It has been over a month since my last blog post. Wow! How time flies!
You may have wondered where I've been for the last month and how Baby Prez is doing. Well, the last month has been both a blessing and a struggle. I was incredibly blessed to spend time with family over Christmas. And what a Christmas it was!
The struggle has been with the work side of my life. While having a baby was one of the greatest gifts in my life, it has also resulted in falling behind in my PhD program. I have really struggled to keep up with things, and the truth is that I've failed to keep up. And because I fell behind, my department has decided to take action if I don't catch up soon. What does "take action" mean? Well, for the most part, that remains to be seen, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. (I think it is completely fair for people to be asking why on earth I'm still so behind, so my department is being totally fair and supportive. They are just pushing me to get caught up.)
With that said, I am hoping to get back to Harvey Ever After in March! Yes, in two days! (Well, maybe a few more than that, but...soon.)
In the meantime, my lovely readers, I will be posting a request to recruit parents to take a survey for one of my research projects, and hopefully to become part of a parent panel I am putting together. Please let me know if you'd be interested in helping me out!
Showing posts with label prolific professor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prolific professor. Show all posts
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
{10 weekly goals} 11/11-11/18
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This
Week’s 10 Goals
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1.
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Catch up on HarveyEverAfter baby updates
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2.
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Put together blogging schedule/plan
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3.
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Menu plan & grocery shop for the next
week
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4.
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Plan Christmas gifts
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5.
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Finish Baby President’s new room
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6.
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Combat dog shedding by vacuuming at least
every other day
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7.
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8.
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Finish survey for 2nd year paper
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9
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Write a conference paper by November 18th
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10.
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Grade exams
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Saturday, July 6, 2013
Baby Prez is One Month Old!
Dear Baby Prez,
Happy Independence Day and One Month Birthday! I can't believe you are already one month old. Even though some moments have seemed long (like the sleepless nights), the time has just flown by!
Today is your one-month birthday and Independence Day! Gramma got you a special outfit to celebrate. We are also going to visit the neighbors for food and fireworks this evening, so you'll get to meet lots of new people.
Weight: 8 pounds 8 ounces
Health: You still have a bit of baby acne going on, but hopefully your hormones will calm down soon and it will go away. But, don't worry. It's normal.
Sleep: You are such a good sleeper. If Mommy doesn't wake you to eat, you'll sleep over 4 hours at a time during the night! It won't be too long at all until you sleep through the night!
Social: You got to spend lots of time with Gramma this week because she came to visit and help while Mommy worked on an important paper revision that was due to a journal. She loved hanging out with you and sent tons of pictures to Grandpa and Aunt K. You also got a visit from some of Mommy's friends from school. You are a popular kid.
Diet: Almost exclusively breastmilk, though you get formula every once in awhile.
Likes: Now that you can roll a bit, you have discovered sleeping on your side, and you love it. You turn to your side all by yourself!
Dislikes: Not much - you have been a pretty happy baby this week.
Firsts: Rolling Over. You can roll from your stomach to your back. Dancing. Yes, that's right you did some thrusting dance moves all by yourself. You're going to be an awesome dancer just like your Daddy (or so he tells me).
Worst Moments: Having Gramma leave. She was so helpful and really made the week so much easier on Mommy and Daddy.
Best Moments: Having Gramma here. Also, figuring out that you'll happily keep me company while I work (until you are hungry again). The bouncer sits perfectly right next to me in the office, and you get to look at the lights and listen to my music.
Love,
Mommy
Happy Independence Day and One Month Birthday! I can't believe you are already one month old. Even though some moments have seemed long (like the sleepless nights), the time has just flown by!
Today is your one-month birthday and Independence Day! Gramma got you a special outfit to celebrate. We are also going to visit the neighbors for food and fireworks this evening, so you'll get to meet lots of new people.
Weight: 8 pounds 8 ounces
Health: You still have a bit of baby acne going on, but hopefully your hormones will calm down soon and it will go away. But, don't worry. It's normal.
Sleep: You are such a good sleeper. If Mommy doesn't wake you to eat, you'll sleep over 4 hours at a time during the night! It won't be too long at all until you sleep through the night!
Social: You got to spend lots of time with Gramma this week because she came to visit and help while Mommy worked on an important paper revision that was due to a journal. She loved hanging out with you and sent tons of pictures to Grandpa and Aunt K. You also got a visit from some of Mommy's friends from school. You are a popular kid.
Diet: Almost exclusively breastmilk, though you get formula every once in awhile.
