Wow, I dont think I've ever gone an entire week w/o blogging.....and I really haven't been that super busy this week. I think I blogged so much at the nanny job b/c I was so bored all the time and there was nothing else to do.
This week has been GREAT! I've learned so much while overlapping at HopeReach and I feel *almost* ready to be on my own.....which is good, b/c on Wednesday I start with a little boy who will be in my caseload. I will have two little boys - hereby known as N & Z (names w/held for obvious reasons). I have N from 830-1130 every morning except Thursdays, and I have Z from 12:15-3:15 every afternoon. N is 4 yrs old (I think) and Z is 2 (I think) - I'm a little more nervous about Z, since he is so young and probably has not had much intervention. We shall see. I'm really loving this job!
When I got home yesterday afternoon, Jay said he was taking me to the beach....I was happily surprised. It was supposed to be date night and it was his pick.....I was thinking dinner, lol, but he went a little further. The only thing he didn't consider was finding someone to take care of the dogs....he was thinking it would be okay to put them in the bathrooms until we got back (24 hours!!) and I said "no freakin' way!" ---- so we had to start calling ppl last minute. Fortunately good people stepped up and were willing to help out - thanks, guys!!! :)
We had a great time - got there about 9 (hit Columbia traffic....ugh....and about five different wrecks in the rain - 2 of which we actually witnessed) and found the hotel (on the beach!!!) with no problem. We got dinner and walked on the beach for a few minutes. I love the beach any time of day or night, but it always seems so much more vast at night. I love it there - it's my most favorite place on earth. We got up early this morning to walk the beach some more before we left to get breakfast and head home. And those of you who laugh at my OCD and how I like to make lists a month before a trip will be happy to know that I packed for both of us in less than five minutes and the only thing I forgot was a hairbrush, lol.
Tonight after Jay left for work, I got out ALL of my cleaning supplies, spread them out on the table, and organized them. Then.....I got to work deep-cleaning the house. I've only surface-cleaned for the last couple of weeks and it desperately needed a deep-clean. Now it's done and I'm happy with it - I love a clean house. I put all the clutter away and cleaned out drawers and everything.
Furthermore, tomorrow I am taking two bags of clothes, a HUGE bag of books, and an older tv (still works) to Goodwill - so if you are interested in any of it, let me know tonight or in the morning. The tv is still pretty nice, just older. It's 17" (I think) and just been sitting in our living room since Christmas. First come, first serve. :)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
February 21, 2009
The last two days have been busy ones. I got to HopeReach yesterday morning at 8:30 to start overlapping in therapies to observe. I had to chuckle when I was led into the first room....and the little boy there was one I had at Southside five years ago. =) He has pretty severe autism but has made a decent amount of progress since I last saw him. I got to spend three hours watching his therapy, then there was an hour lunch break. I ran to Simpsonville to drop off a voided check for Jay's direct deposit (we got a new account since our old one was hacked into via PayPal) and ran back. My afternoon session was with a little boy who was nonverbal. He communicates through a Dynavox - which I've only heard of and never gotten to see. It was really neat, and I felt so encouraged at the end of the day. It is definitely work I can do, but the paperwork is going to take awhile to get the hang of. I know I'm going to LOVE it!
This morning I slept in til 10:00....it felt great!! All the mornings of getting up at dawn really catch up to ya fast. I fed the pups, cleaned their bowls out (full of poo, ew) and chased Baylee around the road for awhile. She refused to come back to the house and ran across the street, almost got hit twice by a car, and I had to pluck her out of the Boobman's yard....nobody ever wants to go in there. So she got a spanking and her e-collar put back on (to stay!). I went to Walmart for a couple things, came back to the house to load up the carpet shampooer for my mom, and gave Henry a bath before taking him with me to "the house" for my brothers' "housewarming" pizza party. He loved it and everyone seemed to like him. He was very well-behaved and loved the attention. It was his "turn" for a trip and it worked out well b/c Bella would have been a nightmare in a crowded house. Little turd, lol.
Tomorrow is church, lunch with parents, and date night!!
This morning I slept in til 10:00....it felt great!! All the mornings of getting up at dawn really catch up to ya fast. I fed the pups, cleaned their bowls out (full of poo, ew) and chased Baylee around the road for awhile. She refused to come back to the house and ran across the street, almost got hit twice by a car, and I had to pluck her out of the Boobman's yard....nobody ever wants to go in there. So she got a spanking and her e-collar put back on (to stay!). I went to Walmart for a couple things, came back to the house to load up the carpet shampooer for my mom, and gave Henry a bath before taking him with me to "the house" for my brothers' "housewarming" pizza party. He loved it and everyone seemed to like him. He was very well-behaved and loved the attention. It was his "turn" for a trip and it worked out well b/c Bella would have been a nightmare in a crowded house. Little turd, lol.
Tomorrow is church, lunch with parents, and date night!!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February 19, 2009
POKE ME WITH A FORK -------- I'M DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!!!!!!!!!! No more nannying for me!!!!! It has been a day full of excitement (and also a lot of annoyance) for me, but I am finally done. Tomorrow RN (replacement nanny) takes over for good, although she has been with me Tuesday and today of this week. It has come at a great time, b/c the mom has decided to cut out kiddo's afternoon nap and baby's morning nap, which now means there is no break at all....all day long. It's just 10-11 straight hours of solid entertaining at least one, if not both, kids. Life will never be the same and I got out while the gettin' was good. I got lucky yesterday that it was the only day I had to entertain kiddo, and it was only for a couple hours. He had speech therapy and we didn't get home until 3:30. I made him have a little "rest time" with some books for about 30 minutes, then we had movie-and-popcorn time, just us. He always begs for a movie on rainy days, so it was perfect timing.
I wasn't even sad leaving today, though earlier this afternoon when I went to get the baby up from her nap, I was teary. I rocked her in the chair in her room for a few minutes, just savoring a few minutes and I was surprised that I teared up. I think she knew something was going on, b/c she's been so "lovey" to me all day, hugging and snuggling, and that's definitely not her style.
So tomorrow I will start overlapping ABA sessions at HopeReach, and I am so excited! I cant wait to see "what I'm in for" lol.
