Jan. 2, 2014

Hard to make much progress in the housework when the house is full of people. Is this an excuse for not getting much done? Maybe, but I hope not. Really, it wasn't that bad. Today was groceries, a little straightening in the kitchen, and then I took the boys bowling, not quite as much fun as I'd hoped. C has been so hard lately, and I am definitely Public Enemy #1. That's what happens when one is the enforcer. His attitude has just been terrible, and I'm really hoping things will pull back into shape when school starts again. I have to remember that our decision to become the disciplinarians has been fairly recent, and he was having a lot more fun when his mom was in charge with her less than firm backbone. Thinking it through, I imagine what I have to do is to be structured without losing my temper, and balance it with some perks. Tonight he played outside before he got on the xbox; after dinner and shower we had a family wii tournament.

One of my original goals for 2014 was to live with more economy. Today I decided that I need a haircut more than I need new yarn. The family budget just won't handle it this month, but my Christmas money will, so that's what I'm going to do with it. My appointment's Saturday.

J and I talked about the new health regimen we're trying to put in place, ostensibly for C's sake, but incidentally for the benefit of the whole family. I've spent the last week nagging C to be outside playing, with little success. But what we need to do is set an example, J and I riding bikes, taking the dog for a walk, etc., and expecting the rest of the family to participate. I think it will be successful. We've found a couple of new activities that cost some money but are full of fun: the trampoline park and bowling. On Sunday we plan to stop at the Great Park on the way to my mother's house for a visit. Last time we were there, there was a frisbee golf course set up. I don't know what will be there, but we can check it out. And there's a basketball hoop in front of my mom's house, and I'll ask her to make the computers unavailable.

The food situation is getting better. Tonight we ate fish and rice. G is wanting to change his diet (the healthiest eater of us all), and some of his changes will be good for all of us. Anyway, I'm going to try to cook fish once a week - I'll have to do some searching to find recipes to use.

I hate feeling like a failure, and that's how I feel when C says I'm the meanest Grandma in the world. I'm also the one who makes sure he has what he needs and make certain that he has happy times. I know he'll realize it some day. At the very least, I know he loves me. But it's hard.