Top: loft
Pants: charter club, macy's
Shoes: jessica simpson
I've been back to work for 3 hours now, gone through 428 emails (not an exaggeration) and I'd like to go back home now.
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Thursday, November 11, 2010
Starting again
Top: loft
Pants: charter club, macy's
Shoes: jessica simpson
I've been back to work for 3 hours now, gone through 428 emails (not an exaggeration) and I'd like to go back home now.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
On this my last day ...
This is what I did:
So this is my last List update before going back:
Books read:
1-2-3 Magic - plot: count to three, put your child in timeout, be consistent. I mostly did this before, minus the consistency. I might still go out and buy this book (borrowed from the library and since there's a hold on it I'm not allowed to renew. Could not actively read, had to skim for the bigger picture.
The Maze Runner - very interesting plot, bare bones uninteresting prose. The author didn't try hard enough to make me believe the out-of-the-ordinary. I didn't learn to love the characters. I had to push myself through to find out what happened, and I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I hate when books rely too heavily on there being a sequel. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel. Was all that vague enough for you?
Crush - I have no idea why I heard of this book, but it ended up in my hold items at the library so I took it home and read it in 20 minutes. Sweet little book. Not badly written - would have appreciated a longer book by the author.
Harry Potter book 1: I'm one of the 3 people left in the universe who haven't read this series yet, and so I'm starting. I've seen pieces of all the movies so I know generally what I'm getting into. It's okay. There are a million better books but I'm going to stick it out.
During my maternity leave, I read 33 books.
Movies:
The Ramen Girl (Brittany Murphy). Hmmm. Cute, I guess. Hard to watch while cleaning since you have to read subtitles.
The Initiation of Sarah - pretty dark for an ABC Family movie, but Jennifer Tilly ruins it for me. I haven't liked a single role of hers since Vicki in Let It Ride
That's a total of 19 movies.
I feel like I ran out of time during my leave - I wanted to be able to hang out with MamaFuss and the kids one more time, and see Jonah again (he appears to be thriving right now), have more playdates/winedates with Suz and Jamie and take more walks and play more. Not yell as much. We got so good at it toward the end of leave, and I hope I can carry the attitude on during nights and weekends. We'll see - wish me luck!
- got up at the same time that my husband went to work, and cleaned the house. Again.
- finished my thank you notes (no, I didn't get them mailed)
- had lunch with my husband (and his work friends)
- bought Spencer a couple pairs of jeans because he's been wearing 18mo jeans which appear to look like floods.
- sat outside at the mall and enjoyed a Bacia gelato and read.
- picked Spencer up early from daycare and let him play outside and in the sprinkler.
- cleaned the garage.
- took a shower and dried my hair so as to be generally ready for tomorrow
- took a sleeping pill (an hour ago, not kicking in yet)
So this is my last List update before going back:
Books read:
1-2-3 Magic - plot: count to three, put your child in timeout, be consistent. I mostly did this before, minus the consistency. I might still go out and buy this book (borrowed from the library and since there's a hold on it I'm not allowed to renew. Could not actively read, had to skim for the bigger picture.
The Maze Runner - very interesting plot, bare bones uninteresting prose. The author didn't try hard enough to make me believe the out-of-the-ordinary. I didn't learn to love the characters. I had to push myself through to find out what happened, and I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I hate when books rely too heavily on there being a sequel. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel. Was all that vague enough for you?
Crush - I have no idea why I heard of this book, but it ended up in my hold items at the library so I took it home and read it in 20 minutes. Sweet little book. Not badly written - would have appreciated a longer book by the author.
Harry Potter book 1: I'm one of the 3 people left in the universe who haven't read this series yet, and so I'm starting. I've seen pieces of all the movies so I know generally what I'm getting into. It's okay. There are a million better books but I'm going to stick it out.
During my maternity leave, I read 33 books.
Movies:
The Ramen Girl (Brittany Murphy). Hmmm. Cute, I guess. Hard to watch while cleaning since you have to read subtitles.
