Leif packed his bag for Alaska last night while I was cleaning up the kitchen. I resisted offering any advice and just relished in the quiet intent.
Here are the contents:
-Buzz Lightyear (Buzz goes on every trip with us. No surprise here.)
-A small wooden sailboat building kit that AB has been telling him for days he will help him build.
-His spacer and mask for his inhaler (inhaler not included)
-The Return of the King VHS tape (we don't have a VCR that works).
-His Croc flip flops
-His play binoculars.
-Skadi's water shoes.
-A Capri Sun fruit drink (sorry Leif, security will confiscate that).
-A box of Crayons (but no coloring book).
-A bulb aspirator.
-His mask he made at school the other day (which is a serious crack up as it has this big brown beard on it that he apparently insisted upon).
-AB's hardback copy of Eragon (this is a HUGE, heavy book!)
He actually didn't do too bad. I will kill the bulb aspirator (not even sure where he found that). And Skadi's water shoes will go in the bag with her clothes. I will trade the Eragon book for some coloring books. But all in all, not so bad for nearly four year old.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
My husband rocks
My friend, V, on Mother's Day shared with the rest of us a book one of her coworkers got her called "P0rn for Wives". (I was going to find this book and provide a link, but very quickly realized what exactly would result from such a search. I covered my eyes quick and scrambled for the back button.)
Anyways, the book was hilarious. Male models, scantily clad with liners like, "I just vacuumed the floor". We all laughed, but there were a few that reminded me what a wonderful husband I have. See I hate the vacuum. I get foot massages whenever he is in front of the TV. And then there are evenings like Friday night when I walked in the door that are almost verbatim out of "the book".
"Hi honey, come sit down, I made you smoked venison medallions on a chanterelle mushroom and wild boar bacon ragout with garlic mashed Yukon gold potatoes with a boar bacon gravy. And I was thinking this 1998 Sandhill Cabernet Sauvignon will go well, do you mind if we open it?"
Love him.
Anyways, the book was hilarious. Male models, scantily clad with liners like, "I just vacuumed the floor". We all laughed, but there were a few that reminded me what a wonderful husband I have. See I hate the vacuum. I get foot massages whenever he is in front of the TV. And then there are evenings like Friday night when I walked in the door that are almost verbatim out of "the book".
"Hi honey, come sit down, I made you smoked venison medallions on a chanterelle mushroom and wild boar bacon ragout with garlic mashed Yukon gold potatoes with a boar bacon gravy. And I was thinking this 1998 Sandhill Cabernet Sauvignon will go well, do you mind if we open it?"
Love him.
Skadi's favorite video
I usually post about Leif's favorite videos, but Skadi has a favorite too. A week or two ago I videotaped her dancing to this. She yelled at Daddy to watch her, then she waltzed the middle of the floor grinning, did a twirl and took a few steps and twirled again.
I had every intention of posting it here... then I saw Leif sitting in the background. Naked.
And if I was good at video editing. Or maybe if I just had any knowledge whatsoever of how to edit a digital video, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But it was.
So for now... enjoy her favorite video with me:
I had every intention of posting it here... then I saw Leif sitting in the background. Naked.
And if I was good at video editing. Or maybe if I just had any knowledge whatsoever of how to edit a digital video, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But it was.
So for now... enjoy her favorite video with me:
All Hands
I have been in my job for six years now. That makes 12 "All Hands Meetings" I should have attended.
I think I have gone to three.
Every.single.time there is one scheduled either I am sick or one of my kids are sick. I have come to expect that "All Hands" means "One sick family member".
I was determined to beat it this year. Leif's sick was last week. We all are nearly recovered from colds. Nobody was going to be sick.
Well and no one is. Except that yesterday at the mall, Skadi fell in the kid's play area where she was hanging with Leif and Daddy while I got a new watch battery.
And rechipped her tooth.
The repair job we had done about four months ago popped right off when she whacked her tooth on the slide.
Lovely.
I am certain they will fit her in during the All Hands Meeting tomorrow to fix it.
I think I have gone to three.
Every.single.time there is one scheduled either I am sick or one of my kids are sick. I have come to expect that "All Hands" means "One sick family member".
I was determined to beat it this year. Leif's sick was last week. We all are nearly recovered from colds. Nobody was going to be sick.
Well and no one is. Except that yesterday at the mall, Skadi fell in the kid's play area where she was hanging with Leif and Daddy while I got a new watch battery.
And rechipped her tooth.
The repair job we had done about four months ago popped right off when she whacked her tooth on the slide.
Lovely.
I am certain they will fit her in during the All Hands Meeting tomorrow to fix it.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Boredom
I don't remember the last time I could say I was bored. It surely wasn't in the last four years. Even before that, though I barely remember what life before kids was like, I am pretty sure I didn't get bored. There was always something to cook, a cross stitch to work on, gardening to do, a computer game to play, a book to read, a room to paint... The list goes one. I am routinely surprised when I hear someone say they get bored.
That said, I actually did recently have my first (in a very long time) brush with boredom.
Try spending two days in the hospital with a preschooler. Boredom was setting in.
By the second day I had a routine:
Movie of his choice (which turned out to be either the full length Scooby Doo cartoon or the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command cartoon VHS cassettes we found in the pediatric ward movie closet. Lovely. Cannot.stand.Scooby.Doo. Never thought I would find a day when I would be pushing for the Buzz cartoon.) During the movies I read magazines and let my brain melt for an hour and a half.
After the movie was over we would walk to the fish tank down the hall remembering each time how far he could walk without setting off the "escaped child" warning system linked to his house arrest ankle bracelet. It only happened once. I would also take this time to bug the nurses with questions like, "when will we see the doctor", "can you check his IV" and "does he really need the fluids?" They were happy to see us leave. Can't say I wasn't happy to be rid of them either.
We would go back to the room, stopping on the way by the toy room to see if anything had changed in there. Nope, still lots of toys without batteries.
Back to the room where mommy would invent a game to play. We perfected "hide the exam glove" (whereby Leif would announce where he was going to hide it, then he would hide it, and tell me where he hid it). Then giggle like crazy when I would go looking for it. My turn was harder since I refused to tell him where I put it. (And I think it is still left in the freezer section of the little fridge in the room now that I think about it.)
Coloring with crayons, Color Wonder markers or playing with Leapster. Yes, some of the Alaska trip surprises made early debuts. Good thing too... I discovered that the color wonder sets I bought had inappropriate colors for the topics. Seriously - Toy Story has orange, blue, purple and brown. How about green for Buzz and the chillies? Does T-Rex really get no respect at all? (Must buy a set of Color Wonder markers before the trip.)
A quick game of toss the stuffed snake (4" long snake I found in the gift shop) at the butterfly balloon. (Sorry Cate... it was a daunting target.) Once his arm started to get powerful and aim started to dwindle out of excitement, it was time for redirection. (I did retrieve the snake off the top of the TV before we left.)
Time to order some food. Thank you cafeteria delivery of many snacks, juices, chocolate milk and we learned you can even get mac and cheese for breakfast.
Call grandma. Tell her she is a "Sullivan" - still no idea why he calls people "little Sullivan".
Sit back down for another movie after food arrives and start the cycle over again.
Day two? I had read four magazines and I don't even want to think about how many times I heard "Scoooooby Doooo!" or "to infinity and beyond!"
Though I suppose I shouldn't *really* be complaining though. I wasn't the one who got to spend the night in the hospital room with Leif. AB got that sentence. And he got a cot with every three hour interruptions to his sleep when the nurses came in. Had I been the one in that position I have to admit I would have probably crawled in bed with Leif - that cot was way uncomfortable.
I guess it was good practice for confining him on the trip to Alaska in a mere 6 days.
That said, I actually did recently have my first (in a very long time) brush with boredom.
Try spending two days in the hospital with a preschooler. Boredom was setting in.
By the second day I had a routine:
Movie of his choice (which turned out to be either the full length Scooby Doo cartoon or the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command cartoon VHS cassettes we found in the pediatric ward movie closet. Lovely. Cannot.stand.Scooby.Doo. Never thought I would find a day when I would be pushing for the Buzz cartoon.) During the movies I read magazines and let my brain melt for an hour and a half.
After the movie was over we would walk to the fish tank down the hall remembering each time how far he could walk without setting off the "escaped child" warning system linked to his house arrest ankle bracelet. It only happened once. I would also take this time to bug the nurses with questions like, "when will we see the doctor", "can you check his IV" and "does he really need the fluids?" They were happy to see us leave. Can't say I wasn't happy to be rid of them either.
We would go back to the room, stopping on the way by the toy room to see if anything had changed in there. Nope, still lots of toys without batteries.
Back to the room where mommy would invent a game to play. We perfected "hide the exam glove" (whereby Leif would announce where he was going to hide it, then he would hide it, and tell me where he hid it). Then giggle like crazy when I would go looking for it. My turn was harder since I refused to tell him where I put it. (And I think it is still left in the freezer section of the little fridge in the room now that I think about it.)
Coloring with crayons, Color Wonder markers or playing with Leapster. Yes, some of the Alaska trip surprises made early debuts. Good thing too... I discovered that the color wonder sets I bought had inappropriate colors for the topics. Seriously - Toy Story has orange, blue, purple and brown. How about green for Buzz and the chillies? Does T-Rex really get no respect at all? (Must buy a set of Color Wonder markers before the trip.)
A quick game of toss the stuffed snake (4" long snake I found in the gift shop) at the butterfly balloon. (Sorry Cate... it was a daunting target.) Once his arm started to get powerful and aim started to dwindle out of excitement, it was time for redirection. (I did retrieve the snake off the top of the TV before we left.)
Time to order some food. Thank you cafeteria delivery of many snacks, juices, chocolate milk and we learned you can even get mac and cheese for breakfast.
Call grandma. Tell her she is a "Sullivan" - still no idea why he calls people "little Sullivan".
Sit back down for another movie after food arrives and start the cycle over again.
Day two? I had read four magazines and I don't even want to think about how many times I heard "Scoooooby Doooo!" or "to infinity and beyond!"
Though I suppose I shouldn't *really* be complaining though. I wasn't the one who got to spend the night in the hospital room with Leif. AB got that sentence. And he got a cot with every three hour interruptions to his sleep when the nurses came in. Had I been the one in that position I have to admit I would have probably crawled in bed with Leif - that cot was way uncomfortable.
I guess it was good practice for confining him on the trip to Alaska in a mere 6 days.
Something to be thankful for
Leif was admitted to the hospital Wednesday morning for what was declared in the ER to be a "severe asthma attack". Tuesday evening in the bathtub he started wheezing, so I nebulized him. He had a little bit of a cold and had been complaining of a sore throat that day and the day prior.
At about 2am he woke up wheezing and asked for his "fertilizer". At 2am nothing much makes sense. Talking to a preschooler at that time of morning doesn't make it easier. Finally it dawned on me how much coughing he was doing. So I fertilized him. I started to get concerned as well and hauled him to bed with us where AB and I debated a trip to the ER right then. At 4am it was evident that things were not right, his breathing was labored. A little while later he woke up and said, "I can't breathe".
AB had just left for work (I knew this as I was not sleeping and instead watching Leif sleep). I called AB on his cell phone and he turned around, came inside and ran him off to the ER. I felt helpless and scared as I sat around the house at 5:30am waiting for Skadi to wake up so that I could get her ready and take her to daycare.
By the time I arrived at the hospital the decision to admit him had been made.
We walked down the halls of the pediatric ward and I was hit with how thankful I was.
My son was by far and away the healthiest child in the ward. Rooms with signs controlling exposure were everywhere. Rooms with children laying in beds.
I was thankful it was a chore to keep my son in bed.
Truly, I don't know how parents of sick children do it. I truly don't. My prayers are with them all.
At about 2am he woke up wheezing and asked for his "fertilizer". At 2am nothing much makes sense. Talking to a preschooler at that time of morning doesn't make it easier. Finally it dawned on me how much coughing he was doing. So I fertilized him. I started to get concerned as well and hauled him to bed with us where AB and I debated a trip to the ER right then. At 4am it was evident that things were not right, his breathing was labored. A little while later he woke up and said, "I can't breathe".
AB had just left for work (I knew this as I was not sleeping and instead watching Leif sleep). I called AB on his cell phone and he turned around, came inside and ran him off to the ER. I felt helpless and scared as I sat around the house at 5:30am waiting for Skadi to wake up so that I could get her ready and take her to daycare.
By the time I arrived at the hospital the decision to admit him had been made.
We walked down the halls of the pediatric ward and I was hit with how thankful I was.
My son was by far and away the healthiest child in the ward. Rooms with signs controlling exposure were everywhere. Rooms with children laying in beds.
I was thankful it was a chore to keep my son in bed.
