Why can’t I just get a job selling mattresses?

So here I am, totally exhausted on Tuesday nights after working a full day at my job and then taking my evening class (for my School Social Work Credential). This past Tuesday, I was driving home after the class at about 9:50pm with a monster headache that started at 1pm that day after a 2.5 hour Union Meeting.

Off the side of the freeway there is a mattress store. As I’m driving home, one hand on the wheel, one hand on my head, I think to myself, “Self, what are you doing?” Is it all worth it? The FT job, the class at night, missing my kids, etc.

I pass by the mattress store and think, how hard could that job be? I mean really, nobody’s life is at stake, angry parents aren’t clogging up your voice-mail with their messages that they need you to call them back AT THAT INSTANT, co-workers who haven’t got a clue wouldn’t be bugging you for information, supervisors wouldn’t have much to complain about, you’d do your job and then go home – ON-TIME --- so then it hit me. Why can’t I just have a job like that??? Huh?? Is that asking too much?

Okay, seriously, then about 2 miles down the freeway I come to my senses. NO, I didn’t go to graduate school and get my Master’s Degree in Social Work to sell mattresses. I haven’t worked my butt off for the past 12+ years in the public sector to sell you a mattress making a fifth of what I make now (plus excellent benefits). I know I’m a capable social worker, and hopefully after this class is done (this December) I’ll have a credential that will open more doors for me – and hopefully will lead to even bigger and better things. That will give me more options to teach my children that yeah, if you work hard, you can make it too.

So, if you DO sell mattresses and you’re reading this – I salute you. Your job sounds like a fine way to spend the day, and maybe you do deal with lots of crap and “tired” (no pun intended) customers, but after considering it, I think I’ll stick with my current job – at least for now…

Because I needed to know...

It's fun working for the county. We get answers to all kinds of things that people ask.

Check this out:


6) Is it true that California is going to fall into the Pacific Ocean?


No. The portion of California west of the San Andreas Fault is firmly attached to the Pacific Plate and the portion east is firmly attached to the North American Plate. San Diego is moving north towards Los Angeles at the rate of about 2 inches per year and is in no danger of falling into the ocean. The Los Angeles City Hall is 10 feet closer to San Francisco than when it was built in 1924. In about 500,000 years San Diego could be an island off the coast of San Francisco.


***You know you wanted to know but were afraid to ask.
****It's a good thing we're looking to buy property here in San Diego, I've always wanted a beach-front home.
*****Keep reading, more fun posts below!

Coming up next...

...why can't I work selling mattresses?

...why CAN'T the kids come with a parenting manual?

...I've had a headache now for 3 days, why?

...Also, my allergies (or whatever you want to call it) has kicked into high-gear, why?

Stay tuned! Fun times ahead!!!

My 3 boys (and Seth the toothless wonder)

I couldn't resist posting this picture. I never realized how hard it would be to get 3 boys to all smile on cue. I think Logan was looking at my wildly waving hand vs. the camera, but it's still cute. At least I think so... ;-)

Lost a tooth, and not who you would think!

No, not Foster. He doesn't even have ONE loose tooth - perhaps because he was a toothless yearling (we felt his first tooth starting to pop in just a day after his first birthday). He started getting teeth late so I assume he'll start to loose them late.

Anyway, Sunday night as we were getting the kids ready for a shower, Seth lets out a piercing scream. He said Logan hit him with his head like this (he shows me). It was completely an accident - the kids were jumping all over the couch and each other. I cautiously peer into his mouth and there is lots of blood. We put ice on it. I keep thinking - I sure hope he didn't knock a tooth loose. I look again. The bleeding is slowing down and I gently touch the top front tooth that looks, well, a little different now. Sure enough, it moved when I touched it. My stomach dropped into the floor. This is the kid that doesn't eat enough as it is! I thought at that moment that this will make his eating worse! AND, this isn't the first tooth gone. At about a 18 mos. or so, he had an "extra" tooth removed, one that was growing in between those top two teeth.

Damn. We called the doctor and dentist Sunday night and made an appt. for first thing Monday morning. We went to the dentist and sure enough, the root was snapped in half and the tooth had to be removed. My poor baby! Laura stayed with him this time (I did the first tooth removal at 18 mos.), I couldn't do it.

They gave him Valium, nitrous oxide and Novocaine. They said he'd probably conk out the minute he got in the car to go home. Obviously they don't know my Seth. He feel asleep about half a mile from the house, for about 2 minutes. He pretty much cried all the way home. We gave him some Motrin and about 20 minutes later you wouldn't have known anything was wrong. The boy who doesn't eat, suddenly inhaled two scrambled eggs with cheese, two pieces of very soft toast and then another hard-boiled egg. Then after 3 episodes of "Caillou", I couldn't take it anymore and asked him if he wanted to go to the store (99 cent store) to pick out a toy (not counting the three goodie bags the dentist gave him) just to get out of the house. He eagerly agreed.

My mother and I drove for a while to the 99-cent store where he proceeded to demand to walk thru the store and NOT sit in his stroller. Okaaaaaaaaay. He was cleaning up the aisles as we walked around. He picked out a toy calculator and two dinosaurs that were "just the bones". He did sit in his stroller when we went into another store and then was wide awake all the way home.

He did tell Logan that he wasn't mad at him. Whew! I'm sure there will be more bumps, bruises, and broken body parts but man, I wasn't planning on this yesterday.

Now, we will probably get him a partial because it will be another good 3 years before his permanent tooth comes in and I bet he'd want that front tooth there for school. But honestly, he sure is cute with that missing tooth and it just makes him look so much older than his 3 years.

Our two minutes of "fame"...

Recently, we (mostly me) were interviewed by a student journalist taking part in the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Convention which was here in San Diego. "Our" journalist focused on being Lesbian and Jewish. Here is our family's showcase presentation!!!

While all the stories are quite interesting (there's only about 8 minutes of footage total), if you want to jump to "our" family we are the last story (HEY, save the best for last right?) at about the 6:01 minute mark.

Enjoy!

Oh sure, nothing going on here...

Why oh why can't I find any time to post?

Let's see...

Changed jobs.

Started "new" old job - again.

Started new graduate school class on Tuesday nights for two hours and 40 long minutes (to get my credential to apply to be a school social worker - just need that one class).

All 3 kids started swim lessons - if you were at the "Y" last weekend, nope, that wasn't me with the 3 screaming kids (a cute blonde 6 year old and adorable 3 year old twins) that I seriously thought should be sold to the highest bidder - nope, that wasn't me, really, nope.

Oldest started first grade - let's just say it didn't go as well as I had hoped but things are looking better and now they are afraid of us 'cause we are "THOSE" parents (more another time).

House is on the market and every day we have to make sure it's "Ready to Sell".

Looking, looking, looking for a new place to call home.

Oldest also re-started Hebrew School on Sundays.

Big 'ole garage sale happing at our place this Saturday and holy sh*t we have lots to get rid of (and that means getting it all out of storage and priced and out the door by 7am Saturday morning).

I get to take those adorably, cute 3 kids to swim class again ALONE (okay so my mother is coming with me, but it ain't the same w/o Laura) this Saturday because said garage sale is happening at about the same time - help!

Did I mention our house is on the market and we're looking for another?

So, nope, nothing at all going on here - nada.

If you're looking for an e-mail from me, it's coming, don't worry...I still have yours in my "Mail to Answer" inbox.

I feel ill...

The pictures don't lie...

Top picture is of Foster's first day of first grade. Happy guy eh?
Bottom picture is of Foster's first day of Kindergarten last year.

Methinks he doesn't appreciate photos on the first day.

More later!

Yeah, well, so, it WAS my last day

Whew! But working for the county - they (read: CPS) can still find me - that's what they do best eh?

I started my new, old job today. Same old, same old. Same office, same desk, heck, even some of my same files were still there!

Got me a brand, spankin' new 'puter though - so that helps.

