TACO time

You thought I meant this kind of taco time, didn't ya:

Sorry, but this is not about the delicious crispy beef taco!

This post is about the syndrome of TACO time and no , this syndrome has nothing to do with my dependance upon the crispy beef taco and hot sauce for survival (that's another post!).

As you read through this post, you may recognize the syndrome of TACO time in your own life. If not, I need you to call me right away 'cuz I need help and you can be my own personal Lucy:

Anyway, as I was saying, you may recognize TACO time in your own life if you look like this:

or this:


or maybe even this:


If any of these look familiar, I hate to tell you, but you're suffering from TACO time too (maybe we could start a group!).

So, what exactly is TACO time if it isn't related to delicious crispy beef tacos?

Quite simply, TACO time is feeling Totally And Completely Overwhelmed,and it is not to be taken lightly, as its effects are far-reaching and quite powerful.

Now does it sound familiar?


I know that since it's summer there might be some people who think there should be no TACO time in my life right now (except for the crispy beef and hot sauce variety, but remember, that's a different post!). I mean really, as an educator, I "get the summer's off" right (that phrase shall be a topic for another night).


The reality for me is that sometimes TACO time is actually worse in the summer because there are so many things that I have shoved to the back burner while school was in full swing that have to be tended to. Plus I usually teach a couple of classes for our summer enrichment program at school, and this summer that means the last two weeks in June.

I am not going to downplay the summer perk of being in education because yes, I get a break from getting up so early. No, I don't have to be at work at a certain time each day. True, I have options to sleep in later, go shopping during the actual daytime, curl up with a good book, or head to the late-night movies. Yep, there's more freedom to do these things without worrying about how it will impact me the next day when I have class after class to teach.


But, the list of things that I need to get done before that official "Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year" that will happen at the beginning of August kinda looks like this:

Not only are the things on that to-do list that I need to-do, there's also all of the other things that are out there that I want to do.

For instance, keeping my blog updated, editing photos and finishing up memory books, catching up on FaceBook, working on my GoodReads challenge, blog stalking and finding so many great ideas that I'll never actually have the time to do in my life because there are just too many creative people out there to keep up with and I don't have half the talent they do and I don't have the energy and I certainly don't have the time and:


I know, that was a really long run-on sentence. All I can say is, blame it on TACO time!


Right now this case of TACO time is picking up momentum in my life and of course, I have made it worse with BIC Syndrome (which I still haven't found the cure for and I'm not going to try hypnosis since I'd probably end up clucking like a chicken!).


So, if anyone has any ideas on how to lessen the Totally And Completely Overwhelmed syndrome in my life right now, I am available to be your project where you can lead me in the right direction because I would really like to go from this:





to this:
Okay, not really. This cheerful gal who obviously enjoys cooking is a little TOO much for me!



But how about this...

You could call me The Meditating Master of All My Moments (or you could still just call me K!).


(All images found through Yahoo Images)

Catching up with Reality

How often do you hang out with Reality?

I don't always hang out with her because, well, sometimes Reality is just a little bit TOO real! Instead I try moving really quickly from one thing to the next so that Reality can't catch up. (If you know Reality, than you know exactly what I'm talking about!) Unfortunately, I'm not that fast and it seems that Reality is always two-steps ahead of me and I have to catch-up!

When I stop and think it, I realize that Reality is just looking out for me. After all, she reminds me of important things that need to be done, she shakes her head when I get off-track and nudges me along when I have ignored the little things too long, she pulls me back from getting completely absorbed in a great book or in the world of blogs when the bathroom or the laundry is crying for my attention. Actually, the list of things that Reality keeps an eye on for me is pretty long and I should be appreciative, right?

Yes, I know that Reality is persistent and she keeps me in check (most of the time), but sometimes I really just want to run and hide from her. She doesn't always act like a friend, and can actually be downright pushy and demanding when she thinks I need to get something done right away. Reality nags and bosses, and she really knows how to make you feel guilty when you haven't done your part. Truth be told, sometimes Reality is more of a pain than a pal.

But I've got to face it, Reality is here for the long haul. I can't get rid of her. I can't hide. She's just too persistent! Truthfully, I'm glad. I hate to think of what mental state I might live in if Reality wasn't always there to remind me of my responsibilities and obligations. So, I am trying to appreciate Reality a little bit more. I am trying to see Reality as a friend, not a foe. I am trying to spend more quality time with Reality instead of rushing in and mumbling hello then trying to take care of a million things at the last minute so I can rush right back out.

Sometimes it is hard to listen to Reality and to accept what she teaches, but when I stop and think about it, I know that Reality is just trying to keep me focused on things that matter so that I can be successful and so that I can appreciate the blessings of my life.

