Dear Grace...
Hi baby. There's something I want to talk to you about... a few things we need to get straightened out. First of all, what's up with the raisins? I understood with the corn, but now raisins?
Also. I just want you to know that you can go ahead and stand up to walk any time now. Really. No pressure or anything, but we'll support you in any way you need as you embark on this adventure. And when you begin to toddle around a bit, then we can really go shoe shopping. This is important. I understand that you like to dance, but I would strongly suggest you master standing up before you try to dance... we will need to go over this point again sometime after you are old enough to drink, I am sure. Anyway, the world is not lined with coffee tables and sofas. There isn't always something to grab onto, so you're gonna need to stand on your own two feet. It's going to be hard to make friends in college if you are still crawling.
I really appreciate that you are talking so much. I think it's adorable when you say "Up, peez" and "Mick" and "book" and "Hi, baby", and "hi, pretty." And of course, Mama. I just need you to know that I can't always give you what you ask for right away. I try, but you are going to need to practice your patience. Screaming is not an appropriate form of communication.
One more thing... the biting. I don't want to deny you access to the chesty region, but I need you to accept that it is going to be on my terms. You can't pull my shirt down in public and you can't bite me. We will have our time together for this each morning and night, and occasionally when you don't feel well. Otherwise, I need you to stick with the sippy cup and graham crackers. And screaming at my boobs isn't going to help either.
I guess that's about it for now. I think things are going remarkably well, don't you? We seem to get along well and we like each other. I know we share the same sense of humor and mostly sunny personalities. I think we've worked out our sleeping arrangements and schedules ok. As much as you like the phone and pizza, I am surprised you haven't started ordering your own pizza already. You are getting a little behind on the rent, next time we need to talk about you getting a job.
Okay, love you baby.
Mama
. . . . Random thoughts about nothing in particular, executed with alternating fits of bitchiness and/or sentimentality.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
SAVE THE T !
As we get nearer to the election, I am excited to see who will end up being president. I am deeply happy that the reign of the current administration will be over soon. But even more is at stake this coming November, friends!! If we don't vote yes on #2 and 3 on our local Lawrence KS ballot, our public transit system is seriously screwed. Fo' shizzle.
I can't even begin to tell you how many people I know who will be deeply affected by this. As you know, I've worked for many years for people who have various disabilities. Part of the process of helping people to have real lives, to live independently, to have choice and control, and to function and work in the community is to give them access to transportation. Consider this every time you get in your car... to drive to work, to run to the grocery store, to run downtown to meet people for dinner.
You personally may not be riding the T, but I promise you lots of people are... and it's incredibly important to them to be able to do so. You know, I've enjoyed an overpriced late night ride in a taxi a few times in my life... Think of what it would be like to rely on 842 TAXI not just when you've imbibed a little too much and need a ride home late at night, but to actually pay them to get to the store, to get to work, etc. That would SUCK:)
And it would be incredibly expensive, I know I could not afford it, and I'm not on a fixed income like many people who are in need of public transportation.
As someone who has been rebelling against recycling for years, sucking up the horrific gas prices in Delores the Taurus, throwing away plastic grocery sacks, and is quite possibly the least eco-friendly girl in town, even I can see that it makes economical and environmental sense to have public transit.
I'm really worried about how I'm going to help people find jobs if they can't get to them. I can't drive them all. My car is too messy. I'm not that reliable, and I'm never on time anywhere.
Please, please please vote YES to #2 and #3 on the ballot. As an added bonus, it's a good way to piss off that jackass "Merrill" on the radio in the mornings, as well.
The Lawrence City Commission is putting the fate of public transit in your hands.
A pair of sales tax measures will appear on the Nov. 4th ballot, Questions 2 & 3.
VOTE YES!!
Since Commissioners have authorized no other funds for public transit in 2009, we can continue and improve the bus system, the T, only by voting YES on Questions 2 & 3.
If we do not vote yes, The BUS SYSTEM here in Lawrence is GONE. Done. Kaput!! No public transportation.
