Accomplished today:
dishes
breakfast lunch and dinner-all eaten by Jack
put Jonah "down" for his naps
homemade chocolate syrup 1/2 gallon
mocha frappacino
planted: 21 tomatoes, 2 eggplants, 31 peppers, basil seeds.
Sewed 9 pair of nursing pads
bathed 1.5 kids (Jason did the other 1/2)
unclogged 1 tub, reassembled, and cleaned
snuggled with husband
watched Toy Story 3 times
published 1 pic to facebook
posted to blog
2 loads of laundry
maybe I've finally figured this 2 kid thing out. More likely got incredibly lucky!
Happy 2 month day, Jonah. Thank you for being so charming and such a cooperative sleeper.
Showing posts with label Other. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Other. Show all posts
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Pregnancy without the Sugar Coating
I'm taking some time out from documenting the exploits and amazingness of my boy to talk about the months spent getting that boy and the upcoming one.
Some of you have said how much you love being pregnant. I hope that's the case, but I'm skeptical. Someone I know who had a great deal of trouble conceiving apologized recently for complaining once about severe heartburn during her pregnancy. I see no need to apologize. I complain most days of my pregnancy. I acknowledge that I don't even think I have particularly terrible pregnancies--no bed rest, no preeclampsia, no diabetes. Why all the complaining? Well, I'll try to explain what its like. I'll begin somewhere near the beginning.
The first trimester. For me, it starts with anxiety. Anxiety about whether I'm pregnant, followed by the anxiety of whether I'll remain pregnant, and in the upcoming months whether my child will be healthy. Add illness to anxiety. Pregnant with Jackson, the morning sickness started right away, before I'd even taken the pregnancy test. I was exhausted and nauseous for 4 1/2 months. It was a weird morning sickness, I felt sick most of the time, but I was still functioning pretty well. I was working and productive at work. I was rowing twice a week. Sometimes I didn't feel like rowing or working, but I was still able to do it. While I felt sick a lot, I didn't vomit a lot. When I did it came without any warning. After a couple of partly successful attempts to pull over the car in the middle of my commute, I took to carrying gallon ziplock bags everywhere, just in case. After 4 1/2 months had passed, when I was no longer sick is when I realized just how sick I had been.
This pregnancy, I made it to 5 weeks (counting the 2 bonus weeks before conception actually occurs) before getting ill. I started feeling sick the fifth week. I was nearing the end of a special assignment at work, and I told myself that I could make it through the last week (week 6), then take a couple days off, then suck it up and go back to work. I made it through week 5 at work. Saturday I stopped eating and didn't get off the couch. I mostly stayed there until Wednesday, when I dragged myself to the doctor's office to lay on the couch in their waiting room and bawl. They took me back in and weighed me, then the NP waived my exam, sat me down at her desk, and wrote me a script for Zofran--a powerful antiemetic approved for use in Chemotherapy patients, with a price tag to match (retail $400/week). I started taking the recommended dosage, and eating little bits of food (Ramen noodles, pretzel sticks, jolly ranchers). I was still purging a few times a day and confined to the couch. My blood test came back fine, but showed I was dehydrated (Sorry, water induced vomiting). I lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks. The medication has constipation as a side effect, its not a mild side effect.
I scheduled an ultrasound and follow up visit for the next week. In the meantime, I busied myself with reading up on what could cause severe morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum. Three possible causes: 1-random occurance, 2-multiple fetuses, 3-molar pregnancy (nonviable, and increased risk of cancer). I was so sick that I was actually considering that last option might be the best one (and yes, I do know how drastic a thought that is). I saw it as an opportunity to start over.
This brings me to the second trimester. The one where pregnant ladies are supposed to feel great, have tons of energy, nest, and vacation. Pregnant with Jackson, I spent half of the second trimester still sick and the rest of it feeling OK, but not particularly energetic. This time, I felt much much better than I did the first trimester! There's no overstating how much better I felt! I definitely had more energy than in the first trimester, I started doing some of the things that had been making me crazy for months and I was off the couch. At 20 weeks I went in for the anatomical ultrasound. There was my little baby, with all the expected parts in all the expected places, and in 3D. The baby didn't want to show its wares, but eventually after several attempts, we were able to get a brief glimpse between the legs, and it was declared another boy. We spent a long time in the ultrasound room. First because they hadn't told me to drink before coming, so they made me drink when I got there and kept taking pictures until my bladder filled up so they could check the placenta. It went from empty to near bursting, so I was told to "pee just a little" I laughed at the technician, managed to pee a little more than I intended too, came back in, and was told my bladder was still too full and to "pee just a little more", which was still not enough. So I had to finish peeing, drink just a little, and come back to ultrasound after my exam. Having this ultrasound does wonders for reducing anxiety. Its an opportunity to see all of the external features of the baby and see that its all there, the major organs are also checked and receive a seal of good health, and it makes the baby much more real to see it on the screen. I start to think of it more as a person and less something torturing me from the inside out after the ultrasound. My enthusiasm for the pending child was renewed.I should also mention the question of gender here. After announcing a pregnancy and before the gender is confirmed is a time full of speculation. Other than a tiny little human, what will it be? People don't hesitate to comment on this one. If you already have 1 or more children, I think the tendency is to guess that it will be the other gender. So I heard many people comment on how it was surely a girl. That's what the Chinese calendar predicted for me. That's what I wanted (not what I expected, however). Since I was so terribly sick this time, it just had to be a girl! FYI, don't make these comments to your pregnant friends, particularly if they're predisposed to having one gender over the other. Feel free to say, "I hope its (whatever they might want to hear)" but don't make outright predictions.
What else happens during trimester two? Well for me, the baby starts to get moving around month 5. My babies are gymnasts. They pummel me from the inside out all day and all night. This time, I've been waking up in the wee hours of the night and staying awake for the hour or two it takes to complete my internal massage. Feeling the baby move is pretty amazing. It's fascinating, it's reassuring, and it's also very distracting. I've been trying to describe the sensation, and I think its like some combination of all of these things, yet none of them. It's like hitting your funny bone, having a muscle spasm, going to the fish farm and getting a full bucket of trout swimming around anxiously then putting your hand in that bucket, having a knot in your muscle that you can push on and feel it move a few millimeters from side to side, and the hiccups. Physically, its like all of those things and none of them. Emotionally its something else. There are also little games to be played with a fetus, push on the belly and see if the baby will kick back or shine a bright light at it.
The second trimester also brings a bout of sciatica cursing down my left back and into my thigh. I experience it as an affliction of inertia. After I've been sitting, its difficult to bring myself upright or to walk. So, I get up and spend the next 50 feet hunched over. It was getting so bad that at 5 1/2 months, I was on the brink of not being able to hold myself upright and fearing that I'd collapse, I got a referral to a physical therapist, which I planned to visit at the new year.