I wasn't even sad leaving today, though earlier this afternoon when I went to get the baby up from her nap, I was teary. I rocked her in the chair in her room for a few minutes, just savoring a few minutes and I was surprised that I teared up. I think she knew something was going on, b/c she's been so "lovey" to me all day, hugging and snuggling, and that's definitely not her style.
So tomorrow I will start overlapping ABA sessions at HopeReach, and I am so excited! I cant wait to see "what I'm in for" lol.
Monday, February 16, 2009
February 16, 2009
What a morning. I know you guys are all looking as forward to my starting a new job as I am, so I won't be as 'w'itchy in my blog and complain daily, lol.
I got here this morning and knew ahead of time that Z was out of school - that's fine. I had made plans for us if he wasn't going with this dad, but turns out he was, which was fine, too. He was rushing kiddo out of bed and into hunting clothes and telling him they were going to be late....so I'm thinking "cool, they'll be gone all day and it'll just be a girls' day."
I should have known.
Dad decides he has some work to do in his office, shuts the door, and proceeds to talk on the phone for the next three hours. He came out twice at 10:30 and said they were leaving in just a minute. Uh-huh. You guessed it - they didn't leave until noon.
I really did come in the door this morning wanting to make it a great week, but it seems like some days he just flat-out ruins my mood with his selfish behavior.
So anyhoo, this weekend was quick - I went to my ABA training on Saturday. The morning instructor (who was younger than me, I think) got on my last nerve with her peppiness and treating us like we were 4 yr olds. The afternoon girl was great - I didnt realize who she was until she came in - I had met her last week and we hit it off. I'm SO excited to start this job! The morning session didn't teach me anything I didn't already know, but the afternoon was really overwhelming. I'm still looking forward to next Monday though. =) My brain felt so FRIED after all the paperwork training - 8 hours is too long for my ADD brain to have to pay attention.
Sunday was relaxing - I went to the grocery store and bought some iron-rich food to help with Jay's new food diet. He got his lab results back from the dr today and he has hypothyroidism, and eating iron-rich foods will help that (I'm glad, since I spent $130 on it yesterday, lol). He'll start his medicine tomorrow and see how long it takes to get it back to normal, but I'm really looking forward to him feeling better. =)
Tonight we're having our taxes done. I have a number in my head that we NEED to reach to get a couple of specific bills totally paid off and I will be so happy if we get to that number. If not....oh well. It will just take us a few months longer to be debt-free.
I got here this morning and knew ahead of time that Z was out of school - that's fine. I had made plans for us if he wasn't going with this dad, but turns out he was, which was fine, too. He was rushing kiddo out of bed and into hunting clothes and telling him they were going to be late....so I'm thinking "cool, they'll be gone all day and it'll just be a girls' day."
I should have known.
Dad decides he has some work to do in his office, shuts the door, and proceeds to talk on the phone for the next three hours. He came out twice at 10:30 and said they were leaving in just a minute. Uh-huh. You guessed it - they didn't leave until noon.
I really did come in the door this morning wanting to make it a great week, but it seems like some days he just flat-out ruins my mood with his selfish behavior.
So anyhoo, this weekend was quick - I went to my ABA training on Saturday. The morning instructor (who was younger than me, I think) got on my last nerve with her peppiness and treating us like we were 4 yr olds. The afternoon girl was great - I didnt realize who she was until she came in - I had met her last week and we hit it off. I'm SO excited to start this job! The morning session didn't teach me anything I didn't already know, but the afternoon was really overwhelming. I'm still looking forward to next Monday though. =) My brain felt so FRIED after all the paperwork training - 8 hours is too long for my ADD brain to have to pay attention.
Sunday was relaxing - I went to the grocery store and bought some iron-rich food to help with Jay's new food diet. He got his lab results back from the dr today and he has hypothyroidism, and eating iron-rich foods will help that (I'm glad, since I spent $130 on it yesterday, lol). He'll start his medicine tomorrow and see how long it takes to get it back to normal, but I'm really looking forward to him feeling better. =)
Tonight we're having our taxes done. I have a number in my head that we NEED to reach to get a couple of specific bills totally paid off and I will be so happy if we get to that number. If not....oh well. It will just take us a few months longer to be debt-free.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 12, 2009
Happy Lincoln's birthday to those of you who celebrate. I celebrate the fact that public schools don't take a day off....like they will on Monday for President's Day. So dumb. If school gets a holiday, I think EVERYONE should get the holiday. Close down all the business or pay ppl double-time if they're willing to work....why should some ppl get the break and the rest have to make up for it? I promise I'm really not in a grouchy mood today, just pondering.
This week has been boring as usual and since yesterday I am REALLY feeling the itch to get out. I cant afford to take an entire week's paycut but I can afford a day or so, if I can talk the RP into working next Friday on her own. If she's able to shadow as planned for most of the week, it won't be a problem. I'm also trying to talk her into taking the kiddo for the morning/day on Monday since he's out of school (for the aforementioned President's day....again, so dumb). That would be nice (for me). I'm just ready to GO.
Kiddo has his Valentine party at school today and absolutely demanded that I show up with the baby. I said maybe. I probably won't since I'm meeting Mom for lunch and this will most likely be the last time she gets to see Allie (::sniff sniff:: for Mom) and plus, I really dont want to go to the Vday party b/c he's always out of control when anyone shows up at his school. He likes to show off. His dad's home all day and he's not even going. I'm in the kind of mood to get on my soapbox right now about the fact that he's been home EVERY day this week ALL day long. WHY?!?!?!?!?!?
