LOVE My Live

I've been thinking a lot lately about life, the big decisions, the big picture, and it occurs to me that I appear to be basing my overall wellbeing on my poor choices. We're all familiar with the saying "you're only as strong as your weakest link" well I'm feeling only as productive as my least-productive days, only as smart as my poorest decisions. While I can see the logic in the weakest-link analogy, I need a more positive perspective. I need to be strong despite my weakest link, strong enough to fix my weak links. (Seems I can't blog properly from behind this Navy firewall, I'll edit later to add the image I wanted to put here.)

All my good intentions about staying up super late Saturday or getting up extra early on Sunday to finish my homework were ill-conceived in the first place, and therefore went unexecuted. So I awoke with the desire to spend more family time, slighly dampered by the nagging requirement to do homework. All of which became OBE when JR said he thought Phoebe might need stitches, so I played with Christopher while JR & Phoebe went to urgent care. After more than a two hour wait, however, the urgent care place sent them to the ER in case she needed stitches, because apparently they are unable to stitch faces.



So he brought her home for a quick bite to eat, and I took her to the ER, where she was seen after an incredulous five minute wait (we had been quoted 1½hrs), and her chin was butterfly-stitched (which could have been done at the urgent care place, probably much cheaper).



So we got a late start to NB's, enjoyed a "cooked in the yard" dinner, then enjoyed some family Jenga! AJ lasted but one round, then needed to be put to bed due to unsportsman-like conduct. Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Dre & Phoebe enjoyed several more fun-filled rounds before NB sent us home so I could finish my homework.



I was completely unsatisfied with my paper, but I submitted it at midnight when it was due.

Note to self: do not schedule anything during the last week of school.

Grandma & Grandpa arrived Friday, so we met after work at NB's for a spaghetti dinner and a brief chit-chat/catch-up, then disbursed so our out-of-state travelers could rest. Phoebe & Christopher both fell asleep in the car (standard), and both managed to stay mostly asleep through the transition from car to bed (a first!).



By early Saturday Phoebe was ready to head STRAIGHT to Grandma & Grandpa's hotel for some pool time! I let her pack her swim stuff, but insisted we go to NB's so the plan of the day could come together with the inputs of all involved. :) AJ had a rough day and wasn't up to pool play, so we chatted the day away, enjoyed a Pizza Hut dinner, and then snuck off to the pool without AJ. When I asked Christopher if he wanted to swim he said no, so I stayed dressed, but took him and his swim trunks with us to the pool to watch Phoebe & Grandma play. I think I heard Phoebe say "Grandma, watch me!" about a million times. :) Then Christopher got interested, so I got him changed and deposited him into the water with Grandma. I'm glad I didn't get in too, because Christopher clung to his Grandma with hugs and smiles and play like never before. They both seemed to really enjoy it.



Then as the pool closed and I attempted to wrangle up the wet munchkins, Phoebe banged her chin on the edge of the pool. :( It didn't bleed much, and she didn't cry at all, but I know chin injuries hurt. Grandpa put a band-aid on it and we headed home. Christopher again stayed asleep through the transition, but Phoebe got her chin re-bandaged by Daddy and stayed up to watch the Kid's Choice Awards (KCAs). She has already suggested that we might have to move to California when the time comes so she can attend "Hollywood Arts" (the high school where fictitious Victoria Justice and her friends to go school).

I am most thankful this year that my son is talking! But I'm not to keen on having to pick and choose between which Thanksgivings to attend - my neighbor Janet's noon Thanksgiving is a huge big fun deal, then my sister's Thanksgiving is the first in her own home - don't want to miss that, and JR's sister is having a huge Thanksgiving at his Mom's too - and I know how much it means for his Mom to see the kids. I guess I'm thankful that I don't have to put together a big deal meal at my house! :) Most likely the best thing will be for us to share in the early one at Janet's, then JR & Phoebe head to Richmond, and Christopher & I head to Dianne's. Being apart isn't ideal, but neither of us really mind, which is in itself rather unfortunate.

Some time ago, I stumbled upon an artist whose work sometimes brings me to tears. I've never purchased anything of hers, but do read her infrequent blog posts and follow her Etsy shop. The story of why she sculpts child angels always touches me, and I noticed when reading it today that she hopes the story is widely shared. http://themidnightorange.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-i-sculpt-child-angels.html



She sculpted the "Harvest" below for Christopher's mother commemorating his angelversary. :) Many other heartfelt and beautiful pieces at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMidnightOrange.

