Hello!
So I'll get right to the point. As most of you know I work for 2 costumers who do movies and TV. They have 4 kids. Now we won't go into the insanity of that in its self. For those of you who don't know the motion picture industry, it is very on and off. So this makes my job on and off. They also work different hours then 9-5 which means I work different hours The common issue is that when you have work you work all the time, because after this job who knows how long it will be till the next one. So this is the position I am in. I need both, not just one, to have jobs. In this industry that is not easy. If either of them don't have a job I don't have a job. And there are breaks. Like this last summer. They weren't both working from the middle of April to the beginning of August. That's 3 1/2 months. Now they are great and keep me on retainer when they aren't working (because who else are they going to get to do my job for them???) but it is about half or less of what I normally make. But this means that I work ridiculous hours when they are both working. Lets take this week as an example, I work sunday night (I normally have this off) till 11pm. Then had to be back at work at 7:15am on monday, which was a 13 hour day. Tuesday was a start at 7am 9my normal time) and a 13 hour day as well. Wednesday was a day off for me. Then today I started at 6:30am. It will most likely be another 12 or 13 hour day. And the kids are sick.
I bow down to all parents when their kids fall ill. I don't know how you do it. I am barely making it through the day. It is hard enough those last few hours when they start getting sleepy and they really want their parents. But now that stage starts a lot earlier. and they get upset over everything. I go home every day with my ears ringing from there yelling and crying. My goal has gone from maintaining control to just making sure they don't die while I'm here. But I'm working. These long days are a mixed blessing. On one hand they completely kill me, but on the other hand I am working and bringing in money. And I know things are about to get a little hectic. One of my bosses is working on a show that's main actor got pregnant. So they are going on a break in a little more them a week. So that's 2 months up in the air. He will be starting again in December, but then I have no idea when his wife gets off her current job. You see the extra stress? I hope that they both get jobs with a maximum of 2 weeks off. But I know how this all works. I know it may be a while where I don't really have work. So I have to be happy for this time I have where I am working. Right? It's hard to remember that sometimes.
hugs+kisses
mce
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Weekend plans
Good Morning!
It's Monday again. It seems to have come much too quickly. Part of that is due to the fact that I worked last night. My bosses had a Emmy party to go to so I watched the kids last night. I left around 11pm and am back again at 7:20am. Not a lot of sleep. But I had big plans for last weekend. Not all turned out right though.
This past weekend was busy and calm. I know it sound confusing but I'm sure you all know what I mean. It was one of those weekends where you were busy for part and then lazy for the rest. Saturday was our busy day as it was our day off together. Saturday is market day (if we didn't make it to the market on Wednesday) Saturday was also the day I got my new phone. I can't tell you how excited I was to get it! I got a new iphone 4 and it's amazing. The amount of things I can do with it is amazing. But enough about my little love affair with my new phone. Now I have an Ipod and Iphone. Still trying ot figure out what to put on each of them. But Saturday was also the day we finally cooked the rabbit. We made it in the slow cooker. It worked out great. We made some bok choy to go with it. Sadly something about the rabbit didn't sit very well with either of us. But we had a nice sit down dinner together which we don't get the chance to do very often.
Sunday Jono had work as I decided to make Gnocchi. I went back to the market (I feel like I'm there so often!) and got potatoes. If you have never made Gnocchi be prepared. It takes a while. I boiled about 2 pounds of red potatoes (since I knew I would be able to use the rest of the bag later. we tend to eat the smaller potatoes more) Then I peeled them all. This takes a while. The recipe called for a ricer to mush up the potatoes, but since I didn't have one I used a fork. You can't get it as smooth this way. Then I rolled out the dough and cut it all up. I even rolled it over a fork to create the ridges. And then I made the mistake of putting them all together in a container. Bad idea! As of right now it is all back to a dough ball as they all merged as soon as they touched. I tried making some. I think I did something wrong. They were slightly slimy and didn't have very good texture. I also didn't have any sauce which may have something to do with it. But over all in the end 2 fails. I also made chocolate chip cookies and cooked them too long so they are crunchy rather then doughy the way I like. So now I have a batch of cookies that I don't really want to eat and a container of Gnocchi that I don't know what to do with. The nice part of making the Gnocchi was that A) I finally tried it, and B) I got to listen to one of my favorite books.