Over the holidays (5 3/4 months) my baby decided to move up from my pelvis to my belly. I traded in the sciatica (relief) for heartburn, back pain, and reduced lung capacity. I have a weekly meeting or 3 in another building, its about a mile walk to get there (can be done indoors in the winter) and is referred to as "company sponsored exercise. I made the walk the first week back from Christmas and barely made it there, an hour later, I had to make the return trip. I came home that night freaking out about how I couldn't do the simplest tasks anymore, my muscles must've atrophied over the holidays (irrational since I was busy painting Jack's room and moving furniture), and determined to find some way to regain some semblance of endurance. I settled on the elliptical trainer that takes up space, collects dust, and had until the day before been destined for a posting on Craig's List. I stepped on it and the pedals refused to budge. Then I tore the house apart looking for the giant screwdriver needed to disassemble it, finally found it, and used my last breaths to take it apart, expecting to find a matchbox car wedged in the machine. The magnetic resistance was stuck firmly on the flywheel. I pried it off, and it immediately stuck itself firmly in place. I decided it needed new batteries, exhausted myself further putting it back together so that little fingers wouldn't hurt themselves the next morning. The next day, I got new batteries, putting them in noticed that the existing batteries were installed upside down. Adjusted the existing batteries and it still didn't work. Put in the new batteries and it still didn't work. Exhausted myself taking it apart again, prying the magnet off the drive, still not working. Finally I tried adjusting the resistance, I set it to very high, then back to a low setting. That finally worked. More exhaustion putting the machine back together. It's fixed now.
Over the next couple of weeks, I could really feel my belly stretching (and still can). First the baby moved up, then he set his sights on moving outward. Two weeks later, people started coming up to me with congratulations. Apparently, I went from looking normal to looking incredibly pregnant overnight. I guess first losing and then regaining 10 pounds had been a net zero effect. I hadn't felt that way. It seemed to me that the baby was filling up my pelvis and squishing all the fat outward so that I just looked a bit chubbier. Once the baby moved up and out, that look was replaced by a classic pregnancy enormous pot belly. (Pondering here, why is it that there's no such thing as "a little bit pregnant" but there is a such thing as "Very Pregnant!") Now that the baby has moved out, I'm in some danger of toppling over, but my lung capacity has improved, I can make the mile walk (still feeling a bit winded) and the elliptical training is back to collecting dust.
Cocoa butter is touted as the best remedy for stretch marks. There are 2 options in the cocoa butter market. A lotion that upon closer inspection contains only trace amounts of cocoa butter, or something that comes in a tub and has a high percent of cocoa butter. I have the stuff in the tub, 2 versions of it, one is 100% cocoa butter. Attention cosmetic industry, the tub is not an ideal container for cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a rock at room temperature, there is no convenient way to remove it from the tub. Ideally, it would come in a giant chapstick tube so that it could be screwed upward, and applied to warm skin where it would melt on the surface. Instead I have a melon baller that I use to scrape cocoa butter shavings out of the tub, rub them between my hands to melt, then smear on my belly. Cocoa butter flakes spill onto the floor. I smell like a giant Hershey bar.
Coming into the third trimester, I am free of diabetes (hurray!) my blood pressure is its usual low self (hurray!) and I have the following complaints: I'm very tired. There's no longer room on my lap for my toddler. I have to bend my legs to the side to put on pants or shoes because my belly is in the way of bring my knee straight upward. It's a challenge to wipe my bum. I think my ankles are starting to swell. If I'm asked any kind of a direct question, I will cry. There are little feet hooked under my ribs forcing me to keep my back straight under penalty of pain. The constant kicking is less cute and sometimes quite painful, and my hips hurt. My hips hurt so badly I'd almost rather have the sciatica back. Yesterday I spend a few hours on my feet cleaning and cooking, by the end of the night I could barely walk. Jackson had trouble going to sleep, and I had to climb over his bedroom gate several times to reassure him. Climbing over the gate was very difficult and painful. Getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break was painful such that I was hunched over and clinging to the walls to make my way there. I was all set to call in sick to work. This morning though, my hips had returned to their baseline pain level, so I pulled myself out of bed. I think I might have arthritis, I could really use some anti-inflammatory ibuprofen, oh yeah, that's banned. Guess I'll suffer. My doctor says I could benefit from some cat-cow exercises. I think those are for my back, not my hips. I think my back is OK, mostly.
Other temporary complaints: one day last week, the baby wedged himself just above my right hipbone. I woke at 2 am with terrible pain in that area. Getting ready for work, the pain worsened and wrapped around my back. I was ready to go back to bed, but had suppliers to visit with at work, so I forced myself to go in. I spent the first half hour of our meeting tracking down my doctor's phone number (Why isn't it programmed into my phone?!) then planned to sneak out to call. I didn't call, and the pain subsided by noon. I've also had a couple of episodes of severe cramping followed by diarrhea. The first time, I didn't know what it was, blamed it on a bad reaction to Chinese takeout (now off the menu) and suffered through it. The second time, I read the book, which said it could be a sign of preterm labor and to call the doctor. I read the book about an hour into the pain, then I sat in bad hoping it would dissipate while I watched Jason attempt to pack a bag for the hospital. He put in Jackson pajamas. Jackson was already asleep in pajamas. I told him to pack fuzzy pants, socks, and nursing tanks for me. I don't know what if anything else went in the bag. The pain subsided 1/2 an hour later and I didn't call the doctor. The bag is now in the closet, without my fuzzy pants. When I saw the doctor, she didn't put me on any kind of rest (thankfully). She suggested some minor behavior modifications, which I've gladly complied with.
Next up trimester number 3. The longest home stretch ever. I'm expecting a magification of my second trimester complaints. That's what I had before. More heartburn, more difficulty putting on shoes (Plug for the giant Ikea shoehorn here), more waddling, more complaints about ill fitting maternity clothing (by the end I'll be lucky to fit into anything). Maybe some new complaints.
