So I don't quite know what to do with my current situation, with my mother being suddenly thrust upon me. I have worked hard to keep my distance from her, and I have spent more time with her this week that I have in the last 5 years.
I won't go into details, and I know that many don't understand. You can't understand if you had a good mom. It took DH a very long time to understand because he had an awesome mom--but he has finally seen enough to sort of get it.
She just never made her kids a priority. Whatever man was in her life was her top priority and my brother and I were frequently left to fend for ourselves.
So they only time we ever really got along was when I was in my early 20s. When I wasn't a responsibility or burden for her, but before I had my own kids, which were just too much of a bother and took attention away from her. She wanted a buddy, not a daughter.
And so she has been tolerable for the last few days because all of my attention has been focused on her. I've been the buddy, not distracted by my kids. I've barely seen them this week because I've been with her. But before I left today I said, "I'll come back tomorrow and bring the kids."
And she said, "As long as they don't hit my leg."
OMG--they are 10 and almost 13. They aren't toddlers--it's not like they're gonna try to crawl in her lap. She's not exactly a snugly, cookie-baking kind of Grandma anyway. But the sad fact is she doesn't want my kids around. It will take attention away from her.
And now I am being dragged into taking time away from my kids to focus on her for the next two months. I have got to figure out how to define this new relationship and draw a new line. My kids have always been and will continue to be my priority and she will have to learn that she comes after them. She won't understand--and she certainly thinks that I owe her more than I do.
But I've really missed my kids this week. And I really do not want them to have the disdain for me that I have for my mother because something else was always more important.
8/26/11
8/25/11
Waiting
At the hospital. I worked until 11 this morning, and then headed over to the hospital to be here for my mother's surgery scheduled for 1:15. We figured they would take to pre-op a couple of hours ahead of time, and I wanted to be here to talk to he docs.
Of course, 1:15 came and went. They finally took her down to pre-op at 2:30 and didn't take her to surgery until 4:00. But the monitor in the waiting room that's supposed to keep me updated shows that they haven't even started the surgery yet. Looks like it is going to be a late night.
Thankfully I found a make-your-own trail mix bar in the cafeteria, so I have provisions for my wait. And my laptop, nook and iphone to entertain me. How did we ever survive before we had all of our electronic accoutrements?
Of course, 1:15 came and went. They finally took her down to pre-op at 2:30 and didn't take her to surgery until 4:00. But the monitor in the waiting room that's supposed to keep me updated shows that they haven't even started the surgery yet. Looks like it is going to be a late night.
Thankfully I found a make-your-own trail mix bar in the cafeteria, so I have provisions for my wait. And my laptop, nook and iphone to entertain me. How did we ever survive before we had all of our electronic accoutrements?
8/24/11
Like an Injured Cat in Heat
TT got her violin today and SS gets her viola tomorrow. Gee, I had forgotten how much fun it was to have a beginning instrumentalist in the house.
Meanwhile, today my mom asked her doctor today how long she would have to stay in Big City before she could return to Hometown. He told her that she needed to stay here until after the replacement hip was installed--at least two months. She has a host of new docs here and they want her to stick with those docs during this treatment. And really, she's in better hands here with specialists at an excellent teaching hospital than back in Hometown where the best of the best are unlikely to practice (and in fact, failed to find this infection despite the fact she's had a low-grade fever for months).
But I'm not sure how to deal with the next two months. Our personal issues aside*, I'm just not sure how to fit a sick parent into the mix of my already very busy life. Of course, we've been down this road before with MIL. It was really hard then, and we were not the primary caregivers and the family had a lot of support.
Here her options are inpatient rehab or my house. We would be primary caregivers and would have a lot less support. It's looking like inpatient rehab, because we just don't know how to make my house work (and that's really not a path I want to go down). We brought the wheelchair in the house tonight and it won't fit through any of the bathroom doors--and there is not much room to expand the doorways even if we wanted to go that route.
But rehab means that I will have to fit visiting into my schedule several times a week. She doesn't have any friends or much family here. It's only been two days and the work/hospital/kids schedule is already wearing on me.
Ugh, there is no good answer here. And by the time she gets past the two months, they install the new part, do rehab after that surgery, and then get around to doing the hip that they were supposed to do in the first place we are looking at a 6-month ordeal.
*She has, surprisingly, been on her best behavior. Yesterday she even asked if I had lost weight. I've never heard that--only how much she thinks I need to lose. I think she understands her predicament. I know my brother had a chat with her when he had to bring her down for her first appointment with this surgeon and she started giving him attitude.
Meanwhile, today my mom asked her doctor today how long she would have to stay in Big City before she could return to Hometown. He told her that she needed to stay here until after the replacement hip was installed--at least two months. She has a host of new docs here and they want her to stick with those docs during this treatment. And really, she's in better hands here with specialists at an excellent teaching hospital than back in Hometown where the best of the best are unlikely to practice (and in fact, failed to find this infection despite the fact she's had a low-grade fever for months).
But I'm not sure how to deal with the next two months. Our personal issues aside*, I'm just not sure how to fit a sick parent into the mix of my already very busy life. Of course, we've been down this road before with MIL. It was really hard then, and we were not the primary caregivers and the family had a lot of support.
Here her options are inpatient rehab or my house. We would be primary caregivers and would have a lot less support. It's looking like inpatient rehab, because we just don't know how to make my house work (and that's really not a path I want to go down). We brought the wheelchair in the house tonight and it won't fit through any of the bathroom doors--and there is not much room to expand the doorways even if we wanted to go that route.
But rehab means that I will have to fit visiting into my schedule several times a week. She doesn't have any friends or much family here. It's only been two days and the work/hospital/kids schedule is already wearing on me.
Ugh, there is no good answer here. And by the time she gets past the two months, they install the new part, do rehab after that surgery, and then get around to doing the hip that they were supposed to do in the first place we are looking at a 6-month ordeal.
*She has, surprisingly, been on her best behavior. Yesterday she even asked if I had lost weight. I've never heard that--only how much she thinks I need to lose. I think she understands her predicament. I know my brother had a chat with her when he had to bring her down for her first appointment with this surgeon and she started giving him attitude.
8/23/11
Looong Day
Up at 5:30 for mother's hip replacement surgery. Got a call at 6:15 informing me that surgery had been pushed back to 10:15. Of course, I was already on my way. But at least I had time run by Starbucks.
In the pre-op room the anesthesiologist, Dr. Wong, came in and introduced himself. My stepfather said, "Oh, we were really hoping for Dr. Right instead of Dr. Wrong." OMG, I wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear.
10 minutes after they took her back for surgery the surgeon came out. She has cysts/tumors in both hips, and they were going to aspirate both to find out what was going on. When they aspirated the left hip it had a big nasty infection. Surgeon said he can't do right hip replacement while left hip is infected. The only option is to operate on the left hip, remove the tumor and the existing hip replacement and put in an antibiotic spacer for two months until they can confirm the infection is gone, at which point he can put in the left hip replacement.
In the meantime, she has no left hip for two months? How does someone not have a hip for two months? I do not understand. I try to ask surgeon these questions, but all he wants to know right then is if we want him to proceed or if we want to wake her so that she can make the decision (even though there's not a decision).
We tell him to wake her. She needs to know if she's not going to have a hip for two months. And so we wait and wait for word from the recovery room. An hour-and-a-half later we can go back there (yes, she was under for 10 minutes and had no surgery). The doc already talked to her, just as she was coming out of the anesthesia. She does not understand that her existing hip replacement part is being removed.
But I wasn't on any drugs and I heard exactly what the doctor said. And I am peeved that he talked to her before we were allowed back there. God, doctors are such pains in the ass.
So anyway, the new procedure is scheduled for Thursday and she is admitted and on super-antibiotics until then. We have no idea how long she will be stuck here. And her right hip, which has her wheelchair bound, can be replaced for months. And her husband has to leave tomorrow because he has an appointment with the oncologist on Thursday and a bone marrow aspiration on Friday because he was just diagnosed with non-Hodgkins leukemia.
I left the hospital at 3:00 and headed to the office until 7:00.
Now exhausted. Just wanna go to bed. Need to find out if the surgeon is supposed to come by in the morning and if I need to be there before dawn to catch him.
Then I have a CLE for half a day tomorrow, back to the hospital, back to the office. Fortunately the hospital is within 15 minutes from my office. The next few weeks are gonna be tough.
In the pre-op room the anesthesiologist, Dr. Wong, came in and introduced himself. My stepfather said, "Oh, we were really hoping for Dr. Right instead of Dr. Wrong." OMG, I wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear.
10 minutes after they took her back for surgery the surgeon came out. She has cysts/tumors in both hips, and they were going to aspirate both to find out what was going on. When they aspirated the left hip it had a big nasty infection. Surgeon said he can't do right hip replacement while left hip is infected. The only option is to operate on the left hip, remove the tumor and the existing hip replacement and put in an antibiotic spacer for two months until they can confirm the infection is gone, at which point he can put in the left hip replacement.
In the meantime, she has no left hip for two months? How does someone not have a hip for two months? I do not understand. I try to ask surgeon these questions, but all he wants to know right then is if we want him to proceed or if we want to wake her so that she can make the decision (even though there's not a decision).
We tell him to wake her. She needs to know if she's not going to have a hip for two months. And so we wait and wait for word from the recovery room. An hour-and-a-half later we can go back there (yes, she was under for 10 minutes and had no surgery). The doc already talked to her, just as she was coming out of the anesthesia. She does not understand that her existing hip replacement part is being removed.
But I wasn't on any drugs and I heard exactly what the doctor said. And I am peeved that he talked to her before we were allowed back there. God, doctors are such pains in the ass.
So anyway, the new procedure is scheduled for Thursday and she is admitted and on super-antibiotics until then. We have no idea how long she will be stuck here. And her right hip, which has her wheelchair bound, can be replaced for months. And her husband has to leave tomorrow because he has an appointment with the oncologist on Thursday and a bone marrow aspiration on Friday because he was just diagnosed with non-Hodgkins leukemia.
I left the hospital at 3:00 and headed to the office until 7:00.
Now exhausted. Just wanna go to bed. Need to find out if the surgeon is supposed to come by in the morning and if I need to be there before dawn to catch him.
Then I have a CLE for half a day tomorrow, back to the hospital, back to the office. Fortunately the hospital is within 15 minutes from my office. The next few weeks are gonna be tough.
8/17/11
Crazy Busy Exhausting Day
Got to work at 8:30 for a 9:00 client meeting. Saw client crossing the parking lot on my way in. So much for having time for meeting prep.
Had an end-of the-day deadline arising from the meeting. Then another client called with another end-of-the-day deadline.
Then a pro bono client for whom I have been working on on a custody modification left me a frantic voicemail. We pretty much had an agreement for temporary orders regarding custody and decided to hold off on fighting about child support because we wanted temp orders in place before school started.But Dad decided he wanted temp orders to be permanent and only wanted to pay 1/3 the statutory guideline for child support. He freaked when we insisted on the minimum statutory guideline (even though he is high income and we could likely get more) and the whole thing got really ugly and almost blew up. Fortunately cooler heads (the lawyers') prevailed and we are back on track.
In the middle of everything else, I noticed that my phone wasn't charging. I borrowed the receptionist's charger and still no luck. So I popped into the Apple store on my way home. My phone was 4 days out of warranty. And they gave me a new one! Yay Apple! They made a crappy day a lot less crappy.
Finally made it home by 8:30. The kids were bouncing off the walls. Today was our nanny's last day and she bought them all huge bags of candy. But they are bummed that she is leaving; she's like a big sister to them.
Tomorrow is meet the teacher night and school starts Monday. Still not ready.
Had an end-of the-day deadline arising from the meeting. Then another client called with another end-of-the-day deadline.
Then a pro bono client for whom I have been working on on a custody modification left me a frantic voicemail. We pretty much had an agreement for temporary orders regarding custody and decided to hold off on fighting about child support because we wanted temp orders in place before school started.But Dad decided he wanted temp orders to be permanent and only wanted to pay 1/3 the statutory guideline for child support. He freaked when we insisted on the minimum statutory guideline (even though he is high income and we could likely get more) and the whole thing got really ugly and almost blew up. Fortunately cooler heads (the lawyers') prevailed and we are back on track.
In the middle of everything else, I noticed that my phone wasn't charging. I borrowed the receptionist's charger and still no luck. So I popped into the Apple store on my way home. My phone was 4 days out of warranty. And they gave me a new one! Yay Apple! They made a crappy day a lot less crappy.
Finally made it home by 8:30. The kids were bouncing off the walls. Today was our nanny's last day and she bought them all huge bags of candy. But they are bummed that she is leaving; she's like a big sister to them.
Tomorrow is meet the teacher night and school starts Monday. Still not ready.
8/15/11
My Favorite Movies
I'm watching Father of the Bride. I love this movie. It is one of those movies that I will always watch if I find it showing, no matter how many times I have seen it. Others on that list...
1) Dirty Dancing
2) Pretty Woman
3) Grease
4) Steel Magnolias
Yeah, I'm all about the chick flicks.
1) Dirty Dancing
2) Pretty Woman
3) Grease
4) Steel Magnolias
Yeah, I'm all about the chick flicks.
8/14/11
Home!
After a fantastic week, we finally made it home at midnight last night. Kinda feel like I have vacation hangover this morning.
We spent out last day hitting the outlet malls--well timed since storms blew through that morning stirring up the sea and making the water murkier and the shore yuckier than it had been all week.
I wanted to do a bit of school shopping for the kids--although we really don't do serious shopping until October. I bought the kids a ton of new clothes at the beginning of summer, and it will be to hot to wear jeans and fall clothes for at least another 6 weeks.
But they did all get new shoes. Believe me, setting 3 girls loose in a shoe store is a true test of patience. DH was a real trooper. My 10 year olds bought size 8.5 running shoes! I wear a 9! They look like they a wearing clown shoes with their tiny bodies and giant feet.
I got some great deals at the Ann Taylor outlet, but my biggest find was a new work bag. Right after I graduated, I took my grad money and bought a giant red leather Fossil bag that was the perfect size for carrying files back. It was very sleek and polished with clean lines--kind of a handbag/briefcase hybrid that worked very well for carrying to court or depos.
I carried that bag every single day for three years. But it started to look pretty shabby. The seams and hardware were holding up fine, but the beautiful red was fading to white (a problem I wouldn't have had with a natural colored bag), and it just felt too worn to carry. Sadly, I tucked my beloved bag into the back of my closet, and began my search for a replacement.
Most recently I've been carrying a huge red kate spade nylon bag that PS has dubbed "the lunch box." I get tons of compliments on it, but it is just not working out. It will hold files, but only vertically, and everything just falls to the bottom and crumples. Before that was a gorgeous burgundy suede Cole Haan bag. It would hold a single file folder, but not an entire Redweld. It wasn't quite polished enough for court, and the suede didn't really work for summer.
So when we were out shopping, I wanted to check out the Fossil and Coach outlets in my new bag search. The Coach outlet had great prices, but nothing like what I needed. And the majority of their bags were the signature print. I really like the clean lines of the classic leather Coach bags. I hate the signature print--in Coach or any other label. At the risk of offending my readers, I'll just say it--I think it's tacky and screams "look at my label."
And then in the Fossil outlet, I spotted it. My exact bag. But shiny and new. And only $80--less than half of what I paid for the original. Now, I did check out the rest of the store. But I didn't find anything else as polished and perfectly suited for work. And so I bought it. Yes, the exact same bag that I bought back in 2007.
Is that weird? It feels weird. But I love that bag. It is exactly what I need, and a bargain at $80.
And yes, all of my bags are red. I guess it's my thing. And besides, I can carry the red regardless of whether I am wearing black or brown and not feel uncoordinated.
We spent out last day hitting the outlet malls--well timed since storms blew through that morning stirring up the sea and making the water murkier and the shore yuckier than it had been all week.
I wanted to do a bit of school shopping for the kids--although we really don't do serious shopping until October. I bought the kids a ton of new clothes at the beginning of summer, and it will be to hot to wear jeans and fall clothes for at least another 6 weeks.
But they did all get new shoes. Believe me, setting 3 girls loose in a shoe store is a true test of patience. DH was a real trooper. My 10 year olds bought size 8.5 running shoes! I wear a 9! They look like they a wearing clown shoes with their tiny bodies and giant feet.
I got some great deals at the Ann Taylor outlet, but my biggest find was a new work bag. Right after I graduated, I took my grad money and bought a giant red leather Fossil bag that was the perfect size for carrying files back. It was very sleek and polished with clean lines--kind of a handbag/briefcase hybrid that worked very well for carrying to court or depos.
I carried that bag every single day for three years. But it started to look pretty shabby. The seams and hardware were holding up fine, but the beautiful red was fading to white (a problem I wouldn't have had with a natural colored bag), and it just felt too worn to carry. Sadly, I tucked my beloved bag into the back of my closet, and began my search for a replacement.
