getting organized

I'm very surprised at how busy life has gotten lately, and I am making myself go to bed at a better time which is seriously cutting into my blogging time.  There has been non-stop visits from family, a trip to Bear Lake, a family reunion at Zions, getting divorced (almost there), changing jobs (today was my first day, and I think I'm really going to like it), getting ready for school, laundry, finding babysitters again (the only surprise there is that taking them to their dad lasted as long as it did), Ogden Farmers' Market, trying and failing to keep the house presentable, thrifting (from which I am so grounded until I can get my home organized), a couple unfinished DIY projects, fixing dinners, and everything else that comes with an ordinary day.  In the next nine days until school starts (kids and me!) I still hope to visit with more family, go to the splash pad, and finish back to school shopping.  I also decided to learn guitar.  I love singing and would like to be able to accompany myself.  I bought this pink beauty on Amazon. I'm sure it's not much, but it will be fun to pass on to the girls if I get good enough to want a better one.  I think I have about 10 posts in mind that I just need to find the time to write.  Perhaps if I was more organized.....

Last week when my sister was visiting, she stopped at the top of my stairs and said, "Sometimes I see a space and all I can think about is how I would organize it."  I took it as proof that I am terribly unorganized.  Which is true. I am the last person I would go to for organizing advice. Today, my sister started a blog about organizing.  I am her very first follower, and I like to think I am her inspiration.  She plans on posting about once a week, and has promised to make me her special project next time she comes to visit.  So, check out her incredibly cute and helpful blog.  http://leahtheorganizedmommy.blogspot.com/

Another Ramble

There's a whole lot on my mind, so we'll just have to see where this ramble takes us. 
Final papers have been submitted to the court, which means after a mere nine months I'm just days away from officially being divorced.  This week Ex decided to make another desperate attempt for control by leaving the kids with a babysitter he knows I don't approve of.  After he refused to use any babysitters I do approve of I decided not to have him babysit anymore.  This has resulted in me making last minute attempts to find other fill-ins for the next couple of weeks until school starts.  Stressful?  Yes, but so worth it. 

I attended a class at work about achieving success in the work place and life.  I joked that they will stop offering the course when they discover that it is causing people to quit in order to pursue their true interests.  Well, I'm not quitting today, but it has me thinking really hard about my true interests and skills and how I can best put them to use and provide for my family.  Another thing they said was to only make one major change at a time.  Maybe they should have told me that a few months ago because it is too late now.  This year I have gotten divorced, moved, bought a new car and started two blogs.  Monday I will be starting a new job in a new department and new hours.  I will still have the same job title and pay though. The next week my kids go back to school and so do I.  I'll be the newest (not the only one I'm sure) accounting student at Weber State.  

I've spent the last eleven years just going with the flow career wise.  I never had much ambition because I thought at some point I would quit to be a stay at home mom.  There are no more delusions of that happening now, although I do still hold out hope of finding a way of making a lucrative income at it.  I'm giving a lot of thought now to where I would like my career to take me, either with or without my current employer.  I'm revisiting all the things I have liked doing or imagined doing since I was a child.  This list includes: writing, singing, mother, gardening, accounting, being a scientist, knowing everything, reporting, and having a secret identity.  I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to do it all.  Any ideas?

Menu August 1-August 14

Mon. August 1, 2011: Damon’s Quinoa salad.  I'll be taking pictures and can't wait to share this great recipe.