I want to publicly say that no matter how much money I may have one day (theoretically speaking....if I won the lottery or something hahahahaha) that I want to be the one to stay home with my kids. This little speech will raise some hairs I'm sure, and if you want to comment, that's fine, but understand (again) these are my opinions and you're certainly entitled to yours, and I'm not trying to bash any of you at all. That being said, I'm not necessarily "old-fashioned" when it comes to gender roles, but I have always always always wanted to stay home with my own kids. Maybe it's because I've half-raised other ppl's kids for years and I've seen how desperate some kids (ahem...these) are for their own parents' time and they rarely get it. I definitely validate getting your kids out once or twice a week to play with other kids, like a mother's morning out program or something, but to put your kids in full-time daycare (by full-time I mean ALL day long, not school - daycare) when you dont HAVE to is just beside me. Now, I'm not trying to offend (I promise!) those of you who do have your kids in daycare b/c you have to work to live, I'm just saying that when I want to be willing to live without a lot of things in exchange for the opportunity to be home with my kids. It's that important to me - cable tv and a huge car are not important to me. And I understand that our finances may not allow me to stay home full-time, but we're going to try our hardest. I want to be the one to teach them and see all their "firsts" it just grates me that there are kids in full-time daycare when they don't absolutely have to be. When I worked in public daycare, there were at least 8 kids (that I knew of) in my 3 year old class who had at least one non-working parent, yet they were there every day from 6:30am-6:30pm, simply b/c it was more convenient for the parent. I feel like some kids get shoved off into the care of others b/c parents don't want to deal with them and that's so unfair and unhealthy for the kids. Lately I see more and more that these kids (here) are desperate for time with their parents and they never get it. They spend 2 hrs a night with their parents - eating dinner (usually out) and bathtime and then it's off to bed and I'm here to get them up in the morning. On the weekends she's usually on call and he takes them both to his mom's house so he can go hunting/fishing w/o them. It's so sad. I understand sometimes you have things to do or work to get done and need someone to watch your kids so they stay safe, I get that. But the situation here is so odd - he's been home this entire week, doing nothing except twiddling in the garage or watching tv or taking naps. Why not spend that precious time with your kids? Or at least some of it? If your own time is more important (consistently) than time with your family, then maybe you shouldn't have even had a family. It's such irresponsibility. They should come first. I DO understand that there are families who HAVE to put their kids in someone else's care so they can pay the bills, so don't rip me for writing this. I'm not talking about you - this is meant for families like this one who could easily (EASILY) survive (and flourish) on just one of their incomes, but instead, it's more important to have 7 boats (seriously) and a lake house and downtown house and beach house and timeshares and whatnot. I just dont feel like any of that should take precedence over time with your family. These kids need parents - not just caregiving.
That being said, I *really* didn't mean to get into all that. I debated deleting it all, but I got emotional all of that so I'm leaving it. It's my feelings and that's what this blog is all about. =)
Onward........yesterday was a long day - Wednesdays here are always long. The housecleaners were here so I took Allie with me to get my TB test done (for new job) and then to the grocery store. She's always charms ppl everywhere we go. =) I took the groceries back to my house and unloaded them and then took her back home to nap. Got her up about 11:30 and we picked up Z from school.....went home and gave them lunch, then headed out to his speech therapy appointment. Wednesdays are hard b/c naptime is pushed back to at least 3:30, and once we got home I got them both in bed and dad decides to take Z for his haircut......so no nap. They got back about 5:15 and I stood in the living room for 15 minutes waiting to leave. The usual. =)
Hopefully today will be uneventful - Thursday are usually my most difficult today b/c I'm SO ready for Friday and so far I'm not able to push time forward to make it get here quicker, but as soon as I figure out how to do that, I'll let you know.
Guess I'll sign it off for now..... =)
This week has been boring as usual and since yesterday I am REALLY feeling the itch to get out. I cant afford to take an entire week's paycut but I can afford a day or so, if I can talk the RP into working next Friday on her own. If she's able to shadow as planned for most of the week, it won't be a problem. I'm also trying to talk her into taking the kiddo for the morning/day on Monday since he's out of school (for the aforementioned President's day....again, so dumb). That would be nice (for me). I'm just ready to GO.
Kiddo has his Valentine party at school today and absolutely demanded that I show up with the baby. I said maybe. I probably won't since I'm meeting Mom for lunch and this will most likely be the last time she gets to see Allie (::sniff sniff:: for Mom) and plus, I really dont want to go to the Vday party b/c he's always out of control when anyone shows up at his school. He likes to show off. His dad's home all day and he's not even going. I'm in the kind of mood to get on my soapbox right now about the fact that he's been home EVERY day this week ALL day long. WHY?!?!?!?!?!?
I want to publicly say that no matter how much money I may have one day (theoretically speaking....if I won the lottery or something hahahahaha) that I want to be the one to stay home with my kids. This little speech will raise some hairs I'm sure, and if you want to comment, that's fine, but understand (again) these are my opinions and you're certainly entitled to yours, and I'm not trying to bash any of you at all. That being said, I'm not necessarily "old-fashioned" when it comes to gender roles, but I have always always always wanted to stay home with my own kids. Maybe it's because I've half-raised other ppl's kids for years and I've seen how desperate some kids (ahem...these) are for their own parents' time and they rarely get it. I definitely validate getting your kids out once or twice a week to play with other kids, like a mother's morning out program or something, but to put your kids in full-time daycare (by full-time I mean ALL day long, not school - daycare) when you dont HAVE to is just beside me. Now, I'm not trying to offend (I promise!) those of you who do have your kids in daycare b/c you have to work to live, I'm just saying that when I want to be willing to live without a lot of things in exchange for the opportunity to be home with my kids. It's that important to me - cable tv and a huge car are not important to me. And I understand that our finances may not allow me to stay home full-time, but we're going to try our hardest. I want to be the one to teach them and see all their "firsts" it just grates me that there are kids in full-time daycare when they don't absolutely have to be. When I worked in public daycare, there were at least 8 kids (that I knew of) in my 3 year old class who had at least one non-working parent, yet they were there every day from 6:30am-6:30pm, simply b/c it was more convenient for the parent. I feel like some kids get shoved off into the care of others b/c parents don't want to deal with them and that's so unfair and unhealthy for the kids. Lately I see more and more that these kids (here) are desperate for time with their parents and they never get it. They spend 2 hrs a night with their parents - eating dinner (usually out) and bathtime and then it's off to bed and I'm here to get them up in the morning. On the weekends she's usually on call and he takes them both to his mom's house so he can go hunting/fishing w/o them. It's so sad. I understand sometimes you have things to do or work to get done and need someone to watch your kids so they stay safe, I get that. But the situation here is so odd - he's been home this entire week, doing nothing except twiddling in the garage or watching tv or taking naps. Why not spend that precious time with your kids? Or at least some of it? If your own time is more important (consistently) than time with your family, then maybe you shouldn't have even had a family. It's such irresponsibility. They should come first. I DO understand that there are families who HAVE to put their kids in someone else's care so they can pay the bills, so don't rip me for writing this. I'm not talking about you - this is meant for families like this one who could easily (EASILY) survive (and flourish) on just one of their incomes, but instead, it's more important to have 7 boats (seriously) and a lake house and downtown house and beach house and timeshares and whatnot. I just dont feel like any of that should take precedence over time with your family. These kids need parents - not just caregiving.