Oh well, gotta remember that I do have a method to my madness. Class every Tuesday nite 'til December. Then I'll be on the look-out. Good thing is that I don't "HAVE TO" find another job right away, I'll be looking while working.

But yeah, you know, administration is the same B.S. no matter where you go. There will always be "those people" who seem to exist to make your life difficult. Altho, I do have to admit, I did receive a very nice welcome from all my old co-workers and my supervisor. That was nice.

Other news placeholder:

***a journalist from ABC news interviewed us last night in our home (in regards to being an LGBT family and me being Jewish) - link will be posted soon if it's not 'too' embarrasing.

***Laura will start her new job/promotion as a program manager (supervisor) - it's a good thing.

***Foster turns 6 on Sunday. That means 6 years ago tomorrow, I went into labor - how did my baby boy become a first grader.

***Speaking of which, Foster starts first grade on Tuesday but we have NO idea who his teacher will be, what classroom he'll be in, etc. because the school will have it ready - on Tuesday, the first day of school. Ummmm, yeah, that makes perfect sense. Okay - we did receive a recorded msg. at home "welcoming us back to school" - oh how personal is that? (smirk).

Tomorrow 'should' be/better be my last day...

...but you know the county and all...

So, tomorrow (Thursday) should be my last day at my CPS job. Then Friday (first day of a new payperiod) should be my first day at my new old job - following me?

You never know who is reading this so some things I can't delve into here on this public blog but suffice it to say that when you wait and wait and wait to review someone's work until they have less than 10 hours of available work time left - issues will come up. I mean come on now people, I put in my transfer request about 10 (TEN) weeks ago. Here we are one work day left and NOW you're bringing things to my attention? Ugggg. No wonder this place can't hold onto the people they have.

But, I have a method to my madness...

Last night I started my one graduate-level class I need to get my credential so that I can apply for school social work positions. Yeah, I was one of "those" people who graduated with my Master's degree 12 years ago and I was on the school social work credential track when I - for some stupid reason I can't really figure out - didn't follow thru on one last item and therefore didn't get my credential. 12 years later, I finally decided to finish it and luckily for me, I kept all my old final papers and exams and they were accepted as valid. So, just one class to take - it meets Tuesday evenings for 2 hours and 40 minutes and then come December when I pass the class I'll get my credential and then I can look around for other opportunities in the school district. I just kinda like the idea of summers off!

Anyway, things have changed so much since I went to school 12 years ago. For one thing, the internet as we know it today, didn't exist "back then". So now, I needed to get my new student ID # so I can access a web portal that will bring me to a virtual black board that has required readings on it. Sheesh. Like I don't have enough reading to do in the FOUR required text books. But, it is kinda fun to be back on campus, being a student, learning new things and opening up my world to new opportunities.

So yeah, method to my madness. I need to take a step backwards (by going back to my old position) so that I can get out and take 2 steps forward - by having the luxury of taking an evening class and devoting more time to studying - something I just couldn't do with a job with CPS. The uncertainty of the position with CPS would make taking an evening class almost impossible.

So - I hope to able to say "I'm done here" at 4:30 pm tomorrow.

Wish me luck.

No Cavities!!!!

That was the good news of today for Logan and Seth's first real dental appointment! Everything looked great and both did well (well, Logan more than Seth as expected).

WHOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We don't have to go back for another 6 months!

Foster learned how to ride his two-wheel bike in under TWO hours without his training wheels.
Just like everything else in his life, he waits until he is sure he can do it and then he just does it. He'll be 6 on Sept. 2nd.
Yay!!

New old job...

So, I've been a CPS social worker for what, 6 months now and I've been trying to get back to my previous position for 2 months. Uggggg.

Me no like.

No, I highly dislike it!

Doing the investigations are actually interesting, today I got to go to Juvenile Hall. Tomorrow, a possible drug raid. But the uncertainty of the hours is a killer. I work from 8am to 4:30 and at 4pm I could get an emergency call and possibly not get home 'til who knows when.

B.C. (Before Children) I wouldn't have cared much, especially when all I had to worry about was myself. Hell, I would have willingly worked overtime. But now, A.C. (After Children) it's a different story. I need to be home at a regular time. I need to know that when my work day ends at 5pm I'm done.

So, part of the beauty of working for the county is that if you transfer to a new position, during that whole first year, you can go back to the job you held previously, no questions asked.

So, I've got my fingers and toes crossed that by next Friday I'll be sitting in my new old cubicle doing my new old job. But at least I'll know I'm done when I'm done and not have to worry about any 4pm surprises.

Next post = I'm going back to school!!!

It's kinda odd, bizarre and weird, but the kids love it...

Aren't they the cutest? So what if I'm biased...

Drumroll please...

The winner is Sonya with her excellent guess of a boy in a laundry bag.

Close.

That's Foster inside his PILLOW CASE. And yes, head to the left, feet to the right. Some days I wish "I" can crawl up inside my pillow case...

What is it???

Bragging rights to the first person to guess correctly!

I want, no NEED a vacation...

I'd love to do Family Pride in the Desert this year in October. I think we're gonna try and make it happen. It's at the Shilo Inn Suites in Palm Springs this year. Looks great - two pools, steam room, sauna - and all the LGBTQ families in the area.

How fun!

I've been thinking lately that it's time to start making some more fun memories for the kids. I mean yeah, we do fun stuff all the time like the Zoo, beach, parties - but I want some other memories for them as well and the icing is that it's with all the other lesbian and gay families that are so much fun to hang out with. That is the main reason for getting together that weekend. I want my kids to know that there are soooo many other families out there that are "just like theirs" and boy, do we know how to have a great time!

WhoHoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Sadie

Sadie

1992 - 2007

(yeah, it can be kinda cheesy, but I like it and it's my blog and I can put it here)

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…
– Author Unknown

And now, first grade shopping list - DONE

I took Foster today to go "back to school shopping". Being that he's in a "year-round" school, he gets "only" 6 weeks off for summer until school starts on Sept. 4th. Thought I may as well get the stuff while I can. First we went to Big Lots. SCORE!!!

We got:
washable markers
glue sticks
pocket folders (with 3-hole brads)
backpack
lunch bag

Of course, no "back to school shopping" journey would be complete without a trip to Target. We picked up the plastic folder and a box of tissues there.

At home, I found the rest of the goods:
pencils
colored pencils
crayons
pencil top erasers
scissors (must be Fiskars)
pencil box


Whew! That's done. I think I was more excited to do this last year for Kindergarten but it was still fun. I love school supplies and, well, office supplies in general. If you know me, you know my obsession with pens and pencils. Whenever we visit somewhere new (like tourist-y places) I try to get a pen. Hey, it's cheap and useful.


Perhaps I should just quit my job and work at Staples.

Anyway, the backpack from Big Lots was $8 and the lunch bag was $5. What Foster does to a backpack and lunch bag is beyond me. I swear he must drag it around all day. He really needed a new backpack and really, REALLY needed a new lunch bag. The same items at Target were 3 times as much. And thankfully, this year, he actually selected a backpack that "I" would carry. No superheroes, no turtles, no pirates......just a plain red and grey one. But, Batman won out for the lunch bag.

Cool.

Foster's Kindergarten Graduation

Click below for Foster's Kindergarten Graduation pictures. Our baby is all "growed" up.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZs2bNu0ZNGYz&notag=1

Happy Birthday Logan and Seth

Follow this link to see pictures from Logan and Seth's 3rd Birthday Party!



http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZs2bNu0ZNGYi&notag=1

Listen to this mom tell it like it is...

It finally happened...

We received public praise for our children's behavior in a restaurant.

I'm hoping it will happen again soon...because then we may re-think going out to eat more often.

Whew! Finally...

And tomorrow I "went" into labor........

Hard to believe but almost 3 years ago, Logan and Seth were born. I went into labor on July 14th and they were born in the wee hours of July 15.


