Archive | Adventures RSS feed for this section

Running on E

30 Sep

Running on Exhausted
It’s not the bad kind of exhausted where you walk around and feel exhausted.  It’s more the kind where as soon as you sit down, you’re ready for sleep.  I don’t even allow myself to get comfortable until at least 8:30 pm because I know I’ll be asleep in about 30 minutes.  The big complaint I have with this early-to-bed routine is that I’m usually not in bed when my eyes close.  I end up in a deep sleep on the love seat with Andrew snoring away on the other couch.  I love how even when we don’t sleep together, we still sleep together.

Running on Excitement
I still really like my job.  It’s been almost a month and I can honestly say I am having a great time doing my work.  I enjoy being there, my coworkers and boss are super nice and fun and I am excited about what the future holds.  So far, I’ve been working on the main website, www.choa.org, by helping the other content editor maintain it.

Most of my excitement surrounds my main job – the wellness website.  This site does not exist yet.  I was hired to help create, implement and maintain it – with the goal of making it a success.  The site is planned to be launched by January/February of next year but we’re still in meeting mode.  Enter my excitement.

I’m giddy about getting started but also nervous because I’ve never created a reputable website!  It’s just so hard to grasp how all of it is going to come together.  We’re working with three different companies and I can’t even wrap my brain around how they all will mesh together on one site.  I have confidence that I can do this, but I would just feel more comfortable if I had a little more of an idea of what to expect.

Running on Empty
Yeah, this is where I put the gas subject in here.  I’m not mad.  I’m not disgusted.  I’m curious.  I want to know how much gas the drivers who are fighting in lines, sucking the pumps dry, have in their tanks when they pull up.  I want a reporter to be there waiting to document where the gas gauge is pointing or how much gas went into their tank. Do they really need it or are they just freaking out at 3/4 of a tank thus taking it from those who really do need it because they are on empty or close to it?  I also want to know what it’s like to be a gas station worker/owner right now.  Even the tanker truck drivers probably have crazy stories to share.  I’ve heard from the panicked pumpers who’ve been stalking the stations and I’m starting to feel less and less sympathy for my fellow gas guzzler.

A positive I see in all of this is that a lot of companies are letting employees work from home to help conserve.  As a matter of fact, my work from home day is set for Friday.  If I could walk to work I would.  God knows I need the exercise.  Since I can’t, I will do my best to not freak out and swerve toward the first sign I see with numbers on it.  (Although I’m tempted to drive circles around the others who did screaming “Got gas?!” over and over again.  Of course, not with the kids in the car.  Besides, that would waste gas!  Sha!)

Running on Enamors
As much as I like work, the best part of my day is picking up my little loves.  Nate gets a huge smile and screams, “My mommy’s here!  My mommy’s here!”  He will even tell people as we walk by them, “My mommy’s here Miss Kristi!”  Nia always has a drawing for me or a note of some sort.  She’s been trying to spell words all by herself by sounding them out. The other day she even wrote a letter to a friend she met.

Some other high/lowlights are:

  • Nia really didn’t like the Beef and Broccoli I made for dinner a few days ago.  I thought she liked it. She had been eating it and was almost finished, then she said “I’m going to throw up Mommy.”  And what do you know?  Just like that.  Blah.  Right on her Ariel plate.  I felt HORRIBLE.  I told her I was sorry that she got sick and she told me, “People are just different Mommy.  Not everyone likes the same things.”  She taught me a valuable lesson that day.  I now let them sample any different food before I sit down to eat dinner and tell them, “Try one bite and if you really don’t like it I will make you something else.”  Sure, Super Nanny might say I’m spoiling them or whatever, but I’d rather make their stomachs happy than sad.
  • Nia and Nate had picture day at their schools and Nate’s are hysterically adorable.  I can’t wait to show you!  For Nia’s, Andrew fixed her hair and I let out a squeal of happiness when I picked her up that day.  Two perfectly parted ponytails.  He does such a great job!  (He even tried practicing braids!)
  • Yesterday, Nate actually ran to the potty, opened the lid and started pulling down his pants!  We were praising him so much for his big boy act that Joey was going nutso downstairs.

As for Joey – he has to have surgery on his leg because he pulled a ligament.  The vet says it just happens when a dog is over a certain weight and age.  Poor buddy.  He’s been limping around and confined to downstairs.  His surgery isn’t until October 7. I just hate to see him this way.  He wants to run and play but can’t.  We hope the surgery will have him back to his crazy self in no time.  (Please!)