Pregnant with Jackson, I got kidney stones at 7 months. At first I thought it was a repeat of the sciatica. I went to work because I was saving up my sickdays for postpartem. I spent an hour splayed out on a conference room table hoping the pain would subside. It didn't. I had a Dr. appt that afternoon, and went there in excruciating pain. They kept me waiting, checked on the baby, then sent me to the hospital. The hospital was very nice, they took me in right away, stuck me on a baby monitor, then made me lie there in excruciating pain for my Dr to show up 3 hours later (around 9pm). I was then allowed to have pain medication and given a shot of morphine, it didn't help at all. I waited a few hours for the morphine to be metabolized, and was given a Demerol drip, which was a miracle. At some point it was decided that it was probably kidney stones and an ultrasound was ordered to confirm it. Small hospitals don't keep an extensive staff of renal radiology technicians on hand after hours, so it was 11:30 before I had the ultrasound, which showed a couple of swollen areas on my kidney and a blocked ureter. I spent the night and most of the next day at the hospital drinking water and straining my urine. They let me go home with a strainer and a script of I think Percocet, which did work. A few days later I passed a couple of stones. This pregnancy, I'm drinking more water and attempting to sleep more on my right side.
Kidney stones are often described as comparable to childbirth. Since I experienced both within a matter of months, I feel I'm qualified to comment. The kidney stones pain was comparable to labor contractions. The pain was of a similar nature, location, and intensity. The pain of kidney stones is constant and relentless, so in one way, its worse than contractions, which are very intense but intermittent. But contractions lead to active labor and the pain of pushing something the size of a bowling ball through the birth canal is much much worse than the pain of contractions or kidney stones. There is no comparison!
The last month of my pregnancy with Jackson, my body started to swell--and swell. I felt like Violet Beauregarde, a giant blueberry except still flesh colored. I gained a lot of weight the last month, all of it water. At every appointment, my blood pressure was up. It peaked at something like 130/80, nothing to really worry about, but much higher than my baseline 105/60.
The second to last thing about pregnancy is the waiting. I went to the Dr weekly and was told that I was making no progress, no dilation, no visible effacement, nothing. I was also told my baby was gigantic, something my Dr likes to warn against. She isn't in favor of 10 lb babies, my first was 1/2 pound shy of that mark. I tried everything the old wives suggested to bring on labor: vigorous walking, pineapple, you name it, I tried it. Unfortunately, it was all things I'd been doing all along, so I guess I'd been desensitized to the things that precipitate labor. I scheduled an induction for a week after I was due. The day before, I spend 17 hours in labor (not going to elaborate now, but its the last and worst thing I could complain about pregnancy) and delivered a very healthy and mildly post mature looking boy.
That little boy makes me happy everyday. My love for him has expanded my own capacity for loving humanity and forgiving faults in others. Despite my complaining, pregnancy was a small price to pay in exchange for such a perfect child. Despite the discomfort I feel now, I'm looking forward to the moments immediately following the birth of this new child and the many moments after that.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
New Blog
http://makeitcrafts.blogspot.com/
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Pileated Woodpecker
The morning after Christmas was misty. I was downstairs with Jackson, and noticed some larger than usual activity in the front trees. It was a pileated woodpecker! I was thrilled to see this spectacular bird just 50 feet from my front window. She stuck around for about 1/2 and hour, and worked over this tree plus a few others. From the damage done to the trees, I think she must be visiting us frequently.
The only other time I've seen her, or her kin around was shortly after we moved in. It was another misty morning, and Jason woke me up about 5 am to look through the haze in the backyard. That bird didn't stay long, and in the dark and fog, we didn't get a very good look. I've had my eye on the tree ever since hoping for another glimpse, but the tree seems to have been taking over by redbellied woodpeckers.
Pileated woodpeckers have an extensive Northern range, but they prefer old growth trees. Our forest is maybe 50 years old and was logged 20 years ago, so the trees are young and small.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Lead Levels
Tuesday was Jack's birthday (Yeah--happy birthday, boy!) I'll post about that event, and the subsequent, incessant, cutting and pounding (thanks, Mom) later. For now, a few lines about what's been eating at me--that is the trip to the pediatrician. I could complain about the shortage of HIB vaccine or Jack's mysterious spreading rash which the doctor proclaimed was "contact dermatitis" (my ass). Or I could say how weird it is that Jack's head size didn't change at all, and sometimes increases or even decreases in size depending on who the nurse is. I could also rave about how well Jackson takes his pricks, staring stoically and in silence at the nurse. These topics are all of passing interest.
The thing that's eating at me is the lead test, taken by capillary. By way of background, it has been determined that there is no safe level of lead. The Dept of Health gets involved when the level is > 10 micrograms/deciliter, serious action with chelation and home remediation starts at around 50 micrograms/deciliter. Jackson's lead levels were below these thresholds at 5 micrograms/deciliter. By official lead accounting, its normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Except that the level should be nothing, zip, zero, undetectable. There are studies that show a linear relationship between even low lead levels of lead and IQ impact. 10 micrograms/deciliter has an impact of -7 IQ points. (There go the "trivial" few IQ points I pumped so much precious, time consuming, stressful breast milk to give my child.)
Historically speaking, lead levels of kids my age (born 1976-1980) had a mean value of 15 micrograms/deciliter. After lead paint was banned in 1978, the levels have gone down, and today's kids have a mean value of 2.7 micrograms/deciliter. Jackson's level is twice that.
We live in a brand new house (see previous post), with clean well water running through new lead free pipes. We don't use brightly colored foreign stoneware (as far as it can be avoided). We don't have antique tin toys or let Jackson play with the ammunition. So, where is the contamination coming from? I've been through latest list of lead based toy recalls. Nothing we own is on the list, but there are certainly similar items. It could be anything. Is it the painted spots on his bath toys? The zippers on his pants? The vinyl housed flashing light of his spider man jacket? How about his toy boxes? Or new froggy boots that he's worn all day every day since Easter? Maybe a contaminant in his daily multivitamin. Is it our dishes? They're purchased in a US big box store and light in color (typically reds are more likely to be lead based glazes). We only have 1 vinyl mini blind in the house, but that could be the source.
Point is, there is no way of knowing where the lead is coming from. This is a consequence of globalization and failure to enforce regulations. Even buying all of our consumer goods from reputable US made sources (as if that were possible) wouldn't guarantee safety, since they could just as easily get a batch of contaminated raw materials to work with.
In our home, we go through considerable effort to avoid contaminations. We buy US goods where practical, spend extra on local-ish free range meats and organic vegetables, produce our own eggs, limit high sugar content foods (corn syrup has a 20% contamination with mercury rate, by the way), eschew manufactured food items (like those pedialyte drinks they're pushing these days). We built a new house rather than remodel an old one that might be contaminated.