When I'm cooking I like to either have a nature show on or listen to a book on my Ipod. Jono and I always have at least one book on our Ipods. We listen to two main Authors. Either Elizabeth peters, a murder mystery set in Egypt around WW1. Its about a family of Egyptologists from England. We both love these and have listened to all of them a few times. The other author is Terry Pratchett. If you have yet to read any of his books you should do that now! He is very funny. I have trouble getting into them when I am reading the actually book but I love listening to them. There are 38 Terry Pratchett books and 19 Elizabeth Peters. So we have a lot to listen to. Right now I am listening to a Terry Pratchett in the car and restarting the Elizabeth Peters books on my ipod. It makes cooking alone much nicer.
Well here's the start of another week. Hopefully this week goes well. Now to find new recipes to make over the week!
hugs+kisses
mce
It's Monday again. It seems to have come much too quickly. Part of that is due to the fact that I worked last night. My bosses had a Emmy party to go to so I watched the kids last night. I left around 11pm and am back again at 7:20am. Not a lot of sleep. But I had big plans for last weekend. Not all turned out right though.
This past weekend was busy and calm. I know it sound confusing but I'm sure you all know what I mean. It was one of those weekends where you were busy for part and then lazy for the rest. Saturday was our busy day as it was our day off together. Saturday is market day (if we didn't make it to the market on Wednesday) Saturday was also the day I got my new phone. I can't tell you how excited I was to get it! I got a new iphone 4 and it's amazing. The amount of things I can do with it is amazing. But enough about my little love affair with my new phone. Now I have an Ipod and Iphone. Still trying ot figure out what to put on each of them. But Saturday was also the day we finally cooked the rabbit. We made it in the slow cooker. It worked out great. We made some bok choy to go with it. Sadly something about the rabbit didn't sit very well with either of us. But we had a nice sit down dinner together which we don't get the chance to do very often.
Sunday Jono had work as I decided to make Gnocchi. I went back to the market (I feel like I'm there so often!) and got potatoes. If you have never made Gnocchi be prepared. It takes a while. I boiled about 2 pounds of red potatoes (since I knew I would be able to use the rest of the bag later. we tend to eat the smaller potatoes more) Then I peeled them all. This takes a while. The recipe called for a ricer to mush up the potatoes, but since I didn't have one I used a fork. You can't get it as smooth this way. Then I rolled out the dough and cut it all up. I even rolled it over a fork to create the ridges. And then I made the mistake of putting them all together in a container. Bad idea! As of right now it is all back to a dough ball as they all merged as soon as they touched. I tried making some. I think I did something wrong. They were slightly slimy and didn't have very good texture. I also didn't have any sauce which may have something to do with it. But over all in the end 2 fails. I also made chocolate chip cookies and cooked them too long so they are crunchy rather then doughy the way I like. So now I have a batch of cookies that I don't really want to eat and a container of Gnocchi that I don't know what to do with. The nice part of making the Gnocchi was that A) I finally tried it, and B) I got to listen to one of my favorite books.
When I'm cooking I like to either have a nature show on or listen to a book on my Ipod. Jono and I always have at least one book on our Ipods. We listen to two main Authors. Either Elizabeth peters, a murder mystery set in Egypt around WW1. Its about a family of Egyptologists from England. We both love these and have listened to all of them a few times. The other author is Terry Pratchett. If you have yet to read any of his books you should do that now! He is very funny. I have trouble getting into them when I am reading the actually book but I love listening to them. There are 38 Terry Pratchett books and 19 Elizabeth Peters. So we have a lot to listen to. Right now I am listening to a Terry Pratchett in the car and restarting the Elizabeth Peters books on my ipod. It makes cooking alone much nicer.
Well here's the start of another week. Hopefully this week goes well. Now to find new recipes to make over the week!
hugs+kisses
mce
Thursday, September 15, 2011
the quite moments
Good Morning
I know that lately I have been talking a lot about stress. And I have been really stressed. But I don't want to talk about that today. I want to talk about the quite moments.
Yesterday was my mid-week day off with Jono. He still had training in the morning though. I went with and walked from the park where he trains one client to the starbuck near by. We have been so busy lately I haven't had a moment to just walk with Bella.
