Saturday, May 30, 2009

Vacation? What Vacation?

Sorry for the silence, but it's been a busy few days around here.
I can't believe that a year ago today my due date came and went and Boo wasn't here yet.  It's amazing that it has been a year already.  So many things have changed and still many things are the same.  It's been amazing to watch this little boy turn into a "real" boy from a teeny-tiny newborn.  (Actually, he is only tiny by comparison... he was actually about average size for a newborn...)
Anyhow, tomorrow we're having his birthday party.  It's over in Memorial Park here in town.  We've got a pavilion rented and tons of people are coming.  If you're thinking about it, you really should stop by.  We'll be there most of the afternoon.  I'm looking forward to it, if only because it gives me an excuse to both show off my boy and have a picnic.  It should be lots of fun.  And yes, I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures.  I know, I know, I haven't posted any in way too long.  They're on the camera and will be downloaded soon I promise!

Technically I've been on vacation starting Thursday.  I don't have to go back to work until Thursday the 4th.  It'll be very nice to have been out of the office almost 2 full weeks!  It just won't be a very restful vacation I'm afraid.
Not only is Boo's birthday party tomorrow and his actual birthday on Monday (eep!), but his Nana is in town visiting.  She got here Thursday afternoon after some minor adventures and we've been busy ever since.
Friday while Gak was at work, Nana, Boo and I did a BJ's run to pick up some needed everyday things and some of the party things.  As usual, I didn't escape there for under $200.  Oh well.  I only bought one or two things that weren't on the list.
Today, I took Gak to work and did laundry while Nana watched the boy.  Then, Uncle Alan came over with his daughter and gave Boo his birthday present.  Unfortunately, they won't be able to make it tomorrow because Uncle Al has to work.  This is what stinks about him working 2nd shift and Tuesday through Sunday... and mandatory 10-hour days right now.  Oh well.
After Gak got off work we took a family trip over to the Q-mart.  This was to pick up the veggies for tomorrow as well as the burgers and dogs and a few other odds and ends.
The rest of the evening Boo spent half happy boy, half cranky boy.  Last week some time his 5th tooth came in.  I'm thinking that number 6 isn't too far behind with the way he's acting.  Only time will tell.  The boy actually went down for the night (almost) by 7:45.  He woke up for a few minutes around 8, but only long enough to fuss his annoyance at being awake, roll over, grab Trey and go back to sleep.  I know those wakeups.  I get them all the time.
Well, it's now almost 10:00 and I've got a very full day ahead of me.  Here's hoping it all goes well.  I'm off to bed to crash.
Peace to all and may time not fly too fast and the celebrations be good ones!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Mixed Emotions

Well, today so far has been a success.  I managed to get out of the house on time.  I managed to find the plant entrance with only a bit of minor confusion.  The training session, once it started, was great.  There was a lot of good conversation and I could see the light bulbs lighting up frequently and often.  That made me feel good.
It's weird though.  I miss my son and husband horribly.  It's been almost 24 hours since I've held my boy and well over 12 since I said goodbye to my husband.  I wish I could scoop up my boy in my arms and hold him tight and snuggle up to my husband.
But....
I'm actually enjoying the thought of having a night "off" for the first time in I'm not sure how long.... I think some time this fall I had an evening out with Kat and Scott, but I don't exactly remember when that was.  The last time Gak and I had an evening without Boo was in December when we went to go see Trans Siberian Orchestra.  The last time it was just the two of us for the evening was in September for Gak's birthday.
This is where the mixed emotions come to play.  I miss my boys horribly, but I like having some time off.
Anyhow, I'm going to quick check my work email and then turn into mush in front of the TV for a while.  I'll call my boys in a little bit before Boo's bedtime.  I miss his smile so much.  At least I have plenty of pictures on my computer.
Peace to all and may your hearts be happy and full.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorials, Memories and Mush

