Breakfast at Tiffany's

Carousel of Absurdity

2009-08-05T21:54:00.003-05:00

Pardon the following flight into melodrama. Four years ago today, my husband and I got engaged. A year ago today, my dad passed away. Today, I got an even better look at the hypocrisy and ineptitude present in the leadership of my husband's employer than even the past month has provided. I'm a little overwhelmed right now.

I sometimes think my life is a never-ending carousel of absurdity. The baby, having just gotten over a major sickness, just slipped while trying to pull herself up against the coffee table. She lacerated her tongue fairly deeply and a half hour later, is still spitting out a fair amount of blood.

I'm debating whether to take her to the doctor or simply allege police brutality, since the media and activists have labored so intensely to teach us over the past month that a person could never, ever injure herself by falling on her own face.

Earlier today, when I called to discuss the weight the baby lost while sick, the nurse advised me to feed the heck out of her for the next few weeks so she can gain back the weight she lost while dealing with her nasty intestinal virus. I'm sure that'll be *real* easy with a split tongue. *headdesk* Oh, wait. That could cause a head injury. Have I come full circle yet?

Anyone know how to book a plane ticket to the Bermuda Triangle?

**And yes, there are still posts in queue that I have to get up from my cell phone posting debacle. Coming soon. Promise. Someday. In the future. While I'm sipping mai tais in the aforementioned desirable vacation destination.**

On Respect

2009-07-03T14:05:00.004-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about the issue of respect, lately, and here are some thoughts that I want to share.

In order to gain respect, you need to give respect. If you treat people like crap, they will respond in kind.
In order to be viewed with respect, you need to look respectful. Going to a community event dressed in sloppy clothes and expecting to be treated seriously among the folks who gave some thought to their appearance is hilarious. You don't have to spend money to take care of your appearance; simple grooming and foregoing your comic book character shirt is sufficient.
In order to be heard with respect, you need to speak with respect. When you ask a question and do not allow the other party to respond, you ought not be surprised when you are chastised or not taken seriously. Calling names and childish language will not enable your message to carry weight.
In order for your rights to be respected, you need to respect the rights of others. Covering yourself with the blanket of equality doesn't exempt you from the need to show respect for those who disagree with your thoughts, ideas or stance. Jumping on dissenting opinions will strip away that blanket and instead cloak you with the deserved aura of intolerance.

Readers, what do you think? Comment away - respectfully, of course!

(And by the way, I have like two dozen posts written from the last two months for my various blogs...I thought they'd posted, as I did them from my handy-dandy new cell phone, but apparently not...so off to investigate what the heck!)

Three Years Ago Today...

2009-05-06T17:00:00.001-05:00

...I was wishing that the day would just GET OVER so we could start our honeymoon at South Padre Island. (Have you read my wedding travails?)

Tonight, I celebrate 3 years of marriage with Christopher...and it's been a terrific three years. Between buying our house, having our baby, and weathering lots of interesting times together, I'm constantly reminded that I absolutely married the best man in the world.

Love you, baby!

And the Winner Is...

2009-05-03T16:46:00.001-05:00

Any Toastmasters out there?

Just over a year ago, I joined the Toastmasters club that meets at my office. For me, it was a great opportunity. I've been a speaker all my life...between just flat out chattering, to more defined opportunities in speech and debate, drama, etc. So this was a way for me to re-engage in speaking. I love it!

This spring, I qualified to compete in the District level competitions for both Table Topics and the International Speech Contest. The competition was this weekend.

Table Topics is a competition where you are given a question and have to answer it immediately within a 1-2 minute timeframe. I was extremely tickled to win 2nd place in the District competition this weekend. Yahoo!

The international speech competition is often used for inspirational type speeches. I gave a speech related to sharing memories - how you are remembered by what you share with others. I love my speech, and I love it all the more because my dad inspired it.

Unfortunately, I didn't win, or even place in the top three at districts, but I was able to reach many people in the audience, who shared memories with me after the competition. What a neat opportunity! I didn't realize that may be an outcome...but it was so neat to experience.

Any other Toastmasters out there?

Political FRAUD

2009-04-28T21:40:00.002-05:00

I'm from Pennsylvania. Almost seven years ago, I moved to Texas.

Back in PA, there is some political FRAUD taking place right now. Long-time Republican Senator Arlen Specter has decided to flip to the dark side and become a Democrat.

Fraud. FRAUD.

The people who elected you, Mr. Specter, are your Republican constituents. As a former member of that class, I'll tell you that we always knew you were a pretty left-leaning Republican, but you were a Republican nonetheless. You were elected time and time again INSTEAD of a Democrat.

My dad, who you knew for decades, liked a lot of your politics. I'm glad he didn't have to witness this debacle, however. I imagine he's just flipped over in his grave.

So thank you, Mr. Specter, for abandoning your electorate in an attention-getting move that shows your willingness to pander to our new administration.

And may you be soundly defeated in your next re-election attempt.

I'm ticked!