Logan was born first and Seth lingered on, enjoying his warm home by himself for an hour and a half before he was vacuumed out!

Party tomorrow and of course, pictures to follow.

My babies are full-fleged boys, no longer babies.

The verdict is...

...ANOTHER root canal.


Need I say any more.


Ouch.

That's #2 in about 2 months. I've reached the maximum on my dental insurance to make it even better.


Uggggggg.

Teeth....

I hate mine. I really do. They hurt. They hurt when I eat something cold, something hot, something spicy, something sweet - okay, not all of them just the ones screaming at me from the right side.

I just went thru one root canal and during that process, the dentist put in a "deep filling that we'll have to watch" he says.

Yeah, well, here we are about 3 weeks later and motrin ain't cuttin' it.

Damn.

I hate my teeth. That's why I have yet another dentist appointment this coming Monday at 9:30 (he's on vacation this week, no doubt someplace fancy living off all the money I've given hime) to see if yet another root canal is in order. I'm leaning towards yes.

And I'll go thru with it if it stops the throbbing pain that's been waking me the past few nights.

Seriously, I really adore my dentist and have NO plans to change. I fought hard to get him back and changed insurances to do just that. I had a few years in there that I went to - well, let's just say, less qualified dentists that I had to report to the Dental Board.

I'm glad to have Dr. G. back on my side.

Yes, I can go to his "alternate" this week but I'd rather wait it out 'til Monday.

Now, off to take some more motrin.

A scary event but it all turns out okay...

I just have to relate something that happened last weekend in the hopes it raises awareness. And so that I have it here on the blog and I don't forget it.

Laura and I went to the pool and she was off swimming with Foster (who can swim) and I was near the pool steps playing catch with a ball with the twins who are almost 3 (and can't swim). They were both sitting on the first few steps happily splashing. I turned my head half-way to coax Logan to "jump" to me from the 3rd step (really, just fall to me). I think my attention was turned towards him for approx. 20 - 30 SECONDS as I caught him and was bringing him back to the steps when I turned to where I last saw Seth.....he was face down floating in the water. He wasn't moving at all, wasn't flailing, just silent.

OMG, my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. I was literally one arms-length away from him. I was holding Logan and I took one step and grabbed Seth with my other arm and scooped him out of the water. I didn't even have time to say a prayer and he was out of the water and crying. I wasn't 3 feet from the side of the pool and I stood up and put them both up there and tried to calm Seth down. Thank God he was crying. I knew I had to be calm for him so I just held him (I was still in the pool but by that time Laura got to the edge of the pool and took care of Logan). I can't tell you what went thru my mind in that, what, maybe 1 minute of time. I can't even bear to type what I first thought when I first saw him face down. Thinking of it now brings chills down my spine. He was fine, he was crying, he didn't even spit out any water which makes me think he instinctively held his breath. But I was never as happy to hear him cry before. Now, I'm not one to take water safety lightly. I am always within arms reach of my kids. They all must take professional swim lessons. I'm usually so attentive to them, and this was literally less than 30 seconds that I took my eyes off him. I will NEVER, EVER do that again. EVER. NEVER.

All you parents out there that ever did something in panic-mode knows what I mean when I say that for those few seconds until I got him out of the water, I didn't hear anything else, I didn't hear the other kids in the pool, I didn't see anything but my kid in the water, I didn't feel my sprained ankle, I felt like I was moving in slow motion but I heard absolutely NOTHING else. The world went quiet, only to be broken by that sweet cry.

A lesson learned!

Happy Anniversary!!!!

Today (July 4th) is our 8th anniversary. Whew!!!

What a wild ride it's been.

8 years, THREE kids, one dog, one house (soon hopefully it will be a different house), many trips, vacations and car-rides, illness and wellness and everything that happens in-between.

I'm already planning our 10th anniversary - just two more years and I really, really, really want to take a "Rosie" cruise, yes, with the kids of course......or, a little vacation in the South of France could be fine too.

Actually, anything together is a really good thing.

Love YOU!!!

Pictures!!!

Follow this link to see our newest pictures!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZs2bNu0ZNGYA&notag=1

A little side note though on the pictures. The Amazing Race ones were a birthday party we did for a friend. It was mostly fun until I (Ivy) took a nasty fall resulting in a sprained ankle and a busted knee that landed me on crutches for a week. Other than that, we had lots of fun.

Enjoy.

Oh and another post below, be sure to read to your heart's content....

Empty Nest Syndrome - literally

Baby bird in white circle
Getting bigger....

Last picture taken before they all flew away...

Because it's funny and pretty much true and I have no time to create an original post, but I will soon...Oh, and I am a union steward too!

Somebody needs a UNION---


OFFICE MEMO*To all Employees:**Effective on 20th June, 2007.
**Dress Code
*1. It is advised that you come to work dressed. According to your salary if we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a pay raise.
2. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a pay raise.
3. If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a pay raise.

*Sick Days
We will no longer accept a doctor's certificate as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

*Holiday Days
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year.They are called Saturday and Sunday.

*Compassionate Leave
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend to the arrangements. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch break and subsequently leave one hour early.

*Toilet Use
1. Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls.
2. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and your picture will be taken.
3. After your second offence, your picture will be posted on the company notice board under the "Chronic Offenders" category.
4. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sanctioned under the company's mental health policy.

*Lunch Break
1. Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more so that they can look healthy.
2. Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
3. Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. Remember we are an employer of choice and we are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

Seth-ism

A week or so ago I was trying to get Seth to calm down. He was screeching something about something, I'm not sure what.

Anyway, I said to Seth (our almost 3 year old) - "Seth, STOP screeching!"

To which he replied "I'm NOT screeching, I'm whining!"

Yeah, well, can't argue with that...

We have BEAKS!!!

I'm proud to say (like I had a part in this) that we now have some baby birds in the nest. You can't see them from this picture but that is the nest in our carport.

Today, Laura went out to throw something away and heard the baby birds, then of course I had to check and sure enough I heard their tiny squawks. So being the city-girl I am, I convinced Laura to rig-up a mirror attached to the Swiffer handle and we checked and sure enough, there were at least 2 or 3 babies in the nest. I saw one head and a beak, the other(s) were curled around towards the back of the nest.

Next on the agenda is to figure out a way to take a picture of the babies without startling them or worse! Mama bird now just stares at me as I get into and out of my car, she no longer tries to kill me - or peck my eyes out.

Some new photos from today

So much to blog, so little time to do it.

My plan to blog about:

My job.

Our "goings-on".

New pic's.

House stuff.

Soon, soon, soon...

This is for Blogging for LGBT Families Day!!!!

Whew! I was hoping to be able to get this in today - on the day it's supposed to be in!

Not really sure what to blog about but I decided to try to make it positive. Let's see...as an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Family now with 3 kids we half-expected to be exposed to much more homophobia than we have, in fact, I really can't remember even one incident that we experienced. It was pretty much a non-issue when it was just Laura and I and no kids. Our friends and family knew we were a couple - whoever didn't like it - or didn't support us didn't make it known to us, and even if they did, I doubt it would have mattered much anyway. We are a couple, we are partners. Laura isn't my "roommate" or my "special friend" or even just "friend", we are partners in life. We were (still are) a couple and that's that.

Then we added kids to the mix and I expected some homophobia or stupid comments. Didn't get any, at least not to our faces. Our friends have been amazing (you know who you are!) since the birth of our kids. When our oldest son spends the night at his best friend's house, we feel 100% positive that they will treat him as their own and that they like us for who we are not what we are. The professionals we've met and dealt with including doctors, daycare providers, public school officials, etc. have been equally supportive. I recall meeting with our pediatrician before Foster was even born (our interview with her) and she stated she had no problems with us being a two-mom family - score! Not that we EXPECTED there to be an issue, but we were still relieved that there were none. And since then, every time we have come-out as a two-mom family to just about anyone, we've been met with nothing but acceptance. AGAIN, if there wasn't any acceptance, then it wasn't made clear to us.