Dear friends,
Many positive developments have taken place in the "Yes for Transit" campaign.We now have "Vote Yes for Transit" yard signs, flyers, and several active committees (Canvassing, Strategy, Speakers, Publicity and Finance). We will soon have bumper stickers, lapel pins, and other publications. We've received two $5,000 grants (from the American Public Transportation Association and the Amalgamated Transit Union) and several dozen grants from local supporters, amounting to several thousand additional dollars.In other words, with exactly seven weeks to go until T Day -- Tuesday, Nov. 4, when voters will be asked to approve Questions 2 & 3 for public transit -- we're in decent shape. But we still have a long way to go. To bring the campaign to a victorious conclusion, to ensure that voters say "Yes for Transit," we need more -- more help, more effort, more funding. With that in mind, we're hosting our second VOLUNTEER FAIR next MONDAY, SEPT. 22, from 6-8 pm at the Public Library (at 7th & Vermont). WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US -- to learn about our committees, to sign up for specific tasks, to get campaign materials, to share ideas. Please join us Monday if you're free. And there are other things you can do as well:o IF YOU'D LIKE A YARD SIGN, email campaign coordinator Lisa-Marie Wright: vote.yes.transit@gmail.comWe plan to distribute many hundreds of yard signs on the weekend of Sept. 27-28, and we will ultimately distribute thousands of these signs. I'm attaching a PDF of the sign, below, so that you can see what it looks like.o IF YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN, you can send checks (payable to "Save the T") to PO Box 1131, Lawrence KS 66044.We currently have roughly one-third of the funding we will ultimately need to bring the campaign across the finish line, so every contribution helps enormously. We published our first Yes for Transit ad in the Journal-World this morning (I'm attaching a PDF of this, too) and we will ultimately run several more ads, and radio and TV spots as well. And, as you can imagine, we have innumerable other costs as well. So donations will be put to many good uses.o IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPREAD THE WORD, you can download our "Yes for Transit" flyer (attached) and print copies for friends and other contacts. If you have access to a color copier...all the better, since you can print the flyer either in color or in B&W.Also, if you have other ideas or concerns to share with us, we'd like to hear from you. Just email Lisa-Marie Wright c/o vote.yes.transit@gmail.com with those thoughts, too. AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO DISTRIBUTE THIS MESSAGE AS WIDELY AS YOU LIKE. If you coordinate other online lists, or simply have friends you think would like to see this message, please feel free to forward it to them.Thanks all! As you can tell, we have high hopes for the campaign; and your involvement will help us succeed.Thanks again; all the best,DavidDavid Smith, Yes for TransitCampaign to Save the TPO Box 1131, Lawrence KS 66044
I can't even begin to tell you how many people I know who will be deeply affected by this. As you know, I've worked for many years for people who have various disabilities. Part of the process of helping people to have real lives, to live independently, to have choice and control, and to function and work in the community is to give them access to transportation. Consider this every time you get in your car... to drive to work, to run to the grocery store, to run downtown to meet people for dinner.
You personally may not be riding the T, but I promise you lots of people are... and it's incredibly important to them to be able to do so. You know, I've enjoyed an overpriced late night ride in a taxi a few times in my life... Think of what it would be like to rely on 842 TAXI not just when you've imbibed a little too much and need a ride home late at night, but to actually pay them to get to the store, to get to work, etc. That would SUCK:)
And it would be incredibly expensive, I know I could not afford it, and I'm not on a fixed income like many people who are in need of public transportation.
As someone who has been rebelling against recycling for years, sucking up the horrific gas prices in Delores the Taurus, throwing away plastic grocery sacks, and is quite possibly the least eco-friendly girl in town, even I can see that it makes economical and environmental sense to have public transit.
I'm really worried about how I'm going to help people find jobs if they can't get to them. I can't drive them all. My car is too messy. I'm not that reliable, and I'm never on time anywhere.
Please, please please vote YES to #2 and #3 on the ballot. As an added bonus, it's a good way to piss off that jackass "Merrill" on the radio in the mornings, as well.
The Lawrence City Commission is putting the fate of public transit in your hands.
A pair of sales tax measures will appear on the Nov. 4th ballot, Questions 2 & 3.
VOTE YES!!