Moving, Moving, Moving

2009-04-26T20:30:00.000-05:00

Relax, we're not actually moving.

We're just moving furniture.

Again.

It's like we get bored every few months, and just have to change things up.

So here I sit in bed, contemplating my aching back, because I leveraged a desk from an upstairs bedroom to our bedroom downstairs last night by myself.

I know, yell away.

But dang it, I'm independent. I shouldn't need my husband to do things for me!

In any case, I often wonder what it is about me that prompts these kind of moves. It's like I have a gypsy instinct...I have to have constant change. In fact, I get itchy if I don't get out of Texas every so often.

I wonder what it will take in life to make me feel truly settled. Don't get me wrong...I love my life. But I just always feel a little bit antsy to change things up.

Which is also pretty bizarre...because I have an obsession with schedules and status quo.

But not when it comes to my surroundings, apparently.

Oddness!

On Not Writing

2009-04-24T16:25:00.002-05:00

I love writing. It makes up a goodish portion of my total income, after my full time job. And I love writing fiction, as well. But I have this issue.

I can't write.

Ok, that's not true. It's just that with fiction, I can't type new portions of my writing. I have to write longhand, or it doesn't get out. Why?! I don't know. It's been going on for a year now, though.

When I try to write new fiction by typing, I just sit and stare at the screen. Eventually, I give up.

Longhand? I can't keep the pen moving fast enough. In fact, I can't write as fast as I think, so I end up losing thoughts. So then I use my phone to record some notes while I continue to write.

So it's GREAT that I can at least write longhand. But it SUCKS to have to transcribe. The last time I did major transcribing, I had an ENTIRE single subject notebook to type in. This time, it's about half that. Takes a LONG time.

Anyone else ever have this kind of block? If so, how did you get over it?

Taxes

2009-04-17T07:13:00.001-05:00

I'm just marveling about how nice it was not to scramble to get my taxes done this year. I got them all done back in February, instead of waiting until the last minute like the last three or four years, and that's just a HUGE BONUS. Especially coming home from mom's house and not having to do that. YAY for me!

Mom's House

2009-04-16T20:24:00.001-05:00

Chris, Catherine and I just spent 10 days in PA trying to whip my mom's house into shape. We were *moderately* successful but will need to go back again to finish sometime in May or June. Until then, here's a recap of our time there, a la my Twitter updates...

Happier than I can say to be ack in DFW, but wishing baby girl and I weren't sick as dogs. Doc for both of us tomorrow.
8:16 PM Apr 13th from mobile web
Hubby didn't appreciate me singing the Rocky theme when a wrong turn brought us in view of the Philly skyline instead of the rental cars.
12:35 PM Apr 13th from mobile web
20 miles left to PHL...then only a couple hours to DFW. Home by nightfall and thank GOD for that!
12:00 PM Apr 13th from mobile web
My fun day: just got burned by battery acid when one of the batteries in my pump exploded while in use. Are you KIDDING me? Ow.
11:47 AM Apr 13th from mobile web
Baby and I are both extremely sick...but at least we're headed back to Texas this afternoon.
11:09 AM Apr 13th from mobile web
My sanity is waning...and now all 3 of us have the flu. Time to get back to Texas! Yard sale then a chaotic Easter then we get to go home.
6:37 AM Apr 11th from mobile web
Mom: "You can take anything you want...it'll all be yours someday, anyways." Me: "Ok. Can I have that?" Mom: "No, that's mine." OY!
6:01 PM Apr 10th from mobile web
Getting ready for mom's yard sale tomorrow...come buy LOTS!
1:52 PM Apr 10th from mobile web
Pa trip, day 8. Time for a "come to Jesus" mtg with mom: no one needs 6 sets of pots and pans, 3 blenders or 36 boxes of 1980s magazines.
7:46 AM Apr 10th from mobile web
Another day drawing to a close...another couple rooms done. Countdown to Texas: 4 days.
6:39 PM Apr 9th from mobile web
My time limit with mom is 5 days. Today is day 7. My patience has run out, and is down the street, around the corner and mooning traffic.
12:34 PM Apr 9th from mobile web
Just put together *another* bookcase. I'm getting to be a pro!
11:59 AM Apr 9th from mobile web
It's official...I'm sick. Argh.
8:05 AM Apr 9th from mobile web
Mom disappeared into the kitchen 2 hours ago, muttering about cooking dinner. Two plates of leftovers just hit the table. WTH?!?!
7:02 PM Apr 8th from mobile web
In Scranton on a Wednesday for the 1st time in 5 years and am foregoing Wing Night to continue cleaning out mom's house. Oh, the humanity!
6:48 PM Apr 8th from mobile web
I think my mother has more kitchen crap than most restaurants. Hope we can sell a lot of it.
5:52 PM Apr 8th from mobile web
Dude. Mom's neighbor just volunteered to buy her house, if she wants to sell. Now to make sure she doesn't screw this up!
4:40 PM Apr 8th from mobile web
Victory! Mom agreed to let us have a yard sale for her on Saturday so I placed an ad in the paper before she could change her mind.
1:18 PM Apr 8th from mobile web
Cleaning out mother's house is a mix of the Twilight Zone and This Is Your Life.
8:51 AM Apr 8th from mobile web
On my laptop for the first time since Thursday night...internet MUCH faster than on the phone, but not many wifi spots around here!
7:01 PM Apr 5th from web
And so day 1 in PA comes to an end. Sanity still intact but in tons of pain after cleaning out mom's garage in COLD weather.
6:42 PM Apr 4th from mobile web
A great big thank you to the agents and TSA folks who were super helpful at DFW. Waiting out ATC to PHL.
6:46 AM Apr 3rd from mobile web
Anyone else clean compulsively before going on a trip? My thought is "if the plane goes down, don't want anyone going in my dirty house!"
10:39 PM Apr 2nd from web

