Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Moving day
Life is good!
Now that you have learned 43 things about me, I think it's time for more pictures.
A bug with a Bug. Hunter wait patiently while Mom talks to the guy at the camera shop.
Taking a break from the U of M game to pose for a picture. Okay so Dad needs a shave, but it's a great picture anyway.
Talking away.
Gotta love that smile.
Can't forget the furry kids - Jake-o-Rama.
Probably the last Mr. Lincoln rose of the season. These are my favorite roses. Aside from being beautiful, they smell incredible.
A bug with a Bug. Hunter wait patiently while Mom talks to the guy at the camera shop.
Taking a break from the U of M game to pose for a picture. Okay so Dad needs a shave, but it's a great picture anyway.
Talking away.
Gotta love that smile.
Can't forget the furry kids - Jake-o-Rama.
Probably the last Mr. Lincoln rose of the season. These are my favorite roses. Aside from being beautiful, they smell incredible.
Monday, October 02, 2006
October 2, 1963 2006
On this date every year I always accidentally type 1963 as the year at least once. I'm so used to writing it that way. Yep, you guessed it; it's my birthday. 43 fucking years old - holy crap the time is flying by. But lucky me, I live in an era where 40 is the new 30!!
According to Mommy Grows Up it's a tradition to post a list about yourself on your birthday; here's mine. Since this is my 43rd, the list is 43 items long.
1. I've been to Hawaii on vacation. Where I fulfilled many of my dreams - so I needed new ones.
2. I've been whale watching and seen whales up close, walked through a rain forest, seen an active volcano and walked on lava (already hard, obviously). All in Hawaii.
3. I've walked on a black sand beach and swam in the ocean there and saw an endangered Hawksbill Turtle.
4. I've watch the sun set from the top of Mount Haleakala in Hawaii.
5. I've been to the Renaissance Festival in three different states.
6. People who litter are my biggest pet peeve.
7. I've been white water rafting.
8. I often wish I would have gone into graphic design; instead, I'm a bean-counter.
9. I almost ran into and knocked over Bono from U2 before a concert at the Pontiac Silverdome while working there.
10. I've been in the dressing rooms of the Rolling Stones and N'Sync.
11. I've only been married once and it is to my soul-mate and best friend.
12. I didn't get married until I was in my forties (forty to be exact).
13. I have one child; he is almost 16 weeks old. I feel so blessed to have a healthy and happy son. Added bonus: he sleeps through the night.
14. I pump breast milk everyday at work.
15. I didn't have any children until I was in my forties (forty-two to be exact).
16. I have very think hair.
17. Most people think I'm in my mid-thirties.
18. I haven't been unemployed since I was 18 years old.
19. I put my self through college (undergraduate and graduate school). I received my Masters' Degree Suma Cum Laude while working full time. (3.9... baby!!)
20. I make jewelry.
21. I love taking pictures. I wish I was a better photographer - I am still learning though.
22. I believe in karma.
23. I can code a web-site by hand in html ( I know, you can't tell by the crappy look of my blog. Updates coming, I swear).
24. I am a master at Excel.
25. I am a certified Novell Administrator (read: computer geek).
26. I believe I can use both sides of my brain (logical and creative) and I am often torn between the two. (see # 8).
27. I've always wanted to write a book.
28. I have traveled across the state to meet people I knew from an Internet forum buffyguide.com .
29. I love all types of music (country - not so much) and I am currently listening to Christina Augilara and Justin Timberlake.
30. My CD's (I have over 200) are all in a 400 CD changer and the cases are alphabetized and numbered according to the slot they take in the changer. (OCD, I know)
31. I have a tattoo of a rose on my back (shoulder blade) which I have had for over 13 years (before it was cool).
32. I dated someone for many years (over five) who later confessed to be gay.
33. I have take auto mechanics' classes and have changed disc brakes, drum brakes, rebuilt a carburetor and torn an engine completely down.
34. I have at least 13 rose bushes in my yard.
35. I've vacationed in England where I looked up my family tree, rode on a double decker bus and drank beer in a different pub everynight.
36. I've camped and hiked in a Red Wood Forest.
37. I love to bake. Christmas cookies are my speciality.
38. I'm allergic to penicillin, sulfa, acrylic nails and Neosporin.
39. I don't get mosquito bites (they bite me but I don't react by getting a red itchy bump.)
40. I am fairly new to blogging but I have kept a handwritten journal since I was about 16. I find the two completely different.
