The Job Front

As I've touched upon in the past, my career hit a bit of a speed bump recently. To put it briefly, my company was acquired by another larger firm. It was not guaranteed that there would be a position for me (or for anyone, really). Most of us had to interview for positions. Luckily, there was a match for me. And after hours upon hours of internal debate and family discussion, I accepted the offer with the new firm.

So yay for having a job!

While I am staying in the same department, my job responsibilities will be changing drastically. Also, I will now be commuting into the city. Can I get a collective 'UGGGH'? Yeah. This was one of the major sticking points for me. My commute will basically triple in duration, and instead of a congested highway, I'll be dealing with the woes of public transportation. Sigh.

However, the new company offers flexible work hours and the ability to work from home a great deal more than my current company. So I may only need to actually go into the office 2-3 days a week (if that!). They put a lot of emphasis on pursuing a positive work life balance, very family oriented, blah-dee-blah. So the days I have to go into the office will kinda suck, but on the days I'm home I'll get to drop Des off and pick him up from daycare, which I don't even get to do now! Major MAJOR plus.

On a semi side note... next house project = Home Office. Working at the dining room table is okay when it's once a week, but after that I imagine it will get old. IKEA here we come!

Next week I am traveling to a 5-day event for the merge of the 2 companies. 5 days. Away from home. From my husband, from my baby. I need a paper bag. To breathe in.. and out.. in.. and out. Obviously I'm having a bit of anxiety about this. And knowing that this event was in my future was even one of the negatives in taking the job. I do not part easily from my family, especially for 5 days... God I even hate typing that out loud. BREATHE DAMMIT.

But for some reason, the closer it gets to the event the less nervous I feel. Time is flying, and I hope it flies while I'm there too. I leave on Monday, back on Friday. I won't miss a weekend. Undoubtedly there will be tears. But I'm hoping I'll be plenty distracted so it'll be over before I know it.

There's an episode of the Simpsons in which Homer is having a particularly tough time at his miserable job. If you've ever watched that show for 5 minutes, you know this is one of the overarching themes: Working Man vs. Rich Greedy Old Boss. There's a sign hanging in Homer's office with a photo of crotchety Mr. Burns saying, "DON'T FORGET, YOU'RE HERE FOREVER." Homer tapes photos of his daughter Maggie on the sign so that instead it reads:



I think about this a lot lately. I'll think about it on the plane. And at the conference. And during those seemingly endless commutes.

I do it for him.

Road Block?

So things are... hmm. Going.


At least this guy is keeping me going.

Just to put it all out there, I'm facing some tough times at work. I know, I hate talking about work here. Isn't that Blogging 101? Don't cross the streams? Total protonic reversal, and all that. I won't go into details. But the gist is, I may or may not have a job in a few weeks. And it's stressing me out. Big time. Like, if I run my hand through my hair I'll pull out a clump, kinda stress. Also I may have lost 40-50% of my eyelashes. Needs me some falsies STAT.

Everyone's all, 'Whatever happens happens,' 'It's out of your hands,' 'Don't get stressed about things you can't control.' And I'm all puking in the corner thinking about mortgage payments and college funds and career paths and commutes from hell. They mean well. And I'm not scoffing at those words of wisdom like "You don't know my LYFE!" They're totally right. But it doesn't change the fact that I feel like I'm spiraling down a hole, grasping at the sides with my fingernails.

This could be a totally awesome turn of events. I just have no idea. And I HATE not knowing what's going to happen next. Don't ever try to throw me a surprise party or I'll claw your eyes out. If not right at that moment, then in your nightmares. It's a promise. So basically yeah, surprises aint my thing.

With this potential road block/opportunity/who-the-hell-knows, I have hit a blogging wall. I'm having trouble digesting food, never mind thoughts and ideas into words that make sense to the web.

Every once in a while I'll get a blog entry ex machina (not even the right way to use that phrase, but I love it so suck it), like finding the ring. But mostly I've been opening a new entry to stare at a blank screen for a while. Then I go to People.com and Perez Hilton. And Pinterest to get lost for a few hours looking at pretty things. Did you know that the internet is full of distractions?!

As my thoughts are consumed with work worries, anything that requires an ounce of thought or creativity is eclipsed. I'm just going through the motions. Watching a million hours of Harry Potter. Doing laundry, dishes, anything to keep my hands occupied and my mind hushed.

It's like my falling hair is clogging the sink drain of inspiration. Deep, dude. That's so something I would have written on my notebook in high school.

The good news is that Des is on a major Mama kick. Just when I need it most. Despite the aforementioned anxieties, we ARE enjoying this beautiful summer.





He makes me laugh so much. And smile like it's plastered on my face.


Ridiculous joy. Worries magically gone.

I'll try to keep you posted, as much as I can. But don't blame me for being sparse. Blame The Man, man.