Likes: Now that you can roll a bit, you have discovered sleeping on your side, and you love it. You turn to your side all by yourself!
Dislikes: Not much - you have been a pretty happy baby this week.
Firsts: Rolling Over. You can roll from your stomach to your back. Dancing. Yes, that's right you did some thrusting dance moves all by yourself. You're going to be an awesome dancer just like your Daddy (or so he tells me).
Worst Moments: Having Gramma leave. She was so helpful and really made the week so much easier on Mommy and Daddy.
Best Moments: Having Gramma here. Also, figuring out that you'll happily keep me company while I work (until you are hungry again). The bouncer sits perfectly right next to me in the office, and you get to look at the lights and listen to my music.
Love,
Mommy
Missed a week? Watch my Little Prez grow!
P.S. Don't forget to Like us on Facebook.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Productivity Focus: Weekly Goals
One more week done with using weekly goals in an attempt to improve my productivity. I really need it since the Bean should arrive in about 5 weeks.
But before I get into this week's goals, let's see how last week's goals went.
4. Finish grading final projects and final exams.
8. Organize nursery.
9. Work on fabric farm animals to apply to nursery walls.
10. Complete homemade cloth wipes & wash them.
11. Get inoculated for pertussis.
But before I get into this week's goals, let's see how last week's goals went.
Update on Goals for 5/6
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 3 research interviews. - Nope
2. Complete public policy term paper. - On hold
3. Transcribe completed interviews. - Nope
Wonder Wife-in-Training
5. Pay off some debt. Yay!
6. Change my name to my married name. (I'm lazy, I know.) - In progress
6. Change my name to my married name. (I'm lazy, I know.) - In progress
7. Donate to Goodwill. - No, but I'm going to hold off until I go through a few more boxes and add to my donation boxes that are filling the backseat of my car.
Mommy-in-Training
9. Pack the "go" bag for the hospital. - In progress!
10.Complete 1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes. I didn't finish the cloth wipes, but instead I washed all of the baby "stuff" in special baby detergent.
10.
Much better than last week! Whew!
This Week's Goals
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 2 research interviews.
2. Transcribe 2 completed interviews.
3. Revise draft of major yearly paper.
4. Begin organizing for breath review paper.
Wonder Wife-in-Training
Mommy-in-Training
8. Organize nursery.
9. Work on fabric farm animals to apply to nursery walls.
10. Complete homemade cloth wipes & wash them.
11. Get inoculated for pertussis.
How did your weekly goals go? If you are participating in the 30-Day Clutter Busting Challenge, were you up to the challenge?
Monday, May 6, 2013
Goal Failures & Moving On...
Well, finals week is over and now I'm just left with grading! My last semester of taking classes in grad school is over. Yay! Now it's time to focus on research projects and starting my comprehensive paper and dissertation. Yikes. Before that, however, I want to focus on family stuff this week.
But before I get into this week's goals, let's see how last week's goals went.
But before I get into this week's goals, let's see how last week's goals went.
Update on Goals for 4/30
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 3 research interviews. - Nope
2. Complete public policy term paper. - SO CLOSE!
3. Transcribe completed interviews. - Nope.
4. Grade final projects & final exams. - In progress.
5. Complete channels term paper. - Done!
Wonder Wife-in-Training
6. Complete 1 project around the house - entry nook. - In progress.
7. Go through 5 MORE boxes in the basement and add to the 'get rid of' pile. - Nope.
8. Donate to Goodwill. - Loaded, but needs dropped off.
9. Continue MSM's 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge and begin MSM's Clutter Busting Challenge
Mommy-in-Training
10. Complete 1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes. - Nope
Wow, what did I do last week?! That's just embarrassing!
This Week's Goals
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 3 research interviews.
2. Complete public policy term paper.
3. Transcribe completed interviews.
4. Finish grading final projects and final exams.
(If you are a parent of a child 12 or younger and would be interested in taking a few surveys per year for academic marketing research, please let me know!)