But oh, how I wish that there were times when Reality would just take a vacation!

Dear Blog...

Dear Blog,

Yes, it's true, I have ignored you. It's nothing you did - promise (but if you could update yourself, that would be great!). It's nothing you said - promise (but if you could come up with some ready-made, sharp-witted responses that apply to my life, I would be grateful). Really, it's not you, it's me, I'm sorry.

You see, right now I am spending a lot of my time somewhere else on the internet, and it's true that I have been spending WAY too much time there.

You see, it's all B's fault! Seriously! He recently told me about a word game called Scramble on FB. Now, you know that I love me a good word game 'cuz I like to be all smart with words and stuff! And it is true that this love of word games has led me to have a really bad case of BIC (actually the worst case I've ever seen before. Yeah, it's that bad). It has also led me to avoid a lot of other important things (including you, Dear Blog), but I am trying to limit myself to "just a few" rounds of Scramble - promise (most of the time!).

Oh, Dear Blog, what shall I do? I want to keep you current, I want my house to be clean, I want to go to bed earlier, but I love trying to beat my own personal score (on a daily basis) and so these things are avoided. What shall I do?

Well, at least you're current- for now! Off to play some Scramble!

Songs of the Season

The radio stations have been playing Christmas songs for weeks to help us all find the Christmas Spirit. We hear the "most popular" Christmas songs played repeatedly from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day.

Have you ever really paid attention to what these "popular" songs are telling us year after year, day after day, as we sing along in the car, at work, at home, and just about everywhere we go during this season?

Here are a few of the messages that we hear over and over during this time of year:

• Deck the halls
• Santa Claus is coming to town
• You better not cry
• All I want for Christmas is
• Have yourself a merry little Christmas
• Christmas, Christmas time is here, time for toys
• We've been good, but it can't last
• It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, toys in every store
• Whisper what you'll bring to me
• Bring it right here

No wonder we feel compelled to overshop, overspend, and overindulge ourselves and others!

Now, despite the emphasis on what "I'm getting" in so many popular Christmas songs, there are other good messages to be found in these modern-day songs as well:

• There's no place like home for the holidays
• Feed the world
• It's the best time of the year
• Friends are calling
• As long as you love me so
• May your days be merry and bright

In addition to the "most popular" Christmas songs, the radio stations also mix in a variety of "classic" Christmas carols, which have completely different messages:

• Glad tidings of great joy
• Joy to the world, the Lord is come
• Let every heart prepare him room
• Silent night, holy night
• Christ, the Savior is born
• With wondering awe, the wise men saw
• Good tidings of comfort and joy
• Oh come all ye faithful
• Come and behold him
• Peace on earth, good will to men

But have you ever noticed that these "classic" carols don't get as much play time as the "most popular" songs of the season?

As I reflect on this season, I think a couple of lines from songs in both the "popular" and "classic" categories sum up how I feel the best:

• Where are you Christmas, why can't I find you
  
• Remember Christ the Savior, was born on Christmas day

As Christmas Day grows closer and closer, and as the frenzy and frantic feelings escalate to get presents and packages tied up with strings, to wish you a Merry Christmas, to attend the parties and have a cup of cheer, don't forget that to REALLY make the season bright, we have to make room in our lives for Jesus Christ.

Oh come, let us adore him,
Oh come, let us adore him,
Oh come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Saving money? Being frugal? HOW???

So, B and I are making a HUGE decision in our life that will require some serious sacrifice for the next year so that we can be more debt-free and save enough for the path we want to walk.

The problem is.... ME!

I'm just keeping it real because I am not frugal... at all! I admire people who are and I want to be. I need to be. I should be. I'm just not and I really don't know how to be. But I HAVE to figure it out.

I've checked out some books from the library specifically about women who have learned how to save (and I think that checking these books out from the libary instead of just buying them counts as a "frugal" decision, right!).

I've read some ideas on how to create visual aids to help you see where you spend your money, what your goal is, and how you are doing in accomplishing your saving goal.

I know one of the first things I have to do is STOP EATING OUT so much! Not just to save money and be frugal, but it's not a healthy lifestyle. I'm not going to ban eating out completely, but I definitely need to curb it. That means I have to do something I don't particularly enjoy: cook! (Of course, if anyone wants to be my personal chef for free, I'd take you up on it!)

And now I'm standing here saying "Hi. My name is K and I have a problem saving money."

