HMPH!

I'm kind of having an "I Want to Be Somewhere Else" kind of day, but I'm not sure I mean it.  I mean,  usually I don't care that I'm going to work.  Then I'm not too crushed that I'm there.  Then I come home, and that's pretty great, etc.

Not.  Today.

My brain and body have protested every aspect of today, and it's all I can do to keep my mouth from attending the party.  And if having a serious case of the Monday I Don't Wannas isn't enough to ruin my day, how about the following?

*  How hard is it to answer the question, "Hey, Bossguys, will I still be employed in a month?  Because child care professionals kind of like notice, and my kids are done with school in 24 days."  I've asked at both Citi and Kelly Services.  The closest thing to an answer I got was, "I'll look into that and give you a call on Wednesday."  5 days later I call back.  Raise your hand if you think I've been informed.  Well, I'm not.  And now I'm seriously running out of options for the kids.

BUT IT ALL DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE:

*  Josh is taking some class that will qualify him for some job (where have I heard that before?) and I'll have to quit to stay with the kids in the morning, anyway.  Why is it that news like this is never delivered BEFORE I spend a month trying to resolve the now moot problem?

*  I'm supposed to be picking a cruise to go on to celebrate my 10 year anniversary.  Josh does not seem to notice that I am not particularly excited about a cruise, or that I'm REALLY not excited about spending that much on a trip.  Anyone want to volunteer to give him a subtle hint?  I wanted to spend the night in Hermann.  He wants to spend a week in the Bahamas.  Are we on the same planet, here?  Not so much.

But I'm not 100% grumpy.  I read a new book (Hunger Games Vol. 2:  Catching Fire) and T-ball is cancelled, so I don't have to leap up and go to a game.  Too muddy.

I wish I had a good dinnertime plan.  I'm really in a meatloaf mood, but have never made one.  Plus, I don't have any beef thawed out.

Okay.  I must face the rest of Monday now.  Thank you for being my supportive listener.  :P

Shadows of Clouds

Today is drizzly.

The future is looking bleak, kids, even as my idea of how it should go becomes ever clearer in my mind.  But why despair?  It is so utterly out of my control.

Those of you who know me are giggling at this point.  NOT worry about something?  Especially when it is pointless and fruitless to do so?  Well, how about this:  I will worry about it silently, and amuse you with other discourse.

It is only at the end of this weekend that I have become melancholy.  It was actually quite fun.  On Friday we had a delicious dinner of chicken thighs, green beans drenched in butter, and four cheese "potatoes".  Then we played Munchkin.  Saturday morning saw some much needed and long past due housework, and then my parents came for the kids' first T-ball game of the year.  It was cold, but sunny, and we were chilly, but not too uncomfortable.  The game was cute.  We lost, but with our terrible coaches, I'm not surprised.  The other team seemed to actually know something about baseball.  Much fun was had by my parents, and after the game, we made our way to Carson's Ice Cream for a healthy dose of sugar before returning to my house.  Mom and I split our time between talking inside and watching everyone else in the back yard playing frisbee or more T-ball.  I was pretty badly sunburned, despite having used sunscreen.  At least it worked on the children.  After my parents began their trip back home, we freshened up and left for St. Peters.  First, we had dinner at a sushi place we know of.  The kids shared fried rice and a roll of tuna and avocado.  Josh and I had several rolls.  When we were finished, we went over to the mall and attended the last tea tasting of our dear friends' shop, which will close next week.  So happy to see everyone, so sad the shop is closing.

Ah, well.

Josh went to a job fair last Thursday.  He got two interview requests, just on Saturday.  I didn't know people did that on Saturdays.  I, of course, am hoping it is a sign that there are more to follow.  Especially as the interviews so far are not particularly enticing.  I'm tired of crossing my fingers, though.  I'm trying my best to ignore the whole thing.  In the meantime, he might try for a Lead position on 3rd shift.  I hope it does wonderful things for his resume, because it promises quite an upheaval for family harmony.  Try explaining to kids on summer vacation that they have to be quiet all day because Daddy is sleeping.