Despite these efforts, we're powerless against things like heavy metal contamination or food poisoning.
http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/PDF/rr/rr5608.pdf
The thing that's eating at me is the lead test, taken by capillary. By way of background, it has been determined that there is no safe level of lead. The Dept of Health gets involved when the level is > 10 micrograms/deciliter, serious action with chelation and home remediation starts at around 50 micrograms/deciliter. Jackson's lead levels were below these thresholds at 5 micrograms/deciliter. By official lead accounting, its normal and nothing to be alarmed about. Except that the level should be nothing, zip, zero, undetectable. There are studies that show a linear relationship between even low lead levels of lead and IQ impact. 10 micrograms/deciliter has an impact of -7 IQ points. (There go the "trivial" few IQ points I pumped so much precious, time consuming, stressful breast milk to give my child.)
Historically speaking, lead levels of kids my age (born 1976-1980) had a mean value of 15 micrograms/deciliter. After lead paint was banned in 1978, the levels have gone down, and today's kids have a mean value of 2.7 micrograms/deciliter. Jackson's level is twice that.
We live in a brand new house (see previous post), with clean well water running through new lead free pipes. We don't use brightly colored foreign stoneware (as far as it can be avoided). We don't have antique tin toys or let Jackson play with the ammunition. So, where is the contamination coming from? I've been through latest list of lead based toy recalls. Nothing we own is on the list, but there are certainly similar items. It could be anything. Is it the painted spots on his bath toys? The zippers on his pants? The vinyl housed flashing light of his spider man jacket? How about his toy boxes? Or new froggy boots that he's worn all day every day since Easter? Maybe a contaminant in his daily multivitamin. Is it our dishes? They're purchased in a US big box store and light in color (typically reds are more likely to be lead based glazes). We only have 1 vinyl mini blind in the house, but that could be the source.
Point is, there is no way of knowing where the lead is coming from. This is a consequence of globalization and failure to enforce regulations. Even buying all of our consumer goods from reputable US made sources (as if that were possible) wouldn't guarantee safety, since they could just as easily get a batch of contaminated raw materials to work with.
In our home, we go through considerable effort to avoid contaminations. We buy US goods where practical, spend extra on local-ish free range meats and organic vegetables, produce our own eggs, limit high sugar content foods (corn syrup has a 20% contamination with mercury rate, by the way), eschew manufactured food items (like those pedialyte drinks they're pushing these days). We built a new house rather than remodel an old one that might be contaminated.
Despite these efforts, we're powerless against things like heavy metal contamination or food poisoning.
http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/PDF/rr/rr5608.pdf
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Home Improvements
We built our own house and moved in 4 years ago. Much of the work we did ourselves (I think Jason blogged about this a while back) cleared the land, did all the finish work from decks to paint to floors to cabinet installs. We didn't take shortcuts on these things, and as a result, we lost enthusiasm as soon as the bank declared us officially "done". Totally burned out. Barely any home improvement was completed after that--1st because of the burnout, and then because it was impossible to do anything with Jackson needing constant attention.
As a result, our house looked like it was dropped in place by a tornado, like something out of the Wizard of Oz (luckily no curled up witch legs stuck out anywhere.) It's hard to really get a feel for that in the below picture since its winter, but trust me.
Same view in early Spring with a little effort at landscaping, a red door, and a stained front porch, and stairs on the back deck. It's starting to look like it belongs in the landscape.
Front view.
As a result, our house looked like it was dropped in place by a tornado, like something out of the Wizard of Oz (luckily no curled up witch legs stuck out anywhere.) It's hard to really get a feel for that in the below picture since its winter, but trust me.
Same view in early Spring with a little effort at landscaping, a red door, and a stained front porch, and stairs on the back deck. It's starting to look like it belongs in the landscape.
Front view.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Carbon 1/2 Life
I've been thinking about what it really means to be carbon neutral. Click the title link to read my ideas. Please join the conversation.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Outraged.
I've started a new blog for posting ideas and such things that are unrelated to the day to day stories of parenting. See it here: http://srsmusings.blogspot.com/. Check back in a few days since its now too late for me to rant about the surreal nature of the Republican National Convention.
Since this post is about mothering, I rationalize that it still belongs with Jackson's posts.
It's been over a weak now since John McCain and his Carl Rovian machine sent the media into a frenzy (No, I'm not talking about the repeated jeers against "Liberal Media Bias". ) I'm referring to the selection of Vice President. This is enough time to weigh the facts and organize my complaint somewhat. Let me first say that it's not about her having children and worry that she won't be able to give them enough attention. As a mother who returned to work when my baby was a young infant (7 1/2 weeks) I sympathize--to an extent.
There's been a tremendous fuss made about whether she has time to both govern and mother. I don't think the people making these attacks have really thought it through. It was reported that she returned to work 3 days after giving birth. The details of that reveal she attended a few meetings here and there with her baby in tow. I imagine she's having an easier time mothering in public office than those of us with regular, corporate, 9-5 jobs are. I understand she has a Pack-n-Play in her office and carries her child in a sling, nursing while she's on conference calls. I hear she dismissed the Alaskan Governor's personal chef, but I suppose she kept the landskeeping crew and has someone on hand to carry out the trash. I'm sure no one questions if her assistant holds her baby while she delivers proclamations.
I saw the clip of Ms Palin answering the media's premature question on her job intentions by saying, "when I find out what exactly the Vice President does." with a certain sarcastic tone. If I understand correctly, the Vice President waits around for the President to die, breaks congressional ties, parlays with lobbyists, and like the current president, spends a lot of quality time on vacation/hunting trips. I don't expect it will keep her away from her children if they're willing to leave the frigid north for the Mid-Atlantic Seaboard.
In comparison, I'm one of the lucky ones who works for a surprisingly family friendly employer. I had 6 weeks of alotted time off, paid until I ran out of sickdays, then paid at 2/3 of my salary as short term disability. I have access to nearly affordable health care, and a tax free option if I plan ahead to cover my medical bills. I have access to a secure, sanitary place to pump breast milk. I have a flexible schedule that allows me to go in late and leave early, provided I work atleast 40 hours each week and attend all of my meetings. My child isn't allowed in the building until he turns 7 at which time, he will be given entry 1/2 day each year in late April.
In comparison, my husband's coworkers are less fortunate. They have 6 weeks of alotted time off, paid only until they run out of sickdays (maximum 10, I believe). Their health care is unaffordable, especially on their salaries, but they do have access to the State CHIP Husky program for the children, and often the adults once they become parents. Despite a state law requiring employers provide lactation rooms that are not bathroom stalls, they don't have one. They have "flexible" schedules, but in their case, it means the company can flex their hours according to the needs of the company, their hours are never consistent. Their children are allowed in the building, but only in public areas and in the company of another caretaker. No taking care of children while working.
I haven't seen Ms Palin come out in favor of extending the Family Medical Leave Act FMLA or guaranteeing basic rights to new parents in the workplace. I don't expect her to, it wouldn't be in keeping with the party line. I hope the "Liberal Media" isn't too cowardly to ask the question. It's my fear that she's the Clarence Thomas working mom. A beneficiary of a very accommodating employment arrangement who doesn't want other mothers to have the same unfair advantage in the workplace.
