I'm Such A Liar!!

Said I'd be here yesterday and I lied! Well, didn't really lie....circumstances and complications were such that I didn't actually end up coming to work yesterday. Bureaucratic red tape concerning a doctor's note clearing me to come back to work. My departure from work was such a mess, why should my return be any neater??!!

So I had planned to do some great, return post.....not sure about what. I could write a novel about the past 3 months of my life, but I was going to try to do something interesting. But if I have learned nothing else lately, it is that plans are pointless. Especially when you have four kids ages 5 and under----two of which are completely dependant and NOISY and DEMANDING (albeit adorable.)

Anyway, since I made the grand announcement that I would be back, I thought I should at least come back and say "hello" and "I've missed you" and one of these days I'll try to really be back.

I know my Mom has been doing regular twin updates so you shouldn't be completely in the dark about what's been going on in my world lately. Just tell me one thing: Are those twin baby girls not the most adorable little things in the world?!!? (I may be a little biased, but come on!! )

I write this at work while I sit eating a Chipotle burrito (my favorite thing in the world to eat which I was denied my entire pregnancy because of what it did to my digestive system), and drinking coffee and diet Pepsi in a desperate attempt to keep myself awake (which I have found is much more difficult to do while staring at a computer rather than running around like some wild crazy lady at home).

I'm hoping one of these days soon life will feel "normal" and "controlled" again. But probably not. In the meantime, I hope there are some people who still check on me now and then. I promise I will try to be here on a more regular basis from here on out. (Providing I have no more 3 month absences from the outside world!)

It's good to be back in the land of the living--so to speak!!

The good news? Hubby got a job.

The bad news? I’m still full time and am now dealing with the hassle and expense of daycare for the kidlings. The job came rather quickly and unexpectedly after several months of nothing so all of a sudden I was in a mad rush to locate someone….anyone (within reason of course) who would watch my kids without breaking the bank. Forget a formal daycare setting. Every single daycare I looked into within a 30 mile radius was going to cost me almost my entire check to put them in….and that’s part time (because my mom can still watch them in the afternoons). I checked with father-in-law who is a school teacher. I thought to myself, “Self….here is a great solution. FIL can watch them until noon in the mornings since it’s summer and he should be off, then mom can pick them up on her way home. What could be better than having grandma and grandpa watching them on the same day?!” I should have known better. This is a man who so immerses himself in his students and his work during the school year that we’re lucky if we can find one single weekend out of the entire year that he can watch them or help us out. Nope. FIL teaches a summer band in the mornings. So I said to him, “Hypothetically speaking, what if my mom were able to switch her schedule to afternoons and she could watch them in the mornings, you in the afternoons?”

“Uh, well, I’m probably going to be doing some house painting in the afternoons
for some extra money so I can’t commit to anything regularly. I can look
at my schedule and help you out when
I can.”

Well, gee, thanks, but I think I need to have something more set in stone for my kids than “maybe I can help you now and then.”

I checked with a friend (Jennifer) from church who has watched them before; we exchange play dates with her kids and they have a great time together. Last week she was preparing for a wedding this past Saturday. Next week she’s going on vacation. She can possibly help some this week (that we are currently in). I check with Sandy. Who better to have watch my kids than Feisty’s best friend?! Even better, she has a son just one year younger than Anakin and they get along great. Sandy had just committed to working her other job that week and after that would be leaving on vacation.

“But what about Ginger?” she says.

“Ahhh….Ginger,” I say to myself. “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Ginger is a stay-at-home mom who has one little girl Care Bear’s age. She’s rather new to our church and gotten very involved. I call Ginger. Ginger, thankfully, can watch them last Monday and Tuesday. A little relief. That gives me a few more days to figure out what to do with the rest of the week and beyond.