As for myself....I have not received any calls to interviews.  My contract ends in May with Citi, and I'm thinking if that is the case, then I might just as well stay home for the summer.  I don't have any arrangements for child care in place, and I don't really think my paycheck could afford that, plus the substantial gas expense of my commute.  I have every intention of asking on Monday whether I have a future in the company.  Plans must be made, and I see no reason for the inconsiderate lack of communication.  I suppose Jerry is the person to ask, and my temp agency.  They are going to be asked.  I can't be in limbo anymore.

Work gets more and more stress free, but more and more dismal.  I don't feel judged by my neighbors anymore, but I am also not going to be the only experienced prepper of corr now.  And the people I enjoy keep leaving.  Emilee quit, Teresa moved...and it keeps going.  Now Sravanil and Krista are gone..it's not really going to be the same.  Plus, no permanent offer is forthcoming.

It's just before 2, and the sun is about to come out for the first time today.

I finally finished my most recent book, The Meaning of Night, by Michael Cox.  To be honest, the whole experience was not what I usually look for in a book.  The writing was sophisticated, yes, but the main character was only intermittently righteous, practically never admirable, and usually unpleasant in some way.  The setting was often in beautiful places, but had an undercurrent of bleakness.  It was fascinating, and was somewhat redeemed at the end, though.  I guess I'm glad I read it, but would only recommend it sparingly, and to the right individual, none of whom come to mind.  I don't know whether to revisit a little of Sherlock Holmes next, or to press on to The Night Circus.

Don't know what to expect from this week.  The weather will be chilly and wet.  Maybe I'll drink tea.  Josh has interviews on Monday and Wednesday, and with luck I will have a clearer picture of what I should expect of my own employment for the summer.  I should plan some cooking....  I believe I have a taiko performance on Thursday.  I guess that's enough to go on. 

Probably, I'm just low on sleep.  Maybe I'll try to take a nap.

Hope you are all well.

What just happened?

This week was kinda crazy. On Wednesday, I found out that I had a furlough day on Thursday. I also found out that I needed to complete some training on the computer on Friday. I spent the afternoon on Wednesday trying to prepare the pod for my not being available for two days. It was a medium fiasco. I also found out that the girl I trained and wrote out very detailed instructions for will not be back...and neither will my instructions. Drat. Sometime when work is slow, I intend to write up another set, and this time make copies.

Thursday, I slept in. I slept for 12 straight hours!! Then, Josh and I watched a non-kid-friendly movie. It was fun. After Josh went to work and the kids came home from school, I got all ready and made my way to taiko practice (by way of Michelle's house). It was a performance practice, and very exhausting. Then, I stayed for chores and stretching. I miss the stretching a LOT, but usually I have to leave early to get back to the babysitter before she chalks up another hour's wages. And of course, we had to welcome our newest member, Kari, so it was really late when I got home. Meghan said that Abbie wasn't feeling great. She didn't sleep very well either. I guess it's good that I got so much sleep Wednesday night....I didn't really get any to speak of on Thursday night.

Friday, I worried about Abbie, but Josh send me a message saying she felt okay so he sent her to school. Friday was weird in a lot of ways. It was Krista's last day. She's basically the boss of the larger part of the floor. She's really nice, and we will miss her, but she was offered a good job at the record center. We had a food day for her. Nachos. We ran out of work, and I ended up helping Angela's team do some SHRED trailing docs, and then when I was leaving, I found out that it was Sravanil's last day, too. Boo-hoo! As I was leaving, I checked my phone and found out that Abbie was sick after all and was sent home by the school. Josh tried to get her in at the doctor, and they didn't have room to take her, so he went to Urgent Care. Expensive. She was found Strep positive. Now I'm just waiting for someone else to come down with it.

