Oh, dear readers, I have not abandoned you. I have been driven by inches of ice and snow from my home. I am staying with my mom, who has not had power back for quite 24 hours yet. There is no power and no heat in my house and so I had to flee with the kids.
I have spent the last few days feeling like a refugee. It's better now that mom has power. Now, I just feel like an annoying houseguest.
Hopefully, it'll be over soon. The power company says that some people may be without power for up to two weeks. I just hope to not be one of them!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
One Warm Day
Yesterday was torture. That's the only way to explain having one warm day and then going back to the ridiculous cold we've been having.
Yesterday, the girls and I went to the park. Today, Brynna wore a parka.
Yesterday I dug around looking for a short sleeve shirt. Today, I dug around looking for a short scarf for Brynna.
Yesterday was 50. Today was 15.
Seriously, it doesn't seem fair. I am a cold weather person, and this year's cold has gotten to me. And yesterday was just a tease, a cruel joke, a glimpse of a spring we won't see for at least two more months. Of course, it's Kentucky, so even when we do see it, it'll only be for three days and then we'll be in the sweltering hot of Kentucky summers.
So, now I'm thinking of things that are teases. Things that I hate because they give me the tiniest bit of something that I love.
1. Mini-muffins. Because muffins were already single serving, someone had to make something smaller. The problem with mini-muffins is that one is not enough and you end up eating like six which is probably the equivalent of three regular muffins which is way more than you would eat if there were just muffins.
2. Preview chapters. You know what I'm talking about. You finish a really good book and there is the first chapter of another book (the next in a series or one by the same author or something). You're all in the reading mood and you enjoyed what you just finished and so you start it and get totally hooked. Then you find out that the library doesn't carry the book, but you've started it so you want to finish it so you end up ordering it off Amazon and waiting with bated breath for a week so it'll come in (which is exactly what THEY wanted!) Whew, that one really bothers me.
3. Ringtones. When the real music ringtones first came out, I thought they were so cool and I couldn't wait to upgrade my phone. Nowm everytime someone calls me, I get their song stuck in my head for the rest of the day. I can't tell you how much of my life has recently been spent trying to remember the second verse of Into the Mystic.
It's horrible to be teased but I hope that we'll get some more teasing weather days soon. Even though it made today rough, yesterday was pretty amazing.
Yesterday, the girls and I went to the park. Today, Brynna wore a parka.
Yesterday I dug around looking for a short sleeve shirt. Today, I dug around looking for a short scarf for Brynna.
Yesterday was 50. Today was 15.
Seriously, it doesn't seem fair. I am a cold weather person, and this year's cold has gotten to me. And yesterday was just a tease, a cruel joke, a glimpse of a spring we won't see for at least two more months. Of course, it's Kentucky, so even when we do see it, it'll only be for three days and then we'll be in the sweltering hot of Kentucky summers.
So, now I'm thinking of things that are teases. Things that I hate because they give me the tiniest bit of something that I love.
1. Mini-muffins. Because muffins were already single serving, someone had to make something smaller. The problem with mini-muffins is that one is not enough and you end up eating like six which is probably the equivalent of three regular muffins which is way more than you would eat if there were just muffins.
2. Preview chapters. You know what I'm talking about. You finish a really good book and there is the first chapter of another book (the next in a series or one by the same author or something). You're all in the reading mood and you enjoyed what you just finished and so you start it and get totally hooked. Then you find out that the library doesn't carry the book, but you've started it so you want to finish it so you end up ordering it off Amazon and waiting with bated breath for a week so it'll come in (which is exactly what THEY wanted!) Whew, that one really bothers me.
3. Ringtones. When the real music ringtones first came out, I thought they were so cool and I couldn't wait to upgrade my phone. Nowm everytime someone calls me, I get their song stuck in my head for the rest of the day. I can't tell you how much of my life has recently been spent trying to remember the second verse of Into the Mystic.
