November 9, 2009 at 4:11 pm (My Chicago family)
I am an hour away from leaving for the airport. I will soon arrive in Chicago, where I will provide child care assistance to my sister for a couple of days.
If the house starts on fire or someone is bleeding out their eyes, you can call me. If not, I’ll see you in a few days.
I’ll miss you.
November 7, 2009 at 1:37 pm (Domestic goodness, Work)
It’s a beautiful day. I should be outside. Bubba and Hubby are currently on the Bike Ride from Hell. I could have joined them.
But no. I am home.
Why?
Remember the nightmare of a time we had with our dishwasher and circuit breakers over the summer? The six weeks we did dishes by hand? The ten-plus repairmen we had out to visit?
Well, last night it started again.
The dishwasher crumped in the middle of a cycle, so this morning we woke up to a dirty dishwasher full of dirty dishes and dirty smelly water.
Then the circuit breaker blew and I couldn’t get it to work again, and the disposal and compactor are also dead now.
I called the repair guy and he should be out soon. Sounds like the house was not wired correctly in the first place, so we may have to invest in upgrading the kitchen wiring. Crap.
But I can’t go through this again. I don’t want my brand-new dishwasher (from the future) to break like the last one did. And although I really like our repair guys, I would rather not see them all again. Unless they come to my Christmas party.
Yuck. At least tomorrow will be just as warm and beautiful. Don’t try to call me. I’ll be out.
———————-
Hey!!!!
I forgot to tell you!
I got my RN III yesterday! It’s official! I got a raise and a promotion and everything! I’m soooooo pumped!
I’m so happy, I want to eat carbs!
November 5, 2009 at 5:44 pm (Holiday hell)
The second Halloween was over, it seemed that the world turned on the Christmas switch.
November 1st, all the Christmas sales flyers came out, the Christmas catalogs arrived by the pound, one local radio station started their 24-hour Christmas music programming, the stores had their Christmas displays up.
Yeesh.
For the first time, this year I am planning a Post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner at my house. Since we go to Chicago for our actual Thanksgiving, I never get to cook and we never have any leftovers at our house. I have invited everyone from work and their families. I will make a giant turkey and some stuffing, and my friend will bring a honey-baked ham. Everyone will have to bring either a side dish or a dessert and their own beverage.
Oh my God. What have I done?
October 28, 2009 at 11:59 am (Work)
Yesterday, I had to give a presentation. No big deal. I have done it six different times to six different departments in the past few months, always with good feedback.
But yesterday’s was to my own department. My work family. The people who know what a screw-up I really am.
In front of strangers, I am able to pretend I am a rock star, and they buy it. In front of my work family, I have no secrets or facades. I can’t pretend to be anyone but who I really am. And they all know me so well.
So I was very nervous all afternoon at work. When the meeting started, I waited anxiously for them to call me in. I actually had GI distress, and I felt like throwing up.
I was summoned. As I passed out my handouts and surveys, my manager gave me a really nice introduction. I mean, really nice. She made me out to be Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Jesus Christ all rolled up in a ball of gooey caramel and coated with a rich dark chocolate glaze.
There was no way I could follow that intro. So I said, “Okay – now I’ll live up to the hype!”, and dove right in to my talk.
There was no doubt that I was nervous. It was obvious by my reddened cheeks, my occasional stutter, my conscious effort to slow myself down. But I took some deep breaths, remembered to hit the important points, gave out treats for audience participation, and tried to make the issue I was covering personal to each person in the room. No mean feat.
Eventually, I reached a quasi-comfort level. I relaxed my timing a little, went where the feedback took me, threw in an inside joke here and there. It went fairly smoothly.
I finished my talk, asked for questions, then left the middle of the room for the safety of the sidelines. I realized I forgot to emphasize something important. Luckily, my boss was still talking about my topic, so I was able to get my point across before I was officially done.
All in all, I think it was a success. I hit my main points, I got some people to participate, I saw heads nodding, and I didn’t throw up. Last night on faceb00k, I got some really positive comments from some coworkers. And nobody ripped me apart.
That’s what I was most afraid of – getting ripped apart by my peers. But I forced myself to think that my work family members all wanted me to succeed. And I think they did.
I am so glad it’s over.
October 21, 2009 at 12:10 pm (Bubba, My Chicago family, The battle of the bulge)
I am feeling full of joy – joyful – for many reasons today.