Friday night was my taiko performance. It was at a school. I love school performances. It was pretty awesome, too. I kind of died on Tenchi, and we FORGOT the slappy bachi, and had to make do with Tenchi bachi, but otherwise, it was pretty great. Well, the first few hits of the first song were awful, but it's the kind of song where no one would notice. So - great fun and happy kids. I was pretty worn out after that and then the unloading, and then the feverish Abbie to come home to.

So...I spent the rest of the weekend asleep. I'm nearly serious about that. It's embarrassing! I've been napping a LOT. I'm nervous that I might be next in line for Strep. Mondays are the worst possible time to call in sick at work.

Anyway, we are all still looking for our dream jobs. The babysitter has officially announced that she is only staying on until I can find a replacement, and she wants to recommend her mother. If only Josh could find a new position and stay home with the kids on Tuesday and Thursday!!!!!!

Well, I should go and be awake with my kids for a while. Wish me luck!

Day of Happy!

Hello!

Let's start with the happy stuff.

What a great day it's going to be! Josh is off getting some stuff for landscaping! I love landscaping. We're going to have a Work In The Yard day. EXCITED!

Yesterday we took a nice long-ish walk and I feel so much better. I need that. Taiko is good for building upper body strength, but I do like a nice walk. It was especially nice since we were all together.

It's also a cooking day. I'm going to make a pineapple upside down cake for tomorrow, and I'm also going to make a quiche for our family. We're still deciding, but we'll most likely eat it tonight, because we will be spending the early morning doing the Easter thing. The Bunny will be hiding some plastic eggs indoors, in case of weather. (The kids want to leave him a note to that effect.) Josh will have to leave at 9, and then at noon I will take the kids to his mom's house for brunch and games.

Of course, I'm still a little wounded that they disobeyed the rules that I have ALWAYS had for my children's safety when they stayed there Thursday night. They were dying eggs with the cousins while I was taiko-ing. And they were all still awake when I got there at 10:30. (My kids go to bed at 7:30 during the week, and 8:30 on the weekends.) The other kids probably don't know about the bed times...but EVERYONE knows that my kids DO NOT play with the door closed. Ever.

Yeah. So, that's why I got a babysitter. And now she's leaving...but I don't know when, and I don't have a replacement. And I don't know if I'm working this summer and need to find something to do with the kids, or if I'll be unemployed and home until fall.

Our dear friend Miss Kat's tea shop will be closing for good at the end of the month. Sad. I've been going whenever I can, and I think we're going to try to be at her last tea tasting, too.

Well, I started working. Remember how I was going to get living room furniture and all that fancy stuff? Yeah...

T-ball is a moderate success, but I still don't think much of those coaches. They aren't any good at ball, which doesn't matter with little ones like ours, but they also aren't good at being excited about t-ball....which DOES. I might take it upon myself to become head cheerleader.

But...things are pretty okay, as long as you don't look too closely at the ever nearing future called Summer.

Josh is looking for a new job. I know that this is not news, but now it is serious. The announcement was 16 hour days, and "if you don't like it, you can quit." We don't like it. Need money, though. My $9/hr. isn't gonna do it.

Anyway, Abbie has picked out which dress she's going to wear tomorrow, and I'm washing Grant's shirt. No idea what I will be wearing, but I'm not too worried about it.

Josh and I need to get moving with planning our anniversary. 10 years next month, guys! i think we're going to spend the day in Hermann, but I don't know. Plus, there's the cake thing. I'm getting one.

Family news: I HAVE A NEW COUSIN! That makes 2 more girl great-grandchildren for my grandmother besides Abbie. Grant is still the only boy. Also, my mother works Monday thru Thursday now, and did I already tell you that Brother got accepted into both St. Louis' and Denver's pharmacy schools? I'm pretty sure he's doing Denver, but he's still looking into the financial aid part. Dad likes his job on Ft. Wood, and I recently made an MP3 cd for him with Orange Blossoms by J.J. Grey and Mofro. (If you haven't heard it, it's excellent. But I warn you that if you want to look it up on youtube, you shouldn't watch the video the first time. Just minimize it or something. It's distracting.) I also put some Pomplamoose on it, and other choice selections. I made one for Brother, too. I need to call him and ask how he liked it....