My initial reaction was anger at the unabashed pandering to Hillary supporters. Is there a such thing as voter grubbing? I'm skeptical of this strategy. I recognize that there are a lot of hard feelings amongst the Hillary's supporters, but I imagine that they're by and large feminists. I hold feminists in high esteem and expect them to 1-question the motives, 2-research the issues, and 3-vote in the best interest of women, even if that means they vote against an individual woman. The initial polls don't show my theory, but in time...then again, I couldn't imagine this country would send George Bush back to the White House for a 2nd term.
The first bit of information to surface was Sara Palin's biography, with highlights including, high school basketball star, Beauty Pageant runner up, "Hockey Mom" with a bazillian kids with made up names, and a 4 month old with Down's Syndrome. I fixated on items 2 and 3. John McCain, who's spent the last 6 months railing about Obama's slim resume, has just selected a Beauty Pageant runner up and Hockey-Mom as his VP selection?! Now, my stomach churns when I hear a woman define herself by such frivolous events. Don't get me wrong, you can get pretty far in life on looks, and being an engaged parent is what I believe the role requires. I just see these things as part of everyone's life, things that happen to you and you do the best you can. I don't view them as accomplishments. In my view, accomplishments are earned. High school basketball star is an accomplishment, I'm sure she worked very hard to earn it. Still, it leaves a bitter taste when its on a presidential resume--It was high school, afterall.
Now I come to that last highlight on the list, a 4 month old with Down's Syndrome. I think that is a family matter, and I pray the family has strength and resources to raise a special needs child. I don't think that this topic is really worthy of much press time, except its fundamental to the discussion of politics. A few hours after the selection was made public (or in all probability even made in private, since McCain acted the part of "Decider" on this one) the realization of what a critical campaign issue this child is came to light. In the first trimester of her pregnancy, Sara Palin had the tests that all pregnant women over 35 are urged to undergo. The tests revealed that the child had Down's Syndrome. I imagine that the news was followed up by a discussion of her "options". She chose to [secretly] carry the child to term. It's hard to fault her for secrecy here. I kept my own pregnancy a secret for the first trimester. I also don't fault her for making the choice she did. I believe she made a good choice, and the right one for her family. I don't believe the choice will have a tremendous impact on her job performance. I would like to emphasize that it was her choice. This is where the story becomes the deciding issue for the McCain campaign. It's a choice that many in his party would like to deny women. Ms Palin has made clear she, herself, would like to deny this choice to other women.
A few days later it was revealed that the Palin family had made a second choice. In my mind this second choice is much more difficult, to make. Sara's daughter, 17 year old Bristol, is 5 months pregnant and "intends to marry the father". By the time they arrived for the RNC, Bristol was wearing a shimmering stone on her finger, and a boy on her arm. Reportedly, the boy's My Space page proclaimed that he was an "F***ing Redneck, and didn't want kids". Even without that last piece of information, we can surmise that this is a shotgun wedding between two naive kids who've just been made political pawns. I hope the young man is sincere and has really changed his mind, and that they live happily ever after and have sufficient access to education, high paying jobs, and healthcare. I know the odds are against them. I hope Bristol has been educated on all of her options, and is making the choice that she believes in, not the one that's good for her mother's political career.
It's this choice that has really rallied the fundamentalist voters to action, more so since Ms Palin has been a proponent of abstincence only sex education. (In case the statistics aren't enough, the preceding is a personal testament to the ineffectiveness of that tactic.) Despite the glaring evidence that abstinence only education doesn't make kids abstain and contributes to the rise of teen pregnancy and the spread of diseases, the GOP supports and funds these programs in the public schools. And with the support of the John McCain/Sara Palin ticket, would reduce the number of choices girls like Bristol Palin have to make by one.
I question the family values of the supposed values voters. Denying healthcare to women, denying birth control education. These same values voters say they want women to stay home with their families and out of the workplace. They say they want kids to abstain from sex. They say that any life is precious and should be preserved. I see hipocracy when they encourage this nation to fight pre-emptive wars overseas, encourage pregnant teens to wed, and support a women for the nations second highest office who has several kids at home including a special needs infant--just as long as she shares their values.
Let me make a few things clear here. First, I think that there are no easy choices for either of these mother's. Any option they take will have great consequences. Maybe they'll look back on this experience with happiness that they did what they thought was best, and having found out that the consequences were within their capabilities. Perhaps they'll look back with remorse and wonder what they're future would've been like if they had selected differently, or had never had to face these particular crossroads.
It should also be clear that Roe v Wade didn't so much give women access to abortion, as it gave us access to safe abortions. A few months ago, there was an interview on NPR where a pre-RvW nurse was recalling what it was like treating women after their illegal abortions, sorry, I can't find the link. The stories recounted all manner of objects used to remove fetuses, punctured uteruses, damage to other internal organs... Those are the stories of women who in desperate straits, resorted to desperate means. It was chilling. I'm sure some of you have religious beliefs that hold that abortion is a sin. I suggest to you that denying women safe medical care and supplanting it with that alternative is no less sinful.
If this arguement still has you one the fence, I'll point out a few other facts about the Alaskan Governer. Feel free to verify them--I suggest factcheck.org or even the Wikipedia entry that was doctored up special a few hours before and in anticipation of Ms Palin's entry onto the national stage. Sara Palin the "reformer" was for the "Bridge to Nowhere", even using it as a campaign issue, until it became a public symbol of elicit/wasteful earmarks, and it had been made clear that congress was withdrawing their support. As governor, she still took and spent the funds. She also signed into law the largest state budget in Alaskan history. Sara Palin the "ethics watchdog" is the subject of her own ethics investigation into charges she fired the public safety commissioner who refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law. As mayor of Wasilla, she fired everyone she couldn't verify was a "supporter" of her position and policies. Sara Palin the "environmentalist" went after the oil companies to share some of their windfall profits with the state. She is a proponent of drilling in ANWAR, building more pipelines, and brought the helicopter wolf hunt to her home state. She doesn't support green energy or acknowledge than human actions contribute to climate change. She opposes adding polar bears and beluga whales to the endangered species list. Sara Palin the "libertarian" opposed abortion except when the mother's life is in danger, opposes sex education, and until recently, belonged to a political party which promotes the separation of Alaska from the United States. Sara Palin the "teachers daughter" supports teaching creationism in the science classroom. She also opposes rights for gays and backs capital punishment.
