camouflage goes with everything.
too bad i don't shop here: http://www.thecamoshop.com/index.html
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
a silver lining
so in an effort to try to find the bright spots in my miserable life, i thought i'd come up with a list:
- the apartment is so small and we have so much furniture that we only have to vaccuum selected paths
- we bang into the furniture so often that we all have bruises ... saves on those costly tattoos, and they are not quite as permanent
- the hot water in the apartment is so hot that we don't have to sterilize Peanut's bottles
- Jenny goes for a walk a couple times a day
- with two offices plus working from home, i'm never looking at the same four walls for very long
- i haven't gotten lost yet
- i'm building upper body strength by hauling around the pump and my important bag of shit
- premium gasoline is almost below $3.00 a gallon
- with the kids in two different daycares, we get to experience a variety of caregiving styles ... and the kids are building immunities from all sorts of different bugs
- i'll probably max out my FSA this year because i'm going to have to find a shrink
seriously, we both are gainfully employed, and although we are living pay check-to-pay check supporting two homes, we haven't gone broke yet. everyone is healthy. but i am down, and lonely, and can't find anything to look forward to.
Monday, August 20, 2007
how are you doing?
thanks for asking ...
Peanut is doing well, even in day care (Kids R Kids). she had a goopy eye, even before she started day care. i think she got it from one of the kids at Punkin's school. i have to drag her in when i drop Punkin off, and this little boy named Aidan can't keep his hands off of her. she got eye drops and is better now. her new pediatrician's office is in an old house. it's not as fancy or high-tech as the doctor we went to down South, but everyone is really nice and friendly.
after one month, Punkin didn't cry this morning when i dropped him off at day care. he goes to Kindercare because he is still on a waiting list at Kids R Kids. we just found out there is a spot for him at Kids R Kids September 10. so now he'll have to adjust all over again. it is a pain with the kids at two different schools (they are 7 miles apart), and we all don't know what to think of Kindercare. they are going through a lot of changes in staff so no one seems to act like they know what they're doing. he asks about his old school (La Petite) and on Sunday he woke up from his nap all confused and said he wanted to sleep in his old room (at our house down South). he's adjusting, and i don't think he'll turn out to be an axe murderer, but it's hard for me to see him go through this.
i'm working from 3 different places: the North office, the North Construction office, and home. my computer is in the North Construction office. i spent the morning in the North office, but my boss is going to be out the rest of the week and they don't have any space for me, so i probably won't go back this week. i have a big office in the Construction office, but all i've unpacked and set up is my computer. it's pretty quiet over there. like Punkin, i'm adjusting, too.
El Jefe’ travels South once or twice a week.
it's not as chaotic as when we were actually packing, moving, and unpacking, but i don't feel settled and i wouldn't call it a "normal" life. what's "normal", anyway?
Peanut is doing well, even in day care (Kids R Kids). she had a goopy eye, even before she started day care. i think she got it from one of the kids at Punkin's school. i have to drag her in when i drop Punkin off, and this little boy named Aidan can't keep his hands off of her. she got eye drops and is better now. her new pediatrician's office is in an old house. it's not as fancy or high-tech as the doctor we went to down South, but everyone is really nice and friendly.
after one month, Punkin didn't cry this morning when i dropped him off at day care. he goes to Kindercare because he is still on a waiting list at Kids R Kids. we just found out there is a spot for him at Kids R Kids September 10. so now he'll have to adjust all over again. it is a pain with the kids at two different schools (they are 7 miles apart), and we all don't know what to think of Kindercare. they are going through a lot of changes in staff so no one seems to act like they know what they're doing. he asks about his old school (La Petite) and on Sunday he woke up from his nap all confused and said he wanted to sleep in his old room (at our house down South). he's adjusting, and i don't think he'll turn out to be an axe murderer, but it's hard for me to see him go through this.
i'm working from 3 different places: the North office, the North Construction office, and home. my computer is in the North Construction office. i spent the morning in the North office, but my boss is going to be out the rest of the week and they don't have any space for me, so i probably won't go back this week. i have a big office in the Construction office, but all i've unpacked and set up is my computer. it's pretty quiet over there. like Punkin, i'm adjusting, too.
