Current Book:Easy Money, Gail vaz-Oxlade Current Baking: Lemon Cupcakes
All right. I just looked at my last post. it was in August. That either means super slacker or crazy busy. Guess which one I was?
No, really, I was honestly insanely busy. Mid September, my husband was offered what sounded like a dream job in Saskatchewan. I pulled off an inter-provincial move in three weeks- after all, I have lots of experience doing it! We started to realize things were going downhill when the townhouse we were forced to rent sight unseen was in bad repair. I landed two jobs, picked the better paying one, and discovered that being a broker at a family owned insurance brokerage was very different then being a direct writer for a large corporation. I had felt I I'd earned my spurs, they disagreed. We parted ways with a pack of homilies mid January.
While all this was going on, Hubby was fighting the same battle at two separate companies. My niece was killed in a car accident in December, and we were fortunately on hand to help my sister out in the aftermath- making it pretty much the only reason I don't consider the move, and our subsequent move back, a complete waste. I will warn anyone planning on heading there that most employers there realize they need help- but don't want to pay the wages expected of a booming economy. It's very much an employee beware economy.
We decided to cut our losses and move back home mid February. I got back on with my old employer, and John found a job that was better then the one we moved out to SK for in the first place. We got a townhouse to handle two adults, two cats, and one small boy, and we're getting back into our groove. We've got a lot of digging to do over the next while, but I'm going to focus on my family, my garden, my baking, and getting my brain space back into happy-go-lucky me.
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
There are better gifts then surprise flowers
Current Book: Freedom's landing Current Baking: Does it look like a weekend? No.
So, I was standing in a co-workers office today envious that he had bought his wife surprise flowers. Of course, he bought them Friday, then forgot to bring them to her, and they were still moldering in his office today- but it's the thought that counts, right?
Fast forward to my arrival home, when I got pissed at the lemon piece of crap we call a desktop computer once again having a meltdown and needing to be reset. After much research and eyelash batting, \i walked away from Best Buy with a fantastic laptop, complete with warrenty, for less then 500 bucks. J decided it was time for me to have something of my own so he could play more games with less 'I need the computer' type interruptions.
Take that, co-worker's wife. I have a shiny BLUE laptop. AND I brought it home.
So, I was standing in a co-workers office today envious that he had bought his wife surprise flowers. Of course, he bought them Friday, then forgot to bring them to her, and they were still moldering in his office today- but it's the thought that counts, right?
Fast forward to my arrival home, when I got pissed at the lemon piece of crap we call a desktop computer once again having a meltdown and needing to be reset. After much research and eyelash batting, \i walked away from Best Buy with a fantastic laptop, complete with warrenty, for less then 500 bucks. J decided it was time for me to have something of my own so he could play more games with less 'I need the computer' type interruptions.
Take that, co-worker's wife. I have a shiny BLUE laptop. AND I brought it home.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Milkpocalypse 2011
Current Book: Same as below, I don't read THAT fast! Current Baking: Ditto.
So, knowing that today was a Monday, J and I decided to be all responsible and adult like and went to bed soon after Sprog. The fact we were both completely bagged had almost nothing to do with our new-found maturity- honest!
Sprog decided that since we were being so obliging, he would request a meal at 2:00 am. One bottle and an hour of cuddles later, he's tucked back in his own bed.
5:30- J's alarm goes off, I hit a random button looking for the snooze, and we surface at 5:45. J gets ready, I get up and make sure Sprog's lunch and J's coffee are good to go.
J's hauling the 300 lbs of baby gear out the door when he gets to ask the age old question... 'why is this lunchkit leaking?' Let me just say, an 8 oz bottle? That's A LOT of milk. Enough, for example, to make most of a lunch look like little icebergs floating in a sea of milk.
Sprog took a lulu lunch bag to the sitter today and we were so crazy I didn't have time to get crazy about him going. Worked out for everyone! Except, of course, for J, who gets to deal with his feet smelling like milk.
So, knowing that today was a Monday, J and I decided to be all responsible and adult like and went to bed soon after Sprog. The fact we were both completely bagged had almost nothing to do with our new-found maturity- honest!
Sprog decided that since we were being so obliging, he would request a meal at 2:00 am. One bottle and an hour of cuddles later, he's tucked back in his own bed.
5:30- J's alarm goes off, I hit a random button looking for the snooze, and we surface at 5:45. J gets ready, I get up and make sure Sprog's lunch and J's coffee are good to go.