Yes, I know that's an odd title to the post, but I think it fits.
Today is Memorial Day.  I know I don't think about it enough or thank them enough.  We owe so much to those who serve, both on the national level in the armed forces and as civilians in supporting roles, but to the local police, fire, EMT and others who give their time, and possibly their lives to make our communities better, safer and healthier.  I am thankful to every one of you, even if I don't say it often enough.
So, that's the memorials part.
Memories.  Today Boo is 51 weeks old.  I've spent a good portion of today remembering.  This time last year I was both looking forward to, and dreading, what was about to happen.  I couldn't wait to finally meet this little life that had been growing in my belly for so long at this point.  I was also somewhat terrified of the whole birth process and worrying, like every new parent, if I would be able to make it without making too many "big" mistakes.  Well, so far I think we've done pretty well.  That's not to say we haven't had a few bumps here and there, but Boo has made being parents so much easier than it could be.
I came across a quote a few weeks back.  I don't remember where I saw it, or who originally said it but... "parenting is easy until you try and do something else at the same time."  If that isn't true, I don't know what is.  It is so easy most of the time to play with and teach and take care of my son, but heaven forbid I try and get something else accomplished.  Like the dishes.  Or the Laundry.  Or even a nap of my own.
But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Gak and I are so very blessed to have such a wonderful little boy in our lives.
And I can't believe he turns one in 6 days!  Where has the time gone???  (It also seems weird that he's only been with us for a year... it's hard to imagine our lives without him.)

But.... a lot of my brain is mush right now.  There is just so much going on in it that I think it's about to leak out my ear.
Most of what's turning my brain into mush is work or work related.  No, I don't have anything else.  I had put some thoughts on paper on Friday, but never got them published, or even typed for that matter.  I've had this really crappy attitude lately and I'm really hoping this two week absence from the office will help.  It just seems that whenever I come up with something or think that things may be worked out in the best interest of all parties involved, something happens and I feel like another 1-ton brick has been dropped on me.  It doesn't help when I've heard "if you keep going this way, you're heading right for disaster" several times in the last two weeks from the business manager.  He means well, he really does.  And I know it is nothing short of the truth, but I'm trying to work with them, come up with something that will benefit all of us, not just provide a short-term solution to a long-term problem.  (The short-term solution is to get rid of me and get someone better in place... but that doesn't help when you take into account all the knowledge I'd be taking with me and how long it'll take for anyone new to not only come up to speed but to gain any rapor with the customers....  And of course, it doesn't help me in the slightest.)
This is one of those rare times when I wish Gak made 70-80 K a year and I could just walk away and pick up a part time job somewhere just to get me out of the house for a bit and to bring in a little extra cash.
But then reality sinks in and I realize how unhappy everyone would be in that situation.  Oh well... I can dream can't I?

Of course, it doesn't help my mood that I just put my boy to bed and I won't see his awake, happy face again until Wednesday evening.  It breaks my heart.  Of course, I'm not sure what hurts more... knowing I won't get to see him for two whole days or knowing that he and his Poppa will be fine without me.  Yes, Gak, you will be fine.  The boy listens to you better than me half the time anyhow... and he's used to not seeing me as much as you.  If you ever go away for a few days, I'm sure it'll be tougher on the boy.... especially once he's weaned.  Then I really won't count for as much.  (No, I'm not saying that I'm worthless and useless... he does ask for his Momma and recognizes me when I got to pick him up at school and his whole face lights up.  I do have a huge role in his life, but sometimes, I wonder if this is how most dad's feel.....)
Bah, this is more depressing talk.  See, I told you my brain was mush.
Anyhow, I'm going to go make myself feel better by going and grabbing my peach cobbler.  The peaches were perfect before I made it, so hopefully they'll be even better.  And then I think I'll go beat things up in Norrath for a bit.

Peace to all and may the direction you want to go and the direction you're pushed be almost the same.

p.s. No new pics... they're still on the camera.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thursday What?


Oops, it looks like it's Thursday already and I've left my 3 loyal readers in a lurch.  I'm sorry.  I don't know where the week has gone, but it's not here any more.
Last we left this saga I was avoiding talking about work and telling you all about the wonderful weekend we had.
Well, I'm still not sure if I'm ready to share work related stuff.  Suffice to say, there are things in the works and if even half of it goes my way, I'll be a much happier camper.  I get the feeling my boss isn't opposed to my ideas and his boss probably won't be either.  It's whether the people above them and HR go for it.  I've got my fingers crossed, although HR has proven sticky in the past... and I'm sure it's going to be worse now if only for the whole economic situation.  (Our production group was "right sized" by 5 individuals on Tuesday... is it just me or is "right sized" more of an insult than "layed off"?  That makes it sound like they were just excess fat or something... they're actually very hard working people who got the short end of the stick.)