Here in CA, both Laura and I are both the legal parents. Period. Therefore if something happened to me, the law is on Laura's side, as if we were opposite sex parents. There is NOBODY else on the planet that I'd want to parent our children more than my own partner if I wasn't around. NOBODY. They are OUR kids - plain and simple. She's been there since conception (okay, even before) and each and every day afterwards. And of course, I know that our kids wouldn't want ANYONE else than their own mommies to care for them. I feel protected here in this state - protected in the eyes of the law. Other states have to get with the program and extend the same protections to their same sex families that we enjoy here.

Anyway, where was I going with this? Oh yeah, homophobia - I know it exists, but in our personal lives we haven't experienced it in regards to our kids and isn't that what this day is all about -blogging for FAMILIES DAY. We are a family. One we made ourselves with a conscious effort. We didn't get pregnant by accident. It was planned every step of the way. I think that Laura and I have the responsibility to raise our children with the skills they need to start making some changes in the world - because I know there exists lots of homophobia in the world that they may be exposed to. That's an awesome responsibility. I hope to prepare them adequately. There needs to be change, both on the local and federal level. I have hopes that it will change - and one day ALL families - regardless of family make-up will be honored as such.

My potential killer...

This is the Eastern Phoebe for those of you not up on your bird-watching.

This bird, is scary I tell ya! For the past, oh, 4 years or so, this bird has made it's nest in our carport. Usually, it prefers to build it's nest right in the middle of the carport, right above "my" car (AKA: Mommy Ivy's car, the minivan). As you can imagine, bird poop was a given on my car roof. Ewwwww. Lots of it. Lots. Last year, I didn't want the bird "droppings" on my car, I didn't want to deal with it - so Laura knocked down the nest as soon as they started to build it. I think we knocked it down once or twice until they got the idea that maybe building and re-building right above the minivan wasn't the hot set-up (you know, bird-brain and all). And I guess the bird decided to build elsewhere.

This year, a few months ago, I noticed that bird again in the carport - first sitting oh so innocently in the rafters of the carport - watching me, mocking me. Then a few weeks later - it all began AGAIN. First a twig or two, then some more and very soon that bird had it's nest up. THIS time however, the bird decided to build the nest all the way over to the side of the carport, nowhere near the roof of my car. Smart bird - okay, I take back that "bird-brain" comment above. So we now are the soon-to-be-human grandparents of yet another set of fledgling baby birds. But, it doesn't end there.

That mama bird (papa bird?) sits in it's nest and I swear, it just watches me with it's beady little eyes every time I get into my car. I check to see as I'm pulling into the carport if it is indeed sitting on it's nest, and if so, I know to be careful because that bird likes to swoop down off it's nest and fly right over my head as I'm either getting out or into my car. When I'm getting into my car it watches me, it mocks me as if to say "Hey you, I remember what you did to my nest last year and I'll never, ever forget or forgive you - just watch me - (insert evil-sounding laugh here)". I actually have to duck my head when getting into my car, lest I be hit in the face by that bird - or pooped on. I just know it's waiting to do that, I just know.

I need help, I need therapy.

This will surely scar me for life. Maybe I should just stop eating chicken or turkey (distant cousins of the bird I'm sure) and make peace with the bird.

Or not.

Am I the only one that hates...

...the summer?

Uggg, I mean I hate the warm/hot weather. I hate the bugs. I hate sweating. I hate the dry air. I hate not being able to wear my sweaters and jackets. I hate taking a shower with the water full-blast on cold and it's still luke-warm.

But, in the spirit of finding something good in everything, I must say that I just LOVE summer fruit. I think this is about the only thing I love about summer. We went to Henry's yesterday and I was just in my glory picking out the yummy summer fruit.

So there you have it. I must be the only person in the state that does NOT look forward to summer.

Finally, the New York "Post"

Click here for the link to the picture album for our trip to New York.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZs2bNu0ZNGXe&notag=1

Enjoy!!!

It's Coming!!!!!

A sign that I need another vacation...

I was standing in the shower last night waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for the hot water. I was wondering why the water was so cold and why it was taking so darn long for the water to get hot - or at least luke-warm.

Laura came into the bathroom and I complained that the water was taking FOREVER to get hot.

She said "well, did you turn ON the hot water?"

Duh....

I need a vacation.

Yeah, I know...

Need to post New York photos.


Need to post about new job.


Need to post about "goings-on".


But - need to sleep too - you know, priorities and all that.

Patience - it ain't just a virtue...

We survived!

I have to admit that the flight back to CA was 100% better than the one going TO New York. For one thing, all 3 kids slept almost the entire flight. Yes, it was a mid-day flight but who am I to question sleeping kids??? So, Jet Blue, I do love you (hey, I made a rhyme) but your seats don't recline enough - fix it and we will be good to go.

Otherwise, the last week is a blur. Why is it a week of vacation goes by in the blink of an eye but a week at work goes by, well, sooooo much more slowly? Overall we had a great time. We took Foster to the Natural History Museum and the Hayden Planetarium (on two different days). Now, these are world-famous museums, known all over, right? We were thinking that Foster would go crazy over the dinosaur bones and the Planetarium show. Well, he did enjoy all that but wanna know what the true highlight of his two-day trip into the Big Apple was???? He wanted nothing more than to collect used Metro Cards - off the floor...in New York. Ick. For those of you not familiar with the Metro Cards you can click on the link and see what they are but basically they are pre-paid passes for the subways and buses, etc. And what do good New Yorkers do when their Metro Cards are empty and no longer usable? Do they throw them in the multiple trash cans nearby? Nope. Do they insert them into the easily accessible Metro Card recycling container? Nah. They toss them on the ground for 5 year old boys to pick up. Lucky for my kid!

Laura took me for my birthday to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. I really enjoyed it. How can you NOT enjoy a Broadway show? However, I admit to liking The Lion King much better. She also treated me to a wonderful lunch at the nearby Bond 45 restaurant which was simply wonderful! What a treat. That day, we were in the City solo - even more fun!

Not so fun was all of us getting sick mid-week last week. I must blame my horrible head cold on the New York subways. I could just "see" the virus' floating around the subway car invading my California immune system. I got it first, then my mom got it from me, then Laura got it from everyone else. Well, the kids seem fine though so that's good.

We also did some visiting with friends and relatives and as usual, my mom threw a party for the kids and invited half of Brooklyn - okay, not half, maybe a quarter! ;-)

That was also really fun and the food, OMG, the food........if ever there is a good reason to go to NY, the food was out of this world (Jewish Deli) - seriously, it was one of the few things that kept me going on the red-eye flight to NY (when I wanted to flush myself down the airplane toilet - well, either that or just lay down in the aisle - I was SO tired) - I just kept thinking of the food waiting for our arrival.

So, now we are back and I'm back at my new job.

I'm not going to go there just yet, that's a post for another time...

Repeat after me...

"I will never, ever, ever, never ever take the Red-Eye flight with 3 kids and sit 10 rows apart from Laura. Never, ever, ever..."

This is the flight that shall not be spoken of, well at least not right now. Maybe later, maybe.

Suffice it to say we are in New York, we've survived the MONSOON - good grief, but today we took Foster to the Natural History Museum and it was wonderful, just as I remembered it as a child when I went there on school field trips. I just loved watching Foster check everything out.

Tomorrow is the Hayden Planetarium - can't wait. More later!

Single Digits Baby!

Not counting today, we are 8 days away from our trip to New York.

Don't say I didn't warn you all you Jet Blue passengers on the red eye to New York from CA....

Just kidding, I hope.

Maybe I'm just making more of an issue about the flight than I need to, maybe the kids will be complete angels, maybe they'll sleep the entire time and be all refreshed and ready to go when we arrive, maybe there won't be any turbulence and we'll get there early...maybe not.

