Retired, Again.

Well, I sit here bored, a day after receiving a call from the CEO of the company that I joined after about a hot minute.  It so depressing because, like Ric said, I am the only person that skipped playing tennis because I wanted to go to work.  Well, that being so short lived, I find myself wondering what I will do to fill my days. 

I know I am not "typical" when I say, I liked being a working mom.  I liked getting dressed everyday and feeling good about how I presented myself to the world, and had fun creating outfits and scheduling my days.  I liked having challenging conversations about running a business and what "good practices" look like.  I liked that I did not have to go to work, but that I was fortunate to willingly be able to make that decision on my own.  I think it allows you to put a job in perspective, and gives you the ability to love the job you're in, because its a choice not an obligation. 

I don't know what tomorrow holds, other than a massage and possibly a spray tan.  HA!  Maybe I will start working out again?  Who knows. 

For today, I am a little sad that a job I really believed in, doesn't exist and was eliminated just 24 long hours ago.  I will take a lunch with friends and be excited for the coming weeks of the Cantina opening.  There is always laundry to do and always a closet that needs to be cleaned out.  UGH! 

Houston's Summer Bucket List

Last year, when I was working full time, I had this HUGE sense of guilt.  For leaving my girls everyday with a sitter and expecting them to figure out plans on their own.  I started a list on my phone of things I wanted to take them to do.  Well, it goes without saying, I didn't get to all of them.  It reminds me of that post on social media that says something like, "June Mom, lets go to the library, beach, bowling, July Mom, go to your room!".
I was talking to a friend and she mentioned that we only have eight summers left with our oldest.  Well, thanks a lot Phoebe!  HA!  This has really put things in perspective for me, especially since quitting my job.  I feel this sense of, not urgency, but sense that I have to plan ahead so that I maximize the time and making the memories I hope my girls have as adults.
This year I decided it would be the summer of YES!  I have added, from last year, more things to do on my list, and I am sharing it with you today.  If you have more ideas, message me!

Galveston
Typhoon Texas
Splashway
Bowling
Top Golf
Glow Zone
Movies
Ice Skating
Roller Skating
Zoo
Pottery Painting Place
Museum
Library
Skeeters Game
Astros Game
Pleasure Pier
Kemah
NASA
Bluebell Creamery
Ride Go Carts
Sky High
Visit College Station
Schlitterbaun
San Jacinto Monument

And of course things like, lots of play dates and sleep overs!

When I said this is the summer of "YES" that means if at all possible, I tell my girls YES!  So far we have had an awesome summer and we only have a few more weeks left!

Getting organized and completing those daunting tasks

So I told you I would tell you my tips on how I have been tackling reorganizing since the flood.  Let me give you the back up on this.  First, I do not care what condition your junk drawer is in, my whole house had to be worse.  Not kidding.  When we had so many people helping us, we were just dumping stuff in boxes.  It was not traditional packing where one box was labeled "kitchen", and it was full of kitchen stuff.  We moved everything in cabinets to the top shelves and jammed things from the down stairs in the lowers.  My craft room for example, became my laundry room/make shift kitchen.  Anyway, stuff was all over the house and a complete disaster!

Here are my tips!

"Touch It Once"
I play a game I call "Touch It Once"!  It's pretty self explanatory!  This is the prime example of why this game works.  My girls birth certificates, for some reason, have been "floating" around our house.  This would be bad on so many levels if they were misplaced.  Rather than moving them from room to room, "touch it once" helps because it holds me accountable to put it away, in the right place, the first time.  Yes, it requires to get the label maker out and create a label for the file cabinet in some cases, but once it is done, I feel a sense of accomplishment and organization.

When I was working full time, I found myself using my desk as a dumping ground for everything work related.  I would conquer my desk once every couple of weeks by playing "touch it once".  Walking past my clear and organized desk made me once again, so happy!  It's the little things in life right!
Give "touch it once" a try and let me know if it works for you too!

"Jules Rule Of 5"
I joke with friends that I have ADD so badly that I can not unload the dishwasher in one setting or even fold a load of laundry when in all actuality, I just hate those chores.  I know hate is a strong word, but I do.  So my "rule of 5" comes in handy here!  I open the dishwasher and unload 5 things, then I carry on to another task, maybe making my bed or unloading the dryer, HA!  A few minutes later I go back to the washer and unload another 5 dishes then maybe fold five pieces of clothing.  This comes in handy for me when my island, the drop zone for everyone in my house, is covered in who knows what.  So, again for the island, I clear 5 things and carry on with what ever I was doing previously.  Believe it or not, increments of 5 add up faster than you realize!  If I am feeling really bold one day, I make it 8!

