Apparently my brother is now screening my calls. We had a little tiff about a month ago, but I really thought he would be over it by now. Apparently not.
I had off-handedly mentioned that we were considering taking the kids to Disney for spring break if we could manage the finances. BB (Brother Butthead) said that he really wanted to take his kids too since they should be getting a good tax refund this year, and hey, wouldn't it be great if we could go together. I said, sure that might be fun, we'll talk more later.
The next day he sends DH this long detailed email about how we will rent a 12 passenger van, and take turns driving so we can make it in one day, and oh yeah, we can also make a stop along the way to visit his wife's family.
That is when I knew that this wasn't gonna work. The idea of 14 hours in a van with 7 kids screams anything but vacation. (Can you imagine how many potty stops that would be?) I didn't want a van, I wanted my big comfy computer-climate controlled, HD-stereo having behemoth Suburban to drive. I did not want to do 14 hours in a stretch, I wanted to split it over 2 days and take the time to enjoy the little stops along the way. And I sure as hell didn't want to waste one day of my vacation visiting my brother's in-laws.
So I told him, as gently as possible, that his vision of a vacation did not mesh with our vision of a vacation. And he blew up. He said it was because we though they weren't good enough for us and we just didn't want to spend time with them. Eventually it came out that their own vehicle wasn't reliable enough to make the trip and they couldn't go without us to split the cost of the van and presumably a hotel room (did I forget the part about fudging occupancy numbers and bringing sleeping bags?). Seriously, could we get any more Griswold. We just need to tie my dead grandma to the roof of that van.
The real problem is that while my brother and I stem from the same white trash roots, I have managed to pull myself out and he never has. They never seem to be able to make ends meet--never find a way to get out of the crappy house in the bad part of town or keep their phone hooked up and their vehicles running. And it's their own fault. My brother put himself through school and got a teaching degree. He is half way through a master's, but has changed his degree plan three times. He should be able to live a better life than he does.
It's to the point that I don't want to share anything with him. My going to law school, or buying a house, or a new care are all insults to him. They are the things I have accomplished that he has not. And apparently my mention of Disney was salt in the wounds--and if I didn't want to go with him, it was because I was better than him. I guess he didn't consider that I would be spending my money and my precious time and should have some input into my vacation (not to mention DH, who immediately nixed this plan.)
Oh, and the real irony... we aren't going to Disney, either. We decided it was just to expensive, with all of my bar expenses coming up (mostly paying for full-time childcare when I'm not working). But of course I can't tell BB that, because he won't take my damn calls.
2/25/07
Just Nerds Breeding Nerds
I'll admit I'm just a big ol' nerd. I think that the majority of law students are. I'm ok with that. But I seem to be turning my children into nerds, too. (But I'm also ok with that--I think that nerds get into less trouble in the teenage years.) Not extreme nerdiness--they have the right clothes and shoes, they still love cartoons and video games, and you can't see the geekiness just by looking at them--but if you spend any amount of time with them, you will start to notice the nerdiness.
In preparation for our Spring Break Trip, I took the kids to the library. When I stayed home with the kids we went to the library every week from the time they were infants--these days the trips are less frequent, but there is never a shortage of books in our house. So anyway, we went in search of books about the state we are visiting, the ocean, fishing and Pompeii (since there is a travelling museum exhibit in the city near where we are staying.) DH points out that it is extremely nerdy to turn every vacation into a learning experience. My thoughts are the best way to learn is by experience, and I might as well teach the kids about something while they are interested in it.
Last night one 5 y.o. went to bed reading about Pompeii, and the other reading about an Ice-mummy (totally unrelated to anything else, but we found the book near the Pompeii books and the kids thought it looked cool.)
We are also reading up on fishing. (Yet another example of our extreme nerdiness.) We girls have never fished. DH used to go fly-fishing w/ his dad, but he has never salt-water fished. 8 y.o. has already read one of the fishing books, and made a list of everything we needed to buy when we went to Ginormous Sporting Goods Store.
So, yeah, we are nerds. But hopefully we will be nerds of the well-rounded, well-educated variety.