I love walking with Bella. I forget sometimes but it is really nice. When you can walk and listen to good music and watch the world go by it really puts everything in perspective. I sat at a table outside and watched the traffic go by and read. I love the sound of cars going by. To me it's the sound of blood rushing in the veins. It's the sound of the tide whooshing in and out. Everyone is rushing to or from somewhere. It makes you realize that your problems aren't that big. Your life isn't the only one that is out there and that actually no one really cares. To some this may make then feel small and insignificant. But to me it makes me realize that I don't need to worry so much. It calms me down. I realize that I'm actually really happy and I just need to let things go. What's the point of holding on to all this worry? My life is good. It may not be exactly what I thought growing up would be like but it really is amazing. It makes me look at what I'm stressing about. I mean really? It's amazing that I am stressing about moving! I am choosing a new place to live with my little happy family. We aren't having to compromise too much on what we want. we are going to be able to live where we want to. I may not be working in the field I want to be in yet but I am working with kids and It really isn't that bad. I love them and they love me. My work is appreciated. I know my job isn't easy, but really what job is these days. I have a lot of freedom, I can run errands if I need to with the kids. I am with someone who loves me and who I love back completely. We have a great little life with a great puppy. Life is good. I know that once the holidays come we will be able ot see family and have family come over. We live a comfortable life. Yes there is stress, but there is stress in everyone's life. This all comes into perspective when I sit and watch traffic go by. I guess I'm really an LA girl.
hugs+kisses
mce
I know that lately I have been talking a lot about stress. And I have been really stressed. But I don't want to talk about that today. I want to talk about the quite moments.
Yesterday was my mid-week day off with Jono. He still had training in the morning though. I went with and walked from the park where he trains one client to the starbuck near by. We have been so busy lately I haven't had a moment to just walk with Bella.
I love walking with Bella. I forget sometimes but it is really nice. When you can walk and listen to good music and watch the world go by it really puts everything in perspective. I sat at a table outside and watched the traffic go by and read. I love the sound of cars going by. To me it's the sound of blood rushing in the veins. It's the sound of the tide whooshing in and out. Everyone is rushing to or from somewhere. It makes you realize that your problems aren't that big. Your life isn't the only one that is out there and that actually no one really cares. To some this may make then feel small and insignificant. But to me it makes me realize that I don't need to worry so much. It calms me down. I realize that I'm actually really happy and I just need to let things go. What's the point of holding on to all this worry? My life is good. It may not be exactly what I thought growing up would be like but it really is amazing. It makes me look at what I'm stressing about. I mean really? It's amazing that I am stressing about moving! I am choosing a new place to live with my little happy family. We aren't having to compromise too much on what we want. we are going to be able to live where we want to. I may not be working in the field I want to be in yet but I am working with kids and It really isn't that bad. I love them and they love me. My work is appreciated. I know my job isn't easy, but really what job is these days. I have a lot of freedom, I can run errands if I need to with the kids. I am with someone who loves me and who I love back completely. We have a great little life with a great puppy. Life is good. I know that once the holidays come we will be able ot see family and have family come over. We live a comfortable life. Yes there is stress, but there is stress in everyone's life. This all comes into perspective when I sit and watch traffic go by. I guess I'm really an LA girl.
hugs+kisses
mce
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Autumn
Good morning all!
So the chill in the morning air is back again. Most years this would mean a frantic rush to do all the summer things I have yet to do. It would mean the rush to get everything I want to do done as soon as I can. Summer always meant freedom. It was the time of year to do what ever you wanted and to laze around all day. That's not how this past summer worked out. It was hot and full of stress. It was full of work. There was little free time and no place to relax outside our apartment. this past summer was spent waiting for Autumn. This year Autumn means more then other years. This year Autumn means moving. It means the next stage in our lives. It is going to be full of baking and cooking. It means a schedule with the kids. Autumn is full of Holidays and family get-togethers. Apple cider, hot toddies and Glogg. Soups, stews and roasts. Doesn't it sounds great? It does to me. It means lots of cuddling with the one I love.
