Oh Just Keep it The Girly Reports

On February 9, 2015February 9, 2015 By JillIn I need a glass of wine, Mommy Musings, The Cookie Chronicles, What's Going On?13 Comments

Calling all crazies… Auditions for neurotic mommies are starting now. I can hear the director announcing and I am first in line for the part.

I have decided to keep my former blog name. The Girly Reports – even if I end up having a baby boy in May (I didn’t find out the sex).

Yes it’s true. I am someone who changes her mind a lot. I recently started listening to an audio book about being happy, Happier, Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy by Tal Ben – Shahar. It was really cheap on an iTunes audiobooks deal day so I downloaded it.
In one chapter, the author says a sure fire way of making a needed change in your life (something that is making you unhappy) is by instilling rituals and habits, gradually, until they are a part of your life.

It made me realize that I can’t just change the name of my blog, snap my fingers, wake up, and be different…I have done this sort of a thing in the past…Monday’s a new day, New Year’s Eve resolutions (haven’t we all?) or any type of “never doing this again” decision – I think a majority of people, including myself don’t follow through with plans to change unless there is an actual plan in place.

So it’s back to the old The Girly Reports. (Everyone liked the name better anyway…)I am still trying to cut back on the baking, projects, and trying to please everyone but a name change ain’t gonna cut it! Neither is writing about it…if I actually listed what I have baked/spent in the past three weeks, my husband would be kind of mad – oh wait- he already is! He saw the dining room table and it was no longer recognizable… a sea of pink and purple, stickers, goody bags, chocolates, frostings, cookies, flags, trinkets and my stressed out face…He didn’t even need to say anything, he knows that I know that I’m in trouble…

“Hello, my name is Jill and I am an over-doer, over thinker, addict.”

I don’t know where this comes from, I just always seem to over do things…

I have this fear that I won’t satisfy everyone and it’s like a failure to me…I mean Gia just told me that one of the boys in her class never eats any of the treats I send in…
The horror ! I never knew this – should I contact his mother tonight and find out why he isn’t eating my cookies? I mean, what could he possibly like? I have made cupcakes, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, marshmallow surprise, not too mention various chocolates – what the hell does he like!!! I am racking my brain for ideas!

Ok, ok, I’m just kidding – I’m not that pyscho…but writing that silly scenario just made me realize something – I better stop trying so hard because I am just one mini mama…not a bakery!

I am presently taking the first step by writing this, putting my feet up (my mom – in – law is always telling me to do this, but I never listen), and relaxing for a bit. After all, I did just finish nine loads of laundry, and I am exhausted – 26 weeks along and I am so so tired.

I am underneath this awesome furry throw from Pottery Barn that is so warm and comforting, I wish I could stay under neath for days…my Mom sent this to me a few days ago and it was the best surprise I’ve had in a while!

Notice the mismatched socks!

Maybe next time I venture out to buy sugar and flour, I should just hide under my throw!
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Kit Kat Victory

On January 28, 2015 By JillIn What's Going On?6 Comments

“Well?”

I eagerly asked after picking up my daughter from school… I am embarrassed to admit that I couldn’t wait to hear what her teacher said about Gia’s show and tell…it was K week at school and her turn to bring in something…We always try to come up with a creative idea, rather than just your everyday toy or doll.

Not sure if it’s the over thinking brain of mine or just the nature of the stay at home mom job lack of stimulating challenges that drives me to make the ordinary a bit less mundane (To my husband- this doesn’t mean I want to get a job! I accept that this job is simply ordinary at times but I adore it and couldn’t imagine not being home and away from my girlies).

In any case, I find myself sitting on the couch at night, only half paying attention to what’s going on in whatever series we are watching at the moment – this week it’s The Wire- and I’m conjuring up ideas of what to make for letter weeks at school, show n tells, and play dates.

So this week was K week, and we thought of items or candy that began with K, bought them, and then made a little face creation with our items.

Kix
Kit Kat
Ketchup packet
Kleenex
Hershey Kisses (I guess technically this is H)

Gia’s preschool teacher ended up telling her it was “the best show and tell ever!” She asked who helped her come up with the idea and Gia told her “Mommy did.” At that moment, I couldn’t be more proud- and the shameful thing is that I think I was proud of myself…I told my husband when he came home and he was like “Great Jill, your winning at preschool! ”

It’s not supposed to be about me though…but sometimes, in this care taking job of raising the girls, you just want a little award or a feeling of achievement, even if it’s Best Show n Tell ever (in the four year old class, mind you).

Lemon Sprinkles

On December 30, 2014 By JillIn Uncategorized7 Comments

Hello everyone! I’m back! It’s been a very long time since I have written a post. I have wanted to but I just couldn’t find the motivation to sit down and hammer out some thoughts. First of all, I am pregnant with my third child and it was a rough first trimester, feeling sick and exhausted, the usual fun that goes along with being preggo, but then I just lost energy, thinking of all the baking, crafting, and running around that I used to do. When I think of the writer of girlyreports, I reflect on a frantic mommy, trying really hard to do it all…and in the end it just wasn’t as fulfilling as it should have been. Not for me or my girls.

I also didn’t like many of the posts about quitting sweets, quitting baking, or any other of the unrealistic proclamations I used to make…but it was a year of self discovery, accomplishing a lot, taking on numerous projects, doing tons of activities and lots of entertaining, and for that I am proud. The ability to handle a lot, without help, is something I feel is so important, liberating, and freeing and that is what I can take away from last year’s girlyreports.

This year I plan on writing about actual life a little more, the sprinkles (the good stuff- the fun, feel good, colorful, sweet toppings that make your vanilla days a bit more fun) and the lemons- the sour parts that are inevitable…boring, grumpy, and irritating. Life will never be without lemons. There are too many things out of your control – just accept it, get annoyed, be sad, cry…and figure out a solution.

So this year my theme is “Lemon Sprinkles” – a little of this, a handful of that, and an acceptance that doing more and more doesn’t mean feeling extra fulfilled – sometimes all you just need is a handful of sprinkles on your plain cupcake to evoke the biggest smile.

Happy New Year’s! I can’t wait to see what 2015 will be like!