I'm ashamed of John McCain (the self proclaimed "Maverick") for succumbing to the pressure of his Party and selecting a Vice President who panders to the extremists in his party. I'm even more ashamed for him that he's trying to conceal it as the shameful act of pandering to disheartened Clinton supporters.
There's some buzz out there saying that the flaw in the Sara Palin selection is that she was "unvetted" and offers a window to the real decision making style of John McCain. This is supposedly a glimpse of his Maverick decision making style and that he will forego the advice of his cohorts and make his own decision, shooting from the hip. I think this might be another rouse, McCain makes much of his supposedly independent decision making ability--and this country has touted "decision making" as a strength, never mind the disastrous results its had on the nation and the world. I believe this selection was carefully calculated, and originated with the GOP political machine. If McCain was truly his own man, he would've gone with his friend and long time supported, the self proclaimed "independent democrat" Joe Lieberman.
John McCain is hoping that the women out there are voting with their ovaries instead of their brains. I'm asking you to educate your ovaries on what is really at stake here, and then, please, encourage them to vote in November.
Since this post is about mothering, I rationalize that it still belongs with Jackson's posts.
It's been over a weak now since John McCain and his Carl Rovian machine sent the media into a frenzy (No, I'm not talking about the repeated jeers against "Liberal Media Bias". ) I'm referring to the selection of Vice President. This is enough time to weigh the facts and organize my complaint somewhat. Let me first say that it's not about her having children and worry that she won't be able to give them enough attention. As a mother who returned to work when my baby was a young infant (7 1/2 weeks) I sympathize--to an extent.
There's been a tremendous fuss made about whether she has time to both govern and mother. I don't think the people making these attacks have really thought it through. It was reported that she returned to work 3 days after giving birth. The details of that reveal she attended a few meetings here and there with her baby in tow. I imagine she's having an easier time mothering in public office than those of us with regular, corporate, 9-5 jobs are. I understand she has a Pack-n-Play in her office and carries her child in a sling, nursing while she's on conference calls. I hear she dismissed the Alaskan Governor's personal chef, but I suppose she kept the landskeeping crew and has someone on hand to carry out the trash. I'm sure no one questions if her assistant holds her baby while she delivers proclamations.
I saw the clip of Ms Palin answering the media's premature question on her job intentions by saying, "when I find out what exactly the Vice President does." with a certain sarcastic tone. If I understand correctly, the Vice President waits around for the President to die, breaks congressional ties, parlays with lobbyists, and like the current president, spends a lot of quality time on vacation/hunting trips. I don't expect it will keep her away from her children if they're willing to leave the frigid north for the Mid-Atlantic Seaboard.
In comparison, I'm one of the lucky ones who works for a surprisingly family friendly employer. I had 6 weeks of alotted time off, paid until I ran out of sickdays, then paid at 2/3 of my salary as short term disability. I have access to nearly affordable health care, and a tax free option if I plan ahead to cover my medical bills. I have access to a secure, sanitary place to pump breast milk. I have a flexible schedule that allows me to go in late and leave early, provided I work atleast 40 hours each week and attend all of my meetings. My child isn't allowed in the building until he turns 7 at which time, he will be given entry 1/2 day each year in late April.
In comparison, my husband's coworkers are less fortunate. They have 6 weeks of alotted time off, paid only until they run out of sickdays (maximum 10, I believe). Their health care is unaffordable, especially on their salaries, but they do have access to the State CHIP Husky program for the children, and often the adults once they become parents. Despite a state law requiring employers provide lactation rooms that are not bathroom stalls, they don't have one. They have "flexible" schedules, but in their case, it means the company can flex their hours according to the needs of the company, their hours are never consistent. Their children are allowed in the building, but only in public areas and in the company of another caretaker. No taking care of children while working.
I haven't seen Ms Palin come out in favor of extending the Family Medical Leave Act FMLA or guaranteeing basic rights to new parents in the workplace. I don't expect her to, it wouldn't be in keeping with the party line. I hope the "Liberal Media" isn't too cowardly to ask the question. It's my fear that she's the Clarence Thomas working mom. A beneficiary of a very accommodating employment arrangement who doesn't want other mothers to have the same unfair advantage in the workplace.
My initial reaction was anger at the unabashed pandering to Hillary supporters. Is there a such thing as voter grubbing? I'm skeptical of this strategy. I recognize that there are a lot of hard feelings amongst the Hillary's supporters, but I imagine that they're by and large feminists. I hold feminists in high esteem and expect them to 1-question the motives, 2-research the issues, and 3-vote in the best interest of women, even if that means they vote against an individual woman. The initial polls don't show my theory, but in time...then again, I couldn't imagine this country would send George Bush back to the White House for a 2nd term.
The first bit of information to surface was Sara Palin's biography, with highlights including, high school basketball star, Beauty Pageant runner up, "Hockey Mom" with a bazillian kids with made up names, and a 4 month old with Down's Syndrome. I fixated on items 2 and 3. John McCain, who's spent the last 6 months railing about Obama's slim resume, has just selected a Beauty Pageant runner up and Hockey-Mom as his VP selection?! Now, my stomach churns when I hear a woman define herself by such frivolous events. Don't get me wrong, you can get pretty far in life on looks, and being an engaged parent is what I believe the role requires. I just see these things as part of everyone's life, things that happen to you and you do the best you can. I don't view them as accomplishments. In my view, accomplishments are earned. High school basketball star is an accomplishment, I'm sure she worked very hard to earn it. Still, it leaves a bitter taste when its on a presidential resume--It was high school, afterall.
Now I come to that last highlight on the list, a 4 month old with Down's Syndrome. I think that is a family matter, and I pray the family has strength and resources to raise a special needs child. I don't think that this topic is really worthy of much press time, except its fundamental to the discussion of politics. A few hours after the selection was made public (or in all probability even made in private, since McCain acted the part of "Decider" on this one) the realization of what a critical campaign issue this child is came to light. In the first trimester of her pregnancy, Sara Palin had the tests that all pregnant women over 35 are urged to undergo. The tests revealed that the child had Down's Syndrome. I imagine that the news was followed up by a discussion of her "options". She chose to [secretly] carry the child to term. It's hard to fault her for secrecy here. I kept my own pregnancy a secret for the first trimester. I also don't fault her for making the choice she did. I believe she made a good choice, and the right one for her family. I don't believe the choice will have a tremendous impact on her job performance. I would like to emphasize that it was her choice. This is where the story becomes the deciding issue for the McCain campaign. It's a choice that many in his party would like to deny women. Ms Palin has made clear she, herself, would like to deny this choice to other women.