I headed to work this morning in stinky shoes, a skirt that was too snug, and a top that was too hot. I stopped at Target to get cash to take to Phoebe at school so she could purchase a school yearbook, and got lured into the women's clothing section to explore the possibility of a more comfortable skirt. I immediately found a delightful little $24.99 summer dress, which - low and behold - fit perfectly, which never happens when I am actually clothes shopping. That little victory sent me into the shoe dept where I found an equally delightful little pair of strappy black patent sandals for $19.99 that I couldn't resist. I paid for my purchase, changed in the Target restroom, and headed to work feeling pretty and very summery. :)

In an effort to reduce my Mocha intake, I didn't commit to actually drinking more water, instead I commited to just make it readily available at my desk. Low and behold... it's working! It used to be that I would consume one 16-20oz coffee for the drive in, another 20oz Mocha for my morning workload, and then maybe another large Mocha for the ride home! Now I skip the home coffee, treat myself to one Mocha for the ride in, make it last halfway through my morning workload, then switch to water. And the warmer weather is naturally making me skip the afternoon Mocha in favor of something icy-cold instead. These changes, combined with my recent bout of nausea, have already taken the tension in my snug waistband down a notch.

Our two children have been raised primarily by their stay-at-home-Dad because we are ADAMANT about their security, safety, and general wellbeing. But now after 7+yrs, Dad is ready to rejoin the workforce, and so we're looking for the perfect person to watch our children. Must have experience and references, and an obvious love of children. Any successful candidate will, as a minimum, be able to support our remaining school schedule through mid-June plus a full-time summer schedule through the end of August.



Initial childcare schedule will be 8am to 4:30pm on Mondays, and Noon to 4:30pm Tuesdays through Fridays, with additional hours required to support the Fairfax County Public Schools published calendar. Summer childcare schedule will be 8am to 4:30pm Mon-Fri.



Preferred candidates will earn more to stay and do dinner preparation and/or housekeeping. I will consider any combination of regular or occassional housekeeping, and will give high preference to the provider who could also take over the household grocery shopping, plan our meals, and prepare family dinners Monday through Friday.



English fluency/proficiency is a must, as our preschool son is experiencing slight language and developmental delay - we need someone who can work with him constantly on his communications and basic life skills (speaking, listening, self-feeding, self-dressing, potty training, etc).



My ideal candidate might be a Mom, who may either bring her one young child with her, or whose children are older and already independent. Or my ideal candidate might be a teacher whose schedule is a perfect fit and has lots of experience managing varying degrees of childhood chaos. Or my ideal candidate might a spunky Grandma who can keep up with the high-energy and high-spirits of young children. Or my ideal candidate might be a college student who may be specializing in early childhood development or special education who works with kids every summer. Or my ideal candidate might be . . . you.



Oh, we have two cats and a huge drooly dog. You absolutely must be totally okay with that. And by huge I mean a 100+lb Rotty.

The only way I manage to keep my sanity at all, is by getting enough sleep. My day is hard enough that I fall asleep easily at 10pm. I'm so glad Phoebe & I are on somewhat of a routine. I look forward to when JR & Christopher get into one too, I'm thinking preschool will go a long ways towards making that happen. :)

Wonder if my blog might be a good place to project plan... I really prefer digital composition, but there's been holes in my planning processes since I abandoned my Franklin Planner for a PDA. Perhaps I will gather all the little notes I've started at various times in various places, and put them here, where I can 'manage' them. Projects ought to be managed. I'm a process improvement professional. I often wonder why I haven't applied my profesional skills to my personal life.

Good Lord... I can't believe it's less than two weeks til Christmas! I don't have plan! Ack!

I have this Christmas project that's been brewing in the back of my mind for months. It's one gift I can give to everyone on my list, and I can update and give it year after year - a family calendar! I will still buy presents for all kiddos and other special recipients, but I think a family calendar, pre-populated with birthdays/etc, would make a darn fine gift for the many others whom I love. I've only today just started tinkering, and already I'm hoping it'll become a beloved family tradition. I'll be soliciting photos, and maybe little yearly re-cap blurbs, and hm... what else? :) I love this kinda stuff!