It's horrible to be teased but I hope that we'll get some more teasing weather days soon. Even though it made today rough, yesterday was pretty amazing.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Last Official Day of Maternity Leave
So, this is it. My last official day of maternity leave. Tomorrow begins my weekend and my prep to return to the working world. You know, getting back on a normal person schedule, making sure that I have clean clothes that aren't sweats or pajamas, figuring out if I still own a purse or if I am so used to living out the diaper bag now that they've all disintegrated...
And then Monday, I go to work. I can't decide what I am most nervous about. It could be leaving Maren in the care of a woman I like and trust but don't really know. It could be just leaving her at all. It could be sitting in an office chair and doing real work for an hour. It could be getting three whole people dressed and out of the house by 7:30. I mean, I kinda do it now, but I'm not really dressed, just sweats and hair brushed. Monday, I'll have to wear real clothes and jewelry and make-up, and I'll hopefully straighten my hair.
It has gone way too fast. My little girl isn't nearly old enough for my maternity leave to be over. I am not nearly well-rested enough.
So, today, I nap. And read. And shop. Because this is it. The last day I have time to do those things. Tomorrow, I clean and cook and get ready to return to the real world, but today is a day for enjoying what time I have left.
And then Monday, I go to work. I can't decide what I am most nervous about. It could be leaving Maren in the care of a woman I like and trust but don't really know. It could be just leaving her at all. It could be sitting in an office chair and doing real work for an hour. It could be getting three whole people dressed and out of the house by 7:30. I mean, I kinda do it now, but I'm not really dressed, just sweats and hair brushed. Monday, I'll have to wear real clothes and jewelry and make-up, and I'll hopefully straighten my hair.
It has gone way too fast. My little girl isn't nearly old enough for my maternity leave to be over. I am not nearly well-rested enough.
So, today, I nap. And read. And shop. Because this is it. The last day I have time to do those things. Tomorrow, I clean and cook and get ready to return to the real world, but today is a day for enjoying what time I have left.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dentists Are Creepy
Dentists are creepy. The whole thought of being a dentist is creepy. Sticking your hands in someone's mouth. Poking around their teeth, all that spit and breath. Tiny needles stuck directly in gums. Drills and the smell of burning hair. Creepy.
So, I need to call a dentist. I am in such incredible pain, it isn't even funny. I have been putting this off for my entire maternity leave. Now, I have to go back to work in three days and I know that I have waited too long and I have too much damage to get it fixed before I go back.
I feel the need to go at least once before I return to work though, to prove that I at least tried to fit this stuff in while I wasn't working. Then, I'll try to wait a couple of week before I take off to have my teeth drilled. Of course, the thought that an appointment tomorrow might provide me with a reprieve from the pain is incentive, too.
And yet, I can't bring myself to call. Partially because I have no clue how I'm going to pay for all this work my teeth desperately need. But also because dentists are creepy.
For some strange reason, I also feel the need to brush and floss before I call. Seriously, like they can hear my dirty teeth over the phone, but there you have it. I must be insane. So, here we go, the crazy lady is reaching for her phone...
So, I need to call a dentist. I am in such incredible pain, it isn't even funny. I have been putting this off for my entire maternity leave. Now, I have to go back to work in three days and I know that I have waited too long and I have too much damage to get it fixed before I go back.
I feel the need to go at least once before I return to work though, to prove that I at least tried to fit this stuff in while I wasn't working. Then, I'll try to wait a couple of week before I take off to have my teeth drilled. Of course, the thought that an appointment tomorrow might provide me with a reprieve from the pain is incentive, too.
And yet, I can't bring myself to call. Partially because I have no clue how I'm going to pay for all this work my teeth desperately need. But also because dentists are creepy.
For some strange reason, I also feel the need to brush and floss before I call. Seriously, like they can hear my dirty teeth over the phone, but there you have it. I must be insane. So, here we go, the crazy lady is reaching for her phone...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
More Unexpected Lessons from Maternity Leave
I had a bad night last night and an even worse morning. I am living on 4 hours of sleep and got up this morning to my daughter's first in-bed accident in 2 years. Needless to say that my sleeplessness and rough morning has brought me a few more lessons.
1. There is absolutely nothing on tv between 4 and 5 a.m. I don't know why it's just that one hour. Some stations run infomercials between 3 and 5, some between 4 and 7, but between 4 and 5 there are pretty much infomercials and 24 hour news. That's really all.