Truly, I don't know how parents of sick children do it. I truly don't. My prayers are with them all.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Siggs
I decided today I did not need a Sigg.
No way, no how, define "need", not going to get one.
Resist all the pretty colors.
Do NOT need a Sigg.
Then Leif's came in the mail.
Love it.
And he loves it too.
I just got through outfitting Skadi with the cutest ever Sigg complete with bottle strap and sippy cup handles. Ok, so the sippy cup handles are red because that is what Amazon prime had and I was not paying $5.95 for shipping on blue handles. So hers won't be quite as coordinating... but she will never notice.
No way, no how, define "need", not going to get one.
Resist all the pretty colors.
Do NOT need a Sigg.
Then Leif's came in the mail.
Love it.
And he loves it too.
I just got through outfitting Skadi with the cutest ever Sigg complete with bottle strap and sippy cup handles. Ok, so the sippy cup handles are red because that is what Amazon prime had and I was not paying $5.95 for shipping on blue handles. So hers won't be quite as coordinating... but she will never notice.
Me?
Violet sunray thank you very much.
Waiting for AB to insist on one now...
Oh and we got ours from Get'n Green. Shipped out of Montana not far from here. Quick service and by far the best prices. For the kid soccer fans - they have the World Cup Official Souvenier on clearance.
Next stop will be a Sigg Thermos... but I am waiting for my three I rotate between to crap out completely. It is a wish list item for now.
10 days
I am coming to terms with our pending trip to Alaska. "Coming to terms" sounds harsh and I don't intend it so. Really.
Truth be told and you guys will never guess this... I am a control freak. Yes, yes, I know... who would have ever known! (Yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek.)
And I have actually had A LOT to say to my wonderful husband about what *I* want to do on vacation and how *I* want it to go. And he is amazingly accomodating and has pushed the topics on all fronts.
I have neurosed about the little things (like what my kids will eat and if there will be moose that Leif can see around) and stressed about the big ones (like my husband potentially being gone on a fishing charter for two nights while I was stuck in a remote cabin with the kids - like every single teen horror flick coming back to memory here).
As of this evening the itinerary is lined out, smoothed out and I can officially relax. I still might think my SIL and BIL are totally unprepared to take care of my kids and their son one evening that AB and I and my MIL are going on an evening fishing charter for King Salmon... And truly - this will be an artifact of my kids and in no way related to their abilities... but my kids don't like to go to sleep. At all. Anyways, truly, in the larger scheme of things? Worst case scenario (aside from broken bones) is that my kids don't go to sleep for them and are up all night until we get back about midnight. (Land of the midnight sun and all.)
It isn't like they have to get up and go to school the next day or anything. We will deal.
We arrive in Anchorage about midnight Thursday night/Friday morning.
Friday day AB wants to reconnect with an old friend for lunch (Kristadel has he e-mailed you yet? ) That afternoon a trip to the Anchorage zoo which holds very fond memories for AB and I as a couple when we were first dating. We visited the zoo and it was so dang cold we kept hiding out in the elephant house. And it stunk so bad, but it was so toasty. Finally the elephants decided to humor us with a game of toss the stick back and forth. They were apparently as bored as we were.
Saturday we are going to Portage to an wild animal refuge park and then to Seward for a wildlife cruise with my MIL.
Sunday spending the day with my FIL and his girlfriend. My FIL is very excited to take Leif trout fishing in the lake her house is on.
Monday to the cabin.
Tuesday... no plans during the day until we take care of my nephew while my SIL, BIL and MIL head out on their fishing charter that evening. I am thinking I *might* even get to pick up a book and read!! Maybe?
Wednesday... our fishing evening.
Thursday... prepare for the big 4th of July BBQ/party.
Friday... big 4th of July party.
Saturday... head home.
I have all sorts of surprises for the trip in my possession as well as the last arrival this afternoon - Leif's Hakunamatata Sigg cup with yellow strap. He loves it.
And now I need one.
Aside from the pain of packing where we will try to fit everything my Alaskan boy scout deems necessary into as little baggage as possible.
Ha. The headache has yet to come...
Truth be told and you guys will never guess this... I am a control freak. Yes, yes, I know... who would have ever known! (Yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek.)
And I have actually had A LOT to say to my wonderful husband about what *I* want to do on vacation and how *I* want it to go. And he is amazingly accomodating and has pushed the topics on all fronts.
I have neurosed about the little things (like what my kids will eat and if there will be moose that Leif can see around) and stressed about the big ones (like my husband potentially being gone on a fishing charter for two nights while I was stuck in a remote cabin with the kids - like every single teen horror flick coming back to memory here).
As of this evening the itinerary is lined out, smoothed out and I can officially relax. I still might think my SIL and BIL are totally unprepared to take care of my kids and their son one evening that AB and I and my MIL are going on an evening fishing charter for King Salmon... And truly - this will be an artifact of my kids and in no way related to their abilities... but my kids don't like to go to sleep. At all. Anyways, truly, in the larger scheme of things? Worst case scenario (aside from broken bones) is that my kids don't go to sleep for them and are up all night until we get back about midnight. (Land of the midnight sun and all.)
It isn't like they have to get up and go to school the next day or anything. We will deal.
We arrive in Anchorage about midnight Thursday night/Friday morning.
Friday day AB wants to reconnect with an old friend for lunch (Kristadel has he e-mailed you yet? ) That afternoon a trip to the Anchorage zoo which holds very fond memories for AB and I as a couple when we were first dating. We visited the zoo and it was so dang cold we kept hiding out in the elephant house. And it stunk so bad, but it was so toasty. Finally the elephants decided to humor us with a game of toss the stick back and forth. They were apparently as bored as we were.
Saturday we are going to Portage to an wild animal refuge park and then to Seward for a wildlife cruise with my MIL.
Sunday spending the day with my FIL and his girlfriend. My FIL is very excited to take Leif trout fishing in the lake her house is on.
Monday to the cabin.
Tuesday... no plans during the day until we take care of my nephew while my SIL, BIL and MIL head out on their fishing charter that evening. I am thinking I *might* even get to pick up a book and read!! Maybe?
Wednesday... our fishing evening.
Thursday... prepare for the big 4th of July BBQ/party.
Friday... big 4th of July party.
Saturday... head home.
I have all sorts of surprises for the trip in my possession as well as the last arrival this afternoon - Leif's Hakunamatata Sigg cup with yellow strap. He loves it.
And now I need one.
Aside from the pain of packing where we will try to fit everything my Alaskan boy scout deems necessary into as little baggage as possible.
Ha. The headache has yet to come...
Top Chef finale
So I am finally getting around to blogging about my favorite TV show. Well second favorite - still cannot wait till season three of Big Love starts next January.
Anyways...
Yay Stephanie!
AB and I have been huge Top Chef fans since it originally aired four seasons ago. Finally a woman has won - and she kicked butt too!
AB kept telling me at the end that Lisa was going to win and he was shushed many times. And maybe with an angry and worried tone as well. I was going to be so disappointed if she won after floating through so many elimination challenges. That's not to say I wouldn't have loved to eat her food... (Must go get her Thai soup recipe and her dessert recipe.)
I was sorry to see Richard falter. I really wanted Stephanie to win, but Richard (had he lived up to his potential in the finale) would have been a deserving Top Chef as well.
Can't wait for season 5!
Anyways...
Yay Stephanie!
AB and I have been huge Top Chef fans since it originally aired four seasons ago. Finally a woman has won - and she kicked butt too!
AB kept telling me at the end that Lisa was going to win and he was shushed many times. And maybe with an angry and worried tone as well. I was going to be so disappointed if she won after floating through so many elimination challenges. That's not to say I wouldn't have loved to eat her food... (Must go get her Thai soup recipe and her dessert recipe.)
I was sorry to see Richard falter. I really wanted Stephanie to win, but Richard (had he lived up to his potential in the finale) would have been a deserving Top Chef as well.
Can't wait for season 5!
Gluttons for punishment?
One thing I am trying to convey with Leif is that he does not need to play with kids who aren't nice to him.
There are two little boys in his former classroom who he clashes with big time. Big time. I get to hear about all the bad stuff they do to him at recess on the drive home and when I pick him up and he is on the playground, they come running to me to tell me every transgression of Leif's. I am blowing it off right now because I know that his new teachers ARE dealing with it.
What is killing me though is conveying to Leif that he does not have to be friends with these boys.
I fear he has a little of me in him here. A resistance to let go of someone despite being practically pushed out the door.
When I ask him who he wants to invite to his birthday party - and despite the fact that neither boy invited him to their parties - their names are on the top of the list. He is still only turning four and I have ultimate say on the guest list. Therefore they will not be invited. AB balked a little saying if Leif wanted them there, they should be invited. I reminded him that his party should be fun and not full of interactions that are going to hurt his feelings and he quickly saw the light.
Though they clash - I can still hear the admiration in his voice for them. I can see him looking up to them, longing to play with them.
Are we just gluttons for punishment? We know that we are being pushed away but we still reach out, grasping, despite the pain that rejection brings?
AB is much more matter of fact about it all. "Well if someone doesn't want to include us then do we really want to be included?" It was a refrain his parents said to him many times and one we will say to Leif many times. I am trying to tell myself the answer is a no brainer.
And I see it in Leif's eyes too. The pain of wanting to be included with those boys - the pain of wanting to hear "you are my friend" (which is a major deal to a four year old in declaring that level of commitment) from them. And I stand here thinking to myself that he isn't going to hear it and frankly - I don't want him to hear it from them.
Friendships - even for a four year old they are complicated!
There are two little boys in his former classroom who he clashes with big time. Big time. I get to hear about all the bad stuff they do to him at recess on the drive home and when I pick him up and he is on the playground, they come running to me to tell me every transgression of Leif's. I am blowing it off right now because I know that his new teachers ARE dealing with it.
What is killing me though is conveying to Leif that he does not have to be friends with these boys.
I fear he has a little of me in him here. A resistance to let go of someone despite being practically pushed out the door.
When I ask him who he wants to invite to his birthday party - and despite the fact that neither boy invited him to their parties - their names are on the top of the list. He is still only turning four and I have ultimate say on the guest list. Therefore they will not be invited. AB balked a little saying if Leif wanted them there, they should be invited. I reminded him that his party should be fun and not full of interactions that are going to hurt his feelings and he quickly saw the light.
Though they clash - I can still hear the admiration in his voice for them. I can see him looking up to them, longing to play with them.
Are we just gluttons for punishment? We know that we are being pushed away but we still reach out, grasping, despite the pain that rejection brings?
AB is much more matter of fact about it all. "Well if someone doesn't want to include us then do we really want to be included?" It was a refrain his parents said to him many times and one we will say to Leif many times. I am trying to tell myself the answer is a no brainer.
And I see it in Leif's eyes too. The pain of wanting to be included with those boys - the pain of wanting to hear "you are my friend" (which is a major deal to a four year old in declaring that level of commitment) from them. And I stand here thinking to myself that he isn't going to hear it and frankly - I don't want him to hear it from them.
Friendships - even for a four year old they are complicated!
Friday, June 13, 2008
I'm going on a trip...
(Those of you with kids Leif's age can now continue singing the Little Einsteins theme song.)
Done now?
I am going on a trip where Little Einsteins don't exist!
For a whole weekend in August!
The girl's weekend to Steamboat Springs is officially booked.
I kept finding good airfare for departing on Friday and returning Monday. But that would require first that my husband take time off Monday morning to get the kids into daycare/preschool. It would require my host to take an extra day off to get me to the airport (yes, I could take a bus or taxi I am sure if she had to work). But the biggy was it would be three nights away from my kids.
Wasn't sure I could do this. Two nights I can do. AB can do - he can suffer two sleepless nights on a weekend IF it went that way. Which it won't. Both kids will go to bed on time and sleep through the night. But three nights was going to be tough.
I did my every couple days or so check of airfare and yesterday the flight back on Sunday had dropped to the acceptable range. I took a slightly ($23) more expensive flight back on Sunday though just so I didn't have to leave at 8am. I will fly out of here Friday at the crack of dawn and arrive in Steamboat at about 1pm where VargasGirl will fetch me at the airport. Then I fly home on Sunday and should walk in the door just in time to rescue my husband and let him cook a wonderful dinner to welcome me home.
Shopping... spa time... Strawberry Park Hot Springs (which should not be discussed with my husband lest insane jealousy set in)... the mountains... wine with the girls...
Should rejuvenate me.
And I will not complain at all about being abandoned with the kids in Alaska in favor of golf outtings and fishing charters!
Done now?
I am going on a trip where Little Einsteins don't exist!
For a whole weekend in August!
The girl's weekend to Steamboat Springs is officially booked.