So, I'm going to start by practicing the art of saying "no, I'm not going to eat out today" and "that's cute but I don't really need it" so that I can help us reach our saving goal. After all, what we want is worth so much more than eating out or shopping in the $1 spot at Target or hitting Hobby Lobby or... well, you get the point!

Of course, if anyone has any practical suggestions or ideas for being more frugal (or learning how to enjoy cooking more!), I welcome your thoughts.

A Whole New Sense of Appreciation

Allergies... flared

Asthma..... slightly flared

Lawn......... managed

Gratitude for The Lawn Fairy's gift..... greatly enhanced

Appreciation for B that he keeps our yard maintained and manicured.... IMMEASUREABLE!


Last week the rains came down and the grass came up. B is swamped at work right now and after the surprise gift from The Lawn Fairy a couple of weeks ago, I certainly didn't want to let the lawn go any longer.

So, with nice weather abounding and since I was around, I decided to get out and mow the lawn. DISCLAIMER: It has been many, many, many, many years since I mowed the lawn. I mean... MANY!

I called B to get a quick review of how the lawn mower works. Don't laugh. It's electric- ya know, to be more green - with a one-button-start option... and the last time I mowed the lawn - many, many, many, many years ago - it was with a gas-powered, string-pulling, good-luck-getting-it-started kinda mower. So, I needed a quick tutorial, but I'm a fast learner and got it rolling with no prob.

Then I mowed the lawn - just the front, and the sides - no frills (like edging or trimming the hedges. Thank goodness the lawn fairy did such a good job there). All I did was mow. It looks good. I got out there and did it. I'm proud.

But the reality check is that... it's hard work, it kicks up my allergies and asthma, and I'm not even done!

This makes me appreciate B soooooooo much more for all the hard work he regularly does to keep our yard nice. Especially since he usually mows the front, edges, trims the hedges and trees, and then moves on to the back yard, which is sometimes an even bigger job. And for me, well, the backyard may just have to be a job I pay someone else to do!

I love you, B!

How do you...

... change poor sleeping habits?

... use time wisely?

... balance life?

... stay spiritual?

... stay healthy?

... stay connected?

... put priorities in order? (and keep them there!)

... follow through?

... live righteously?

... show you care?

... unwind for real?

... live life well?


Just thought I'd ask!

A Special Edition of K's Randomness

This special edition of K's Randomness is brought you by my grammatical "friends," Simile and Metaphor!

Metaphor says:
Housecleaning is a pit of quicksand you can't avoid. No matter how many times you try to get around it, you suddenly find yourself stuck in the middle of it.

Simile replies:
Lysol/Windex/409 are like the branches you hold onto to get out of that housekeeping pit of quicksand.

Simile says:
The alarm(s) going off at 4:45 am Monday - Friday is like a pitcher of ice-cold water suddenly thrown in your face - shocking and disorienting all at once.

Metaphor replies:
Having the chance to teach an early morning religion class to a group of awesome high school youth who know who they are and what they stand for in a world that seems crazy is worth every single drop of that cold splash of reality when the 4:45 am alarm(s) sounds.

Metaphor says:
Spending time with someone you love is a perfectly baked double-chocolate brownie that has just a little crunchy covering but a perfectly soft and melty center.

Simile replies:
Saying "see ya later" to that someone you love stinks like rotten eggs.

Thanks to my "friends," Simile and Metaphor for sharing my thoughts so well tonight! The only random thing that I can express better than either Simile or Metaphor is that...

I LOVE B!

and that's not random... that's just ALWAYS!

Dear Google Reader....

... I love all that you do for me!

You collect all sorts of interesting information and hold onto it patiently until I have time to get around to browsing what you have collected.

You are always there and I know that at any given time I can discover any number of incredible things, such as:

1. Amazing transformations of trash to treasure...
   
   
2. Incredible home renovations - all done on the penny-pinching budget of amazingly frugal and supremely talented DIY home fashionistas...
   
   
3. Ideas for creating a scrumptious, gourment meal from a perfect meal plan carefully coordinated to use ingredients from a well-organized food storage pantry or from the results of a well-cultivated, perfectly plotted home garden...
   
   
4. Homes that are clutter-free, polished and poised in tasteful decor, and perfectly suited to be the setting of the next epic romance movie waiting to be produced...
   
   
5. Projects, projects, and more projects - all reflecting superb creative power and execution...
   
   
6. A plethora of strategies, tips, and ideas for keeping everything I could possibly ever own in this lifetime (or the next) perfectly sorted and organized...
   
   
7. Simply incredible and fun party ideas that leave me dreaming of a job as an Event Planner (or maybe just ideas for the next great party I'll "just have to" host!)...
   