Most recently I've been carrying a huge red kate spade nylon bag that PS has dubbed "the lunch box." I get tons of compliments on it, but it is just not working out. It will hold files, but only vertically, and everything just falls to the bottom and crumples. Before that was a gorgeous burgundy suede Cole Haan bag. It would hold a single file folder, but not an entire Redweld. It wasn't quite polished enough for court, and the suede didn't really work for summer.
So when we were out shopping, I wanted to check out the Fossil and Coach outlets in my new bag search. The Coach outlet had great prices, but nothing like what I needed. And the majority of their bags were the signature print. I really like the clean lines of the classic leather Coach bags. I hate the signature print--in Coach or any other label. At the risk of offending my readers, I'll just say it--I think it's tacky and screams "look at my label."
And then in the Fossil outlet, I spotted it. My exact bag. But shiny and new. And only $80--less than half of what I paid for the original. Now, I did check out the rest of the store. But I didn't find anything else as polished and perfectly suited for work. And so I bought it. Yes, the exact same bag that I bought back in 2007.
Is that weird? It feels weird. But I love that bag. It is exactly what I need, and a bargain at $80.
And yes, all of my bags are red. I guess it's my thing. And besides, I can carry the red regardless of whether I am wearing black or brown and not feel uncoordinated.
8/11/11
Winding Up
Yesterday we headed to the Naval Aviation Museum-it was very cool. Tons of war planes and the kids could sit in many of them. DH and the twins especially enjoyed it. PS is suddenly too cool to sit in the planes and has decided everything is boring.
On our way out we noticed a little sign that said "Lighthouse Open," so we detoured to visit a 150 year old working lighthouse. It was also very cool. It was my first time to visit a lighthouse and we got to climb all the way to the top (177 steps!). On our way back out we learned that the lighthouse was rumored to be haunted and has been featured on Ghosthunters.
Today we went on a dolphin cruise. We cruised around the key for a while before they came out, but we finally did get to see a pair of dolphins jumping in the wake of our boat. Now the kids are begging to go to Sea World so that they can pet dolphins. (Funny, since we went to Sea World right before the twins turned 3 and SS was terrified of everything--we couldn't even sit in the top row of the stadium for the Shamu show without her freaking out).
And then my mother called. She is having surgery on August 23rd and will be in the hospital for at least 2 weeks before she moves on to rehab. But she doesn't know if it will be inpatient or outpatient rehab. That is my $10,000 question. And they will only do one hip at a time, so this whole scenario will have to be repeated.
She also told me that her husband found out yesterday that he has cancer. (He's been ill, that's why my brother drove her to my city.) So he will be in hometown dealing with chemo and the other evils that constitute cancer treatment, while she is here having her hips replaced. Yuck.
Tomorrow is our last full day here. We've had fun, but it is enough. I am ready to be back in my own home and bed. Not looking forward to sorting through what will surely be an overflowing inbox, though.
On our way out we noticed a little sign that said "Lighthouse Open," so we detoured to visit a 150 year old working lighthouse. It was also very cool. It was my first time to visit a lighthouse and we got to climb all the way to the top (177 steps!). On our way back out we learned that the lighthouse was rumored to be haunted and has been featured on Ghosthunters.
Today we went on a dolphin cruise. We cruised around the key for a while before they came out, but we finally did get to see a pair of dolphins jumping in the wake of our boat. Now the kids are begging to go to Sea World so that they can pet dolphins. (Funny, since we went to Sea World right before the twins turned 3 and SS was terrified of everything--we couldn't even sit in the top row of the stadium for the Shamu show without her freaking out).
And then my mother called. She is having surgery on August 23rd and will be in the hospital for at least 2 weeks before she moves on to rehab. But she doesn't know if it will be inpatient or outpatient rehab. That is my $10,000 question. And they will only do one hip at a time, so this whole scenario will have to be repeated.
She also told me that her husband found out yesterday that he has cancer. (He's been ill, that's why my brother drove her to my city.) So he will be in hometown dealing with chemo and the other evils that constitute cancer treatment, while she is here having her hips replaced. Yuck.
Tomorrow is our last full day here. We've had fun, but it is enough. I am ready to be back in my own home and bed. Not looking forward to sorting through what will surely be an overflowing inbox, though.
8/10/11
Vacation and Reality
Yesterday went much better than the day before. We spent the morning figuring out how to drive a boat and navigate waterways, took a nap, had an early dinner at a local hot spot owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister, and hit the beach at dusk.
I've decided early evening is my favorite time to go to the beach. It's not so dang hot, the crowds have thinned, and the colors are beautiful.
This morning, DH and the twins have gone fishing and I am enjoying some quite time. Our condo is small--a one bedroom, with bunks built into the hallway and a pull-out sofa; maybe half the size of our downstairs at home--and we've had plenty of togetherness. Plus, our friends Damp and Sandy have moved in, and this gives me a chance to sweep them back out without three kids underfoot.
So everything is great again--except for the call I got from my brother yesterday. He had to drive our mother* from Hometown to my city to visit a specialist. She has severe health issues that sort of began when I was a senior in high school and she fell and broke her hip (she was 43). Since then, she's has had both of her hips replaced twice, along with every other major joint in her body.
Anyway, she recently fell again and needs another hip replacement, but can't find a surgeon in Hometown who will do it and is wheelchair bound until something is done. Apparently this is a major undertaking because her bones have deteriorated so much. So she started looking in my city and finally found a surgeon who will talk to her. My brother (who is cursing me for being out of town right now) was charged with bringing her down for her appointment.
The city doc said that she has tumors in both hips and both need to be replaced. He also wants to do aspirations in both hips to see if the tumors are malignant.
So, it's looking like she's going to be stuck in my city for a while. Right now she is staying with her brother and her brother and sister are helping her out this week. (Both live on the opposite end of Big City from me.) But I have a feeling she's going to end up with me. Her doctor is really close to my office, and the hospital is closest to me. Besides, her brother and sister have their own jobs and lives.
I am not terribly happy about this. First, because I have really tried to keep my mother at a distance (for my own and my kids' sakes). And because my house is not wheelchair friendly. There are multiple steps up the front walk, and a tight squeeze through the back door. Only the master suite is downstairs. The kids' rooms and the guest room are upstairs. Her staying with us means DH and me moving into the upstairs guest room so that she can have our room downstairs.
Ugh. Despite my issues with my mother, I do feel an obligation to help out with this situation. But I reserve the right to bitch about it. At least I have 3 days of vacation before I have to deal with this reality.
*I have mentioned occasionally on this blog that I don't get along with my mother, and have essentially cut of ties with her. I talk to her a couple of time a year, but I intentionally keep her at a distance because I don't need her drama infecting my life. The reasons are numerous and I don't feel like going into them now, but they are justified.
I've decided early evening is my favorite time to go to the beach. It's not so dang hot, the crowds have thinned, and the colors are beautiful.
This morning, DH and the twins have gone fishing and I am enjoying some quite time. Our condo is small--a one bedroom, with bunks built into the hallway and a pull-out sofa; maybe half the size of our downstairs at home--and we've had plenty of togetherness. Plus, our friends Damp and Sandy have moved in, and this gives me a chance to sweep them back out without three kids underfoot.
So everything is great again--except for the call I got from my brother yesterday. He had to drive our mother* from Hometown to my city to visit a specialist. She has severe health issues that sort of began when I was a senior in high school and she fell and broke her hip (she was 43). Since then, she's has had both of her hips replaced twice, along with every other major joint in her body.
Anyway, she recently fell again and needs another hip replacement, but can't find a surgeon in Hometown who will do it and is wheelchair bound until something is done. Apparently this is a major undertaking because her bones have deteriorated so much. So she started looking in my city and finally found a surgeon who will talk to her. My brother (who is cursing me for being out of town right now) was charged with bringing her down for her appointment.
The city doc said that she has tumors in both hips and both need to be replaced. He also wants to do aspirations in both hips to see if the tumors are malignant.
So, it's looking like she's going to be stuck in my city for a while. Right now she is staying with her brother and her brother and sister are helping her out this week. (Both live on the opposite end of Big City from me.) But I have a feeling she's going to end up with me. Her doctor is really close to my office, and the hospital is closest to me. Besides, her brother and sister have their own jobs and lives.
I am not terribly happy about this. First, because I have really tried to keep my mother at a distance (for my own and my kids' sakes). And because my house is not wheelchair friendly. There are multiple steps up the front walk, and a tight squeeze through the back door. Only the master suite is downstairs. The kids' rooms and the guest room are upstairs. Her staying with us means DH and me moving into the upstairs guest room so that she can have our room downstairs.
Ugh. Despite my issues with my mother, I do feel an obligation to help out with this situation. But I reserve the right to bitch about it. At least I have 3 days of vacation before I have to deal with this reality.
*I have mentioned occasionally on this blog that I don't get along with my mother, and have essentially cut of ties with her. I talk to her a couple of time a year, but I intentionally keep her at a distance because I don't need her drama infecting my life. The reasons are numerous and I don't feel like going into them now, but they are justified.
8/8/11
Vacay Day 2: This Vacation May Kill Us
Today do not go well.
We started off at the little zoo that could--a lovely little zoo full of playful critters that you can get a bit closer to than at most of the big zoos we've visited. And the girls got to ride a camel and play with lemurs.
Unfortunately, halfway through our visit, PS started feeling bad. First she started seeing spots, then she said her head hurt and she was getting nauseous. I had to leave DH and the twins playing with the lemurs while I ran PS back to the condo. She cried the whole way back. I'm pretty sure she was suffering from her first migraine. I gave her a dose of super Excedrin and a cold washrag on her head and left her alone in a cool dark room for a while.
After I retrieved the rest of the family from the zoo, I took the TT and SS down to the beach while DH stayed with PS in the condo. The wind was blowing today and the waves were crashing hard. I took the kids' boogie board into the the water and was immediately rolled into the sand, and have road rash (sea rash?) on my shin to show for it. For the rest of the afternoon a stream of blood slowly leaked down my leg.
A little later I had retired to the beach with a magazine while the girls played in the surf. SS had a floaty mat and TT had a ring. They started floating a little down the beach from me. They were right at the edge of my comfort level. And, then, within a minute, they were beyond my comfort level. I started walking down the beach toward them, reached TT quickly. I could hear SS yelling at her, and from the tone, I knew she was scared. I ordered TT back to the beach, and headed out toward SS. Even as I was moving toward her, the ocean seemed to be drawing her farther and farther away.
I am not an athlete, but, thankfully, I have always been a strong swimmer. Still, about halfway toward SS I started getting worried. I couldn't touch at all, and she still looked so far away. We weren't on a public beach, so there was no lifeguard. Only a handful of other people, who I hoped were paying attention. Three-quarters of the way there, I was getting tired and really worried. It was pure mommy adrenaline that got me to SS. I finally nabbed the end of SS's mat and side-stroked my way back to shore. It was a whole lot easier getting back to shore than going out. But by the time we did get back my heart was beating about a thousand beats per minute and I was breathing hard. I think it took two hours for my heart rate to come back down.
Once we got back to the beach, I plopped down to text DH. But my iphone said that the temperature was too high to operate. (WTF?) So I carefully balanced it in the cooler. In the meantime, the girls went back to collecting shells in the surf.
And then SS got stung by a jellyfish. So she comes up to me screaming. And, of course, I'd left the bottle of vinegar back in the condo. Right at that moment the wind grabbed TT's floaty ring and rolled it, on it's side down the beach. It rolled and rolled and rolled--at least a couple hundred yards.
So I was still recovering fro my deep-sea rescue, one kid was screaming in pain, and the other was running down the beach after a $2 floaty. At least my phone cooled down so I was able to frantically text DH to bring down the vinegar and help us Sherpa all of our beach gear back to the condo.
By that time PS was feeling better, so we all schlepped back to the condo and crashed for a nap. I can now feel every single muscle in my shoulders and back. At least I got a nice work-out.
We started off at the little zoo that could--a lovely little zoo full of playful critters that you can get a bit closer to than at most of the big zoos we've visited. And the girls got to ride a camel and play with lemurs.
Unfortunately, halfway through our visit, PS started feeling bad. First she started seeing spots, then she said her head hurt and she was getting nauseous. I had to leave DH and the twins playing with the lemurs while I ran PS back to the condo. She cried the whole way back. I'm pretty sure she was suffering from her first migraine. I gave her a dose of super Excedrin and a cold washrag on her head and left her alone in a cool dark room for a while.
After I retrieved the rest of the family from the zoo, I took the TT and SS down to the beach while DH stayed with PS in the condo. The wind was blowing today and the waves were crashing hard. I took the kids' boogie board into the the water and was immediately rolled into the sand, and have road rash (sea rash?) on my shin to show for it. For the rest of the afternoon a stream of blood slowly leaked down my leg.
A little later I had retired to the beach with a magazine while the girls played in the surf. SS had a floaty mat and TT had a ring. They started floating a little down the beach from me. They were right at the edge of my comfort level. And, then, within a minute, they were beyond my comfort level. I started walking down the beach toward them, reached TT quickly. I could hear SS yelling at her, and from the tone, I knew she was scared. I ordered TT back to the beach, and headed out toward SS. Even as I was moving toward her, the ocean seemed to be drawing her farther and farther away.
I am not an athlete, but, thankfully, I have always been a strong swimmer. Still, about halfway toward SS I started getting worried. I couldn't touch at all, and she still looked so far away. We weren't on a public beach, so there was no lifeguard. Only a handful of other people, who I hoped were paying attention. Three-quarters of the way there, I was getting tired and really worried. It was pure mommy adrenaline that got me to SS. I finally nabbed the end of SS's mat and side-stroked my way back to shore. It was a whole lot easier getting back to shore than going out. But by the time we did get back my heart was beating about a thousand beats per minute and I was breathing hard. I think it took two hours for my heart rate to come back down.
Once we got back to the beach, I plopped down to text DH. But my iphone said that the temperature was too high to operate. (WTF?) So I carefully balanced it in the cooler. In the meantime, the girls went back to collecting shells in the surf.
And then SS got stung by a jellyfish. So she comes up to me screaming. And, of course, I'd left the bottle of vinegar back in the condo. Right at that moment the wind grabbed TT's floaty ring and rolled it, on it's side down the beach. It rolled and rolled and rolled--at least a couple hundred yards.
So I was still recovering fro my deep-sea rescue, one kid was screaming in pain, and the other was running down the beach after a $2 floaty. At least my phone cooled down so I was able to frantically text DH to bring down the vinegar and help us Sherpa all of our beach gear back to the condo.
By that time PS was feeling better, so we all schlepped back to the condo and crashed for a nap. I can now feel every single muscle in my shoulders and back. At least I got a nice work-out.
8/7/11
The Leisurely Life
We made it to our vacation condo., after a 12 hour drive yesterday. Of course, the drive took a little longer after a spontaneous detour through a Civil War battleground. The battleground wasn't particularly exciting, but along the battleground tour we stumbled upon a war ship that had been sunk and then raised in the 1960's. It was very cool and definitely made the detour worthwhile.
This morning it was ungodly hot and humid. We came from hot and humid., so I didn't expect the heat to affect us. Here is is less hot and more humid which I think is worse that the more hot and less humid that we came from.
We delayed going to the beach so that we could stock up on groceries and floaties (because we hadn't already dragged enough crap with us). Fortunately, but the time we made it back to the condo, showers had moved through, dropping temperatures and taking the humidity with them. We spent the rest of the afternoon until sunset on the beach, and the kids are begging to go back first thing in the morning. Yep. We have absolutely nothing planned, except on Tuesday when I have reserved a pontoon boat so that we can explore the bay.
So far this vacation is going well.
This morning it was ungodly hot and humid. We came from hot and humid., so I didn't expect the heat to affect us. Here is is less hot and more humid which I think is worse that the more hot and less humid that we came from.
We delayed going to the beach so that we could stock up on groceries and floaties (because we hadn't already dragged enough crap with us). Fortunately, but the time we made it back to the condo, showers had moved through, dropping temperatures and taking the humidity with them. We spent the rest of the afternoon until sunset on the beach, and the kids are begging to go back first thing in the morning. Yep. We have absolutely nothing planned, except on Tuesday when I have reserved a pontoon boat so that we can explore the bay.
So far this vacation is going well.
8/4/11
Baby It's Hot Outside
I have tried not to complain about the heat. I'm just thankful that I'm not pregnant. I carried PS during the second hottest summer in [my hot state's] history. I think we've surpassed that, and it's now the third hottest summer. But it was hot and I was hugely pregnant and miserable and we lived in a crappy duplex where the air conditioner broke every other week.
So this summer hasn't been so bad. I'm not pregnant and I pretty much go from my air conditioned house to my air conditioned car to my air conditioned office and then back again.
Until yesterday. Our house was uncomfortably warm last night at 80 degrees. I though the a/c was just having trouble keeping up in 110 degree heat. But we woke up this morning sticky and sweaty and realizing that the a/c definitely was not working.
We called our neighbor who is an a/c guy, but he was already off on another job. Fortunately, though, he was able to help DH diagnose the problem on the phone and after a quick trip to the parts store we were back in business. Total cost-- $60 and a six-pack for the neighbor.