Since Commissioners have authorized no other funds for public transit in 2009, we can continue and improve the bus system, the T, only by voting YES on Questions 2 & 3.
If we do not vote yes, The BUS SYSTEM here in Lawrence is GONE. Done. Kaput!! No public transportation.
Dear friends,
Many positive developments have taken place in the "Yes for Transit" campaign.We now have "Vote Yes for Transit" yard signs, flyers, and several active committees (Canvassing, Strategy, Speakers, Publicity and Finance). We will soon have bumper stickers, lapel pins, and other publications. We've received two $5,000 grants (from the American Public Transportation Association and the Amalgamated Transit Union) and several dozen grants from local supporters, amounting to several thousand additional dollars.In other words, with exactly seven weeks to go until T Day -- Tuesday, Nov. 4, when voters will be asked to approve Questions 2 & 3 for public transit -- we're in decent shape. But we still have a long way to go. To bring the campaign to a victorious conclusion, to ensure that voters say "Yes for Transit," we need more -- more help, more effort, more funding. With that in mind, we're hosting our second VOLUNTEER FAIR next MONDAY, SEPT. 22, from 6-8 pm at the Public Library (at 7th & Vermont). WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US -- to learn about our committees, to sign up for specific tasks, to get campaign materials, to share ideas. Please join us Monday if you're free. And there are other things you can do as well:o IF YOU'D LIKE A YARD SIGN, email campaign coordinator Lisa-Marie Wright: vote.yes.transit@gmail.comWe plan to distribute many hundreds of yard signs on the weekend of Sept. 27-28, and we will ultimately distribute thousands of these signs. I'm attaching a PDF of the sign, below, so that you can see what it looks like.o IF YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN, you can send checks (payable to "Save the T") to PO Box 1131, Lawrence KS 66044.We currently have roughly one-third of the funding we will ultimately need to bring the campaign across the finish line, so every contribution helps enormously. We published our first Yes for Transit ad in the Journal-World this morning (I'm attaching a PDF of this, too) and we will ultimately run several more ads, and radio and TV spots as well. And, as you can imagine, we have innumerable other costs as well. So donations will be put to many good uses.o IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPREAD THE WORD, you can download our "Yes for Transit" flyer (attached) and print copies for friends and other contacts. If you have access to a color copier...all the better, since you can print the flyer either in color or in B&W.Also, if you have other ideas or concerns to share with us, we'd like to hear from you. Just email Lisa-Marie Wright c/o vote.yes.transit@gmail.com with those thoughts, too. AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO DISTRIBUTE THIS MESSAGE AS WIDELY AS YOU LIKE. If you coordinate other online lists, or simply have friends you think would like to see this message, please feel free to forward it to them.Thanks all! As you can tell, we have high hopes for the campaign; and your involvement will help us succeed.Thanks again; all the best,DavidDavid Smith, Yes for TransitCampaign to Save the TPO Box 1131, Lawrence KS 66044
So there I was...
... knee deep in Grenada, with a gopher on my back...
A friend of mine used to say that every time she wanted to either change the subject, or bring the conversation back to herself.
So there I was, in bed last night, trying to get a snooze in between the muffled snuffles of the snotty baby. She's had one runny nose before, but this is the first FULL BLOWN cold. Poor little thing. She does not like it. I went to scratch my nipple, and thought there were scabs on it. I thought maybe I was experiencing the awful cracking & bleeding that the books warned me about, and I now have a CASE of Lansinoh still unused. (but I was prepared. And also, Lansinoh makes great lip gloss.)
Anyway. It wasn't scabbing. It was dried boogers. From my snotty daughter. Weaning is getting closer every day. Well, actually, I'm not sure when that weaning thing will happen. We seem to be in a comfortable groove of a short nurse morning and night, and more if she's sick and miserable like right now. I do believe that part of the reason she's been this long without getting sick is maybe the breastmilk. Who knows. Anyway, it's a comfort to her, and it sort of moderates my blood sugar levels, so I can avoid dealing with the full reality of diabetes a little longer.