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Donkeys or Elephants – It Doesn’t Matter

14 Sep

It’s no secret, I’ve always been a very wishy-washy person when it comes to politics or controversial issues.  It drives Andrew crazy because he wishes I would just take a stand on something.  Well, it seems I finally have formed an opinion and I’m actually going to put it out there for all to read and judge.

It all involves the coverage concerning the election.  People rooting for Obama are pleased as punch when journalists “tough” question the McCain/Palin camp. “Yeah!  Go get ’em Campbell Brown!  Woo hoo Barbara!  That’s the way to put them in their place!”  Those for McCain get disgusted and cry out that “It’s not fair!  They didn’t question Obama that way!  Wah!  Don’t be mean to Sarah!  What did she ever do to you?”

Well, it’s all crap.  It’s one thing for these “journalists” to want answers so they can better inform the public, it just doesn’t seem like that’s what they are really doing to me.  In almost every Big Media-McCain/Palin interview I’ve witnessed, the reporter/anchor was rude, argumentative, confrontational and almost certainly showed which candidate they really want to win. (Which I was taught was a no-no for journalists but maybe they are teaching something else these days.)  To me, it feels like these particular journalists are acting like the fans of a winning team that’s letting the lead slip through the cracks.

Does that mean I think McCain is going to win?  I have no idea.  Does it really matter?  Are you serious?  Haven’t we learned anything from history?  It doesn’t matter who has the title of President before his (or for some of you *gasp* her) name, it will always be the fault of the person who previously bared that title and for those who supported that person, it will be their gain when the current titleholder earns praise.

None of these candidates are perfect.  None of them are the answer to all that ails our country.  Do people really believe that any of these people are going to make it all better?  Or that they will make it any worse?  It is my genuine feeling that it does not matter who is elected.  We will still have problems.  We will still have positives.  We will still have struggles.  We will still have laughter.  We will still have debates.  We will still have agreements.  We will still be going through the motions.  We will still adjust to change.  No. Matter. Who. Is. President.

Tags: , , ,

What I’ve Learned So Far

10 Sep

Wednesday marks my first full week back on the job and so far I’ve noticed a few things:

  • No matter how early I wake up, I still can’t leave on time.
  • Radio personalities and their opinions/statements/conversations annoy the hell out of me.
  • I really, really like coffee.
  • I’m so lucky to have Andrew as my “baby daddy.”  Because I have to leave before the kids wake up, he takes care of everything each morning.  Not only does he get himself ready, but then he wakes them up, makes their breakfasts, gets them ready, makes Nia’s lunch, fixes Nia’s hair in the cutest (and tightest) little pony tail, scoots her out the door while loading Nate in his car seat, watches her board the bus, takes Nate to school and then has to deal with Nate being kind of sad to see him go.  He also makes it all seem like no big deal.  He’s my favorite.
  • I must find a shoes that don’t murder my feet (but still look cute).
  • Nate has already learned so much, including using the potty more and more.
  • I am loving to use my brain again, both socially and creatively.
  • I am quickly running out of outfits.
  • I still need my mommy.  After 15 minutes, I still couldn’t safety pin my low cut shirt without having the pin slightly visible.
  • I have to invest in stronger deodorant until I learn to be less nervous.  It’s not that I schtank or anything, it’s that I have a giant problem with giant pit marks.  Not fun to try and hide all day long.
  • Antibacterial cleaning wipes are your friend.  (My computer really needs a wipe down.)
  • Eating out is lots of fun and tasty but I miss being able to save that money and calories!
  • It doesn’t matter what time I leave from home or work, I’m still going to hit multiple rows of bumper to bumper traffic on Interstate 85.
  • Now that I am falling asleep earlier and earlier, I need to become more picky in our television show selection.
  • Andrew has shown me yet another way he’s a keeper.  He irons all my work clothes!  (I feel so spoiled!)
  • I’m having a blast!

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

My First Paid Publish

5 Sep

It’s official.  I’m a Web Content Editor.  I made my first update to www.choa.org today!  It was a small publish but it sure meant a big deal to me.  I basically attached a picture to one of our physician’s bios but I was very proud of myself!  I’m sure I’m probably jinxing myself, but I can’t wait to take on more and more.