First day to Ginger’s goes fine. Granted, getting the kids up at the crack of dawn was no picnic, but they were pretty good and I assured Care Bear that, “Yes, you can sleep on the way to Ginger’s house.” Feisty even did great, which I was utterly shocked at. The following day was more what I expected. Fits at what clothes to wear, who was going to sit where in the car, and screams of, “I wanna stay home with you, Mama!!”. I knew it was too good to be true.
Then came the 4th of July. A day off, but not without the stress of figuring out where they were going to go the next two days. Then it occurred to me that my cousin was in town with her two boys, Care Bear’s age and 18 months. Perfect. They can play together for awhile and it’ll be someone they can feel comfortable with and who I am comfortable leaving them with. Cousins says, “Sure I can do that!” But there was a mis-communication. I thought we had arranged for Thursday and Friday; she thought Thursday only. Crap. Back to square one. I ended up having to take the morning off on Friday.

Over the weekend I continued to stress, lose sleep, stress, have bad dreams, stress, eat midnight snacks and have some slight indigestion over what was going to become of my children over the next several weeks until school starts.

Sunday, I hit Jennifer up again. This was the week that I thought Jennifer said she would be able to help me out.

“Well, the girls have swimming lessons this week. I can probably help
Thursday and Friday because I can take them to Bible Study on Thursday and then
the weekly park playdate on Friday. I can possibly help on Tuesday and
Wednesday, but definitely not tomorrow.”

It’s about at this point in time that I’m ready to say “Screw the full time job. This is causing too much stress and will cost too much money.” I end up calling my last resort. Not last resort because I don’t think it’s something suitable for the kids, just last resort because it’s so far south of where I need to be heading, probably more $$ than I want to pay, and a completely unfamiliar environment for the kids. For Care Bear and Anakin that’s not as big an issue. But for Feisty, who has never been cared for by anyone other than Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and Sandy (and FIL once a year), this is a major, huge adjustment. But at this point I had no choice. It is more than I want to pay, and it’s too far away, and Feisty was breaking my heart when I dropped them off, but I don’t know what else to do. There is a teenager in our church who is going to college in the fall who may be an option (less expensive and can come to my home) for the rest of the summer, but she is currently on vacation. So, we’ll see.

In the meantime, I continue to have restless nights, annoying dreams and I fear I am getting an ulcer. I just wish things were the way they were before. And I thought life was complicated then. The grass isn’t always greener……
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So, this post wasn’t so random after all. But I do have one random thing to mention. Wanna know what my new, extremely weird obsession is? Picking weeds. Ever since I weeded my garden a few weeks ago, everywhere I go I see weeds and they drive me nuts. I pick weeds at work, at church, in the park….no weed is safe when within my line of vision. But it’s driving me nuts. Plus, I’m allergic to them. I should find a less “sneezy” obsession. I might as well just start picking fleas from cats hair. Not really.
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My dad took my kids on a hike this weekend. Check out the pics and then dare tell me I don’t have the cutest kids in the world!!

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And one more thing: Here’s a picture Care Bear drew quite awhile ago of herself that I’ve had hanging on my bulletin board forever. I have a scanner sitting right beside me now at my desk so chances of you seeing a lot more of Care Bear’s artwork in the future are pretty good.

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That’s it for me for now……anyone have any good, strong, indigestion medicine?!

The Move

So, the big move is almost complete….at least for the people in my area. There are other people in the office who are just starting and I’m happy to not be one of them. I’m happy to be settled in my new area looking out my window at the view. Of course, at this particular moment, my view is being obstructed by a large truck who is cutting down portions of the trees that were providing shade outside my window and throwing large branches into a mulching machine. I appreciate that a lot.

Here is my new spot.
It doesn’t look to impressive from this angle, but believe me, it’s significantly larger than what I had before and much more open.

The view outside my window. (I am minus two shelves that I had in my old spot which is where I used to have all of my pictures sitting….therefore I had to put my little darling’s pictures on the window ledge….grrrr…) See the mulching truck there obstructing my view?!
My co-workers are pleased that the move is over as well…..