Anyhow, I'm both glad and sad that this week is drawing to a close.  I'm sad because it means that I'm that much closer to having to spend my first night without my boys in almost a year.  There have been a couple of times where either I or Gak and I were out and someone else put Boo to bed, but I was always there the next day.  This time, I'll be putting him to bed Monday night and not being able to see him until Wednesday evening (hopefully) or even Thursday morning!  I'm so not looking forward to that.
But, on the good side of things....  Monday is a holiday and then Thursday through the next Wednesday I'll be on vacation!  So, yeah, I've got two two-day weeks ahead of me.  I'm looking forward to that let me tell you!
We've got a full week planned though.  Gak's mom, Nana, arrives here the afternoon of the 28th (Thursday).  Sunday the 31st is Boo's first birthday party!  Monday June 1st is his birthday.  (EEP!! can it really be that soon??? *PANIC*)  Nana will be here with us through June 6th.  Hopefully in that time we'll get a chance to go get 1-year Boo pictures and maybe do a few other fun things.  I am beginning to think this vacation will be more work than work! Oh well, it should be an adventure at any rate.

Well, I'd better wrap this up.  Oh, enjoy the cute picture of Aunt Michelle and Boo from Sunday.  Mom sent me pictures the other day.

Peace to all and may your weeks be good and time behave itself.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Wonderful Weekend!

I'm seriously about to crash and use my keyboard as a pillow, but I just couldn't keep from posting about this weekend until tomorrow.  Tomorrow I'll talk about the work drama.... maybe.... if there's anything new.
Anyway, this is supposed to be about our wonderful weekend visit with Michelle.
Michelle got up here about 9:30 or so Friday night.  She would have been up much earlier if she hadn't hit every possible traffic snarl between here and D.C.  It was sooooooo good to see her.  We hadn't had a chance to get together since Labor Day and we've missed each other!  Since she got up here so late Friday, it was a pretty low key evening just catching up.  Boo was already in bed of course, but that didn't stop her from watching him sleep for a bit.  (He is even cuter asleep if that's possible!)
Saturday was a busy and fun-filled day.  Poor Gak had to work.  We sent him in by his lonesome.  You see, it was "Art's Alive" here in town and therefore parking, and just getting to the apartment, was fun.  After a bit of a lazy start to the morning Michelle, Boo and I brave the threatening weather and go down to the street below to check out the goodies.  I wasn't quite as impressed as I had been in years past.  There were some neat things, but nothing screamed "take me home!" this year.  That's good, because as much as I like buying handmade items, I just don't have room for many more.  (Although, if anyone cares, I'm looking for a nice, handmade pottery syrup pitcher.  Just big enough to warm some syrup in the microwave for a couple of people...)  Michelle did find a very nice stone and silver necklace as a thank you to her aunt Eileen for giving her a place to live while she was searching for a job and during her training.  I think it was very nice of Michelle to think of Eileen.  Of course, Michelle is that kind of person.  And so is Eileen.
The afternoon was spent eating kettle corn in front of a movie (well, about halfway through Michelle and Boo both decided it was nap time...).  Of course, Boo decided it was nap time about 10 minutes before his dadda walked in the door.  That's OK.  After nap time we all head out to Red Robin for dinner and then to Target afterwards.  I had brought some food for the boy with me, but decided that since he'd eaten hamburger for me at home, we'd try it out.  I figured worst case scenario is that we'd take it home and someone else would eat it later.  Well, let me tell you.  That boy ended up eating just shy of half of his burger (no bun mind you) and a few bites of fries.  I think that's about as much as my 8-year-old niece Zoe eats on a good day!  I really am impressed by my good eating boy.  Here's hoping I can just convince him he still likes veggies as he gets older.  I figure at least one of us should like them.
I think Michelle was out to spoil her nephew rotten.  (I don't know why... she's got 3 nephews and 2 nieces by blood, and another on the way....)  I think she bought fully half a summer wardrobe and some really cool trucks.  Gak and I picked up one of his birthday presents as well.
Sunday was more shopping.  We met GrammaSue down at ToysRUs near her house.  We found a really cool push-behind truck for PopPop to give Boo for his birthday.  We also picked up some MegaBlocks.  Since it was about lunchtime, we went to Michael's for lunch.  Then we went to Michael's to pick up some more flowers for Mom's front "garden" and to look at cake pans.  We decided to get the giant half a cupcake pan.  It was either that or the castle.  As cool as the castle looks, I'm thinking we'll get just a bit more use out of the cupcake.  You can turn a cupcake into any occasion... a castle is a little more limited.
We then went over to the Mall.  Aunt Michelle just had to buy Boo some more clothes, including some more overalls.  (I of course had to pick up another pair for him as well... both of which have dinos on them.)  Shortly after this it was time for Michelle to go and Boo needed another nap.