2. Everyone should have two mattress covers. I had two mattress covers for my daughter, but one night when we were having an argument, she decided that the best way to cope with the conflict was to spend the time she was confined to her room burrowing between the mattress and the sheet. She absolutely shredded the plastic lining of the mattress cover. So, I threw it out and made a mental note to replace it. Then, I completely forgot. So now, I am holding onto consciousness by a thin thread and I have to stay up longer to do laundry, too.
3. No amount of napping makes up for real, in-the-dark, bed sleep. I could nap all day today, right up until the time I pick up Brynna and it would not matter at all. I would still be tired. I would still be ready to go to bed at about 7 tonight.
So, I finally have Maren asleep. I am going to go throw in a load of laundry and then I'm going to take a totally useless nap that won't make me feel any better. When I'm done with that, I'll grab something to eat, gather Brynna's library books and go pick her up. It's going to be a long, hard day, but at the end, it'll be 8:30 and I'll be tucked in bed.
1. There is absolutely nothing on tv between 4 and 5 a.m. I don't know why it's just that one hour. Some stations run infomercials between 3 and 5, some between 4 and 7, but between 4 and 5 there are pretty much infomercials and 24 hour news. That's really all.
2. Everyone should have two mattress covers. I had two mattress covers for my daughter, but one night when we were having an argument, she decided that the best way to cope with the conflict was to spend the time she was confined to her room burrowing between the mattress and the sheet. She absolutely shredded the plastic lining of the mattress cover. So, I threw it out and made a mental note to replace it. Then, I completely forgot. So now, I am holding onto consciousness by a thin thread and I have to stay up longer to do laundry, too.
3. No amount of napping makes up for real, in-the-dark, bed sleep. I could nap all day today, right up until the time I pick up Brynna and it would not matter at all. I would still be tired. I would still be ready to go to bed at about 7 tonight.
So, I finally have Maren asleep. I am going to go throw in a load of laundry and then I'm going to take a totally useless nap that won't make me feel any better. When I'm done with that, I'll grab something to eat, gather Brynna's library books and go pick her up. It's going to be a long, hard day, but at the end, it'll be 8:30 and I'll be tucked in bed.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sleeping Late
Remember when holidays meant sleeping late? Those days are gone for me.
This morning my husband got up to go to work and left the alarm set. I said, "No, no, turn that off, I have nowhere to go and I'm staying in bed." That was at 6:30. At 6:35, Brynna woke up. At 6:38, Maren woke up. So much for my sleeping in.
I guess I should be grateful for getting to sit around in my pajamas. On a normal Monday, I'd be on my way to the grocery by now. Maren and I would be dressed in real clothes and Brynna would be at school.
But really, I'd give my eye teeth to be laying in bed dozing or sleeping or even watching grown-up TV. Instead, I'm watching Handy Manny and blogging and my headache is already off the charts! I have so much to do today and all I want to do is go to bed. I miss life before children. Of course, I wouldn't give up the girls for all the sleep in the world. I mean, seriously, I've only got about 14 years until they are both capable of getting up without me on holidays. Maybe even less.
I can sleep in 14 years, right? I sure hope so.
This morning my husband got up to go to work and left the alarm set. I said, "No, no, turn that off, I have nowhere to go and I'm staying in bed." That was at 6:30. At 6:35, Brynna woke up. At 6:38, Maren woke up. So much for my sleeping in.
I guess I should be grateful for getting to sit around in my pajamas. On a normal Monday, I'd be on my way to the grocery by now. Maren and I would be dressed in real clothes and Brynna would be at school.
But really, I'd give my eye teeth to be laying in bed dozing or sleeping or even watching grown-up TV. Instead, I'm watching Handy Manny and blogging and my headache is already off the charts! I have so much to do today and all I want to do is go to bed. I miss life before children. Of course, I wouldn't give up the girls for all the sleep in the world. I mean, seriously, I've only got about 14 years until they are both capable of getting up without me on holidays. Maybe even less.