So like I said it means moving. Now I've talked alot about this move and I'm sure some of you are getting tired of hearing about it. But it's not just the move I'm excited about. I'm most excited to be in our new place. I can't wait to be in a place that we can make our own. I can't wait to get a new place set up. I know the actual moving part is going to be stressful. We start looking in a few weeks and we are going to have to look sometimes while I have the kids. We had to do this last year and it does make things a little crazier. It's going to be a crazy month full of packing and looking. We learned a lot from the last move. Like label everything! we ended up with more furniture then we planed on taking because we didn't label anything. We also didn't have enough boxes and did everything in a rush. This time round we are doing it differently. I'm going to start packing some of our stuff as soon as we start looking. Since Jono doesn't have 2 days off next to each other I'm hoping we can move everything on his day off and then I can unpack and organize the next day. By Thanksgiving we should be in our new place. In time for the holidays!
If anyone has any helpful hints to make moving and looking easier I would love to hear them! We start the big search on the 1st!
hugs+kisses
mce
So the chill in the morning air is back again. Most years this would mean a frantic rush to do all the summer things I have yet to do. It would mean the rush to get everything I want to do done as soon as I can. Summer always meant freedom. It was the time of year to do what ever you wanted and to laze around all day. That's not how this past summer worked out. It was hot and full of stress. It was full of work. There was little free time and no place to relax outside our apartment. this past summer was spent waiting for Autumn. This year Autumn means more then other years. This year Autumn means moving. It means the next stage in our lives. It is going to be full of baking and cooking. It means a schedule with the kids. Autumn is full of Holidays and family get-togethers. Apple cider, hot toddies and Glogg. Soups, stews and roasts. Doesn't it sounds great? It does to me. It means lots of cuddling with the one I love.
So like I said it means moving. Now I've talked alot about this move and I'm sure some of you are getting tired of hearing about it. But it's not just the move I'm excited about. I'm most excited to be in our new place. I can't wait to be in a place that we can make our own. I can't wait to get a new place set up. I know the actual moving part is going to be stressful. We start looking in a few weeks and we are going to have to look sometimes while I have the kids. We had to do this last year and it does make things a little crazier. It's going to be a crazy month full of packing and looking. We learned a lot from the last move. Like label everything! we ended up with more furniture then we planed on taking because we didn't label anything. We also didn't have enough boxes and did everything in a rush. This time round we are doing it differently. I'm going to start packing some of our stuff as soon as we start looking. Since Jono doesn't have 2 days off next to each other I'm hoping we can move everything on his day off and then I can unpack and organize the next day. By Thanksgiving we should be in our new place. In time for the holidays!
If anyone has any helpful hints to make moving and looking easier I would love to hear them! We start the big search on the 1st!
hugs+kisses
mce
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
what I want
Good morning!
So now that it's September there is a lot on my mind. One of the big ones is moving. We start the hunt next month. We would move out now if it didn't mean losing out huge deposit. But this as also started me thinking about what I want in a new place. I know I won't be able to get everything I want but I thought it would be a good time ot make a list. So here is my list!
1) location location location. No farther north then Brentwood and no farther south then Westchester. No farther inland then Culver City.
2) Close to the freeway.
3) Ground floor. no more stairs! And a small complex. Duplex would be great.
4) some outdoor space. A yard/Garden would be ideal but I know my chances of that.
Now on the the insides!
5) At least a two butt kitchen. One of my favorite times is when Jono and I cook together and I really don't want to give that up.
6) open floor plan. Space that I can see people in the living room while I'm cooking.
7) two bedrooms. one for a workout room where Jono can train his clients and another for us.
8) A dish washer. I know this may seem like a luxury but I am god awful at washing dishes and with both of us working so much we need to be able to wash dishes while we are away.
9) room for our bookshelves. We have four at the moment and will need to get another one soon.
10) lots of windows. I like a lot of light and it always makes me feel better to have the windows open.
11) enough room to entertain. I would love to have people over but we just hate our place right now so much that we don't have anyone over.
12) I would love to have at least 1 1/2 bath. it would be more professional for Jono's clients if they have a different bathroom to use.