Today is going to be great! I must go and get started.

April!

I'm really looking forward to Arbor Day. Does that make me weird?

Easter is a week away. I'm going to make an upside down cake to take to Josh's mom's for Brunch. Sadly, Josh will be working. I'm going to make a quiche for us for Easter morning. The kids and I decided that we are leaving a note and some plastic eggs for the Easter bunny. We are going to ask him to hide the eggs inside, in case of rain.

Today is also my mother's birthday! We knew that she was off weekending at the lake with my dad, so the kids and I left a singing message for her on her answering machine. I will try to call her in the late afternoon, too. She asked for no gifts, but I was thinking that maybe I could find recipes to give her or something of that nature.

The weather this year was crazy. It was so warm, so early, that everything bloomed at the same time! It made my brain hurt. Crocuses were still out with the pears and both were barely gone when we had red buds and apples at the SAME TIME and the lilac is peaking right now with the red buds STILL BLOOMING and even the dogwoods are out and today is only the first day of April. It's crazy. We are expecting lots of bugs, fat birds, spiders, and possibly viruses. Allergy sufferers are already miserable. The dandelions are out of control. We haven't even mowed yet, but I've weeded three times.

Today, I must go shopping, and the kids need baths. Otherwise, I am taking it easy. A nap sounds great, too. We stayed up late last night with the neighbors (Happy Birthday, Becky) playing Munchkin. Very fun and funny. We had Woodchuck cider and wine and the kids watched the new Muppet movie (I was secretly jealous). And now I'm TIRED! Poor Josh had to go in to work early. Boo.

Brother visited the area this weekend. Friday night we hung out with him in the evening after the kids were asleep. Yesterday, we went to the bookstore and the mall (for bubble tea), grabbed some Popeye's chicken and ate it at the park, then came home and watched Dr. Who and played Munchkin, which Brother had bought us as a present. We had dinner at Applebees and also had ice cream from Carson's with the neighbors before coming back here for Munchkin, muppets and drinks.

Do you want to hear about T-ball?

There are two female coaches, which whom I am not so far impressed. When we arrived, the kids were tickled to discover some friends. Hannah, who was in Grant's class last year, was there with her brother, who is in Abbie's class this year. They messed around for a few minutes, and then practice started. The kids played catch for a while, then the coach set out an aluminum bat and walked over to line the kids up. If you are a parent, perhaps a little red light just went off in your head. Yes, folks, she set out a bat and turned her back without any instruction. So the fact that a kid picked it up and practice swung it right into another kid's face shouldn't surprise you much. I thought the kid was going to be minus a few molars, but it turned out just to be a bruise. Thank goodness his dad was there and not his mom! The dad scooped him up and held him in the "dugout" area until he felt better. Then, the kid ran back out to play. But the OTHER kid. The other kid never apologized. Not okay with me. If Grant had his someone by accident, I would make him apologize. Now the kid just thinks that if you are embarrassed or if it was an accident, you don't have to say anything. INCORRECT! No parent spoke up, and at that point the coach should have. Well, anyway, I'm pretty sure this group of kids will not complain about wearing helmets during batting! The injured boy's name is Roy. I told the dad, "Wow. He's a tough kid. I think he should get some ice cream for that." He replied, "Well, I have to do something! The swelling needs to go down before I take him home and show him to his mother!" We all went together for ice cream afterward. Turns out that they live only a few blocks from us. There was a sister, too, named Alice, who is also on the team. We are looking forward to seeing them on Wednesday. Abbie hit the ball on her first At Bat, and Grant his a nice, straight line drive to first...and then ran toward third. We'll have to work on that.

Enough procrastinating! Off I go to re-stock the pantry.