A few days later it was revealed that the Palin family had made a second choice. In my mind this second choice is much more difficult, to make. Sara's daughter, 17 year old Bristol, is 5 months pregnant and "intends to marry the father". By the time they arrived for the RNC, Bristol was wearing a shimmering stone on her finger, and a boy on her arm. Reportedly, the boy's My Space page proclaimed that he was an "F***ing Redneck, and didn't want kids". Even without that last piece of information, we can surmise that this is a shotgun wedding between two naive kids who've just been made political pawns. I hope the young man is sincere and has really changed his mind, and that they live happily ever after and have sufficient access to education, high paying jobs, and healthcare. I know the odds are against them. I hope Bristol has been educated on all of her options, and is making the choice that she believes in, not the one that's good for her mother's political career.
It's this choice that has really rallied the fundamentalist voters to action, more so since Ms Palin has been a proponent of abstincence only sex education. (In case the statistics aren't enough, the preceding is a personal testament to the ineffectiveness of that tactic.) Despite the glaring evidence that abstinence only education doesn't make kids abstain and contributes to the rise of teen pregnancy and the spread of diseases, the GOP supports and funds these programs in the public schools. And with the support of the John McCain/Sara Palin ticket, would reduce the number of choices girls like Bristol Palin have to make by one.
I question the family values of the supposed values voters. Denying healthcare to women, denying birth control education. These same values voters say they want women to stay home with their families and out of the workplace. They say they want kids to abstain from sex. They say that any life is precious and should be preserved. I see hipocracy when they encourage this nation to fight pre-emptive wars overseas, encourage pregnant teens to wed, and support a women for the nations second highest office who has several kids at home including a special needs infant--just as long as she shares their values.
Let me make a few things clear here. First, I think that there are no easy choices for either of these mother's. Any option they take will have great consequences. Maybe they'll look back on this experience with happiness that they did what they thought was best, and having found out that the consequences were within their capabilities. Perhaps they'll look back with remorse and wonder what they're future would've been like if they had selected differently, or had never had to face these particular crossroads.
It should also be clear that Roe v Wade didn't so much give women access to abortion, as it gave us access to safe abortions. A few months ago, there was an interview on NPR where a pre-RvW nurse was recalling what it was like treating women after their illegal abortions, sorry, I can't find the link. The stories recounted all manner of objects used to remove fetuses, punctured uteruses, damage to other internal organs... Those are the stories of women who in desperate straits, resorted to desperate means. It was chilling. I'm sure some of you have religious beliefs that hold that abortion is a sin. I suggest to you that denying women safe medical care and supplanting it with that alternative is no less sinful.
If this arguement still has you one the fence, I'll point out a few other facts about the Alaskan Governer. Feel free to verify them--I suggest factcheck.org or even the Wikipedia entry that was doctored up special a few hours before and in anticipation of Ms Palin's entry onto the national stage. Sara Palin the "reformer" was for the "Bridge to Nowhere", even using it as a campaign issue, until it became a public symbol of elicit/wasteful earmarks, and it had been made clear that congress was withdrawing their support. As governor, she still took and spent the funds. She also signed into law the largest state budget in Alaskan history. Sara Palin the "ethics watchdog" is the subject of her own ethics investigation into charges she fired the public safety commissioner who refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law. As mayor of Wasilla, she fired everyone she couldn't verify was a "supporter" of her position and policies. Sara Palin the "environmentalist" went after the oil companies to share some of their windfall profits with the state. She is a proponent of drilling in ANWAR, building more pipelines, and brought the helicopter wolf hunt to her home state. She doesn't support green energy or acknowledge than human actions contribute to climate change. She opposes adding polar bears and beluga whales to the endangered species list. Sara Palin the "libertarian" opposed abortion except when the mother's life is in danger, opposes sex education, and until recently, belonged to a political party which promotes the separation of Alaska from the United States. Sara Palin the "teachers daughter" supports teaching creationism in the science classroom. She also opposes rights for gays and backs capital punishment.
I'm ashamed of John McCain (the self proclaimed "Maverick") for succumbing to the pressure of his Party and selecting a Vice President who panders to the extremists in his party. I'm even more ashamed for him that he's trying to conceal it as the shameful act of pandering to disheartened Clinton supporters.
There's some buzz out there saying that the flaw in the Sara Palin selection is that she was "unvetted" and offers a window to the real decision making style of John McCain. This is supposedly a glimpse of his Maverick decision making style and that he will forego the advice of his cohorts and make his own decision, shooting from the hip. I think this might be another rouse, McCain makes much of his supposedly independent decision making ability--and this country has touted "decision making" as a strength, never mind the disastrous results its had on the nation and the world. I believe this selection was carefully calculated, and originated with the GOP political machine. If McCain was truly his own man, he would've gone with his friend and long time supported, the self proclaimed "independent democrat" Joe Lieberman.
John McCain is hoping that the women out there are voting with their ovaries instead of their brains. I'm asking you to educate your ovaries on what is really at stake here, and then, please, encourage them to vote in November.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Hit where it counts.
Sunday night, Jason left work to find the window on the Insight wouldn't roll up. The weatherstripping was pulled out and hanging limply from the opening. Apparently someone had tried to break into my car. Now, the Insight is a pretty stripped down vehicle--it comes equipped with a tape deck, and I've never upgraded. So, either they were after the giant pack of Charmin toilet paper in the back, or they wanted to steal my car. (With gas at $3.79, its no surprise.) I'm outraged!
This is the 3rd time I've had a car broken into. The first time, I was 17 and my leather coat and my textbooks were stolen. I was really annoyed, and more so when I went to the bookstore to repurchase and actually bought my old copies back. Atleast my notes and highlights were still there. The next breakin happened in college when I lived downtown in a real hole. The window was broken and the stereo was stolen. Do petty thieves realize that the little vent window in the back is the most expensive? I actually filed a police report that time, and was told there was nothing they could do. The most vexing part of that incident was that the flashlight I kept in the glove compartment for emergencies was used in the crime.
Even though I still have my car and the damage was minor, I'm really upset about this attempted theft. Much more so than the other ones. In the past, I've taken the attitude that the thieves must've needed the stuff more than I did and books and stereos are small details with limited value. Stealing my car is completely different. That's stealing my transportation, and in today's world, transportation is priceless. (Plus, I love my car. I was just raving about it a few posts back.)