The Initiation of Sarah - pretty dark for an ABC Family movie, but Jennifer Tilly ruins it for me. I haven't liked a single role of hers since Vicki in Let It Ride
That's a total of 19 movies.
I feel like I ran out of time during my leave - I wanted to be able to hang out with MamaFuss and the kids one more time, and see Jonah again (he appears to be thriving right now), have more playdates/winedates with Suz and Jamie and take more walks and play more. Not yell as much. We got so good at it toward the end of leave, and I hope I can carry the attitude on during nights and weekends. We'll see - wish me luck!
Today's post is brought to you by the letters B.A.H.
And by the number 1. As in, one more day until work. As in, today is my last day before I go back to drinking my coffee in a cube.
I'm very torn on this issue. On the one hand, these last few months have really been great. I've enjoyed spending time with both my sons, and even though there have been some terrible battles with my toddler, I love that he is becoming his own person and he's such a sweet one at that (most of the time). I love that he says "I love you" for no reason at all and refuses to leave the house without giving me a "Hung" (hug). His tantrums have been insane, of this there is no doubt, but the good times have been so very good.
And Henry. When Spencer was little, I didn't think any child could be as even tempered and calm as he was. When I was pregnant everyone said he was going to be crazy high-maintenance because "you always get the opposite of your first". But Henry has proven to be even more even tempered than Spencer was. He doesn't care about his pacifier, he will sit in his cradle and watch people walk back and forth without demanding attention or entertainment. He's so strong; he's been scooting himself around the floor and my bed almost since the day he was born. Even now when he's had a cold for a week, he laughs every time he sneezes and blows snot bubbles and smiles big every time I wipe his face. I can't imagine not having him here. Right this very minute he is lying on my bed next to me nodding off from boredom. Some kids cry when they're bored - he just sweetly closes his eyes and waits for me to be done with the computer.
But. I do love my job, and I think even absence has made the heart grow fonder. I wonder what's going on with all of my case files, miss conversations with my co-workers and the attorneys I work with. I want to use my brain in the way that I can only do with my work. I can't wait to get back to see what has changed, what has stayed the same, and what is still quite ongoing. I wish I could find a happy medium, perhaps the discipline to be a WAHM (I need an out-of-the-house office to be productive) or a parttime job that I could find fulfilling. Right now this is what I need to do. I will cherish the moments after work and on the weekends with my boys. I will pack as much life into those times to make up for not being there from 7-4 five days a week (and sometimes longer when I have to travel). I was a good "parttime mom" before, and I'll be a good one now (you know you're never a parttime mom, but it's the only thing I know how to call it).
Moving on from the sappiness, I spent this morning cleaning my house (again), and then I set up shop out on my front porch with my coffee, applebuttered toast and my favorite newborn bundled up in his portable swing and finished my darn thank you notes that have been 3 months in the making. I've written them, addressed them, and sealed them up so that I can stop at a post office and get stamps (who actually keeps stamps handy for times like these?) and get them out TODAY before I forget. Again. It was a beautiful morning and the 45 minute job took 1 1/2 hours because I was so enjoying it. Plus I kept getting distracted watching four squirrels play tag in my yard, roof and the street.
Henry and I are having lunch with my husband today since it's the last time I can do that on a whim (Spencer's at daycare), and I have a couple of errands to run: I've noticed that Spencer has no jeans bigger than 18 months (which still fit in the waist but are looking like floods otherwise) (yes, he's nearly 3 - what of it? haha), and I really need tights for my boots (that's not cheating on 30 for 30, is it?)
Here's today's outfit (and one of MamaFuss's poses):
I've been having trouble figuring out where to take these photos because my backyard looks like a jungle so today I set up the tripod and took this one out the front door. Pardon the darkness. I have a feeling that the rest of my pictures are going to be taken by my phone in dark mirrors once I go to work so my husband doesn't think I'm nuts for doing this.