41. I don't drink pop. Mostly I drink water, it's my favorite.
42. I have freckles.
43. I can find the good side to any situation - especially if it's someone else's situation. ;)
According to Mommy Grows Up it's a tradition to post a list about yourself on your birthday; here's mine. Since this is my 43rd, the list is 43 items long.
1. I've been to Hawaii on vacation. Where I fulfilled many of my dreams - so I needed new ones.
2. I've been whale watching and seen whales up close, walked through a rain forest, seen an active volcano and walked on lava (already hard, obviously). All in Hawaii.
3. I've walked on a black sand beach and swam in the ocean there and saw an endangered Hawksbill Turtle.
4. I've watch the sun set from the top of Mount Haleakala in Hawaii.
5. I've been to the Renaissance Festival in three different states.
6. People who litter are my biggest pet peeve.
7. I've been white water rafting.
8. I often wish I would have gone into graphic design; instead, I'm a bean-counter.
9. I almost ran into and knocked over Bono from U2 before a concert at the Pontiac Silverdome while working there.
10. I've been in the dressing rooms of the Rolling Stones and N'Sync.
11. I've only been married once and it is to my soul-mate and best friend.
12. I didn't get married until I was in my forties (forty to be exact).
13. I have one child; he is almost 16 weeks old. I feel so blessed to have a healthy and happy son. Added bonus: he sleeps through the night.
14. I pump breast milk everyday at work.
15. I didn't have any children until I was in my forties (forty-two to be exact).
16. I have very think hair.
17. Most people think I'm in my mid-thirties.
18. I haven't been unemployed since I was 18 years old.
19. I put my self through college (undergraduate and graduate school). I received my Masters' Degree Suma Cum Laude while working full time. (3.9... baby!!)
20. I make jewelry.
21. I love taking pictures. I wish I was a better photographer - I am still learning though.
22. I believe in karma.
23. I can code a web-site by hand in html ( I know, you can't tell by the crappy look of my blog. Updates coming, I swear).
24. I am a master at Excel.
25. I am a certified Novell Administrator (read: computer geek).
26. I believe I can use both sides of my brain (logical and creative) and I am often torn between the two. (see # 8).
27. I've always wanted to write a book.
28. I have traveled across the state to meet people I knew from an Internet forum buffyguide.com .
29. I love all types of music (country - not so much) and I am currently listening to Christina Augilara and Justin Timberlake.
30. My CD's (I have over 200) are all in a 400 CD changer and the cases are alphabetized and numbered according to the slot they take in the changer. (OCD, I know)
31. I have a tattoo of a rose on my back (shoulder blade) which I have had for over 13 years (before it was cool).
32. I dated someone for many years (over five) who later confessed to be gay.
33. I have take auto mechanics' classes and have changed disc brakes, drum brakes, rebuilt a carburetor and torn an engine completely down.
34. I have at least 13 rose bushes in my yard.
35. I've vacationed in England where I looked up my family tree, rode on a double decker bus and drank beer in a different pub everynight.
36. I've camped and hiked in a Red Wood Forest.
37. I love to bake. Christmas cookies are my speciality.
38. I'm allergic to penicillin, sulfa, acrylic nails and Neosporin.
39. I don't get mosquito bites (they bite me but I don't react by getting a red itchy bump.)
40. I am fairly new to blogging but I have kept a handwritten journal since I was about 16. I find the two completely different.
41. I don't drink pop. Mostly I drink water, it's my favorite.
42. I have freckles.
43. I can find the good side to any situation - especially if it's someone else's situation. ;)
Friday, September 15, 2006
Call me crazy but...
If I were picking a picture to use with my article about Jennifer Aniston topping People's "Best Dressed" list I'm thinking I would have used a photo that showed Jennifer WITH clothes on!
It's the small things in life that just crack me up.
It's the small things in life that just crack me up.
Life is too short
My friend's father just passed away suddenly. He was 73. He was kind, gentle, smart, generous and loving. Son # 1 he spoke to all the time and son # 2 he hasn't spoken to in over a year.
The Mom called son # 1 and told him his Dad was in the hospital and it was bad and he needed to be there - he left right away. Mom called son # 2 to tell him about his Dad's passing and he wasn't home. Mom asked her daughter-in-law (whom she hadn't spoken to in over a year also) if there was a cell phone where son #2 could be reached. There wasn't. Son # 2 called the hospital a short time later. During the phone call informing son # 2 of his Dad's passing some family bitterness reared its ugly head again.
Something like this:
"How come you didn't just tell my wife."
"I wanted to tell you myself that your father just passed away."