In preparation for our Spring Break Trip, I took the kids to the library. When I stayed home with the kids we went to the library every week from the time they were infants--these days the trips are less frequent, but there is never a shortage of books in our house. So anyway, we went in search of books about the state we are visiting, the ocean, fishing and Pompeii (since there is a travelling museum exhibit in the city near where we are staying.) DH points out that it is extremely nerdy to turn every vacation into a learning experience. My thoughts are the best way to learn is by experience, and I might as well teach the kids about something while they are interested in it.
Last night one 5 y.o. went to bed reading about Pompeii, and the other reading about an Ice-mummy (totally unrelated to anything else, but we found the book near the Pompeii books and the kids thought it looked cool.)
We are also reading up on fishing. (Yet another example of our extreme nerdiness.) We girls have never fished. DH used to go fly-fishing w/ his dad, but he has never salt-water fished. 8 y.o. has already read one of the fishing books, and made a list of everything we needed to buy when we went to Ginormous Sporting Goods Store.
So, yeah, we are nerds. But hopefully we will be nerds of the well-rounded, well-educated variety.
2/22/07
Why does finding out that a book is banned always make be want to go read it.
I was reading this article in Oil & Gas, which was making it awfully hard to keep a straight face. (And believe it or not, Oil & Gas is not funny.)
Anyway, the article is about the children's book The Higher Power of Lucky , and the fact that the book--OMG--contains the word "scrotum". And apparently there is a select group of librarians who think that scrotum is a bad word and that kids aren't allowed to knw the meaning of it.
I generally think that banning books is a bad idea. First, I think that parents should monitor what their children read--not the library, the school or the state. Second, I don't think I'm the only one who wants to read a book just because its been labeled "banned." Third, the reasons books get banned are usually for stupid reasons made up by short-sighted closed-minded people. This book appears to be just such a case (with the caveat that I haven't read it myself, only read a few articles.) WTH is wrong with "scrotum?" It's a body part--kids need to learn about body parts. Even the ones that might make us grown-ups a little uncomfortable.
Case in point, on our last vacation we took the kids to see BodyWorlds (which probably makes these book-banners think I'm a bad mom anyway, but that's for another day. It was educational, they wanted to go, we went.) Many of the exhibits were male, and about half and hour in, my five-year-old asked, "hey, what are those things hanging down that look like balls?" I managed to stifle my giggles and gave her an explanation just as I had the exhibits on hearts, lungs and gallbladders. My point it, you have to talk about scrotums sometime.
Anyway, the article is about the children's book The Higher Power of Lucky , and the fact that the book--OMG--contains the word "scrotum". And apparently there is a select group of librarians who think that scrotum is a bad word and that kids aren't allowed to knw the meaning of it.
I generally think that banning books is a bad idea. First, I think that parents should monitor what their children read--not the library, the school or the state. Second, I don't think I'm the only one who wants to read a book just because its been labeled "banned." Third, the reasons books get banned are usually for stupid reasons made up by short-sighted closed-minded people. This book appears to be just such a case (with the caveat that I haven't read it myself, only read a few articles.) WTH is wrong with "scrotum?" It's a body part--kids need to learn about body parts. Even the ones that might make us grown-ups a little uncomfortable.
Case in point, on our last vacation we took the kids to see BodyWorlds (which probably makes these book-banners think I'm a bad mom anyway, but that's for another day. It was educational, they wanted to go, we went.) Many of the exhibits were male, and about half and hour in, my five-year-old asked, "hey, what are those things hanging down that look like balls?" I managed to stifle my giggles and gave her an explanation just as I had the exhibits on hearts, lungs and gallbladders. My point it, you have to talk about scrotums sometime.
2/19/07
Spring Fever
I just realized that Spring Break is only three weeks away, so I have been spending a lot of my newly found free time researching someplace to get away. I pulled up a US map and looked at what was w/in a day's drive. I realized that there were decent beaches not as far away as I thought, so I have rented a beach cottage for Spring Break.
Woohoo, I am so excited--I have never had a beach cottage before. I have only had a couple of very short beach trips in my life. This place is supposed to be quiet and secluded, perfect for relaxing, which is what I need right now.