Top: sweater a la Dress Barn (when did their stuff get cute?) I know it's a useless sweater, what with its lack of sleeves, but I really liked how it looked on me, and if it's really cold I can just wear my coat over it anyhow.
Pants: Loft jeans - the blood came out after a soak in Oxyclean, a wash, spray oxy and another wash. Hallelujah.
Shoes: my beloved knee boots.
Accessories: watch, rings, brown button earrings and two (count them two!) flowers in my hair.
I'm very torn on this issue. On the one hand, these last few months have really been great. I've enjoyed spending time with both my sons, and even though there have been some terrible battles with my toddler, I love that he is becoming his own person and he's such a sweet one at that (most of the time). I love that he says "I love you" for no reason at all and refuses to leave the house without giving me a "Hung" (hug). His tantrums have been insane, of this there is no doubt, but the good times have been so very good.
And Henry. When Spencer was little, I didn't think any child could be as even tempered and calm as he was. When I was pregnant everyone said he was going to be crazy high-maintenance because "you always get the opposite of your first". But Henry has proven to be even more even tempered than Spencer was. He doesn't care about his pacifier, he will sit in his cradle and watch people walk back and forth without demanding attention or entertainment. He's so strong; he's been scooting himself around the floor and my bed almost since the day he was born. Even now when he's had a cold for a week, he laughs every time he sneezes and blows snot bubbles and smiles big every time I wipe his face. I can't imagine not having him here. Right this very minute he is lying on my bed next to me nodding off from boredom. Some kids cry when they're bored - he just sweetly closes his eyes and waits for me to be done with the computer.
But. I do love my job, and I think even absence has made the heart grow fonder. I wonder what's going on with all of my case files, miss conversations with my co-workers and the attorneys I work with. I want to use my brain in the way that I can only do with my work. I can't wait to get back to see what has changed, what has stayed the same, and what is still quite ongoing. I wish I could find a happy medium, perhaps the discipline to be a WAHM (I need an out-of-the-house office to be productive) or a parttime job that I could find fulfilling. Right now this is what I need to do. I will cherish the moments after work and on the weekends with my boys. I will pack as much life into those times to make up for not being there from 7-4 five days a week (and sometimes longer when I have to travel). I was a good "parttime mom" before, and I'll be a good one now (you know you're never a parttime mom, but it's the only thing I know how to call it).
Moving on from the sappiness, I spent this morning cleaning my house (again), and then I set up shop out on my front porch with my coffee, applebuttered toast and my favorite newborn bundled up in his portable swing and finished my darn thank you notes that have been 3 months in the making. I've written them, addressed them, and sealed them up so that I can stop at a post office and get stamps (who actually keeps stamps handy for times like these?) and get them out TODAY before I forget. Again. It was a beautiful morning and the 45 minute job took 1 1/2 hours because I was so enjoying it. Plus I kept getting distracted watching four squirrels play tag in my yard, roof and the street.
Henry and I are having lunch with my husband today since it's the last time I can do that on a whim (Spencer's at daycare), and I have a couple of errands to run: I've noticed that Spencer has no jeans bigger than 18 months (which still fit in the waist but are looking like floods otherwise) (yes, he's nearly 3 - what of it? haha), and I really need tights for my boots (that's not cheating on 30 for 30, is it?)
Here's today's outfit (and one of MamaFuss's poses):
I've been having trouble figuring out where to take these photos because my backyard looks like a jungle so today I set up the tripod and took this one out the front door. Pardon the darkness. I have a feeling that the rest of my pictures are going to be taken by my phone in dark mirrors once I go to work so my husband doesn't think I'm nuts for doing this.Top: sweater a la Dress Barn (when did their stuff get cute?) I know it's a useless sweater, what with its lack of sleeves, but I really liked how it looked on me, and if it's really cold I can just wear my coat over it anyhow.
Pants: Loft jeans - the blood came out after a soak in Oxyclean, a wash, spray oxy and another wash. Hallelujah.
Shoes: my beloved knee boots.