"You're just holding a grudge and being disrespectful to my wife."
"I am not going to have this conversation with you, I don't have the energy. I just wanted to be the one to tell my son his father passed away."
There is a lot of background to this story, but really, does it matter? What I will tell you is that each person was waiting for the other to call and make a mends. One family split into two sides.
I am so sad for this family. Son # 2 has five kids ranging in age from two to 11. Five kids. Five innocent bystanders to this tragedy who haven't seen there Grandfather in over a year - and now will never see him again.
I suppose this family could be any of ours. The family spat could happen in any of our families.
At the end of every visit, every phone call and every night (for my husband and my son) I tell my family that I love them. I think I started this tradition in my family years and years ago. I didn't feel like we said it enough, so I started saying it; to my Mom, my brother, my nephew and now we all say it to each other all the time almost without fail. "I love you" is the last thing I say to my husband every night ... well not every night, sometimes it's "I love you, too." I get such a thrill when I hear my husband say, every night to our son, "Daddy loves you" as he kisses his little forehead before he goes in his crib.
I know this sounds corny. Sorry. But, make sure you tell the people around you how you feel about them today. Hell, do it tomorrow too, and the next day.
We don't know when the time we have in our physical bodies is up. Don't let something positive go unsaid. Don't let pride harbor your ability to contact someone you may be at odds with, especially your family.
In memory of David Fortune - you will be missed.
The Mom called son # 1 and told him his Dad was in the hospital and it was bad and he needed to be there - he left right away. Mom called son # 2 to tell him about his Dad's passing and he wasn't home. Mom asked her daughter-in-law (whom she hadn't spoken to in over a year also) if there was a cell phone where son #2 could be reached. There wasn't. Son # 2 called the hospital a short time later. During the phone call informing son # 2 of his Dad's passing some family bitterness reared its ugly head again.
Something like this:
"How come you didn't just tell my wife."
"I wanted to tell you myself that your father just passed away."
"You're just holding a grudge and being disrespectful to my wife."
"I am not going to have this conversation with you, I don't have the energy. I just wanted to be the one to tell my son his father passed away."
There is a lot of background to this story, but really, does it matter? What I will tell you is that each person was waiting for the other to call and make a mends. One family split into two sides.
I am so sad for this family. Son # 2 has five kids ranging in age from two to 11. Five kids. Five innocent bystanders to this tragedy who haven't seen there Grandfather in over a year - and now will never see him again.
I suppose this family could be any of ours. The family spat could happen in any of our families.
At the end of every visit, every phone call and every night (for my husband and my son) I tell my family that I love them. I think I started this tradition in my family years and years ago. I didn't feel like we said it enough, so I started saying it; to my Mom, my brother, my nephew and now we all say it to each other all the time almost without fail. "I love you" is the last thing I say to my husband every night ... well not every night, sometimes it's "I love you, too." I get such a thrill when I hear my husband say, every night to our son, "Daddy loves you" as he kisses his little forehead before he goes in his crib.
I know this sounds corny. Sorry. But, make sure you tell the people around you how you feel about them today. Hell, do it tomorrow too, and the next day.
We don't know when the time we have in our physical bodies is up. Don't let something positive go unsaid. Don't let pride harbor your ability to contact someone you may be at odds with, especially your family.
In memory of David Fortune - you will be missed.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
OUCH!!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Book-o-rama
I have been tagged by Annika. Nice sense of humor, girlie.... But it is my first meme (whatever that means). Yay!
1. One book you have read more than once:
I really don't read books twice unless it's by accident or I am trying to research something.
2. One book you would want on a desert island:
If I was stranded then something like: How to Fix (Just About) Everything : More Than 550 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Fixing a Faucet to Removing Mystery Stains to Curing a Hangover by Bill Marken. Now if I was just on vacation, then I would want any mystery by either Tami Hoag or Patricia Cornwell (preferably Patricia).
3. One book that made you laugh:
I would have to agree with Annika here. It would have to be a Calvin & Hobbes book or any Gary Larson.
4. One book that made you cry:
Every Danielle Steele book I ever read. I quit reading her after about 15 books - I realized they were all the same, but I still cried.
5. One book you wish you had written:
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
6. One book you wish had never been written:
Can't really think of any off-hand.
7. One book you are currently reading:
Okay, how about four:
My Life by Bill Clinton.
9. One book that changed your life:
Are you there God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Blume. The subject matter of the book is not what changed my life. It is the first book I really remember reading for pleasure and I was hooked on reading ever since.