Let me tell you, saying good by at the exit was really hard.  This time we know it'll be at least 6 months before we'll get to see each other.  And there's just so much between now and then.  She's got all this moving and packing to do and a new job in Canada to settle into for the next two years.  I'm looking forward to visiting her though.  Ottawa isn't too horrible of a drive away.  This just means Boo and Gak need to get their passports.  I've got mine.  It already has a lot of Canada stamps.

And no, I was a bad Momma.  I didn't take out my camera at all this weekend.  Michelle got a few good ones and so did GrammaSue.  Hopefully one of them will email them to me so I can share.

It was a good weekend, even if parts of it were a little bittersweet because we all knew this was a rare moment for the next several years.  I'm so excited for Michelle though.  It should prove to be an interesting ride for a while.

Well, I'd better go before I crash into the keyboard.  Peace to all and may your weekends be good ones.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Well..... Bird Poo

Well, I think I've been standing still for more than my "15 minutes".  (This is one of the signs at the NJ Aquarium in the bird and hippo room.... Little did I know how appropriate it would be this week...)

Let me be blunt, because there's no way to sugar coat this one.  I'm in trouble at work and I'm not sure that there's a good way out.  You see, I haven't been doing my "job" to the best of my abilities (or barely the worst of my abilities some days) recently.  And by this I mean the training portion of my job.  Quite frankly, right now, I suck at it big time.  I don't want to do it, I don't like it and it shows.  Where I want to be and where the job needs me to be are almost diametrically opposed.  (I'll be impressed if I spelled that right without the spell check...)
After the stresses of last month, I've hit a brick wall with the service part of my job (which may or may not even really be in my job description...)  It shows.  The wall in service is a temporary thing.  I'll get past it in another few days once this cold clears and I can get a nap.  I still probably won't be performing at the top of my game, but I think that's more a reflection on the whole situation, not the service work.
Why am I telling you this now?  Well, it stemmed from a conversation yesterday with the business manager.  To make a long story short, it's in his best interest if I "resign my position".  Yep, that's right.  He wants me to quit.  Admittedly he's willing to give me 6-8 weeks (or however long HR will let him) to still work here and try and find something else.  He even suggested they "may" hire me back as a contractor.
If you ask me, the whole thing stinks to high heaven.
What am I going to do about this?  I haven't a clue yet.  It's a good thing I've started getting my resume together though.  Unlike some people around here, I haven't had head-hunters looking to steal me from here.  (Of course, my resume isn't out there anywhere at the moment.... but not even hints from customers.... and I know customers have made offers to at least one other person here...)
What I am trying to do is come at this rationally.  See what's in my, and my family's best interests.  In this case, company be damned.  As much as I like and respect this company and this product, at this stage of the game, I've got to do what's right for us.
So, that's where things stand.  I'd better get back to work before I get yelled at again.  Of course, I would deserve it because I'm not actually working and I'm at work.  (My attention span has been shorter than a gnat's lately..... and people have noticed...)

Peace to you all and may you not be placed between a rock and a hard place without a good climbing rope or a map.

P.S.  I did spell diametrically correctly the first time!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day