Accessories: watch, rings, brown button earrings and two (count them two!) flowers in my hair.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Snaggletooth
I think that mothers of small children are not cut out for 30-for-30 challenges. This is the remnants of yesterday's bloody clothes - which I did actually keep on all day until I changed into yoga pants and a pj top in the evening.
We had a great day yesterday. We bundled up and walked to the Target plaza (2.9 miles round trip) and I let him check out all the animals at Petsmart and all the video games at Best Buy and all the toys at Target before trudging back home at a decent clip (3 miles, 54 minutes and I was pushing 65+ lbs of child flesh and stroller accouterments the whole time).
Then he played out on the back porch while I got things done/watched bad movies/played my video game.
About 5pm he pooped in his pullup and decided to go potty again before getting a new one on. He then fell OFF the toilet while I was in his room grabbing a new pullup and hit his face on the bathtub.
Meet snaggletooth:
There was blood everywhere - it looked like a scene on CSI and I looked like the culprit. Somehow I kept my piece of mind, I put on a new pullup, grabbed his pants and a blanket (cold outside) and threw Henry in his seat and started out for the doctor. We were all shoeless.
However, I called on the way and they couldn't see him, so I had to deviate and get to the after-hours pediatrician. Broken teeth, blood everywhere - my son's beautiful smile. Down. The. Tubes.
Halfway there he wasn't crying anymore but I was, so we went ahead and saw the doctor (which involved me and a nurse holding him down and the doctor putting a tongue depressor between his teeth so he wouldn't get bitten) and he's fine. A bad cut on the inside of his mouth which he won't leave alone so it keeps weeping and is still swollen, and two broken teeth.
This is how he looked 20 minutes after getting home:
This morning we visited the dentist as soon as they opened, and while he wouldn't let the dentist look in his mouth, we discussed that the teeth weren't gray and they don't seem to be hurting him, so it's fine.
Fine.
Anyhow, I did take my picture for today, and I'll hope that I can keep these clothes blood-free.
Top: Old Navy, seriously old (and I'm not sure it'll make it through the 30-for 30, but I needed something quick).
Bottoms: Khaki's Macy's Labor Day clearance sale in September.
Not shown - same Sketchers sneakers as yesterday
Accessories: same black sweater from yesterday, butterfly earrings, rings, and I didn't put a lick of make-up or even dry my hair this morning (I didn't take my shower last night so I woke up with Spencer's blood still between my toes. That obviously needed to be remedied quick). Now that the crisis of the day has been attended to, I'm going to go put at least something on my face before dragging Henry to the doctor because he's on day 5 of this horrible cold and I'm terrified he's going to have an ear infection the moment I go back to work. On Thursday.
We had a great day yesterday. We bundled up and walked to the Target plaza (2.9 miles round trip) and I let him check out all the animals at Petsmart and all the video games at Best Buy and all the toys at Target before trudging back home at a decent clip (3 miles, 54 minutes and I was pushing 65+ lbs of child flesh and stroller accouterments the whole time).
Then he played out on the back porch while I got things done/watched bad movies/played my video game.
About 5pm he pooped in his pullup and decided to go potty again before getting a new one on. He then fell OFF the toilet while I was in his room grabbing a new pullup and hit his face on the bathtub.
Meet snaggletooth:
There was blood everywhere - it looked like a scene on CSI and I looked like the culprit. Somehow I kept my piece of mind, I put on a new pullup, grabbed his pants and a blanket (cold outside) and threw Henry in his seat and started out for the doctor. We were all shoeless.
However, I called on the way and they couldn't see him, so I had to deviate and get to the after-hours pediatrician. Broken teeth, blood everywhere - my son's beautiful smile. Down. The. Tubes.
Halfway there he wasn't crying anymore but I was, so we went ahead and saw the doctor (which involved me and a nurse holding him down and the doctor putting a tongue depressor between his teeth so he wouldn't get bitten) and he's fine. A bad cut on the inside of his mouth which he won't leave alone so it keeps weeping and is still swollen, and two broken teeth.