That being said, I *really* didn't mean to get into all that. I debated deleting it all, but I got emotional all of that so I'm leaving it. It's my feelings and that's what this blog is all about. =)
Onward........yesterday was a long day - Wednesdays here are always long. The housecleaners were here so I took Allie with me to get my TB test done (for new job) and then to the grocery store. She's always charms ppl everywhere we go. =) I took the groceries back to my house and unloaded them and then took her back home to nap. Got her up about 11:30 and we picked up Z from school.....went home and gave them lunch, then headed out to his speech therapy appointment. Wednesdays are hard b/c naptime is pushed back to at least 3:30, and once we got home I got them both in bed and dad decides to take Z for his haircut......so no nap. They got back about 5:15 and I stood in the living room for 15 minutes waiting to leave. The usual. =)
Hopefully today will be uneventful - Thursday are usually my most difficult today b/c I'm SO ready for Friday and so far I'm not able to push time forward to make it get here quicker, but as soon as I figure out how to do that, I'll let you know.
Guess I'll sign it off for now..... =)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 10, 2009
Wow, it's been a few days.....a little long for me, but I've been busy...or sick. Don't judge me.
I have not gotten the first thing done today. My replacement nanny (hereby known as RP lol), a friend of mine, came to shadow me today and it's been a very off-schedule (for me) day. It went a lot better than I expected it to go, as far as getting the baby acclimated. She played willingly but will not let RP hold her yet. We tried a few times and it only succeeded in the baby screaming until I took her back. But I was happy with the playtimes - went well. I haven't had a chance to get much of anything done though. I'll be glad to see this day end.....well, this week end, if we're being honest. Just 8 more days.
This weekend I had planned to work at First Pres for the entire Valentine Banquet.....I worked Friday night and had a blast (miss you gals SOOOO much!!) but woke up Saturday feeling like crap again and was so sore/weak. I spent most of the day in bed. I felt a little better Sunday morning so we went to church and to my parents' for lunch, then took a nap and had our date night. More on that in a minute. Monday morning I woke up feeling like crap again but it subsided as the day wore on.
So back to this date night -- we have been wanting to try out the Blue Ridge Brewery downtown for a long time. They supposedly have great food and a cool atmosphere. Well.....$52 later, I can honestly say we will not be going back there. The food was mediocre, at best, and expensive for what you got. Jay got the wild game sampler and really wanted to try the antelope, but they didnt have it. The chicken I ordered was about the size of my palm and the cheese that it was supposed to be "drenched" in somehow did not make it onto my plate. Now for those of you who know me well (or at all lol) know I am a cheese-a-holic and this was depressing. Plus, to be this big "brewery" station for all of Greenville, they had approximately 3 beers available (minus the bottled stuff). This was not a disappointment for me since I do not like beer, but it was a huge disappointment to my hubby. He was looking forward to trying something new.
Oh, and to all of those who congratulated us on catching the mouse (thanks!) -- we have another one. He ate the top off a biscuit that I forgot to bag up the other night. Great. Looks like I'm bringing in Sammy to play later......my little mouse-catcher. And garbage-eater......I digress.
Jay is going for a dr appt on Thursday. It's taken me months to try to talk him into going to get a blood test done to see what all this constant-fatigue is about. I really believe it's just a vitamin deficiency or anemia of some sort, but please pray for him b/c he's really anxious about it. He's into all the "what-ifs" that it could be and it's really scary to think like that. His appt is Thursday at 2pm, if you think about it. =) I'll let you know when we know.
I went yesterday for my paperwork "meeting" at HopeReach. It took about an hour and Allie was really good - charmed everyone there and was fairly quiet, for her. I had all of the necessary paperwork I needed, and all that's left is to get my TB test done and read. Then I will be awaiting the 20th to come and go, and I'm FREE!!!! I'm so ready. I think RP got a little taste today of what the reality in this house is going to be like......can't say she wasn't warned. She will definitely do better than I have, as a lot of things did not seem to bother her at all. She's a lot more flexible/lenient with her time than I am, and I feel like she will be a good fit for them.
Here's hoping.
I have not gotten the first thing done today. My replacement nanny (hereby known as RP lol), a friend of mine, came to shadow me today and it's been a very off-schedule (for me) day. It went a lot better than I expected it to go, as far as getting the baby acclimated. She played willingly but will not let RP hold her yet. We tried a few times and it only succeeded in the baby screaming until I took her back. But I was happy with the playtimes - went well. I haven't had a chance to get much of anything done though. I'll be glad to see this day end.....well, this week end, if we're being honest. Just 8 more days.
This weekend I had planned to work at First Pres for the entire Valentine Banquet.....I worked Friday night and had a blast (miss you gals SOOOO much!!) but woke up Saturday feeling like crap again and was so sore/weak. I spent most of the day in bed. I felt a little better Sunday morning so we went to church and to my parents' for lunch, then took a nap and had our date night. More on that in a minute. Monday morning I woke up feeling like crap again but it subsided as the day wore on.
So back to this date night -- we have been wanting to try out the Blue Ridge Brewery downtown for a long time. They supposedly have great food and a cool atmosphere. Well.....$52 later, I can honestly say we will not be going back there. The food was mediocre, at best, and expensive for what you got. Jay got the wild game sampler and really wanted to try the antelope, but they didnt have it. The chicken I ordered was about the size of my palm and the cheese that it was supposed to be "drenched" in somehow did not make it onto my plate. Now for those of you who know me well (or at all lol) know I am a cheese-a-holic and this was depressing. Plus, to be this big "brewery" station for all of Greenville, they had approximately 3 beers available (minus the bottled stuff). This was not a disappointment for me since I do not like beer, but it was a huge disappointment to my hubby. He was looking forward to trying something new.