I can only hope that all goes well and the kids do fine. Right?

My new job isn't particularly happy that I'm working for 3.5 days (I'm taking a half day off on Friday the 13th, the day we leave for NY, AND it's my Birthday!!!) and then leaving on vacation for a week and a day (I'm taking the 23rd off as well to recuperate even though we arrive back in CA on the 22nd). But what can you do? I planned this vacation in January - way before I even interviewed for my new job. Yeah, I explained that all to them but you now the saying about "deaf ears". They do understand but I have this feeling it's just setting up some barriers that I'll have to work extra hard on to break down once we are back in CA and I'm back on the job. Then, get this, one of the largest 'cosmic jokes' has landed in my mailbox...

So, I'm planning to go to work on the 24th, my first "real" day on the new job. A day my new supervisor is waiting for with bated breath (they are in desperate need of more workers). And what do I get in my mailbox last week???


Can you guess???


Yup, a Jury Duty summons.


Guess the start date???


Go ahead, I double-dog dare ya!


YES - April 24th! My first day back on the job!


So, what does a good county citizen do?

I postponed my start date until October. I'll push my luck but only so far. I couldn't imagine telling my new-to-be supervisor that wait - I have jury duty, sorry, can't come into work. Then imagine if I got on a case? Not good. So, October it will be. Maybe by then I'll be ready for a day off of work. I don't think I'll want to be selected to be on a case so that's why I'm hoping for just a day off. Here in San Diego County for jury duty we have "One Day, One Trial". So if you go in on your report day and you don't get selected for a trial, you're done. Well, at least until your name comes up again and you get another summons (but at least you have one year to count on not having to go back). BUT, if you get selected for a trial, you have to serve just on ONE trial. After that is done, you are free for 3 years.


Well, I'm actually home right now for an hour and a half lunch (unheard of usually) during the end of my CPS training so I'm eating lunch, listening to the news, reading e-mail and updating my Blog.



I can so seriously multi-task...

Math Whiz

This is Foster receiving his award at a very special school assembly. He won the award (which also came with a free meal at a local nice restaurant) for his "excellence in math". The picture is of Foster and his Kindergarten teacher.

Goodness, I know he certainly didn't get the math genes from me, but I'm pleased he is doing so well in math. It's such an important subject. If he can continue to do well in math - he's got it made.

And hopefully he won't decide to become a social worker or anything like that! ;-)





yes, I'm joking (kinda...)

So now it's Wednesday - do you all know what that means?

Wednesday nights Laura has her Practitioner classes. This means, Wednesday night, I'm solo mama. Not too bad really. It's just after 7pm and all 3 kids are in bed. The twins are almost asleep and Foster gets to watch a movie on Wednesday nights.

I'm here posting this vs. being in my room doing whatever I need to do because I don't want to walk past the twins' room. Logan is finally quiet - he's been cranky crying for about 10 minutes. He's fine, I checked on him 3 times but every time he quiets down and I attempt to walk past his room he sees me and wakes up and it starts all over again. I think I'll stay here for a while.

I know, I need to post some pictures. Will get to that as soon as I have some good ones to post. Probably this weekend. We're going to a b-day party at the park and I'm sure I'll get some good shots of the kids there.

In other exciting news:
Foster went with his Kindergarten class to the Zoo today. He had fun and is quite the tired boy. He's doing so well in school - I'm actually a bit surprised. Surprised mostly because he's a "young 5" - meaning he turned 5 in Sept. when he started Kindergarten and is in a class with other kids who maybe turned 6 right after school started. But, he's doing very well. So well in fact, that this coming Monday he's being honored at the school assembly with "an award". I think just a few kids in his class are getting them. And no, we still don't know exactly WHAT kind of an award it is. I unfortunately can't make it but Laura will go and will totally take pictures for me.

Logan and Seth are doing well also. They seem to learn something new every day; maybe every hour. Some things they say are too funny. Seth's new thing to say when I ask him to do something is "OKAAAAAAY" - you know, like a sassy pre-teen. Lovely. He's only 2.5 - what do we have to look forward to? Logan has mastered locking and unlocking the carport door and the door to the backyard. Not fun. Nope. Not when you are the adult (without keys) standing on the other side of the door!!!!

Me - this training for my new job is kicking my butt. It's tough to sit for 8 hours at a time. But, we're more than half-way done. Yay! I just want to get settled into my new job and get my office and desk and computer and meet all my co-workers and basically just settle into my new "normal".

Laura - doing well. Studying hard for her Practitioner classes (Religious Science) and writing papers, etc.

Us - freaking out about flying to NY next month. I do NOT relish the thought of the red-eye flight to NY with 3 kids. I pray they sleep. And then, what I think will actually be worse, our mid-day flight back to CA when they will be at their peak of alertness. Oy.

Well, methinks it's quiet enough to sneak past the twins' room.

If I post again it means I didn't make it.

If you don't see a post than "yay" for me - I made it!

See ya!

It's almost Friday, so that boys and girls means...

It's "O.J.T." Day - huh?

On the Job Training Day. We usually have them every Friday, minus a few here and there. So, that means tomorrow I go to my job site and follow some other workers around and "learn the (proverbial) ropes". I'm both looking forward to it and not. I am because then I get to be out and about and learning my job and interacting with other co-workers. Not, because I have NO idea what I'll be doing tomorrow or whom I'll be seeing and that scares me. It would be different if I was working there every day and really "understood" what my daily life would entail. But only going to the OJT once a week, I really don't have that follow-thru.

Anyway, who knows what tomorrow will bring. I have been out with other social workers as they interview kids at the schools but I really want to try to go out with one that will be doing an unannounced home visit. Haven't done that yet.

Otherwise, training is going fine. Some days are more fun that others. Earlier this week I had a 4 hour training on installing car seats - yes, by the professionals. We used my minivan and other peoples vans for "examples". This meant that all the world (okay, just my co-workers) got to witness what a minivan looks like after 3 kids have been in it. Let's just say that the birds got a treat of old goldfish crackers, and I found a dime and a play watch we "lost" a month ago.

Week 4 done, "only" 4 more weeks to go!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, squishy bed...

A week ago, I awoke with wet pj's. No, didn't pee on myself. Our waterbed sprung a leak.

Since this wasn't the first (or second) time, we decided to move away from waterbeds. So we went a searchin' and bought one of those Tempur-Pedic beds.

So, yeah, it's pretty squishy. Not quite as squishy as the waterbed, but certainly more so than a regular bed.

We're still deciding if we really like it. We have 60 days to decide (we can return it actually). So far, I really like it. It's very comfy.

So, yeah, squishy bed.

Still in training...

And it's only nearing the end of the third week. "Just" 5 more weeks to go!!!!!!!!

Some days it's pretty boring. Just sitting in the classroom listening to boring people present boring topics. However, some days it's much more interesting.

Monday brings us our "Car seat installation class". For five hours we have the police dept. come to show us how to properly install carseats. That is, if I know I'm going to be removing a child or children and will be using a county car - I need to install all the carseats first. At least it's a "hands-on" training so we get to be outside, and not in the classroom.

So that's the scoop. I'll have to fill you all in on our new bed - it's ummm, squishy.

A silent scream...

Do you remember those "oh-so-boring-classes" in college? Or the seemingly never-ending, highly boring work meetings?? Yeah, those. The ones where as the instructor, or your boss, or the guest-speaker was talking you had this silent scream going on in your brain that went something like this:

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, nobody ask a question puh-leeeeese. Everyone, just be quiet and we can get out of here ASAP. (and) Good Lord, can this person be any more boring?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?! Please let there be a fire alarm, anything so we can leave!!!! Let me outta here!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Understand? Okay, all you lawyers (and families of such) stop reading here...