But the heat seems to be making people crabby. This morning the gate to my office parking garage wasn't working. The lady in front of my kept swiping and swiping her card to no avail. So, since I was stuck behind her, I hopped out of my car to try my card. (I knew she worked in my building because I've been trying to figure out her vanity plate (CU AT PK) for a year.) The gate didn't work when I swiped my card either. So she snatched my card out of my hand and said, "Let me try it." After swiping unsuccessfully another 5 times, she shoved my card at me and said, "I can't believe this, today of all days." Never did her mouth utter a "thank you" for trying to help out.
Then at lunch an equally cranky woman was excessively bitchy to the guys who work the little cafe in my building. I had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her to drop the attitude. Instead I was just extra nice to the cafe guys (these guys make my lunch multiple times a week, I'm always nice to them, anyway).
Seriously, is it necessary to take your crappy attitude out on everybody around you? Eat some damn chocolate and get over it.
8/1/11
Layoffs
A few weeks ago my co-worker was let go. My firm took great pains to ensure that I knew that it was a performance based decision as opposed to an economic one. And that my position was secure. That they fully intended to replace co-worker.
Today a secretary was laid off. The reason: the firm has decided not to replace co-worker after all. So we are (were) overstaffed. It was a business decision--an economic one. Quite a different tale than the one I heard a few weeks ago. But again my firm took great pains to assure me that my position is secure.
So I am the low (wo)man on the totem pole, and it now looks like it will be that way for a while. This doesn't exactly give me warm fuzzies--even though my bosses were highly complimentary of me after both incidents.
On the one hand, I anticipate that I would be the next one out the door if the economy worsens. And I don't know if I would see it coming, because I'm pretty sure the last two didn't (although I definitely noticed enough buzzing in the office both times around to know something was up).
On the other hand, I've been busy since my co-worker left. I am the only full-time associate supporting 5 partners. I think they'd be in trouble without an associate. But it also means that I get all the crap jobs that the partners don't want to do, and that would typically be handed to a lower-level associate. I'm just not sure how I feel about this scenario. My firm is top-heavy and I don't know if there is enough room left for me to grow.
I guess I have some thinking to do, although I don't know that it even matters in this economy.
Today a secretary was laid off. The reason: the firm has decided not to replace co-worker after all. So we are (were) overstaffed. It was a business decision--an economic one. Quite a different tale than the one I heard a few weeks ago. But again my firm took great pains to assure me that my position is secure.
So I am the low (wo)man on the totem pole, and it now looks like it will be that way for a while. This doesn't exactly give me warm fuzzies--even though my bosses were highly complimentary of me after both incidents.
On the one hand, I anticipate that I would be the next one out the door if the economy worsens. And I don't know if I would see it coming, because I'm pretty sure the last two didn't (although I definitely noticed enough buzzing in the office both times around to know something was up).
On the other hand, I've been busy since my co-worker left. I am the only full-time associate supporting 5 partners. I think they'd be in trouble without an associate. But it also means that I get all the crap jobs that the partners don't want to do, and that would typically be handed to a lower-level associate. I'm just not sure how I feel about this scenario. My firm is top-heavy and I don't know if there is enough room left for me to grow.
I guess I have some thinking to do, although I don't know that it even matters in this economy.
7/31/11
3 Weeks
Until school starts. Ugh. I am not ready for school to start. I love our summer pace. I don't have to nag the kids to get moving in the morning. I get to sleep in a little bit because I don't have to nag the kids to get moving in the morning. The sun is shining when I wake up. Traffic is sooooo much better--I can make it to the office in 30 minutes!
And when I come home, I don't have to spend my evenings working on homework or school projects. No soccer practice. No teacher meetings or concerts or PTA programs I have to attend.
And I get to spend more time with the kids in the evening. 8:30 bedtimes mean I only get to spend an hour or two with the kiddos during the week. During the summer, we may be going for a bike ride or going out for yogurt at 8:30.
I'm just not ready to get back to all that. But I spent most of yesterday buying school supplies. And beach stuff. At least we still have vacation to look forward to, our last hurrah of summer. We leave next Saturday for a week on the beach. And I'm gonna need it by the time I survive this week at work.
And when I come home, I don't have to spend my evenings working on homework or school projects. No soccer practice. No teacher meetings or concerts or PTA programs I have to attend.
And I get to spend more time with the kids in the evening. 8:30 bedtimes mean I only get to spend an hour or two with the kiddos during the week. During the summer, we may be going for a bike ride or going out for yogurt at 8:30.
I'm just not ready to get back to all that. But I spent most of yesterday buying school supplies. And beach stuff. At least we still have vacation to look forward to, our last hurrah of summer. We leave next Saturday for a week on the beach. And I'm gonna need it by the time I survive this week at work.
7/27/11
Making Headlines
Ok, maybe not headlines. But my client was featured in a national news story that was published this morning, regarding the case that I mention in this post.
We knew the article was coming. Shortly after the hearing a reporter started hounding me for a comment. Sadly, I had to decline since it is likely that my client will have to testify again and I didn't want to give the defendants any ammo to use against her. But the article was really nice, and painted my client in a good light.
Oh yeah, and I was mentioned too...for declining to comment. Still, it's my fist press mention. Another entry in the baby lawyer book.
We knew the article was coming. Shortly after the hearing a reporter started hounding me for a comment. Sadly, I had to decline since it is likely that my client will have to testify again and I didn't want to give the defendants any ammo to use against her. But the article was really nice, and painted my client in a good light.
Oh yeah, and I was mentioned too...for declining to comment. Still, it's my fist press mention. Another entry in the baby lawyer book.
7/26/11
I Love to Ride My Bicycle
DH took PS to a concert tonight, so it was just the twins and me. Despite the fact that the thermometer on my back porch was reading 109, I agreed to take a bike ride with them. Fortunately, DH just got a bike for his birthday, so I had one to ride. It's probably been 20 years since I spent any amount of time on a bike. (I'm 36--got a car when I was 16, haven't had a bike since. Yep, 20 years.) Fortunately, it's just like "they" say.
Well, except that the kiddos insisted I wear a helmet. I've never worn a bike helmet. The girls were baffled by this. It is beyond their comprehension that there was a time when people didn't wear bike helmets. So I wore the helmet (and it was dang hot).
I think I may need to get a bike of my very own. I forgot how much I missed cruising around the neighborhood. And it's nice that the kids are big enough that I have to worry about keeping up with them instead of the other way around. (The main reason I never got another bike--it just didn't sound like fun with little kids trailing behind at turtle speed.)
Not to mention the exercise factor. We weren't out very long because of the heat, but I was still feeling muscles I had forgotten about. And the bike is doc approved, since I have old lady bones.
Well, except that the kiddos insisted I wear a helmet. I've never worn a bike helmet. The girls were baffled by this. It is beyond their comprehension that there was a time when people didn't wear bike helmets. So I wore the helmet (and it was dang hot).
I think I may need to get a bike of my very own. I forgot how much I missed cruising around the neighborhood. And it's nice that the kids are big enough that I have to worry about keeping up with them instead of the other way around. (The main reason I never got another bike--it just didn't sound like fun with little kids trailing behind at turtle speed.)
Not to mention the exercise factor. We weren't out very long because of the heat, but I was still feeling muscles I had forgotten about. And the bike is doc approved, since I have old lady bones.
7/23/11
Double Digits
My twins turn 10 tomorrow. Which means that all my kids are now in double digits. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was 9-months pregnant with twins. Or breastfeeding practically 24 hours a day. Or trying to figure out how I would ever survive three-year-old twins.
And now they are 10. They have become awesome people. And they are actually useful. SS makes the best fried eggs and iced tea in the world. TT just takes whatever the world throws at her and keeps right on rolling without a complaint.
And they are still sweet and cuddly and love their mom and dad. I still get about a million hugs and kisses a day from them. (PS would hardly give us a hug if her life depended upon it; she is not big on physical affection.) And when we watched tv together last night, SS curled right up next to me the whole time. I love that they still do this.
We bought them new big kid bikes for their birthday. With hand brakes and gears. And cell phones. (We were on the fence about that one.) They are getting big. I miss buying Little People. But we did get some Legos, one of the few toys we can buy anymore.
It has been weighing on me a lot lately how little time we have until all our kids go off to college and start their own lives. When I was young I NEVER wanted kids. But they are definitely the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me.
And now they are 10. They have become awesome people. And they are actually useful. SS makes the best fried eggs and iced tea in the world. TT just takes whatever the world throws at her and keeps right on rolling without a complaint.
And they are still sweet and cuddly and love their mom and dad. I still get about a million hugs and kisses a day from them. (PS would hardly give us a hug if her life depended upon it; she is not big on physical affection.) And when we watched tv together last night, SS curled right up next to me the whole time. I love that they still do this.
We bought them new big kid bikes for their birthday. With hand brakes and gears. And cell phones. (We were on the fence about that one.) They are getting big. I miss buying Little People. But we did get some Legos, one of the few toys we can buy anymore.
It has been weighing on me a lot lately how little time we have until all our kids go off to college and start their own lives. When I was young I NEVER wanted kids. But they are definitely the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me.
7/21/11
Feet and Anger
Took TT to the ortho today who said that her toe is NOT broken. She just has a bad sprain (her foot is still really swollen!). No more splint, no more crutches. Woot! She can ride her bike and go swimming again and, best of all, our beach vacation isn't screwed up. (Can you imagine a cast on the beach?)
He also hesitantly said that she could still go to the amusement park for her birthday this weekend. I'm a bit concerned about this, since she would now be walking on it all day. I had a bad sprain when the twins were about 10 months old. We went to Chicago a month later and I walked too much the first day and was miserable the rest of the trip because my foot hurt so much. That sprain took forever to heal and hurt a heck of a lot more than the fractures I had last summer.
And in other news I am mad at DH. We went out last night, so he picked me up from work, leaving my car in the underground parking garage. He dropped me off at 9:30 last night--right at the stairs to go into the garage (he couldn't drive into the garage because the pass was in my car). And then he left! Without making sure that nobody murdered me and that I actually came back out of the dark, empty parking garage. Who does that? Whenever I drop off DH, or anybody else, I always make sure that they are safely in their car and actually moving before I leave.
He thinks I am ridiculous for being angry. I think he is lacking in civility.
He also hesitantly said that she could still go to the amusement park for her birthday this weekend. I'm a bit concerned about this, since she would now be walking on it all day. I had a bad sprain when the twins were about 10 months old. We went to Chicago a month later and I walked too much the first day and was miserable the rest of the trip because my foot hurt so much. That sprain took forever to heal and hurt a heck of a lot more than the fractures I had last summer.
And in other news I am mad at DH. We went out last night, so he picked me up from work, leaving my car in the underground parking garage. He dropped me off at 9:30 last night--right at the stairs to go into the garage (he couldn't drive into the garage because the pass was in my car). And then he left! Without making sure that nobody murdered me and that I actually came back out of the dark, empty parking garage. Who does that? Whenever I drop off DH, or anybody else, I always make sure that they are safely in their car and actually moving before I leave.
He thinks I am ridiculous for being angry. I think he is lacking in civility.
7/17/11
Cooking Weekend
This was supposed to be a cooking and cleaning weekend, but it ended up more of a shopping and cooking weekend. Haven't made much progress on the cleaning, but at least I have a refrigerator full of food and a week's worth of meals in my freezer.
A commenter asked about recipes a few weeks ago, so I'll share what I did:
I brought home 3 lbs of chicken tenderloins and used 1/3 of it in Brown Butter Ravioli with Crispy Sage and the remaining 2/3 in Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken. We had the Brown Butter Ravioli for dinner Saturday night (it was really good) and froze the Santa Fe Chicken (haven't tried this yet) for later in the week.
Today I browned 5 lbs of ground beef with a little onion and bell pepper, 2.5 lbs of bacon (use the oven!) and cut up a rotisserie chicken from Costco (a great cheat!). Most of the bacon and the chicken will be used on Monday and Tuesday to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzones and Garlic Chicken Farfalle (this is so unbelievably delicious). The rest of the bacon went into breakfast burritos that were frozen for later in the week.
I added spaghetti sauce to part of the ground beef to be used in Skillet Lasagna and spaghetti in the next week or two. I added refried beans (along with a little cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic) to another part to make burritos for lunch this week. (I really, really hate store-bought frozen foods for lunch). I have several more portions of ground beef stored in the freezer for later.
Tonight we had T-bone steaks with homestyle green beans and modified version of Crash Hot Potatoes.
I'll admit that this set of recipes isn't particularly healthy. The pasta dishes use lots of butter and cream. Also, I don't regularly buy bacon, so the number of bacon dishes is an anomaly. And the 5 lbs of ground beef will probably last for a month. We are also carb-heavy. That's always my weakness. I love carbs and the kids never gripe about pasta.
But I think cooking from scratch with real ingredients has got to be better than a bunch of over-processed foods. And we supplement with lots of fruits and veggies. And, most importantly, I can have dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes every night this week.
A commenter asked about recipes a few weeks ago, so I'll share what I did:
I brought home 3 lbs of chicken tenderloins and used 1/3 of it in Brown Butter Ravioli with Crispy Sage and the remaining 2/3 in Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken. We had the Brown Butter Ravioli for dinner Saturday night (it was really good) and froze the Santa Fe Chicken (haven't tried this yet) for later in the week.
Today I browned 5 lbs of ground beef with a little onion and bell pepper, 2.5 lbs of bacon (use the oven!) and cut up a rotisserie chicken from Costco (a great cheat!). Most of the bacon and the chicken will be used on Monday and Tuesday to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzones and Garlic Chicken Farfalle (this is so unbelievably delicious). The rest of the bacon went into breakfast burritos that were frozen for later in the week.
I added spaghetti sauce to part of the ground beef to be used in Skillet Lasagna and spaghetti in the next week or two. I added refried beans (along with a little cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic) to another part to make burritos for lunch this week. (I really, really hate store-bought frozen foods for lunch). I have several more portions of ground beef stored in the freezer for later.
Tonight we had T-bone steaks with homestyle green beans and modified version of Crash Hot Potatoes.
I'll admit that this set of recipes isn't particularly healthy. The pasta dishes use lots of butter and cream. Also, I don't regularly buy bacon, so the number of bacon dishes is an anomaly. And the 5 lbs of ground beef will probably last for a month. We are also carb-heavy. That's always my weakness. I love carbs and the kids never gripe about pasta.
But I think cooking from scratch with real ingredients has got to be better than a bunch of over-processed foods. And we supplement with lots of fruits and veggies. And, most importantly, I can have dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes every night this week.
7/15/11
Chaos
I keep dreaming about wind. Last night I dreamed that I was walking through a courtyard and it was very windy. Another woman was walking with a big purse that was hanging open and the wind suddenly filled up her purse and lifter her into the air like a hot air balloon.
The night before I dreamed that we were traveling and stopped at a little shack in the middle of nowhere. We were stuck there for 3 days because it was so windy that the dirt stirred up by the wind impeded visibility to the point that all nearby roads were closed.
I think the wind dreams are symbolic of the chaos that has taken over my life.
Work
It's busy. That's a good thing. I am much happier when I am busy. But it is hectic busy. And I'm still a little frustrated by the monotony of my job.
Home
My house is a mess. There are baskets of clean laundry all over my bedroom. The rest of the house is generally messy. Our nanny is supposed to supervise the kids' chores and perform light housekeeping tasks. She's been slacking. But she is going off to college soon and only has another 6 weeks with us.
I think that we have decided not to replacing her. The kids really don't need a lot of supervision these days. PS turns 13 soon and is very mature and responsible. The biggest challenge will be getting kids to their activities, but we will talk to the neighbor to see if she is interested in helping out with this.
The good news is that I am testing out a new housekeeper next week. Hopefully having someone come in every week will help with the house-mess chaos.
Kids (and dog)
Bob is doing great. He is already back to chasing bunnies in the yard and running up and down the stairs.
Speaking of stairs, TT broke her toe walking down the stairs. I've broken lots of toes and don't usually consider it a big deal. But she broke the big one and it was hugely swollen and bruised half-way down her foot. So I took her to the doc this morning who put some funky splint-thing on it, gave her crutches, told her not to put any weight on it, and referred us out to an ortho. (Yes, this is the kid who broke her arm and has only been out of the arm splint for 6 weeks.)
She thinks having crutches is super cool. But she doesn't get how much this is going to make the rest of her summer suck. The splint she has now can't get wet. So no pool. And we have a fully paid beach vacation scheduled in 3 weeks! And her birthday is next week. She's fully expecting a new bike and to go to the Big Amusement Park. So if she gets a bike, she won't be able to ride it for a month. That sounds like a sucky birthday. And she will be totally bummed if we can't go to the Big Amusement Park.
Finances
DH's employer started a crazy new insurance plan this year, and health care costs are insane. Oh how I miss my PPO. I don't think it would be so bad in a regular year, but with all of TT's issues this year, it's ugly. But at least next year we'll have a better idea of how much to contribute to our FSA. We way underfunded this year because we did not fully understand how this new plan would work (his employer automatically funded the FSA, but we blew through that by April). Not to mention the ginormous vet bill that we just got, compliments of Bob.