This is how he looked 20 minutes after getting home:
This morning we visited the dentist as soon as they opened, and while he wouldn't let the dentist look in his mouth, we discussed that the teeth weren't gray and they don't seem to be hurting him, so it's fine.
Fine.
Anyhow, I did take my picture for today, and I'll hope that I can keep these clothes blood-free.
Top: Old Navy, seriously old (and I'm not sure it'll make it through the 30-for 30, but I needed something quick).Bottoms: Khaki's Macy's Labor Day clearance sale in September.
Not shown - same Sketchers sneakers as yesterday
Accessories: same black sweater from yesterday, butterfly earrings, rings, and I didn't put a lick of make-up or even dry my hair this morning (I didn't take my shower last night so I woke up with Spencer's blood still between my toes. That obviously needed to be remedied quick). Now that the crisis of the day has been attended to, I'm going to go put at least something on my face before dragging Henry to the doctor because he's on day 5 of this horrible cold and I'm terrified he's going to have an ear infection the moment I go back to work. On Thursday.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Remixing it backward
I thought about not doing 30 for 30, because once I checked my closet (which I felt was woefully understocked) it turns out I have 26 black and gray tops. Plus, I'm going back to work from maternity leave on Thursday, and I don't know what work has in store for me: meetings? trials? The holiday season is always a busy one. Everyone wants money.
Anyhow, so I've decided to do this backward. I don't think I utilize most of what's in my closet, even though I just cleaned it out and tried on every piece, confirming what fit and what didn't. So I've decided to do it backward. I'm going to take a picture of my clothes every day and see if I make it by the end.
Today:
Jeans - I bought these at Loft on clearance plus my credit card discount which made them around $30 from $70, and then I spent another $7 getting them hemmed. I'm so glad I did it because they are great, comfortable and I think they look good on. Original boot cut.
Top: purple top, Loft clearance. I love this color and have a couple other tops in the same color.
Shoes: Sketchers sneakers, DSW clearance. Are we noticing a clearance theme? I rarely buy anything full price.
Accessories: my watch (ahem, going out of business sale at a jewelry store), my wedding rings, Coach ring (birthday present last year?), black sweater (Target, clearance) (because it's freaking cold out there for a Florida early November!) and a flower for my hair.
Anyhow, so I've decided to do this backward. I don't think I utilize most of what's in my closet, even though I just cleaned it out and tried on every piece, confirming what fit and what didn't. So I've decided to do it backward. I'm going to take a picture of my clothes every day and see if I make it by the end.
Today:Jeans - I bought these at Loft on clearance plus my credit card discount which made them around $30 from $70, and then I spent another $7 getting them hemmed. I'm so glad I did it because they are great, comfortable and I think they look good on. Original boot cut.
Top: purple top, Loft clearance. I love this color and have a couple other tops in the same color.
Shoes: Sketchers sneakers, DSW clearance. Are we noticing a clearance theme? I rarely buy anything full price.
Accessories: my watch (ahem, going out of business sale at a jewelry store), my wedding rings, Coach ring (birthday present last year?), black sweater (Target, clearance) (because it's freaking cold out there for a Florida early November!) and a flower for my hair.
Menu Monday
Last week's menu:
Monday: Cajun dirty rice
Tuesday: we had a late lunch at The Bungalow after the Children's Museum so we didn't eat dinner. I may or may not have snacked on Halloween candy instead.
Wednesday: steak, cheesy risotto and brussel sprouts
Thursday: TGI Fridays (we had a BOGO coupon!)
Friday: tilapia and veggie parchment packets with linguine and pesto sauce
Saturday: late lunch at Olive Garden after a drive to enjoy the beautiful weather, so no dinner.
Sunday: chicken and dumplings
So I looked through the last 11 weeks of Menu Mondays, and I think I've stuck to my schedules pretty well. We've still eaten out more than we should have, but I think we've tried to be careful to watch our food-related spending. In the last 11 weeks, I have cooked 34 dinners, we've had 5 nights of leftovers and 6 nights of no dinner, and my MIL cooked for us once. We've eaten out 15 times. That's a much better ratio than in the past, but I'd like to average less than once a week eating out, if possible. (Well, if someone else was paying for it, I wouldn't mind averaging more but I don't think that's likely.)