Weekly Routine - "regular time"
When I was working full time, another task I despised, was expense reports!  UGH!  Don't upper management people know sales people can't sit still and behind a desk for that matter?  So, I made a "deal" with myself.  Rather than having the sitter get my girls off the bus on Fridays, I did!  I made the deal with myself that I would great them with big hugs and walk home with them, listening to all that happened at school that day.  I made their snacks and once they were settled I went to my office.  I know not many people want to do expense reports on a Friday afternoon, but again this worked for me because I rewarded myself.  Some Fridays I would sit there for just 3o minutes, other Fridays two hours.  It didn't matter because at the end of the week I could check off one of the most dreaded tasks and my manager was also happy!  I have not found the one task for being home yet that I can compare to expense reports but I am sure I will find one in due time.  Feels great to know I have a way to approach it.

Harvey Organization/Cleaning
I can now say that I have unpacked EVERY box!!  Yes, it took me almost a year but in my defense I had to wait for the construction to finish.  One point I would like to make is that unpacking a box post flooding is not as simple as it sounds.  EVERYTHING in the box has to be seriously cleaned first.  What we did is filled the garage with our belongs.  Each day I MADE myself unpack just one box and put the items inside where they belonged.  Again, this wasn't as easy as just putting the dishes in the cabinet because most likely what was in the cabinet didn't belong there.  That meant I had to clear the cabinet and put what was inside it where it belonged.  You can see why my goal each day was just one box!  I wish all of you that are in the process of post Harvey recovery luck and I hope this too helps you!

I have two other tips that I have to share.  . .
I have started running the dishwasher every night before bed.  This allows for me to wake up with a clean kitchen.  Pulling the door open to put in the detergent forces me to check the sink to make sure it's clear.  I am not going to leave just a handful of dishes in the sink when I can easily put them in the dishwasher and wake up to a clear sink!
The other, I have always made my bed every morning.  When we were first married, the few days my sweet husband had the opportunity and could sleep in, I would make my side while he was still sleeping!  HA!!!   Poor thing!  (I don't do that anymore!)  Walking into our room and seeing the bed made that I love so much, again makes me happy!

Transitioning from full time employee to full time Mom

For those that are new to A "Juled" Life, we flooded in Harvey, and at the time I was working full time.  The company I was working for was purchased several years ago and well, things changed.  With the stress of the different company I was now working for, and basically rebuilding our home,  I decided to quit my job. It was a BIG decision but fortunately I had tremendous support from my husband.

The transition over the past several months has been different, but one I do not regret for even a second.  I am a busy body and love to stay busy so those close to me thought it wouldn't last a week.

The girls being home this summer has been a total blast!  Last year I worked on what I called my Houston Summer Bucket List, I will share later this week.  I have been taking pictures of each activity and at the end of the summer each girl will make their own scrap book.  I just LOVE this idea!  It gives them a creative activity that will give them a lifetime of memories of our summer together!

I can say one thing that has helped me feel productive while not "working" has been my daily to do list.  I have always been a list person, so writing down each day what I want to accomplish, has been very satisfying.  I love crossing off my list things like, line the dressing area drawers, grocery store, return jeans, etc.

Today's list looks like this:
1.  Drop off dry cleaning
2.  Spray paint Kenli's desk chair
3.  Return valance curtains and reorder
4.  Install 4 puck lights
5.  Follow up with pool company regarding decking
6.  Take girls to tutoring
7.  Take girls to Mathnasium

You get it!  Sounds lame I am sure, but when I finish all of these things and look back at my day I have such a great feeling of accomplishment.  If anything, getting the house back in order has been a huge daily accomplishment.

I have also have been cooking a lot, which I love!  I hosted a few couples last week for probably the first time in almost a year, and found three appetizer recipes I think I will make again!

Smoked Salmon Spread in Cucumber Cups

Caramelized Salmon Deviled Eggs

Belgian Endive Stuffed With Crabmeat Ravigote

Happy hosting if you decide to try one or all of these! 

Tomorrow's post will include my tips on how I have conquered getting the house back in order. My Mom said it best, "every room in this house is a complete mess!!"  Well, yeah, like I said, that sums it up!  HA!