So far, the past two days have been filled with meeting different people in different sub-departments and everyone has been so welcoming.  It’s a little overwhelming though because there are so many things happening under our main department and it all amazingly flows together.  I just can’t wait to catch on to it all!

I know one thing that’s awkward for me to catch on to – being able to leave at 4 pm!  After all of those years of not being able to leave until after the newscast, it’s odd to leave so early. That’s not to say that I don’t love it, it just feels like I’m going to get in trouble for leaving!

Who would have thought it?  A job that rewards you in both compensation and team support and that has great hours? I really didn’t think it was possible!
 

Tags: , , , ,

wow

4 Sep

I would love to tell you all about my first day of work right now.  I would love to tell you how it was really great.  That the only “bad” things that happened were that my shoes made my feet bleed and that my boss above my boss had to inform me I was violating the dress code with my very cute capris.  I would love to tell you how they decorated my desk with streamers, yellow paper plates cut into suns and Starburst candy.  I know you’d like to know how I walked everywhere and everyone I met seemed really happy that I was there.  I wish I could tell you how they all made me feel so welcome and how I think I’m really going to like my job and co-workers.

It would be so great to tell you all of that but I’m super exhausted and must get to sleep to start it all over again.

Before I go though, there is one thing I have the energy to share – I’m really looking forward to another day there and hope the kids keep having great days too.
 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Vacation’s Over

25 Aug

After two months of waking up late, fun tennis matches, napping in the middle of the day, playing outside with the kids and spending almost every minute of the day together, it all changes tomorrow.  Andrew’s first day back on the job begins at 8 am and we couldn’t be more excited.

As much as this has been an uncertain time, we got to be together as a family like we probably never will again.  It may seem crazy to say, but I’m actually thankful for the layoff.  What seemed like such a challenge and a bad thing really wasn’t at all.  I’m so proud of how we made the most of the situation and didn’t let it bring us down.  I think it’s so awesome that Andrew will soon be on his way to doing what he always wanted to do.  Everything happens for a reason.

I wish you luck on your first day Andrew!  You continue to amaze me with your strength, determination and positive attitude.  You are a good influence!  (Says your pessimistic wife!)

 

Tags: , , ,

Paranoid

23 Aug

Call me a narc. Call me a do-gooder. Call me justified. I’ll call myself a pissed off neighbor who is tired of people not respecting other people’s property.

While our next door neighbors are on vacation, we’ve been getting their mail for them.  Friday night, I went out to get it  but I saw two people sitting on the storm drain next to their house.  I just thought it was two of our neighbors talking so I didn’t head for the mailbox.  Instead, I got our garbage cans and brought them around the side of the house.  As I was walking back inside, I noticed they were leaving so I waited for them to walk off and then went for the mail.  I thought it was weird that the two girls cut through our yards, so I let Joey out so he could bark at them. I didn’t think too much of it all until I opened our neighbor’s empty mailbox.

First thought – Andrew must have gotten it already.  No.  I would have known that.

Second thought – They didn’t get any mail.  No.  They always have a ton of mail.

Third thought – What is that paper blowing around on the grass?  Oh, and that ripped up envelope?  CRAP!  I think that’s their mail!

I looked around for more mail and my eyes caught a bunch of white paper stuffed in the storm drain.  I grabbed a piece that’s not too far in and see it is indeed their mail.

I freak out, worried that they stole something with our neighbor’s financial information on it.  I run inside to get Andrew and then run back outside to see if I see the girls anywhere.  Sure enough, I see them down the street behind our house and what do you know – I see them open up another mailbox and look inside!  I yell at them like some tough girl, “I see what you’re doing!  I found the mail!  PUNKS!  I’m calling the police!”  To all of that they reply, “Ma’am?”  I run back inside and cross paths with Andrew who’s armed with a stick of some sort (at that time he did not know they were girls!).  While he took off to chase them, I called the cops.

Andrew didn’t catch up with the girls but the officer did!  The only bad thing about it all – he drove them back to our house so we could identify them!  I say yes, it’s them but I don’t want to press charges, just give back the mail.  “Ma’am, we didn’t take no mail ma’am.”  I say, “Well then, could you give us the mail you found blowing in the wind while you were walking?”  “We don’t have no mail ma’am.”

Turns out they live either in our neighborhood or close to us and they are 23 and 20 years old!  (Here I thought they were just kids being kids.)  The 23 year old actually even had a warrant out for her arrest!  (Not sure for what.) Based off what we saw and another neighbor who saw them throw down two pieces of mail (another neighbor’s catalog credit card statement and our neighbor’s entire phone bill), they handcuffed the girls and took them away.

