As Close to Heaven

Last night, after my first day at the new job, wading through my tax stuff, sending a credit app for a second car, and sadly kissing Hubs good bye on his way out to work.... Belly was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I went and stretched out next to him in bed, he curled his arms around me and tucked his head just under my chin, and I realized that moment must be the closest thing to heaven on earth. To be able to comfort someone who wants nothing more than *you*, and to lose the stress of the day in just one hug. Truly amazing.

Mrs Me Goes to Springfield

I'll be in Springfield for a few days to gather support of HB 3925, which will expand the Safe Haven law in IL. Read all about it here
It's exciting for me because I actually enjoy politics and seeing how everything works (or in some cases, doesn't work) within our government. And, being the lover of history that I am, I enjoy visiting places like the Lincoln Presidential Museum.
Since I was always working when these trips came up before, I took advantage of my jobless state and agreed to go. AND it gave me a perfect excuse to put off starting the new job right away :)
Now, I'm off to use my extensive powers of persuasion on our state reps, enjoy working with my friends, and continue saving the world, one baby at a time.

On Being Thankful

Got the self pity out of the way last night. Had to. Wasn't looking at it the right way, a cognitive mistake, that's all. I'm better now, really. Thankful. Optimistic. I swear it.
Well, this helps, too.

On Starting Over

I got the job today, the one where my friend will be my boss. Ironically, THAT isn't what I'm having problems with. We're adults, and professional adults at that - I'm sure we'll be fine. It's the starting over thing. Going from having my own office and lots of flexibility to sharing an office with 10 people and having zero seniority. From being the one who answered questions to being the one asking them. And the pay cut - did I mention the pay cut? Yeah, to the tune of $16K. Ouch. To be fair, since my severance ran out a week and a half ago, technically I make nothing now, so maybe I should look at is as a BIG increase. And I'm trying to, I really am. I'm sooo trying to stay positive. My friend warned me before I went in there, he said, "The place is a dump." Sure, coming from where I was before, everything else looks like a dump. He said he was worried that I'd be unhappy with the pay, and I assured him I'd be okay. They called me half an hour after I left the interview to offer me the position. They said they knew I was looking for more money than that, and said they're willing to re-negotiate in a few months. I should be happy - so why do I feel like crying?

Meh.

That's how I feel. Blah. Bleh.
Meh.
Got to wait until August to start school.
Got to wait for Hubs to get up to finish the bathroom tile.
Got to wait for the economy to shore up to get a job.
Got to replace the dead microwave.
Got to get the dogs rabies shots.
I'm feeling like everything is a big To Do list.

But I *am* going to see How to Be this weekend, and I have a dinner date tonight, and Daimean's doing a reading at family mass this weekend (don't start, I still hate organized religion, but they offer a much better school than the public ones that my tax dollars do) so okay, maybe I'm just feeling down.

*glances at calendar*

Nope. It's PMS. Ahhh, so that explains it! Guess I'll be back to normal in a few days then. Please, carry on with what you were doing prior to coming and getting engulfed in my whining.

Something OId Does Something New

Allow me to tell you what I learned about snowboarding....
1) it's harder than it looks
2) kids are much, much better than grown ups
3) it's freakin expensive - not a sport for us poor inner-city kids
4) it's the most fun you'll ever have on a frozen hill

So, for my birthday this year I wanted to try something different. I'm not sure where the idea came from, as I hate cold weather and normally opt to stay inside. Methinks my husband suggested it at some point and then once I decided, I would not be swayed. It was a balmy 20 degrees, maybe 5 or 10 when you factor in the windchill. We had SO much fun though! Now I'm totally going to be buying some used equipment so we can do this again.
Belly was fearless. And he was great. D was the first to really wipe out, and as he lay on the frozen ground with his board at an unnatural angle away from his body, he threw a thumbs up and yelled, "That was awesome!"
Yep, that about sums it up.

An Ode to Parenting, In 2 Acts

Act 1
Setting: Kids room, getting ready for bed
Time: Evening

Son: But I'm starving! I can't go to bed, I'm too hungry!
Mom: You already ate dinner and a snack. Get in bed. Now.
Son: But I didn't get to play with my toys! Or play Wii! Or take over Canada!
Mom grabs TV remote and switches to "Supernanny". Kids are transfixed.
Mom: You are not the boss here, mister. If you don't start following directions, I will have that mean fat lady come over here and whip you into shape. Now, do you want that?


Act 2
Setting: Kitchen, mom is making breakfast
Time: Mid-morning, today

Son: Hey mom, what do you think would make a good Saturday morning, pre-breakfast snack?
Mom: Sunday
Son: You think I should have a sundae before breakfast?!
Mom: No, sweetie. The day. It's Sunday.
Son: Wha... how...? Time is playing dirty tricks on me!