I think that's all. I know I won't get everything on this list but I want to go in knowing what we are looking for. I know that we don't want to move again for a long time so this next place needs to fit well with us. I'm really excited for this process to say the least. It was a hassle last time dragging the kids along but it is worth it to be able to find a place quickly. We are giving ourselves a month and a half to find a place. I hope that will be enough time!
hugs+kisses
mce
So now that it's September there is a lot on my mind. One of the big ones is moving. We start the hunt next month. We would move out now if it didn't mean losing out huge deposit. But this as also started me thinking about what I want in a new place. I know I won't be able to get everything I want but I thought it would be a good time ot make a list. So here is my list!
1) location location location. No farther north then Brentwood and no farther south then Westchester. No farther inland then Culver City.
2) Close to the freeway.
3) Ground floor. no more stairs! And a small complex. Duplex would be great.
4) some outdoor space. A yard/Garden would be ideal but I know my chances of that.
Now on the the insides!
5) At least a two butt kitchen. One of my favorite times is when Jono and I cook together and I really don't want to give that up.
6) open floor plan. Space that I can see people in the living room while I'm cooking.
7) two bedrooms. one for a workout room where Jono can train his clients and another for us.
8) A dish washer. I know this may seem like a luxury but I am god awful at washing dishes and with both of us working so much we need to be able to wash dishes while we are away.
9) room for our bookshelves. We have four at the moment and will need to get another one soon.
10) lots of windows. I like a lot of light and it always makes me feel better to have the windows open.
11) enough room to entertain. I would love to have people over but we just hate our place right now so much that we don't have anyone over.
12) I would love to have at least 1 1/2 bath. it would be more professional for Jono's clients if they have a different bathroom to use.
I think that's all. I know I won't get everything on this list but I want to go in knowing what we are looking for. I know that we don't want to move again for a long time so this next place needs to fit well with us. I'm really excited for this process to say the least. It was a hassle last time dragging the kids along but it is worth it to be able to find a place quickly. We are giving ourselves a month and a half to find a place. I hope that will be enough time!
hugs+kisses
mce
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The First of September
Good Morning!
As I write this the twins are sitting on the other couch watching Dora and Ruby is curled up next to me. They both have cups of milk and I'm almost done with my first cup of coffee. Later we will all go outside to play and then have a dance party while I make the twins lunch and the older two after school snacks to bring with when I pick them up. Depending on who all is asleep when I get the older two we might go to the park for a while. If today is like the rest of the week has been I won't be off tonight till about 8pm. Making this another 13 hour day. You might notice how calmly I am saying all this. That's because I am calm about all of it. I have a job that pays well, not as well as it could but still good money. Jono is doing what he loves and getting more work all the time. Life is working out nicely. Not how I planed when I was sitting alone in my bedroom at my moms, but you can't plan everything. My days off really help as well. I have gotten the same days off as Jono now and it makes everything so much nicer. When we both have the day off we always try to cook dinner together. Sometimes we will go out for lunch while we are running errands and then make dinner later. Yesterday was just like this.
This was how yesterday turned out. We woke up around 8am. Jono had training so we all went with. We ran some errands and went to lunch. Now about this lunch. It was amazing. We went to a new place we hadn't tried before. We tend to get comfortable with a few places and then just rotate through them. But we decided that we would try this little place around the corner from his moms house. It's called Green Peas. As you all know I am trying to eat better and this was perfect. If you are ever in the area you should really try it. Very filling and you know you are doing something good for your body. Very good choice.
After lunch we took Bella to the park for a walk. It was really nice to just run around with her. We don't get a lot of time all together and it's really nice. It reminds me what I'm working so hard to have. When I'm working 13 hour days and the kids are fighting and yelling and the puppy is going nuts and biting them it's hard to think about why I should deal with it. But when I get days like yesterday it reminds me that I work that hard to be able to have days like that.
After Jono was done training for the day we went home. After relaxing for a few hours and going on a quick market trip we made dinner together. We also picked up cupcakes from Susie cakes. Last night was bison roast. It turned out really well. I really love cooking with Jono. We can each take different jobs and it all gets done and we have fun and get to spend time together. We ate dinner and watched "Little Nemo: Adventures in slumberland". If you haven't seen this movie you need to watch it now. Jono hadn't seen it. It was so much fun. It's an old kids movie. It can be kind of scary when your young but I always loved it. It was really nice.