El Jefe’ travels South once or twice a week.
it's not as chaotic as when we were actually packing, moving, and unpacking, but i don't feel settled and i wouldn't call it a "normal" life. what's "normal", anyway?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
back to school
Peanut started in day care yesterday. we call it school, mainly because of the times when el Jefe's daughter spent a month of the summer with us. it sounds weird saying you're late for "day care" when you're dealing with a 'tween. i nearly forgot her eye drops. i brought a Boppy, just to discover they provide them, so i ended up taking it home. (i bought a new one just to be able to breastfeed her comfortably at school. now i'm kicking myself because i didn't need to spend the extra $35.) i brought her mobile at lunch time, when i went to feed her and found she had pooped through her clothes. and when i picked her up, i was nearly home before i realized i had forgotten her bottles. the women are nice. one of her teachers is very quiet. i believe English is her second language. the college kids who help out are getting ready to go back to school. the other mothers are pretty friendly as well. it's ok. actually better than ok.
a week of infant care for Peanut costs $199. a week of care for Punkin, at age 2 1/2, costs $193. they are at different schools because Punkin is still on a waiting list, and has been since February, at the school that Peanut goes to.
we're getting ripped off for Punkin's care. and we don't feel good about it. and Punkin doesn't like his new school.
the director just quit.
enrollment is way down. it's eerie dropping off Punkin in the morning.
the highest turn-over rooms are infants and 2's. Punkin is in the 2's.
Punkin's teacher doesn't know where they keep the art supplies.
it seems like there is no structure, no curriculum. the kids pretty much just stand around and play by themselves whenever we drop off or pick up Punkin.
the only thing he looks forward to is Splash Day on Tuesdays.
he cries when i drop him off. it breaks my heart.
i guess it made Peanut's first day seem easier.
and her care seems like a bargain.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
same ol' Jenny
we had to board Jenny last weekend. Peanut made her first airplane ride as the whole family returned South for a retirement party for el Jefe’s former assistant. his former assistant is retiring, but going to work for a consultant, and he’ll end up on the same project he was on as a former assistant. incestuous. surreal. we’d only been North 2 weeks and now we were back. and now we’re back North again. i digress ...
Jenny is a border collie mix. she’s a small dog … not a miniature, and actually a medium dog by most people’s standards as she weighs 30 lbs. she’s mostly black, with some white on her chin, chest, belly and one toe (someone suggested we call her “Skid Mark”). Punkin went with el Jefe’ to pick her up from boarding Monday after school.
the first dog out was very black, and very large … a good 3 times the size of Jenny. Punkin’s eyes got real big as he tentatively asked, “Jenny?” el Jefe’ explained that no, that was not Jenny but someone else’s dog.
the next dog out was a standard-size poodle. all black. once again, Punkin’s eyes got even bigger as he asked, “What happened to Jenny?” el Jefe’ explained that the second dog was a poodle, and someone else’s dog.
finally Jenny came out … normal-sized. she was happy to be home, and Punkin was just as happy she was returned to us without transformation.
this morning, we saw a large black lab. Punkin asked if it was a poodle.
Jenny is a border collie mix. she’s a small dog … not a miniature, and actually a medium dog by most people’s standards as she weighs 30 lbs. she’s mostly black, with some white on her chin, chest, belly and one toe (someone suggested we call her “Skid Mark”). Punkin went with el Jefe’ to pick her up from boarding Monday after school.
the first dog out was very black, and very large … a good 3 times the size of Jenny. Punkin’s eyes got real big as he tentatively asked, “Jenny?” el Jefe’ explained that no, that was not Jenny but someone else’s dog.
the next dog out was a standard-size poodle. all black. once again, Punkin’s eyes got even bigger as he asked, “What happened to Jenny?” el Jefe’ explained that the second dog was a poodle, and someone else’s dog.
finally Jenny came out … normal-sized. she was happy to be home, and Punkin was just as happy she was returned to us without transformation.
this morning, we saw a large black lab. Punkin asked if it was a poodle.