Wonder Wife-in-Training
5. Pay off some debt.
6. Change my name to my married name. (I'm lazy, I know.)
6. Change my name to my married name. (I'm lazy, I know.)
7. Donate to Goodwill.
Mommy-in-Training
9. Pack the "go" bag for the hospital.
10. Complete 1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes.
10. Complete 1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes.
How did your weekly goals go? If you are participating in the 30-Day Clutter Busting Challenge, were you up to the challenge?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wrapping Up the 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge
Yesterday was the final day in Money Saving Mom's 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge. I must admit that for the last week of the challenge, I really fell off the wagon. Maybe it's an excuse, but the end of the semester is always tough as a grad student (the one thing that saved me on the challenge was my family's impending arrival last weekend). Thankfully, having participated for most of the days of the challenge, my house amazingly looks pretty decent. This is week is finals week, so the jury is admittedly still out on what my house will look like at the actual end of the semester when all papers are turned in and grades are submitted.
I also got out of order because my family came into town to celebrate my Golden Birthday over the weekend, so some of the projects for last week were finished and checked off of the 'wrong' days. But are there really any wrong days to get cleaning done?
I don't have any before and after photos for the last few days of the challenge, but luckily dusting electronics is part of my regular surface cleaning in most rooms, so that didn't take long and the project I chose was to clean out the office closet. The office closet was a challenge, since the office is primarily filled with my husband's stuff, but I was able to rearrange things a bit to fit the vacuum and carpet cleaner in better, so I was pleased.
Overall, I would say that I was pretty successful at completing the challenge. Definitely more successful than I thought I would be! Taking into account the 8 weekend days that were breaks, I only completely missed 3 days of the challenge. That's an 86% completion. When I put it that way, it doesn't sound so great, since I don't do B grades. Nonetheless, I'm pleased! And my house certainly seemed to stay cleaner throughout the month.
My goal is to continue the cleaning routine, which I included on my weekly goals this week. I found that some of the tasks take more time than I would like and other seem less relevant to me or are already incorporated into my routines for other tasks, so my plan is to slightly modify the routine. I will continue blogging about month 2 and welcome everyone to continue with me! I've found the Pinterest board and blog entries really inspiring throughout the month and will miss that inspiration going forward.
Here's my new and improved (at least for me) 31-Day Housecleaning Routine. One of the major changes is that I added the dining room, which is a huge clutter spot for me and needs specific attention. I added the dining room cleaning to the living room day, and switched the kitchen to it's own day. Last month, on living room / kitchen cleaning days, it took me much longer to clean both rooms, so no the kitchen has a dedicated day. I also removed the "deep" cleaning day for the living room as I do the baseboards and such during other cleaning tasks like vacuuming or surface cleaning. This may change again after this month, but I'm curious to see if my changes continue to help me improve my consistency in cleaning the house!
P.S. If you'd like a copy of my version of the cleaning routine that isn't personalized for my home management binder, let me know! I'd be happy to post one or send one to you!
Now it is time May's Clutter Busting Challenge! Yikes!
Now it is time May's Clutter Busting Challenge! Yikes!
Happy Cleaning!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Finals Week & Weekly Goals
It is finally here...finals week! Time to bring another semester of grad school to a close. I'm wrapping things up on classes, but I have several research projects that are still in progress, so unfortunately my grad school goals will not disappear! I am hoping, however, to find a bit more time to work on some house/baby projects. But before I get into this week's goals, let's see how last week's goals went.
Update on Goals for 4/22
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 5 research interviews. 1 completed
2. Complete public policy term paper. Almost done!
3. Transcribe completed interviews. 1 completed
4. Compile mobile survey and email to Parent Panel. - Nope...oops!
5. Write rough draft of channels term paper. Done!
(If you are a parent of a child 12 or younger and would be interested in taking a few surveys per year for academic marketing research, please let me know!)
Wonder Wife-in-Training
6. Complete 1 project around the house - entry nook. - Nope
7. Go through 5 boxes in the basement and add to the 'get rid of' pile. Yes!
8. Post 3 items to Craigslist. Yes!
9. Continue MSM's 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge. Yes!
Mommy-in-Training
10. Complete 1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes. - Nope.
This makes me feel like I was much more productive last week than I thought. Hopefully that will continue this week!
This Week's Goals
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 3 research interviews.
2. Complete public policy term paper.
3. Transcribe completed interviews.
4. Grade final projects & final exams.
5. Complete channels term paper.
(If you are a parent of a child 12 or younger and would be interested in taking a few surveys per year for academic marketing research, please let me know!)
Wonder Wife-in-Training
6. Complete 1 project around the house - entry nook.
7. Go through 5 MORE boxes in the basement and add to the 'get rid of' pile.
8. Donate to Goodwill.
9. Continue MSM's 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge & begin MSM's Clutter Busting Challenge
Mommy-in-Training
10. Complete 1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes.
How did your weekly goals go? If you are participating in the 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge, were you up to the challenge?