For some reason I was very diligent and good about watching my diet and getting the amount of insulin right while pregnant. Now, not so much. Don't care. I'm in a rebellious and pouty stage with the whole thing. Sort of a "I don't WANNA be diabetic" stage.
I know this is ridiculous, and I need to take responsibility for my health, considering that I should know well how fragile it can be. But diabetes affects EVERYTHING. It's going on a diet you can't get off of. It's poking yourself with needles 6 or 7 times a day. It's making sure you get your feet checked and your gums checked and feeling even GUILTIER for not getting an appropriate amount of exercise. Waaa.
Ok. Well, enough of the whining on that subject. I guess I'm going to get an appt. with a diabetes educator/nutritionist and see how I can do better at this.
On a good note, work is fabulous. I lovelovelove the people I'm seeing on a daily basis. Because so much of it is work-related, vocational rehab, it's got tangible and quantifiable outcomes, and I like that.
Ok, back to the jobby job.
A friend of mine used to say that every time she wanted to either change the subject, or bring the conversation back to herself.
So there I was, in bed last night, trying to get a snooze in between the muffled snuffles of the snotty baby. She's had one runny nose before, but this is the first FULL BLOWN cold. Poor little thing. She does not like it. I went to scratch my nipple, and thought there were scabs on it. I thought maybe I was experiencing the awful cracking & bleeding that the books warned me about, and I now have a CASE of Lansinoh still unused. (but I was prepared. And also, Lansinoh makes great lip gloss.)
Anyway. It wasn't scabbing. It was dried boogers. From my snotty daughter. Weaning is getting closer every day. Well, actually, I'm not sure when that weaning thing will happen. We seem to be in a comfortable groove of a short nurse morning and night, and more if she's sick and miserable like right now. I do believe that part of the reason she's been this long without getting sick is maybe the breastmilk. Who knows. Anyway, it's a comfort to her, and it sort of moderates my blood sugar levels, so I can avoid dealing with the full reality of diabetes a little longer.
For some reason I was very diligent and good about watching my diet and getting the amount of insulin right while pregnant. Now, not so much. Don't care. I'm in a rebellious and pouty stage with the whole thing. Sort of a "I don't WANNA be diabetic" stage.
I know this is ridiculous, and I need to take responsibility for my health, considering that I should know well how fragile it can be. But diabetes affects EVERYTHING. It's going on a diet you can't get off of. It's poking yourself with needles 6 or 7 times a day. It's making sure you get your feet checked and your gums checked and feeling even GUILTIER for not getting an appropriate amount of exercise. Waaa.
Ok. Well, enough of the whining on that subject. I guess I'm going to get an appt. with a diabetes educator/nutritionist and see how I can do better at this.
On a good note, work is fabulous. I lovelovelove the people I'm seeing on a daily basis. Because so much of it is work-related, vocational rehab, it's got tangible and quantifiable outcomes, and I like that.
Ok, back to the jobby job.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Oh the drama...
Well, apparently I hit a nerve with the comments about daycare. I would like to point out a couple of things though, as it is obvious that my blog address has been passed around to multiple day-care providers, and rather than deleting comments or ignoring, I am choosing to address this.
First of all, was I wrong to make an issue of personality traits that I observed in this day care provider? Maybe, but I make funny observations about people all the time. This blog states at the top: Random thoughts about nothing in particular, executed with alternating fits of bitchiness and/or sentimentality.
This is NOT a reference page intended to recommend or disparage DAY CARE PROVIDERS. If you are referencing my page looking for tips and hints on selecting childcare, choosing a provider in the Lawrence KS area, or any other helpful hints about the joys of being a mommy, you came to the wrong place. Believe me, there are many resources out there to help you, this is not one of them.
folks.... it's my blog about nothing... my daily life, my past, my sometimes arduous journey. It's meant to make people laugh and perhaps inspire a few people... I think it's done that. It's crazy observations about stuff, usually slanted toward the funny or meaningful. My intent was not to slander anyone, had I thought anything was truly wrong with the day care, believe me... I would not have been addressing the issue in a blog. I have SRS on my speed-dial, people.