Tuesday August 2, 2011: Tuesday Tacos at ¡Viva! Market

Wednesday August 3, 2011: black bean burgers

Thursday August 4, 2011: Family Reunion

Friday August 5, 2011: Family Reunion

Saturday August 6, 2011: Eat out with gift certificate

Sunday August 7, 2011: Dinner at Mom’s

Monday August 8, 2011: Michelle’s coconut chicken curry

Tuesday August 9, 2011:  Easy Crock pot Beef Roast

Wednesday August 10, 2011: Crock pot Quinoa Red Lentil Soup

Thursday August 11, 2011: Garbanzo Bean and zucchini salad

Friday August 12, 2011: Tofu Stir fry

Saturday August 13, 2011: Eat out with friends

Sunday August 14, 2011: Spaghetti

Bargain Center

3920 Wall Ave

Ogden, Ut 84405

You exit busy Wall Avenue onto their munched up nearly non-existent parking lot at your own risk, but it is so worth it.  They don't get any awards for cleanliness, or service, but this place is full of treasures.  I found this vintage purse for just a few dollars.

The blouse too.  They run sales every month.  July included 25% off plus-size clothing and 25% off pillowcases and sheets.  Most of the clothing I looked at was $2.95-$5.95.  And they have racks full of the cutest skirts you ever saw.  Pillowcases, which are so popular for the myriads of refashion possibilities, are only $ .50. 

All proceeds go to the Ogden Rescue Mission.  I've started making this shop a regular stop when I'm in the neighborhood.

Ogden Union Station

I went to the Union Station about three weeks ago with two of my sisters and all our kids, and have been dying to find the time to write about it ever since.  We would have been happy spending all our time just playing on the engines on display outside.

But we finally dragged them all inside to check out the museums.

The train museum is fabulous with lots of hands on learning, and the friendliest volunteers. 

And, of course, the most awesome model train in the whole world. 

It kept all the boys, 3-15, occupied for quite some time, chasing it from room to room and memorizing each trains path.  In fact, the train museum kept us so busy that we ran out of time to really look at the other museums.  There is also a car museum,

 a Browning gun museum,

 and two art museums.  The Union Station is also home to a wonderful restaurant,

and a train shop.

Did I mention we got in to the museums free with our Dinosaur Park and Nature Center passes. There will be free admission for everyone on August 6th .
I know this has been a lot of pictures but I have to share just a few more of this incredible building.

Harry and Sushi

I had a fabulous weekend.  Friday night I went out for dinner with my fabulous work friends.  Saturday I went to Harry Potter with my BFF.  Her dad's insurance agent bought out the theater and gave him four tickets.  I love that I get to be included in her family from time to time.  When I got there, this guy was walking around.

Isn't he just the best Hagrid look alike?  It made me absolutely giddy with excitement.  I met BFF 12 years ago and she introduced me to the Harry Potter books.  Together we have eagerly anticipated each new book and movie.  It seemed quite fitting to end the saga with her.  Oh, and it was my very first 3-D movie, which I thought was very cool.

Digging these glasses!

Saturday evening I shopped with my sister.  Layne Bryant made me mad because it sucked.  Its sister store Fashion bug is a much better store than it is.  But I had much more success at Savers which always makes me happy.  We ended our evening at Windy's Sukiyaki.  I have never been there and was so excited to have my very first sushi ever!  I thought it might be super expensive but it wasn't.  We got a private room and ordered pot stickers (I can't remember their Japanese name but it was really cool the way Sis said it.) calamari, and two sushi rolls (salmon and tuna with pink rice paper).  I also had the jasmine tea which was so yummy.  I'm kicking myself for forgetting to take pictures.  It was heavenly! 

Telephone chair

  I wasn't actually yard sailing, but I spotted this beauty as I drove past and actually drove back around the block to get a better look.  The seat was torn, and it was scratched up.  But I was already in love, so I handed over my $8 and it was mine.  I took off the seat and recovered it with this:

I said you would see this sheet again.  I painted the chair with black spray paint.  This is the project where I learned that the $3 can is worth way more than three times the $1 can.  I wished I had learned it sooner.  It went on so smoothly.  When it was dry, I sprayed it with sealer.  Then I screwed the seat back on, and VOILA!

I always fret and worry before I paint something, but as soon as I see the glossy black finish, I know I did the right thing.  Learn more about the joys of black spray paint from my friend Ali at Drab to Fab.