The only problem is that all my researching of our vacation spot has left me totally in vacation mode and unable to settle down and focus on school work.
Must. go. read.
P.S. Just got an updated Wills & Trusts assignment. We are to read Anna Nicole's will. At least that should hold my interest more than the creation of fee tails.
Woohoo, I am so excited--I have never had a beach cottage before. I have only had a couple of very short beach trips in my life. This place is supposed to be quiet and secluded, perfect for relaxing, which is what I need right now.
The only problem is that all my researching of our vacation spot has left me totally in vacation mode and unable to settle down and focus on school work.
Must. go. read.
P.S. Just got an updated Wills & Trusts assignment. We are to read Anna Nicole's will. At least that should hold my interest more than the creation of fee tails.
So I guess I won't be hunting after all.
I had the meeting with Big Boss. He informed me that he wasn't planning to expand any further at this time. I informed him (very politely) that since that was the case, I was going to have to go clerk somehwere that was looking to expand. He did not seem to really care--probably because he has seen me about two times the entire time I have worked there.
The attorney's I have been working with weren't happy. I don't think they were upset with me as much a Big Boss. They are buried, need help, and know I do a good job. Expletives were uttered, but both (without my even asking) assured me that they would give me excellent references.
Honestly, I am relieved that don't have to balance work and school anymore. It was almost more than I could handle and my stress level was increasing exponentially by the day. I have free time again. (And by free time, I mean that I can clean my house and do my laundry.) I was able to spend this weekend hanging out with the kids instead of trying to do all of my reading for the week because I didn't have time during the week. (Yes, even as a 3L I am still reading--probably only because I don't have a job.)
My only frustration is that I am back to square one on the job hunt. I am not overly stressed yet, but I would like to not have the stress of being unemployed when I take the bar.
The attorney's I have been working with weren't happy. I don't think they were upset with me as much a Big Boss. They are buried, need help, and know I do a good job. Expletives were uttered, but both (without my even asking) assured me that they would give me excellent references.
Honestly, I am relieved that don't have to balance work and school anymore. It was almost more than I could handle and my stress level was increasing exponentially by the day. I have free time again. (And by free time, I mean that I can clean my house and do my laundry.) I was able to spend this weekend hanging out with the kids instead of trying to do all of my reading for the week because I didn't have time during the week. (Yes, even as a 3L I am still reading--probably only because I don't have a job.)
My only frustration is that I am back to square one on the job hunt. I am not overly stressed yet, but I would like to not have the stress of being unemployed when I take the bar.
2/9/07
2/6/07
You eat what you kill
I met with the attorney who hired me yesterday to get a new batch of assignments. He asked if how I was doing and if I liked it there. Since I have been intending to sniff out whether I have a shot at a permanent position, I told him that I was in the middle of the great 3L job hunt and that the primary reason I was there was to secure permanent employment. Then I asked if hiring me was on Big Boss's radar.
I was told that I was definitely on the radar and that I needed to make an appt w/ Big Boss to discuss further. Then I was warned that Big Boss pays his employees differently than any other firm; hence, "you eat what you kill". It sounds like what you earn is essentially commission based.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. There is definitely the potential for big $$. But I will have some serious student loan obligations, and it could take years to get my first settlement/judgment. I would definitely have to get a decent base for such an arrangement to be feasible. It's all speculation at this point anyway--I guess I need to set up the meeting w/ Big Boss before I do too much worrying.
I was told that I was definitely on the radar and that I needed to make an appt w/ Big Boss to discuss further. Then I was warned that Big Boss pays his employees differently than any other firm; hence, "you eat what you kill". It sounds like what you earn is essentially commission based.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. There is definitely the potential for big $$. But I will have some serious student loan obligations, and it could take years to get my first settlement/judgment. I would definitely have to get a decent base for such an arrangement to be feasible. It's all speculation at this point anyway--I guess I need to set up the meeting w/ Big Boss before I do too much worrying.
2/4/07
I love her, but do I have to like her?