I've been thinking about this, and the swirl of emotions that's associated with it all week. I also took time to reflect on my brothers story. His car was stolen last year. He'd been driving my old '89 Toyota Tercel, and parked it in Central Ogden where he lived. One day, it just wasn't there. When my mom told me, I was shocked and concerned. But the details came out, and my concern melted into laughter. Apparently Morgan had left the keys in the car--not just that one time by accident. He actually stored the keys in the car for convenience. (I was stunned) I wouldn't do that here, and I did mention he lived in Central Ogden. Well, when he told my mom, she asked if he'd filed a police report and what he was doing to try to recover it. He said that he hadn't bothered, his dad had said that they'd just wait a couple of days, then drive around. He said that most likely whoever had taken it would just abandon it when it ran out of gas. (This is the part of the story that my shock turned into a smile). In the meantime, he was stranded. He usually used my father's truck as a backup vehicle. However, the key was on the same ring as the Toyota keys, so it would be stupid to let him park it in the same spot. 2 days later, they started driving around to look for the car. They drove all around town and didn't find it. So, Morgan was without transportation and had to call people and bum rides or bike. A few days later, the police called and told him to come retrieve his car from the onramp at 30th street. When he got there, he found the car had actually run out of gas and been left at the side of the road. (I know, I couldn't believe it either. It's like a fairytale. My brothers life plays out like a fairytale pretty often). My mom saw him the next Sunday. He told her he was never going to leave the keys in the car again. She asked where they were right then. They were in the car-well, no one would take it in her neighborhood.
So, I was feeling a little guilty about having laughed at Morgan's misfortune. But then I remembered that I was genuinely concerned at the start of the tale and didn't laugh until I heard how it had played out.
I don't know why I didn't lose my car. Was it actually that hard to jimmy the lock? Did the thieves notice the security cameras and flee? Did they get into the car and were thwarted by the security features on the ignition? Who knows. I won this one, I'm grateful, but I still feel a little violated.
This is the 3rd time I've had a car broken into. The first time, I was 17 and my leather coat and my textbooks were stolen. I was really annoyed, and more so when I went to the bookstore to repurchase and actually bought my old copies back. Atleast my notes and highlights were still there. The next breakin happened in college when I lived downtown in a real hole. The window was broken and the stereo was stolen. Do petty thieves realize that the little vent window in the back is the most expensive? I actually filed a police report that time, and was told there was nothing they could do. The most vexing part of that incident was that the flashlight I kept in the glove compartment for emergencies was used in the crime.
Even though I still have my car and the damage was minor, I'm really upset about this attempted theft. Much more so than the other ones. In the past, I've taken the attitude that the thieves must've needed the stuff more than I did and books and stereos are small details with limited value. Stealing my car is completely different. That's stealing my transportation, and in today's world, transportation is priceless. (Plus, I love my car. I was just raving about it a few posts back.)
I've been thinking about this, and the swirl of emotions that's associated with it all week. I also took time to reflect on my brothers story. His car was stolen last year. He'd been driving my old '89 Toyota Tercel, and parked it in Central Ogden where he lived. One day, it just wasn't there. When my mom told me, I was shocked and concerned. But the details came out, and my concern melted into laughter. Apparently Morgan had left the keys in the car--not just that one time by accident. He actually stored the keys in the car for convenience. (I was stunned) I wouldn't do that here, and I did mention he lived in Central Ogden. Well, when he told my mom, she asked if he'd filed a police report and what he was doing to try to recover it. He said that he hadn't bothered, his dad had said that they'd just wait a couple of days, then drive around. He said that most likely whoever had taken it would just abandon it when it ran out of gas. (This is the part of the story that my shock turned into a smile). In the meantime, he was stranded. He usually used my father's truck as a backup vehicle. However, the key was on the same ring as the Toyota keys, so it would be stupid to let him park it in the same spot. 2 days later, they started driving around to look for the car. They drove all around town and didn't find it. So, Morgan was without transportation and had to call people and bum rides or bike. A few days later, the police called and told him to come retrieve his car from the onramp at 30th street. When he got there, he found the car had actually run out of gas and been left at the side of the road. (I know, I couldn't believe it either. It's like a fairytale. My brothers life plays out like a fairytale pretty often). My mom saw him the next Sunday. He told her he was never going to leave the keys in the car again. She asked where they were right then. They were in the car-well, no one would take it in her neighborhood.
So, I was feeling a little guilty about having laughed at Morgan's misfortune. But then I remembered that I was genuinely concerned at the start of the tale and didn't laugh until I heard how it had played out.
I don't know why I didn't lose my car. Was it actually that hard to jimmy the lock? Did the thieves notice the security cameras and flee? Did they get into the car and were thwarted by the security features on the ignition? Who knows. I won this one, I'm grateful, but I still feel a little violated.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
A bit of luck
Yesterday, a man at the bank inquired about the mileage I get with my car. I told him "mid-50's". He said, "Ooohh. You're sooo lucky!"
It's really not a matter of luck, though, is it? It's more a matter of choice, and perhaps making that choice 5 years ago, before it became a necessity.
Anyway, I'm taking some space to rave about my car and how much I love it! A year ago, I was soo bummed about having to sell it and get a "family car" instead. You know, one that I could actually strap a carseat into the bagseat. (Doing so would require a backseat.) The one piece of luck I had was finally going into labor the day I was supposed to sell it. Then having Jason drive it for 2 months while I was home with my little munchkin. During that time, Jason drove it like a video game, become a hyper-miler http://wikicars.org/en/Hypermiler . After 2 weeks, he insisted we not sell it. Of course I agreed. Now, I drive it to work, and hand the keys off the Jason for an evening trip to work. Whoever is in charge of the little one keeps the other car.
All the time, I hear people talking about their cars. Someone always asks how they do on mileage, and they always say, "Pretty good. Like 28". In what world is 28 mpg good?!
Did I mention I LOVE my car?
Friday, December 28, 2007
New Year's Resolution??
Borrowing Jackson's blog for a plug for the Utah kids. Since this is the time of year when about 1/2 of the nation is resolving to lose weight/get in shape, I thought some of you would be in the market for a fitness video. Try one of these.
They are from my friend, Amy Dixon. She's the fitness editor for Women's Health Magazine. I haven't tried them, but so far the reviews have been very positive, and looking at Amy's pictures, its pretty obvious that the program works. The girl is in phenomenal shape! (For anyone, and when you consider that she has 2 children under the age of 4...)
I will say now that I was pretty skeptical when I heard that Amy was quitting her Master's Program because she wanted to be a celebrity trainer, and wanted to focus on that. Coupled with her husband Jeff, who had just started film school, well, I thought the 2 of them were nuts! They were definitely dreamers. After a decade of hard work, their dreams are coming true. For his part, Jeff is working on 2 screen plays (currently on hiatus for the writers strike) and a graphic novel. He also made the cover of Variety Magazine a few months back.
Congratulations to both of them!!
Also, Amy was on The Today Show this morning. You can see her bit here Want a new you for the new year?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