Gluten & Dairy Free

Well, the Whole 30 on day one was a big flop!  HA!  At dinner I realized that I needed to be more realistic.  I am going to start with a much smaller baby step.  I am eliminating dairy and gluten first.  I am hoping to see a difference after a week.  I have been doing some research and I have every symptom of gluten intolerance.  What's sad is I have had them pretty much my entire life.  Here is my goal for even typing this on a public blog.  I have always asked people I know to make a list of gluten free products they "go to".  I know there are a lot of options out there and unfortunately most are AWEFUL.  So here I go, I am starting the list.  As I discover things I will add them on to the list for your reference.  

I am off to get organized for the day, as I drink my black coffee with Splenda only.  

Gluten Free Products
Heinz Ketchup

Whole 30

Whole 30

For those that have known me for a while all know I have chronic "belly issues" and have fought with symptoms for decades.  I spent a fun weekend with some amazing friends in Austin celebrating Kimberly's birthday.  Everyone that knows Kimberly knows that she LOVES to work out.  UGH.  We went on a 5.5 mile hike along Town Lake, it was perfect weather, and we had amazing company, so I actually enjoyed it.  One of the conversations we had while on our walk was about dieting and healthy eating, shocker with eight ladies.  

A few of the ladies do not eat gluten, dairy and honestly are some of the most disciplined eaters on the planet.  That is what brings me to my newest venture, starting the Whole 30.  I am not sure I will even be able to do this, but I am certainly going to try.  I have not worn my hair down in more than three years because it is so brittle.  My skin is so dry I am embarrassed to shake people's hands.  I can't sleep, am bloated, the list goes on and on.  My goal is to do the best I can at each meal and try some meal planning so I am set up for success.  

I am cutting out dairy, gluten, as much sugar as possible and grains.  This is not going to be easy, my first meal was at Smash Burger.  I honestly did not know what I was going to order but I made it work.  I was starving so a salad with no cheese and no dressing was out.  I ordered the burger, no bun, with lettuce, spinach, onion, tomatoes and guacamole.  I also added s side of sweet potato fries, no ketchup.  I even had an unsweet tea!  Not the healthiest but definitely should help reduce the inflammation in my body.  

For dinner tonight, we are having spaghetti and zoodles with broccoli and asparagus.  It will be SO much easier once we are finally back downstairs and have a full kitchen.  In the mean time I will figure this out one day at a time.  

Jules

My first two days of retirement . . .

Well, to say that my focus has been on the house, I think, is an understatement.  I have never been so caught up on laundry and I even had time to go to the grocery store yesterday without running through like a chicken with my head cut off.  I know, I am sure people around the neighborhood have thought I was SO rude because I didn't ever say hi.  Well, let me tell you, I didn't see them because I was running frantically and trying to not let my kid be the last one standing at pick up, where ever that would have been.

So, I have started cleaning, never mind waiting for the cleaning crew who has not been answering their phones.  Shocker, that's the thing about living in Houston right now and doing ANY work on your house.  "Subs" are in such short demand NO ONE can finish anything.  I was thinking of a great "gift" to someone on the home stretch of rebuilding, a couple of hours with a handy man.  Let's face it, there is always something to be done in anyone's home, especially one under construction.  I have found myself adding little things like a doggie door and a key pad entry door knob.

So here is what I have been up to the past two days, full disclosure, there was some tennis involved.  I cleaned the kitchen some so that we could move the upstairs mini-fridge back outside and cleaned the main fridge, that took a LOT longer than I thought.  But, I am so happy to finally be using a full size appliance again!!  Ric came home after a full day at work and power-washed and cleaned the toilets that have been sitting outside since last August, had to do that before the plumber can put those suckers in.  And today, well, I "wallpapered" my spice cabinet in my pantry.  I LOVE it!  I cannot say it was ANYTHING like the video online but I am so happy with it.  To find the wall paper you can go to www.wallsneedlove.com.  I am trying to decide what the next wall I am going to paper will be.  As for the pantry, I keep walking around the corner and just peaking inside.  I obviously cannot move anything into it but a girl can dream.  I do have a 26"x56" piece left that I am trying to decided what to do with.  Let me know if you have any suggestions!  #wallsneedlove #organizedspicecabinet #momlife

I did have several "work" related calls today.  There are some interesting opportunities out there, I am definitely keeping my eyes, ears and heart open and know when the right thing comes along I will know.  As for now, I still have a lot to do around here!