Today was my first "real" Mother's Day.  This time last year I was somewhat patiently waiting for Boo's arrival.  I didn't look back in the archives, but I think last year Mom came up here and we spent a good bit of the day getting the room ready and the like.  It sounds about right at any rate.
Today was a mostly good day.  Mind you, by Saturday morning I felt like I'd been run over by a bus and probably have whatever Boo is trying to fight off.  It's not fun.  I am feeling much better today though.
First off, a belated thank you to my brother and Becca!  You see that little graphic over there on the right of the three of us?  Well, Jon got that turned into a mouse pad for me for Mother's Day.  It's really great.  I've got it at work.
Yesterday I muddled my way through most of the day while Gak was at work.  We managed to get the laundry done without Boo having a meltdown.  He even let me fold his clothes for a change!  He fought long and hard against a nap, finally going down about 12:30 or 1-ish.  He woke up just in time for us to go pick up his Dadda from work.  After work, Gak and Boo went shopping.  I told them that I had two requests: that they be gone at least an hour so I could get a nap and to bring back something I didn't have to put in the oven for dinner.  They did excellently on both these counts.  They also picked up a few very nice things for Mother's Day.  Friday, Gak had gotten me a half-dozen of the chocolate "cupcakes" from Cold Stone Creamery.  This would have been plenty.  But, the boys also got me a nifty little hairband that's got a pewter Celtic knot on it and a brand new wolf T-shirt.  There was a time when I had enough wolf T-shirts I could wear one a day for almost two weeks without repeating.  I think this may be one of two that I own now.  It's really cool.  (The dinner they brought back was wings from Pep's Poultry at the Q-mart.  There were a half pound each of teryaki and honey BBQ.  Both good, but a smokey BBQ would have been nice with the teryaki.)
Today was good.  I didn't really manage to sleep in, but that's OK.  Boo woke up with smiles.  We only gave him the Benedryl 2 nights.  Neither night did it seem to make a difference, so we gave up fighting with Boo about it.)  We all left the house at a little before 9 for an Adventure!  We went down to GrammaSue and PopPop's and all trekked down to Camden to go to the Aquarium.  This was the first time in almost 10 years that I'd been there and there have been about 3 name and management changes since then.
The aquarium was nice.  It's not as breathtaking as Monterey or as well setup and nice as Baltimore, but it was a good aquarium.  It was packed though.  You see, they were having a half-price special today for Mother's Day.  (Which was good because I didn't want to feel like I'd "wasted" my money if Boo got fussy way too quickly.)  Apparently everyone thought it was a great idea.  I don't blame them.  I just wish some of them had stayed home or done outside things.  (It was beautiful today!)  There were some parents I just wanted to whomp upside the head and some adults were just plain rude... *sigh*  you'll have this.  boo was very good and seemed to enjoy himself.  Especially once we realized he must be starving because it was almost noon and he'd had breakfast at about 7:15!  Gak and I think that we may just head back in the fall after school is back in session in the middle of the week.  It'll hopefully be less crowded and we'll actually get to see more and take some more time and not feel so rushed.  Yes, there are pictures, just not very many good ones.
We had another mini-adventure just getting back to GrammaSue and PopPop's.  You see, 676 was even more backed up than usual so I decide to take an alternate route.  Well, my GPS didn't like that too much and keeps trying to get me back onto 676 or the Schuylkill (Sure-Kill).  Both are a mess and I want to avoid them.  Then, when I finally get close to home and I decide to "cut the corner" there's a detour.  Instead of doing the smart thing and turning around and just going back to 30, I follow the detour and add another 15 minutes on to the trip.  Luckily Boo was just waking up when we were about 5 minutes from the house.
He happily played for quite a bit while the beef stew mom had put in the crockpot bubbled away.  He got supper fussy right before dinner, so we put him up on GrammaSue and PopPop's bed.  Mind you, we'd done this several times before with no incident.  Well, apparently Boo didn't want to go to sleep and ended up rolling out of the bed with a loud crash.  Yep, my boy has officially fallen out of bed now.  He has the bump to prove it.  Luckily he didn't fall anywhere near the bedside tables (he had been in the middle both width- and height-wise).  He eventually stopped screaming bloody murder and was happy boy again.  We took this as a cue to leave.
So, we came home and the boy slept in the car until we got to the grocery store.  We made a quick trip of that (actually, Boo and Gak ran back out to the car with a major diaper and I quickly ran through the store...)  Boo got fussy and cranky and wanted bed by about 7:40, but isn't actually asleep yet and it's now almost 8:30.  Oh well.  He's not screaming at the moment.
And to make the day even more interesting, it looks like all of Station 18 is parked outside my apartment.  I have no idea what's going on.  No one appears to be doing anything and all I can smell is the diesel fumes from the trucks.  *Shrug* who knows, just more adventures for an already packed day.
Anyhow, new pictures up on Flickr.
I don't want to go to work tomorrow... but I've got to.