It's not debilitating, just not well planned for and adding more stress.
I just want my kids and my dog to be well and my house to be clean. Is that too much to ask?
The night before I dreamed that we were traveling and stopped at a little shack in the middle of nowhere. We were stuck there for 3 days because it was so windy that the dirt stirred up by the wind impeded visibility to the point that all nearby roads were closed.
I think the wind dreams are symbolic of the chaos that has taken over my life.
Work
It's busy. That's a good thing. I am much happier when I am busy. But it is hectic busy. And I'm still a little frustrated by the monotony of my job.
Home
My house is a mess. There are baskets of clean laundry all over my bedroom. The rest of the house is generally messy. Our nanny is supposed to supervise the kids' chores and perform light housekeeping tasks. She's been slacking. But she is going off to college soon and only has another 6 weeks with us.
I think that we have decided not to replacing her. The kids really don't need a lot of supervision these days. PS turns 13 soon and is very mature and responsible. The biggest challenge will be getting kids to their activities, but we will talk to the neighbor to see if she is interested in helping out with this.
The good news is that I am testing out a new housekeeper next week. Hopefully having someone come in every week will help with the house-mess chaos.
Kids (and dog)
Bob is doing great. He is already back to chasing bunnies in the yard and running up and down the stairs.
Speaking of stairs, TT broke her toe walking down the stairs. I've broken lots of toes and don't usually consider it a big deal. But she broke the big one and it was hugely swollen and bruised half-way down her foot. So I took her to the doc this morning who put some funky splint-thing on it, gave her crutches, told her not to put any weight on it, and referred us out to an ortho. (Yes, this is the kid who broke her arm and has only been out of the arm splint for 6 weeks.)
She thinks having crutches is super cool. But she doesn't get how much this is going to make the rest of her summer suck. The splint she has now can't get wet. So no pool. And we have a fully paid beach vacation scheduled in 3 weeks! And her birthday is next week. She's fully expecting a new bike and to go to the Big Amusement Park. So if she gets a bike, she won't be able to ride it for a month. That sounds like a sucky birthday. And she will be totally bummed if we can't go to the Big Amusement Park.
Finances
DH's employer started a crazy new insurance plan this year, and health care costs are insane. Oh how I miss my PPO. I don't think it would be so bad in a regular year, but with all of TT's issues this year, it's ugly. But at least next year we'll have a better idea of how much to contribute to our FSA. We way underfunded this year because we did not fully understand how this new plan would work (his employer automatically funded the FSA, but we blew through that by April). Not to mention the ginormous vet bill that we just got, compliments of Bob.
It's not debilitating, just not well planned for and adding more stress.
I just want my kids and my dog to be well and my house to be clean. Is that too much to ask?
7/9/11
Awful Night
About 8:30 this evening we headed to the neighbor's house to water her plants while she is out of town. I told the girls to put Bob in the backyard before we left so he wouldn't try to run out the front door.
Bob was quite unhappy that his family was in the neighbor's yard while he was stuck in our yard, and was doing his best to ram his head through the fence. So we told PS to go back home and let him into the house. A few minutes later, her sisters followed. Just as DH and I were finishing up, TT ran back over to tell us that Bob had gotten out and was taking off down the street. PS and SS had followed, so DH took off running after them. I went to get the car, with SS in tow. (This isn't the first time Bob has taken off, and the best way to catch him is to convince him to take a ride in the car.)
As I reached the end of our block I caught a glimpse of SS standing at the edge of our neighborhood. Which borders a busy two-lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit. When I reached the highway I saw the girls and DH standing on one side screaming. It was hard to see what was going on in the road because it was dusk and the oncoming car headlights put everything into silhouette. My biggest fear at that moment was that one of my children would take off across the highway after the dog. Traffic was too heavy to pull onto the highway, so I just laid on the horn, hoping it would make the other cars slow down and pay attention.
And then the cars in both directions stopped and I saw DH and PS take off across the road. SS was still on the side opposite me. I pulled onto the highway and saw that Bob had been hit. I flipped a u-turn in front of the stopped cars--my top priority was to get SS into the car before she tried to cross the road, or a car came onto the shoulder and hit her. I walked down to where DH and PS were, and I could see that Bob was lying down but moving his head. Lots of other people had stopped and were out of their cars trying to help. (DH said later that some strange lady came over and started yelling at the kids who hit Bob. It wasn't their fault a big black dog came darting into traffic. And PS said that lots of other people were crying.) I yelled across the road that I would bring the car over (it was a few couple hundred feet away on the other side of the highway.)
Meanwhile, someone found a blanket, which was made into a makeshift gurney to carry Bob to the car. He looked to have a broken leg and was bleeding from his mouth. We loaded him into the back and DH called the vet. PS and SS, who had seen everything, were hysterical.
We headed to the vet's office, and she met us within just a few minutes. Bob was very calm in the car, and stood up when DH tried to lift him out of the car. In the vet's office he was panting heavily, but he was standing on his leg and wagging his tail. X-rays showed no breaks or internal injuries. He just has lots of road rash, swelling in one knee, and apparently bit his tongue. The vet sent him home with lots of pain killers and antibiotics.
It is awful seeing Bob hurt and the kids so inconsolable. They are all trying to blame themselves. (And yes, he should be better trained.) SS is sleeping on the couch tonight so that she can stay near him. But the worst of all was the very real fear that one of my kids was going to get killed on that very busy highway. It was like watching a movie in slow motion and there was nothing I could do.
It looks like Bob will be ok. We can clearly see how this situation could have been worse in so many different ways and know that we are lucky it wasn't worse. And we are so grateful to everyone who stopped to help. We wish there was a way to let them know that Bob turned out ok--especially the kids who hit him and got yelled at.
Bob was quite unhappy that his family was in the neighbor's yard while he was stuck in our yard, and was doing his best to ram his head through the fence. So we told PS to go back home and let him into the house. A few minutes later, her sisters followed. Just as DH and I were finishing up, TT ran back over to tell us that Bob had gotten out and was taking off down the street. PS and SS had followed, so DH took off running after them. I went to get the car, with SS in tow. (This isn't the first time Bob has taken off, and the best way to catch him is to convince him to take a ride in the car.)
As I reached the end of our block I caught a glimpse of SS standing at the edge of our neighborhood. Which borders a busy two-lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit. When I reached the highway I saw the girls and DH standing on one side screaming. It was hard to see what was going on in the road because it was dusk and the oncoming car headlights put everything into silhouette. My biggest fear at that moment was that one of my children would take off across the highway after the dog. Traffic was too heavy to pull onto the highway, so I just laid on the horn, hoping it would make the other cars slow down and pay attention.
And then the cars in both directions stopped and I saw DH and PS take off across the road. SS was still on the side opposite me. I pulled onto the highway and saw that Bob had been hit. I flipped a u-turn in front of the stopped cars--my top priority was to get SS into the car before she tried to cross the road, or a car came onto the shoulder and hit her. I walked down to where DH and PS were, and I could see that Bob was lying down but moving his head. Lots of other people had stopped and were out of their cars trying to help. (DH said later that some strange lady came over and started yelling at the kids who hit Bob. It wasn't their fault a big black dog came darting into traffic. And PS said that lots of other people were crying.) I yelled across the road that I would bring the car over (it was a few couple hundred feet away on the other side of the highway.)
Meanwhile, someone found a blanket, which was made into a makeshift gurney to carry Bob to the car. He looked to have a broken leg and was bleeding from his mouth. We loaded him into the back and DH called the vet. PS and SS, who had seen everything, were hysterical.
We headed to the vet's office, and she met us within just a few minutes. Bob was very calm in the car, and stood up when DH tried to lift him out of the car. In the vet's office he was panting heavily, but he was standing on his leg and wagging his tail. X-rays showed no breaks or internal injuries. He just has lots of road rash, swelling in one knee, and apparently bit his tongue. The vet sent him home with lots of pain killers and antibiotics.
It is awful seeing Bob hurt and the kids so inconsolable. They are all trying to blame themselves. (And yes, he should be better trained.) SS is sleeping on the couch tonight so that she can stay near him. But the worst of all was the very real fear that one of my kids was going to get killed on that very busy highway. It was like watching a movie in slow motion and there was nothing I could do.
It looks like Bob will be ok. We can clearly see how this situation could have been worse in so many different ways and know that we are lucky it wasn't worse. And we are so grateful to everyone who stopped to help. We wish there was a way to let them know that Bob turned out ok--especially the kids who hit him and got yelled at.
7/3/11
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday
We took off Friday afternoon and headed to Hometown for the holiday weekend. Our plan was to let our kids experience some of our favorite things about Hometown--something we never get to do because we always have a whirlwind of relative-visiting when we're here.
And so yesterday morning we went hiking in the fantastic canyon that we spent a good part of our teenage years in. We were thrilled to find that the kids loved it as much as we do. The twins apparently learned all about tracking when they were at Girl Scout camp, and so they had great fun pointing out tracks and informing us of whether they were opossum or raccoon or deer or horse or armadillo or coyote.*
Last night we took FIL to dinner and an outdoor theater production. (I think DH is done with musical theater for the year--this is our third production in as many weeks.)
And today we visited our grandparents and finished the day off with a barbecue at my dad's house with my brother and nieces. (We had to fit the mandatory visits in somewhere.) It was nice getting to hang out with my brother and his girls. I'm pretty sure my dad never anticipated having 7 granddaughters and it's a little crazy when they're all together, but also a lot of fun.
Tomorrow we head home. I think the kids had a great time (TT told me as much).
*DH's sibs went with us and I overheard this conversation between my 6-year-old niece and 3-year-old nephew:
Nephew: What's a coyote?
Niece: It's a kind of wild dog.
Nephew: Ooohhh, that sounds scary.
Niece: It is scary. They eat people.
And so yesterday morning we went hiking in the fantastic canyon that we spent a good part of our teenage years in. We were thrilled to find that the kids loved it as much as we do. The twins apparently learned all about tracking when they were at Girl Scout camp, and so they had great fun pointing out tracks and informing us of whether they were opossum or raccoon or deer or horse or armadillo or coyote.*
Last night we took FIL to dinner and an outdoor theater production. (I think DH is done with musical theater for the year--this is our third production in as many weeks.)
And today we visited our grandparents and finished the day off with a barbecue at my dad's house with my brother and nieces. (We had to fit the mandatory visits in somewhere.) It was nice getting to hang out with my brother and his girls. I'm pretty sure my dad never anticipated having 7 granddaughters and it's a little crazy when they're all together, but also a lot of fun.
Tomorrow we head home. I think the kids had a great time (TT told me as much).
*DH's sibs went with us and I overheard this conversation between my 6-year-old niece and 3-year-old nephew:
Nephew: What's a coyote?
Niece: It's a kind of wild dog.
Nephew: Ooohhh, that sounds scary.
Niece: It is scary. They eat people.
6/28/11
Crazy Week
This week is crazy week. PS is attending a half-day engineering camp on the campus where I attended law school. Meanwhile her sisters are attending lego robotics camp* in our little suburb, 25 miles away. And of course they both have to be at camp at 9:00 am. Fortunately, my sweet neighbor agreed to drop off the twins, since it is only 5 minutes from our house.
PS's camp is 5 minutes from my office. Which means that she spends the other half of her day with me at work. I spoke with Big Boss about this last week, and he was less than thrilled--concerned about having kids wandering through the office. Um, she's 12, going into 8th grade. She sits in a corner and reads or plays video games or watches movies on my laptop (exactly what she would be doing at home). I have never had my kids at the office before and don't intend to make it a habit. It's a one time event and a great opportunity for her. And nobody else in my office has kids, so no issues with setting a precedent.
So I took her anyway--and I'm pretty sure he hasn't even noticed that she's there.
Today we carpooled with DH so that we could go directly to the funeral visitation tonight (an hour away from home) and didn't get home until 9:00. Tomorrow is the funeral, which will be an all day event with lots of out-of-town relatives. But FIL will not be staying with us, so at least we don't have the added stress of overnight guests.
Friday we head to Hometown for the weekend (where we will be staying with FIL). There's a lot to do between now and then, both at work and at home.
*Yes we are geeks. The twins are also attending a science camp later this summer, further reinforcing our geekiness. The purpose of PS's camp is to get girls more interested in engineering--still a heavily male-dominated field. And interestingly, my girls were the only girls attending the sold-out lego robotics camp.
PS's camp is 5 minutes from my office. Which means that she spends the other half of her day with me at work. I spoke with Big Boss about this last week, and he was less than thrilled--concerned about having kids wandering through the office. Um, she's 12, going into 8th grade. She sits in a corner and reads or plays video games or watches movies on my laptop (exactly what she would be doing at home). I have never had my kids at the office before and don't intend to make it a habit. It's a one time event and a great opportunity for her. And nobody else in my office has kids, so no issues with setting a precedent.
So I took her anyway--and I'm pretty sure he hasn't even noticed that she's there.
Today we carpooled with DH so that we could go directly to the funeral visitation tonight (an hour away from home) and didn't get home until 9:00. Tomorrow is the funeral, which will be an all day event with lots of out-of-town relatives. But FIL will not be staying with us, so at least we don't have the added stress of overnight guests.
Friday we head to Hometown for the weekend (where we will be staying with FIL). There's a lot to do between now and then, both at work and at home.
*Yes we are geeks. The twins are also attending a science camp later this summer, further reinforcing our geekiness. The purpose of PS's camp is to get girls more interested in engineering--still a heavily male-dominated field. And interestingly, my girls were the only girls attending the sold-out lego robotics camp.
6/26/11
A Mother's Rant
To the lady at the table behind us at dinner last night: yes, I did give you an icy-cold death stare. Your baby screamed the entire time we were at dinner. It was not "fussing," it was screaming. And as much as you may have wanted a nice dinner out, so did every other diner and the restaurant and they were deprived of this opportunity because of your selfishness. Not to mention that your child was tired or hungry or otherwise ailed, and simply did not want to be there.
I understand that it may have been a long time since you have gone out to dinner. But that is one of the consequences of having children. Believe me, I have missed my share of hot meals, dinners out, movies, concerts and theater productions, because I had young children. And I have had to leave restaurants and church and shopping malls because I had babies who were uncooperative. It's no fun to have your meal wrapped up to take home, but that is what you do when your child is screaming at the top of her lungs. And now that my children are old enough to leave the house and act like civilized human beings, I really don't want to listen to your child scream. I've suffered through years of missing out on fun things because of my children--now its your turn. It won't last forever (unless you're the Duggar Family). Suck it up and realize that the world does not revolve around you and your adorable little bundle of screams.
To the lady who attempted to bring her one-year old to the theater last night: A one-year old is never, ever, ever going to sit through a theater production. One-year olds like to talk and play. They do not like to sit still for three hours and watch adults sing and dance on a stage 50 feet away. At least you figured this out early on and removed your child. But really...you're not going to be able to go to the theater for years unless you get a babysitter. Just save yourself the cost of the tickets and rent a DVD.
To the the adults who kept entering and leaving the theater in the middle of the show last night: unacceptable. I didn't let my 9-year olds leave in the middle of the act to go to the bathroom, but it is hard to explain that this is poor theater etiquette there were so many adults coming in and out. (It later appeared that these adults were the parents of children who had a very short spot at the end of the second act--which seems even more appalling to me. If you kid is in the show, you should know how an audience member should behave.)
To the adults who left candy wrappers in the floor of the theater: Disgusting. This is not a movie theater. Food is not even allowed in. How hard is it to pick up your own trash?
I understand that it may have been a long time since you have gone out to dinner. But that is one of the consequences of having children. Believe me, I have missed my share of hot meals, dinners out, movies, concerts and theater productions, because I had young children. And I have had to leave restaurants and church and shopping malls because I had babies who were uncooperative. It's no fun to have your meal wrapped up to take home, but that is what you do when your child is screaming at the top of her lungs. And now that my children are old enough to leave the house and act like civilized human beings, I really don't want to listen to your child scream. I've suffered through years of missing out on fun things because of my children--now its your turn. It won't last forever (unless you're the Duggar Family). Suck it up and realize that the world does not revolve around you and your adorable little bundle of screams.
To the lady who attempted to bring her one-year old to the theater last night: A one-year old is never, ever, ever going to sit through a theater production. One-year olds like to talk and play. They do not like to sit still for three hours and watch adults sing and dance on a stage 50 feet away. At least you figured this out early on and removed your child. But really...you're not going to be able to go to the theater for years unless you get a babysitter. Just save yourself the cost of the tickets and rent a DVD.
To the the adults who kept entering and leaving the theater in the middle of the show last night: unacceptable. I didn't let my 9-year olds leave in the middle of the act to go to the bathroom, but it is hard to explain that this is poor theater etiquette there were so many adults coming in and out. (It later appeared that these adults were the parents of children who had a very short spot at the end of the second act--which seems even more appalling to me. If you kid is in the show, you should know how an audience member should behave.)
To the adults who left candy wrappers in the floor of the theater: Disgusting. This is not a movie theater. Food is not even allowed in. How hard is it to pick up your own trash?