I kept finding good airfare for departing on Friday and returning Monday. But that would require first that my husband take time off Monday morning to get the kids into daycare/preschool. It would require my host to take an extra day off to get me to the airport (yes, I could take a bus or taxi I am sure if she had to work). But the biggy was it would be three nights away from my kids.
Wasn't sure I could do this. Two nights I can do. AB can do - he can suffer two sleepless nights on a weekend IF it went that way. Which it won't. Both kids will go to bed on time and sleep through the night. But three nights was going to be tough.
I did my every couple days or so check of airfare and yesterday the flight back on Sunday had dropped to the acceptable range. I took a slightly ($23) more expensive flight back on Sunday though just so I didn't have to leave at 8am. I will fly out of here Friday at the crack of dawn and arrive in Steamboat at about 1pm where VargasGirl will fetch me at the airport. Then I fly home on Sunday and should walk in the door just in time to rescue my husband and let him cook a wonderful dinner to welcome me home.
Shopping... spa time... Strawberry Park Hot Springs (which should not be discussed with my husband lest insane jealousy set in)... the mountains... wine with the girls...
Should rejuvenate me.
And I will not complain at all about being abandoned with the kids in Alaska in favor of golf outtings and fishing charters!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
We finally succumbed...
And turned on our heat today.
Even AB walked in this evening and said, "it's cold in here!"
It has been an unusually cool spring. We have about 1/3 of our normal Rainier cherry crop and only a few random Bing cherries on the tree. AB's nectarine tree is suffering something fierce and I have counted a total of about 20 plums on the tree compared to last years thousand (or so it seemed).
AB has commented that it is reminiscent of spring in Alaska. Cool, dreary and rainy.
I have a ton of cute summer clothes for the kids and I am wondering if they will ever get to wear them! They were in long sleeves and pants today.
Even AB walked in this evening and said, "it's cold in here!"
It has been an unusually cool spring. We have about 1/3 of our normal Rainier cherry crop and only a few random Bing cherries on the tree. AB's nectarine tree is suffering something fierce and I have counted a total of about 20 plums on the tree compared to last years thousand (or so it seemed).
AB has commented that it is reminiscent of spring in Alaska. Cool, dreary and rainy.
I have a ton of cute summer clothes for the kids and I am wondering if they will ever get to wear them! They were in long sleeves and pants today.
Butterflies round two
Our first set of butterflies kept themselves "busy" in the habitat until they could be released finally (delayed due to the cold weather).
After releasing them I noted a big bunch of eggs on the sugar water and decided to try my hand at rearing them from eggs.
It took a little while to get the caterpillar meal, but I was still able to get four good chrysalids and butterflies. We decided not to go for a third round and released the butterflies the one (and only) warm weekend we have had thus far.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Raising a bag lady
Since the day after my daughter was born we have known that she is a girl that wants what she wants. She is particular on her requests and vocal about it.
Skadi has established her favorites list:
Favorite teacher at daycare. (It only took five weeks to convince her someone else could care for her.)
Favorite book - 10 Little Ladybugs (And she was none too happy to find it in Leif's room this morning. She picked it up and marched it out - despite the fact that she uses his room as much as him.)
Favorite food - Mommy milk (I am starting to wonder if she will never wean.) After daycare today she had a Gerber "Cheetoh" in her mouth, when she eyed my chest, she reached up and scooped the "Cheetoh" out of her mouth (depositing it on the floor) and came over and lifted my shirt up. She is a different beast than my Leifer.
Favorite thing to do - go outside (opening the back door and closing it before she can toddle outside will cause a meltdown). She is an outside girl. Too bad for her she has this pale porcelain skin that is going to burn to a crisp. She will be forever coated in SPF 30.
Favorite activity once outside - the slide or eat sand.
Favorite thing to put in her mouth - rocks. (Oh so good on the teeth.)
Favorite song - Pat Your Tummy
Favorite activity inside - Stand in her wading pool (the dog's water bowl). This does mean however she gets to put on a new pair of shoes. See there is a reason why she has 14 pairs.
Second favorite activity inside - Have a tea party.
Favorite person to put her to bed - Daddy (make that only person allowed to put her to bed right now).
Favorite person to see at 2:30am - Mommy (make that the only acceptable person to see at 2:30am).
Favorite word - Mine (any surprise?)
Favorite sport - swimming, specifically gathering the balls up and putting them in the basket (parent-tot lesson game).
Favorite clothes - Dresses (ok, that might be mommy's insertion)
I thought Skadi needed a baby doll. I slaved over the decision until I finally actually went to Target to the doll aisle - who would have known? Going into a store as opposed to cruising aisles online? I have become a lazy shopper. If it isn't at Costco or Albertsons then I find it online.
I found too many actually. There were a ton of acceptable dolls. Kind of made me feel silly for writing that other post on my other blog. I labored over the decision avoiding the end of the aisle with the freaky motion sensing dolls that all giggled and coo'd when I got in front of them. Any wonder why there were still 10 out of 10 dolls there? No way in hell is one coming home with me. (And the other woman in the aisle agreed with me.) Sales tactic gone bad... don't actually make it respond in the store, wait until the doll gets home before revealing the obnoxious level.
I finally decided on a little baby doll in a cloth carry basinette with two bottles. I remember Leif's friend, C, had this one because his baby doll didn't have a cloth basinette with his dolly and this was a huge point of contention between the two friends.
I took the doll home and gave it to Skadi.
She looked at it, played a little (about 20 seconds), then threw the doll down and picked up the cloth basinette - tossed it over her shoulder and walked off.
She has not shown one iota of interest in the dolly. Only the cloth basinette. (As has the cat - he has adopted it as his bed.)
Oh and the pile of purses that were on my closet floor during the closet organization this past weekend? She couldn't get enough of them. She situated them (many at a time) on her shoulder as she headed out of the closet.
I have a girl who likes bags.
Baby dolls are still up in the air, but it isn't looking good for them.
Skadi has established her favorites list:
Favorite teacher at daycare. (It only took five weeks to convince her someone else could care for her.)
Favorite book - 10 Little Ladybugs (And she was none too happy to find it in Leif's room this morning. She picked it up and marched it out - despite the fact that she uses his room as much as him.)
Favorite food - Mommy milk (I am starting to wonder if she will never wean.) After daycare today she had a Gerber "Cheetoh" in her mouth, when she eyed my chest, she reached up and scooped the "Cheetoh" out of her mouth (depositing it on the floor) and came over and lifted my shirt up. She is a different beast than my Leifer.
Favorite thing to do - go outside (opening the back door and closing it before she can toddle outside will cause a meltdown). She is an outside girl. Too bad for her she has this pale porcelain skin that is going to burn to a crisp. She will be forever coated in SPF 30.
Favorite activity once outside - the slide or eat sand.
Favorite thing to put in her mouth - rocks. (Oh so good on the teeth.)
Favorite song - Pat Your Tummy
Favorite activity inside - Stand in her wading pool (the dog's water bowl). This does mean however she gets to put on a new pair of shoes. See there is a reason why she has 14 pairs.
Second favorite activity inside - Have a tea party.
Favorite person to put her to bed - Daddy (make that only person allowed to put her to bed right now).
Favorite person to see at 2:30am - Mommy (make that the only acceptable person to see at 2:30am).
Favorite word - Mine (any surprise?)
Favorite sport - swimming, specifically gathering the balls up and putting them in the basket (parent-tot lesson game).
Favorite clothes - Dresses (ok, that might be mommy's insertion)
I thought Skadi needed a baby doll. I slaved over the decision until I finally actually went to Target to the doll aisle - who would have known? Going into a store as opposed to cruising aisles online? I have become a lazy shopper. If it isn't at Costco or Albertsons then I find it online.
I found too many actually. There were a ton of acceptable dolls. Kind of made me feel silly for writing that other post on my other blog. I labored over the decision avoiding the end of the aisle with the freaky motion sensing dolls that all giggled and coo'd when I got in front of them. Any wonder why there were still 10 out of 10 dolls there? No way in hell is one coming home with me. (And the other woman in the aisle agreed with me.) Sales tactic gone bad... don't actually make it respond in the store, wait until the doll gets home before revealing the obnoxious level.
I finally decided on a little baby doll in a cloth carry basinette with two bottles. I remember Leif's friend, C, had this one because his baby doll didn't have a cloth basinette with his dolly and this was a huge point of contention between the two friends.
I took the doll home and gave it to Skadi.
She looked at it, played a little (about 20 seconds), then threw the doll down and picked up the cloth basinette - tossed it over her shoulder and walked off.
She has not shown one iota of interest in the dolly. Only the cloth basinette. (As has the cat - he has adopted it as his bed.)
Oh and the pile of purses that were on my closet floor during the closet organization this past weekend? She couldn't get enough of them. She situated them (many at a time) on her shoulder as she headed out of the closet.
I have a girl who likes bags.
Baby dolls are still up in the air, but it isn't looking good for them.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Keyword Muppets Crocodile
Leif has two new You Tube favorites:
Skadi danced little circles for "Never Smile".
We explored a little more and neither he or Skadi was overly interested in Alice Cooper's Muppet Show gig with "School's Out". Probably should be happy about that one. Though AB and I dug on the Muppet Show's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover".
Skadi danced little circles for "Never Smile".
We explored a little more and neither he or Skadi was overly interested in Alice Cooper's Muppet Show gig with "School's Out". Probably should be happy about that one. Though AB and I dug on the Muppet Show's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover".
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Follow up - dog
I heard back from the Belgian Sheepdog Rescue and apparently Tinga is such a fabulous dog that her foster family has decided to adopt her. I was a touch disappointed, but more just happy that a great dog has found a caring home.
It was AB's suggestion after reading the e-mail that came this morning that we go ahead and submit our application for a dog and start "the process" to adopt a Belgian.
I am excited by this. First of all, because I think Belgians are just wonderful fabulous dogs. And Winny needs a younger sibling to keep her running and active. But I am also excited to find a dog that needs a home - as opposed to paying the big bucks for a new puppy.
Maybe someday we will get a puppy when my kids get a little older, but right now I think adopting from a rescue - providing we can find the "right" dog is a better option. We have strict requirements - must do well with children, other dogs and a cat. Be a younger beta dog who isn't going to need to be reminded of her stature in the family, yet with all the Belgian traits we love.
Forging forward!
It was AB's suggestion after reading the e-mail that came this morning that we go ahead and submit our application for a dog and start "the process" to adopt a Belgian.
I am excited by this. First of all, because I think Belgians are just wonderful fabulous dogs. And Winny needs a younger sibling to keep her running and active. But I am also excited to find a dog that needs a home - as opposed to paying the big bucks for a new puppy.
Maybe someday we will get a puppy when my kids get a little older, but right now I think adopting from a rescue - providing we can find the "right" dog is a better option. We have strict requirements - must do well with children, other dogs and a cat. Be a younger beta dog who isn't going to need to be reminded of her stature in the family, yet with all the Belgian traits we love.
Forging forward!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Curse you internet!
I am the queen of finding both useless and useful crap on the internet.
I can comparison shop, I can find the best deals, I can read reviews on products, I can order shoes while I work, I can buy Father's Day presents without hauling the kids to the mall... very easy to set my son in front of the computer and let him choose between two gifts - he picked out daddy's watch for Christmas, and then went and told daddy he just bought him a watch. AB thought he was making it all up. Surprise when on Christmas morning he did actually have a watch that Leif knew ALL about from the computer.
And then I can also find things like a dog.
For the last year or so AB and I have toyed with getting a Belgian Shepherd puppy. We have our Win-dog who is fabulouso. But she is getting old. Nine years old last month. That's 63 in dog years.
She loves to play with the neighborhood dogs, especially Lucy (a Great Pyrenees/Retreiver mix) down the street. Winny has her posse of doggy playmates on our evening walks. But she could really use a young dog to exercise her legs and keep her from getting too old and sedentary.
Then "we" (read *I*) went and got a cat last fall instead of a puppy. Winny and Lucky are to the point that they play, they sleep together, they race around the house, then they sleep together again.
But Winny really wants a dog.
We all would like another dog really. But mommy and daddy don't "really" want a puppy. Especially now that my kitten isn't so much of a kitten anymore and my baby is now a toddler. We are ready for a little break with live baby things
I made my way to a Belgian Shepherd Rescue pages like I do every couple of months. Just to see what is there...
Lo and behold there were a few dogs there. (There never are, people who get Belgian's don't give them up easily since they are rare and usually expensive as hell.)
There was Tinga.
"Tinga is a lovely 1 ½ - 2 year old from Central California. She’s house- and crate-trained, enjoys grooming, and travels well. Her foster family says she’s calm, oh-so-sweet and eager to please. She gets along well with other dogs and cats. Tinga especially loves to be invited onto the couch for some snuggly TV time! This sweetheart will be spayed later this month and available for adoption mid month."
And the fact that she looks *just* like Winny doesn't help either.