Marilyn

Connie (and my mother in the background who stopped by to let me use her digital camera for this post…..)

My supervisor Lea who informed me that maybe I shouldn’t post her pictures on the internet because how do I know she’s not in the witness protection program?!

Not everything is done, though. Our lobby is still a mess that looks like a tornado hit it. If I were a visitor to our campus, I wouldn’t want to walk in here….

It’s a little dark and hard to get a grasp on how messy it is. To the left outside the scope of the picture is a massive amount of desks, chairs and partitions piled all over eachother.

And that is it. Hopefully now that I have completed move number five for the year, I’ll get to stay put for awhile. Cuz that would be kind of nice.

New Job Update....

I spoke to the "head honcho" in my area this morning while I was still at home. As it turns out, there are now technically two full time positions available in the office. Recently our office underwent a major overhaul by splitting into two different buildings on campus. The new building that a portion of our office is occupying is now known as the "Admissions Welcome Center". This is where tours and counseling, etc...take place. The remainder of the staff stayed where I am right now. Last week, our front desk person resigned her position. They decided to do a little "shifting" of duties. This summer, they were going to have students staffing the front desk over at the Welcome Center and send back over the counselor they stole from us who has been filling that spot for the last two months (leaving us over here seriously under-staffed). However, they have now decided (since our front desk person resigned) to have students staff the front desk over here and open a full time position over at the Welcome Center. That is the position that I was under the impression that I would be taking when I decided to go full-time. However, another person in our office (a fairly new counselor of only three months) expressed an interest in that position; which leaves her full time position over here open. (Are you following all of this??!!) It has been decided that she will go over there and I will get to keep my current position but in a full time capacity. Which is wonderful, in my opinion. I don't have to switch buildings, learn a new job, leave my co-worker/best friend whom I have worked with for ten years.....it's all coming together for the best.

Oh!! AND, AND.....my new work space is going to be about twice the size my current one is....and I get a (drumroll please....) WINDOW!!! Oh, yeah....I'm movin' on up. Next, I'm going to demand a promotion and raise....

And it's a done deal. My director came over this afternoon and made me sign a contract. There's no turning back now. My official full-time duties commence Monday May 14. Which gives me one more full week of half time to squeeze as much love, fun, kisses and hugs with my babies. And one more Bible Study. I won't get to go to my young mom's Bible Study anymore. *sigh*. You do what ya gotta do....

Oh, and by the way....the song I have currently playing here is "The Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani featuring Akon. I'm playing it in honor of my darling baby girls who squeal with delight whenever they hear it come on. They call it "the funny song" and dance around like maniacs when it's on. My Mom told me that when they were in Wal-Mart the other day, my girls saw it come on the TV in the music area of the store and Feisty looked up at the TV and said, "That's Gwen Stefani!" Cracked.Me.Up!!

Major Life Change Ahead!

Last week my supervisor offered me a full time position in my office that just became available. I have been obsessed over the past week of nothing more than the decision that I had to make as to whether or not I should take the job. There are serious pros and cons to taking the job, but the pros won and I have accepted the job. I am not sure when it starts; I believe mid-week next week.

I am heartbroken over the fact that I will not be able to be with my girls as much anymore; but I am thankful for the four years that I have had the opportunity to work part time and be with them. Care Bear starts kindergarten next year; Feisty will hopefully be going to pre-school, so I'm trying to make myself feel better by knowing that they will be doing other things other than missing mommy while I am at work. And they will still have grandma in the afternoon.

Please pray for me as I start this new chapter in my life; that I will have peace with my decision; that my children won't resent me from being away from them more than I ever have been and that I will adjust well to working 40 hours a week again. It'll be a difficult adjustment, but one that is necessary for me and my family right now.

Thanks!