J's hauling the 300 lbs of baby gear out the door when he gets to ask the age old question... 'why is this lunchkit leaking?' Let me just say, an 8 oz bottle? That's A LOT of milk. Enough, for example, to make most of a lunch look like little icebergs floating in a sea of milk.
Sprog took a lulu lunch bag to the sitter today and we were so crazy I didn't have time to get crazy about him going. Worked out for everyone! Except, of course, for J, who gets to deal with his feet smelling like milk.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Mama Guilt, 2.0
Current Book: Dolphins of Pern Current Baking:Peanut Butter cookies and Apple Strusel Muffins\
I spent a good part of today trying to just embrace the time I get with Sprog. He's so full of energy and life, and everything is just sooooo interesting to him it makes it fun (and frustrating!) to watch.
Tomorrow, he starts at my friend's fabulous new dayhome, and I know he'll love it there. What I'm having a problem with is the 11 hours a day he'll be spending away from me. I'll have just enough time to bring him home, feed him, and put him to bed during the week.
My question is, at what point does a caregiver become just as vital to a child as their parent? When does mommy take a back seat to babysitter? I know I'm being paranoid. I know I don't have much of an option right now, as I HAVE to work and Sprog needs some time with other kids. I just feel as though my small one isn't going to be mama's little guy anymore.
I packed his lunch, I'll get him ready tomorrow morning, and I'll send him off with his daddy (who drops him off) with a snuggle and a smile. I just hope the first day of school isn't as hard as the first day of dayhome!
I spent a good part of today trying to just embrace the time I get with Sprog. He's so full of energy and life, and everything is just sooooo interesting to him it makes it fun (and frustrating!) to watch.
Tomorrow, he starts at my friend's fabulous new dayhome, and I know he'll love it there. What I'm having a problem with is the 11 hours a day he'll be spending away from me. I'll have just enough time to bring him home, feed him, and put him to bed during the week.
My question is, at what point does a caregiver become just as vital to a child as their parent? When does mommy take a back seat to babysitter? I know I'm being paranoid. I know I don't have much of an option right now, as I HAVE to work and Sprog needs some time with other kids. I just feel as though my small one isn't going to be mama's little guy anymore.
I packed his lunch, I'll get him ready tomorrow morning, and I'll send him off with his daddy (who drops him off) with a snuggle and a smile. I just hope the first day of school isn't as hard as the first day of dayhome!
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
The Guilt, the guilt
Current Book: One of the Dragon one by Anne and Todd McCaffery. Current Baking:Saskatoon Muffins
Sprog has slept through the night again two nights running. Both nights we've rewarded him by pulling him out of bed, wrapping his still-three-quarters unconcious little body in a blanket, and hauling him up to Auntie's to be babysat for the day.
He loves it there and he has an absolute blast, but I still feel horrible waking the poor kid up! He used to wake us up right around this time every morning, but he's apparently grown out of it. So, mama guilt in full measure this morning.
Sprog has slept through the night again two nights running. Both nights we've rewarded him by pulling him out of bed, wrapping his still-three-quarters unconcious little body in a blanket, and hauling him up to Auntie's to be babysat for the day.
He loves it there and he has an absolute blast, but I still feel horrible waking the poor kid up! He used to wake us up right around this time every morning, but he's apparently grown out of it. So, mama guilt in full measure this morning.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Current Book: Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse #2)
Current Baking: Peanut Butter Cookies AND Blueberry Muffins... go me!
Today I discovered many interesting things. Firstly... it's always a good idea to double check if member swimming at the YMCA is still on BEFORE you soak your infant down, and two, if there are large amounts of small people surrounding several people in white shirts labelled 'instructor', chances are swimming lessons on Monday evenings have been reinstated.
I also discovered that if you decide that you really don't care if people are mad at the company you work at. and are directing that anger at you, it is much easier to stay calm. I'm finally learning the zen of 'leave it at work'. Other interesting note- I also learned at work today that a man can hit a moose while driving a motorcycle at night and walk away. I know, I was amazed too, and was so startled I promptly logged off my phone to get some water and take a break.
As well, it is far easier to eat too much icecream straight out of the carton when it is slightly melted. Mmmmm, Chocolate chip cookie dough icecream.
Current Baking: Peanut Butter Cookies AND Blueberry Muffins... go me!