I can sleep in 14 years, right? I sure hope so.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Twilight Mania
I just wrote a really long blog on how I have become insane about the Twilight books. Well, because of the weird, stupid touchpad and my complete inability to use it, I have lost it.
I don't have the energy to re-write it. Maybe this afternoon. But I need to get ready for church and I need to get Maren ready for church and I took almost a half hour writing my treatise on how Twilight is crack for 15 year old girls and how I should be able to withstand it's siren call, seeing as how I have officially doubled the target audience age for these books.
I hate touchpads. When I started this, I thought, "Okay, well, I'll write about how much I hate touchpads." But I can't even master that at the moment. So, I hate touchpads! There.
Have a nice Sunday!
I don't have the energy to re-write it. Maybe this afternoon. But I need to get ready for church and I need to get Maren ready for church and I took almost a half hour writing my treatise on how Twilight is crack for 15 year old girls and how I should be able to withstand it's siren call, seeing as how I have officially doubled the target audience age for these books.
I hate touchpads. When I started this, I thought, "Okay, well, I'll write about how much I hate touchpads." But I can't even master that at the moment. So, I hate touchpads! There.
Have a nice Sunday!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Unexpected Lessons of Maternity Leave
So, as my maternity leave begins to draw to a close, I find myself reflective about many, many things. (Mostly about how much I don't want to give up my life from the past few weeks to return to my old life, but other things too.) So I thought I would compile a quick list of a few things that I have learned from this particular maternity leave.
1. If you have glaucoma, you better not get anything else. I have been watching a lot of television. Mostly because it's been really cold, and we've been really broke, so what else am I gonna do. There are quite a few commercials on for various prescription medications and nearly all of them tell you (in the fast-voice portion of the commercial) that you should not take this medication if you have glaucoma. I'm not sure why that is, but it worries me.
2. There is nothing more calming that babies breathing. Pretty much the best way to get to sleep when you are too tired to sleep is to plop that baby down on your chest. Unfortunatly, it's not good to sleep with the baby on your chest. So, it's a catch 22, or at the very least, a cruel joke from God.
3. Hot cheerios make a fabulous lunch. For those who don't know, my favorite food on Earth, is hot cheerios. As far as I know, my mom invented this food, although maybe not. Basically, imagine the world's best chex mix, with lots of worchester, then take out all the mix and add cheerios. Then, eat them hot out of the oven. Yes, you can let them cool and they are still good (I only assume this is true, because they never last long enough to cool in my house). Who would want to, though. Anyway, I justify my decision to eat nothing by hot cheerios for lunch by looking at the fiber content. Plenty of people eat nothing but cheerios for breakfast, right?
So, those are my three unexpected maternity leave lessons. I'm sure I learned something more useful as well, but, well, let's face. Useful isn't nearly as fun.
1. If you have glaucoma, you better not get anything else. I have been watching a lot of television. Mostly because it's been really cold, and we've been really broke, so what else am I gonna do. There are quite a few commercials on for various prescription medications and nearly all of them tell you (in the fast-voice portion of the commercial) that you should not take this medication if you have glaucoma. I'm not sure why that is, but it worries me.
2. There is nothing more calming that babies breathing. Pretty much the best way to get to sleep when you are too tired to sleep is to plop that baby down on your chest. Unfortunatly, it's not good to sleep with the baby on your chest. So, it's a catch 22, or at the very least, a cruel joke from God.
3. Hot cheerios make a fabulous lunch. For those who don't know, my favorite food on Earth, is hot cheerios. As far as I know, my mom invented this food, although maybe not. Basically, imagine the world's best chex mix, with lots of worchester, then take out all the mix and add cheerios. Then, eat them hot out of the oven. Yes, you can let them cool and they are still good (I only assume this is true, because they never last long enough to cool in my house). Who would want to, though. Anyway, I justify my decision to eat nothing by hot cheerios for lunch by looking at the fiber content. Plenty of people eat nothing but cheerios for breakfast, right?
So, those are my three unexpected maternity leave lessons. I'm sure I learned something more useful as well, but, well, let's face. Useful isn't nearly as fun.
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