6/24/11
Long Week
So our kid-free week has come to an end. It was fun, but I am definitely too old for the going out every night thing. And I am so glad to have all my girls back. They have hardly stopped chattering (or eating!) since they got home.
But it's also been a dramatic week with my co-worker getting fired and DH's great-uncle passing away this morning. We visited his aunt and uncle earlier this week, knowing that the end was likely near, which brought memories of our last days with MIL. Because all of our side of the family is out of town, we will likely have company coming in for the funeral. Company meaning FIL and likely his wife. That is still a touchy issue (yes, I know some of my readers are critical of this.)
I guess I need to do some major grocery shopping and house cleaning (not to mention the disgusting camp laundry--thank god I don't have boys because 3 girls are gross enough).
And I have a spa appointment tomorrow morning. I have a GC that I have been sitting on since my birthday and it has to be used by the end of the month--this was the only time available when I finally called a couple of weeks ago. Not great timing with the kids just getting home and company in, but hopefully it will help me relax and deal with it all.
But it's also been a dramatic week with my co-worker getting fired and DH's great-uncle passing away this morning. We visited his aunt and uncle earlier this week, knowing that the end was likely near, which brought memories of our last days with MIL. Because all of our side of the family is out of town, we will likely have company coming in for the funeral. Company meaning FIL and likely his wife. That is still a touchy issue (yes, I know some of my readers are critical of this.)
I guess I need to do some major grocery shopping and house cleaning (not to mention the disgusting camp laundry--thank god I don't have boys because 3 girls are gross enough).
And I have a spa appointment tomorrow morning. I have a GC that I have been sitting on since my birthday and it has to be used by the end of the month--this was the only time available when I finally called a couple of weeks ago. Not great timing with the kids just getting home and company in, but hopefully it will help me relax and deal with it all.
6/22/11
Always look on the bright side of life
I was whistling this all morning after seeing a certain musical last night, although it's a bit cheerier that I feel.
My problem with being too slow at work has just resolved. My co-worker was fired yesterday. He was the only other full-time regular associate, so much of his work will likely be shifted to me until a replacement is found (which, if history holds true, could be a while).
My bosses took great care to explain to me that it was not a lay off and that my job is absolutely secure and that they could not anticipate a reason that they would ever need let me go because I am such a valuable asset to the firm. But while it was nice to hear high praise for my work, I felt terrible for my coworker. It wasn't really a shock, though, since I had been tasked with re-checking his work on several occasions.
He asked to talk to me after he found out, and the bosses agreed to this. And he asked what he could have done differently (I think he was truly shocked). I told him that if he wasn't getting feedback he needed to ask for it. You can only improve your work product if you know what the problem is. And sometimes you have to detect subtleties to know that there is a problem. (He knew I was re-doing one of his motions which should have been a bright red flag.)
He also complained that he didn't get enough input when he didn't know how to do something. We didn't talk much about this, but one thing I learned early in my career is that "I don't know, but I can figure it out" is a great answer. The key is that you have to be able to figure it out. He wasn't able to do that, and no senior partner wants to baby-step an associate through drafting a simple motion or discovery. You have to take the initiative to find a form or a book or someone a couple of years ahead of you who can point you in the right direction.
So, those are my bits of advice for young lawyers: be someone who can figure things out and be proactive in discovering your weaknesses.
My problem with being too slow at work has just resolved. My co-worker was fired yesterday. He was the only other full-time regular associate, so much of his work will likely be shifted to me until a replacement is found (which, if history holds true, could be a while).
My bosses took great care to explain to me that it was not a lay off and that my job is absolutely secure and that they could not anticipate a reason that they would ever need let me go because I am such a valuable asset to the firm. But while it was nice to hear high praise for my work, I felt terrible for my coworker. It wasn't really a shock, though, since I had been tasked with re-checking his work on several occasions.
He asked to talk to me after he found out, and the bosses agreed to this. And he asked what he could have done differently (I think he was truly shocked). I told him that if he wasn't getting feedback he needed to ask for it. You can only improve your work product if you know what the problem is. And sometimes you have to detect subtleties to know that there is a problem. (He knew I was re-doing one of his motions which should have been a bright red flag.)
He also complained that he didn't get enough input when he didn't know how to do something. We didn't talk much about this, but one thing I learned early in my career is that "I don't know, but I can figure it out" is a great answer. The key is that you have to be able to figure it out. He wasn't able to do that, and no senior partner wants to baby-step an associate through drafting a simple motion or discovery. You have to take the initiative to find a form or a book or someone a couple of years ahead of you who can point you in the right direction.
So, those are my bits of advice for young lawyers: be someone who can figure things out and be proactive in discovering your weaknesses.
6/19/11
Camp in the age of the internet
This morning I am tying up all of the last minute details before we send the kids off to camp. One of which is setting up an account so that I can email the girls at camp. You can't use regular email. You have to use the GS proprietary system that lets you send "bunk notes" that are printed off and delivered to the girls with the regular mail. Oh yeah, and you have to pay for this service. Messages start at $1 and go up by $1 per add on if you want to make it in color or add a picture or a word game. So one email can end up costing $3. And you have to buy credits for this service in $10 increments. Per kid. So I have to pay a minimum of $20 to email my kids at camp. Makes a postage stamp look like a bargain. (Not to mention I already went old school and hid little notes throughout their suitcases.)
This is a little irritating to me. Especially because I have been getting blast emails for the last two months encouraging me to buy a bunch of overpriced crap to be delivered to my kids while they are at camp. They are definitely playing the "show your kids you love them through material possessions" card. I didn't really think that was what GS was all about.
I think scouting is a great program, and I know that the money made off of these ventures goes back to the scouts, but I am not loving this particular fund raising mechanism.
Meanwhile, PS's camp is not allowing any electronics, either. (Can you imagine the number of cell phones and ipods that will be confiscated by the end of the week from 300 middle schoolers?) But they have set up a twitter feed so that the parents can see what is going on. So yesterday I joined the 21st century and set up a twitter account. I still don't really see the point of twitter, but maybe I'm just getting old. I'm following a few business, and it seems to me like I have just voluntarily signed up to be affronted with even more advertising. Why would I do this to myself?
However, a new social networking site that I LOVE is pinterest. I describe it as a visual bookmarking site that you can share with the world. Your "pins" are images/links that take you back to whatever you are pinning. I can spend hours on this new time-waster.
This is a little irritating to me. Especially because I have been getting blast emails for the last two months encouraging me to buy a bunch of overpriced crap to be delivered to my kids while they are at camp. They are definitely playing the "show your kids you love them through material possessions" card. I didn't really think that was what GS was all about.
I think scouting is a great program, and I know that the money made off of these ventures goes back to the scouts, but I am not loving this particular fund raising mechanism.
Meanwhile, PS's camp is not allowing any electronics, either. (Can you imagine the number of cell phones and ipods that will be confiscated by the end of the week from 300 middle schoolers?) But they have set up a twitter feed so that the parents can see what is going on. So yesterday I joined the 21st century and set up a twitter account. I still don't really see the point of twitter, but maybe I'm just getting old. I'm following a few business, and it seems to me like I have just voluntarily signed up to be affronted with even more advertising. Why would I do this to myself?
However, a new social networking site that I LOVE is pinterest. I describe it as a visual bookmarking site that you can share with the world. Your "pins" are images/links that take you back to whatever you are pinning. I can spend hours on this new time-waster.
6/18/11
Summer Camp
Tomorrow the twins leave for camp, and PS heads out on Monday. DH and I will be empty-nesters for a week, and we plan to take full advantage. We've already got tix to the theater, a baseball game and passes for the movie theater that serves booze (and mediocre food).
But getting ready for camp has become a major undertaking.
On Tuesday we were informed PS must have a one-piece swimsuit for camp. Do you know how hard it is to find a one-piece these days? Especially for a 12-year-0d trapped between kids and juniors sizes? She already has a modest tankini, but the half-inch of belly it shows might cause boys to be overcome with lewd and lascivious thoughts. (Can you tell she's going to church camp?)
So I took a two-hour lunch on Wednesday to peruse the frou-frou mall a block from my office. (Note to self: Do not go shopping on the day you wear your highest heels.) I would text pics of what I found, and PS would respond with "ughs". I came home with a suit she thought was "ok," but that ended up being too small. (This shopping challenge is complicated by the fact that PS has been volunteering with the stage crew of our local theater company from 7-11 every night. I rarely get home before 7, so there has been no chance to go shopping together.)
Thursday the kids were directed to pack while I was at work. I got home at 8, only to find that 4 out of the 5 pairs of shorts each twin had packed were too small. So we flew out the door to hit Old Navy before they closed at 9:00. Fortunately, they were running great sales and I was able to pick up 8 pairs of shorts, 2 bathing suits and a couple of t-shirts for about $100. Woot!
Unfortunately, we got home to find half of it didn't fit. Apparently the kids have grown a lot since last summer. So last night we repeated our expedition, this time trying on. Whew! At least the twins are packed. But PS still needs new shoes and a swimsuit and possibly a couple of pairs of shorts, so there will be more shopping today.
And then on Sunday, we make the 4-hour round trip to drop off the twins. Happy Father's Day--you're getting rid of the kids for a week!
But getting ready for camp has become a major undertaking.
On Tuesday we were informed PS must have a one-piece swimsuit for camp. Do you know how hard it is to find a one-piece these days? Especially for a 12-year-0d trapped between kids and juniors sizes? She already has a modest tankini, but the half-inch of belly it shows might cause boys to be overcome with lewd and lascivious thoughts. (Can you tell she's going to church camp?)
So I took a two-hour lunch on Wednesday to peruse the frou-frou mall a block from my office. (Note to self: Do not go shopping on the day you wear your highest heels.) I would text pics of what I found, and PS would respond with "ughs". I came home with a suit she thought was "ok," but that ended up being too small. (This shopping challenge is complicated by the fact that PS has been volunteering with the stage crew of our local theater company from 7-11 every night. I rarely get home before 7, so there has been no chance to go shopping together.)
Thursday the kids were directed to pack while I was at work. I got home at 8, only to find that 4 out of the 5 pairs of shorts each twin had packed were too small. So we flew out the door to hit Old Navy before they closed at 9:00. Fortunately, they were running great sales and I was able to pick up 8 pairs of shorts, 2 bathing suits and a couple of t-shirts for about $100. Woot!
Unfortunately, we got home to find half of it didn't fit. Apparently the kids have grown a lot since last summer. So last night we repeated our expedition, this time trying on. Whew! At least the twins are packed. But PS still needs new shoes and a swimsuit and possibly a couple of pairs of shorts, so there will be more shopping today.
And then on Sunday, we make the 4-hour round trip to drop off the twins. Happy Father's Day--you're getting rid of the kids for a week!
6/11/11
Loose Ends
1) I seem to have come out of my funk. Still don't know what is going on with my kid, though, since they had to rerun a bunch of her bloodwork and it takes forever to get results. But since she is acting perfectly normal these days, it's hard to believe that something is wrong.
2) We are not filing a grievance against Lawyer A. I do think his conduct was both despicable and unethical. But filing a grievance against an attorney is a very serious, career-altering move. I discussed it with my partners and we decided that since his conduct was recorded on the record and the judge admonished him in open court that this matter had been handled. My client is already stressed by being involved in these proceedings that she is not a party to and has little interest in getting involved in another mess by filing a grievance.
3) I'm still slow and bored at work. I was at a CLE yesterday and ran into an old law school friend. She asked what I was doing and if I liked it--and my response was "I'm bored." I couldn't even bring myself to couch it or tell a little white lie (although I am a terrible liar, anyway.) And then, one of the points made at the CLE was that if you are discontent, or worse, unhappy, you need to make a change because you only have one life and you need to get the most out of it. And a corollary point was made that very few good things in life happen without risk. I am taking this advice to heart and trying to figure out what to do about it.
2) We are not filing a grievance against Lawyer A. I do think his conduct was both despicable and unethical. But filing a grievance against an attorney is a very serious, career-altering move. I discussed it with my partners and we decided that since his conduct was recorded on the record and the judge admonished him in open court that this matter had been handled. My client is already stressed by being involved in these proceedings that she is not a party to and has little interest in getting involved in another mess by filing a grievance.
3) I'm still slow and bored at work. I was at a CLE yesterday and ran into an old law school friend. She asked what I was doing and if I liked it--and my response was "I'm bored." I couldn't even bring myself to couch it or tell a little white lie (although I am a terrible liar, anyway.) And then, one of the points made at the CLE was that if you are discontent, or worse, unhappy, you need to make a change because you only have one life and you need to get the most out of it. And a corollary point was made that very few good things in life happen without risk. I am taking this advice to heart and trying to figure out what to do about it.
6/7/11
We're going to Vegas
We just got notice that DH's employer is sending him to a conference in Vegas in the fall. And I think I will go with him. His conference runs Sunday night through Wednesday, so we could fly in together the Friday before, spend the weekend together, and I can fly back home on Monday morning.
We've been to Vegas once before, and I didn't really care for it. It just seemed so fake. And the cigarette smoke that permeated everything really inflamed my allergies. And I got tired of seeing boobies everywhere. And I'm too cheap to gamble.
So why the heck to I want to go back? Well, we really want to see the Beatles' LOVE show. And a weekend away in a nice hotel sounds pretty good. And a subsidized mini-vacation is always a good thing. (When the kids were little, they only time we got to go anywhere was when DH had a conference. Hence, the last visit to Vegas.) And now I know exactly what to expect going in and think that 2 full days is just enough time.
Yay--it's nice to have a little trip with DH to look forward to.
We've been to Vegas once before, and I didn't really care for it. It just seemed so fake. And the cigarette smoke that permeated everything really inflamed my allergies. And I got tired of seeing boobies everywhere. And I'm too cheap to gamble.
So why the heck to I want to go back? Well, we really want to see the Beatles' LOVE show. And a weekend away in a nice hotel sounds pretty good. And a subsidized mini-vacation is always a good thing. (When the kids were little, they only time we got to go anywhere was when DH had a conference. Hence, the last visit to Vegas.) And now I know exactly what to expect going in and think that 2 full days is just enough time.
Yay--it's nice to have a little trip with DH to look forward to.
6/6/11
Re: the last two posts
The judge signed the order granting the government's injunction at 9:30 Sunday night (the emergency injunction was to expire today). My client's testimony was cited by the court and clearly given a lot of weight. This was fantastic news for her, as all of the defendants worked hard to undermine her credibility during cross examination. And it assured her that her testimony had not been for naught.
6/4/11
A great day to be a lawyer
Despite my fury Thursday night, which had not dissipated much by Friday morning, the hearing on Friday went really well. From a law geek perspective, it was actually fun--and it's been a while since I've had fun while working.
My client was the key witness for a government agency in a civil suit involving many, many defendants represented by about 10 different law firms. Most of the lawyers were old white guys, several from very large and prestigious firms. A handful of them were there to meet with me why I arrived and convince me that I was wrong and that the judge would surely rule against me.
I let them know in no uncertain terms that I would fight any attempts to recall my client to the stand. The lawyer I had spoken with the night before (we'll call him lawyer A) was a total arrogant ass who probably wouldn't know the truth if it bit him in the ass. Lawyer A is not a biglaw lawyer, and I suspect his attempts to intimidate me were at least partially for show for the benefit his higher paid counterparts.
And then the government lawyer arrived and he was almost as furious as I was about Lawyer A's conduct and also let him know it.
When court finally started, the government lawyer introduced me to the court so that we could deal with the issue of my missing witness and whether she was still under subpoena. I told the court about the other attorney's conduct and explained that she was not there and that I did not believe that she was obligated to be there or to that she was still subject to the subpoena with which she had already complied, and that all parties had already had to opportunity to examine her.
Lawyer A attempted to favorably spin his conduct and then said that by telling my client not to comply with a subpoena, my conduct was equally inappropriate. The judge ignored Lawyer A's statement about me, and mildly admonished* Lawyer A for his conduct and ordered him to have no additional contact with my client. The court did not immediately rule on whether my client could or would be recalled to the stand, and wanted to hear from another witnesses first. (Which drew objection from Lawyer A, because he wanted my client to be at court just in case the court ruled in his favor.)
By the time the court took a break, Lawyer A decided that he didn't need my client after all and the court granted my request to formally release her from all outstanding subpoenas.
I have to admit that I am really proud of how I handled the whole situation. I got the desired result for my client, and stood up to bullies, and I presented a good, short argument to the court. Standing in that courtroom with a federal judge, a dozen or more lawyers, an above-average number of spectators (and probably press), I felt like LC versus the world. But I wasn't even nervous, because I knew that I was right.
I've come a long way since my first argument in court, where my knees were shaking so much I could barely stand up straight.
* Lawyer A's behavior was truly abhorrent for several reasons I have not mentioned.** I kept it short in front of the court, because my goal was to protect my client rather than implicate his professional conduct. I did not want the court to disregard my argument because I was just "throwing stones" at the other attorney.