Golden Birthday
I took last weekend off from work and blogging for my birthday, so now I'm completely behind on both, but that's normal, right?
On Friday, my grad school department threw my husband and I a baby shower! My parents and sister drove six hours from Oklahoma for it, too. Both grandmas have been busy! My mom and sister made an amazing quilt to match the nursery (and bumper pads coming soon), and my mother-in-law made a pretty white afghan that I think will be perfect for the Bean's baptism. Other favorites include a swing (cute and functional) and the softest stuffed cow I could even imagine. We are so blessed!
My golden birthday was on Saturday. 27 on the 27th! My incredible husband surprised not only me, but also my mom and sister with mani-pedi appointments that morning, which was awesome! I just realized last week that I can no longer reach my toes well enough to paint them myself and had just informed him a couple days before that I would need his help. The morning of pampering was so relaxing, and it was extra fun to have my mom and sister there, too! (It was also when I realized that my wedding ring doesn't fit anymore as I tried to take it off before the paraffin hand treatment; it's now on a necklace and my finger feels naked.)
That evening my in-laws drove in and the whole family went out to eat Mexican at El Potrero in the trendy little area called the Haymarket. Yum!! It is so interesting to be the linchpin that brings two families together and to watch them interact with each other as they figure each other out. It was a delicious dinner (even if the service was less than desirable), and we finished up with cake cones! My favorite!
After a fantastic birthday day, there was one more surprise in store for me. I had assumed that the mani-pedi was my birthday gift from my husband, and I was thrilled with it! I was wrong. He also surprised me with an incredibly generous gift - the camera I had been wanting! For years now, I have been trying to convince myself to splurge on a DSLR camera. My non-digital (aka film) SLR is still much loved, but just not realistic considering how many photos I want to take. So, my husband gifted me with a Canon T3i, exactly what I wanted! Lucky for me, the lenses I owned for my film SLR actually work on the digital version.
Next on my list to save for is a fixed 50mm lens for taking picture of the Bean when he arrives!
In the meantime, my mom was kind enough to take some informal maternity photos in our backyard on Sunday before they had to leave.
Hopefully by the end of the week, my posts will include photos with my new camera as soon as the giant, fancy memory cards arrives!
In the meantime, my mom was kind enough to take some informal maternity photos in our backyard on Sunday before they had to leave.
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| Impromptu after dinner photo :) |
.jpg)
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| My favorite (except that my ring doesn't fit right now) |
Hopefully by the end of the week, my posts will include photos with my new camera as soon as the giant, fancy memory cards arrives!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Weekly Goals for Dead Week
This week is what is fondly known as 'dead week' during which students are supposed to have a break from the norm in preparation for finals. In case anyone was wondering, PhD students don't get a dead week! But before I get into this week's goals, let's see how last week's goals went.
1. Complete
Dark Side of Interpersonal Communications term paper and presentation (due
4/16) Will present tomorrow
9. Continue
30-Day Housecleaning Challenge.
Update on Goals for 4/16
Professor-in-Training
2. Conduct 4
research interviews. 3 done
3. Transcribe
completed interviews. 1 done
4. Compile
mobile survey and email to Parent Panel.
Not started
5. Write
rough draft of Public Policy term paper.
In progress
Wonder
Wife-in-Training
6. Complete
1 project around the house. Not completed
7. Go through
5 boxes in the basement and add to the 'get rid of' pile. Not completed
8. Post 5
items to Craigslist. 4 posted
Mommy-in-Training
10. Complete
1 planning for baby project. Not started
Perhaps I set my goals for last week a bit high, but hey, I'm new at this weekly goals thing. I don't think my goals for this week are more realistic than last week's, but maybe this week I'll be more productive! Here's to hoping!
This Week's Goals
Professor-in-Training
1. Conduct 5
research interviews.
2. Complete
public policy term paper.
3. Transcribe
completed interviews.
4. Compile
mobile survey and email to Parent Panel.
5. Write
rough draft of channels term paper.
(If you are a parent of a
child 12 or younger and would be interested in taking a few surveys per year
for academic marketing research, please let me know!)
Wonder
Wife-in-Training
6. Complete
1 project around the house - entry nook.
7. Go through
5 boxes in the basement and add to the 'get rid of' pile.
8. Post 3
items to Craigslist.
9. Continue MSM's 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge.
Mommy-in-Training
10. Complete
1 planning for baby project - homemade cloth wipes.