Oh, and to all of those who congratulated us on catching the mouse (thanks!) -- we have another one. He ate the top off a biscuit that I forgot to bag up the other night. Great. Looks like I'm bringing in Sammy to play later......my little mouse-catcher. And garbage-eater......I digress.
Jay is going for a dr appt on Thursday. It's taken me months to try to talk him into going to get a blood test done to see what all this constant-fatigue is about. I really believe it's just a vitamin deficiency or anemia of some sort, but please pray for him b/c he's really anxious about it. He's into all the "what-ifs" that it could be and it's really scary to think like that. His appt is Thursday at 2pm, if you think about it. =) I'll let you know when we know.
I went yesterday for my paperwork "meeting" at HopeReach. It took about an hour and Allie was really good - charmed everyone there and was fairly quiet, for her. I had all of the necessary paperwork I needed, and all that's left is to get my TB test done and read. Then I will be awaiting the 20th to come and go, and I'm FREE!!!! I'm so ready. I think RP got a little taste today of what the reality in this house is going to be like......can't say she wasn't warned. She will definitely do better than I have, as a lot of things did not seem to bother her at all. She's a lot more flexible/lenient with her time than I am, and I feel like she will be a good fit for them.
Here's hoping.
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 6, 2009
Today has been.......a typical day in the nanny field. I got here this morning and the mom was gone (typical for Friday mornings) - I think she leaves early so she can come home early..... sometimes.... Anyway, I wondered for the next hour and a half whether or not kiddo was going to school. The last two Fridays he's been kept home for no reason and I really was not in the mood to take that on today. Finally around 9am they left and i put Allie down for morning nap. At 10:00 I woke her up (the short her morning naps are, the better she usually sleeps in the afternoon..... usually). We went to the bank to dispute an issue I was having with our new account and getting Jay's direct deposit in - it's usually in by Wednesday night/Thursday morning but I still haven't seen it there and, quite frankly, we gotta have it in there asap. They fixed it for me and said it should be entered in by tonight. Then we went to grab some lunch and I picked up Z early, b/c I didn't feel like sitting in the parking lot for an hour while Allie screamed from the injustice of having to sit in a carseat in a nonmoving car. So we went home, ate lunch, they both went down for afternoon nap about 1:30.
I settled in with the laptop to get some stuff done, feet propped up, tv on, drink (apply juice for congestion) beside me, getting comfortable.................and up comes the garage door - the dad has arrived. Sigh. So now he's walking around upstairs on his cell phone, talking loudly as usual, which will probably wake Allie but not Zack since he could sleep through a train wreck, and I'll be back to square one. Typical day here - one never knows what will be going on or when.
I want to congratulate my friend Becky on getting this nanny job - she will be taking my place on February 23rd and I certainly hope she knows what she's getting herself into. She seems really excited about it and I'm glad for her. I'm glad it will give her more financial stability and job security, and I hope the things that have become giant issues for me will not be an issue for her. I really am happy for her! I worry b/c I sounded just like her a year ago when I first started this job - it was going to be great pay, and for a 40hr week it would be decent pay, but by Friday when you've worked 55-60 hours, quite frankly the pay sucks. It's less than $7/hr once it's divided up. But I digress - I hope this turns out to be the job of her dreams! She's going to shadow me next Tuesday and hopefully more often after that, b/c it's going to take Allie awhile to get used to a new face. It's not going to be an easy first few days for her.
I'm hoping to get off early today. The mom had yesterday afternoon off and this afternoon off, b/c she may be possible subpoena'ed for a court case for one of her patients. Yesterday she let me off at 4:30 (thank you!!!) and it was nice to get home before dark....I missed seeing Jay by an entire three minutes, too. Boo. So hopefully today, if she does not get called into court, I will get off early as well. If she does have to go, I'm stuck here til 5:30 and I have to be at 1st Pres at 6:30 to work......I would love to shower before I go there and they would probably appreciate that, too.
My weekend will be busy - I'm working tonight (as previously mentioned) from 630-830 and then again tomorrow morning from 8-12 and tomorrow evening from 6-9 for the Valentine banquet at 1st Pres. It's really good money for a really easy few hours, depending on the age you get stuck with. I don't what I have until I get there, but last year Michael and I got the oldest group - 10-12 yr olds and all they did was watch movies and eat snacks. Easiest hundred bucks of my life, lol.
So bored. I didn't realize it was almost 3pm.....that's nice. =) If we can make naptime last until 4pm, I will consider the day a success. =)
***I would just like to edit this to add, for all entertainment purposes, the dad has been sitting here for thirty minutes reeling on a fishing rod......no line or anything like that, just reeling.....and reeling.....in the living room......funny!
I settled in with the laptop to get some stuff done, feet propped up, tv on, drink (apply juice for congestion) beside me, getting comfortable.................and up comes the garage door - the dad has arrived. Sigh. So now he's walking around upstairs on his cell phone, talking loudly as usual, which will probably wake Allie but not Zack since he could sleep through a train wreck, and I'll be back to square one. Typical day here - one never knows what will be going on or when.
I want to congratulate my friend Becky on getting this nanny job - she will be taking my place on February 23rd and I certainly hope she knows what she's getting herself into. She seems really excited about it and I'm glad for her. I'm glad it will give her more financial stability and job security, and I hope the things that have become giant issues for me will not be an issue for her. I really am happy for her! I worry b/c I sounded just like her a year ago when I first started this job - it was going to be great pay, and for a 40hr week it would be decent pay, but by Friday when you've worked 55-60 hours, quite frankly the pay sucks. It's less than $7/hr once it's divided up. But I digress - I hope this turns out to be the job of her dreams! She's going to shadow me next Tuesday and hopefully more often after that, b/c it's going to take Allie awhile to get used to a new face. It's not going to be an easy first few days for her.
