking for a Hobby

I've decided that I need to take up a hobby. Something simple, and enjoyable.

Whenever I am asked what I do for fun I have nothing to give. It usually goes something like "uh, I like to run." or "I have been busy studying..." Pathetic answers I tell you.

Because the truth is that yes, I spend far too much time studying. Now that I am in the middle of studying for the AUD section of the CPA exam I eat, sleep, and breath control risk modules, management assertions, and types of substantive procedures. (Trust me, it's good you have no idea what I am talking about).

And although I like to run, let's be honest. Full-time mom of 2 very dependent kids, and Full-time employee/CPA exam taker leaves zero time to go on a long lazy run. Let's not forget the fact that the weather has been terrible since November and I don't have the luxury of a gym membership (No time to go, even if I did...what, put my kids in daycare all day then throw them in the gym daycare? no), so it's hardly an option running in sub-zero temps.

Anyway, back to the hobby. I think I want to work my way through this book:



Mother's day is coming up, so I might need to plant some seeds in some ears this next week.

Valleys

I am not completely sure how to get this post out, I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately and I just need to attempt at writing down my thoughts.

You know how some times, life can be moving along swimmingly? Things are clicking, you've got direction, security, you're just plain happy. Then a valley hits.

I am so in the middle of a valley right now.

It just feels that a lot of things have gone "wrong" for us in the past couple of weeks, making it hard to celebrate the good. There is good, it has been over-shadowed by gloominess, and loss of direction. I am exhausted, and overwhelmed, and just plain tired.

(really, I am sure my blood pressure is through the roof because I am in a constant state of stress).

We've been in valley's before. God has always directed us through them, sometimes when I look back I think about how "stuck" I thought we were and I smile at how we came out. I thank God every day for where he's brought us, but it's still a faith tester and a faith builder.

Tonight I watched "Girls Night Out." It was some country music special on TV, and since I have nothing else to do on a gloomy, rainy, cold Friday night I watched it. I love country music, so it really was fun for me to watch. Anyway, towards the end of the show Carrie came up onstage, with all her class, and sang How Great Thou Art. It was beautiful and a great reminder that I am not in charge, there is Someone much greater who is.

I stopped into Starbucks, a.k.a. my absolute favorite place to be in the morning with no kids, yesterday morning.

While I was sitting their sipping my Americano and checking email a younger gal walked in and, while I don't normally pay too much attention, let me tell you she was IN SHAPE. Super toned legs.

My first thought was not....Wow isn't she lucky.....no. My first thought was...."Well she obviously doesn't have kids"....no wedding ring on her finger so I am guessing no kids.

And it's not like you can't be in shape and have kids, you can, and many people are, its just that finding the time is a TERRIBLY IMPOSSIBLE GOAL.

I already wake up at 5:15 every morning. What time would I possibly get up to exercise? By the time 8:00 hits and I am getting to work, I've already been up for 3 hours, taking care of other little people.

I'll say it again...kids are awesome, great, fantastic. I wouldn't not have kids for anything. But mom's put themselves second. They just do. No getting around that. Even if you are not a selfish person, you become much less selfish after kids.

My hair = damaged. So I bought this and it cost me $25. I know, I just about died too. It probably has some gold in it for all I know. But so far it's worth it.

Wheatgrass. This stuff is SICK. It literally tastes like you are drinking grass, that you just mowed. But it IS SO FREAKING GOOD FOR YOU. So I've started taking it everyday. Helps that I don't have to pay for it. It's expensive.
IZZE. This is my favorite thing. Ever.

New Blog- Spin off

I've decided not to leave this blog for now, but I will be blogging my way through the CPA exam.

Check it out if you are ever interested, although I am giving you fair warning that it will be about studying, test taking, strategy etc. No cutesy pictures or stories. Well...maybe a story or 2 of me throwing up from nerves, but let's hope not.

Check it out!

CPA Summer

Annie

6 more days

Ahh, the life of an intern. Just 6 more days. I initially thought that I would be done on the 15th, even though the tax deadline is pushed back to the 18th this year (a Monday), but they said we can't miss the last day. I agree-- work all busy season and then don't even get to work on the final day! Plus it's one more day of pay. I'll take it!

In case you are wondering, I did 122 tax returns this year...plus my own...so 123 individual returns.

I bet there aren't a whole lot of people who do 123 tax returns, or maybe there are. I don't know. I also don't know how many businesses I did....maybe 40 or 50 business returns? I didn't keep track of them the same.

I do know that I have probably learned more in the last 3 months than my entire life. I feel like a toddler who is learning so much so fast that it's easy to get frustrated.

We've finally. FINALLY totally adjusted. The kids ask to go to daycare, they get to play outside a lot there now too because the snow has melted (finally), so I think they just have a grand time running and swinging outside. No more screaming matches in the morning about getting up and getting dressed. They pop out of bed all smiles and ready to roll. I LOVE it. Of course this also means that they get up at 6:30-7:00 on the weekends, but I guess I get up around 5:30-6:00 on the weekends so its not a big deal. Funny how we adjust like that.

We were out and at Starbucks around 8:00 this morning (I had the most amazing cup of coffee) and had groceries by 10:00. Its amazing how much more awesome it is to get things done early. Read: less crowded.

Tomorrow the high is 77 degrees. What the heck? It snowed pretty much last week. Gotta love MN for that. We always get some crazy high temps early on. It makes life fun for us. Mike has to work all day, but at least the kiddos and I can enjoy the day!

HELP (seriously) can someone please tell my kids I don't like WHINING

you know what I hate? I hate it when someone says: "when my kids whine, I tell them I can't hear whining, and I only listen to nice voices."

apparently mine didn't get the memo, or they are too young, or I am doing this totally wrong, because oh.my.word. AHHHHH.

okay, deep breath. they are both napping now so i am sipping coffee and pretending all is right in the world.

I think its their ages. I knew the year of a 2 year old and a 3 year old would be "challenging" to say the least. But the whining and screaming all.day.long. makes me yell at them and well, that's not good for any of us. Regretful words have happened in this house recently. Sad to have to write that, but its true.

I am totally at a loss for what to do. And the worst part? I feel so frantic with all the other areas of life, that it some days I have no energy for the most important parts. I am raising them into adults. I always need to remember that.

So if anyone has good tips or tricks, or books or ANYTHING I'd love to hear it.

Deep Breath. In and out. It will be okay...

a blog? what's that. i think it might be time to shut down.

yep.

I think for a couple of weeks I forgot I even had a blog. I don't have time to write in it, and to be honest, I am not all that interested in writing in it. I might write a few more times, but I think it's time to throw in the towel.

I will say that I do love working though. I couldn't imagine staying home with the kids (no, this doesn't mean I don't miss them, it just means I feel SO much more balanced). Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Except right now everyone is PISSED OFF at work. Might have something to do with that tax deadline looming. If you do not like getting chewed out on a semi-regular basis, public accounting isn't for you. But you do grow immune to it. I've personally come to hate it, but accept it.

okay, that's all for now!