How did your weekly goals go? If you are participating in the 30-Day Housecleaning Challenge, were you up to the challenge?
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Weekend Haul of Frugal Finds
As we get ready for the Bean to arrive this summer, I've been trying to stock up on both normal essentials as well as baby essentials. I imagine that shopping will be the last thing I have time for once the Bean is here.
Thanks to my Favorite Couponing Blogs, I've been able to find some great deals on easily stocked items like toothpaste and cereal. This weekend, my couponing happened to focus on baby essentials, and I was able to add to my small stockpile of baby wipes and add some diaper cream as well from Target. I also found a great area rug on clearance and curtains ($8.88 per panel!) on super sale at ShopKo for our living room. '
Last, but not least, I was able to grab a couple more cloth diapers (to add to my stock) and a sleep sack at a garage sale sale that was shutting down for the weekend. I was reading the guest post over at Money Saving Mom about stockpiling kids clothes through garage sales. I love the idea because I love garage sales! The one tip I've learned about garage sale shopping after years and years of going around each weekend with my mom or grandma is to offer slightly lower than you are willing to pay so that there is room for the seller to meet you in the middle.
I also noticed some comments on the post about apps that will map the garage sale listings on Craigslist, which I'm planning to try out in the next couple of weeks and will review here.
My Weekend Haul
1 Mohawk area rug (reg. $249.99) - On clearance at $62
4 Energy efficient curtains (reg. $19.99) - On sale at $8.88
4 Huggies wipes (reg. $2.39) - $0.50 each
2 Pampers wipes (reg. $2.39) - $1.00 each
2 Desitin tubes (reg. $3.59) - $2.00 each
2 cloth diapers (reg. ~$20) - $2.50 each
1 sleep sack (reg. ~$15) - $1.00
Total Paid $111.52
Total Saved $295.95
And how adorable is this little cowprint diaper!?!?
So far I have just over $56 on 11 cloth diapers and accessories (i.e. wet bag & extra inserts), which is an average of $4.96 per diaper! I love being frugal! I just hope we like this cloth diapering thing. If not, at least we haven't invested much!
Tomorrow I'm headed to a big consignment sale (last day = 1/2 price day) and "shopping" at a friend's who wants to regift a bunch of her baby stuff. To me!
Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings! Should be a great day with church, bargaining, and finishing up term papers.
Thanks to my Favorite Couponing Blogs, I've been able to find some great deals on easily stocked items like toothpaste and cereal. This weekend, my couponing happened to focus on baby essentials, and I was able to add to my small stockpile of baby wipes and add some diaper cream as well from Target. I also found a great area rug on clearance and curtains ($8.88 per panel!) on super sale at ShopKo for our living room. '
Last, but not least, I was able to grab a couple more cloth diapers (to add to my stock) and a sleep sack at a garage sale sale that was shutting down for the weekend. I was reading the guest post over at Money Saving Mom about stockpiling kids clothes through garage sales. I love the idea because I love garage sales! The one tip I've learned about garage sale shopping after years and years of going around each weekend with my mom or grandma is to offer slightly lower than you are willing to pay so that there is room for the seller to meet you in the middle.
I also noticed some comments on the post about apps that will map the garage sale listings on Craigslist, which I'm planning to try out in the next couple of weeks and will review here.
My Weekend Haul
1 Mohawk area rug (reg. $249.99) - On clearance at $62
4 Energy efficient curtains (reg. $19.99) - On sale at $8.88
4 Huggies wipes (reg. $2.39) - $0.50 each
2 Pampers wipes (reg. $2.39) - $1.00 each
2 Desitin tubes (reg. $3.59) - $2.00 each
2 cloth diapers (reg. ~$20) - $2.50 each
1 sleep sack (reg. ~$15) - $1.00
Total Paid $111.52
Total Saved $295.95
And how adorable is this little cowprint diaper!?!?
 |
| All pictured for $14, regularly ~$76. |
Tomorrow I'm headed to a big consignment sale (last day = 1/2 price day) and "shopping" at a friend's who wants to regift a bunch of her baby stuff. To me!
Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings! Should be a great day with church, bargaining, and finishing up term papers.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Weekly Goals
As I sit here thinking about all of the things I need to get done this week, my head has begun to feel like it's going to explode! So, to keep things manageable, I'm going to narrow the list down to my Top 10 goals for the week.
And my long term goals for this month/semester/season/year are:
Wish me luck on making major progress before the Bean arrives!!
In-Training
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