10. Now tag five people:
Holy crap, I don't think five people even read my blog. How about Jenn, Kelly, Laurie, Cindy and last but not least, Meghan. I know that's six, but like I said, I'm not sure anyone reads my blog so I added one for good measure.
1. One book you have read more than once:
I really don't read books twice unless it's by accident or I am trying to research something.
2. One book you would want on a desert island:
If I was stranded then something like: How to Fix (Just About) Everything : More Than 550 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Fixing a Faucet to Removing Mystery Stains to Curing a Hangover by Bill Marken. Now if I was just on vacation, then I would want any mystery by either Tami Hoag or Patricia Cornwell (preferably Patricia).
3. One book that made you laugh:
I would have to agree with Annika here. It would have to be a Calvin & Hobbes book or any Gary Larson.
4. One book that made you cry:
Every Danielle Steele book I ever read. I quit reading her after about 15 books - I realized they were all the same, but I still cried.
5. One book you wish you had written:
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
6. One book you wish had never been written:
Can't really think of any off-hand.
7. One book you are currently reading:
Okay, how about four:
The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. Every parent should read this book.
Your Baby's First Year: week by week by Glade Curtis, Judith Schuler, and Lori Eining.
South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston.
Not sure if this counts as reading but I open it every night so I'll count it: Sudoku Mind Benders published by Thinking Panda.
My Life by Bill Clinton.
9. One book that changed your life:
Are you there God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Blume. The subject matter of the book is not what changed my life. It is the first book I really remember reading for pleasure and I was hooked on reading ever since.
10. Now tag five people:
Holy crap, I don't think five people even read my blog. How about Jenn, Kelly, Laurie, Cindy and last but not least, Meghan. I know that's six, but like I said, I'm not sure anyone reads my blog so I added one for good measure.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
If people would quit asking...
...me if it is hard leaving Hunter in daycare today, I'm sure I could stop crying.
I should have only worked a 1/2 a day today...
I should have only worked a 1/2 a day today...
Pumping at work can be a real "let-down"
Okay, so today is my first day back to work. I had Hunter June 14th, but was put on bed rest June 6th, so I have been gone for 3 months. Gone for three months from a job I only had for a month. It is also a job I had to take so I wouldn't get laid-off from my old job. (long story, maybe someday I will share it) So needless to say, it's not my ideal job situation. Today was also Hunter's first day in daycare.
I like to have a plan for everything and this was no different. I was trying to get a plan together but somehow I was feeling just left of completely frazzled.
How come this is what was on Yahoo this morning after I logged onto my computer AT WORK?
Anyway.... I wasn't really worried about Hunter going to daycare, my anxiety was coming from pumping breastmilk at work so I could continue to breastfeed Hunter. Hunter has been supplemented with formula since he was 2 weeks old. I know he can take a bottle and a breast and go back and forth (we're fortunate). Again it's not Hunter I was worried about. Originally I just wanted to be able to breastfeed for at least 3 months. Now that 3 months has come and just about gone, I would like to breastfeed him for at least 6 months. I just thing the health benefits are too numerous to ignore.
Well, I had myself pretty worked up. I was so worked up about it I was having a hard time even pumping at home for the last couple of days. I was getting hardly any milk, I was certain my "let-down" reflex would freeze up on me at work, I thought Hunter would have to switch to formula, I was worrying myself into a tizzy. Not normally my style. I think I had 'performance anxiety'… is this how men feel??
I spent some time on the Internet last night searching for "let-down" tips at work. I was certain no milk was coming out of these babies while I was at work. I even took a picture of Hunter breastfeeding from my perspective with my cell phone... just in case. The best tip I found was to relax (duh?!) and try to do something else like catch up on emails or something. Also, don't keep looking down at the bottle and the progress, just let it happen.
Remember when I said I wasn't that worried about Hunter going to daycare... well I cried like a baby and was completely blind-sided by it. I was fine until I saw this poor little boy, he was probably 18 months or so, he was just sobbing. I lost it. The daycare workers kept asked me if I was going to be okay. Hunter was fine, and I knew he would be. I had no idea his Mommy would completely lose it.
On the up side, I just finished pumping... 4 1/2 ounces BABY!! Performance anxiety... pfft.
I like to have a plan for everything and this was no different. I was trying to get a plan together but somehow I was feeling just left of completely frazzled.
How come this is what was on Yahoo this morning after I logged onto my computer AT WORK?
"For new moms going back to work after maternity leave, planning is everything."
Hello... a few days ago this would have been helpful!! Today it's just spiteful.