**One of the things he told my client was that I had not been practicing for very long and probably wasn't used to practicing in federal court. How dare you implicate my professional capabilities to my client--especially when you're just making shit up. I'm admitted in every federal district in my state and I regularly practice in federal court. I'm the go-to girl in my firm for federal procedural issues, and I know the nuances in the local rules for the different districts.
My client was the key witness for a government agency in a civil suit involving many, many defendants represented by about 10 different law firms. Most of the lawyers were old white guys, several from very large and prestigious firms. A handful of them were there to meet with me why I arrived and convince me that I was wrong and that the judge would surely rule against me.
I let them know in no uncertain terms that I would fight any attempts to recall my client to the stand. The lawyer I had spoken with the night before (we'll call him lawyer A) was a total arrogant ass who probably wouldn't know the truth if it bit him in the ass. Lawyer A is not a biglaw lawyer, and I suspect his attempts to intimidate me were at least partially for show for the benefit his higher paid counterparts.
And then the government lawyer arrived and he was almost as furious as I was about Lawyer A's conduct and also let him know it.
When court finally started, the government lawyer introduced me to the court so that we could deal with the issue of my missing witness and whether she was still under subpoena. I told the court about the other attorney's conduct and explained that she was not there and that I did not believe that she was obligated to be there or to that she was still subject to the subpoena with which she had already complied, and that all parties had already had to opportunity to examine her.
Lawyer A attempted to favorably spin his conduct and then said that by telling my client not to comply with a subpoena, my conduct was equally inappropriate. The judge ignored Lawyer A's statement about me, and mildly admonished* Lawyer A for his conduct and ordered him to have no additional contact with my client. The court did not immediately rule on whether my client could or would be recalled to the stand, and wanted to hear from another witnesses first. (Which drew objection from Lawyer A, because he wanted my client to be at court just in case the court ruled in his favor.)
By the time the court took a break, Lawyer A decided that he didn't need my client after all and the court granted my request to formally release her from all outstanding subpoenas.
I have to admit that I am really proud of how I handled the whole situation. I got the desired result for my client, and stood up to bullies, and I presented a good, short argument to the court. Standing in that courtroom with a federal judge, a dozen or more lawyers, an above-average number of spectators (and probably press), I felt like LC versus the world. But I wasn't even nervous, because I knew that I was right.
I've come a long way since my first argument in court, where my knees were shaking so much I could barely stand up straight.
* Lawyer A's behavior was truly abhorrent for several reasons I have not mentioned.** I kept it short in front of the court, because my goal was to protect my client rather than implicate his professional conduct. I did not want the court to disregard my argument because I was just "throwing stones" at the other attorney.
**One of the things he told my client was that I had not been practicing for very long and probably wasn't used to practicing in federal court. How dare you implicate my professional capabilities to my client--especially when you're just making shit up. I'm admitted in every federal district in my state and I regularly practice in federal court. I'm the go-to girl in my firm for federal procedural issues, and I know the nuances in the local rules for the different districts.
6/2/11
Shaking with Fury
lI have somehow managed to become counsel for a nonparty witness in a federal case. I attended a hearing with her on Tuesday where she testified that she was represented by counsel and gave my name on the record. She was thoroughly examined for over two hours, and we left after her testimony because she was sequestered from hearing the rest of the proceedings.
I'm following the case on PACER and so I knew that the court had requested additional briefing and that another hearing was set for Friday. But nobody contacted me regarding her testimony and, based on the briefings, it did not appear that additional testimony from my client was necessary to resolve the outstanding issues.
And then, this afternoon, one of the parties contacted my client to ask if she would attend Friday's hearing. I told her that his attorney needed to contact me so that we could discuss it. No call. And the more I thought about it, the less inclined I was to allow my client to be put through the cross-examination ringer again.
I came home, had dinner with the kids, watched a movie with DH, and was heading to bed at 10:45 when I saw multiple missed calls and texts from my client starting at about 9:00 tonight. The party's attorney had been calling and texting her about appearing, and was threatening to have her arrested if she did not appear!
OMG, I have never been so angry at another attorney. I immediately called him (yes, at 11:00 tonight, because he was still texting my client when I finally talked to her) and told him to immediately cease all communication with her. He informed me that he is the president of the ethics division of our state bar and that he had committed no ethical breach. Bullshit. It took me all of 30 seconds to find the rule that expressly says you can't contact someone you know to be represented by a lawyer without the consent of the lawyer. Not to mention the rule that says you can threaten people with civil or criminal process unless you have a valid basis for it. Maybe I should have informed him that I got an almost perfect score on the MPRE.
And then he kept going on and on about his 20 years of experience and how [Judge's First Name] would issue a bench warrant the moment he asked for it and that my client was obligated to return to court or be in contempt. I told him that he was awfully confident.
Anyway, I'm meeting him at court in the morning, but my client will not be there. He's pretty peeved about it, but I'm ready to fight this battle. I don't respond well to unethical bullies, and I'll be happy to point out his transgressions to the court.
I'm following the case on PACER and so I knew that the court had requested additional briefing and that another hearing was set for Friday. But nobody contacted me regarding her testimony and, based on the briefings, it did not appear that additional testimony from my client was necessary to resolve the outstanding issues.
And then, this afternoon, one of the parties contacted my client to ask if she would attend Friday's hearing. I told her that his attorney needed to contact me so that we could discuss it. No call. And the more I thought about it, the less inclined I was to allow my client to be put through the cross-examination ringer again.
I came home, had dinner with the kids, watched a movie with DH, and was heading to bed at 10:45 when I saw multiple missed calls and texts from my client starting at about 9:00 tonight. The party's attorney had been calling and texting her about appearing, and was threatening to have her arrested if she did not appear!
OMG, I have never been so angry at another attorney. I immediately called him (yes, at 11:00 tonight, because he was still texting my client when I finally talked to her) and told him to immediately cease all communication with her. He informed me that he is the president of the ethics division of our state bar and that he had committed no ethical breach. Bullshit. It took me all of 30 seconds to find the rule that expressly says you can't contact someone you know to be represented by a lawyer without the consent of the lawyer. Not to mention the rule that says you can threaten people with civil or criminal process unless you have a valid basis for it. Maybe I should have informed him that I got an almost perfect score on the MPRE.
And then he kept going on and on about his 20 years of experience and how [Judge's First Name] would issue a bench warrant the moment he asked for it and that my client was obligated to return to court or be in contempt. I told him that he was awfully confident.
Anyway, I'm meeting him at court in the morning, but my client will not be there. He's pretty peeved about it, but I'm ready to fight this battle. I don't respond well to unethical bullies, and I'll be happy to point out his transgressions to the court.
5/30/11
Thoughts on Disaster
I can see how all of the horrible of weather events lately could lead a non-atheist to believe that the rapture is coming. Hurricanes and tornadoes and floods and wildfires. It seems that there hasn't been a corner of the world left untouched.
I grew up in tornado alley and tornado warnings were pretty common, so I've never gotten too freaked out by tornadoes.* As kids, we pretty much had to be able to see the funnel before we took cover. Once the sirens went off, the whole neighborhood ran outside to look for the tornado. Our neighbors were to only family on the block with a storm cellar, and there had to be an imminent threat to go down there. It was dark and dank and full of bugs and mice and who knows what else.
But the recent tornadoes and horrible destruction in Joplin and Tuscaloosa have us all a little more on edge when the storm sirens start going off. One night last week the sirens were going off for hours. The kids spent the evening hanging out in the closet under the stairs with their bicycle helmets on. (Nerdy!) At one point they had the bright idea to take the dog and two cats in there with them--you can imagine how well that went over. DH and I were sitting on the couch about 15 feet away.
And this weekend, wildfires were taking over our hometown. They already suffered wildfires earlier this year that burned many homes. This time fewer homes were burned, but two of those were in the neighborhood that FIL and other relatives live in. They were all forced to evacuate last night. That was definitely a little too close for comfort.
I don't remember a year with so many adverse weather events. It does leave you wondering what is causing it and when is it going to end.
*I was at a business dinner about a year ago, and my tablemates were fascinated when they learned my hometown. They wanted to know if I had ever seen a tornado (yes, several), if I had ever been in a tornado (within about half a mile), how often tornadoes came along (a lot).
I grew up in tornado alley and tornado warnings were pretty common, so I've never gotten too freaked out by tornadoes.* As kids, we pretty much had to be able to see the funnel before we took cover. Once the sirens went off, the whole neighborhood ran outside to look for the tornado. Our neighbors were to only family on the block with a storm cellar, and there had to be an imminent threat to go down there. It was dark and dank and full of bugs and mice and who knows what else.
But the recent tornadoes and horrible destruction in Joplin and Tuscaloosa have us all a little more on edge when the storm sirens start going off. One night last week the sirens were going off for hours. The kids spent the evening hanging out in the closet under the stairs with their bicycle helmets on. (Nerdy!) At one point they had the bright idea to take the dog and two cats in there with them--you can imagine how well that went over. DH and I were sitting on the couch about 15 feet away.
And this weekend, wildfires were taking over our hometown. They already suffered wildfires earlier this year that burned many homes. This time fewer homes were burned, but two of those were in the neighborhood that FIL and other relatives live in. They were all forced to evacuate last night. That was definitely a little too close for comfort.
I don't remember a year with so many adverse weather events. It does leave you wondering what is causing it and when is it going to end.
*I was at a business dinner about a year ago, and my tablemates were fascinated when they learned my hometown. They wanted to know if I had ever seen a tornado (yes, several), if I had ever been in a tornado (within about half a mile), how often tornadoes came along (a lot).
5/24/11
An update of sorts
We finally heard back from the rheumatologist's office today. All of the tests that they have results for are normal. But some of the tests "were not obtained" so they are sending us a scrip to have more bloodwork done. WTF does the tests "were not obtained" mean? Did you lose some of the 15 bazillion vials of blood that you already took from my kid? Were they broken, contaminated?
TT will be thrilled to learn that she has to be vampirized again.
Meanwhile, my funk continues. It is more than just being worried about TT. It is also because I'm not happy with my job. I have been very slow for several weeks now. It is always unsettling to be low on hours for an extended period of time (although it is good timing with all of the medical appointments and end of the school year activities), because the possibility of layoffs always lies in the background. But I am reasonably certain that I would not be the first to go even if things don't pick up soon.
But besides being slow, I am bored. I work in a specialized niche of commercial litigation--and this particular field just isn't especially exciting. I feel like I do the same thing over and over. I would kill for a little variety, but I am in a true boutique firm (no, a 40 person insurance defense firm is not a litigation boutique, Mr. Recruiter).
I need something exciting, something that challenges me and makes my brain work. I'm not getting that right now, and the days just drag.
But I am hesitant to make a change. I have a level of comfort in my firm. I'm afraid of another crazy boss, and I get along with the attorneys that I work with now. I also have flexibility. I can leave early for a teacher conference or stay home with a sick kid and nobody really notices or cares as long as I am getting my work done. No one has ever made a peep about my billable hours. My billables requirement is low, and I am paid well--especially considering the billables requirement. And I am certain that I am on a 7 year partnership track, if that is what I want.
Besides, the job market is still pretty soft. But I really need some interesting work before my brain goes soft.
TT will be thrilled to learn that she has to be vampirized again.
Meanwhile, my funk continues. It is more than just being worried about TT. It is also because I'm not happy with my job. I have been very slow for several weeks now. It is always unsettling to be low on hours for an extended period of time (although it is good timing with all of the medical appointments and end of the school year activities), because the possibility of layoffs always lies in the background. But I am reasonably certain that I would not be the first to go even if things don't pick up soon.
But besides being slow, I am bored. I work in a specialized niche of commercial litigation--and this particular field just isn't especially exciting. I feel like I do the same thing over and over. I would kill for a little variety, but I am in a true boutique firm (no, a 40 person insurance defense firm is not a litigation boutique, Mr. Recruiter).
I need something exciting, something that challenges me and makes my brain work. I'm not getting that right now, and the days just drag.
But I am hesitant to make a change. I have a level of comfort in my firm. I'm afraid of another crazy boss, and I get along with the attorneys that I work with now. I also have flexibility. I can leave early for a teacher conference or stay home with a sick kid and nobody really notices or cares as long as I am getting my work done. No one has ever made a peep about my billable hours. My billables requirement is low, and I am paid well--especially considering the billables requirement. And I am certain that I am on a 7 year partnership track, if that is what I want.
Besides, the job market is still pretty soft. But I really need some interesting work before my brain goes soft.
5/17/11
Out of Sorts
I have been feeling a bit off lately. Cranky and short-tempered. Not as productive and organized as usual. And I'm pretty sure it's starting to show at work. At least twice in the last week one of my bosses have asked me about something that I either completely forgot about or was slow to complete. That is definitely not my style.
I'm not sure what the source of my off-ness is. I think a lot of it has to do with being worried about TT. At her appointment last week, I expected the rheumatologist to say that the ANA test is an unreliable indicator and that she just needed a recheck in a few months. Instead she ordered a battery of new bloodwork. They are testing for Lupus. TT doesn't have most of the typical symptoms, but she has a few. And it will be another week before we have test results.
Lupus is scary. Definitely not something that I want one of my kids to have to deal with. But I feel like we are too lucky. We have three really awesome kids. They don't have behavior issues. They don't have mental health issues. They don't have health issues (until now). They are smart and do well in school.
It seems so unfair that my kids don't have any real problems when I have friends and acquaintances whose kids have autism and Tourette's and epilepsy and severe behavioral and mental health issues and cancer. And so I'm afraid that it's our turn to have to deal with something terrible.
I felt almost despondent today when I spilled a cup of coffee all over my desk. It didn't hit anything important--so no big deal, right? But it just felt like one more thing piling up on me. I need to shake this off and get over this hump.
I'm not sure what the source of my off-ness is. I think a lot of it has to do with being worried about TT. At her appointment last week, I expected the rheumatologist to say that the ANA test is an unreliable indicator and that she just needed a recheck in a few months. Instead she ordered a battery of new bloodwork. They are testing for Lupus. TT doesn't have most of the typical symptoms, but she has a few. And it will be another week before we have test results.
Lupus is scary. Definitely not something that I want one of my kids to have to deal with. But I feel like we are too lucky. We have three really awesome kids. They don't have behavior issues. They don't have mental health issues. They don't have health issues (until now). They are smart and do well in school.
It seems so unfair that my kids don't have any real problems when I have friends and acquaintances whose kids have autism and Tourette's and epilepsy and severe behavioral and mental health issues and cancer. And so I'm afraid that it's our turn to have to deal with something terrible.
I felt almost despondent today when I spilled a cup of coffee all over my desk. It didn't hit anything important--so no big deal, right? But it just felt like one more thing piling up on me. I need to shake this off and get over this hump.
5/9/11
Alone and Bored
How is that possible? Because I set a speed record in the shower this morning before I had to hop back out and barf my guts up. I'm guessing it's a virus, because food poisoning doesn't make sense. But it doesn't feel like a virus. It feels like a hangover. Or pregnancy. I'm 100% certain it's neither of those, so I guess we're back to a virus.
And so I am lying here, trying to be still. And bored. And trying to figure out how to handle TT's appointment with the rheumatologist this afternoon. It is a 30-mile commute into Big City, and right now driving in a car sounds, well, nauseating. And if it truly is a virus, I don't want to expose anybody else. But it is a really important appointment and I really want to be there. (DH had planned to meet us there, so he could just take TT if I can't make it. But I'm anal-retentive and I know I'll get all grouchy if he doesn't ask the questions I think he should. Yes, this is a personality flaw.)
I've got another hour to see if my stomach settles--maybe it's only a six-hour bug-ha!
And so I am lying here, trying to be still. And bored. And trying to figure out how to handle TT's appointment with the rheumatologist this afternoon. It is a 30-mile commute into Big City, and right now driving in a car sounds, well, nauseating. And if it truly is a virus, I don't want to expose anybody else. But it is a really important appointment and I really want to be there. (DH had planned to meet us there, so he could just take TT if I can't make it. But I'm anal-retentive and I know I'll get all grouchy if he doesn't ask the questions I think he should. Yes, this is a personality flaw.)
I've got another hour to see if my stomach settles--maybe it's only a six-hour bug-ha!
5/8/11
Happy Mother's Day!
I hope all of the law moms are adequately spoiled.
DH and I ran the urban dare race yesterday. It's not a regular road race--it's kind of like a scavenger hunt. We had to solve a bunch of clues to figure out where to go, and then plot out the best route between points throughout downtown of Big City. We finished in the top third which I think was not too bad since it was our first time doing this kind of race, and since I'm still grounded from running. DH definitely could have finished faster without me slowing him down (or maybe not, since I'm a better navigator and more familiar with downtown).
We're guessing that we walked 5 miles (in 2.5 hours). Now I can feel every single muscle from my waist down. Seriously, why does my butt hurt so much? I think I may be more out of shape than I have led myself to believe.
This morning I have been showered with drawings and poems from the girls. I love the things they write, they're so funny. DH got me a GC to Barnes and Noble so I can refill my Nook (although I have no shortage of books--but book buying is my weakness,) and tickets to see Rock of Ages (which I may have dropped a few hints about).