Number one: My sister’s babies are home! After two long weeks in the NICU, Liesl and Leia are finally home with their brother and sister and parents and big brown dog. I can’t imagine the relief and joy Amy and John must be feeling. I am so happy they can all finally start their new life as a big family!
Number two: I am taking great pleasure in wearing clothes lately. Not that I went around nude or anything, but my clothes all were so tight. Now they’re not. And I’m able to wear old smaller clothes that are actually loose on me. How nice it is to wear clothes that don’t constrict. I won’t ever take that for granted again.
Number three (and most important): Today is Bubba’s eight birthday! The baby it took thirteen years for us to be ready for has now been bringing us daily joy for eight full years. I can’t say enough about what a thrill it is to live with this kid. He is so smart and loving and funny. And he has such a kind heart and sweet smile. The Princess, O’Baby and I went to his school today for his special day. I was supposed to speak about my job, but Bubba was all about O’Baby. The kids fell in love with him of course. Bubba was the proud boy-uncle, and it was so cute! Bubba brings happiness to everyone he meets. We’re so lucky to have him!
Happy birthday, joy of my life! I love you!
October 19, 2009 at 12:46 pm (The battle of the bulge)
*cross my fingers*
The scale said I lost some more weight. According to mine, I have lost 12.8 pounds so far. According to the weight-loss place, I’ve lost eleven. Either way, I’m totally happy.
A lady put makeup on my eyebrows to make them look nice while I waited for my hair appointment. They looked so good, I bought the makeup. Curse you Beauty Brand$ for making me wait for my hair appointment!
My new haircut is swingy and layered and I really like it!
The weight-loss place lady measured me. I’ve lost three inches from my waist, two from my boobs, two from my hips, 1 1/2 from my thigh and one from my upper arm.
I’m wearing a blouse that was previously too tight to be comfortable, but is now loose and wonderful. And I’m wearing jeans I haven’t worn in so long, I had to brush a spider web from them before I put them on. They fit great!
I plan to walk to school to pick Bubba and his friend up, then walk them home. That’s three miles. In the warm breezy sunny indian summer weather. I can’t wait!
I am making homemade pizza tonight because my family is complaining I don’t make good food anymore. I have a strategy so I won’t over-indulge.
Later, I have to watch O’Baby while his mom and dad go to a concert. This means Hubby has to take Bubba to football practice and scouts. I win.
Life is so good today. I am going to enjoy every single second of it.
October 18, 2009 at 8:53 pm (Blondie)
Today my beautiful first-born daughter, heart of my heart, turned 26 years old.
She is an adult now. She has a home of her own, two dogs of her own. She works a full-time job, she pays her own bills. She is in a committed relationship, and stays close to her family. She has a vast network of supportive friends.
She is single and living the life of a young adult on her own in Chicago. She will look back on this time in her life when she is older, and be so glad she made the decisions she made, took the path she chose. This is just one phase of her long happy life, and it’s a good one.
I am very proud of her and the woman she’s become. I miss her every single day I am away from her.
I love you, Beauty. Happy birthday.
October 13, 2009 at 2:06 pm (Uncategorized)
Yesterday was a red-letter day in Bubba’s sweet life.
It was the day that the new Wimpy Kid book came out! Since I was working, The Princess was kind enough to take Bubba to the local B0rder$ store. There, he got the new book, a cool t-shirt, and participated in the book party! He got lots of tattoos for giving the correct answers to Wimpy Kid trivia questions, and got to eat brownies and drink hot chocolate. And of course, he was half-way through the book by the time I got home!
Today, he wore his Wimpy Kid t-shirt to school, and made me put a tattoo on his forearm. And he brought the book to school to read during downtime.
It just warms my heart, seeing him so excited to read! I only wish there were more books or authors he got that excited about. It’ll be a while before another new Wimpy Kid book comes out. We’ll find something, I’m sure.
I love to read, as you know. The bookstore is my favorite place to go and hang out when I get a little me time. So, although the K1ndle is now only (!) $259, I think I will stick to the real thing. My mom just gave me a whole shopping bag full of books she’s read, so I’m set for a while. I think I’ll make a list of the books I really want to read, since there are so many coming out lately. If I walk into a bookstore without a list, I will just buy whatever book has the catchiest blurb or the most creative illustration on the cover. I am a sucker for a cool bookcover.
And since the holidays are coming up, I have already warned Hubby that I will be buying many many magazines. They all have such cool craft ideas (as if I ever make anything), and wonderful recipes to try. I am unfortunately also a sucker for a holiday magazine.