Today at my CPS training, we had a lawyer present the "Laws Pertaining to Child Abuse and Maltreatment". I thought this would be a great primer on everything I wanted to know about the laws of my new job (but were afraid to ask). But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the lawyer they had was just so dry and well, boring.

She basically just read her 'PowerPoint' presentation to us. Yeah, for SIX freakin' hours! OY. I mean really, I have my Master's Degree, I can read the damn 'PowerPoint' - she did hand it out of course. Uggggg. She read it in a mono-tone voice and had a hard time making eye-contact. I'm sorry, but she wasn't just boring, she was damn boring! AND, to make matters worse, we have some of "THOSE PEOPLE" in the class (which by the way has 23 people in it) who INSIST on asking questions - yeah, like 5 minutes before we are supposed to leave, they ask a 10 minute question. Well, it wouldn't be so bad if the instructor didn't have to consult her 500 page book on all the codes because she thought we should know the exact code (and paragraph) she was talking about - but good grief lady, it's all in the 'PowerPoint' hand-out!

Oh, and don't you dare promise a room full of social workers that we're going to get out early if you don't really mean it. EARLY means an hour early or at least 45 minutes early. NOT, I repeat, NOT 25 minutes early when we never did have our 15 minute break (so therefore we were "supposed" to include that 15 minutes in our 25 minute "early leave time"). Is that "Lawyer-talk" for "early"? Did you all feel the "woosh" of air as we all sped out of there at approximately 4:35pm this evening? Sorry to all you lawyers and friends and families of ones, I know "your" family member is totally not like this lady, no, it's not possible. But then again, you aren't reading this part are you?

Can you tell I didn't have a wonderful day? Is it obvious? Sorry. Tomorrow should be much more interesting and relevant - it's the start of "CMI" (Child Maltreatment Indicators) - or what I need to be looking for when I go out on an investigation. Seriously, I really am looking forward to this - because this is the stuff I need to know to do a good job.

Oh, and to answer the "What new thing did I learn today?" - I learned that if you threaten a CPS worker with bodily harm - that will earn you up to THREE years in jail. So don't do it okay?

Okay.

First week DONE!

Whew! I made it thru the first week of my EIGHT week training for my new job as a CPS worker. I found out a few things:

First - I'll be stationed within the IS/IRS unit. AKA: the Immediate Services/Immediate Response Services unit. This is the unit of social workers that are the "first responders" or the front-end workers. After the hotline receives a report (or abuse, neglect, etc.) of a child, the report comes to us and depending on the severity of the report, we have to respond within either 2 hours, 2 days, 3 days or 10 days. I will be called a "Child Abuse Investigator". I will have the authority to remove children from the home immediately (or from school if need be).

Lots of my cases will involve law enforcement who will either meet me at the home or I will call once I get there.

Second: I have now (hopefully if the DMV is working quickly) had my vehicle's license plate blocked. So, if for instance, I'm stopped by the Highway Patrol or police and they run my plates, they will come back as "Sensitive/Confidential". Now, this doesn't mean I'm off the hook for speeding on the freeway or making illegal u-turns but it clues the police/sheriff that perhaps they can just give me a "warning" vs. a ticket. They will probably ask if I'm off-duty police or "married" to one or if I happen to work for CPS (currently the only classification of social worker "allowed" to have a "license block"). I don't have to answer but it's good to know that not only will I have somewhat of a "get out of jail free card" but MORE importantly, the parents of the kids I'm removing from the home will not be able to find out anything from my vehicles license plate info. That is after all the primary reason for the # to be blocked. AND, I'm also allowed to have Laura's license plate blocked as well, in case I'm driving her car for work one day.

This week has been long and hard. Only 7 more weeks to go! I'm glad I'll be working the Immediate Response Unit. I've heard it's really hard and draining but exciting and rewarding as well. I look forward to it. And of course, the good news is that I won't be keeping any cases longer than 30 days - once I'm done with them, off they go - either closed or onto the next worker.

That could be a good thing!

I'm still here...

Just making sure Blogger didn't "off" me in the process. It seems like I can still post and all, but we'll see.

Okay, new job training=sitting for 8 hours=one tired mama

But it's all good. Can't tell you all the "goodies" (yet) I get to have as a CPS worker, but they are GOOD. I did get my calendar for the next 8 weeks and it looks very comprehensive and quite interesting once we get thru the "intro." dry stuff. I even get to train with the CHPD (CA Highway Police Dept.) on proper car-seat installation - guess I need to know that if I'm - for example - removing a child from a home.

Okay, that's it for now. I'm off to bed!

Well, it's not February 8th anymore, now is it?

Funny how that "time" thing sneaks up on you - excuse me for a moment, I have to go cover up a boy...

...okay, where was I...oh yeah, the time thing.

What is it with time?? I mean I can barely sit thru some meetings at work, and they are only an hour long (but feel like a week) - and then at home, a week goes by in what seems like an hour!

Anyhoo, tomorrow is the BIG day. I start my new job, well, kinda. I meet my new supervisor and I get to see where I'll be stationed, and meet some co-workers but that's it for Friday. Starting next Tuesday (Monday is a holiday) I begin an 8-week training!!! Then we're off for a week to New York, that is of course, if my "new" supervisor approves my already approved request for time off (it was approved by my old supervisor WAY before I got my new job). OY.

Well, I'm going to make this short as Laura is at a book club meeting and all the kids are in bed, and it's not even 7:30pm! I need to take advantage of this time to watch one of the movies I rented before I need to return them!

OH - and dear old Blogger threatened me with NO MORE ACCESS to my blog unless I "conform" and move my blog to the "new and improved" Blogger. So I shall do that - soon. I really don't feel like messing with it now. So, if some cosmic event happens when I switch to the "new and improved" Blogger and I disappear somehow - well, it's been fun - take care and try to find me - same blog name.

Over and OUT!

Yes, it IS February 8th isn't it?

No, I'm not pregnant.
No, we didn't buy another house.
No, we didn't win the lottery.
No, we didn't win in "another" class-action lawsuit.


I did however get a promotion.
To a job I wanted when I graduated from graduate school in 1995.
Finally.


I start my new position next Friday as a Protective Services Worker, yes, more commonly known as CPS (Child Protective Services). It's still in the county so all my bene's and such stay the same. I've been in my current position (more or less a "desk job") for 6 years and I've been itching to change. I got my chance!


Not sure if I'm jumping from the frying pan into the fire or if this is really going to be good, but I am really, REALLY looking forward to this change. I'll be doing investigations (not sure of the exact unit yet) of suspected child abuse. It will be hard, very hard, but I'm ready. I need to hone my clinical skills more and get busy in the community - I want, no NEED, to work with other social workers. My current position is more medical social work and I work with like 25 other nurses - I'm the only social worker and I have felt really lost. Now the tables will be turned and I'll be working only with social workers. I'm looking forward to it. Apparently I also got the geographical location I wanted, in fact, they told me today I was their #1 pick (highest scoring on the interview) for that location - so that was really nice to hear.


It is a promotion with lots of room for advancement. In my current job, I'm "topped out", meaning I can't get any more promotions, so this is a step forward.


So there you have the big mystery. Not all that exciting for you folks out there in blog-land but it's a great big, exciting jump for me/us.


Wish me luck!

We're OUTSpoken - and Proud of it!

Turn your speakers *UP*please (it's a copy from my camera of the tv coverage, not the best quality but you get the idea) This is a TV coverage snippet of the training Laura and I went to yesterday at The Center here in San Diego. Yeah, we're in there, towards the right on the "big, comfy couch". We are now registered and available speakers to represent OUTSpoken Families - a very important group dedicated to "Our message of equality is one that resonates with every parent - we want our children to have great lives." - Jennifer Chrisler, Exec. Dir. Family PridePlease take a look and support us in our mission.Thanks!