This week's menu:
Monday: chili
Tuesday: sausage ravioli
Wednesday: grilled shrimp and rosemary risotto
Thursday: chili cheese dogs (well, my husband's will be, mine will probably just be w/ catsup and mustard because I'm not particularly adventurous like that)
Friday: grilled pork chops and tater tots
Saturday: lasagna
Monday: Cajun dirty rice
Tuesday: we had a late lunch at The Bungalow after the Children's Museum so we didn't eat dinner. I may or may not have snacked on Halloween candy instead.
Wednesday: steak, cheesy risotto and brussel sprouts
Thursday: TGI Fridays (we had a BOGO coupon!)
Friday: tilapia and veggie parchment packets with linguine and pesto sauce
Saturday: late lunch at Olive Garden after a drive to enjoy the beautiful weather, so no dinner.
Sunday: chicken and dumplings
So I looked through the last 11 weeks of Menu Mondays, and I think I've stuck to my schedules pretty well. We've still eaten out more than we should have, but I think we've tried to be careful to watch our food-related spending. In the last 11 weeks, I have cooked 34 dinners, we've had 5 nights of leftovers and 6 nights of no dinner, and my MIL cooked for us once. We've eaten out 15 times. That's a much better ratio than in the past, but I'd like to average less than once a week eating out, if possible. (Well, if someone else was paying for it, I wouldn't mind averaging more but I don't think that's likely.)
This week's menu:
Monday: chili
Tuesday: sausage ravioli
Wednesday: grilled shrimp and rosemary risotto
Thursday: chili cheese dogs (well, my husband's will be, mine will probably just be w/ catsup and mustard because I'm not particularly adventurous like that)
Friday: grilled pork chops and tater tots
Saturday: lasagna
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Mourning of relationships
I found out tonight that one of my closest friends and her fiance have called it quits. To say I am heartbroken is an understatement, and yet, they live 1200 miles away so does it affect me?
Yes.
I was there when they got together. I remember the very moment that A invited D to a party given at my apartment in college, pulling me around the corner so we could spy on D sitting on my couch and saying, See him? I want him. He should be mine. And he was, and it was glorious. They were my ideal of a perfect couple - compatible, indestructible, wanting exactly the same things and perfectly suited for each other. They wanted the same things (living in a big city, writing) and didn't want the same things (children). They seemed to be living out their perfect life.
Yes, they had their problems - doesn't everyone?
But they both seemed to believe in Love so strongly as a tangible entity. And after a ruinous prior relationship and subsequent messy affair, A was so fragile. D made her believe.
I thought they were so strong. Others have fallen lately too, but while sad I could look back and say, "I can see." With this, I can't see. I know I live 1200 miles away and simply cannot see, I don't want to see. I want things to go back to the way they were.
Because if they're doomed, what does that say about the rest of us not living our dreams?
Yes.
I was there when they got together. I remember the very moment that A invited D to a party given at my apartment in college, pulling me around the corner so we could spy on D sitting on my couch and saying, See him? I want him. He should be mine. And he was, and it was glorious. They were my ideal of a perfect couple - compatible, indestructible, wanting exactly the same things and perfectly suited for each other. They wanted the same things (living in a big city, writing) and didn't want the same things (children). They seemed to be living out their perfect life.
Yes, they had their problems - doesn't everyone?
But they both seemed to believe in Love so strongly as a tangible entity. And after a ruinous prior relationship and subsequent messy affair, A was so fragile. D made her believe.
I thought they were so strong. Others have fallen lately too, but while sad I could look back and say, "I can see." With this, I can't see. I know I live 1200 miles away and simply cannot see, I don't want to see. I want things to go back to the way they were.
Because if they're doomed, what does that say about the rest of us not living our dreams?
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