I'm hoping to get off early today. The mom had yesterday afternoon off and this afternoon off, b/c she may be possible subpoena'ed for a court case for one of her patients. Yesterday she let me off at 4:30 (thank you!!!) and it was nice to get home before dark....I missed seeing Jay by an entire three minutes, too. Boo. So hopefully today, if she does not get called into court, I will get off early as well. If she does have to go, I'm stuck here til 5:30 and I have to be at 1st Pres at 6:30 to work......I would love to shower before I go there and they would probably appreciate that, too.
My weekend will be busy - I'm working tonight (as previously mentioned) from 630-830 and then again tomorrow morning from 8-12 and tomorrow evening from 6-9 for the Valentine banquet at 1st Pres. It's really good money for a really easy few hours, depending on the age you get stuck with. I don't what I have until I get there, but last year Michael and I got the oldest group - 10-12 yr olds and all they did was watch movies and eat snacks. Easiest hundred bucks of my life, lol.
So bored. I didn't realize it was almost 3pm.....that's nice. =) If we can make naptime last until 4pm, I will consider the day a success. =)
***I would just like to edit this to add, for all entertainment purposes, the dad has been sitting here for thirty minutes reeling on a fishing rod......no line or anything like that, just reeling.....and reeling.....in the living room......funny!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
February 5, 2009
Before I start ranting, as all my blogs have seemed to be in the last year or so, I have a couple of things to say. If you read this blog and are offended by some things I say about the way I feel about certain places or things or people, I'm sorry you are offended, but this is MY blog about MY feelings and this blog is full of MY opinions. Not everyone agrees on everything and that's what makes us all unique - I'm glad you love what you love and I'm glad I love what I love, but if our opinions differ, don't take it personally. Thanks for reading my blog. =)
We caught the mouse last night! Well, we caught A mouse last night. Sammy (the runt puppy) caught one last Saturday and.....ate it.....and I was wondering if that was the only one we had, but it was pretty small. Last night I heard scuffling behind the gun cabinet (again) and I shined the flashlight behind it - to see we had caught a BIIIIIIG mouse on the glue trap. Perhaps a small field rat? Not sure. It was definitely big enough to have made all the holes in the food containers and eaten half the top of the cupcake that night. I always feel bad for them b/c once we pick up the trap, they start squealing and struggling....like they know they're going to die. I took a pic of it and then Jay took it out behind the house and shot it. I think he just likes to shoot things (not live things necessarily, just things) so he didn't want to miss an opportunity. Though I can't speak, last time we caught one, I turned the trap upside down in the toilet and let it drown. It was going to be hours before he got home to kill it and I didn't want it to suffer (yeah yeah) that long on the trap. It was over quickly - 30 seconds max. I hated doing it but it was a no-win situation. So hopefully the mouse situation is over - he was a big one. Check it out:
Today has had its ups and downs. It still annoys the heck out of to have to be here all day when the dad has not even left the house!!! Why on earth do you WANT somebody else to be raising your kids if you're here and have the time to spend it with them?!? Seriously - I know he probably has a few things to do, but you know what? So do I! I could really use a morning off to make a dr appt and do some errands that I can't do while dragging Allie around - it would be courteous of him/her to offer to listen to silence while Allie sleeps......cause that's really all that happens here before noon every day. Sheesh.
On that note, maybe today wasn't a good time to have that rant, but this morning's naptime was a joke. An absolute joke. The last two mornings she's slept for 20 minutes and then been wide awake, and two hours later is just exhausted and crabby.......which quickly makes ME exhausted and crabby. So I thought "great, a long nap this afternoon since she's so tired!"
Nope.
I put her in her crib around 2pm and she was asleep right away............only to wake up at 3pm and be up for the afternoon. Fantastic.
Anyway, same thing this morning - I put her down for nap and she slept 20 minutes and was wide awake. I wrapped her several times.....took Houdini all of three minutes to get out of that, throw the blanket out, and push herself to sitting up again. To say it was annoying was an understatement. So this afternoon, I wrapped her in a bigger blanket and sat in the rocking chair (where she couldn't see me) until she fell asleep. That was......20 minutes ago.....so we'll see how long it lasts.
The mom had the interview with the other potential nanny last night. I do have a inkling who she's going to hire, but I wont say here. I know who the kiddo wants, for sure.....he has no problems voicing his opinions - about anything, lol.
I do have to say to the new nanny: good luck. You're starting on a tough note already b/c the grandma will be here, with all her meddling and hovering and thousands of suggestions for how you should to things and never bothering to help do anything. She wakes the kids up from their nap when SHE thinks it's appropriate, but doesnt offer to help entertain them in the afternoon once their awake.
Just the icing on the cake, new nanny. I hope you can deal with what I haven't been able to - you only think you know what you're getting into, but if you can handle it, you're way more woman than I am.
Good luck.
We caught the mouse last night! Well, we caught A mouse last night. Sammy (the runt puppy) caught one last Saturday and.....ate it.....and I was wondering if that was the only one we had, but it was pretty small. Last night I heard scuffling behind the gun cabinet (again) and I shined the flashlight behind it - to see we had caught a BIIIIIIG mouse on the glue trap. Perhaps a small field rat? Not sure. It was definitely big enough to have made all the holes in the food containers and eaten half the top of the cupcake that night. I always feel bad for them b/c once we pick up the trap, they start squealing and struggling....like they know they're going to die. I took a pic of it and then Jay took it out behind the house and shot it. I think he just likes to shoot things (not live things necessarily, just things) so he didn't want to miss an opportunity. Though I can't speak, last time we caught one, I turned the trap upside down in the toilet and let it drown. It was going to be hours before he got home to kill it and I didn't want it to suffer (yeah yeah) that long on the trap. It was over quickly - 30 seconds max. I hated doing it but it was a no-win situation. So hopefully the mouse situation is over - he was a big one. Check it out:
Today has had its ups and downs. It still annoys the heck out of to have to be here all day when the dad has not even left the house!!! Why on earth do you WANT somebody else to be raising your kids if you're here and have the time to spend it with them?!? Seriously - I know he probably has a few things to do, but you know what? So do I! I could really use a morning off to make a dr appt and do some errands that I can't do while dragging Allie around - it would be courteous of him/her to offer to listen to silence while Allie sleeps......cause that's really all that happens here before noon every day. Sheesh.