Friday, August 03, 2007
the travelogue
July 21
12:30 am
I fed Peanut for 35 minutes on the couch in the family room of my parents’ house. el Jefe’ keeps me company during feedings although he mostly sleeps and snores. It’s the thought that counts.
We were stationed at my parents’ house for the past two nights as all our belongings had been loaded on an 80-foot semi two days prior. Jenny was in a kennel in their garage. Grandma had the guest bedroom. El Jefe’ and I had the master, with room for Punkin on a futon mattress on the floor and Peanut in a Pack n’ Play. Eventually we stumbled to bed.
I awoke at 5:30 am, in time to pack a little, strip the bed, and get a shower.
6:00 am
I fed Peanut for 30 minutes on the couch in the family room. After his shower, el Jefe’ headed to the house for the last few items on the honey-do list … mopping, wipe counter tops, Windex the French doors (easier without dog noses), and sweep the garage. I got Punkin going on his breakfast; Grandma helped with Jenny, and we started doing laundry ... two and a half beds of sheets, towels, and a few items of clothing (we did not want to leave any laundry for my mom to return to after their 3 1/2-week vacation in Hawaii … how convenient). I continued to pack and organize, as we had items scattered throughout the 2,800 sq ft house. El Jefe’ left a message on my cell with an update of his progress … apparently I didn’t have service, which I realized after 5 attempted calls and much frustration. (just what I needed, a little more stress.) I was tasked with supplying roach traps. So around 8:00 am, Punkin and I went to Albertson’s to purchase roach traps, Swiffer refills (that we snagged from my mom; el Jefe’ fell in love with them), Peanut diapers, and the coveted dry ice to transport 48 precious ounces of frozen breastmilk across the state. I was completely ignorant in the purchase of dry ice, but after traipsing across the store with Punkin in his race car grocery cart, we eventually ended up with something like 6 pounds for over $8 (which is a bargain if you know anything about the pain and suffering administered by a breast pump). Punkin and I dropped off the roach traps, and I passed through our home of nearly 10 years one last time, and headed back up to my parents’ house to feed Peanut once again. Our goal was to get on the road before noon.
9:30 am
I fed Peanut for 30 minutes on the couch in my parents’ house. More organizing. More laundry. More packing. El Jefe’ returned from our house, and now we had to figure out how to get three adults, two kids, one dog, one dog kennel, house plants, luggage, coolers, and leftover cleaning supplies into a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and a 2004 Jetta. Grandma and I were stationed inside with Peanut; el Jefe’ and Punkin were in charge of packing the vehicles. Packing, stuffing, cramming … you choose the verb. We approached and surpassed the noon deadline, but we were on a mission and there was no turning back. We fueled up at the nearest gas station; Grandma, el Jefe’ and Jenny in the Jeep, and Punkin and Peanut with me in the Jetta. Peanut started hollering at the gas station and kept it up all the way to the Paiute reservation. Fortunately Punkin opted for a nap (so I could turn off Kids Stuff on Sirius and tune into Classic Vinyl). All was quiet up to Indian Springs, so we decided to keep going. Peanut started up again right after we passed the northern limit of Indian Springs.
2:00 pm
I fed Peanut for 30 minutes in the driver’s seat of the Jetta, parked with the windows down at the rest area in Amargosa. A lot of dirt, a couple trees, and two tolerable restroom buildings. Jenny hung out under a tree. Grandma, Punkin, and el Jefe’ snacked on hard boiled eggs and carrots. We all drank bottles of water. And we eventually hit the road again.