Next week is a crazy one on the kid front. TT finally has her appointment with the rheumatologist and a recheck with the orthopedist. And we have PS's award ceremony, programs by the twins on two separate days, and a teacher conference --all in the middle of the day! I really wish our suburban school realized how difficult mid-day events are on parents who work in the city. My bosses may think I've quit my job, with all of the time I need to be out. And DH's department is in the middle of a huge project with an imminent deadline and they aren't allowing anyone to take time off right now. Good thing I'm not especially busy at work right now!
DH and I ran the urban dare race yesterday. It's not a regular road race--it's kind of like a scavenger hunt. We had to solve a bunch of clues to figure out where to go, and then plot out the best route between points throughout downtown of Big City. We finished in the top third which I think was not too bad since it was our first time doing this kind of race, and since I'm still grounded from running. DH definitely could have finished faster without me slowing him down (or maybe not, since I'm a better navigator and more familiar with downtown).
We're guessing that we walked 5 miles (in 2.5 hours). Now I can feel every single muscle from my waist down. Seriously, why does my butt hurt so much? I think I may be more out of shape than I have led myself to believe.
This morning I have been showered with drawings and poems from the girls. I love the things they write, they're so funny. DH got me a GC to Barnes and Noble so I can refill my Nook (although I have no shortage of books--but book buying is my weakness,) and tickets to see Rock of Ages (which I may have dropped a few hints about).
Next week is a crazy one on the kid front. TT finally has her appointment with the rheumatologist and a recheck with the orthopedist. And we have PS's award ceremony, programs by the twins on two separate days, and a teacher conference --all in the middle of the day! I really wish our suburban school realized how difficult mid-day events are on parents who work in the city. My bosses may think I've quit my job, with all of the time I need to be out. And DH's department is in the middle of a huge project with an imminent deadline and they aren't allowing anyone to take time off right now. Good thing I'm not especially busy at work right now!
5/1/11
This and That
It was a good weekend in the LC household. I accepted the award on Friday and received many nice compliments (and turned many shades of pink). I'm still astonished at how little is required to be recognized. The conference was really good. I was impressed with the quality of speakers at a small bar association's conference and I picked up some good info.
TT and SS, along with the rest of their troop, earned the bronze award in Girl Scouts, which is the highest award they can earn at their level. Yay!
And DH finished his second 5K. But it was not just a regular old 5K, it was one of the new-fangled run through the woods, jump over fire, climb over barriers, and swim through a mud pit kind of 5Ks. We don't have official results yet, but his time was respectable--not too far off from his first 5K, which did not involve all of the obstacles.
It was really interesting to watch the sizes and shapes of the people crossing the finish line. Many flabbier people were well ahead of their skinny-mini counterparts. It just goes to show that thin does not equal fit. And well-defined muscles do not mean that you are automatically prepared for an intense cardio workout.
DH and I are doing an urban race next weekend. Kinda like the amazing race with clues and trivia and obstacles. I'm still grounded from running, but I have been walking, and I think I can handle this. Hopefully our brains can compensate for my lack of athleticism.
TT and SS, along with the rest of their troop, earned the bronze award in Girl Scouts, which is the highest award they can earn at their level. Yay!
And DH finished his second 5K. But it was not just a regular old 5K, it was one of the new-fangled run through the woods, jump over fire, climb over barriers, and swim through a mud pit kind of 5Ks. We don't have official results yet, but his time was respectable--not too far off from his first 5K, which did not involve all of the obstacles.
It was really interesting to watch the sizes and shapes of the people crossing the finish line. Many flabbier people were well ahead of their skinny-mini counterparts. It just goes to show that thin does not equal fit. And well-defined muscles do not mean that you are automatically prepared for an intense cardio workout.
DH and I are doing an urban race next weekend. Kinda like the amazing race with clues and trivia and obstacles. I'm still grounded from running, but I have been walking, and I think I can handle this. Hopefully our brains can compensate for my lack of athleticism.
4/28/11
Well, that was really unexpected
So, I got a call today from my contact at Legal Aid. She informed me that I am being presented with an award tomorrow for performing the most pro bono hours in a certain county. How is that possible? It's not in Big City where I practice, or in the suburb where I live. It is one county over from where I live, and I did pick up a pro bono case there last year. One. And it was not a complex or particularly time-consuming case.
The first thing I asked her, was "are you sure?" And she assured me that she was. Apparently nobody steps up for pro bono work in that county, and it is one where there really is a great deal of need. I interned in the district attorney's office there when I was in law school. As a second year law student I got to work on two capital murder cases (one was a death penalty case, and yes, the D was sentenced to death), a first degree murder, an aggravated kidnapping by a meth dealer (I think I know how to build a meth lab now) and plenty of other drug and child molestation cases. No chance in heck I would have been able to work on those kinds of cases in Big City--their interns worked on DUI cases. But this county is rural and poor and overrun with drug problems--and there were only 4 ADAs
Anyway, I really do not feel like I deserve any kind of award. But the legal aid contact was pushing hard for me to attend. She said that that they already had the plaque engraved and that they had already paid for me to attend the bench/bar conference tomorrow where the awards are being presented. And so I guess I will go and graciously accept an award I don't deserve (and pick up some free CLE credit!).
But I had to reschedule a meeting with a current pro bono client to attend. Can you say irony?
The first thing I asked her, was "are you sure?" And she assured me that she was. Apparently nobody steps up for pro bono work in that county, and it is one where there really is a great deal of need. I interned in the district attorney's office there when I was in law school. As a second year law student I got to work on two capital murder cases (one was a death penalty case, and yes, the D was sentenced to death), a first degree murder, an aggravated kidnapping by a meth dealer (I think I know how to build a meth lab now) and plenty of other drug and child molestation cases. No chance in heck I would have been able to work on those kinds of cases in Big City--their interns worked on DUI cases. But this county is rural and poor and overrun with drug problems--and there were only 4 ADAs
Anyway, I really do not feel like I deserve any kind of award. But the legal aid contact was pushing hard for me to attend. She said that that they already had the plaque engraved and that they had already paid for me to attend the bench/bar conference tomorrow where the awards are being presented. And so I guess I will go and graciously accept an award I don't deserve (and pick up some free CLE credit!).
But I had to reschedule a meeting with a current pro bono client to attend. Can you say irony?
4/24/11
Nice break
Happy Easter to all who celebrate.
We spent our weekend in a little cabin on the edge of a river with the most fantastic multi-level deck that leads town to a fishing dock. Despite predictions, the weather remained clear, and we had a great time.
DH and the kids caught lots of fish while I sat on the deck watching a reading, frosty beverage in hand. I decided to re-read the Harry Potter series. I have only been through the series once, and I started when I was pregnant with the twins--so about 10 years ago. The last book came out the week before I took the bar exam--can you imagine what torture that was? It is fascinating to re-read Book 1 and pick up on all of the hints and bits of foreshadowing. And it is so amazing to realize how carefully J.K. Rowling must have planned to be able to tie it all together. I very rarely re-read book (because there is always something new and unknown that I want to read!), but I'm so glad to have picked this series up again. My goal is to get through it before the last movie come out.
Anyway, we also fit in a short canoe trip and about 5 miles of hiking. We tried to stick with the easy hiking trails because of TT's arm, but at one point she decided to take off running at top speed. The kids were about 20 yards ahead of us, and I heard PS yell "don't run!" and then I heard TT crying. She had tripped and landed face-down, right on top of her splinted arm. She was covered in mud, scraped up her uninjured arm, and had a big gash on her knee. But the splint seems to have protected the broken arm. Lesson learned: don't take kids with broken arms on any trails--or even let them outside--until they are completely healed.
I wish the weekend were longer. I'm not ready to start another week.
We spent our weekend in a little cabin on the edge of a river with the most fantastic multi-level deck that leads town to a fishing dock. Despite predictions, the weather remained clear, and we had a great time.
DH and the kids caught lots of fish while I sat on the deck watching a reading, frosty beverage in hand. I decided to re-read the Harry Potter series. I have only been through the series once, and I started when I was pregnant with the twins--so about 10 years ago. The last book came out the week before I took the bar exam--can you imagine what torture that was? It is fascinating to re-read Book 1 and pick up on all of the hints and bits of foreshadowing. And it is so amazing to realize how carefully J.K. Rowling must have planned to be able to tie it all together. I very rarely re-read book (because there is always something new and unknown that I want to read!), but I'm so glad to have picked this series up again. My goal is to get through it before the last movie come out.
Anyway, we also fit in a short canoe trip and about 5 miles of hiking. We tried to stick with the easy hiking trails because of TT's arm, but at one point she decided to take off running at top speed. The kids were about 20 yards ahead of us, and I heard PS yell "don't run!" and then I heard TT crying. She had tripped and landed face-down, right on top of her splinted arm. She was covered in mud, scraped up her uninjured arm, and had a big gash on her knee. But the splint seems to have protected the broken arm. Lesson learned: don't take kids with broken arms on any trails--or even let them outside--until they are completely healed.
I wish the weekend were longer. I'm not ready to start another week.
4/20/11
At least tomorrow is a fake Friday
Well, yesterday sucked and today wasn't much better.
I spent my morning in a settlement meeting. We were so close, I really thought it was a done deal. And then opposing counsel demanded a term that we just couldn't agree to. Everything fell apart from there. Argh.
Headed back to the office for 2 hours, which was just enough time to resolve another case. At least I accomplished something today.
But bitchy secretary just had to stop by my office and start prodding me: "So, you kid's arm really was hurt, huh? I guess you were wrong about it not being broken. I bet you feel really bad about not taking her to the doctor." I just gave her the evil eye, because all of the responses I was thinking in my head (like "fuck off, bitch") would have been inappropriate from an HR standpoint. (And the only reason she knows any of this is because she eavesdrops on my telephone conversations.)
Left the office at 2:15 to pick TT up at 3 for our 3:45 appointment. Somewhere in there we had just enough time for ice cream. Yay! Waited for 30 minutes to see a doctor for 2 minutes who decided that we only needed a splint, not a cast. That was good news. Casts are itchy and can't get wet. At least TT can take the splint off to bathe...and scratch.
Came home, played a raucous game of Boggle (we're all about the scatological humor) and sent the girls off to pack for our trip this weekend. Then I checked the weather, and it is supposed to storm all weekend. Fantastic. So much for hiking and canoeing. Hopefully we can still squeeze in some fishing (fortunately TT casts with her right hand--it's the left that is broken--because she has been begging to go fishing). And I guess we'll be packing up the Boggle.
After this week I am REALLY looking forward to a weekend in a cabin with a bottle of wine and trashy magazines.
I spent my morning in a settlement meeting. We were so close, I really thought it was a done deal. And then opposing counsel demanded a term that we just couldn't agree to. Everything fell apart from there. Argh.
Headed back to the office for 2 hours, which was just enough time to resolve another case. At least I accomplished something today.
But bitchy secretary just had to stop by my office and start prodding me: "So, you kid's arm really was hurt, huh? I guess you were wrong about it not being broken. I bet you feel really bad about not taking her to the doctor." I just gave her the evil eye, because all of the responses I was thinking in my head (like "fuck off, bitch") would have been inappropriate from an HR standpoint. (And the only reason she knows any of this is because she eavesdrops on my telephone conversations.)
Left the office at 2:15 to pick TT up at 3 for our 3:45 appointment. Somewhere in there we had just enough time for ice cream. Yay! Waited for 30 minutes to see a doctor for 2 minutes who decided that we only needed a splint, not a cast. That was good news. Casts are itchy and can't get wet. At least TT can take the splint off to bathe...and scratch.
Came home, played a raucous game of Boggle (we're all about the scatological humor) and sent the girls off to pack for our trip this weekend. Then I checked the weather, and it is supposed to storm all weekend. Fantastic. So much for hiking and canoeing. Hopefully we can still squeeze in some fishing (fortunately TT casts with her right hand--it's the left that is broken--because she has been begging to go fishing). And I guess we'll be packing up the Boggle.
After this week I am REALLY looking forward to a weekend in a cabin with a bottle of wine and trashy magazines.
4/19/11
Major Mommy Fail
Over a week ago my nanny called to tell me that TT had fallen at school and hurt her arm. The school nurse thought she was fine, but Nanny thought it looked swollen and said that TT was complaining about it a lot. So I left work early so that I could take a look and determine if she needed to go to an urgent care center (of course, it was 4:00 on a Friday afternoon and I wasn't getting in with my doc.) And because I have broken half the bones in my body and nobody (including the school nurse) ever believed I had a break--except my mom. ( And every time she said it was broken it really was.)
But when I got home it didn't look very bad. So I just hung out with her and watched to see if she was using or favoring her arm. I started tossing toys at her to see if she would catch them. And she really seemed fine. So I did not take her in.
Sometime last week, she fell at school (again) and hurt her arm (again). She has been falling a lot and has been getting big ugly bruises, so I called the doc to make an appointment. And they couldn't get me in until this Monday. Yeah, I was annoyed, but she still wasn't acting particularly hurt, so I didn't push it. Meanwhile, over the weekend, TT fell (again) while riding her bicycle and hurt her arm a third time
So Monday she finally got to see the doc, who took five vials of blood (for the clumsiness and unexplained bruising) and ordered an X-ray because she though TT's arm was pretty swollen (but not bruised, despite the giant bruises she has been getting everywhere else).
Today I got the results of both. TT's wrist is fractured and we have an appointment with an orthopedist tomorrow to have a cast put on. Yeah, totally missed that one. Apparently I did not inherit my mother's ability to diagnose broken bones. (I went more than two weeks with two broken feet last summer before I saw a doc, so I really should have know this.) God, I feel terrible. I felt like a mommy failure when PS first had to get glasses because I hadn't noticed sooner that she couldn't read anything. This is about a million times worse.
And while her bloodwork ruled out most blood disorders, her ANA count was very high, which can be indicative of an autoimmune disorder. We have been referred to a pediatric rheumatologist, but apparently, there is only one pediatric rheumatologist in all of Big City. (How is that possible?) So who knows how long it will take to actually get an appointment with this doctor. Meanwhile I am trying not to freak out. WedMD is not helping. But I did get some comfort from reading actual medical journals that seem to indicate a fairly high number of false-positives with this test.
Of course, adding to my worry is the fact that this child is an identical twin. Which means that if she does have something serious, there's a good possibility that her twin could have the same thing. Ugh. It sucks when you can't protect your kids from crap like this.
But when I got home it didn't look very bad. So I just hung out with her and watched to see if she was using or favoring her arm. I started tossing toys at her to see if she would catch them. And she really seemed fine. So I did not take her in.
Sometime last week, she fell at school (again) and hurt her arm (again). She has been falling a lot and has been getting big ugly bruises, so I called the doc to make an appointment. And they couldn't get me in until this Monday. Yeah, I was annoyed, but she still wasn't acting particularly hurt, so I didn't push it. Meanwhile, over the weekend, TT fell (again) while riding her bicycle and hurt her arm a third time
So Monday she finally got to see the doc, who took five vials of blood (for the clumsiness and unexplained bruising) and ordered an X-ray because she though TT's arm was pretty swollen (but not bruised, despite the giant bruises she has been getting everywhere else).
Today I got the results of both. TT's wrist is fractured and we have an appointment with an orthopedist tomorrow to have a cast put on. Yeah, totally missed that one. Apparently I did not inherit my mother's ability to diagnose broken bones. (I went more than two weeks with two broken feet last summer before I saw a doc, so I really should have know this.) God, I feel terrible. I felt like a mommy failure when PS first had to get glasses because I hadn't noticed sooner that she couldn't read anything. This is about a million times worse.
And while her bloodwork ruled out most blood disorders, her ANA count was very high, which can be indicative of an autoimmune disorder. We have been referred to a pediatric rheumatologist, but apparently, there is only one pediatric rheumatologist in all of Big City. (How is that possible?) So who knows how long it will take to actually get an appointment with this doctor. Meanwhile I am trying not to freak out. WedMD is not helping. But I did get some comfort from reading actual medical journals that seem to indicate a fairly high number of false-positives with this test.
Of course, adding to my worry is the fact that this child is an identical twin. Which means that if she does have something serious, there's a good possibility that her twin could have the same thing. Ugh. It sucks when you can't protect your kids from crap like this.
4/14/11
Cranky
I hate Word 2007. Hate, hate, hate it. I have had it on my machine for years, and i have never figured out the stupid ribbon menu. I can't freaking figure out how to do anything.
I have to file a brief with the state supreme court tomorrow. It's done--I just need to do the table of contents and table of authorities. I don't do these very often, and it is always a PITA. And for some inexplicable reason, I am far more tech savvy than my staff, so if I can't figure it out, it ain't gonna happen.
I started playing around with in in Word 2008 for Mac, and it worked ok, but the TOC wasn't picking up all of my tagged titled. And it kept changing the font--which is bad because the rules contain very specific font requirements.
So I thought I would just bring it home and work out the kinks on my PC, because I'm a PC girl and generally blame the stupid mac for all of my problems. But the Word '08 of Mac is about a million times more user friendly that the '07 on my PC.
But I'm about to throw my laptop out a window, so I guess I will have to figure it all out on my mac tomorrow.
