I got into a cleaning mood today! Ok, so it was because my baby found 'something' on the carpet and decided to chew on it. I have great carpet that hides everything so I didn't even see wherever it came from or how he got it. So, I began vacuuming the carpet, then took the hose and went around every little corner of each piece of furniture and baseboard. My mom used to always say, 'a job worth doing is worth doing well.' Today's chore would have made her proud. It definitely made myself proud!!! Now, on to another room tomorrow. I'm not ready for any kind of 'flylady' habit, but this is a tiny little start.

Sometimes I just get caught up in researching ancestry. My mother did a paper in college about her relatives (names and anecdotes)but no dates or places. She called the only relative left to have accurate information and wrote everything down and drew a family tree. That was 20 years ago.

Shortly thereafter, before my dad died, I asked him the same kind of questions. My dad has always been terrible about dates, times and names. He couldn't even remember his kids' birthdays. Not that he didn't care, but he just wasn't great at that kind of information. I got as much information as I could. Basically, I know his dad's name and a probable grandfather's name. That's it. Since he was born in 1911, the information isn't as readily available. That just may be a short branch.

Regarding my mom's family, I found a whole patch of relatives from St. Johns Newfoundland (and spots to find records there.) It's just so time-consuming. Just when I think I find something, it doesn't match up. Then I realize, my kitchen really needs cleaning and then I stop. While I really enjoy researching and imagining life then, I have to organize my time better. The best time is when everyone is asleep at night (I don't have to fight over computer time or stop to get someone a drink) but then, by that time, I'm tired and sometimes just want to do nothing.

But, it's something new and exciting...something that makes me happy this week.

I sometimes forget about doing things. I gave my preschooler a banana for a snack. He came back and let me know that he didn't know how to open it. I had just given him the banana without peeling it first. I showed him how to open it by using my fingernail to break it open so that it could be peeled. He quickly downed it and then later asked for another. I gave him another and again showed him how to open the peeling. He told me, "Wow, you're a good banana peeler!" You know, that was the best compliment I've had in a long time! He was so sincere too... :)

I like to read...it's just time consuming. I know it's supposed to be...but once I get started, I like to finish in a matter of a few days or I begin to forget important details. I used to go walking for exercise and listen to books on tape (when they were still audiotapes.) I loved doing that (and will eventually get back to that when I get some time each day with someone else watching my little one(s).) I started a book years ago and somehow never finished listening to it. I still wonder how it ended and will need to buy the book (or CD) to that I know how it ends. It reminds me of the commercial with the camera (with pictures inside just waiting to get printed.) After spending some of my Target giftcard on two more books last week, I need to get back into the habit of reading (or these books will also sit on the shelf with the other unread books.) I haven't taken the opportunity in years to just sit and read. Maybe when the kids are in school, gone all day, I'll then read...while I wish they were home again.