My 8 y.o. DD has become increasingly unpleasant to be around. She is sulky and moody and treats her Dad and me like we are complete idiots. I thought we had at least 3-4 years before we had to contend with this kind of behavior. Even her 5 y.o. sister commented today, "C. just whines and complains all the time." I truly do not know what to do about it.
I have always felt a special bond with my oldest DD--she was an only child for almost three years and always seemed to need me in a way the twins never did (after all, they have had each other since before they were even born). Now I feel like all I do is yell at her for her bad attitude. Even when we try to do something nice for her, she turns around and acts like an ungrateful brat.
I'm afraid that I have given the kids a little too much slack in making up for mommy going to law school. I was pretty strict as a SAHM and not one to give into the material demands of my children. While I am still on the stricter end of the parenting scale, I give in more on the smaller battles. And now my 8 y.o. (who never threw a tantrum in store as a toddler) thinks that she can pout and sulk everytime she doesn't get her way. (e.g. When DD was told that we needed to go to the grocery store on Saturday, her reply was "What do I get out of it?" Ummm, lets see, you get food to eat, and you don't have to stay home and do chores.) Arrghhh. I just want my sweet little girl back.
I have always felt a special bond with my oldest DD--she was an only child for almost three years and always seemed to need me in a way the twins never did (after all, they have had each other since before they were even born). Now I feel like all I do is yell at her for her bad attitude. Even when we try to do something nice for her, she turns around and acts like an ungrateful brat.
I'm afraid that I have given the kids a little too much slack in making up for mommy going to law school. I was pretty strict as a SAHM and not one to give into the material demands of my children. While I am still on the stricter end of the parenting scale, I give in more on the smaller battles. And now my 8 y.o. (who never threw a tantrum in store as a toddler) thinks that she can pout and sulk everytime she doesn't get her way. (e.g. When DD was told that we needed to go to the grocery store on Saturday, her reply was "What do I get out of it?" Ummm, lets see, you get food to eat, and you don't have to stay home and do chores.) Arrghhh. I just want my sweet little girl back.
2/3/07
It's not so bad, really
I have this gap between my bottom front teeth. It began during my pregnancy with the twins (that whole story is a nightmare which maybe I will blog about some day, but for background, I was hospitalized most of the first 5 months because I literally could not keep anything down. I lost 30 lbs., my hair started falling out and my teeth became loose. My docs told me to consider terminating before I starved to death). Anyway, the twins are 5 now,and I am really self-conscious about the gap. I wanted orthodontics, but I was told that my gums would have to be strengthened first.
So, yesterday I had gum surgery. They grafted tissue they scraped from the roof of my mouth to my bottom front gums, and on my back right pulled back the gums to remove bacteria and other yucky stuff back there. Now I have stitches in the front and back of my mouth and a plastic stint that covers the entire roof of my mouth.
It sounds awful, and believe me I was terrified, but one day out it's not so bad. I took Vicoden last night and kept an ice pack on my face and that managed the pain well. This morning I am going to see if I can make it w/o drugs--I need to get some reading done and I don't like taking unnecessary meds.
The worst is that I have to keep this stint in for two weeks. Oh, and I can't eat anything that I have to bite for two weeks. That will be fun, since I eat on the road more often than at home, but I am going to consider it my new diet plan. Maybe I'll get straight teeth and a slimmer figure from this whole ordeal.
So, yesterday I had gum surgery. They grafted tissue they scraped from the roof of my mouth to my bottom front gums, and on my back right pulled back the gums to remove bacteria and other yucky stuff back there. Now I have stitches in the front and back of my mouth and a plastic stint that covers the entire roof of my mouth.
It sounds awful, and believe me I was terrified, but one day out it's not so bad. I took Vicoden last night and kept an ice pack on my face and that managed the pain well. This morning I am going to see if I can make it w/o drugs--I need to get some reading done and I don't like taking unnecessary meds.
The worst is that I have to keep this stint in for two weeks. Oh, and I can't eat anything that I have to bite for two weeks. That will be fun, since I eat on the road more often than at home, but I am going to consider it my new diet plan. Maybe I'll get straight teeth and a slimmer figure from this whole ordeal.
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