With all of these options to browse during my "free-time" (note the sarcasm, Dear Google Reader, because there is NO "free-time" available in my life right now), I find myself drowning in too many great ideas, too many projects, and too many inconsistencies in what I see in your archives and the reality of my life.

So a change must be made. I'm sorry, but we need some time apart.

Don't be sad, Dear Google Reader, I still love you and I really do appreciate all of the wonderful options you offer, I just have to get real about the time I have to hang out with you.

I'll still pop in to visit. After all, the most important thing you do for me is help me stay current with friends and family. I thank you for this great act of service.

So, I'll see you soon and even though I won't be able to hang out as long as I have in the past, we'll still be friends. Promise. As long as you still keep me posted on what matters most!

Love your pal,
K

The B&K Dust Bowl

A lot of dusting and cleaning and dusting and cleaning has been going on over here at "The House of B&K" since the pipe-job was completed last week. As we make our way room by room, I am amazed that even though all the doors were closed and thick plastic was put down, the dust from the foundation being jackhammered is EVERYWHERE!

No surface was safe (even B&K were both covered in the gritty particles of the dust) and now although we are still waiting for the carpet to be tacked back down (fingers crossed for tomorrow!), "The House of B&K" has moved into clean-up mode following what we will now refer to as... "The B&K Dust Bowl."

Furniture has been moved, shelves cleared, closets thrown open - all in an attempt to get things shiny, sparkly, and dust-free. Of course, B is a tremendous help, but the big shout-outs of appreciation have to go to our good friends, Swiffer and Pledge, who have shown up everyday and worked and worked until they are "worn out." Thanks you guys, you are rockstars in "The House of B&K!"

Now I'm off to rest before the dawn breaks on a new day and the quest for clean continues (never has "The House of B&K" seemed so B.I.G.). I just hope that I'll be working around the carpet-layer (is that what you call the guy who can tack your carpet back in place?) and that things can be as shiny and bright as possible for my bro and his family who will be guests at "The House of B&K" for the next week. Good thing they're family - 'cuz maybe they'll forgive me if things aren't quite up to the standards of a good, old fashioned bed-n-breakfast. After all, I'm just hoping for dust-free!

Dear Professional Plumber...

Did you notice the shiny white bathroom? How about the lemony-fresh scent of Lysol? Did you see that I followed your suggestions to remove anything from the walls that I didn't want to get dusty?

Well, I did it all to help make your job of replacing the 'y' joint of our bathroom pipes as easy as possible after you have to roll back our carpet and chisel into our foundation in the middle of our hallway.

And now I would like to thank you in advance for doing such a good job, for hanging plastic to prevent dust from overwhelming us, for being so excellent that it wasn't necessary to "chase" any pipe (fingers crossed, fingers crossed, fingers crossed), for working so quickly, and for getting the city inspector lined up to come check your work in a timely fashion so that the hole in our floor could be closed up by Friday.

Of course, I'll properly thank you once you finally get here today to get this party started!

Sometimes I wonder...

Sometimes I wonder...
How some people become the "role models" of today. I mean seriously, there are a lot of people with talent in this world, they just have no standards or sense of decency, and yet they are "icons" of their industries. GAG ME!

Sometimes I wonder...
"why love has to be such a battlefield... a battlefield... a battlefield!" Well, not really. I don't live in a battlefield of love, the lyrics to that song just popped into my head. Totally RANDOM! And now, as I think about it, why does love have to be that kind of experience for so many people? It shouldn't be, and yet for some, it is.

Sometimes I wonder...
Why Texas summers seem to get hotter and hotter and hotter. Surely the summers get hotter because of global warming or something other than my increasing age number.

Sometimes I wonder...
How to be better today than I was yesterday.

Sometimes I wonder...
Where the cleaning fairies have disappered to 'cuz they sure aren't cleaning up after me!

Sometimes I wonder...
If what I do really makes a difference.

Sometimes I wonder...
If my blog stalker friends are ever entertained when they read my random thoughts!

Sometimes I wonder...
How I got to be in mid-30s

Sometimes I wonder...
What to eat for dinner. Okay, I wonder this A LOT. I have noticed when we have a meal plan for the week that I wonder this less often, but the frequency of a meal plan has decreased in the last few months!

Sometimes I wonder...
Why I am a responsible grown-up (mostly!) and so many other people are not. How did I develop that trait?

Sometimes I wonder...
What the world would be like if we cared about each other just a little bit more like we care about ourselves.

Sometimes I just wonder...

How about you?

Confessions

Okay, so Confession #1 is that there are really no juicy or exciting confessions in this post. I just thought that the title sounded intriguing and that it might draw you in! Don't be sad. Maybe you'll just get a good chuckle out of what I do confess and then you can forgive me for false advertisement!