Today I discovered many interesting things. Firstly... it's always a good idea to double check if member swimming at the YMCA is still on BEFORE you soak your infant down, and two, if there are large amounts of small people surrounding several people in white shirts labelled 'instructor', chances are swimming lessons on Monday evenings have been reinstated.
I also discovered that if you decide that you really don't care if people are mad at the company you work at. and are directing that anger at you, it is much easier to stay calm. I'm finally learning the zen of 'leave it at work'. Other interesting note- I also learned at work today that a man can hit a moose while driving a motorcycle at night and walk away. I know, I was amazed too, and was so startled I promptly logged off my phone to get some water and take a break.
As well, it is far easier to eat too much icecream straight out of the carton when it is slightly melted. Mmmmm, Chocolate chip cookie dough icecream.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Current Book: Assasin's Quest Current Baking:None!
Well, this Urban Mommy returned to her day job almost a month ago, and boy oh boy has it been hectic!
I've been extremely lucky in that relatives and my Hubby have been able to stay with Sprog so I don't have to worry too much about daycare, etc.
We have signed him up for a fantastic dayhome run by a friend of mine, and she's flexible enough to let us wait to actually start him until DH gets his first job as a certified Journeyman electrician!!!
June was an insanely eventful month, with my mom here to look after Sprog, Hubby finishing his apprenticeship, a trip to Calgary to celebrate my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary, followed immediately by my return to work.
For all you moms about to return, or looking at going back to work in the future, let me say it's both better and worse then you're thinking it will. Better because no matter how much you love and appreciate your baby, adult interaction is heavenly, not changing three diapers over the course of the 9 hours you're gone seems like a treat, and you actually get to pee with the door closed. Worse, because you'll worry like crazy and be absolutely sure that no one can take care of your baby as well as you can and there's vitally important information their new caregiver is missing. You'll miss them horribly. and if you're still nursing-do NOT, and I repeat, do NOT wear button up shirts without a tank underneath. Trust me. When you get home, you melt, and that little face is once again the most precious greeting you can get!
I'm on a money saving kick right now, because with Sprog's first birthday 17 days away (as the bump so helpfully informed me :P) I'm realizing more and more how crowded my fantastic little condo has become. The more I can save on electricity, groceries, and bills, the more i can put into a down payment on a house. I've started simultaneously stalking mls listings and coupon sites, and pull my cart over and peruse the entire flyer before I'll grocery shop. I'm not quite at the point my dad was, where I have seperate lists for each store and specific foods that I will only purchase there, but I'm getting close. I still draw the line at Superstore.... I find that no matter which one I go to in this city it smells funny! It's hard to balance price with quality, but we're slowly managing it.
Well, this Urban Mommy returned to her day job almost a month ago, and boy oh boy has it been hectic!
I've been extremely lucky in that relatives and my Hubby have been able to stay with Sprog so I don't have to worry too much about daycare, etc.
We have signed him up for a fantastic dayhome run by a friend of mine, and she's flexible enough to let us wait to actually start him until DH gets his first job as a certified Journeyman electrician!!!
June was an insanely eventful month, with my mom here to look after Sprog, Hubby finishing his apprenticeship, a trip to Calgary to celebrate my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary, followed immediately by my return to work.
For all you moms about to return, or looking at going back to work in the future, let me say it's both better and worse then you're thinking it will. Better because no matter how much you love and appreciate your baby, adult interaction is heavenly, not changing three diapers over the course of the 9 hours you're gone seems like a treat, and you actually get to pee with the door closed. Worse, because you'll worry like crazy and be absolutely sure that no one can take care of your baby as well as you can and there's vitally important information their new caregiver is missing. You'll miss them horribly. and if you're still nursing-do NOT, and I repeat, do NOT wear button up shirts without a tank underneath. Trust me. When you get home, you melt, and that little face is once again the most precious greeting you can get!
I'm on a money saving kick right now, because with Sprog's first birthday 17 days away (as the bump so helpfully informed me :P) I'm realizing more and more how crowded my fantastic little condo has become. The more I can save on electricity, groceries, and bills, the more i can put into a down payment on a house. I've started simultaneously stalking mls listings and coupon sites, and pull my cart over and peruse the entire flyer before I'll grocery shop. I'm not quite at the point my dad was, where I have seperate lists for each store and specific foods that I will only purchase there, but I'm getting close. I still draw the line at Superstore.... I find that no matter which one I go to in this city it smells funny! It's hard to balance price with quality, but we're slowly managing it.
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