I’m just so freakin’ paranoid right now. They know where we live.  They know we’re the ones who reported them.  What if they retaliate? Nia and Nate’s rooms are in the front of the house.  I’m so scared they, or someone they know, will do something that could hurt our sweeties as they sleep all tucked in nice and cozy.  I want to move!  I can totally see why people don’t report crime.  The cop even asked if we owned a gun and told us to get one!  That’s comforting!

This sucks!  All we can do is move Nia’s bed away from the outside wall and pray the criminals aren’t crazy enough to want to hurt someone.

Did we do the right thing?  What about the smart thing?  What would you have done?  Am I overreacting yet again?  (Please don’t answer unless you’re going to help make me feel better!  HA!)
 

Tags: , , , ,

Job Offer

22 Aug

It seems at least one of the four companies I interviewed with likes me enough to want me to work for them. I have until 5 pm Friday to let the Gwinnett County Public Library know if I want to be a Part-Time Library Associate.

From a quick glance, it seems like it would be a great “mommy job.” I love libraries, it would be a stress-free job (compared to others), Nia would probably not need any after school care and the pay is good. But then you add that pay to what Andrew will make and subtract all the taxes, the gas to drive the 60 miles there and back and childcare for Nate because chances are I’ll have to work during some weekdays – well, it doesn’t seem so great after considering all of that.

I don’t think I’ll even take the other job if it’s offered to me.  It really hurts me to say that because working at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta would be such an amazing opportunity.  It’s just the drive is just so ridiculously long – especially when you add that I’ll be racing to pick Nia and Nate before the childcare they’ve been at all day is about to close.

It’s so frustrating.  All of that hard work and emotional blah I went through researching, applying and interviewing – for what?  These jobs seemed great and workable when I found them and applied.  What could be so different now that they aren’t anymore?

As much as I’m scared to take them, I’m just as scared to let them go.  What if I don’t get another offer?  What if this was the job I was supposed to accept?

All I can do is make a decision with my heart and mind and hope it all turns out ok.

Tags: , ,

Potty Monster

21 Aug

It seems we’ve created a Potty Monster.  It’s kind of hard to complain about it though since we’ve been working on potty training off and on for some time now and we should be so excited something we’ve done finally seems to be working. It just seems our latest method of training may be working too well.

He wants to go all the time now.  ALL the time.  Even when he doesn’t have to.  Even when he just went.  All because we gave him a sweet treat after each potty trip.

That’s all he wants now.  “More cookie?  Go potty?  Get cookie!”

We try to explain to him that he just went potty and he doesn’t have to “go” but all that does is make him hysterical. He used to cry when we tried to get him to use the potty, now he cries when he tell him to wait.  It really has us confused about what to do.  If we tell him no then we’re essentially discouraging him to want to use the potty but if we tell him ok then we’re stuffing him with junk all day!

Today, we checked out a book about potty training from the library and I’m searching the net for other techniques.  I hate to change this one mid-method through though because it does seem to be working.  We just have to reduce the size of the sweet.  Something like an M&M or a fruit snack maybe.  I just don’t want to p-off the Potty Monster!
 

Tags: , , ,

Class of 2021?!?!

16 Aug

First Day Excitement

It is so crazy to think that it will be the year 2021 when Nia graduates from high school.  I’ll be 43 years old.  What?  Wait a minute – I think I still have to get through the next 18 years of school days before I even let that cross my mind again.The first school day was fun, according to Nia.  She says she likes her teacher and the other students and thankfully didn’t have any major problems because our sweet, little neighbors watched out for her.  We are so grateful to have them in our lives. They are wonderful kids and we have a blast riding bikes and running from bees with them.

Buddies

Knowing that they were with her on the bus eased my nerves a ton but that doesn’t mean I didn’t burst into tears as soon as the bus pulled away.  How could I not? That’s our precious baby and there she was, barely able to climb the stairs on the bus.

Tiny Legs Tackle Big Steps

She left for school all smiles and came home the same way – only really exhausted. It seems all the fun she had at school really tuckered her out.

All Smiles

Right after that last picture was taken, she asked if I could carry her home and then asked if she could rest.  Of course I’ll baby my baby – for as long as I can.

Tags: , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →