Parenting/Adulting

I was thinking about this recently and decided to do a blog post about it.  A few months ago, Ella was in preschool 3 days a week and I was home with Miles on those days and then was with both kids on other days.  I was still struggling to be productive. The house was often a mess. I was not getting a lot of sleep. All my free time was spent cleaning.  Yet the kitchen was still almost always a total disaster. I'd want to shower and not end up getting my shower for 2 more days.  I would often tell people how I did not know how moms did it without having preschool for 1 of the kids.

Fast forward a few months.

Here I am with Ella home everyday because we have not found a preschool yet.  The house is bigger.  Here's the thing. I am keeping it much cleaner than I was.  Ella is not napping. She was before.  Miles is waking up a lot in the night just like he was before.  I'm getting much less sleep. I'm not getting any time for myself. I'm cleaning the kitchen nightly and it's making me happier. But then I am not doing as much fun stuff with Ella as I used to. We barely go to the park. We barely cook. At least she crafts a decent amount now. She uses her iPad a lot. I can't do any more than I'm doing unless less than 4 hours of sleep a night happens. Right now I get 4.5-5.5 every night.

I used to say that moms just did it because they had to. No preschool and moms just did it.  Preschool a few days a week and the moms still do it. There just isn't enough time in the day.   Before I thought I couldn't do more. But then when more needed to be done, I did it. I feel that is what moms tend to do. You power through because you have to.  I just wish there wasn't the mom guilt too.

This same thing can be for dads and not having enough time in the day. I just wrote it about moms since that's me!

The kitchen can be totally clean at 10 AM and a total disaster by 10 PM. It's exhausting.

This was after I was already cleaning for 20 min.

I couldn't have a post without pictures so I threw some in!

5.31 - My Last Day

Poly was still at my parents so I asked for updates. The picture on the bottom right is of Poly on my parents kitchen table.  My mom said she jumped up and my mom lifted her and put her down and then she got back up and did that.

Work was crazy.  I was crazy busy.  Some people came and said bye to me. Some people hugged me bye.  But for the most part nobody did anything. My manager wasn't even there to collect my stuff.  He signed the paper the day before and left it on my desk.  I felt like leaving would have more of a goodbye than it did. I just dropped my stuff off at my managers desk and left.  No big thing. It just felt weird. I thought there should have been more of something when leaving.  It actually made me a little sad.  The lack of goodbye made me sad not the act of leaving the company.  I left my desk a mess.  I did go through all the unread emails and forward them to my backup. I also forwarded the rest of the flagged emails.  I put an auto response up that said I no longer worked for the company.  I got a few emails after that from people telling me it was the best auto response they read yet.   I ended up turning my computer off around 3 to finish packing up my cube. I figured if I had it on, I would just get more emails and more work and I would never get out of there.  Work owed me 2 floating holidays anyway and I hear people don't even work a full day on their last day anyway.   Have you ever left a company? How was your departure?

After work we went to Johnny Carino's for dinner on the way to my parents. We hurried because we missed Poly.

After we got there and were talking Poly was on the floor and I thought she looked lonely. I went over beside her and ended up falling asleep.  Dave knows me and took my picture. I actually woke up and said "I fell asleep. Why didn't anyone take my picture?"  Then I learned later pictures were taken!  We hung out a bit after that.

Then we headed home.  Poly does not like car rides but she liked to be home.

(Dave complimented Jen on her clothes and asked if they were new. Then I asked about mine and he said I looked like 2005.  Well I bought everything I wore in 2006 so he was wrong.)

And this was the beginning of my new journey in life. Oh boy.

6.1

I drove dave to work in the morning.  I had plans to run with someone and with being down to 1 car I had to do it. I wish he went into work later or our run was scheduled earlier though.  I had to go back home after.  I updated my calendar site while I was killing time though so at least I got something done. Granted I spent 15 extra minutes drivin that morning since I had to go back home. 

Then I off to run.  Megan and I did some trail running in the rain.  We ran for 6 miles.  The first quarter mile was really tough. We were both so out of breath. We ran at a 12 minute mile pace.  It was a little difficult to find the North Park Trails. The first half mile or so weren't on the marked trails but then we got to them.  We were hoping this would prepare us for the Laurel Highlands Ultra.  At least we knew to expect 12 minute mile pace.   I wore my old shoes and was sure glad I did because they got a bit muddy.  My legs got pretty muddy too.

After I got home, I showered and stayed in my robe while doing more computer stuff.  Then I had to hurry to get dressed to head to lunch.

I had to pick Dave up.  I had to wait to get out of parking lot. There were some geese in the road (just in case you can't really tell from the pictures).

We went to Double Wide for lunch.  Paulo joined us and had the waitress take our picture.
Before Dave left work, They put a file cabinet in his cube opening to make it so that he couldn't leave.  They sure were nice to him when he was leaving. They made him feel awesome. They told him they'd miss him. It all seemed very nice... unlike what my coworkers did for me.

I got home and took a nap. Day 1 of joblessness and I already took a nap.   Then I went and updated my calendar site some more.

Dave and I watched TV at home.   The first day of the rest of our lives.... or something like that.

4.3

It was my first week of telecommuting 2 days so I was home on a Tuesday.

Poly hung out a lot with me during the day.

We cooked dinner. It was all delicious.  I ate so much. Then I ate more. (I ate that entire muffin plus I had a 2nd helping of roasted potatoes too.)  I prepped the potatoes before going to spinning class and just had Dave put it in the oven to time it right so the first time they needed to be stirred, I would be home.

It was the first time I was at a spin class in over a year and a half. Maybe even 2 years.  Once I started running more, I stopped going. Also once I started telecommuting on Wednesdays, I stopped being at work on Wednesday's to go.

3.26

I realized I don't like how large the leg opening is in these pants. That's why every time I think I don't like them. Usually I think I don't like them because they are too short but that is not the case.
Pants: Editor Pants from Express (2008 or earlier)
Shirt: Express
Cardigan: NY&Co
Belt: Kohl's
Shoes: Aldo
Necklace: Sears

Poly has started a new way to nap. She is mostly on Dave but sticks her head on the arm rest.

Dave and I went to the track after work but we didn't realize how cold it was. We weren't dressed appropriately and we shortened our workout to get home.

Poly replace me in bed. No room for me.

I worked for a few hours after Dave went to sleep. Poly visited me when I was almost done.

3.7 - Car Battery

I want more blazers like this. Well I want more similar but would prefer the sleeves to be longer and there not to be shoulder padding.

I telecommuted.

At lunch we pushed my car out of the garage so we could jump it on the street. We headed to Advanced Auto Parts to get a new battery. Then hit up Wendy's on the way home. I had a frosty in addition to food. No wonder I've gained 6 lbs in the past 10 days.

After work, I went to Body Pump.  I used extremely low weights for squats and lunges because of my knee. I was shocked how easy the rest of the class seemed with my normal weights. I guess the slight break for the 2 leg tracks really helped out.  On the shoulder track I used more weight for overhead presses than I've used in probably 1.5 years.

We watched more Dexter and then Rachel Maddow.  I never get enough Dexter in.  Once we got caught up on our recording for Rachel, I went upstairs to watch it and work. I had to work to prep for meetings since I didn't have any time the following day.  I ended up watching Rachel, Lawrence, and Ed. I worked far too long.

2.14 - Valentine's Day

I wore pink for Valentine's Day.

Dave had to work late. I was going to go run at the gym but he wanted to go to dinner and I thought a run + shower would take too long. Well we ended up working until after 7:30 PM.  Granted I was super productive after most people left for the day. Most people left super early too.   Dave had to work on a project with someone even though it was the other person's project and the reason he was there late is because she has to get it done and she is going on vacation so it had to be done earlier.

Dave and I went to Long Horn for dinner. Since we got an appetizer I just got soup as my meal. I still couldn't even finish the soup.

By the time we got home it was after 9pm and Poly was very upset at us for ditching her all day.

Late at night Dave copied Obama to give me a Valentine's Day tweet.

This monkey has been in Dave's cube for years.  It can fly and when it lands it makes loud monkey noises. Well I went to try it out and the arm broke. I guess it got too old. :(  How sad.

I only got one picture of Poly all day and it was before work. Poor neglected Poly.

I forgot to mention Dave woke me up by putting Poly on me saying Happy Valentine's Day. He said he got me a cat. I thought that was pretty creative.  He went through some effort to get her because she was hiding under the bed.  She usually sleeps with me then right before we get up, she'll go hide under the bed. When my alarms start going off, she hides.

Work Emails

I love data.  I wrote about my work emails before.

Here are 2 of my updated graphs.  I try really hard everyday to sort/delete emails as they come in. I also try to read them all. I currently have 104 unread emails. The more unread emails the more stress. The last time I had 0 unread emails was December 14.

I have to change the scale almost daily for new maximums in my emails in my inbox graph.

Since I hate unread emails, sometimes I read an email and flag it. But then I get too many of those and then I can't keep up either. Flagged emails = stress. Daily I quickly look at my flagged email folder to see if I have done some of them or if they are no longer needed so I can unflag them. Too many of them are still required.  I think I need a vacation from getting emails so I can try to catch up.

A few times coworkers have seen my excel file where I document this and have a bunch of graphs. I have gotten a few weird comments. One was "sometimes I worry about you" when they saw my excel for fun file. I'm off work this Friday and am going to try to spend 2 hours handling emails.  Usually on a weekend, I can spend 3 or so hours and get through a good chunk.   I will start with the unread emails then I will go to the flagged emails.  I wonder how far I will get.

I love data.  What would you graph {if you were to graph something}to show how good/bad you are doing in your work?

1.26

The vest is purple. The tights are gray. The pictures didn't turn out that well.  I probably haven't worn this shirt in over a year. OK maybe it was 3 years ago.  It wrinkles like crazy so I never wanted to wear it.

I wore my snake necklace again. I don't think it really went with the outfit.

My desk is a lot cleaner than normal at work. I handled the 10 or so post-it notes that were all in front of my keyboard.  Dave still said this is not a clean desk but I guess he doesn't see it on a normal occasion.

After work I was so motivated to run and I head over to the gym and realize my orthotics were in my shoes at home and my shoes that were in my gym bag had no orthotics (or insoles at all). Boy did that suck. I was actually motivated to run because Jen told me how she ran 4 miles and had emailed me about it. Usually I go to the treadmill to run and am not motivated. Such wasted motivation.   I came home and after dinner used the exercise bike, did some weights, did an ab workout, and stretched so at least I got a workout in.

12.31 - NYE

I assume I didn't do much prior to leaving for the 5k. I probably did something and can't remember though. We headed for the 5k around 1:30 PM.

I can't believe how good the weather was for a NYE 5k.

After the 5k I ate. Then I went running to meet my monthly mileage goal. Right after that I showered and then I had to do work.

Poly was trying to help me get my work done on NYE. I was there and she cuddled up between me and my computer. I just had to get up to get my camera.  Doing the work caused me to be late for the NYE party.  The work I had to do wasn't really my work but it was doing work for my director and I couldn't have done it until I got an email from her granting her approval and then I had to do some things for her.

I actually wasn't that late to Callie's but I like to be the first one there.  I didn't take many pictures.    I was there until 4:30 am or so.  We played Encore and I hated that game. I don't know songs.   Then we played catch phrase. That is more fun. I love how we play that game every year. 

Just look how cute Poly is.  I used photo shop to edit the same picture in many different ways.  I don't know which one I like the best. I named the files based on what I did to them but once they went into the collage, I don't know which is which.

I took my daily picture at 5am. I had a different outfit on but then Dave didn't think the skirt went that well. 
Sweater: Express
Necklace: Black House White Market (or whatever the name of that store is)
Skirt: F21 (I think)
Tights: Target
Shoes: Aldo

10.11

Shirt: Work (prize)
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: Famous Footwear (Sherri)

(These shoes were not meant to be worn when you have to stand for a couple hours. Ouch)

What a day...
I woke up hoping to run before work. It was too dark so I decided not to and tried to go back to sleep. Dave kept being loud getting ready and trying to talk to me. I couldn't fall back to sleep but still kept trying.

Finally I got out of bed and got in the shower.  While in the shower 2 of my alarms went off and I got out to turn them off. That's what I get for constantly hitting snooze even when I wake up.  Then as I turn the water off to get out of the shower I notice my phone is ringing. I do not know the phone number. I answer it. It was a teacher for the NA-YGN drawing contest I was trying to get in touch with. She wants me to present that very day! There was some back and forth and we kept missing each other.   I learned I not only would have to give the presentation once but twice. I guess I need to look at the slides for the first time.   The presentations impact other appointments I have for the day.

When walking from my car into work I overheard the following conversation:
Guy 1 gave Guy 2 a ride into work
Guy 2: I normally park as far away from the door as possible to walk more
Guy 1: I normally park as close as I can do the door.
(some chit chat about exercise)
Guy 1: Well I biked 120 miles this weekend so I think that cancels out your parking far from the door
Guy 2: No I don't think so.
(then silence the last 20 steps into the building)
The car they got out of is the one I've been eyeing up lately wondering who drove it because it had 2 stickers on it that I was intrigued about. I knew the guy was a runner based on them; 26.2 and 50k. I didn't know he biked too. Too bad they were right behind me. I didn't get to figure out who he was. I caught a quick glimpse but that was it.

I get to work and am going nuts trying to get work done before I have to leave.  I'm also trying to call the doctors office to move my allergy shot appointment. Well my stupid doctors don't have an answering machine so I have to wait until they open. I had to wait until 10am for that. So then once it hit 10:00, I tried calling every 2 minutes until I actually got through instead of the stupid busy signal. Once I finally got through (12th time), I was immediately put on hold. I was on hold a total of 20 minutes. Finally I talk to someone and say I can't make my noon appointment for a shot but could come now or reschedule for a different day. I specifically mentioned waiting 90 minutes last time for a shot and how I did not want that again. The lady told me no day is good! Then she tells me to go in right then.  I head out.  I have to wait 15-20 minutes before getting called back for my shot. Then I have to wait to make sure I don't have a reaction. Time was up so I get up to have someone check me for a reaction (I knew I didn't have one but apparently a medical professional has to confirm) and I wait 10 minutes standing there while the lady at the desk tries to get someone  to look at it.  The nurse finally comes out to look. Touches it looks and says something like it is a little puffy but no reaction but says it in a way like she was reassuring me and I thought I had a reaction. Stupid. I told her I knew and then I left.

Immediately from there I headed on the turnpike to go to Verona  to do the NA-YGN drawing contest presentations. I eat my uncrustable on the way. I get there (almost late) and the people at the desk have no idea how to check me in or page the teacher to come get me.

The presentations went well. The kids asked good questions. I wish I had more pens to giveaway.

As soon as I was done there I headed to drive to my laser hair removal appointment. (This was the appointment I had for 2 weeks ago but had to move a week then the place called to move it a week. then they called me back wanting to move it back but I didn't do it).  I plug the address in my phone and realize I'll be 2 minutes late. Then there is crazy traffic in Oakmont so I dig out my reminder call and call them to say I'll be 5 minutes late.   I was almost only 4 minutes late, but then my GPS had me turn the wrong way on 19 so after I figured it out, I had to turn around. I was a total of 8 minutes late.

The laser removal didn't hurt as bad as I thought. I didn't even squeeze the stress ball. But after my bikini line on the right sure had 20 dots of blood or more  and the left side had many little welts (or what looked like welts). I wonder if that is normal.

I was going to head back to work after but since I'll miss my telecommuting day on my normal Wednesday, I figured I could go home and work.  I did stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way. I got home, worked, ate dinner, then worked more.

During dinner Dave and I watched some of Singoff but I asked to watch something else.  We tried to watch House but it was the TV show before it that taped. I guess some TV show pushed everything late.

Then we watched The Office and How I Met Your Mother. I wanted to watch more but Dave wouldn't have any parts of that so then I got to work. I had on the Simpsons in the background and worked. I barely paid attention to the show but sometimes I still had to pause it to think.  Once 8:20 hit, I turned on the recording that was still in progress of 90210.  I watched that and worked. That took until 9:30 to watch so it was a little obvious that I paused it a lot to think while I was working.

Then it was time to go upstairs and crop pictures and blog.

Is it a sign I was busy or on the go when the only pictures I took all day happened before I left for work?

9.28

I telecommuted.  I was extra busy. My phone rang nonstop. I even ran upstairs while answering a phone 3 times while I tried to eat lunch. I think I actually ate for all of 3 minutes.  I had numerous back to back meetings.  At 4pm I was going to go running to get an 8 mile run in. Instead I ate the rest of my lunch and worked. I finally went running around 5.  Then it was off to Body Pump.  Then Wendy's. Then home to watch TV.  My excitement of the day was ordering pink shoes from Zappos.com.  I can't wait until they come in.

9.30 - Happy Birthday to Me

Cardigan and Skirt: Express
Shirt: Limited
Shoes: Nine West from Famous Footwear
Earrings: Target

Happy Birthday to me.

My birthday fell on a 9/80 day off. Boy was I excited.  Well then it turned out I had to go into work for a 4 hour meeting.  Not so bad. I figured I could leave at lunch.  My meeting in the morning went pretty well.

This morning I got a birthday card.  Then later that same person bought me a brownie.  They were from the same person.  It was extra special because she's not even a good friend. She is just a coworker. It makes me happy.  I actually wanted to take her out to lunch based on how hard she is working but she was MIA when I went to eat lunch. So I ate alone in my cube.  Since I'm never at work on the same Friday as Jen, I forgot she was around. She had other plans anyway.

Then I had additional work to do.
Then I ended up at work later than 95% of the people  Then after 11 hours, it got better.
Two friends offered to go out to dinner with me since I said Dave was full from lunch so no birthday dinner for me.  I picked Olive Garden.  There was a wait.   Nick said I had to eat 3 bowls of pasta.... so I did.  I actually got 4 because the waiter messed up one so I ate half the wrong one.  Nick coordinated them to bring me a cake. He was tricky. I even had a bowl after that.  The waiter laughed when I asked for my 4th bowl.  I guess I ate more than he or anyone thought.  I wasn't even full when I quit eating. I was just taking so long. I was done eating a good 20 minutes after everyone else.  I just quit so that I didn't make everyone else wait.

At dinner, Dave made me open my birthday present.  He got me a new camera.  How exciting.  He made claims of not getting me anything since I spent so much at the mall less than a week ago.

After dinner, Dave and I watched The X Factor.

I worked 53 hours so far this week. I still have more work to do. I didn't get done what my manager asked for yet. I have to do that this weekend.  My work week should have been 36 hours!

9.27 - Long workday

I just bought the vest at the mall this weekend.  The button down shirt is the oldest and that is from 2008.  Each piece is from a different year (I think) and it all works so well together.

The back of the vest is solid gray. I seem to be wearing these purple shoes a lot. I think I wore them more in 2 weeks than I did in the past 5 months.

I woke up early and got to work early. I even curled my hair. It only takes 3 minutes but I tend to skip it to get other things done in the day.

I had numerous meetings. I was swamped. I had a meeting scheduled 11:30-5 but it was done slightly early. Then I was able to give training a little early and we hurried. I was done at 5:30 instead of 6.  Instead of doing the millions of things I had to do, I helped a coworker finish her RCA. Actually I could have run too. I was going to run then do my own work. That didn't happen. I didn't get my nice easy 4 mile run in. I got a rest day in instead. :( Julie did tell me to go run and not miss my workout but I felt bad. I thought I could run then go help her but I didn't have a change of clothes for a shower. Plus she thought she'd be leaving "early" so by 9 or 10pm and I thought I could use an exercise bike at home after.

I got tuna to go and velveeta shells and cheese and we had that for dinner.  Then later I learned my Olive Garden leftovers were still in the work fridge so I had that. (Dave was supposed to take them home the day before but he forgot.)

I left work at midnight.  I have never been at work so late. I have worked later but drove home, ate, and then worked.   This was my longest continuous working. I even worked through lunch.  At least I did have 5 minutes in the middle of the day that I talked to Jen.

I got my flu shot today too.

I was making a big deal that Julie worked 15 hours today but then realized I worked 16. Oh boy. She did work 17 yesterday though and then only slept 4 hours.  She looked really tired.  I encouraged her to stay at a hotel instead of trying to drive 50 minutes to go home. I really hope she did that. She doesn't have a change of clothes but I still think it's a smart move to stay at a hotel.

Why do I always put in extra time helping other people? I should have done my own work.  I still have things to do by EOB Wednesday!

My little Poly greeted me when I got home. She ran down the stairs. She's such a cute little girl.  Dave was asleep but I woke him up after I made noise trying to get ready for bed so then he said hi. He immediately went back to sleep.

The outfit was surprisingly comfortable for such a long day. It didn't annoy me much at all. But 11pm I was getting annoyed a little with the shirt bunching up under the vest but not too bad after such a long day.