Peace to all and may your adventures be fun and you not roll out of bed.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Hacking Through the Week

It's been a long week of not much sleep for this ratling.  At least it's not quite gray today.
I haven't slept well all week.  Of course, it's not all my fault.  You see, last Friday or so Boo started coughing a lot again.  He often coughs during the day, but nothing major.  He's been pretty snotty recently too.  I just figured it's been an allergy kind of reaction.  I know my reaction to everything in the air hasn't been too pleasant the last few weeks.
Well, the cough started to be overnight as well and enough to more or less wake the boy on several occasions each night.  (Actually, I think I woke up more than he did... or at least he wasn't fussing about being awake.)  So, Gak decided (and I agreed) that the boy should go see the doctor yesterday.  Well, he was tired and fussy and out of sorts.  He's been eating just fine.  He has no fever or other signs of illness other then a general snotty-ness and a rattly cough.  He screamed his little lungs out for Dr. M.  So, obviously his lungs are clear.  Her evaluation: a good bit of snot and post-nasal drip is causing the cough.  Give him .5 tsp kids Benedryl before bed to help him sleep through the night.  Probably a cold.  Come back in a week.
So, we have an appointment for next Thursday morning.  I dutifully gave him the meds before bed.  (Trust me, he did not want them.)  Well, Benedryl usually knocks me on my butt and lets me sleep like well... I would say a baby but the baby isn't sleeping well right now.  Yes, I gave him the dye-free stuff.  No, he didn't sleep a wink better then he has in the last week.  Neither did I.
Ugh.  This chronic sleep deprivation thing is worse than the occasional all-nighter.  Usually then your reserves aren't shot to begin with.  Here's hoping I get a nap tomorrow.

Anyhow, it's been a week at work as well.  I'm both excited and dreading some training the day after Memorial Day.  You see, one of the plants out near Knoebels wanted training.  "Great!" I thought.  I'll get them to do it on a Monday or a Friday and the three of us can head out the day before (or stay a day longer) and have a little fun.  Well, my plan backfired on me a bit.  They want the training for two days and the 26th and 27th.  Unfortunately, GrammaSue can't take the entire time off and neither can Gak.  So, instead of a fun family trip, I get to take my first trip away from my boy.  That's the dread part.  I know he'll be fine.  I hope Gak will be fine.  I hope we've got the cough under control by then and Boo isn't waking up in the middle of the night.  There are some times that only a bit of a nurse will get him calmed back down and asleep.  But... that's what bottles are for, just need to make sure to have one ready before everyone goes to bed.  The good thing is that it's very close and since I won't be flying there is no issue about transporting milk.  The more important good thing is that I start a week of vacation when I get back from the plant.  I'm so looking forward to that.  Nana, Gak's mom, will be arriving on the 28th as well.
Oh, that brings me to another point.  Boo's first birthday party.  We've got the plans almost in place.  We know the location, some of the logistics.  Look for an invitation soon and if you don't get one but want one, let me know!  (The good news is that Andy and MonkeyBaby are going to be on the East Coast and are coming!!  I can't wait, I don't think I've seen Andy since my wedding and MonkeyBaby will be 2 at the end of the month and this is the first I'll get to see her!)

In the short term though, this weekend is Mother's Day and we're going to the aquarium over in Camden.  Next weekend Aunt Michelle will be coming up for a visit and it's "Art's Alive" in town.  That'll be fun.

Well, I'd better actually get back to work.  This is a 7-4 day (if I can actually escape at 4, that hasn't happened yet...).

Peace to all and may your sinuses be clear, your nights full of sleep and your weekends fun.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Gray

Well, it's Wednesday already and it looks like I fell off the planet again.  Mostly it's because this has been a hard week for me to get motivated to do anything.  I haven't been motivated at work.  I've not been especially motivated to do much at home either.
Of course, part of this is because Gak threw off my Monday.  He wasn't feeling all that great Sunday afternoon and by Monday evening he was miserable.  (Amazingly, he was doing much, much better yesterday.)  So, instead of going out gaming, he came home.  I had been looking to a quiet hour or two with the house "all to myself" after Boo went to bed.  Well, that didn't happen.  Instead, I have a somewhat grumpy hubby camped out on the sofa.  Admittedly he watched whatever I had on the TV (Good Eats).  But, he was sprawled out on the couch, that's my job on a Monday evening.  It didn't bother me enough then to make him move, but it must have been something because here it is Wednesday morning and I'm still grumbling about it.  I guess it's that I don't really get much alone time anymore.  Sure, I get about 45 minutes to an hour most mornings, but even then not always because some mornings Gak wakes up when I do.... well, after I do but well before I have to actually get moving for the day.
Oh well.  It's just a grumble.  The constantly gray weather since Thursday or so hasn't helped me any.  This is why I could never live in Alaska... there are times when I'm just too weather sensitive.