We topped off the tanks in Beatty, bought some cheese and cracker and peanut butter cracker snacks, and half a dozen waters. Grandma wanted to drive before it got dark, so she was at the helm of the Jeep with me in the passenger seat. El Jefe’ drove the Jetta with the kids. I think I got about a 10 minute nap. The kids were quiet for el Jefe’ (Peanut slept and Punkin got to listen to Kids Stuff).
5:30 pm
I fed Peanut for 25 minutes at the McDonalds in Tonopah. We were crammed into a corner booth, with her car seat as a privacy shield. I inhaled a filet o’fish, fries, and half of Punkin’s chicken nuggets. I am normally the worlds’ slowest eater, so el Jefe’ could not fail to comment on my ravenous behavior. I opted for Diet Coke at this point, knowing we were only half-way there. While there was still daylight, Grandma offered to drive the Jeep to give el Jefe’ a break; I returned to pilot the Jetta with the kids as we continued our journey. Punkin played with his gyroscope thing from his Happy Meal. The flying wheels were “airplanes” which I had to retrieve from the back seat floor consistently until they fell out of my limited reach. He called the launching stick his “Super Duper” and yielded it like a sword. Fortunately it fell out of reach after a few minutes. Not long after we left McDonalds, Punkin announced he wanted good supper. I plied him with a peanut butter chocolate chip chewy granola bar (he actually wanted the berry flavor, which I couldn’t find blindly). After a couple bites he decided he didn’t like it and gave me some chewed up remains (after he smeared some of the chocolate chips all over his mouth). I opted to offer him the peanut butter crackers from our stop in Beatty. These ended up being half-chewed and spit out. I threatened to turn off Kids Stuff if he wouldn’t stop spitting. It worked, but alas it was too late as we discovered at our next stop. Punkin tried to remove his shirt while buckled in his car seat. As this is nearly impossible, he cried for quite awhile in frustration. Peanut started hollering, too.
8:30 pm
I fed Peanut for 35 minutes in the driver’s seat of the Jetta, parked with the windows down at a convenience store in Hawthorne. Punkin was covered in orange goo (from spitting the peanut butter crackers), and his car seat was filled with crumbs. At this point I set down the law of no food in mommy’s car. El Jefe’ purchased some Chex Mix, which I forbade from entering my vehicle. Punkin took off his shirt. Punkin and Grandma took Jenny for a walk, when Grandma realized she had lost an earring. Grandma reported that after their walk, Punkin had enquired why Jenny sniffed the ground. After hearing the explanation from Grandma, he dropped to all fours on a public sidewalk, planted his face to the ground, and said, “I’m a doggie. I’m sniffing for poop.” I put on Punkin’s shirt by the light of a street light. We left it on backwards for the remainder of the journey (as Klampetts, you can get two days out of a shirt that way).
We passed Walker Lake in the dark.
The kids started hollering just outside Fernley. We fueled up at a convenience store. Punkin asked for milk, and got some, which he was very proud of but wouldn’t drink. He told me there were lollipops in the store, but he had had enough sugar for the day. El Jefe’ and I got 20 oz coffees (and I got two candy bars, hoping for an extra boost from the chocolate). We negotiated the bizarre traffic circle (designed by a former employer) outside Fernley, and continued to caravan to the apartment in Reno.
July 22
12:30 am
I fed Peanut for 25 minutes in a chair in the apartment. Punkin slept on the couch until the futon was set up in his room. He didn’t get to hear the frogs croaking as el Jefe’ carried him into the apartment. It faces a small lake with frogs and geese and ducks and herons and cormorants and even pelicans as we later discovered. Jenny slept in her kennel in the middle of the family room. El Jefe’ took Grandma to her hotel room at Extended Stay America (for two nights; once our furniture arrived she slept on the futon in Punkin’s room). El Jefe’ and I slept in our guest bed, which is our bed for the duration of our stay in the apartment. Peanut joined us in the Pack n’ Play.