The One Where I Have to Adjust---Again

Not too long ago, my Mom approached me with the idea of switching our schedules around. For those of you who may not know, my mom watches my kids when I work, which is 2.5 days a week. She asked me if there was a chance we could switch to doing half days every day saying that she feels it would be easier on her to watch them 5 half days a week as opposed to 2 full days and a half day. Initially, I didn't think this was going to fly with my office; part time jobs are few and far between and we had just arranged schedules with a fairly new person in the office, which was the reason I was uprooted not too long ago.

Surprise, surprise, my boss said she thought we could make it work. The catch being: I'll probably have to switch desks--again. No biggie....I'm used to it by now.

By the time my Mom got the go ahead from her peeps, I had plenty of time to think about this change. It's going to be a big adjustment, and if it weren't for my mom's "mental health" (no, my kids aren't insane....they haven't turned her schizo....but they are a handful), I think I would be backing out of this deal. Here are the cons:

• I will no longer...never again (after Thursday)....get an entire day alone with my daughters.
• I will no longer get to take Care Bear to pre-school.
• I will have to drive to my office (15 miles away) every day.
• I will no longer have the afternoon to myself with Feisty while Care Bear and Anakin are at school.
• I will no longer get to lounge in my jammies and fluffy socks til mid-afternoon or whenever the urge hits me to practice some personal hygiene.
• I can no longer procrastinate on doing laundry or dishes until mid-afternoon or whenever the urge hits me to practice good housekeeping skills.

I love taking Care Bear to school. I love seeing her go in to her classroom with excitement and anticipation of what the day is going to hold for her. I love watching her turn her name over on the "Who's Here" board. I love her excited face and ginormous hug when I come to pick her up. I like seeing the other moms.

I love having the afternoon with Feisty. She thrives on alone time with mama. It's rare that it happens and she takes full advantage of it...or rather me....and Care Bear's toys.

I love just being there two days a week with them. I wish I could be a full time stay at home mom and this will make me feel more like a part time mom.

This is by no means an effort to make my mom feel bad for desiring to change the schedule and it is be no means a guilt trip. My mom watches them for me out of the goodness of her heart...for free...and for that I am indebted to her indefinitely. I understand her need for good mental health. I'm just processing my thoughts on the whole thing and trying to make peace with this newest of changes in my life before it occurs next Monday. So in light of that, here are the "pros" of the change:

• I will get some adult time and conversation every day.
• When Care Bear goes to Kindergarten next year (*sob* this will be the subject of a very sappy post in the near future) I will get to take her every morning which with the current schedule would not have been possible.
• I don't have to witness their teary faces and death grips on my neck and legs when I leave them at the crack of dawn anymore (on those two full days).
• I will no longer have to set my alarm for 6:00 a.m. (just cuz I don't set the electronic alarm, however doesn't mean that my human alarms won't awake me at that time.)
• I will get to see them some of the day every day.
• I will get to take them to story time at the library on Fridays, which my mom has always done and I have always wanted to do but couldn't because I work(ed) on Friday mornings.

So starting next Monday, I will be reporting to duty every day at 12:30 sharp. Or 12:32 or 12:35 in some anonymous desk that is yet to be determined.....and in the meantime, I will enjoy my one (1) remaining full day with them on Thursday. Feel sorry for me; feel happy for my mom.

Uprooted

Due to changes in the office, I get to move my desk.....once again. I just got moved a few months ago, and I get to move again.....to a smaller desk.....that I have to share with someone. Yipee. I'm kinda bummed right now, for more than one reason. Oh, well. Hope the weekend is good for everyone. Peace.

I'm Being Honored

Honored at my job for ten years of brutal service. Just me. No one else...

OK, so I'm not the only one being honored. I'm probably among a couple hundred others, but regardless......

I had a piece of mail in my mailbox this morning when I got to work. I was going to scan it and post it here, but thought that the words might appear too small and you wouldn't be able to read it, so I'm just going to type it out.