It doesn't help that I am seriously hurting right now. I was rear-ended on my way to work on Tuesday. It didn't seem too bad--his car looks a whole lot worse than mine. But I was pretty sore, and by the end of the day, I made an appt with my doc. She gave me some scrips, but I didn't fill them, because I'm not big on taking drugs, and the pain was not unbearable. And then today I woke up and couldn't turn my neck. Now I have shooting pain in my neck and shoulders. I really want to take a muscle relaxer, but I was trying to finish formatting my stupid brief first.
And I had a hearing on a pro bono matter that left me fuming. The prosecutor flat-out refused to consider any evidence that was favorable to my client. Then she said, "my job is to decide guilt or innocence." Hmmm, I thought that was the jury's job. I'm pretty sure the prosecutor's job is to ensure justice is had. To me that means considering all of the evidence--not just the state's version of events. She also said (this is a juvenile truancy case), "I don't consider it bullying when it is many different kids doing it over a period of time. It's only bullying when it is one kid who repeatedly harasses another." WTF? She also refused to voluntarily turn over any discovery because "it's sounds like you are on a fishing expedition so that you can build a lawsuit against the school district." Again, WTF? When I worked in the DA's office we always turned over the entire file upon request. I think she is a bully, and most of the kids she deals with don't have the benefit of a lawyer.
I have to file a brief with the state supreme court tomorrow. It's done--I just need to do the table of contents and table of authorities. I don't do these very often, and it is always a PITA. And for some inexplicable reason, I am far more tech savvy than my staff, so if I can't figure it out, it ain't gonna happen.
I started playing around with in in Word 2008 for Mac, and it worked ok, but the TOC wasn't picking up all of my tagged titled. And it kept changing the font--which is bad because the rules contain very specific font requirements.
So I thought I would just bring it home and work out the kinks on my PC, because I'm a PC girl and generally blame the stupid mac for all of my problems. But the Word '08 of Mac is about a million times more user friendly that the '07 on my PC.
But I'm about to throw my laptop out a window, so I guess I will have to figure it all out on my mac tomorrow.
It doesn't help that I am seriously hurting right now. I was rear-ended on my way to work on Tuesday. It didn't seem too bad--his car looks a whole lot worse than mine. But I was pretty sore, and by the end of the day, I made an appt with my doc. She gave me some scrips, but I didn't fill them, because I'm not big on taking drugs, and the pain was not unbearable. And then today I woke up and couldn't turn my neck. Now I have shooting pain in my neck and shoulders. I really want to take a muscle relaxer, but I was trying to finish formatting my stupid brief first.
And I had a hearing on a pro bono matter that left me fuming. The prosecutor flat-out refused to consider any evidence that was favorable to my client. Then she said, "my job is to decide guilt or innocence." Hmmm, I thought that was the jury's job. I'm pretty sure the prosecutor's job is to ensure justice is had. To me that means considering all of the evidence--not just the state's version of events. She also said (this is a juvenile truancy case), "I don't consider it bullying when it is many different kids doing it over a period of time. It's only bullying when it is one kid who repeatedly harasses another." WTF? She also refused to voluntarily turn over any discovery because "it's sounds like you are on a fishing expedition so that you can build a lawsuit against the school district." Again, WTF? When I worked in the DA's office we always turned over the entire file upon request. I think she is a bully, and most of the kids she deals with don't have the benefit of a lawyer.
4/10/11
Weekend Ramblings
PS and I had matinee tickets to a local theater production, so we made a day of it and headed to the mall for lunch and a bit of shopping. It was a nice mom/daughter day.
Afterward we headed to a nearby running store that I have been meaning to visit ever since I broke my feet. $125 later and I was fitted with a sparkly new pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 12. (Doesn't that sounds like something Harry Potter would wear?) I have definitely never paid that much for a pair of running shoes, but it is much cheaper than a pair of robot boots. Interestingly, I was sized at 7.5. Every pair of shoes in my closet is a 9. Apparently I'm not a 9, I just have super-wide Barney Rubble feet and have been ordering up to compensate for them.
Then we decided to make a quick run into Central Market to grab a particular sauce that I use as a base in DH's favorite dish. Ha! That place is freaking nuts on a Sunday afternoon--comparable to Disneyland on a Saturday in June. There were people every where, and they weren't especially polite. And it's a maze like Ikea--once you're in, there's no leaving unless you find one of their super-secret exit passageways. And the trip was futile, because they no longer carried the sauce that I went in for (although a very helpful employee did help me locate a couple of similar products to experiment with). I definitely won't be visiting Central Market on a weekend again any time soon.
Finally made it home in time for dinner and to help TT out with her research project. Her topic is "volcanoes." Her teacher told me last week that TT was having trouble focusing her research. Ummm, ya think it's because her topic is "volcanoes."? That's pretty dang broad. I told TT that we needed to start an outline of what we are trying to learn about volcanoes. I also insisted that we research with books instead of doing broad internet searches. Stunningly, her research is suddenly more focused.
Meanwhile, I am becoming an expert on volcanoes when I need to be drafting a response to a petition for writ of mandamus that was requested by our state supreme court and is due in a week. I was making good headway on Friday until I got a call from our nanny telling me that TT had hurt her harm and that she thought it might be broken. I rushed home (and after observing TT for half an hour determined that her arm was definitely not broken), and intended to return to my writ response this weekend. But the weekend is almost over and I've made no more progress on my response. I see a late night in my near future.
Afterward we headed to a nearby running store that I have been meaning to visit ever since I broke my feet. $125 later and I was fitted with a sparkly new pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 12. (Doesn't that sounds like something Harry Potter would wear?) I have definitely never paid that much for a pair of running shoes, but it is much cheaper than a pair of robot boots. Interestingly, I was sized at 7.5. Every pair of shoes in my closet is a 9. Apparently I'm not a 9, I just have super-wide Barney Rubble feet and have been ordering up to compensate for them.
Then we decided to make a quick run into Central Market to grab a particular sauce that I use as a base in DH's favorite dish. Ha! That place is freaking nuts on a Sunday afternoon--comparable to Disneyland on a Saturday in June. There were people every where, and they weren't especially polite. And it's a maze like Ikea--once you're in, there's no leaving unless you find one of their super-secret exit passageways. And the trip was futile, because they no longer carried the sauce that I went in for (although a very helpful employee did help me locate a couple of similar products to experiment with). I definitely won't be visiting Central Market on a weekend again any time soon.
Finally made it home in time for dinner and to help TT out with her research project. Her topic is "volcanoes." Her teacher told me last week that TT was having trouble focusing her research. Ummm, ya think it's because her topic is "volcanoes."? That's pretty dang broad. I told TT that we needed to start an outline of what we are trying to learn about volcanoes. I also insisted that we research with books instead of doing broad internet searches. Stunningly, her research is suddenly more focused.
Meanwhile, I am becoming an expert on volcanoes when I need to be drafting a response to a petition for writ of mandamus that was requested by our state supreme court and is due in a week. I was making good headway on Friday until I got a call from our nanny telling me that TT had hurt her harm and that she thought it might be broken. I rushed home (and after observing TT for half an hour determined that her arm was definitely not broken), and intended to return to my writ response this weekend. But the weekend is almost over and I've made no more progress on my response. I see a late night in my near future.
4/8/11
Sum-sum-summertime
It seems like spring has just started, but summer is already moving toward us, full steam ahead. I've signed all three girls up for summer camp--in the same week!!! What are DH and I going to do with a week without kids? We could go for dinner or drinks every night. We could go to the theater, or the comedy club we've been meaning to try, or a baseball game. And we won't have to worry about rushing home to relieve the sitter. It will be like we get our own grown-up camp. And the kids will be having a blast.
I've also reserved a condo on the beach for a week at the end of the summer. We had tossed around a couple of ideas for a summer vacation, but this is the most economical. (I'm trying to reserve vacation funds so that we can take the kids on a cruise within the next year. Unfortunately, a trial just got set on the week I was shooting for, so we'll have to see how that plays out.) I'm so looking forward to a week on the beach--although August seems like a really long way off right now.
And by the end of summer I've got to make some major decisions about what I am going to do with the kids next year. My nanny is going off to college, and I just don't know if we still need a nanny starting next year. The twins will be in the 5th grade. PS will be in 8th--and 13. PS is super responsible and definitely doesn't need a babysitter. I have a little less faith in the twins, but they get home from school only about an hour before PS.
Also, our nanny helps out with the housekeeping and the kids laundry. That is huge. And she's available to run the kids around when they have after-school activities. Maybe I can just replace her with a housekeeper with light child care responsibilities, although in my experience it is tough to find someone who does both. At least I have a few months to figure this out.
I've also reserved a condo on the beach for a week at the end of the summer. We had tossed around a couple of ideas for a summer vacation, but this is the most economical. (I'm trying to reserve vacation funds so that we can take the kids on a cruise within the next year. Unfortunately, a trial just got set on the week I was shooting for, so we'll have to see how that plays out.) I'm so looking forward to a week on the beach--although August seems like a really long way off right now.
And by the end of summer I've got to make some major decisions about what I am going to do with the kids next year. My nanny is going off to college, and I just don't know if we still need a nanny starting next year. The twins will be in the 5th grade. PS will be in 8th--and 13. PS is super responsible and definitely doesn't need a babysitter. I have a little less faith in the twins, but they get home from school only about an hour before PS.
Also, our nanny helps out with the housekeeping and the kids laundry. That is huge. And she's available to run the kids around when they have after-school activities. Maybe I can just replace her with a housekeeper with light child care responsibilities, although in my experience it is tough to find someone who does both. At least I have a few months to figure this out.
4/6/11
Adventures in Babysitting
I answered the call of a friend who desperately needed a babysitter so that they could go visit her DH's mom in the ICU,where babies aren't allowed. It was well timed because I was already taking off early to pick my girls up from school because my nanny needed the day off because her mother was having surgery. And since so many people jumped in to help us out when MIL was sick, we appreciate the opportunity to pay it forward.
So I got to spend the evening with a 10-month-old bundle of adorableness, and my girls got a little babysitter training. They have never spent much time around babies, and none of them ever really played with baby dolls or shown any interest in babies. They still didn't show much interest in this baby. But I made PS feed him and change his diaper and I have a hilarious video of her trying to wrestle him into his pajamas. He was a really good sport during all of this.
I ordered a pizza for dinner, which was an experience in itself because Pizza Hut has the suckiest mobile app ever and would only let me have a pizza delivered to my home address. (I was babysitting at the baby's house.) I couldn't even fix it by logging in directly to their website on my phone, because they have an equally sucky mobile web page that also would not let me change my delivery address. Get with it Pizza Hut--surely you can find better programmers that this. I finally got a pizza ordered by, gasp!, using my phone and calling (although even that took two phone calls).
So the pizza guy rang the door bell and the dog started barking ferociously and the baby started fussing. I handed the baby to PS and squeezed out the front door to keep the dog from eating the pizza guy. Who was a 30-something white guy with a jeri curl and a KISS necklace. Who proceeded to tell me all about his own dog, and then run back to his car to grab his cell phone so that he could show me pictures of his own dog.
Finally got rid of the pizza guy, gave my kids pizza, and fed the baby some baby-cookies that he seemed to really like.
Despite the fact that he refused to go to bed when his mom said he would, he was a really good baby and so very cute. It was nice to spend an evening with a little one, but I'm pooped and so darn glad that my girls are big now. I truly have no desire to go back to having babies. They're just so much work--although it is a heck of a lot easier to chase after one than two.
So I got to spend the evening with a 10-month-old bundle of adorableness, and my girls got a little babysitter training. They have never spent much time around babies, and none of them ever really played with baby dolls or shown any interest in babies. They still didn't show much interest in this baby. But I made PS feed him and change his diaper and I have a hilarious video of her trying to wrestle him into his pajamas. He was a really good sport during all of this.
I ordered a pizza for dinner, which was an experience in itself because Pizza Hut has the suckiest mobile app ever and would only let me have a pizza delivered to my home address. (I was babysitting at the baby's house.) I couldn't even fix it by logging in directly to their website on my phone, because they have an equally sucky mobile web page that also would not let me change my delivery address. Get with it Pizza Hut--surely you can find better programmers that this. I finally got a pizza ordered by, gasp!, using my phone and calling (although even that took two phone calls).
So the pizza guy rang the door bell and the dog started barking ferociously and the baby started fussing. I handed the baby to PS and squeezed out the front door to keep the dog from eating the pizza guy. Who was a 30-something white guy with a jeri curl and a KISS necklace. Who proceeded to tell me all about his own dog, and then run back to his car to grab his cell phone so that he could show me pictures of his own dog.
Finally got rid of the pizza guy, gave my kids pizza, and fed the baby some baby-cookies that he seemed to really like.
Despite the fact that he refused to go to bed when his mom said he would, he was a really good baby and so very cute. It was nice to spend an evening with a little one, but I'm pooped and so darn glad that my girls are big now. I truly have no desire to go back to having babies. They're just so much work--although it is a heck of a lot easier to chase after one than two.
4/2/11
The craziest thing I heard all week
"I'm sorry, but my expert is not available on the day you noticed his deposition because he is going to Mount Ararat to help find Noah's Ark."
Seriously.
Seriously.
Another week, another weekend
It feels a little like I am living for the weekends lately. Not because I don't like my work, but because I am so busy during the week between work and the kids that I don't feel like there is any down time until the weekend.
I'm still busy at work, but not insanely busy like I was a month ago. I haven't eaten dinner at work lately, and that's a good thing.
But Thursday I was in depos in podunkville that lasted until 5:30, and then we had dinner at this fantastic little steak place.* I left my house at 7:30 Thursday morning and didn't start my drive home until 7:00 Thursday night. And I needed to pick up craft supplies for SS and TT to take to a SWAP meet for girl scouts on Friday. So I found a Hobby Lobby along the way, and popped in 20 minutes before they closed to gather supplies.
I got home at 9:00 and proceeded to hot glue millions (ok, 50) tiny swaps while watching the worst Grey's Anatomy ever. (Yes, SS and TT should have made their own swaps, but we were out of time, and they finished up Friday after school).
Speaking of this week's terrible entertainment, I finally watched Black Swan last night. Yuck! I had been so disappointed that I missed it in theaters and was really looking forward to it, and I just did not like it at all.
*Still doing the Nutrisystem thing. Still losing, albeit slowly. Would probably lose faster if I stuck a little closer to the plan, but there have been a lot of client meeting and out-of-office events that require lunch out. And weekends are killer for me, because we usually dine out at least once as a family and we tend to pick up something quick if we are out running around. But I've lost the 10 pounds that I put on this year.
I just ordered another month of food. Hopefully by then I'll be trained to eat healthier. NS forces me to eat more veggies and protein, and I think that lifestyle change is key. I looooove carbs, but they leave me hungry.
As for the NS food, the breakfasts and lunches are ok, but I really don't care for the dinners. I used up all of the breakfasts and lunches that I originally ordered, but I have several dinners left. And a ton of desserts. We've never really been dessert eaters, and when I snack, I usually want salty and NS only sent sweet stuff.
And it appears that I have unintentionally given up sodas. I don't remember the last time I had a Diet Dr.Pepper. I don't even want one any more. Weird.
I'm still busy at work, but not insanely busy like I was a month ago. I haven't eaten dinner at work lately, and that's a good thing.
But Thursday I was in depos in podunkville that lasted until 5:30, and then we had dinner at this fantastic little steak place.* I left my house at 7:30 Thursday morning and didn't start my drive home until 7:00 Thursday night. And I needed to pick up craft supplies for SS and TT to take to a SWAP meet for girl scouts on Friday. So I found a Hobby Lobby along the way, and popped in 20 minutes before they closed to gather supplies.
I got home at 9:00 and proceeded to hot glue millions (ok, 50) tiny swaps while watching the worst Grey's Anatomy ever. (Yes, SS and TT should have made their own swaps, but we were out of time, and they finished up Friday after school).
Speaking of this week's terrible entertainment, I finally watched Black Swan last night. Yuck! I had been so disappointed that I missed it in theaters and was really looking forward to it, and I just did not like it at all.
*Still doing the Nutrisystem thing. Still losing, albeit slowly. Would probably lose faster if I stuck a little closer to the plan, but there have been a lot of client meeting and out-of-office events that require lunch out. And weekends are killer for me, because we usually dine out at least once as a family and we tend to pick up something quick if we are out running around. But I've lost the 10 pounds that I put on this year.
I just ordered another month of food. Hopefully by then I'll be trained to eat healthier. NS forces me to eat more veggies and protein, and I think that lifestyle change is key. I looooove carbs, but they leave me hungry.
As for the NS food, the breakfasts and lunches are ok, but I really don't care for the dinners. I used up all of the breakfasts and lunches that I originally ordered, but I have several dinners left. And a ton of desserts. We've never really been dessert eaters, and when I snack, I usually want salty and NS only sent sweet stuff.
And it appears that I have unintentionally given up sodas. I don't remember the last time I had a Diet Dr.Pepper. I don't even want one any more. Weird.
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