The Prodigal Blogger

Obviously I haven't been very inspired to write lately. Blogging is a little like working out. Once you start slacking, it's easy to fall into a rut of excuses.

Have you seen this commercial?

"My mom called."
"Oh, that's a day right there."

Something pretty much exactly like that. Except I like when my mom calls. You get the idea.

But if you get into the habit of doing it a few times a week, it's a rewarding and fulfilling part of life. And then you stand up straighter, you sleep better, you feel a little more confident and assured in yourself.

I haven't been working out lately either. So the blog and my belly are a bit of a flabby, neglected mess.

For what it's worth, many other aspects of life lately are simply splendid. Perhaps I should share them! On this here BLOG, the sole purpose of which is to share the splendid (and sometimes not-so-splendid) aspects of life!

Here are just a couple...

Splendid:
Bra fittings. I got my first one in 5+ years the other day. I spent a pretty penny on 4 new bras in a completely different size than I was wearing (thank you pregnancy and nursing and drastic fluctuations in weight), but it was very well worth it. In the few days after I started wearing the new bras I was told by multiple people that I looked thinner. My sister said it looked like my boobs got smaller. This is a good thing. Smaller = perkier. Ladies, if you haven't had a fitting in a while, go get one. Especially if you've recently had a baby. It will change your life.

Sorry, no pics. Keep dreaming.

Not-so-splendid:
Tony's play-off beard. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the reasons behind it. Truly. But once the 'stache started growing over his top lip I got a little skeeved. And since then every once in a while I'll look at my husband and have to do a double take. Who is this man?


We're getting dangerously close to SF Giant's relief pitcher Brian Wilson territory:

Yeesh. Not much longer. Game 4 of the NHL finals is tonight. And on that note... Off to not work out.

More updates to come on showers, weddings, and the insane way my baby is growing like a weed and walking his way through my heart.

You Know It's Bad When

... you have to pencil in your calendar "Bathe yourself, you gross person." And right above that is "Bathe your child, you negligent parent."

Happy Easter!
Happy Spring!
Happy Weekend!
Happy Happy!

Things are good. Great. Crazy. Madness. I think, let me check. Yes, all that. The boy is sick (of course), teething, and a miserable beast 50-75% of the time. But we're hanging in there. And enjoying the other 25-50% of the time when he's a delight to be around.

I'll be back with a vengeance next week. I pwomise. Sorry for the baby talk. Need sweepy time. And a cocktail the size of my head. Pwease?


I like turtles.

Check check, one, two, ssssyphilis

This thing on?

Hoooo doggy it's been cray-cray around these parts. I apologize for the lack of updates. I have a few entries in the queue, but actually sitting down and typing words and uploading photos is a comparible to writing a dissertation or running a marathon right now.

So here's a brief rundown of what's going on in life:

- Day job. Short staffed this week so I am literally buried. I can't see the surface of my desk or the light at the end of the tunnel. Send help and a reliable temp.

- Side job. Real writing takes a lot longer than this blogging shiz.

- Sleep issues. Still going strong with those. But guys, one day last week Des actually slept through the night until 6:45am! And there was a string of restful nights with no peeps and a reasonable waking hour! I would wake up each morning in another realm of reality. Colors were brighter, I could think and speak in full sentences, the world was at my fingertips! Unfortunately that is all a distant memory. With a single cough in his crib, I knew The Cold That Never Ends was back for another round. And now we are back in the zombie zone. Des is usually up around 11pm until 1 or 2am, and then bright and early at 5-5:30am (or earlier if he's feeling especially cruel).

This zombie is lucky he's cute.


Stick with me. I'll be back in full effect soon, hopefully well-rested and incredibly amusing.

The Perils of Parenthood

It's happened a few times. Des will get overly excited or throw a frustrated fit, and fling his limbs all around as I'm holding him. Inevitably I catch a stray arm or foot to the face. It's the head that really gets ya. Oooh man. It doesn't even phase him, but I'm left with a face that is resonating like a gong.

The latest time it left a lasting impression.


Pardon the horrible lighting and nosehairs and fugliness.

Nothing like a nice punch to the face with a toddler skull to start the day. Just a little love tap for momma. Thanks buddy!

Goodbye 2010

Closing the books on the best year yet.

I will miss it. Is that weird? To miss a whole year? I really will. But I'm embracing 2011 and the future with open arms.

Bring it on.

Tomorrow... resolutions. Everyone loves hearing about other people's resolutions, right? Get psyched!

Conversations Overheard

Tony: I'm going up to bed, you coming?

Me: Soon. I gotta do the dishes, bottles, laundry, all that bullshit.

Tony: It's not bullshit, it's our life!

Sigh... So true.

Then he helped me do all that bullshit. Life isn't that bad.