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Making My Monday

2013 January 28
by WWGD

Screen Shot 2013-01-28 at 9.49.43 AM

Thank you all for your comments over the past few days, they came at just the right time.

I had a frustrating weekend. We had our eyes (and hopes) on these homes being built a few miles away and in the week since we last saw them, the prices jumped 25k (25 THOUSAND IN ONE WEEK!). Then I went to tour a school for Little D yesterday that I loved but it’s very tough for us to justify the costs, especially with two kids. And I just felt really burnt out on life in Southern California and the exorbitant costs that come along with it and wanted to pack it up and move to Idaho or something. Anyone out there live in Idaho? How is it??

But lo and behold, it’s Monday. And with it comes my weekly self-inflicted dose of positivity – five things “Making My Monday” today:

These biscuits. Oh my god, you guys. These biscuits. It’s the second time I have made them and they are ridiculously easy and SO good. I was craving some Southern flavors on Saturday so made these and crockpot BBQ meatballs and some roasted brussel sprouts and the whole thing was to die for so I am recreating it for dinner tonight. You know when you have a meal in mind and you spend all day looking forward to it?? That.

Kai’s gym class. We like to stick to one extracurricular activity at a time with our kids. In the Fall we did a fun music class with Kai and now we are trying a little toddler tumbling class. He loves it, it’s far more physical than music was and he’s at that age where he needs that. I love, love, love that I am able to steal away one hour of the week for some alone time with my little man. The second baby really gets the short end of that stick, don’t you think?

The pin above (originally from here). It’s a good little roadmap to keep handy, no? I am still very into Pinterest and all the treasures it unearths. It’s the perfect little spot for a mental break during the day. You can follow me here.

It’s a big week for my dad – his birthday is this weekend and he is retiring this week. He has been working (very) hard at it for 40+ years, having defected from Romania with $500 in his pocket and very little English in his vocabulary and has built an extraordinary life with my mom through the decades. When I catch myself complaining about my dream house being out of reach, I look to them for a dose of reality…which they are happy to dish out. And this week I am extra proud of him.

A night in with the girls. Like I said in an earlier post, I feel like January has kind of kicked everyone’s ass this year. So I am planning on reuniting with some of my fave girls for a little after-the-kids-are-in-bed glass of wine at our place later this week when my husband is out. Getting together with friends doesn’t have to be complicated or costly or planned ages in advance. It just has to be.

Happy Monday, friends ~

 

9 Responses
  1. Jennifer permalink
    January 28, 2013

    Appreciate your optimism on this Monday morning because today already sucks and sadly I think the whole next week will 🙁 Congrats to your Dad! xx

  2. Lesleee permalink
    January 28, 2013

    I love this post. This is my third comment on your blog I think and I’m NOT the type to comment or write anything online, but I can so relate to you sometimes, especially this entry.

    I live in Southern California (L.A.) also and have been house hunting for about 6 months and am also looking into nursery schools and kindergarten for my 14 month old. I don’t like to complain either because I really am so blessed, but you can’t help but sometimes feel discouraged. I mean, it’s human, right? I can’t afford a house in the area that I want that has decent (maybe even good!) public schools. It’s this constant conversation in my head that doesn’t resolve itself, but ultimately I know it will all work out. It’s a little like blind faith. I just have to believe it will all be ok and really we are so lucky, but there is nothing wrong with letting ourselves feel crappy sometimes too! And it can actually help to move forward 🙂

  3. January 28, 2013

    Sorry you had a rough weekend! Just remember that you’re trying to do a lot of this (schools, etc) for your kids, but just by living in Southern California with fun, sweet parents, they’re already getting a major boost in life. Sending you good vibes!

  4. January 28, 2013

    Yay! for biscuits and gym classes and brussel sprouts…and your dad (and mom). Happy birthday and retirement to him!

  5. January 28, 2013

    True ‘dat! second kids totally get the shaft.
    AND I too am undergoing the same stress of schools…I can’t wrap my head around so much money for kindergarten!

  6. January 29, 2013

    Would love to hear more of your Dad’s story …. sounds like an amazing man. Hang in there with the rest of the stuff, it all works out somehow in the end. If it’s any consolation, housing prices in London – CRAZY! Never mind schooling, so we decided to go with state education and am so pleased we did. It’s been a very positive experience and still allows us the learning experience of travelling with our children.

    • WWGD permalink*
      January 29, 2013

      Yes! Was just discussing that with a mom friend last night. With all the money we’ll save going public, we can afford to teach them so much more about the world on our own. So very important!

  7. liz duncan permalink
    January 29, 2013

    Congrats to your Dad!! My Dad just turned 72 last Friday and he’s still working. I would give anything to help that man retire, but financially he can’t:(
    On a positive note, those bisquits and the thought of crock pot meatballs and brussel sprouts sound so good right now!

    Cheers to the rest of the week and looking up!

  8. Joan permalink
    February 3, 2013

    I live in Amsterdam and we have the same housing problem. It’s impossible to find a house with a garden for a reasonable price. I live on the 3rd and the 4th floor with a 19 pound toddler and NO ELEVATOR. Aargh! On a positive note, My upper body strength is amazing! Haha and we live in the most popular neighbourhood where all the good schools are. Thank god private schools hardly exist in Holland!

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