A sign of the times

I've been meaning to post about this but well, you know, that damn time availability thing...…


Anyway, about a month or so ago, I went for my annual ob/gyn visit - lovely visual - now get it out of your head. This is at a Kaiser clinic - and I was surprised - in a good way. I think overall, Kaiser has a bad reputation, but my own personal experience from ob/gyn (and our subsequent inseminations and pregnancies), to pediatrics to adult services has been great. Maybe it's just "my" lucky Kaiser clinic.


Anyway, I check in, get my forms to update/fill out and begin. Being that this IS an ob/gyn visit I fully expect to be able to skip over the birth control part, or the spouse/boyfriend part as not pertaining to my, ahem, situation.

At about question 5 or so, the question reads:
"Do you have a sexual relationship with (check all that apply):
men
women
both
neither"


HA!!! Finally - some vindication to "my lifestyle situation".

Then comes question #6:
"Do you need information on birth control?"
I answered that with a "NO, see question #5"


This is the very first time in all my dr. visits that had a questionnaire that was inclusive of lifestyles OTHER than heterosexual.


Finally.


The times, they are A-changin'


lalala

Oh HELL no - I'm so not pregnant...

...that is all for now...

You'll know after Feb. 8th...

...big news coming, I'll keep you posted as soon as I know for sure...

Mini-Update

Let’s see, it’s Wednesday night, which must mean I’m “Solo Mommy” as Laura takes a class thru her church every Wednesday night. That also means Foster gets to help me put the twins to sleep, this is his new-found love. Why you ask? Don’t know, but I ain’t complaining. The funny thing is, that the twins go to sleep when he (a FIVE year old) tells them to, they don’t quite listen as well when I tell them to. Harrumph.


Anyway, what else is going on? My mom just recently flew back home after visiting with us over the holidays. It was fun, we all had a whirlwind visit, but now it’s nice to start getting back into the groove of our regular schedule again – and to plan…………


……plan for our trip to New York come mid-April. Ever hear of “Snakes on a Plane”?? How about “Toddlers on a Plane”? What are we thinking? 3 kids on a cross-country flight? OY. We’re nuts. We are planning on taking the red-eye there so I’m hopeful they’ll sleep for most of the flight. But coming back – well, don’t plan on flying from NY to CA anytime on April 22 okay? I warned you. Foster is beyond excited that he’ll get to fly on the “big plane” as he puts it. I need to get a kid-friendly book with lots of pictures of New York to show him what he’ll be seeing. Any suggestions???


I’m beyond excited FOR him. I can’t wait to take him into the city to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, even the subways. This will be his third trip to NY but the last time we went he was just over two years old. This time he’ll get so much more out of the trip. It will be the twins first time to NY not to mention on an airplane – okay, if you want to be technical, I was pregnant with them the last time we flew to NY so it’s not exactly their first trip. Anyway – that’s currently our big thing to look forward to.


I have a job interview this Saturday (!) – I know, a Saturday? Yeah, they are having a huge “hiring hall” and lots of people with be interviewing. I’m excited about a potential change. I’m interviewing for a CPS position. I need something more stimulating, more exciting, something where I’m actually working with other social workers instead of all the nurses I’m working with now. I’ve been at my current position for almost 6 years; it’s time for a change. I’ve outgrown my position. Wish me luck.


Guess I’ll end this here – all the kids are asleep and I have a few hours to do a few things on my “to do” list before Laura gets home.
“til next time…

Yes, we did go shopping!

Well, we did get to a Kmart - twice. Spent the first $500 the first day and the rest on the second. Boy, was THAT fun. You know how when you go to Target or Kmart or a store like that and you see all these things that would be fun or cool to have but just aren't 100% necessary? Well, we always do that so this time, we took 2 carts and just went up and down the aisles and selected all the things that we both really do need (i.e. pull-ups, shampoo, pull-up, wipes, and pull-ups) and then we really had fun selecting the things we really don't need but wanted. Things like a new shower head, a storage unit for the bathroom, new watches, etc. Totally fun - and a great way to stock up.

The check got deposited and that was just as fun!!!!

I will NEVER look at a class-action lawsuit the same way again.

More updates (and pictures) coming soon!

Happy Holidays and "Let's Go Shopping"! - for free!

So - about a year or so ago, I filled out (again) one of those Class Action Lawsuits - this one was against Kmart. It was about accessibility issues in the aisles of Kmart filed by a person who had problems with a wheelchair. Well, when I read the limitations of the Class Action Lawsuit - I realized that I too had the same issues when I used my side-by-side double stroller - which is the same width as a standard wheelchair. I recall being unable to push it thru the aisles in our local Kmart. So, I filled out the online info. and filed my "part" of the lawsuit. Now, usually when I've filled out such things I've rec'd a check for maybe $1.50 (that's ONE dollar and fifty cents) or a coupon for 15% off an item of something I won't ever buy, etc.

This was different my friend.

Saturday, we're all sitting around the kitchen table and someone is knocking on our door. Turns out to be our mailman. He asked for me and he had a small padded envelope. I had to sign in various places and on the certified mail label. I thought I was being sued or something.

I took the envelope to the table and nervously opened it. Then, all these pink gift cards spilled out on the table. I was confused. Then I looked at them - more than a DOZEN $50.oo gift cards and a few more were laid out on the table. $692.29 (some were unmarked and when I called were that odd amount) in gift cards to be exact!!!!!!!!!!!! We were just looking at each other in disbelief. I re-read the attached letter. Yup, I was "eligible" for "my part" of the class action lawsuit.

But wait ---

Laura looked at the letter and said to me "You do realize there's a check attached to here don't you"? Huh?? I just assumed it was the "accounting" of the enclosed gift cards.

Nope...


A check for $2769.19 - holy moley.


For a grand total of over $3,461.00.


All that time filling out various forms finally paid off.


We're going shopping today - at Kmart.


Yup, Happy Holidays!!!!

Another Christmas Funny

Christmas Dress $25.00
Family Photo Pack $50.00
Christmas Cards $30.00
Sending the cards out before realizing your daughter’s flipping off Santa Claus
PRICELESS

Christmas Funny

Not for those with a weak stomach...Don't say I didn't warn you.

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4 hour meetings…

…should be outlawed!

8:00am to noon - whose bright idea was this? I'm not even half-alive at 8am (altho I do get to work at 7am). Not to mention totally boring! Let's see - I counted all my teeth - twice; counted the ceiling tiles; mentally figured out what day of the week my birthday will fall on next year (April 13th is a Friday for those who are wondering); drank lots of coffee - anything to keep me awake.

Whew! That's over - until the next one - next WEEK!

Boys will be boys!

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In case you were wondering...

...yes, they did wake up!


Uggggggg. That's the last time I put out negative thoughts into the universe.


Seth woke up exactly 7 minutes after I posted the last post. Luckily he went back to sleep about 20 minutes later.


But Logan woke up at 12:45am with the tv remote in one hand and a toy dinosaur in the other. He was talking outside our door and Laura got up with him thinking both boys were awake and talking in the hall. Usually we put up a gate in their doorway - both to keep them from wandering and to keep our dog from going in their room. But we neglected to put up the gate last night. Anyway, Logan had put on the tv, and used the TiVo remote to select a cartoon that was recorded - I have NO idea how he did that. But Laura was able to get him back to sleep 30 minutes later with little difficulty.


Lesson learned = the first cardinal rule of blogging is still true!

Secrets to Sea World (and other stuff)

So, you ask --- how DO you get into Sea World (http://www.seaworld.com/SWC/default.aspx) for only $5.60 when the regular adult price is $54.00???

You volunteer to be a "Class Mom" to a group of 21 Kindergarteners.


What was I thinking???


Foster's class is going on a field trip to Sea World on December 11th. It's a Monday. That's my "short" day - meaning I only work 4 hours that day. So, to have a full day off of work, I only have to use 4 hours of vacation time. Seemed like a good idea at the time.


I know I'll have fun - I'm really looking forward to it actually. And so is Foster.