I also mentioned 2 things that are notable. I stated that the provider and Grace "did not hit it off". That is true, and I don't believe I am assigning blame for that. I also stated that I asked someone more objective to observe the situation, and she agreed that "Grace's reaction was definitely beyond typical separation anxiety". Again, no blame here. The issue was and always has been GRACE'S REACTION.
Also, the woman was telling me daily what a rough time Grace was having, and she really seemed tired of it. I would have been as well. The ONLY time I ever showed up at naptime to pick her up was the day I removed her from the placement permanently, after Grace's aunt observed a terrible drop off that morning. If I did show up at an inconvenient time prior to that, I was not told that. If she had an issue, she should have stated so. I really really despise passive aggressive and evasive behavior, I am all about being straight up and honest. I also stated that I asked myself several questions: including was something weird there, or was the issue with Grace?
I don't think I was unfair in my assessment process, and I made the decision to place Grace elsewhere. No big deal. It is INTERESTING that Grace did fine at the next places. INTERESTING. That is all. A friend of mine has her child at this daycare, and I assume that she is still there... haven't heard anything different.
However, I am a little concerned that you DAY CARE PROVIDERS need to back the fuck off, get off the computer, and go give the kiddos that you are being paid to take care of some attention.
If ya'll want to read any more about my personal opinion of this woman or anyone else I encounter in my daily life, you are welcome to come back and keep reading... the woman has obviously passed my blog address around to all of you for your entertainment. I sure am glad that I did not say her last name, or the name of her daycare, because that would be wrong. It would also be wrong to post information about my personal experience with this situation on any of the public message boards here in town that she might be advertising on, looking for another child to fill that slot.
And if for some reason you DID come to this page looking for help selecting a child-care provider, my best advice is: DO NOT RELY ON THE INTERNET!! Personal and business web sites can say anything, positive or negative. Instead, you may want to get reliable recommendations from people that you know and trust.
First of all, was I wrong to make an issue of personality traits that I observed in this day care provider? Maybe, but I make funny observations about people all the time. This blog states at the top: Random thoughts about nothing in particular, executed with alternating fits of bitchiness and/or sentimentality.
This is NOT a reference page intended to recommend or disparage DAY CARE PROVIDERS. If you are referencing my page looking for tips and hints on selecting childcare, choosing a provider in the Lawrence KS area, or any other helpful hints about the joys of being a mommy, you came to the wrong place. Believe me, there are many resources out there to help you, this is not one of them.
folks.... it's my blog about nothing... my daily life, my past, my sometimes arduous journey. It's meant to make people laugh and perhaps inspire a few people... I think it's done that. It's crazy observations about stuff, usually slanted toward the funny or meaningful. My intent was not to slander anyone, had I thought anything was truly wrong with the day care, believe me... I would not have been addressing the issue in a blog. I have SRS on my speed-dial, people.
I also mentioned 2 things that are notable. I stated that the provider and Grace "did not hit it off". That is true, and I don't believe I am assigning blame for that. I also stated that I asked someone more objective to observe the situation, and she agreed that "Grace's reaction was definitely beyond typical separation anxiety". Again, no blame here. The issue was and always has been GRACE'S REACTION.
Also, the woman was telling me daily what a rough time Grace was having, and she really seemed tired of it. I would have been as well. The ONLY time I ever showed up at naptime to pick her up was the day I removed her from the placement permanently, after Grace's aunt observed a terrible drop off that morning. If I did show up at an inconvenient time prior to that, I was not told that. If she had an issue, she should have stated so. I really really despise passive aggressive and evasive behavior, I am all about being straight up and honest. I also stated that I asked myself several questions: including was something weird there, or was the issue with Grace?
I don't think I was unfair in my assessment process, and I made the decision to place Grace elsewhere. No big deal. It is INTERESTING that Grace did fine at the next places. INTERESTING. That is all. A friend of mine has her child at this daycare, and I assume that she is still there... haven't heard anything different.
However, I am a little concerned that you DAY CARE PROVIDERS need to back the fuck off, get off the computer, and go give the kiddos that you are being paid to take care of some attention.