I phoned AB expecting him to reign me in with a quick "no".
But he didn't.
I have an inquiry out.
Sigh... time to close my browser before I get myself into anymore trouble.
I can comparison shop, I can find the best deals, I can read reviews on products, I can order shoes while I work, I can buy Father's Day presents without hauling the kids to the mall... very easy to set my son in front of the computer and let him choose between two gifts - he picked out daddy's watch for Christmas, and then went and told daddy he just bought him a watch. AB thought he was making it all up. Surprise when on Christmas morning he did actually have a watch that Leif knew ALL about from the computer.
And then I can also find things like a dog.
For the last year or so AB and I have toyed with getting a Belgian Shepherd puppy. We have our Win-dog who is fabulouso. But she is getting old. Nine years old last month. That's 63 in dog years.
She loves to play with the neighborhood dogs, especially Lucy (a Great Pyrenees/Retreiver mix) down the street. Winny has her posse of doggy playmates on our evening walks. But she could really use a young dog to exercise her legs and keep her from getting too old and sedentary.
Then "we" (read *I*) went and got a cat last fall instead of a puppy. Winny and Lucky are to the point that they play, they sleep together, they race around the house, then they sleep together again.
But Winny really wants a dog.
We all would like another dog really. But mommy and daddy don't "really" want a puppy. Especially now that my kitten isn't so much of a kitten anymore and my baby is now a toddler. We are ready for a little break with live baby things
I made my way to a Belgian Shepherd Rescue pages like I do every couple of months. Just to see what is there...
Lo and behold there were a few dogs there. (There never are, people who get Belgian's don't give them up easily since they are rare and usually expensive as hell.)
There was Tinga.
"Tinga is a lovely 1 ½ - 2 year old from Central California. She’s house- and crate-trained, enjoys grooming, and travels well. Her foster family says she’s calm, oh-so-sweet and eager to please. She gets along well with other dogs and cats. Tinga especially loves to be invited onto the couch for some snuggly TV time! This sweetheart will be spayed later this month and available for adoption mid month."
And the fact that she looks *just* like Winny doesn't help either.
I phoned AB expecting him to reign me in with a quick "no".
But he didn't.
I have an inquiry out.
Sigh... time to close my browser before I get myself into anymore trouble.
My travel solutions
We will see how they all work!
From the Traveling with Kids website, I have ordered:
Totally Tape - Leif will so love this, I just have to resist pulling it out before we leave. (Thank you V.)
Marvel's magnetic tin, includes scenes and 24 magnets to play with.
Color Wonder with Nemo and Toy Story. These may save the day or they may fall flat. I wish my son liked art. But so far he doesn't care for it much. I rarely get art projects home. And even though I encourage it (I was a former art major) he just isn't interested. Though I was thrilled the other night when he wanted to paint a rock. Oh and additionally... you may be tempted to order these on Amazon like I was to take advantage of Prime shipping and save a trip. But I balked at Amazon's prices ($16-20). I went to Target and found the sets for $6.99.
Auto Bingo - as discussed below.
A carabiner flashlight. He can hook it to his luggage and can have it in Alaska. $1 in the bins at Target. I probably should have picked up two or three. But since it *never* will get dark in Alaska while we are there... the likelihood of him using it for a real purpose is not good.
A magnifying glass for investigating... well anything.
Second to last for Leif... AB fell in love with this Buggy Board for airports (attaches to the backside of our new wasabi and chocolate colored umbrella stroller) but not surprisingly balked at the $85.99 price tag. So we have a bid on eBay for one.
Last I have finally sold my husband 97% of the way on a Leapster. I picked the Leapster over the VSmile because it has a "pencil" connected and Leif really needs work on his fine motor skills and holding a pencil. (Which is part of the reason his teachers believe he doesn't like art is he can't hold a pencil properly.)
I AM still coveting a couple Sigg water bottles for each of my kids to take along. But there I am really balking at the price. I know, no BPA and all, but at $17.99 each, I may have to pass.
For Skadi...
Goldfish crackers
Gerber Yogurt Bites
Gerber Fruit Snacks
Little People in a cosmetics bag (thanks Jo Ann!)
A few cups and the tiny tea pot from her new tin tea set (so wishing I was home last night to have seen my husband having a tea party in the kitchen with both kids)
And if she is still showing interest in her brand new baby doll by then, we will take that as well.
From the Traveling with Kids website, I have ordered:
Totally Tape - Leif will so love this, I just have to resist pulling it out before we leave. (Thank you V.)
Marvel's magnetic tin, includes scenes and 24 magnets to play with.Color Wonder with Nemo and Toy Story. These may save the day or they may fall flat. I wish my son liked art. But so far he doesn't care for it much. I rarely get art projects home. And even though I encourage it (I was a former art major) he just isn't interested. Though I was thrilled the other night when he wanted to paint a rock. Oh and additionally... you may be tempted to order these on Amazon like I was to take advantage of Prime shipping and save a trip. But I balked at Amazon's prices ($16-20). I went to Target and found the sets for $6.99.
Auto Bingo - as discussed below.
A carabiner flashlight. He can hook it to his luggage and can have it in Alaska. $1 in the bins at Target. I probably should have picked up two or three. But since it *never* will get dark in Alaska while we are there... the likelihood of him using it for a real purpose is not good.
A magnifying glass for investigating... well anything.Second to last for Leif... AB fell in love with this Buggy Board for airports (attaches to the backside of our new wasabi and chocolate colored umbrella stroller) but not surprisingly balked at the $85.99 price tag. So we have a bid on eBay for one.
Last I have finally sold my husband 97% of the way on a Leapster. I picked the Leapster over the VSmile because it has a "pencil" connected and Leif really needs work on his fine motor skills and holding a pencil. (Which is part of the reason his teachers believe he doesn't like art is he can't hold a pencil properly.)I AM still coveting a couple Sigg water bottles for each of my kids to take along. But there I am really balking at the price. I know, no BPA and all, but at $17.99 each, I may have to pass.
For Skadi...
Goldfish crackers
Gerber Yogurt Bites
Gerber Fruit Snacks
Little People in a cosmetics bag (thanks Jo Ann!)
A few cups and the tiny tea pot from her new tin tea set (so wishing I was home last night to have seen my husband having a tea party in the kitchen with both kids)
And if she is still showing interest in her brand new baby doll by then, we will take that as well.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Traveling with kids
To say that I am neurosing about our upcoming trip to Alaska would be an understatement.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't so far away?
We are leaving on a Thursday night after work and daycare. Getting on a plane at 7:50 pm and hoping the kids sleep. A quick layover in Seattle and then we arrive shortly after midnight in Alaska.
And it should still be light when we arrive.
We leave on July 5th mid-afternoon and get home early evening.
So not only do we have these long flights with two little ones (one more entertainable than the other), but we will likely have at least two car trips as well. Then there is the whole hanging at the cabin you can only get to by boat for 6 days.
I have started my collection of entertainment items. Items to pull out as "surprises".
First on my list (and that arrived today) are these, auto bingo cards:
Did you have these when you were a kid? I did and loved them. I am hoping it will encourage some looking out the windows instead of insisting on Lion The King. Though I have to admit - I am looking at the cards and wondering how many cats, churches, fire engines and police cars we will see in remote Alaska... well at least Leif will like sliding the windows open and closed - I always did.
The next item would be Color Wonder. Actually I have no idea what these are, but will be picking them up at Target this week on recommendation from a number of women from my discussion board.
I have an animal sticker book to pull out from hiding.
And I am also thinking about a paper airplane book.... or other type of book where you build the paper items into some cool things to play with.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't so far away?
We are leaving on a Thursday night after work and daycare. Getting on a plane at 7:50 pm and hoping the kids sleep. A quick layover in Seattle and then we arrive shortly after midnight in Alaska.
And it should still be light when we arrive.
We leave on July 5th mid-afternoon and get home early evening.
So not only do we have these long flights with two little ones (one more entertainable than the other), but we will likely have at least two car trips as well. Then there is the whole hanging at the cabin you can only get to by boat for 6 days.
I have started my collection of entertainment items. Items to pull out as "surprises".
First on my list (and that arrived today) are these, auto bingo cards:
Did you have these when you were a kid? I did and loved them. I am hoping it will encourage some looking out the windows instead of insisting on Lion The King. Though I have to admit - I am looking at the cards and wondering how many cats, churches, fire engines and police cars we will see in remote Alaska... well at least Leif will like sliding the windows open and closed - I always did.
The next item would be Color Wonder. Actually I have no idea what these are, but will be picking them up at Target this week on recommendation from a number of women from my discussion board.
I have an animal sticker book to pull out from hiding.
And I am also thinking about a paper airplane book.... or other type of book where you build the paper items into some cool things to play with.
Next on the list (which I am trying to convince my husband is a necessity) is a Leapster or VSmile handheld game. He is skeptical, I am thinking it is better than endless DVDs.
For Skadi? So far my list is Goldfish and fruit snacks. And for the flight I might resort to Benadryl. Just might...
Enlighten me. Share with me.
What are your travel secrets with kids? And what items would you buy to pull out at those "I'm bored" moments?Getting back to the goals
So back about the New Year I decided that my goal for the year was to go through every room in my house and purge, organize, repair and replace. To make this daunting task not so unbearable, I decided to tackle one room a month. For the first two months this went quite well. The library was organized and still looks halfway decent. Leif's room has the storage options it needs and the guest bath (small and so lumped into the other rooms) is still organized as well.
Then March hit.
March was supposed to be Skadi's room.
And it was about 75% done. The remaining percentage was a consequence of her not living in her bedroom. Her dresser was in there, but her crib, changing pad, and pajamas were in our bedroom. Her toys were scattered between the living room and Leif's bedroom. She loves Leif's room and he doesn't mind her playing in there (yet). In fact, so far he prefers she play in there. There was this problem of the queen sized guest bed being in this room and no real place to put it other than to get rid of it.
Really, truth be told we are growing out of this house in a way. If my formal dining room could somehow be relocated and turned into a guest room... it would make a difference for our longevity in this house. But it can't be relocated and more storage won't just appear when I twitch my nose (I tried) and a real walk in pantry is for now just a dream. The kitchen that six years ago I thought I couldn't fill has reached its max. Oh and those looming apartment buildings won't just go away either.
Anyways, I ended up stopping short of finishing March and went straight to April which was to organize and clean up the yards. This was done to my satisfaction about 80% of the way. The remaining 20% I will just not say one word about because it will launch me into this little fit of sorts. Our yards have been well maintained since then due mostly in part to our hiring a lawn service to mow and trim.
May was going to be my Master Suite.
Then May was going to be my Master Closet and Master Bath.
Then "the summer" was finally deemed to be the Master Suite "month".
I have settled on this.
We finally had a weekend with no real major plans. We had friends cancel on a dinner party thanks to puking kids (on their end) - which I wanted absolutely no part of given our fragile nature this spring with viral crud. So instead of tackling food prep and guest readiness I worked on my goals.
My March goal is 95% complete. Skadi's crib is in her room. I have resigned myself to leaving the queen bed there. It makes her bedroom tiny, but truth be told, she doesn't spend time in there. And I would rather have the guest bed for that day when we do buy a new house and have a guest room (everyone I know tells me how comfortable this bed is and how well they sleep in it).
To finish off her room, I need to put up the foam flowers and ladybugs I bought to "girlify" the blue and green room. But that won't happen until she learns not to peel them off and eat them. And I need to go through the stack of outgrown clothes in the closet and box them up. I should also put the breastpump up and since I bought a nice, new ,sleek, travel oriented, "wasabi" colored, umbrella stroller (that should arrive any day now) put the big honking, broken latch Zooper either in the garage or the attic for storage. Once I get those things done, my March goal is finished (hopefully in June).
Since the crib was moved out of the Master Suite it gave me room to get things organized. It feels really good to return our bedroom to a room occupied by adults. Really good actually. As much as I love having my kids in our bedroom for their first year of life and I do believe it adds something to their security and well being, it is always nice to move back to having our own space and giving our children spaces of their own. It is a bittersweet step.
I cleaned out my closet and nearly every time I walk past it I have to stop and pat myself on the back. I have a list of organizational things to get in the next week to really make me happy about my closet. I am going to get some sweater boxes for the top shelf, some hooks to hold belts, purses and bags. I used the hanging sweater organizers I bought last November (and never installed) as shoe organizers for AB's shoes. I had tried to use normal sized hanging shoe organizers, but his shoes were too big. When I was trying to figure out where to hang the sweater organizers it hit me - they are the perfect size for his big honkin' shoes! I also need to buy a storage bench type thing for in there. AB suggested something with cubbies he can "stuff" his sweaters into. Well I have other plans. I can live with his desire to not hang up his jeans and to have them folded on a small table - but "stuffing" things in cubbies isn't going to work. Nice decorative boxes instead.