Anyway.... I wasn't really worried about Hunter going to daycare, my anxiety was coming from pumping breastmilk at work so I could continue to breastfeed Hunter. Hunter has been supplemented with formula since he was 2 weeks old. I know he can take a bottle and a breast and go back and forth (we're fortunate). Again it's not Hunter I was worried about. Originally I just wanted to be able to breastfeed for at least 3 months. Now that 3 months has come and just about gone, I would like to breastfeed him for at least 6 months. I just thing the health benefits are too numerous to ignore.
Well, I had myself pretty worked up. I was so worked up about it I was having a hard time even pumping at home for the last couple of days. I was getting hardly any milk, I was certain my "let-down" reflex would freeze up on me at work, I thought Hunter would have to switch to formula, I was worrying myself into a tizzy. Not normally my style. I think I had 'performance anxiety'… is this how men feel??
I spent some time on the Internet last night searching for "let-down" tips at work. I was certain no milk was coming out of these babies while I was at work. I even took a picture of Hunter breastfeeding from my perspective with my cell phone... just in case. The best tip I found was to relax (duh?!) and try to do something else like catch up on emails or something. Also, don't keep looking down at the bottle and the progress, just let it happen.
Remember when I said I wasn't that worried about Hunter going to daycare... well I cried like a baby and was completely blind-sided by it. I was fine until I saw this poor little boy, he was probably 18 months or so, he was just sobbing. I lost it. The daycare workers kept asked me if I was going to be okay. Hunter was fine, and I knew he would be. I had no idea his Mommy would completely lose it.
On the up side, I just finished pumping... 4 1/2 ounces BABY!! Performance anxiety... pfft.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Karma - how's yours?
I was having lunch with my best friend yesterday... (boy am I going to miss those when I go back to work)... We are sitting by the carry-out door at Chili's. I just caught a glimpse of this guy leaving the carry-out area and I noticed he dropped something.
Now you know when you see currency on the floor you can tell one of two things... it's either a one dollar bill or you can tell it's bigger than a one, but you can't really tell how big.
Okay, so I noticed this guy dropped something and it was bigger than a one dollar bill. I immediately hop out of my seat, grab the bill (it was a 20!) and catch the guy as he is about to get into his car.
"Excuse me, you dropped this."
"Oh hey, thanks"
"No problem"
Once I'm back in the restaurant and on my way back to my seat, my waiter stopped me and shook my hand.
"That was cool of you. I don't know how many people would have done that. Let me shake your hand." I'm a little confused, it certainly wasn't a deed worthy of a congratulatory handshake.
"Well I would want someone to do the same for me."
The waiter then mentioned something about he has seen TV shows that purposely drop money and stuff just to see what people will do.
It was obviously the guy's $20 and he had just dropped it, it wasn't hard to catch him. Like I said, I would hope someone would do the same for me.
What would you have done?
a) Caught the guy and given him the $20 back - I'm all about Karma.
b) Ignored it and let the guy waiting on him at the carry-out counter get $20 richer.
c) Waited for the guy to drive away and head-butt anyone who got in the way of me getting that $20.
d) None of the above, I would have (insert your scenario here).
Just to clarify... if I found a twenty on the floor with no owner in site... I'd be $20 richer.
Now you know when you see currency on the floor you can tell one of two things... it's either a one dollar bill or you can tell it's bigger than a one, but you can't really tell how big.
Okay, so I noticed this guy dropped something and it was bigger than a one dollar bill. I immediately hop out of my seat, grab the bill (it was a 20!) and catch the guy as he is about to get into his car.
"Excuse me, you dropped this."
"Oh hey, thanks"
"No problem"
Once I'm back in the restaurant and on my way back to my seat, my waiter stopped me and shook my hand.
"That was cool of you. I don't know how many people would have done that. Let me shake your hand." I'm a little confused, it certainly wasn't a deed worthy of a congratulatory handshake.
"Well I would want someone to do the same for me."
The waiter then mentioned something about he has seen TV shows that purposely drop money and stuff just to see what people will do.
It was obviously the guy's $20 and he had just dropped it, it wasn't hard to catch him. Like I said, I would hope someone would do the same for me.
What would you have done?
a) Caught the guy and given him the $20 back - I'm all about Karma.
b) Ignored it and let the guy waiting on him at the carry-out counter get $20 richer.
c) Waited for the guy to drive away and head-butt anyone who got in the way of me getting that $20.
d) None of the above, I would have (insert your scenario here).
Just to clarify... if I found a twenty on the floor with no owner in site... I'd be $20 richer.