Our 8-hour drive took 12.
We arrived safely, but completely exhausted.
There’s no place like home.
12:30 am
I fed Peanut for 35 minutes on the couch in the family room of my parents’ house. el Jefe’ keeps me company during feedings although he mostly sleeps and snores. It’s the thought that counts.
We were stationed at my parents’ house for the past two nights as all our belongings had been loaded on an 80-foot semi two days prior. Jenny was in a kennel in their garage. Grandma had the guest bedroom. El Jefe’ and I had the master, with room for Punkin on a futon mattress on the floor and Peanut in a Pack n’ Play. Eventually we stumbled to bed.
I awoke at 5:30 am, in time to pack a little, strip the bed, and get a shower.
6:00 am
I fed Peanut for 30 minutes on the couch in the family room. After his shower, el Jefe’ headed to the house for the last few items on the honey-do list … mopping, wipe counter tops, Windex the French doors (easier without dog noses), and sweep the garage. I got Punkin going on his breakfast; Grandma helped with Jenny, and we started doing laundry ... two and a half beds of sheets, towels, and a few items of clothing (we did not want to leave any laundry for my mom to return to after their 3 1/2-week vacation in Hawaii … how convenient). I continued to pack and organize, as we had items scattered throughout the 2,800 sq ft house. El Jefe’ left a message on my cell with an update of his progress … apparently I didn’t have service, which I realized after 5 attempted calls and much frustration. (just what I needed, a little more stress.) I was tasked with supplying roach traps. So around 8:00 am, Punkin and I went to Albertson’s to purchase roach traps, Swiffer refills (that we snagged from my mom; el Jefe’ fell in love with them), Peanut diapers, and the coveted dry ice to transport 48 precious ounces of frozen breastmilk across the state. I was completely ignorant in the purchase of dry ice, but after traipsing across the store with Punkin in his race car grocery cart, we eventually ended up with something like 6 pounds for over $8 (which is a bargain if you know anything about the pain and suffering administered by a breast pump). Punkin and I dropped off the roach traps, and I passed through our home of nearly 10 years one last time, and headed back up to my parents’ house to feed Peanut once again. Our goal was to get on the road before noon.
9:30 am
I fed Peanut for 30 minutes on the couch in my parents’ house. More organizing. More laundry. More packing. El Jefe’ returned from our house, and now we had to figure out how to get three adults, two kids, one dog, one dog kennel, house plants, luggage, coolers, and leftover cleaning supplies into a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and a 2004 Jetta. Grandma and I were stationed inside with Peanut; el Jefe’ and Punkin were in charge of packing the vehicles. Packing, stuffing, cramming … you choose the verb. We approached and surpassed the noon deadline, but we were on a mission and there was no turning back. We fueled up at the nearest gas station; Grandma, el Jefe’ and Jenny in the Jeep, and Punkin and Peanut with me in the Jetta. Peanut started hollering at the gas station and kept it up all the way to the Paiute reservation. Fortunately Punkin opted for a nap (so I could turn off Kids Stuff on Sirius and tune into Classic Vinyl). All was quiet up to Indian Springs, so we decided to keep going. Peanut started up again right after we passed the northern limit of Indian Springs.
2:00 pm
I fed Peanut for 30 minutes in the driver’s seat of the Jetta, parked with the windows down at the rest area in Amargosa. A lot of dirt, a couple trees, and two tolerable restroom buildings. Jenny hung out under a tree. Grandma, Punkin, and el Jefe’ snacked on hard boiled eggs and carrots. We all drank bottles of water. And we eventually hit the road again.