The one thing that I haven't done and I may or may not get to is purging clothes. While looking for hangers I did pull off a few things that I knew I would never wear ever again. And things that AB should not wear ever again. And put them in a stack for Goodwill. But I didn't go in depth down this path.
I also started on the Master bath and cleaning out the vanity. There I did purge. Old makeup, creams, gels, lotions... gone. And plans for new organizing bins for my counter tops. My house cleaner will love me.
My organizing bug didn't stop in the Master Suite... I did a couple drawers (the bottles and breast pump stuff ones), the fridge and my spice rack in the kitchen. Things that were bugging me.
Maybe the real accomplishment this weekend was getting AB to agree that my monthly goals are a good thing and even suggest that each room should be revisited every year.
Sunday evening I felt quite accomplished with myself.
Then March hit.
March was supposed to be Skadi's room.
And it was about 75% done. The remaining percentage was a consequence of her not living in her bedroom. Her dresser was in there, but her crib, changing pad, and pajamas were in our bedroom. Her toys were scattered between the living room and Leif's bedroom. She loves Leif's room and he doesn't mind her playing in there (yet). In fact, so far he prefers she play in there. There was this problem of the queen sized guest bed being in this room and no real place to put it other than to get rid of it.
Really, truth be told we are growing out of this house in a way. If my formal dining room could somehow be relocated and turned into a guest room... it would make a difference for our longevity in this house. But it can't be relocated and more storage won't just appear when I twitch my nose (I tried) and a real walk in pantry is for now just a dream. The kitchen that six years ago I thought I couldn't fill has reached its max. Oh and those looming apartment buildings won't just go away either.
Anyways, I ended up stopping short of finishing March and went straight to April which was to organize and clean up the yards. This was done to my satisfaction about 80% of the way. The remaining 20% I will just not say one word about because it will launch me into this little fit of sorts. Our yards have been well maintained since then due mostly in part to our hiring a lawn service to mow and trim.
May was going to be my Master Suite.
Then May was going to be my Master Closet and Master Bath.
Then "the summer" was finally deemed to be the Master Suite "month".
I have settled on this.
We finally had a weekend with no real major plans. We had friends cancel on a dinner party thanks to puking kids (on their end) - which I wanted absolutely no part of given our fragile nature this spring with viral crud. So instead of tackling food prep and guest readiness I worked on my goals.
My March goal is 95% complete. Skadi's crib is in her room. I have resigned myself to leaving the queen bed there. It makes her bedroom tiny, but truth be told, she doesn't spend time in there. And I would rather have the guest bed for that day when we do buy a new house and have a guest room (everyone I know tells me how comfortable this bed is and how well they sleep in it).
To finish off her room, I need to put up the foam flowers and ladybugs I bought to "girlify" the blue and green room. But that won't happen until she learns not to peel them off and eat them. And I need to go through the stack of outgrown clothes in the closet and box them up. I should also put the breastpump up and since I bought a nice, new ,sleek, travel oriented, "wasabi" colored, umbrella stroller (that should arrive any day now) put the big honking, broken latch Zooper either in the garage or the attic for storage. Once I get those things done, my March goal is finished (hopefully in June).
Since the crib was moved out of the Master Suite it gave me room to get things organized. It feels really good to return our bedroom to a room occupied by adults. Really good actually. As much as I love having my kids in our bedroom for their first year of life and I do believe it adds something to their security and well being, it is always nice to move back to having our own space and giving our children spaces of their own. It is a bittersweet step.
I cleaned out my closet and nearly every time I walk past it I have to stop and pat myself on the back. I have a list of organizational things to get in the next week to really make me happy about my closet. I am going to get some sweater boxes for the top shelf, some hooks to hold belts, purses and bags. I used the hanging sweater organizers I bought last November (and never installed) as shoe organizers for AB's shoes. I had tried to use normal sized hanging shoe organizers, but his shoes were too big. When I was trying to figure out where to hang the sweater organizers it hit me - they are the perfect size for his big honkin' shoes! I also need to buy a storage bench type thing for in there. AB suggested something with cubbies he can "stuff" his sweaters into. Well I have other plans. I can live with his desire to not hang up his jeans and to have them folded on a small table - but "stuffing" things in cubbies isn't going to work. Nice decorative boxes instead.
The one thing that I haven't done and I may or may not get to is purging clothes. While looking for hangers I did pull off a few things that I knew I would never wear ever again. And things that AB should not wear ever again. And put them in a stack for Goodwill. But I didn't go in depth down this path.
I also started on the Master bath and cleaning out the vanity. There I did purge. Old makeup, creams, gels, lotions... gone. And plans for new organizing bins for my counter tops. My house cleaner will love me.
My organizing bug didn't stop in the Master Suite... I did a couple drawers (the bottles and breast pump stuff ones), the fridge and my spice rack in the kitchen. Things that were bugging me.
Maybe the real accomplishment this weekend was getting AB to agree that my monthly goals are a good thing and even suggest that each room should be revisited every year.
Sunday evening I felt quite accomplished with myself.
Weekend recap
This morning I grabbed my bill for Leif's preschool out of my mail envelope. I glanced at the total a little shocked. They usually don't make mistakes. In fact, I am usually shocked at how precise they get the bills.
Why then was my bill $400 more than I was anticipating?
I sat in the car going over it with a fine toothed comb until I came to the offending charge.
Nevermind I thought.
Skadi, June 16th-30th.
YAY! My daughter is really starting soon! They expect me to pay them!
Not only that but I revelled a little in the 10% sibling discount that each child received.
Last Friday I stopped by the director's office to remind her that we would only be at Skadi's current daycare for another two weeks.
"I know," she sighed, "though I don't think we are going to let this happen. [Her teacher] and I have agreed that we don't think you can take her away from us,"
The director is good at putting on a front. She is a super nice woman, but I am not kidding myself that they aren't counting the days as well. From the number of times I walk into her office complaining about little things, to Skadi screaming at the teachers most days. They aren't going to miss us. I don't expect there to be tears shed over our departure this time around.
Saturday we had the usual morning activities. Swimming and then a trip to Costco. Skadi loves her swimming class, far more than Leif did at this age. I can barely hold on to her when they release the balls all around her and her little body flails to grab balls and she climbs over the other babies to get to the basket to put them in. Her teacher did the ball routine four times as compared to the usual two only because Skadi was such a little riot to watch. She would be pleased to retrieve balls through the whole swim lesson.
We made a trip to Costco afterwards, pre-empting the planned trip to Farmer's Market when our friends told us it was a lot of fun if you want asparagus. We like asparagus... but there is only so much asparagus one family needs. Instead we went and spent way too much money at Costco.
After putting all the food away we decided on a new goal... aside from fresh fruits, veggies and milk, we are not buying anything at the grocery store. Our pantry and freezer have reached frightening stages. That stage where you just aren't even sure what is in there anymore so you just buy new. Yeah, that stage. The goal in the next three weeks is to empty it.
(Just glad I got two bags of my new favorite chips at Costco the other day!)
Saturday afternoon was a lot of playing in the backyard by Leif, a lot of cleaning and organizing the house by me, sleeping by Skadi, and working on stuff by AB. Then AB and Leif installed the new carseat in AB's car. That took a fair amount of time actually. The seat is a one size fits all type of thing that is substantially smaller than his Regent in my car. We bought it for AB's car so he can haul both kids on the rare occasion he does so, but mostly for travel because traveling with the Britax Regent might just be near impossible. We purchased a Graco Nautilus. I had intended to find and buy the seat a few months ago but apparently it is one of the hot new seats that everyone wants (goes from 30-100 lbs), and it was back ordered nearly everywhere.
Of course the installation of this seat prompted some lamenting from my husband that I have been fearing was coming.
"I need a new car, I cannot install these seats properly without LATCH," he said.
And no joke. We both worked on it with our little sidekick barking out commands on the side, "here let me sit in it and see if it works", "let's put a cup in the cup holder and see if it helps!" (You were right Pam, Leif loves the cup holder.)
We keep pushing back the actual purchase of a new car. We know what we want. My car is paid off this month. We can stick to our rule of not buying a new car until the other is paid off. But making that actual step is seeming painful right now.
I fear a minivan (Toyota Sienna) is in my future. I envision a love-hate relationship since I was one of those women who swore I would never own a minivan.
AB is looking over taking the reigns on my 4Runner. But I am not sure I am ready to surrender it. All over the news is talk about people scrambling to get rid of their SUVs thanks to high gas prices. I suppose maybe it's that I don't drive that much (I fill up every other week), or that I am lucky enough that while I don't like gas prices right now I can still afford them, or that I just plain like my 4Runner. More than like... I love my 4Runner.
Ah well... I am sure I will enjoy the amenities of a minivan as well.
Why then was my bill $400 more than I was anticipating?
I sat in the car going over it with a fine toothed comb until I came to the offending charge.
Nevermind I thought.
Skadi, June 16th-30th.
YAY! My daughter is really starting soon! They expect me to pay them!
Not only that but I revelled a little in the 10% sibling discount that each child received.
Last Friday I stopped by the director's office to remind her that we would only be at Skadi's current daycare for another two weeks.
"I know," she sighed, "though I don't think we are going to let this happen. [Her teacher] and I have agreed that we don't think you can take her away from us,"
The director is good at putting on a front. She is a super nice woman, but I am not kidding myself that they aren't counting the days as well. From the number of times I walk into her office complaining about little things, to Skadi screaming at the teachers most days. They aren't going to miss us. I don't expect there to be tears shed over our departure this time around.
Saturday we had the usual morning activities. Swimming and then a trip to Costco. Skadi loves her swimming class, far more than Leif did at this age. I can barely hold on to her when they release the balls all around her and her little body flails to grab balls and she climbs over the other babies to get to the basket to put them in. Her teacher did the ball routine four times as compared to the usual two only because Skadi was such a little riot to watch. She would be pleased to retrieve balls through the whole swim lesson.
We made a trip to Costco afterwards, pre-empting the planned trip to Farmer's Market when our friends told us it was a lot of fun if you want asparagus. We like asparagus... but there is only so much asparagus one family needs. Instead we went and spent way too much money at Costco.
After putting all the food away we decided on a new goal... aside from fresh fruits, veggies and milk, we are not buying anything at the grocery store. Our pantry and freezer have reached frightening stages. That stage where you just aren't even sure what is in there anymore so you just buy new. Yeah, that stage. The goal in the next three weeks is to empty it.
(Just glad I got two bags of my new favorite chips at Costco the other day!)
Saturday afternoon was a lot of playing in the backyard by Leif, a lot of cleaning and organizing the house by me, sleeping by Skadi, and working on stuff by AB. Then AB and Leif installed the new carseat in AB's car. That took a fair amount of time actually. The seat is a one size fits all type of thing that is substantially smaller than his Regent in my car. We bought it for AB's car so he can haul both kids on the rare occasion he does so, but mostly for travel because traveling with the Britax Regent might just be near impossible. We purchased a Graco Nautilus. I had intended to find and buy the seat a few months ago but apparently it is one of the hot new seats that everyone wants (goes from 30-100 lbs), and it was back ordered nearly everywhere.
Of course the installation of this seat prompted some lamenting from my husband that I have been fearing was coming.
"I need a new car, I cannot install these seats properly without LATCH," he said.
And no joke. We both worked on it with our little sidekick barking out commands on the side, "here let me sit in it and see if it works", "let's put a cup in the cup holder and see if it helps!" (You were right Pam, Leif loves the cup holder.)
We keep pushing back the actual purchase of a new car. We know what we want. My car is paid off this month. We can stick to our rule of not buying a new car until the other is paid off. But making that actual step is seeming painful right now.
I fear a minivan (Toyota Sienna) is in my future. I envision a love-hate relationship since I was one of those women who swore I would never own a minivan.
AB is looking over taking the reigns on my 4Runner. But I am not sure I am ready to surrender it. All over the news is talk about people scrambling to get rid of their SUVs thanks to high gas prices. I suppose maybe it's that I don't drive that much (I fill up every other week), or that I am lucky enough that while I don't like gas prices right now I can still afford them, or that I just plain like my 4Runner. More than like... I love my 4Runner.
Ah well... I am sure I will enjoy the amenities of a minivan as well.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Coast pictures - Leif
Leif with his big catch of the day!
A whole net full of dead crabs! (He discovered the live ones pinched... so we hunted for dead ones only.)
This was where mommy discovered how bad dead crabs stink... The crabs were hauled back to the coast... by daddy.
Here we are out for a walk during high tide (when you can't get to the beach).
Leif is just dancing along and singing. I loved this!
"Hey mom, what are you giggling at?"
"Me? You are laughing at me??"