I feel ready to takcle the month ahead. We have only one more month before we start looking for a new place. We have to be out by the end of november. Can't wait!
hope you all have a great week!
hugs+kisses
mce
As I write this the twins are sitting on the other couch watching Dora and Ruby is curled up next to me. They both have cups of milk and I'm almost done with my first cup of coffee. Later we will all go outside to play and then have a dance party while I make the twins lunch and the older two after school snacks to bring with when I pick them up. Depending on who all is asleep when I get the older two we might go to the park for a while. If today is like the rest of the week has been I won't be off tonight till about 8pm. Making this another 13 hour day. You might notice how calmly I am saying all this. That's because I am calm about all of it. I have a job that pays well, not as well as it could but still good money. Jono is doing what he loves and getting more work all the time. Life is working out nicely. Not how I planed when I was sitting alone in my bedroom at my moms, but you can't plan everything. My days off really help as well. I have gotten the same days off as Jono now and it makes everything so much nicer. When we both have the day off we always try to cook dinner together. Sometimes we will go out for lunch while we are running errands and then make dinner later. Yesterday was just like this.
This was how yesterday turned out. We woke up around 8am. Jono had training so we all went with. We ran some errands and went to lunch. Now about this lunch. It was amazing. We went to a new place we hadn't tried before. We tend to get comfortable with a few places and then just rotate through them. But we decided that we would try this little place around the corner from his moms house. It's called Green Peas. As you all know I am trying to eat better and this was perfect. If you are ever in the area you should really try it. Very filling and you know you are doing something good for your body. Very good choice.
After lunch we took Bella to the park for a walk. It was really nice to just run around with her. We don't get a lot of time all together and it's really nice. It reminds me what I'm working so hard to have. When I'm working 13 hour days and the kids are fighting and yelling and the puppy is going nuts and biting them it's hard to think about why I should deal with it. But when I get days like yesterday it reminds me that I work that hard to be able to have days like that.
After Jono was done training for the day we went home. After relaxing for a few hours and going on a quick market trip we made dinner together. We also picked up cupcakes from Susie cakes. Last night was bison roast. It turned out really well. I really love cooking with Jono. We can each take different jobs and it all gets done and we have fun and get to spend time together. We ate dinner and watched "Little Nemo: Adventures in slumberland". If you haven't seen this movie you need to watch it now. Jono hadn't seen it. It was so much fun. It's an old kids movie. It can be kind of scary when your young but I always loved it. It was really nice.
I feel ready to takcle the month ahead. We have only one more month before we start looking for a new place. We have to be out by the end of november. Can't wait!
hope you all have a great week!
hugs+kisses
mce
Monday, August 29, 2011
First Day of School
Good Morning!
Today is the first day of school for the older two kids. I'm not sure who is more excited, the kids or me. With them at school it means I only have the twins for most of the day. This makes my job 10 times easier. With only the twins I can do a lot more. It also means that the kids are on a schedule and have a routine. They need it so badly. They will now have a regular nap time. Even thought I'm not going back to school right now, the kids starting again will help me a lot. With them on a set schedule I can get on one too. my life will calm down a bit since my work flows over into the rest of my life so much. After this past month I need all the help I can get. I need to get back on track. Everything has gotten so crazy this past month that I'm all over the place. There has been such ups and downs this month. Now I need to focus and stay organized. Not easy for me. But I need to get everything in order so that we can move in November. We need to move so badly. We only have 2 months left on our lease and we don't want to stay any longer then we have to. So I have to get it all together.
Make it Work!
hugs+kisses
mce
Today is the first day of school for the older two kids. I'm not sure who is more excited, the kids or me. With them at school it means I only have the twins for most of the day. This makes my job 10 times easier. With only the twins I can do a lot more. It also means that the kids are on a schedule and have a routine. They need it so badly. They will now have a regular nap time. Even thought I'm not going back to school right now, the kids starting again will help me a lot. With them on a set schedule I can get on one too. my life will calm down a bit since my work flows over into the rest of my life so much. After this past month I need all the help I can get. I need to get back on track. Everything has gotten so crazy this past month that I'm all over the place. There has been such ups and downs this month. Now I need to focus and stay organized. Not easy for me. But I need to get everything in order so that we can move in November. We need to move so badly. We only have 2 months left on our lease and we don't want to stay any longer then we have to. So I have to get it all together.
Make it Work!
hugs+kisses
mce
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