On that note, maybe today wasn't a good time to have that rant, but this morning's naptime was a joke. An absolute joke. The last two mornings she's slept for 20 minutes and then been wide awake, and two hours later is just exhausted and crabby.......which quickly makes ME exhausted and crabby. So I thought "great, a long nap this afternoon since she's so tired!"
Nope.
I put her in her crib around 2pm and she was asleep right away............only to wake up at 3pm and be up for the afternoon. Fantastic.
Anyway, same thing this morning - I put her down for nap and she slept 20 minutes and was wide awake. I wrapped her several times.....took Houdini all of three minutes to get out of that, throw the blanket out, and push herself to sitting up again. To say it was annoying was an understatement. So this afternoon, I wrapped her in a bigger blanket and sat in the rocking chair (where she couldn't see me) until she fell asleep. That was......20 minutes ago.....so we'll see how long it lasts.
The mom had the interview with the other potential nanny last night. I do have a inkling who she's going to hire, but I wont say here. I know who the kiddo wants, for sure.....he has no problems voicing his opinions - about anything, lol.
I do have to say to the new nanny: good luck. You're starting on a tough note already b/c the grandma will be here, with all her meddling and hovering and thousands of suggestions for how you should to things and never bothering to help do anything. She wakes the kids up from their nap when SHE thinks it's appropriate, but doesnt offer to help entertain them in the afternoon once their awake.
Just the icing on the cake, new nanny. I hope you can deal with what I haven't been able to - you only think you know what you're getting into, but if you can handle it, you're way more woman than I am.
Good luck.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009
It's been the day of mail drivers.....meaning, I've seen a total of 7 mail deliverers so far today. Not that it's so important, but it stuck out to me that every road I was on had at least one postal car delivering mail. Struck me as funny. Just saying.
Today's been nice - reminds me of how much I love to be left alone. The mom left around 8ish, the dad and Z are still gone to NC (playing in the snow) and will be back sometime this afternoon (supposedly by 5:30 but that remains to be seen). So it's just been Allie and me - makes for a nice day.
We met Jessica for lunch (yay!) at Moe's. Now, I know what I've said in the past about disliking Moe's, but I was really craving that queso chip-dip.......it was good but disappointing, too - not nearly as good as I remembered it to be. It was fun to have girl talk and catch up - I look forward to having more time to get together with friends in this new job, and also to seeing what my house looks like in the daylight. It's been awhile since I've seen that on a weekday.....
I got my information email from HopeReach today with all the training info - I cant wait to get started!
Today's been nice - reminds me of how much I love to be left alone. The mom left around 8ish, the dad and Z are still gone to NC (playing in the snow) and will be back sometime this afternoon (supposedly by 5:30 but that remains to be seen). So it's just been Allie and me - makes for a nice day.
We met Jessica for lunch (yay!) at Moe's. Now, I know what I've said in the past about disliking Moe's, but I was really craving that queso chip-dip.......it was good but disappointing, too - not nearly as good as I remembered it to be. It was fun to have girl talk and catch up - I look forward to having more time to get together with friends in this new job, and also to seeing what my house looks like in the daylight. It's been awhile since I've seen that on a weekday.....
I got my information email from HopeReach today with all the training info - I cant wait to get started!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
February 3, 2009
So as I sit here in the kitchen, my replacement nanny is being interviewed in the living room. Sweet!!
I'm trying to figure out this tax situation thing - the mom keeps telling me that I wont need a W2 or whatever b/c THEY paid my taxes, but dont they just pay SS, not my income tax? Doesn't the money that comes out of the income tax belong to me if it was overpaid? She says it belongs to them and if money comes out of the refund, then it's theirs, or if it was underpaid then it's their responsibility to pay it, but I dont understand that. If that is true, then all along I should have been getting the whole $425 and letting them pay SS on it and not just getting the net amount of $350. I dont trust these ppl all the time, that's why I'm a little sketchy. That and the fact that we really NEED this refund money and I dont understand why it would go to them, not me. It's still my money, isn't it? I need an accountant's perspective here.......anyone?
I will not have my interview with the preemie's family today b/c I have to work late....til like 8pm. I'm mad b/c I only got off at 5p yesterday and that does NOT make up the difference and I most certainly will not be paid extra for it. Grrrrr......13 days left here and not a day more. I did find out this morning that the grandma is coming to town ON the day I leave - hahahahahaha!! I avoided it! I knew it was time for her to come again, b/c she comes every three months, and I am SO happy to not have to deal with her, too. Now she's the new nanny's responsibility - best of luck, new nanny! There are so many things you get to learn how to deal with that I get to wave good-bye to and forget about forever.
I'm worried about this tax thing......it doesnt seem right. Hopefully I can get an answer for it soon so I can take my mind off it.
*****Edited to add: I won the tax argument!! She called her accountant and asked and they said any refund belongs to ME. They are only responsible for paying SS and FICA, and any income tax overpaid belongs to ME ME ME. I'm so relieved - I was afraid we werent going to get any money back and we need it.
Happy face! =)
I'm trying to figure out this tax situation thing - the mom keeps telling me that I wont need a W2 or whatever b/c THEY paid my taxes, but dont they just pay SS, not my income tax? Doesn't the money that comes out of the income tax belong to me if it was overpaid? She says it belongs to them and if money comes out of the refund, then it's theirs, or if it was underpaid then it's their responsibility to pay it, but I dont understand that. If that is true, then all along I should have been getting the whole $425 and letting them pay SS on it and not just getting the net amount of $350. I dont trust these ppl all the time, that's why I'm a little sketchy. That and the fact that we really NEED this refund money and I dont understand why it would go to them, not me. It's still my money, isn't it? I need an accountant's perspective here.......anyone?
I will not have my interview with the preemie's family today b/c I have to work late....til like 8pm. I'm mad b/c I only got off at 5p yesterday and that does NOT make up the difference and I most certainly will not be paid extra for it. Grrrrr......13 days left here and not a day more. I did find out this morning that the grandma is coming to town ON the day I leave - hahahahahaha!! I avoided it! I knew it was time for her to come again, b/c she comes every three months, and I am SO happy to not have to deal with her, too. Now she's the new nanny's responsibility - best of luck, new nanny! There are so many things you get to learn how to deal with that I get to wave good-bye to and forget about forever.