If ya'll want to read any more about my personal opinion of this woman or anyone else I encounter in my daily life, you are welcome to come back and keep reading... the woman has obviously passed my blog address around to all of you for your entertainment. I sure am glad that I did not say her last name, or the name of her daycare, because that would be wrong. It would also be wrong to post information about my personal experience with this situation on any of the public message boards here in town that she might be advertising on, looking for another child to fill that slot.
And if for some reason you DID come to this page looking for help selecting a child-care provider, my best advice is: DO NOT RELY ON THE INTERNET!! Personal and business web sites can say anything, positive or negative. Instead, you may want to get reliable recommendations from people that you know and trust.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Can't buy me love...
I got to thinking today on my way from dropping Grace off at daycare and arriving at work that so much of what is good in my life is stuff I couldn't possibly buy even if I did have more than $7 in my checking account.
It's actually autumnal outside... a lovely blue 70 degree day. It's a day you could wrap up in a package and put a bow on it and people would pay money for it, but you can't buy a day like that... otherwise brides would corner the market on such days. And I'm inside working. But on the positive side, I'm working!
Woo hoo! Mama got a job and won't have to hit the welfare.
I'm actually working at a place I've wanted to work for a long time, it seems that all paths have led here and it suits my skills and priorities right now just fine. You can't put a price on that. It's work that I love, in an environment that I am comfortable in, working for a company whose ideals are put into action, not just a bunch of slick talk. And they pay me? to come here... you can't buy that.
I'm also working part time for friends, hence the fact that I'm often not dwelling on the east-side, I'm flouncing about over on the west-side many evenings and weekends.
I miss the east side... but I still work over here. My new commute to work changed from 4 blocks to 5 blocks. Sigh. Been reading "Bright Shiny Morning" by James Frey, set in Los Angeles, and among many other significant points, it reminds me that living/commuting in LA would make me want to chew my own leg off. I lovelovelove living here... you can't buy that.
So, hi ho, hi ho. It's back to work I went. We had daycare trauma at first daycare. The lady was weird.. with a fake high voice and staccato machine gun laugh. I think she may have actually been a zombie. Regardless, she and Grace did not hit it off, Grace's lil chin would quiver and she'd burst into tears yelling "bye bye" dramatically at me as I left her there. I expected SOME of that, of course, but then I kept hearing from the zombie (I have removed her name from here at her request...hey, I didn't know she was a fan of my blog??!!) that Grace would just cry all day long. I'd pick her up and she'd be red and blotchy, with her chest heaving. It was awful.
I gave it two weeks, finally had Aunt Terri drop her off one day to assess the situation objectively, and she gave it the thumbs down as well. She said it was really hard to leave her, that Grace's reaction was definitely beyond the typical separation anxiety. Which left me with problems. a) How quick can I leave work and go take her out of there b) is there something seriously weird going on at this place? and c) is the problem really with Grace and this is going to be a repeating issue?
Luckily... my fabulous supervisor said "Go. Get. Your. Daughter. Now." The woman was clearly irritated at my unexpected drop in to pick Grace up, and was seriously annoyed. That is never a good sign. Grace was very happy to leave. The next day I took her to yet ANOTHER stranger (to her), a woman who I knew from work years ago. Grace was fine. She did great.
Upon that woman's recommendation, we found a permanent place, a wacky lady in a crazy-busy-loud house... dogs, kids, people dropping in and out. We love her. Grace has started saying her name, which she is quite proud about. She's warm and genuine, really seems to like Grace, and you just can't buy that. Plus I figure Grace is right at home in the crazy dusty house. I love that she has an open door policy. She doesn't ask me constantly what time I am coming, she expects me to walk on in when I get there, whenever. It's very comfortable. And, although it's a mile out of town, it's to the south of town so it's a nice quick drive from either the west side or the east side, with lots of rolling hills and country lanes. Excellent for singing the good morning songs and the going home songs. An unexpected bonus!
Grace is chatting up a storm. According to Baby Center: At age 12 months, most children should be doing this: • Takes a few steps• Says one word besides "mama" and "dada"
And some children might be doing this:
• Walks alone• Scribbles with a crayon• Says two words besides "mama" and "dada"
Not so much on the taking steps and walking stuff, and she ate the crayon I gave her. However, she says mama, kitty, puppy, Scott, Aunt T, book, baby, ball, block, eat, milk, Up please, More please, uh-oh. Help, please. No no no no. bye bye. hi! Hi! hi. HI!