October 13, 2006

Dear Kristen:

On the occasion of your 10 years of service to **** **** University, I am pleased to extend a sincere thank you for your fine work and commitment to this institution. The members of the **** **** University Activities Board join me in inviting you to participate in the Celebrating Service Milestons event on Thursday, November 9, 2006. All three employee groups will come together in this recognition event. An invitation will be sent to our campus community.

3:00 Awards Ceremony

4:00 All-University Reception

To recognize your years of service, you will receive a special pin upon arrival. This memento signifies our appreciation for your dedicated service to **** **** University. Your name will be published at the event. Following the ceremony is a reception in honor of you and your fellow honorees. There will be a photographer available to take a complimentary photo of you and your spouse or guest during the reception.

It is my pleasure to invite you and your family and friends to be our guests for these events. Please respond to (email address here) by October 31 to let us know whether or not you will be able to attend. If you have any questions please contact ************.

Thank you for your fine work and dedication to **** **** University. We look forward to seeing you on November 9!

Sincerely,

(President of the University)

When I started this job nearly ten years ago (ten years in January), little did I know that ten years later, I'd still be here. It's not a bad job. The benefits are good, the pay is reasonable, and they work with my schedule....I just thought by the time I was 31 years old I would be working my dream job. Maybe that dream job will never come; if not, retiring from here won't be too bad. If I'm here 25 years, I can retire with 75% of my wages.....by the time my girls graduate from high school I could be done working.....if I stick around. We'll see where life takes me in the next 15 years.

And did you see that? I get my name in the publication. I'll be famous again! Hey, it's better being famous for that than famous for this!

Have a superb weekend y'all!

I'm Famous!

So, I work at a large State University that employs approximately 7,500 people. That's a lot of people. And I am famous here, now. And not in a good way either. In a rather humiliating way.

Several years ago, about 7 years ago to be exact, I had a boyfriend. Not the man I ended up marrying. Anyway, one day he decided to be nice and brought me a large hot chocolate from Starbucks. Yes, very sweet (one of the few sweet things he ever did for me). I drank some of the hot chocolate; not all of it, it was very large, and put the rest on the shelf above my desk. I forgot about it. The weekend came. Then Monday came. Upon entering my office on Monday morning (I share an office with two other people), a most unpleasant odor wafted out of the room and made its way through the entire office. Unpleasant is putting it mildly. It more smelled like someone had yakked somewhere in a corner and had not bothered to tell anyone or clean it up. So, there we all were, first thing Monday morning, holding our noses and wishing we had gas masks, desperately trying to find the offending odor. It was not to be found. We ended up calling Facilities to bring in their equipment to try to locate what was causing the odor and "fix" the situation. We were starting to think that some animal had managed to make its way into the building and had died and was already starting to erode.

After about a half an hour of several employees of the Facilities office turning over every paper, every book and searching every corner, the offending odor was located: MY HOT CHOCOLATE!! Imagine my humiliation. In my defense, I had no idea that the hot chocolate was made with real milk! Come on! Who would've known! Of course, this has been a great story for my co-workers to share with new employees to the office.

But, here is where the famous part of the story comes in. My mom emails me yesterday and tells me she heard this story about a hot chocolate incident in which the Facilities office was required to come search the building. She says this story rings a bell: "Was that you"? She asks. I confirm that it was me. Turns out, a new employee in their office had just come back from a meeting for building proctors (of which there is one or two in every single building on campus), and relayed this story back to my mom. Apparently, the Facilities office is using this story in their training of building proctors to not be afraid to call them about anything because "we've had wierder calls...listen to this story" (and that's where my hot chocolate story comes in!)

Sooo...yeah. The entire campus knows my story. I'm infamous. And highly humiliated. Seven years and the story is still making the rounds. I feel like going into witness protection.

I now have an actual story to tell when someone asks the question, "Whats your most embarassing moment?" Yee-haw!