I'm worried about this tax thing......it doesnt seem right. Hopefully I can get an answer for it soon so I can take my mind off it.
*****Edited to add: I won the tax argument!! She called her accountant and asked and they said any refund belongs to ME. They are only responsible for paying SS and FICA, and any income tax overpaid belongs to ME ME ME. I'm so relieved - I was afraid we werent going to get any money back and we need it.
Happy face! =)
Monday, February 2, 2009
February 2, 2009
Wow, February already. I have to say I'm typing this with my hands shaking like crazy - I put the kids down for a nap about 30 minutes ago and just heard a huge crash upstairs. I raced up there (2 flights) and by the time I got to the top of the stairs, the baby was SCREAMING. I swear, ya'll, I thought she had fallen out of her crib - that's exactly what it sounded like. I was terrified to open the door. She hadn't fallen out but she must have been sitting up and fallen backward and hit her head on the bars, and her sound machine hit the floor - that was the big crash. My heart was racing - I was so sure she had fallen out and that crack was her head on the floor. I comforted her and she must have been scared b/c she just sunk into me and she never does that. So I just put her back down and wrapped her up so she can't sit up. It's her new trick and she refuses to lay down if she doesnt have to.....hence she doesnt get much of a nap and is quite cranky. I rolled my eyes this morning at breakfast when she threw fits (literally) for things at the table she wanted that other ppl had, and the mom was running around trying to get it all for her. I just sat there. She doesnt have to get what she wants just b/c she wants it. If she screams, so be it. She screamed in the car today from 11:30-12:15 nonstop b/c she wanted her pacifier, and I handed it to her twice and she threw it straight to the floor. So I put it up. Too bad; I'm not playing that game.
This morning the mom asked if I had any work plans yet b/c she wants me to stay longer. I said I had interviews today and tomorrow, but I would not able to stay longer than my given time frame. She hinted that I really didn't give them much time - but I gave them FOUR weeks! That's two weeks longer than I had to give; I thought I was being generous doing that. Believe me, I'd LOVE to be out of here two weeks sooner than planned, but I know it takes awhile to find one person to take a nanny job, but she didn't do any interviews or anything last week, so that's not my problem. Once the 20th comes, I'm done.
I had my interview at HopeReach this morning and it went great! I didn't realize it was right next door to my grandmother's assisted-living home. I should hear back from them within 24-48 hours about their offer, and I'm so excited! This is the job I really want - it's my dream job. I've studied it and read hundreds of books about it and have some hands-on experience with it, but doing it full-time will be a challenge that I'm psyching myself up for. Thirty hours there is considered full-time and enough for benefits, so that will be wonderful.
Hopefully we will find out soon if Cryovac is going to hire Jay permanently - they said "at the beginning of the year" but who knows when that will be. It would fix a LOT of financial issues for us - we could get the equity line opened up and all our debt paid off and just put paychecks into the equity line......breathe a lot easier. =)
This weekend was good - Sunday was pretty boring since Jay slept all day and I just tinkered around. I cleaned out the bookshelf in the guest room and am getting rid of about 30 books/magazines. It looks a lot nicer now - I'm trying to clean out stuff we dont use to make a little more room in the house. On Saturday I cleaned the house and it felt great - it had been almost two weeks since I'd really done anything other than laundry and it was getting bad (in my opinion, of course Jay thought it was fine, lol). I love to have a clean house - it makes the endorphins in my brain just swim around happily.
Tomorrow evening I have an interview with a family of a preemie baby - he's about 8 weeks or so, I think, and just came home from the hospital. Originally they were only looking for someone until April but I think that's changed and she wants to do an interview, so I'm going to at least talk and see what they're looking for. They live on this side of Spartanburg, so it will be at least 7p before I get there, depending on whatever time I get out here, which we all know is never the same.
Ahhhh........14 days left!
This morning the mom asked if I had any work plans yet b/c she wants me to stay longer. I said I had interviews today and tomorrow, but I would not able to stay longer than my given time frame. She hinted that I really didn't give them much time - but I gave them FOUR weeks! That's two weeks longer than I had to give; I thought I was being generous doing that. Believe me, I'd LOVE to be out of here two weeks sooner than planned, but I know it takes awhile to find one person to take a nanny job, but she didn't do any interviews or anything last week, so that's not my problem. Once the 20th comes, I'm done.
I had my interview at HopeReach this morning and it went great! I didn't realize it was right next door to my grandmother's assisted-living home. I should hear back from them within 24-48 hours about their offer, and I'm so excited! This is the job I really want - it's my dream job. I've studied it and read hundreds of books about it and have some hands-on experience with it, but doing it full-time will be a challenge that I'm psyching myself up for. Thirty hours there is considered full-time and enough for benefits, so that will be wonderful.
Hopefully we will find out soon if Cryovac is going to hire Jay permanently - they said "at the beginning of the year" but who knows when that will be. It would fix a LOT of financial issues for us - we could get the equity line opened up and all our debt paid off and just put paychecks into the equity line......breathe a lot easier. =)
This weekend was good - Sunday was pretty boring since Jay slept all day and I just tinkered around. I cleaned out the bookshelf in the guest room and am getting rid of about 30 books/magazines. It looks a lot nicer now - I'm trying to clean out stuff we dont use to make a little more room in the house. On Saturday I cleaned the house and it felt great - it had been almost two weeks since I'd really done anything other than laundry and it was getting bad (in my opinion, of course Jay thought it was fine, lol). I love to have a clean house - it makes the endorphins in my brain just swim around happily.
Tomorrow evening I have an interview with a family of a preemie baby - he's about 8 weeks or so, I think, and just came home from the hospital. Originally they were only looking for someone until April but I think that's changed and she wants to do an interview, so I'm going to at least talk and see what they're looking for. They live on this side of Spartanburg, so it will be at least 7p before I get there, depending on whatever time I get out here, which we all know is never the same.
Ahhhh........14 days left!
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