Anyhow, work continues.  I've got a few things in the fire there that may turn out interesting.  I had lunch with my buddy Don and he definitely thinks I should keep my options open and start looking.  He also said he wanted to go talk to the manager and see about him taking over the training gig.  He was serious at the time, but I think he's come to see that might not be a great idea over the last few days... although, it would be fun having him around managing the whole training thing.  What I really wish we had was a project manager for training and more than just me (and George, who's contract expires soon :( ) who were qualified and able to do the training.  I just need someone higher than me to give me much more direction than: provide training to the customers.  I don't do well with that little direction.  I get sidetracked way too easil... ohh... shiny!

See!

Anyhow, I've got to get dressed and out the door.  It's an early day for me.  Maybe it'll be nice enough to get a walk in with Boo this evening.  Ahh... who am I kidding... it'll probably be raining again by then.  Bah.

Peace to all and may your give-a-damn not be busted.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

11 Months!


Well, Boo turned 11 months old yesterday.  It was a bit of a gray, rainy, cranky evening, so we didn't take dragon pictures yesterday.  Instead, we took them today!  Boo was a happy boy most of the day, except for when it was time to nap in the afternoon.  He didn't really get an afternoon nap, so he crashed really, really early.  That's OK though, when he does that he still usually sleeps through or almost through.  I can live with that.

I just wanted a quick update to show off the pictures from the photo shoot.  No, we didn't go over to the park today.  The ground was too wet from yesterday to take dragon with us.  I would love to get some outside pictures with dragon.  Maybe later this month or for the big One Year photo shoot next month

Uh... did I just type that??

Yes, yes I did.

Don't mind me while I panic about getting some kind of party together (it's just going to be a small thing I hope...) and sit here in shock at the same time wondering where in the world the past year has gone.

Well, I don't have much else to say other than I survived the last day of reporting month.  I also survived my "annual" review.  The whole process takes almost 6 months to complete I think some years.  We have to submit our part of the review process by the end of the year.  Then, it goes to our manager's manager for review and then back to our manager.  We're supposed to have the discussion about it by the end of March.  Obviously that didn't happen (and rarely does).  It went about as well as I expected.  I knew 2008 was an off year for me, even taking into account being pregnant and being out 12 weeks with Boo.  (Which was way more important to me than work at any rate...)  It was a rough year with little managerial support and no real support from the rest of the service group either.  I've definitely decided that I am not management material.  I kick butt when it comes to managing lots of little, short term projects given to me.  I'm a great tech and a great instructor.  I can do well developing a program once someone else has defined it.  I really don't do so well with the rest of the whole management thing.  I don't have the skill set or, more importantly, the mindset to be able to pull it off.  I'd do almost anything to just be back to being just a tech or just a trainer again.  
Oh well, it won't happen.  We don't have the support of the rest of the group in order to pull it off.  This past year is proof of that.  If we'd had the knowledgeable people who were willing to do the training, then this past year wouldn't have been quite so bad.  I've got one other person in the department who is competent enough to do it and who's been very willing, and his contract expires the middle of the month (I hope and pray the higher ups above our business clear him getting hired... we can't afford to loose him.  I've got one other who's somewhat willing and somewhat competent.  That's it out of a department of 8 or 10 people.  That's not enough to have training management fall to someone else and all of us take a hand at it.  (50-60% travel is too much to ask of almost anyone, especially if they have a family!)

Anyhow, I was going to keep this brief and not go off on yet another work related rant.  This weekend looks like it should be a good, if low key one compared to last weekend.  Next weekend will be fun.  We're going to the NJ aquarium for Mother's Day.  They're running a half-price special which means it'll be crowded to no end, but that's OK.  At half price if Boo gets overwhelmed and tired of it all in a short time, I won't feel like we've wasted a lot of money.

I'm off to get some ice cream out of the freezer and enjoy my evening.

Peace to all and may you have good weekends and your kids and loved ones not grow up too fast!