Coast pictures
Skadi checking out the rhododendrons (that grow like trees). There is a sore imbalance in pictures this time around. Skadi wasn't horribly happy with her bicuspids coming in. Thus, every picture I have of her she is giving me the evil eye that asks why I was holding the camera and not her.
Leif learning how to row the boat that his great grandpa built.
AB rowing the boat.
A pretty starfish I found when we went rowing by the wall.
Our neighborhood friendly seal.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
How to get to know the guys in my building...
Over lunchtime, have your browser open to fishing charter websites.
I was eating my soup from Safeway while searching for Salmon Shark charters for my husband. (It is what he wants for Father's Day - to go salmon shark fishing while we are in Alaska in four weeks.)
So I was searching. And eating.
And before I knew it I had a group of guys outside my door introducing themselves.
They stuck around to chit chat a little after I explained I was looking for a charter for my husband. They told me my husband was a lucky guy to have such a devoted wife, not only to allow him to go on a charter by himself on vacation, but to look at booking it myself for him!
That made me smile.
I was eating my soup from Safeway while searching for Salmon Shark charters for my husband. (It is what he wants for Father's Day - to go salmon shark fishing while we are in Alaska in four weeks.)
So I was searching. And eating.
And before I knew it I had a group of guys outside my door introducing themselves.
They stuck around to chit chat a little after I explained I was looking for a charter for my husband. They told me my husband was a lucky guy to have such a devoted wife, not only to allow him to go on a charter by himself on vacation, but to look at booking it myself for him!
That made me smile.
A family controversy
Until you have been to the "family compound" it is a little hard to understand. I hate using the word "compound" as it makes me think of Waco... and the vacation site is nothing like Waco! But "everyone" calls it the "compound".
AB's great grandfather won this coastal plot of land back about 1928. He subsequently split it into five parcels and each of his children (four girls and one son) was given a plot of land on which they and their spouse could build a cabin. AB's grandfather built an A-frame cabin that is one bedroom (with THE most uncomfortable bed ever), a loft, a kitchen, bathroom, dining area and living room. The cabin is now shared by my father in law and his brother and sister. The primary users are AB's uncle, AB's two cousins and their families (kids just older than ours), and us since no one else lives within reasonable distance to access the cabin. Within each of the other four cabins are family structures not unlike ours. Our cabin is second from the left below - the green one.
AB's great grandfather won this coastal plot of land back about 1928. He subsequently split it into five parcels and each of his children (four girls and one son) was given a plot of land on which they and their spouse could build a cabin. AB's grandfather built an A-frame cabin that is one bedroom (with THE most uncomfortable bed ever), a loft, a kitchen, bathroom, dining area and living room. The cabin is now shared by my father in law and his brother and sister. The primary users are AB's uncle, AB's two cousins and their families (kids just older than ours), and us since no one else lives within reasonable distance to access the cabin. Within each of the other four cabins are family structures not unlike ours. Our cabin is second from the left below - the green one.
Holidays are a big time at the compound. Holidays are the only days where no family is guaranteed to have the cabin to themselves because anyone who wants to come, should come and no one should be excluded. The only surviving and lucid matriarch of the family plans a potluck, everyone gathers around and sings a blessing. And we eat.
There is also something else you should know in embarking into this story... they are all Norwegian.
Very Norwegian.
And thus starts our story.
This was one of our first trips to the coast in a long time where there was a lot of family there. Cousins, aunts and uncles ranging in ages from 14 months (that would Skadi) up to nearly 100. And you can imagine how many people there were in those five cabins for a holiday weekend. The compound was alive with kids playing in the ocean, with people sitting on the decks eating and sipping wine, playing horseshoes, squirt gun fights, pickle ball and boating.
This is also one of the few places in the US where my kids' names are among the ordinary. Nobody balks at Skadi. It is different, but the namesake for Scandinavia and a Norse goddess? But of course it is a logical name for a little girl. And hearing it pronounced by the old Norwegians is beautiful. Indescribable actually. And something I hope to master before they all pass on.
Leif got to meet his cousins, second cousins and third cousins named Lars, Brigit, Ana, Marit, Signe... (keep listing Scandinavian names)... and Leif.
Yes Leif got to meet Leif.
Or what has apparently become a problem, a controversy in the family... "Leaf got to meet Layf".
I am used to people stumbling over my daughter's name. Not my son's. We have thoroughly violated the Norwegian code by going with the "Americanized" pronunciation of our son's name.
And it has irritated Aunt Muggy - the nearly 100 year old matriarch.
"Why you pronounce his name like that? Like something that falls on the ground?" she apparently asked her niece.
"Because that is the name his parents gave him," she told her.
"Well they are wrong and they need to stop that," Muggy retorted.
Muggy is a little forward.
Never before have I felt so self-conscious as I yelled my son's name across the compound grass.
I always said I would give him the option of the traditional Norwegian pronunciation. This weekend made me think that maybe it is time to start mentioning this to him? Though I do fear we have passed the point of no return.
Maybe I just need to teach him that when we are at the cabin, his name is "Layf".
Seems a whole lot easier right now.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Recent blips from the kids
One evening a few weeks back AB and I were supposed to go out and have an adults night out. Then Skadi started puking.
On their way to the get-together our friends K&V - also attending the get-together dropped off dessert for us. Creme brulee. Yumm.
Leif was so excited and gobbled it up.
The next night he asked, "what is Aunty V going to bring us for dessert tonight?"
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Leif has figured out what allergies are. One of the boys in his classes is allergic to many foods. So lately when he doesn't want to do something he plays the allergy card.
"No mommy, I am allergic to turning off the TV."
"No mommy, I am allergic to meat."
"No mommy, I am allergic to coming inside."
So he doesn't have the full grasp of what being allergic really is. It just seems to be a surefire way to be exempt from whatever he is being asked to do.
Not that it works.
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The first thing Skadi likes to do in the mornings once I release her from the confines of the Master Suite after having gotten ready for the day is to wander into Leif's room and wake him up. This isn't always what I want since sometimes (like this morning) she is up at 6am. And Leif will sleep till 7:30am.
However, being woken up by Skadi seems to be acceptable and usually nixes the whining. So I don't worry too much about it.
It just warms my heart to see her reach up and pat him giggling. Then once awake and she has been allowed onto the bed, go over and lay her head on him and wrap her arms around him.
Of course Leif thinks it is awfully special too.
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Leif likes to declare things his "favorites" lately. If he likes something it is immediately "his favorite".
We have finally moved beyond his favorite song being Upside Down by Jack Johnson. I like it, but wow he can listen to a song ad nauseum.
Recently he declared his favorite song to be Ben Harper's "Steal My Kisses" and he would sing along in the car. Then much to my surprise the other day he declared Ray Charles' "You Are My Sunshine" his favorite.
But his true favorite? His real favorite song?
The one he sings all.the.time lately.
On their way to the get-together our friends K&V - also attending the get-together dropped off dessert for us. Creme brulee. Yumm.
Leif was so excited and gobbled it up.
The next night he asked, "what is Aunty V going to bring us for dessert tonight?"
------------------
Leif has figured out what allergies are. One of the boys in his classes is allergic to many foods. So lately when he doesn't want to do something he plays the allergy card.
"No mommy, I am allergic to turning off the TV."
"No mommy, I am allergic to meat."
"No mommy, I am allergic to coming inside."
So he doesn't have the full grasp of what being allergic really is. It just seems to be a surefire way to be exempt from whatever he is being asked to do.
Not that it works.
----------------------
The first thing Skadi likes to do in the mornings once I release her from the confines of the Master Suite after having gotten ready for the day is to wander into Leif's room and wake him up. This isn't always what I want since sometimes (like this morning) she is up at 6am. And Leif will sleep till 7:30am.
However, being woken up by Skadi seems to be acceptable and usually nixes the whining. So I don't worry too much about it.
It just warms my heart to see her reach up and pat him giggling. Then once awake and she has been allowed onto the bed, go over and lay her head on him and wrap her arms around him.
Of course Leif thinks it is awfully special too.
---------------------
Leif likes to declare things his "favorites" lately. If he likes something it is immediately "his favorite".
We have finally moved beyond his favorite song being Upside Down by Jack Johnson. I like it, but wow he can listen to a song ad nauseum.
Recently he declared his favorite song to be Ben Harper's "Steal My Kisses" and he would sing along in the car. Then much to my surprise the other day he declared Ray Charles' "You Are My Sunshine" his favorite.
But his true favorite? His real favorite song?
The one he sings all.the.time lately.
Daycare Dramas
Those of you who know me, know that I am not overly prone to complaining about daycare. 99.9% of the time I am lucky to have superb daycare. We have had a few stumbles with Leif this past year in his first year of preschool, but we are on a good path with him. He will start in a new room on June 16th, again as a first year preschooler.
With his late summer birthday we don't expect to be putting him in kindergarten at age five. Of course it is all complicated given that we are in private preschool, he will do kindergarten at the private school and he will work at his own pace. So I guess I should be saying, we won't be putting him into 1st grade when he is 6. While I don't relish the thought of paying another year of tuition... and I still hold out hopes for another baby before I am 40 without having to pay three daycare/preschool tuitions, this is the best thing for him. And insuring his success in the future is the most important among those other things.
Then there is Skadi.
I left dropoff yesterday crying. I haven't cried dropping off a child at daycare since Leif's first day of daycare. I sat in my car and talked to AB on the phone contemplating going back in, retrieving my child, declaring myself on FMLA for the next three weeks and taking her home.
AB talked me down saying he would do some checking around and actually did end up with a few other options. I went to my office and waited the long 30 minutes before picking up the phone and calling her daycare to see if she had calmed down. She had. She said hi to me on the phone and was sitting at the table in Room Chaos eating crackers.
It is only three weeks until she starts at Leif's school. They thought of her having to transition twice to another intermediate temporary care before going to the other school kills me. She doesn't transition well at all. But it is an option. As is my taking 3 weeks off (without pay) to stay home with her.
She has two teachers right now. Quiet and Mean. Quiet is the head teacher who is always changing diapers. I mean when you have 14 toddlers in a room what else does one teacher do most of the time? Mean likes to sit there with her clipboard yelling and complaining.
Mean walked in with us this morning. She immediately hit the roof when she saw one of the children on the little kid size sink.
After she screamed at him she went off talking to me. "I don't know who the hell thought that a sink in this room was appropriate, but it isn't. That is THE stupidest idea ever." (Was not thrilled about her saying "hell" and "stupid" in front of the kids, but that is just something to add to my list.)
I said nothing.
See at the school Skadi will go to they also have a sink. And they have a stool. And they teach the kids in this age group how to use the stool to climb up, wash their hands, get a drink of water, turn the water on and off and to use the sink one at a time. And yes... they can play in it too.
Because it is JUST water.
My mantra is three weeks. Just three more weeks.
With his late summer birthday we don't expect to be putting him in kindergarten at age five. Of course it is all complicated given that we are in private preschool, he will do kindergarten at the private school and he will work at his own pace. So I guess I should be saying, we won't be putting him into 1st grade when he is 6. While I don't relish the thought of paying another year of tuition... and I still hold out hopes for another baby before I am 40 without having to pay three daycare/preschool tuitions, this is the best thing for him. And insuring his success in the future is the most important among those other things.
Then there is Skadi.
I left dropoff yesterday crying. I haven't cried dropping off a child at daycare since Leif's first day of daycare. I sat in my car and talked to AB on the phone contemplating going back in, retrieving my child, declaring myself on FMLA for the next three weeks and taking her home.
AB talked me down saying he would do some checking around and actually did end up with a few other options. I went to my office and waited the long 30 minutes before picking up the phone and calling her daycare to see if she had calmed down. She had. She said hi to me on the phone and was sitting at the table in Room Chaos eating crackers.
It is only three weeks until she starts at Leif's school. They thought of her having to transition twice to another intermediate temporary care before going to the other school kills me. She doesn't transition well at all. But it is an option. As is my taking 3 weeks off (without pay) to stay home with her.
She has two teachers right now. Quiet and Mean. Quiet is the head teacher who is always changing diapers. I mean when you have 14 toddlers in a room what else does one teacher do most of the time? Mean likes to sit there with her clipboard yelling and complaining.
Mean walked in with us this morning. She immediately hit the roof when she saw one of the children on the little kid size sink.
After she screamed at him she went off talking to me. "I don't know who the hell thought that a sink in this room was appropriate, but it isn't. That is THE stupidest idea ever." (Was not thrilled about her saying "hell" and "stupid" in front of the kids, but that is just something to add to my list.)
I said nothing.
See at the school Skadi will go to they also have a sink. And they have a stool. And they teach the kids in this age group how to use the stool to climb up, wash their hands, get a drink of water, turn the water on and off and to use the sink one at a time. And yes... they can play in it too.
Because it is JUST water.
