Nicole Barnett: Handwriting, Sugar War

One thing I am terribly self-conscious about is my handwriting. I especially get tense when I have to write while someone's watching. While developing my handwriting during my formative years, I didn't put in much effort. I figured I could write beautifully later on in life when I felt like it. After all, my mother has perfect cursive handwriting. I figured it was in the DNA somewhere. I have yet to find it. Here is a sample of my handwriting. And this isn't the worst I've written, either.

At the recommendation of a couple of you ladies, I looked for books from my library to guide me in this daunting task. The choices were limited, really. I was able to get my hands on this baby. 

I expected to be taught how to achieve perfectly formed traditional cursive (like my mother writes). But, actually, the authors of this book point out that the way we were taught in grade school isn't the best way to write after all. It varies from person to person.

I read through most of the book. I am still unsure of the origin of my problems. I grip too tightly, and it causes my hand pain to write for very long. I don't have good control over my fine motor; when I try to draw a straight line, it is slightly wobbly. I don't always form my letters consistently. Sometimes I'll make my 'b' cursive, sometimes it's more like print. I'm a mess. 

 Here is a page of some of the exercises I did:

A couple of helpful things I did learn from the book were these things.
1. Be seated properly and have good lighting.
2. Use a good pen (Scratchy ones are hard for me to write with. I write better with a smooth, soft tip.)
3. Have padding underneath the paper, instead of writing directly on top of, say, the kitchen counter (which is where I spend a good portion of my life).

I am not including the "finished product," because you wouldn't notice the difference! It's a work in progress.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bonus goal for the month came unexpectedly. My 11 year-old, Micah (pictured below), decided to do a sugar war. After much consideration, he decided to go for 6 months, anticipating the ending point would be before Halloween. Ha!

He was worried, though, that he wouldn't be able to make it. For the sugar war, he's not allowed any treat of any kind. For our family's Friday night movie night, when everyone else is enjoying brownies, or caramel corn, or whatever, he resorts to popcorn.

I promised him I would do it with him for a month. And (pat on my back, here) I have stuck with it. I don't know the last time I went even a week without some sort of treat. I think it's my commitment to my son that is keeping me strong. Because, I'll tell you, I definitely get tempted. If I were solo on this, I'm sure I would have given in by the third day. Not making any promises, but I just may keep it going...

Nicole Barnett-No Facebook!

I chose this goal pretty quickly. I have developed a problem with spending too much time on Facebook. It was getting to the point that my 3 year-old would be talking to me, but I was more focused on reading status updates than listening to him. I felt rotten about it, and I knew I needed to change.

There were a few changes that came with my decision. I spent a little more time reading. And instead of escaping into the world of Facebook, I tried to look at my children when they spoke to me, and pay more attention to what was important to them. Another thing I noticed was that I didn't feel the need to compare how I spent my day, or things I accomplished, or vacations I went on with all those I see posted on Facebook. Less inward competition. My problem to tackle, but being off Facebook helped!

I have to admit I technically did get on Facebook. But, wait! Let me explain. I am the Primary Music Leader for my ward (best calling!). I am part of a group "LDS Primary Choristers" which has members from all over sharing ideas and inspiration. So I did continue to visit that page, but only for the purpose of helping me with my calling. So I don't count it.

There were things that were hard about not getting on Facebook. I think we all have friends and family far away who may be about to give birth, fighting cancer, making big life changes. I have some of those that I didn't stay connected with during that month. 

Because of the good that has come from this, though, I am making some changes with Facebook habits. I will get on Facebook, but in a more limited way. I don't need to constantly hop on and off to keep up with "news." I will not let it interfere with being a mother. Nighttime, of course, after the kids are in bed, is a better choice.

April's goal: Improve handwriting. I've started, and I'm already worried that old habits are hard to break!

Nicole Barnett, No Snacking after Dinner 5 Nights a Week

Blah. The first week went beautifully. It all went downhill from there.

I love food. I think about food all the time. So when I set a goal of deprivation for myself, it never leaves my mind. I've noticed a couple of my goals are "Don't do this" kind of goals. I think it's because I know I want to stop the behavior, but maybe I should have come up with a "Do this instead" kind of goal.