I don't know where she gets the propensity to talk a lot.
And I wish she'd get tired of crawling/standing around.
But it's all good. You can't buy that.
It's actually autumnal outside... a lovely blue 70 degree day. It's a day you could wrap up in a package and put a bow on it and people would pay money for it, but you can't buy a day like that... otherwise brides would corner the market on such days. And I'm inside working. But on the positive side, I'm working!
Woo hoo! Mama got a job and won't have to hit the welfare.
I'm actually working at a place I've wanted to work for a long time, it seems that all paths have led here and it suits my skills and priorities right now just fine. You can't put a price on that. It's work that I love, in an environment that I am comfortable in, working for a company whose ideals are put into action, not just a bunch of slick talk. And they pay me? to come here... you can't buy that.
I'm also working part time for friends, hence the fact that I'm often not dwelling on the east-side, I'm flouncing about over on the west-side many evenings and weekends.
I miss the east side... but I still work over here. My new commute to work changed from 4 blocks to 5 blocks. Sigh. Been reading "Bright Shiny Morning" by James Frey, set in Los Angeles, and among many other significant points, it reminds me that living/commuting in LA would make me want to chew my own leg off. I lovelovelove living here... you can't buy that.
So, hi ho, hi ho. It's back to work I went. We had daycare trauma at first daycare. The lady was weird.. with a fake high voice and staccato machine gun laugh. I think she may have actually been a zombie. Regardless, she and Grace did not hit it off, Grace's lil chin would quiver and she'd burst into tears yelling "bye bye" dramatically at me as I left her there. I expected SOME of that, of course, but then I kept hearing from the zombie (I have removed her name from here at her request...hey, I didn't know she was a fan of my blog??!!) that Grace would just cry all day long. I'd pick her up and she'd be red and blotchy, with her chest heaving. It was awful.
I gave it two weeks, finally had Aunt Terri drop her off one day to assess the situation objectively, and she gave it the thumbs down as well. She said it was really hard to leave her, that Grace's reaction was definitely beyond the typical separation anxiety. Which left me with problems. a) How quick can I leave work and go take her out of there b) is there something seriously weird going on at this place? and c) is the problem really with Grace and this is going to be a repeating issue?
Luckily... my fabulous supervisor said "Go. Get. Your. Daughter. Now." The woman was clearly irritated at my unexpected drop in to pick Grace up, and was seriously annoyed. That is never a good sign. Grace was very happy to leave. The next day I took her to yet ANOTHER stranger (to her), a woman who I knew from work years ago. Grace was fine. She did great.
Upon that woman's recommendation, we found a permanent place, a wacky lady in a crazy-busy-loud house... dogs, kids, people dropping in and out. We love her. Grace has started saying her name, which she is quite proud about. She's warm and genuine, really seems to like Grace, and you just can't buy that. Plus I figure Grace is right at home in the crazy dusty house. I love that she has an open door policy. She doesn't ask me constantly what time I am coming, she expects me to walk on in when I get there, whenever. It's very comfortable. And, although it's a mile out of town, it's to the south of town so it's a nice quick drive from either the west side or the east side, with lots of rolling hills and country lanes. Excellent for singing the good morning songs and the going home songs. An unexpected bonus!
Grace is chatting up a storm. According to Baby Center: At age 12 months, most children should be doing this: • Takes a few steps• Says one word besides "mama" and "dada"
And some children might be doing this:
• Walks alone• Scribbles with a crayon• Says two words besides "mama" and "dada"
Not so much on the taking steps and walking stuff, and she ate the crayon I gave her. However, she says mama, kitty, puppy, Scott, Aunt T, book, baby, ball, block, eat, milk, Up please, More please, uh-oh. Help, please. No no no no. bye bye. hi! Hi! hi. HI!
I don't know where she gets the propensity to talk a lot.
And I wish she'd get tired of crawling/standing around.
But it's all good. You can't buy that.
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