Settled and and loving every minute of being back in Edmonton! We've got our family groove sorted out, Sprog turns two in a matter of weeks, and we'll be here to celebrate J's sister's wedding (and actually drink through it.) Life is looking rosy.
So here's my debate. How do you manage being an urban working mom, with a demading career that can involve overtime and exhausting extra curriculars (thank you, social club), and balance the housework and cooking and attention with making sure one small boy gets the time and attention he deserves?
Obviously, we need more time in the day, so something has to go. I would prefer to toss work out the window, but that would also toss eating, and since that isn't optional J and I were looking into a biweekly cleaning service.
I vaguely remember my mother having a cleaning service when I was a kid... mostly because in the few months they were around, I always had to remake my bed and could never find my clothes. So, while I knew that they would probably be pricier then they were 25 years ago, I was not prepared to discover that they make more then I do.
Seriously? $330 for the initial cleaning, and then $125 every two weeks after that? That's almost my car payment! I'm just looking for someone to come in and wash my floors and sanitize my kitchen and bathroom, not gold plated paste wax or anything :P
Sadly, the quotes we were given were all around the same amount, so a cleaning service will not be the way to make more hours in the day.
Hermione, could I please borrow your time turner?
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Wow, Talk about a blog break!
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.
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.
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.
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