My mantra is three weeks. Just three more weeks.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Not a sucker for cute girl clothes
Nope, not at all...
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Side note... we are headed out to the coast Friday morning for four days (about) at the cabin.
Rest.
Relaxation.
Good food.
Family who we see once a year to swone over my kids.
Beachcombing.
Cool weather. (Not that it is that bad here...)
I will come back rested and ready to conquer the world I am quite sure.
Monday, May 19, 2008
What is this object?
At Leif's parent teacher conference last week I was told that he knew his numbers, colors and shapes... all but one.
What is this?
Well if you are my son, you are adamantly insistent that it is an "Eskimo".
His lead teacher quizzed him three times, two other teachers asked him as well (being that it was funny and all). He got tired of their prodding and finally proclaimed, "it's an Eskimo, why don't you know this?"
I tested him at home too. Drew a heart and asked him what it was.
"An Eskimo," he stated matter of factly at dinner.
I suppose we should be correcting him. But part of me would rather just start calling hearts "Eskimos" myself.
What is this?
Well if you are my son, you are adamantly insistent that it is an "Eskimo".
His lead teacher quizzed him three times, two other teachers asked him as well (being that it was funny and all). He got tired of their prodding and finally proclaimed, "it's an Eskimo, why don't you know this?"
I tested him at home too. Drew a heart and asked him what it was.
"An Eskimo," he stated matter of factly at dinner.
I suppose we should be correcting him. But part of me would rather just start calling hearts "Eskimos" myself.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sprinkler running
Skadi had a little problem with running through the sprinkler.
Problem being that her short little legs don't really run yet.
And she still does a lot of plopping down.
So the sprinkler ticked her off.
AB decided to help her out with sprinkler running.
Problem being that her short little legs don't really run yet.
And she still does a lot of plopping down.
So the sprinkler ticked her off.
AB decided to help her out with sprinkler running.
Making up for at least three weeks
We finally got a weekend with everyone healthy.
After a trip to Home Depot we went home and started on the back yard. AB rented a rototiller and amended and broke up our soil. Leif and I planted four planters/baskets in the back. And it was HOT.
99F.
Sunday we planted some more ground cover under the fruit trees - something I have been meaning to do for a few years now. I just so happened to find the type I wanted while shopping Saturday.
We planted the garden... three tomato plants, three broccoli plants, six or so peppers of different varieties (something came over AB, peppers suck in our garden, always have) and Leif planted his little packet of carrots by dumping the entire contents of one packet into his little 12" trough.
We will thin.
We also planted six beautiful pumpkin seeds. We will also thin here. Probably down to two plants eventually.
Two more planters out front. Then a foray into the sprinkler with the kids.
And just to drive it home a little harder? I had not a scrap of dirty laundry in my house for a whole two hours.
And now?
Now I am ready to collapse.
After a trip to Home Depot we went home and started on the back yard. AB rented a rototiller and amended and broke up our soil. Leif and I planted four planters/baskets in the back. And it was HOT.
99F.
Sunday we planted some more ground cover under the fruit trees - something I have been meaning to do for a few years now. I just so happened to find the type I wanted while shopping Saturday.
We planted the garden... three tomato plants, three broccoli plants, six or so peppers of different varieties (something came over AB, peppers suck in our garden, always have) and Leif planted his little packet of carrots by dumping the entire contents of one packet into his little 12" trough.
We will thin.
We also planted six beautiful pumpkin seeds. We will also thin here. Probably down to two plants eventually.
Two more planters out front. Then a foray into the sprinkler with the kids.
And just to drive it home a little harder? I had not a scrap of dirty laundry in my house for a whole two hours.
And now?
Now I am ready to collapse.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time for tea
I should have gotten a picture.
Except that the gross factor just warranted immediate intervention instead of camera retrieval.
Skadi managed to find a half a plastic Easter egg in the toy box.
She then cruised over to the automatic dog and cat waterer.
She filled her little make shift cup up and drank it.
Then she did it again.
Apparently she needs a tea set.
(Well at least the "cup" wasn't filled with spit.)
Except that the gross factor just warranted immediate intervention instead of camera retrieval.
Skadi managed to find a half a plastic Easter egg in the toy box.
She then cruised over to the automatic dog and cat waterer.
She filled her little make shift cup up and drank it.
Then she did it again.
Apparently she needs a tea set.
(Well at least the "cup" wasn't filled with spit.)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
My life will never be the same
IT came over to work on my computer setup today at work. (My old, old computer finally bit the dust after the office move.)
While we waited the 40 minutes for my data to be copied over he configured the spare monitor sitting innocently in the corner of my office so that I now have dual monitors.
Life will NEVER be the same again.
Multitasking at its best.
While we waited the 40 minutes for my data to be copied over he configured the spare monitor sitting innocently in the corner of my office so that I now have dual monitors.
Life will NEVER be the same again.
Multitasking at its best.
And not for the reason you would think!
Yesterday AB told me we needed to get Skadi some more summertime pajamas. We have put her in fleece most of her life to this point. And can I say that while I love the fleece, I really, really love the summertime Carter's little girls lines.
I told him it was good he mentioned this as I just got a coupon for Kohls in the mail today.
"You will have to go there yourself then!" he tells me.
But not for the reason you would think...
See I had $4o in Kohl's cash a few weeks ago. AB went with me and spent it all, plus more...
on himself.
Being that this IS Kohls (i.e., inexpensive) he walked out of there with 6 shirts.
And now he is afraid to go back. Afraid he will find something else he likes and lose his reputation of being a "non-shopper".
In the meantime... I get a trip to Kohls by myself! With the intent of buying itty bitty cute pajamas... but I am sure I will come across something else to spend my money on.
I told him it was good he mentioned this as I just got a coupon for Kohls in the mail today.
"You will have to go there yourself then!" he tells me.
But not for the reason you would think...
See I had $4o in Kohl's cash a few weeks ago. AB went with me and spent it all, plus more...
on himself.
Being that this IS Kohls (i.e., inexpensive) he walked out of there with 6 shirts.
And now he is afraid to go back. Afraid he will find something else he likes and lose his reputation of being a "non-shopper".
In the meantime... I get a trip to Kohls by myself! With the intent of buying itty bitty cute pajamas... but I am sure I will come across something else to spend my money on.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ever wonder...
what an antibiotic allergy looks like?
Well wonder no more.
Well wonder no more.
My poor baby.
Given the state of her skin, she is in surprisingly good humor thankfully. Just don't stop the Benadryl.
Monday, May 12, 2008
My new favorite...
cookbook.
When I graduated with my Ph.D., I got a few gifts. Not many. It isn't like when you graduate from high school or college and are lavished with gifts. With grad school it is more like people figure you are going to go out and make lots of money and work a great job and you are an adult... what do you need with "Oh the Places You Will Go"? (And you probably have four copies at least anyways.)
I received a few gifts though, despite the fact that I didn't send out announcements, nor did I march. Which according to my grandmother means I never graduated. (The whole defending your dissertation thing apparently didn't count.)
Ok, so on my list of regrets I will add that I never marched in my graduation ceremony for grad school. I was too excited to get up here and start my ultraimportant job and they "needed" me.
(Had I known how much they "needed" me, I would have stayed put and marched... Hindsite.)
One of my mom's good friends bought me the CIA's Textbook, The Professional Chef. CIA being the Culinary Institute of America, not the Central Intelligence Agency.
I knew it was a fantastic and unique gift when I received it, but it sat on my bookshelf relatively unused. Ok, I admit it, everything being measured in lbs and ounces put me off. Yes, I am a scientist, I can convert. But who wants to analyze a recipe at that level of detail before cooking?
Plus back then? I was way into The French Laundry's cookbook and mastering what I could in there. Thomas Keller was my hero.
My CIA textbook though has gotten more use in the last few days then it has in the previous 6 years. And I am leaving it out on my counter so I can do more with it. I am loving really learning the basics, the science and art of food at a much higher leven than I ever really intended in so far just three recipes.
The cookbook is NOT for everyone. Like I said the whole "1 lb of sugar" thing is just weird. But in addition to that, the recipes assume a lot. Like that you will know what the right amount of butter is - many recipes say "butter as needed" - many things are not measured. Times for cooking are not exact. Don't know what tomato concasse is before you start? Better find out! (Fancy name for peeled and seeded and diced tomatoes... of course...)
Sunday I made one of the quiche recipes. Fantastic. (And I will get the recipe out to those who asked for it.) Tonight I did pears poached in port. The recipe suggested serving them with caramel. Of course that would be a homemade caramel... but I do reside in the reality suberb of working mom-ville - thank you Hershey's jar of caramel sauce. It actually sounded somewhat nasty to me - caramel and port? Chocolate and port maybe. Caramel?
No joke. Yum.
Top Chef here I come!
When I graduated with my Ph.D., I got a few gifts. Not many. It isn't like when you graduate from high school or college and are lavished with gifts. With grad school it is more like people figure you are going to go out and make lots of money and work a great job and you are an adult... what do you need with "Oh the Places You Will Go"? (And you probably have four copies at least anyways.)
I received a few gifts though, despite the fact that I didn't send out announcements, nor did I march. Which according to my grandmother means I never graduated. (The whole defending your dissertation thing apparently didn't count.)
Ok, so on my list of regrets I will add that I never marched in my graduation ceremony for grad school. I was too excited to get up here and start my ultraimportant job and they "needed" me.
(Had I known how much they "needed" me, I would have stayed put and marched... Hindsite.)
One of my mom's good friends bought me the CIA's Textbook, The Professional Chef. CIA being the Culinary Institute of America, not the Central Intelligence Agency.
I knew it was a fantastic and unique gift when I received it, but it sat on my bookshelf relatively unused. Ok, I admit it, everything being measured in lbs and ounces put me off. Yes, I am a scientist, I can convert. But who wants to analyze a recipe at that level of detail before cooking?
Plus back then? I was way into The French Laundry's cookbook and mastering what I could in there. Thomas Keller was my hero.
My CIA textbook though has gotten more use in the last few days then it has in the previous 6 years. And I am leaving it out on my counter so I can do more with it. I am loving really learning the basics, the science and art of food at a much higher leven than I ever really intended in so far just three recipes.
The cookbook is NOT for everyone. Like I said the whole "1 lb of sugar" thing is just weird. But in addition to that, the recipes assume a lot. Like that you will know what the right amount of butter is - many recipes say "butter as needed" - many things are not measured. Times for cooking are not exact. Don't know what tomato concasse is before you start? Better find out! (Fancy name for peeled and seeded and diced tomatoes... of course...)
Sunday I made one of the quiche recipes. Fantastic. (And I will get the recipe out to those who asked for it.) Tonight I did pears poached in port. The recipe suggested serving them with caramel. Of course that would be a homemade caramel... but I do reside in the reality suberb of working mom-ville - thank you Hershey's jar of caramel sauce. It actually sounded somewhat nasty to me - caramel and port? Chocolate and port maybe. Caramel?
No joke. Yum.
Top Chef here I come!
If I can just get through Wednesday...
Last week I spent the week saying "if I can just get through Friday".
And I survived.
But I started my Monday morning with a new mantra... "if I can just get through Wednesday".
It is mid-year here and I am involved in a couple mid-year reviews as well as involved in a few new projects that are spinning up mid-year. So project-wise I am in good shape... a little overwhelmed right now, but good shape.
Last week one of the deputy sector leads delegated a client to me in his absence this week.
Nothing ever "happens" when someone is gone right? Or is it that everything happens when the lead is gone?
First thing this morning I walked in to an e-mail message from the client with an attached document (that I need to go read still) asking for a teleconference with the PIs of that project.
Anxiety? Just a little. Ok, a lot.
I was trying to explain to AB this evening why my stomach was in knots. I am not acting in my role as project or program manager. I am not even substituting for someone else in that same role. I am acting in a role of sector manager. And I don't even know what a sector manager does!
It is exciting. And frightening.
And please oh please don't let that rash that showed up on my daughter's body be anything. Please.
And I survived.
But I started my Monday morning with a new mantra... "if I can just get through Wednesday".
It is mid-year here and I am involved in a couple mid-year reviews as well as involved in a few new projects that are spinning up mid-year. So project-wise I am in good shape... a little overwhelmed right now, but good shape.
Last week one of the deputy sector leads delegated a client to me in his absence this week.
Nothing ever "happens" when someone is gone right? Or is it that everything happens when the lead is gone?
First thing this morning I walked in to an e-mail message from the client with an attached document (that I need to go read still) asking for a teleconference with the PIs of that project.
Anxiety? Just a little. Ok, a lot.
I was trying to explain to AB this evening why my stomach was in knots. I am not acting in my role as project or program manager. I am not even substituting for someone else in that same role. I am acting in a role of sector manager. And I don't even know what a sector manager does!
It is exciting. And frightening.