Bookstore gift certificates: the best gift idea ever.
October 8, 2009 at 7:04 pm (My Chicago family)
It’s a sad thing when a momma comes home without her babies.
It’s a glad thing when the babies are healthy and getting stronger every day.
It’s a sad thing when the momma can only feed the babies a couple of times a day in the hospital.
It’s a glad thing that the momma will soon have her babies home with her and will be able to feed them whenever she wants.
It’s a glad thing that momma has shitloads of milk!
It’s a glad thing when the big brother and big sister get to have the momma to themselves for just a little bit longer.
It’s a glad thing when the momma gets to sleep in her own bed with her husband in her own house.
It’s a sad thing that the momma and the babies are not together right now.
It’s a glad thing that they will all be together soon, one very big happy family, and this will be a mere blip in their loving happy lives.
Soon, sister. Very soon.
October 4, 2009 at 7:23 pm (My Chicago family)
Thursday morning, I had to escort my old dog Daisy to the end of her life here on earth.
Thursday afternoon, I drove to Chicago with my husband and Bubba.
Friday, we played a strenuous game of tennis, got desperately lost, then attended a wonderful wedding and danced all night.
Saturday, we ate and ate and visited with my sister and her kids.
Sunday 2:30am, my brother, mother and I woke up and went to the hospital to meet my sister and her husband. It was time to have the babies.
We waited and waited until they said we could see her. As we walked down the hall to her room, my phone rang. It was Amy: We’re having the babies today.
Me: I know. I’m here.
Amy: Where?
Me: Here. In the hospital.
Amy: What?
Me: I’m in the hall. Outside your room.
Amy: You’re what?
Me: I’m opening the door.
Amy: OH MY GOD!
Weeping and laughing ensued. I had never been in town for my sister’s previous births.
Her labor was progressing normally, which is something Amy had never experienced. She was so scared. So scared. I held her hand when she let me. We joked around with her while we waited for the doctor to arrive. We watched her entire giant belly slide over to her right side. If it had gone any further, it would have been lying on the bed next to her.
The contractions were strong and hurt. The doctor arrived and Amy cried with relief. She knew he would take care of her and her babies. He did an ultrasound. The nurses prepared her and she took off her jewelry. Amy was cold from the IV fluids. John changed into his scrubs, shoe covers and hat. He was a rock.
My brother never blinked. My mom had really big eyes. I couldn’t stop smiling. I was here. With my sister. On one of the most important days of her life. How lucky I was. What a gift.
We waited in the hall by the surgical suite. It went fast. A nurse went by the window to the nursery, carrying a baby wrapped in a warm blanket. We didn’t get to see the baby’s face.
A little bit later, another nurse carried another baby by. She was kind enough to stop and let us take a picture, but I used the flash and the baby’s face was lost in its reflection on the window.
The baby was beautiful: round head, puffy face, open eyes, head the size of a nectarine. Of course I wanted to be with her. We all did.
But we waited in the hall. The neonatologist went by and told us both babies were fine, one just needed a little oxygen. We peeked through the teeny holes in the blinds on the nursery window.
We saw one pink baby waving her arms and legs. If we caught just the right angle, we saw another pink baby in the corner of the room. She had a little tent around her head, and she kept sticking her right leg straight up in the air. She was pretty active.
The doctor told us Amy would be in recovery for a while, so we went back to the waiting room. Tired, but on pins and needles. I made some calls while Mom and Greg got coffee. John ran into the room for the camera and left just as quickly.
We floated back to the closed nursery window and saw that Amy was in there, in her stretcher, with John. They only let her hold one of the babies. That was so hard for her.
They took her back to her room, and we visited for a short time. She was so emotional, so tired, she needed to have her babies with her, she was shaking.
I kissed her and held her hand and told her I had to go to Kansas now. She and I cried.
I caught a little sleep while my husband drove us home to Kansas. I checked in frequently with my mom and brother, who were watching my sister’s kids. Mom and Greg were beyond exhausted, but took great care of the kids with Blondie’s help.
I am home. John is home with the kids. Mom is home watching Desperate Housewives. Greg is home with his puppy Tiny. The babies and Amy will be in the hospital until Thursday.
While I was reading a story to O’Baby, he said, “Bow Wow Wow!” at exactly the right spot. He also showed off his jumping and spinning skills for us. And he has a new haircut.
I looked through the mail from the past few days. There was a condolence card in there from the vet. I cried.
It has been a very long emotional weekend.
Rolling in Goose Poop