Anyway, my after dinner snacking has developed over the past several years to something really unhealthful. Ice cream is my siren call. Chocolate chips will do in a pinch.

This does not bode well for my waistline.

What picture should I post? One of my pantry? One of my face of sheepishness?

Nicole Barnett Attempts to Read Chapter Book to Children

I'm Nicole Barnett, and I've been dreading this post for the past two weeks now. I am so glad to know Nora, but now that I'm reading through these entries, I wish I got to go to high school with all you amazing ladies! Nora and I met in West Jordan at our gym (before she up and moved, wah!). We would squeeze in a little chit chat during our warm up and after class. We were in the same stake. She ran with me a few times while I was training for my first (only?) half-marathon. I so enjoyed her visits in that chilly morning hour.

I call myself a native Californian (Merced), but I've been in Utah since '98, and I consider it home. I love raising our family here. My husband, Chad, and I have 5 beautiful children. I'd like to say I spend my spare time reading classics and doing Family History research, but the truth is I'm currently on a British show binge. Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Lark Rise to Candleford, David Copperfield, The Paradise, Sherlock, you name it. I also really enjoy using the internet to find recipes that use the ingredients I have on hand.

Here we are, wearing Santa hats my dad knitted for us. Kids are ages 12, 11, 9, 7, and 3. Jack, the dog, is a Boston Terrier, and is very naughty.

The goal I set for January was to read a chapter book to whomever would willingly participate. Which meant probably not the older boys. They read whatever they're interested in at bedtime. I've read chapter books to my kids; that's not new. But I hadn't done it for some time. When they were younger, they loved the Junie B. Jones type books, American Girl books, and The Tale of Despereaux. I've always read to our young children. But now, with my Matthew being almost 4 years younger that the next sibling, I have left the girls to their own devices at bedtime, while my focus has been picture books with Matthew. I felt like my girls and I were missing out on some valuable reading time together.

After some thought, and persuasion by one son who loves the series, I decided on "Warriors: Into the Wild."

 

 It started off great for the first couple of weeks. The girls were fascinated, and complained when I folded the page over for lights out. But then my 9 year-old Ella decided she couldn't wait for bedtime to read.

(Okay, she isn't actually reading "Into the Wild" here, but it's all I've got.)

She ended up reading so far ahead of us, it became problematic at bedtime. So we chucked the whole thing. Now she reads out on the couch, and my 7 year-old, Mira, joins Matthew and me for reading. She reads a book or two to me, and I read a couple to them. So it didn't turn out how I intended, but it works.

Nicole Barnett's Goals & Projects for 2014

January: Read out of a chapter book five nights a week to the kids. By the end of the day, I'm usually exhausted, and want nothing more than to have the kids go to bed so I can have quiet time. I do read picture books to the youngest, but the older kids are left to read to themselves. I'd like to have some books we can look back on together and talk about. And I want my children to have warm memories of my reading with them. 

February: (I've been doing well at the goal I originally set, so I'll keep up that smile and kiss for Hubby.) No eating after dinner 5 nights a week. I've got to allow some wiggle room for those Friday movie nights, Family Home Evening, or date night. I have a habit of snacking late into the evening. Number one: I don't need the extra calories. Number two: I do sleep better when I'm not digesting food. This will be a toughie, but the reminder of this blog hanging over me will help me stick to it!

March: No Facebook. At all.

April: Work on improving my handwriting. Talk to people who have wonderful handwriting, and interview them on what methods they use. Watch tutorials online. Practice. I am self-conscious about my handwriting. It looks like chicken scratch, and I honestly do not know how to change it.

May: Call my parents and brothers once a week. I get caught up with day-to-day activities, and tend to neglect relationships. This would be a great place for me to start.

June: Plan a Girls' Night Out. Doesn't matter what. But I initiate it.

July: Cracking knuckles is verboten. I have had this habit since I was a kid. I crack everything. I will look up strategies to help me shift my focus when I notice I am tempted (or inadvertently do it).  

August: Look 'em in the eye! When someone (especially kids or hubby) is talking to me, I will stop my hands and feet and look them in the eye and really listen to what they're saying. I am not behaving courteously when someone is trying to talk to me (or I them) while I'm consumed doing laundry, walking around the house, etc. I need to focus my attention on what is really important. People!