And please oh please don't let that rash that showed up on my daughter's body be anything. Please.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wrapping it up
AB got home from work a little early and so I sent him outside with the kiddos while I "check my work e-mail". Thankfully Leif doesn't know the difference between working and blogging - he won't rat me out. (He is insistent I help him find a working water gun... and I am not moving.)
This past week was one of the roughest weeks I have had in a long time. Without the sickness that invaded our house (again), I knew it was going to be rough. Then little things aside from being in class 40 hours and thus sorely neglecting my projects for the week just in time for mid-year reviews just made it worse than it really needed to be - being in between offices, finally getting my stuff in my office only to find out I had no network access, finding out it wasn't the drop in the new office. I guess good news on that is that my manager has agreed with me that replacing the network card on my 4 year old computer just isn't worth it.
I get a new computer!! Finally!
So that is a bright point on my horizon. And this computer I am going to organize logically from day one!
I have to admit that even though I knew it was going to so suck to miss my last day of class, I mentally needed it. Spending the day at home with the kids (albeit sick and fussy) was seeming a whole lot more like what I needed. Of course I got a flippant attitude from my co-PI in this venture when I told her I wouldn't be there. She knew all week my kids were sick and my husband was also in a course - and had already put in 12 hours earlier in the week caring for Skadi at home instead of in his course. I was quite put off by her response to me last night that "well but we are doing the low flow discussions tomorrow and we need to hear this". I keep reminding myself - she has dogs, not kids, her frame of reference is different. Other options? I don't have any. I couldn't take my daughter to daycare with a fever of 102.5F.
This weekend is the usual stuff. A little holiday hidden in there... AB came in from work and hid something... hmmm... I wonder what it is?
Leif made me soap and a card at school for Mother's Day. Funny, he had been talking about soap for days, asking me if I liked soap, if I needed any soap, etc., but I didn't pick up on it. I just thought he was obsessing with being clean again. (He was going to "clean the house" at one point today - he had a spray bottle and paper towels and thought an area of the floor needed scrubbed.)
My "goals" have been a little on the slacker side. I decided on the Master Suite over about the next two months. I think I should just say "over the summer". I am having a hard time coming inside working when there is still a lot of stuff to be done outside (my garden isn't even in and I don't think this weekend will afford us the time for that either).
AB has signed us up for a four day weekend at the cabin over Memorial Day. It is a beacon shining bright. We need to get out of this house and rejuvenate. Since we are going over Memorial Day weekend it will be very busy with loads of family to visit in the neighboring cabins.
Next week I will recover - mentally and physically. Until then I am letting my brain turn to mush... and going to pour a glass of wine now.
This past week was one of the roughest weeks I have had in a long time. Without the sickness that invaded our house (again), I knew it was going to be rough. Then little things aside from being in class 40 hours and thus sorely neglecting my projects for the week just in time for mid-year reviews just made it worse than it really needed to be - being in between offices, finally getting my stuff in my office only to find out I had no network access, finding out it wasn't the drop in the new office. I guess good news on that is that my manager has agreed with me that replacing the network card on my 4 year old computer just isn't worth it.
I get a new computer!! Finally!
So that is a bright point on my horizon. And this computer I am going to organize logically from day one!
I have to admit that even though I knew it was going to so suck to miss my last day of class, I mentally needed it. Spending the day at home with the kids (albeit sick and fussy) was seeming a whole lot more like what I needed. Of course I got a flippant attitude from my co-PI in this venture when I told her I wouldn't be there. She knew all week my kids were sick and my husband was also in a course - and had already put in 12 hours earlier in the week caring for Skadi at home instead of in his course. I was quite put off by her response to me last night that "well but we are doing the low flow discussions tomorrow and we need to hear this". I keep reminding myself - she has dogs, not kids, her frame of reference is different. Other options? I don't have any. I couldn't take my daughter to daycare with a fever of 102.5F.
This weekend is the usual stuff. A little holiday hidden in there... AB came in from work and hid something... hmmm... I wonder what it is?
Leif made me soap and a card at school for Mother's Day. Funny, he had been talking about soap for days, asking me if I liked soap, if I needed any soap, etc., but I didn't pick up on it. I just thought he was obsessing with being clean again. (He was going to "clean the house" at one point today - he had a spray bottle and paper towels and thought an area of the floor needed scrubbed.)
My "goals" have been a little on the slacker side. I decided on the Master Suite over about the next two months. I think I should just say "over the summer". I am having a hard time coming inside working when there is still a lot of stuff to be done outside (my garden isn't even in and I don't think this weekend will afford us the time for that either).
AB has signed us up for a four day weekend at the cabin over Memorial Day. It is a beacon shining bright. We need to get out of this house and rejuvenate. Since we are going over Memorial Day weekend it will be very busy with loads of family to visit in the neighboring cabins.
Next week I will recover - mentally and physically. Until then I am letting my brain turn to mush... and going to pour a glass of wine now.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Blips from the week
Leif outside wearing shorts... "Mommy my knees are cold, cover them up please!"
-------
Leif on the phone - (to no one) "Hello C? Hi honey, how are you doing? I want you to come see me honey. Come over now ok. Kisses!" (Hangs up.)
Leif on the phone - (again to no one) "Hello N, Hi honey, how are you doing? I want you to come see me now ok? Love you." He is planning something... and it kind of scares me!
------
Leif outside not intentionally wearing shorts. Fleece shorts?
"AB what pants did you put him in?" I ask.
"A pair that were in his drawer," he says.
I look closer.
"Those are Skadi's. Not only that, they are 6-9 month sized!"
"They seemed a touch tight," he says. "Boys can wear Capri pants can't they?"
-------
Leif on the phone - (to no one) "Hello C? Hi honey, how are you doing? I want you to come see me honey. Come over now ok. Kisses!" (Hangs up.)
Leif on the phone - (again to no one) "Hello N, Hi honey, how are you doing? I want you to come see me now ok? Love you." He is planning something... and it kind of scares me!
------
Leif outside not intentionally wearing shorts. Fleece shorts?
"AB what pants did you put him in?" I ask.
"A pair that were in his drawer," he says.
I look closer.
"Those are Skadi's. Not only that, they are 6-9 month sized!"
"They seemed a touch tight," he says. "Boys can wear Capri pants can't they?"
Brutal
I just need to get this out and then I won't complain any more! Tired of whining - skip this.
6 weeks ago Skadi started vomiting.
A few days later AB and I got the crud.
AB's combined with Leif's cold.
5 weeks ago Leif, Skadi and AB have cold
4 weeks ago I got cold
3 weeks ago the cold was getting better and everyone was on the mend.
2 weeks ago Leif and I went to the Urgent Care - he had double ear infection, I had secondarily infecteed bronchitis and a sinus infection.
A week ago this coming Saturday Skadi started vomiting.
And didn't stop until Monday afternoon.
Combined with a cold.
AB took her to the doctor on Tuesday and she has a double ear infection (her first).
On Wednesday I got the cold.
Today driving home Leif started puking. (And is still puking.)
What exactly have I done? What karma did I violate? Should we just sell our infected house and move?
This has to end... doesn't it?
6 weeks ago Skadi started vomiting.
A few days later AB and I got the crud.
AB's combined with Leif's cold.
5 weeks ago Leif, Skadi and AB have cold
4 weeks ago I got cold
3 weeks ago the cold was getting better and everyone was on the mend.
2 weeks ago Leif and I went to the Urgent Care - he had double ear infection, I had secondarily infecteed bronchitis and a sinus infection.
A week ago this coming Saturday Skadi started vomiting.
And didn't stop until Monday afternoon.
Combined with a cold.
AB took her to the doctor on Tuesday and she has a double ear infection (her first).
On Wednesday I got the cold.
Today driving home Leif started puking. (And is still puking.)
What exactly have I done? What karma did I violate? Should we just sell our infected house and move?
This has to end... doesn't it?
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
When you have nothing but whining to do...
Best just to blog with pictures!
Check out that perfect ski jump landing. He is showing his Nordic side here.
All boy I tell you.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
A first
I am quite sure I have never ever slept through the phone ringing.
Ever.
Even when I was bone tired while pregnant with the kiddos I would register the phone ringing - though I sometimes chose not to get up and answer it. I would choose to stay snuggled in bed instead.
Skadi was home sick Monday and Tuesday - the worst week EVER for us to have a sick kid. I was home with her Monday through the brunt of the puking episodes. (AB took over Monday afternoon and then stayed with her all day today.) Monday morning when Skadi crashed, so did I. The laundry beckoned, the kitchen called my name, my blogs called, work e-mail went neglected. All the while I slept.
When we finally rose I saw I had missed a call from AB. Missed it totally.
Right now I am beyond tired thanks to a multitude of reasons. This evening after the kids FINALLY fell asleep, I ran through my work e-mail, barely registering that my phone number at work was also changing with my move to my new office (that apparently happened today). I hit my "flag" button repeatedly, reminding myself that I will have time next week. At least more time then right now.
Ever.
Even when I was bone tired while pregnant with the kiddos I would register the phone ringing - though I sometimes chose not to get up and answer it. I would choose to stay snuggled in bed instead.
Skadi was home sick Monday and Tuesday - the worst week EVER for us to have a sick kid. I was home with her Monday through the brunt of the puking episodes. (AB took over Monday afternoon and then stayed with her all day today.) Monday morning when Skadi crashed, so did I. The laundry beckoned, the kitchen called my name, my blogs called, work e-mail went neglected. All the while I slept.
When we finally rose I saw I had missed a call from AB. Missed it totally.
Right now I am beyond tired thanks to a multitude of reasons. This evening after the kids FINALLY fell asleep, I ran through my work e-mail, barely registering that my phone number at work was also changing with my move to my new office (that apparently happened today). I hit my "flag" button repeatedly, reminding myself that I will have time next week. At least more time then right now.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Do we really need to be told this?
I went into a restroom down the hall from my new lab today. Went into the stall (there were two stalls) and saw a sign:
"NOTICE! This restroom is shared, please be conscious of your messes and CLEAN UP after yourselves!"
I mean really. We are grown professional women, do we need to be reminded that public restrooms in the workplace and with stalls are not private? Do we need to be told to pick up after ourselves?
The restroom in my current (soon to be previous) building was fun. There are always jokes taped to the walls. Someone put up magnetic male paperdolls. People store their things in there (hairbrushes, toiletries, etc.).
Something tells me I am not in Kansas anymore.
I am wondering if this has anything to do with the Histology lab next door?
I worked in histology for many years. The histologist I worked under and knew for a few years never tolerated any joking around and I am pretty sure she also reminded us regularly of bathroom etiquette and that we were sharing the latrine space.
Phew, glad I didn't decide to become a histologist for good!
-----------
On a side topic... the next 10 days are going to be hairy for me. I have one day left to get everything done - get my office packed, get my projects ahead (or caught up), and get a technician working for me on his two feet to get things done. It wouldn't be so bad except that I will be in a class all next week.
For 40 hours.
That's FORTY hours.
Ugh.
2/3 of it is classroom and I have to bring a calculator.
Double Ugh.
I will be without a work computer until May 12th when I can start digging out - in my new office. My evening computer time next week will likely be spent trying to keep my head above water with whatever presents itself on the work front. My personal computer time will be sorely neglected.
Which means my blog could be sorely neglected next week.
Or my work may be sorely neglected next week.
We will see which one wins.
"NOTICE! This restroom is shared, please be conscious of your messes and CLEAN UP after yourselves!"
I mean really. We are grown professional women, do we need to be reminded that public restrooms in the workplace and with stalls are not private? Do we need to be told to pick up after ourselves?
The restroom in my current (soon to be previous) building was fun. There are always jokes taped to the walls. Someone put up magnetic male paperdolls. People store their things in there (hairbrushes, toiletries, etc.).
Something tells me I am not in Kansas anymore.
I am wondering if this has anything to do with the Histology lab next door?
I worked in histology for many years. The histologist I worked under and knew for a few years never tolerated any joking around and I am pretty sure she also reminded us regularly of bathroom etiquette and that we were sharing the latrine space.
Phew, glad I didn't decide to become a histologist for good!
-----------
On a side topic... the next 10 days are going to be hairy for me. I have one day left to get everything done - get my office packed, get my projects ahead (or caught up), and get a technician working for me on his two feet to get things done. It wouldn't be so bad except that I will be in a class all next week.
For 40 hours.
That's FORTY hours.
Ugh.
2/3 of it is classroom and I have to bring a calculator.
Double Ugh.
I will be without a work computer until May 12th when I can start digging out - in my new office. My evening computer time next week will likely be spent trying to keep my head above water with whatever presents itself on the work front. My personal computer time will be sorely neglected.
Which means my blog could be sorely neglected next week.
Or my work may be sorely neglected next week.
We will see which one wins.
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