My Life of What Ifs

Friday, April 20, 2012

The End of an Era

Tonight, on the eve of my 40th birthday, I am putting My Life of What Ifs to rest.  When I started this blog three years ago I was feeling a little broken, a little lost, and a little disappointed.  But I've come full circle and most of that has changed.

I still have my "moments" and I still believe in the "process", and I wouldn't trade the pain for what I've learned. (Shameless P!nk lyric)  But I'm whole again, and in a great place, and it's time to move on.

I've started a new blog and it launches tomorrow- on my 40th birthday.  It's a joint venture with my husband and it's called We Used To Be Cool, because... well... we used to be.  Cory has opinions about all sorts of things and I have stories about all sorts of things, and sometimes no things.

Tomorrow is a new day, and in some ways a new chapter in my life.  I hope you come visit us at www.weused2bcool.com and see how far I've come, and where I am going.
Stacy

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Enjoy $1 off Yoplait Smoothies

Yoplait Smoothies now come in Chocolate Banana!  Click below to print a coupon for $1.00 off one package of Yoplait® Frozen Smoothies.
*This coupon offer is not valid in the following states: including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee. This information and the coupon offer was received from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.
Stacy

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

And the happiest of New Years to you!

I realize it's the fourth, but since I have found it impossible to accomplish anything real until today then I guess it's MY New Year.


For the last month or so I have repeatedly stated what my New Years resolution will be for 2012.  It's won't be to lose weight or get in shape, the trainer I work with twice a week is helping me with that.  It won't be to swear less, and honestly my girls are finally getting to an age where I can swear in front of them and they don't look at me and fear for my soul.  It won't be to save more money.  You have to make money to save it and I am just now starting a couple of new freelance projects and I've already spent that money on a new refrigerator, because yes, I have been living out of 3 dorm-size units since before Christmas.

No, my resolution is none of those.  My resolution is to say "no".

I worked myself into such a tizzy before the holidays by taking on too much, that I really didn't enjoy Christmas and I'm pretty sure I rained on my kids parades too.  I had major projects at each of the girls' schools.  Two Girl Scout troops with promises of field trips that need to be organized.  Two ornament workshops for those troops.  An extremely unrealistic writing gig for little money that has probably, no most-likely, ruined my cred with a local writing affiliate.

Add that to all of the other things we do- soccer, basketball, religious education (I volunteer in a class), I also administrate websites, newsletters and Facebook pages.  Enough is enough!  I am just now reading the Christmas issues of all my favorite magazines!  Blah!!!!!!

For the first time in over 11 years we stayed home on New Year's Eve and didn't invite anyone over.  I couldn't handle the thought of the mess that I would have to clean the next day.  The toys, games, and little Life people scattered across my basement carpet.  I just.  Couldn't.  Do it.  And now I've decided that I won't.

I have two freelance projects going right now.  I need this work.  We need this money.  I have to chop off some other things.  I have an idea of what things are going to go, and they are the things I just don't enjoy much anymore.  The tasks that when someone asks me a question pertaining to these obligations my face falls in disgust before I can even think to stop it from doing so.

I hope I am not "un-friended" by those affected by my decisions, but I have to do this for me.  I have to learn to say, "No, I am just not available.  No, I don't have another commitment.  Oh wait!  I did just sign an agreement with my couch, my TV, the new issue of Real Simple and a liquored-up beverage.  Sorry, they will be really disappointed if I don't show up."

In April I will turn 40.  An age that I honestly never thought I would apply to myself.  Not that I've predicted an early death for myself but because it just sounded too old to ever apply to me.  With this age I have made other changes.  I work out often and twice a week I get the crap kicked out of me by a personal trainer.  I try to sleep well and consistently.  I "encourage" or is it "nag" my husband to do some stuff around here so I don't have to, and I've let my kids know I won't let them harsh my mellow anymore.

I need time to do things that I enjoy so that the things that make me money aren't deemed such a burden.  I need time for me, so that I don't completely go all crazy-ass up on you.  I need to say no, because damn it there are other people in this school, school district, town, state, country and world who have more time than I do.  I need to do it now.  Because going to see a movie by myself, or hauling my laptop to Starbucks so I can sip a latte and play Zynga's latest game on Facebook is what I want to do.  And I deserve it.
Stacy