Confession #2: I am thinking of legally changing my name. That's right, no more "K." Instead I am thinking that my name should be Ima, as in "Ima Procrastinator!" Of course, then I would have to rename this blog and "B & Ima" just doesn't have the same ring to it as "B&K."

Confession #3: I hate summertime in Texas. That's right, I used the words "hate" and "Texas" in the same sentence - the shame of it for a Texas girl. But, there is only one reason I would go there - summer in Texas is HOT! Blazin' hot...Burn-the-skin-off-your-thighs-when-you-sit-on-the-leather-interior-of-your-car kind of hot. What makes it worse is that it doesn't even cool down at night....not at midnight and not at 3 am (I know 'cuz I stay up that late). Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, just not in the summer.

Confession #4: I stay up too late. If you didn't know that, then let me officially introduce myself to you so that we can be friends... My name is Ima Procrastinator and I stay up way too late!

Confession #5: I'm an addict. Let me explain, maybe you know where I can get help for my addiction to... DIY Network, HGTV, and the home decor/home improvement blogs I stalk. That's right people, I live in the "I could do it if I had time, talent, and money" fantasy world of knocking down walls, adding on rooms, and "designing on a dime" with such relish that I could be the next "Design Star." Don't Judge Me.

Confesssion #6: I am HORRIBLE at staying in touch with people I love. I think about friends and family in other places ALL THE TIME. I have good intentions to show that I am thinking of them (gifts that need to be mailed, cards that just need to be addressed, etc.). I know what they say about the road paved with good intentions, I just forget to complete the communication pass. It really is a problem that leaves me feeling like a loser because I don't want my friends and family to think I don't love them or think about them... because I do.

Confession #7: I think that it would be fun to be a party planner. I love the planning, the decorating, and the execution of an event... but I HATE the cleaning, the cleaning, the cleaning. Oh yeah, it would be fun but I don't want to work with drama divas - you know, the ones who want you to help them but then do things their way.

Confession #8: I might be a drama diva - but only a tiny bit.

Confession #9: I want to be a better steward of all the blessings in my life but I struggle to do this on a regular basis. Some of the things I really want to do better are: use my time wisely, be more financially wise, balance my responsibilities, follow the counsel to be prepared, work on my family history. I have really felt the push to do a better job in these areas of my life but I don't really know how to get going and stay going.

Confession #10: Sometimes I wonder if I have ADHD. Well, minus the H, cause I'm too tired to be hyper. So I guess that would just be ADD and I'm pretty sure that I show symptoms.


Confession #11: That's it. Nothing more... tonight. This post is already enough to be too much information for anyone who might have stuck it out this long reading!

But hey, thanks for letting me confess! What do I do now?

Keeping It Real

I don't know about anyone else, but my life is not nearly as neat and organized as the amazing sites I see when I am suffering from BIC Syndrome and spend too much time visiting the awesome sites over on "My Daily Drop-ins" list. But, I'm okay with my homemaker imperfections (most of the time!).

Sure, I want my house to be so put-together that if someone just dropped by, I wouldn't have to throw things into the front bedroom and slam the door before I let them in.

I would definitely love my kitchen and my bathroom and my sunroom and my master bedroom to be featured in some kind of "House Crashers" episode that leaves me speechless during the final reveal (anyone know how I can get on THAT list!).

While I'm thinking about it, I would love to highlight well-planned weekly menus that feature nutritious homemade meals made with food items already found in my pantry (anyone want to be my personal pantry-stocker and chef?).

And I can't forget that I would absolutely love to have the talent and time to magically transform thrift store finds into gorgeous works of art or repurposed masterpieces.

But, since I'm KEEPING IT REAL today, I acknowledge that I...

• have to throw things into the front bedroom and slam the door before letting friends in
• am as close to being featured on a "House Crashers" episode as I am to going to the moon
• don't really cook (but I'm working on that)
• lack the time (and usually the energy) to do anything with those thrift store finds but shove them into my garage

Now that I'm KEEPING IT REAL I guess I'll head back to the piles of laundry that have grown through the week, the kitchen table that collects all kinds of stuff until Saturday, and the blinds that I accidentally pulled out of the window frame in our bedroom when I was trying to open them to see the sun (B is going to love a reason to head to Lowe's!).

And you know what, as I head back to my homemaker tasks for today, I'm going to be thankful that I have a washer and dryer to clean my clothes, a kitchen table to stack things on, and a great husband who can put up new blinds because these are some of the things that help me to KEEP IT REAL!