The school bus leaves at 9am and must leave Sea World at 1pm to get back to school in time for dismissal. It's probably less than a 25 minute drive. I could ride on the big, yellow school bus. But, if I drive my own car, I can "keep" Foster at Sea World when his class leaves and then we can go on the rides, in the shops, see all the things his class won't get to see on this "Educational Field Trip". I'm going to go with that option.


I mean, this is my chance to get into Sea World for about $50 less than a regular ticket (Foster's ticket and bus will cost a total of about $8 and I think the regular kid price to SW is about $48). And I don't want to feel rushed out of there. So, I'll be the good volunteer "Mom" to the 21 kids (mine included) and enjoy a day at Shamu's Home.


This is my very first "Class Mom" trip - I'm a bit nervous but also very excited. Mostly I want to watch my own kid interact with all the other kids and his teacher - that's something I really never get to see. And of course, watch all the little ones see the amazment of Sea World.


Okay - here's the "other stuff". I'm going to break the first cardinal rule of blogging and state that the twins have been asleep since they came home from daycare at 5:15pm. It's now after 9pm and they are still asleep. I'm still afraid to breathe loudly, don't wanna wake them. Yes, they missed dinner but anyone with little kids knows it's near impossible to wake up a child who is over 2 years old and force them to eat dinner as they fall asleep at the table. So, I changed them and put them to bed. I figured if they woke up, of course I'll offer them something to eat but more than likely, they are in for the night.


Now watch, the minute after I press "Publish Post" they will wake up in a pissy, hungry mood.


And if they do, I'll tell you about it.


Until then, I'm enjoying this "time off".

I know, I know....

Me bad blogger person.

New post coming soon. And you too can learn how you can get into Sea World for the low, low price of $5.60.


And no, you don't have to wash dishes OR swim with Shamu.

The Days Go Slow but the Years Go Fast

This is what happens when we blink!
Top photo is of all 3 kids from Halloween 2005 and bottom photo is this year.

Guess it's a good thing that we bought the costumes BIG the first time around - whohoo! And of course, that they couldn't care less about the costumes (well, Foster WANTED to wear his again) - it was all about the sweet stuff!

Why we're so proud!

Foster brought this card home from school today from his teacher, it reads:


To Foster
HERE'S THE SCOOP!
Your behavior is front-page news because you stayed on task and completed all your work at the puppet center. You are very helpful. You cleaned and straightened the puppet center table without me asking. You are responsible, kind & helpful.




Wow! We are so very proud! Foster got TWO check marks on his home behavior chart for this.

A funny from Ivy's mom (AKA: Bubbe)

You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed. On your right side is sharp drop off, and on your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it! Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as you and the Kangaroo. What must you do to safely get out of this situation?

If you do not know, see answer below.





















Get your drunk ass off the merry-go-round!

New Haircuts - All THREE

Welcome to the No-Sleep Motel…

…we're open 24/7. Ugggggg.


I finally got home last night at about 6:15pm after my dentist appointment that started at 3:00pm. Ouch! One filling and one cap later - and multiple (and I mean MULTIPLE) shots of novacaine - I still couldn't feel the left side of my mouth. And remember, this is after working all day - MINUS the 2 hours I was at home waiting for the plumber (toilet STILL leaking).


Dinner was followed by the usual post-dinner routine. Getting the kids calmed down enough for bed. Finally, all were in bed (and asleep - bonus!) by 8:00-ish. I was feeling really antsy because I hadn't had a minute since getting home to do anything other than childcare, I really wanted to check my e-mail and snail-mail and I needed a shower. Well, I took my shower and then Laura and I settled down to watch "Lost". Yes, the day AFTER. Laura's class from church now meets Wednesday nights instead of Mondays. While this is a better day in the grand scheme of things - like work and children, it's not good for watching "Lost" live. Oh well. Trusty TiVo made it okay. We finished watching around 9:30 and then it was time for me to finally get some "me" time to read e-mail, do some bills, open snail-mail, etc. I finally fell into bed around 11pm and at 11:08 Seth woke up crying. And again at 11:25pm and again at 11:55pm. Then I finally brought him into our bed - our nice comfy, cozy king-sized waterbed with new electric blanket (ahhhhhh) bed. He tossed and turned and cranked and sat up and turned over and over and over until he finally fell asleep sometime after 1am. I was kind of awake this whole time as it's hard to fall asleep with a small child wedged under my ribs. Then I woke up at 2-ish when Logan woke up. Laura went in to comfort him and eventually returned to bed. I was still kinda awake listening to Logan. Then I fell asleep again and woke up around 3:45am with a throbbing mouth and teeth. Couple advils later I feel asleep only to be awakened when the alarm went off an hour and a half later!


And today I started my new (earlier) workday hours of 7:00 - 4:30pm.


I need coffee - bad!!!!


I used to work Mon. - Fri. 7:30 - 4:00. Now I'm going to be working Mondays from 7:30 - 11:30am and Tues. - Fri. from 7:00 - 4:30pm. This way I will have every Monday afternoon off. I plan to use it to do stuff for "me" and also to run all those errands SANS children that we always seem to have to do on the weekend. And since Laura has every other Monday off - that means at least twice a month we'll both have off at the same time and we can finally go to Costco and the grocery store solo.


So, what am I doing on my first Monday afternoon off you ask? Yup, waiting for the plumber - AGAIN.


But tonite, I hope to check into the Sleep-All-Night-Without-Waking-Up-Motel.


I hope...

Money tree wishes and a trio of friends

So, they say money doesn't grow on trees but I'm still wishing our peach tree out back will start sprouting $20 bills. Please?


Let's see - lately, money issues are well, a big issue. First off, I recently broke down, okay, waaaaay down and ordered some study materials so I can take (and pass) that damn LCSW exam. I've been putting it off way too long and now that I'm looking at a new position at work that would include a small raise (and much more job-satisfaction) and upward mobility (maybe supervision eventually) I want to pass the exam and get my license. So - that was an easy $245.00. For study materials.


Then - in the SAME day (what were we thinking) we went to a local Oktoberfest and that place - you know - Costco. I think we spent about $160 or so at Oktoberfest (on fried dough and crafts) and way more than that at Costco and we only got the essentials and no "fun" stuff. THEN, on Sunday we were going stir-crazy in the house and decided at the last minute to head out to Target. Well, need I go any further? We very rarely walk out of that store without spending about $200 and we certainly did. And again, on essentials, not any "fun" stuff. Okay, if you count the mint water I got, that was fun. THEN, our toilet in our bathroom started not to work well AND our water heater is leaking. Since Laura was lucky enough to have Monday and Tuesday off, she got to call the plumber to come fix everything. It was $45 per service call (Buyers Home Waranty) times TWO. He fixed the toilet with a thing-ie and then declared we needed a new water heater but our insurance/waranty thing wasn't going to cover the extra $450 in "upgrades" needed for safety and legal issues. Okaaaaaay. Need hot water = therefore need to get the water heater.


THEN - our almost 15 year old pup wasn't feeling too well so a trip to the vet with some x-rays and such - almost another $700!


That leads us to this morning. After I used our new and improved toilet I noticed a nice large puddle collecting on the bathroom floor by the toilet. Uggggggg. Get that plumber back!


I refuse to add up how much money we've spent in the last few days and the week isn't over yet. Saturday, all 3 kids are scheduled to get haircuts - I spend more on their hair than I do on mine. Of course, they're cuter so I guess it's okay.


Oh yeah - the trio of friends - Curious George, Kermit the Frog and a big purple dragon are the inhabitants of the floor in between Logan and Seth's toddler beds. Lately, Seth has taken to not wanting to go to sleep at night and wanting one of us to lay down (on the floor) next to him until he falls asleep. I didn't want to get into this habit but my new motherhood mantra of "whatever works" is still in effect. I couldn't take the screaming and have taken to laying down and using Kermit and said dragon as pillows. Curious George? He just sits there and watches...