We topped off the tanks in Beatty, bought some cheese and cracker and peanut butter cracker snacks, and half a dozen waters. Grandma wanted to drive before it got dark, so she was at the helm of the Jeep with me in the passenger seat. El Jefe’ drove the Jetta with the kids. I think I got about a 10 minute nap. The kids were quiet for el Jefe’ (Peanut slept and Punkin got to listen to Kids Stuff).
5:30 pm
I fed Peanut for 25 minutes at the McDonalds in Tonopah. We were crammed into a corner booth, with her car seat as a privacy shield. I inhaled a filet o’fish, fries, and half of Punkin’s chicken nuggets. I am normally the worlds’ slowest eater, so el Jefe’ could not fail to comment on my ravenous behavior. I opted for Diet Coke at this point, knowing we were only half-way there. While there was still daylight, Grandma offered to drive the Jeep to give el Jefe’ a break; I returned to pilot the Jetta with the kids as we continued our journey. Punkin played with his gyroscope thing from his Happy Meal. The flying wheels were “airplanes” which I had to retrieve from the back seat floor consistently until they fell out of my limited reach. He called the launching stick his “Super Duper” and yielded it like a sword. Fortunately it fell out of reach after a few minutes. Not long after we left McDonalds, Punkin announced he wanted good supper. I plied him with a peanut butter chocolate chip chewy granola bar (he actually wanted the berry flavor, which I couldn’t find blindly). After a couple bites he decided he didn’t like it and gave me some chewed up remains (after he smeared some of the chocolate chips all over his mouth). I opted to offer him the peanut butter crackers from our stop in Beatty. These ended up being half-chewed and spit out. I threatened to turn off Kids Stuff if he wouldn’t stop spitting. It worked, but alas it was too late as we discovered at our next stop. Punkin tried to remove his shirt while buckled in his car seat. As this is nearly impossible, he cried for quite awhile in frustration. Peanut started hollering, too.
8:30 pm
I fed Peanut for 35 minutes in the driver’s seat of the Jetta, parked with the windows down at a convenience store in Hawthorne. Punkin was covered in orange goo (from spitting the peanut butter crackers), and his car seat was filled with crumbs. At this point I set down the law of no food in mommy’s car. El Jefe’ purchased some Chex Mix, which I forbade from entering my vehicle. Punkin took off his shirt. Punkin and Grandma took Jenny for a walk, when Grandma realized she had lost an earring. Grandma reported that after their walk, Punkin had enquired why Jenny sniffed the ground. After hearing the explanation from Grandma, he dropped to all fours on a public sidewalk, planted his face to the ground, and said, “I’m a doggie. I’m sniffing for poop.” I put on Punkin’s shirt by the light of a street light. We left it on backwards for the remainder of the journey (as Klampetts, you can get two days out of a shirt that way).
We passed Walker Lake in the dark.
The kids started hollering just outside Fernley. We fueled up at a convenience store. Punkin asked for milk, and got some, which he was very proud of but wouldn’t drink. He told me there were lollipops in the store, but he had had enough sugar for the day. El Jefe’ and I got 20 oz coffees (and I got two candy bars, hoping for an extra boost from the chocolate). We negotiated the bizarre traffic circle (designed by a former employer) outside Fernley, and continued to caravan to the apartment in Reno.
July 22
12:30 am
I fed Peanut for 25 minutes in a chair in the apartment. Punkin slept on the couch until the futon was set up in his room. He didn’t get to hear the frogs croaking as el Jefe’ carried him into the apartment. It faces a small lake with frogs and geese and ducks and herons and cormorants and even pelicans as we later discovered. Jenny slept in her kennel in the middle of the family room. El Jefe’ took Grandma to her hotel room at Extended Stay America (for two nights; once our furniture arrived she slept on the futon in Punkin’s room). El Jefe’ and I slept in our guest bed, which is our bed for the duration of our stay in the apartment. Peanut joined us in the Pack n’ Play.
Our 8-hour drive took 12.
We arrived safely, but completely exhausted.
There’s no place like home.
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