Phoebe & JR drove each other (and me) crazy last summer with not enough to do, so I determined early that Phoebe would attend summer camp this year. I found a great program, run by the Marching Elites Association, and she is having the best summer of her little life! They have major field trips every Wednesday, they've spent Wednesdays thus far at Buckroe Beach, Chippoke State Park, Ocean Breeze Water Park, and Busch Gardens! Tuesdays and Thursdays are filled with lots of other fun activities and smaller local field trips, bowling, skating, laser tag, a talent show, museum trips and cookouts, and they swim all day every Friday at Fort Eustis. She is loving it!



But... it broke me. I put summer camp higher on the budget priority list than it rightfully deserves, and now I've got a couple other debts getting ready to bite me in the ass for it. I know none of you are loaded down with cash funds, but if you are interested and able, I could sure use some help making sure Phoebe's summer stays super fun! The camp itself is $65/wk (including a USDA breakfast, lunch, and snack), and the field trips are extra. I've paid the camp fees through 7/30, but still owe $20 for the 7/21 field trip to Go Karts Plus, and $26 for the 7/28 field trip to Water Country USA. I would also like to keep her in camp until the very end (8/13), incurring an additional $130 in camp fees, plus $29 for the 8/04 field trip to Kings Dominion. Unfortunately, there is already one field trip she may not attend - the grand finale field trip on 8/11 - a 6am to 2am charter bus to Six Flags New Jersey - too far for this Mom. Then she'll have just three weeks hanging out at home before school starts back up on 9/07. Not that Phoebe cares who pays for camp, but if I do receive any assistance, I will of course let Phoebe know of the generosity.



M&J, I haven't kept y'all as up to date recently as I set out to... back in late May, I expressed to my clients interest in returning to Northern Virginia, about the same time as they got frustrated w/my inability to get+stay fully engaged. This has probably been professionally the most awkward period of my life. I have always struggled with my morning schedule, but in previous environments I was always able to otherwise easily and clearly demonstrate my value. But this place is too union, too waterfront, too technical, too blue collar for me. They will be much happier with the guy they've hired to replace me, a retiring waterfront production controller.



As for me, I start a new job on 8/02, still with Dell, for the boss I had previously - Ken Carrick, supporting an old client in a new position, it is sure to be a smooth and most comfortable transition. Mostly, I look forward to being back in town w/Aunt Banana! But professionally, it's nice to know I'm still an asset.



Our home is for sale, with little chance it will sell in time to support our relocation. It's also for rent, with special incentives advertised for a quick renter. We have found suitable Rottweiler-friendly housing in Alexandria, but there's NO WAY we can carry two housing payments, so I can't apply for those I've found until we have a renter (or buyer) for ours. Don't suppose you, Jim, would be interested in buying it as an investment/rental property? Just kidding. Unless you'd consider it. (Are y'all familiar w/Chris Tucker (from the Rush Hour movies)? One of our most FAVORITE Chris Tucker lines JR & I use on each other all the time comes from him in Money Talks, he asks this rich dude for a million dollars, then says just kidding, unless you're gonna give it to me, nah just kidding, unless you're not. My investment property offer/request is meant as a joke in the same vain.) It's looking like I will spend weekdays w/NB and weekends in Hampton until we have our housing resolved. I hate the idea of spending nights away from my kids, but this is the bed I've made for myself, so I will lay in it with little complaint.



Ok, I'm off to be productive. I'm also doing a little blog test. If I've set things up the way I think I have, then this email should also show up as a blog post. We'll see. Happy Friday! Love you!!

In the Order in Which They Occur to Me | A Really Good Pet Hair Vacuum | A Good Electric Can Opener | Roller Skates | Bicycles | Furniture | Linens | Clothes | Housekeeping | Daycare | A Garage | Manicures & Pedicures | Better Pet Care | Summer Camps | Music Lessons | Household Store | Emergency Preparedness | More & Better Portraits |



Obnoxious Oodles of Quit Working Money | Home Car & Lifestyle Upgrades All Around | A Year on The World | Philantrophy | Self Enrichment | Fun Stuff |



Stuff That's Caught My Fancy | This Forrest Cube Ring |