College MeMe

2009-04-15T16:22:00.003-05:00

Hi, folks!

We're back from our 10-day trip to PA and I'm down with the sickness...bronchitis and an upper respiratory tract infection, that is. Until I get back into the swing of blogging (which first requires more than 5 minutes in a row of coherent thinking), here's a MeMe to tide you over. (stolen from Carrie Lofty)

1. Do you remember your college address?
Unequivocally, no. I have no idea what any of my college addresses were.

2. Ever lived off campus?
No. I lived in two different dorms and 3 different on-campus apartments.

3. Are you happy with the major you picked?
Yes - political science. Granted, my major has ZERO to do with what I do for a living, but I loved loved loved studying it, and the greatest skill it taught (along with my minor - history) was project and research management.

4. Did you have one or more serious relationships?
I started college with a serious relationship...and ended with a serious relationship. Different guys. Neither are my husband.

5. Did you ever take a P.E. class?
Of course. And I firmly believe that no matter what major people pursue, at least 1 physical education class should be required. The skills I learned in my lifeguarding class (freshman year) and my weight training class (sophomore year) are invaluable. And with the weight problems that are pervasive in this country, every chance that is made available for students to pursue more healthy habits is necessary.

6. Ever have a run in with an RA?
Yes. Freshman year. Slight amount of shouting in my room when the Yankees beat the Braves in the 1999 World Series. Hate the Braves. Go Yankees! And then I became an RA...but I was a cool RA! :-)

7. What sporting events did you like to attend?
Rugby!

8. Any wild parties?
Wild is a sliding scale.

9. What were your schools colors?
Maroon and gold.

10. Did you ever graduate and if so in how many years?
Of course I did! Three years. (No, that's not a typo. I took 21 credits each semester, plus tested out of a bunch because, well, I was bored.)

11. Name one ritual with your friends?
Denny's and road trips.

12. Any cool concerts held at your school?
Yeah. Although I can't remember specifics now.

13. If you could go back would you do it again
No. I was bored out of my mind most of the time.

14. Is your job now at all related to what you went to school for?
Ha, no.

15. Can you recite the entire Greek Alphabet?
Yes.

16. Ever skip class to hang out with your friends?
Once or twice, but usually had too much going on in class to miss.

17. Did you have a pet?
My roommate had a Bloomsburg Fair gold fish who WOULD.NOT.DIE.

18. Favorite party place?
?

19. Did you marry someone from college?
Yes. Just not from MY college. (You didn't specify. Ha.)

20. Use your leftover money for laundry or to go out?
Leftover money? Are you kidding? I had two jobs the whole time I was in school and had tuition and bills to pay.

21. Worst drink you ever consumed?
Three Wise Men. Will NEVER forget that. UGH UGH UGH.

22. Year you graduated?
2002.

23. Still keep in touch with college friends?
Yes.

25. Any regrets?
Should have finished my second minor - missed by 1 stinking class, but had no way to work 1 more class in without spending another semester there.

26. Play a sport?
I take it that Beer Pong doesn't count?

27. Did you have a nickname?
Oh, a few.

28. Cafeteria have a nickname?
Not that I'm aware of.

29. Favorite late night snack?
BACON!

30. Favorite breakfast?
Those cheap breakfast sandwiches.

31. Favorite professor?
Percy.

32. How far was your college from your hometown?
An hour.

Of Direct Deposit and Digital Cameras

2009-03-31T19:53:00.004-05:00

Do you ever think that we've OVER-simplified the world?

I have two examples that are SUPER helpful and are great technological advances - but that I still complain about regularly.

#1: Direct Deposit
I love direct deposit because I hate running errands. Before direct deposit, I had to (a) wait for my paycheck to come in the mail (or get handed to be at work at one of my jobs) and then drive to the bank and then stand in line and then wait for the check to clear and THEN I'd get to spend my money. With direct deposit, the money is magically waiting for me on payday, and I can then spend it immediately.

YAY.

Crap.

Although it's lovely to have my money available immediately, not going to the bank means that I'm not filling out a deposit slip, which then means that I'm not filling out the little line asking how much money I want to receive in cash versus deposit.

Which, of course, means that I never have cash. Ever.

Argh! LOVE immediate money, HATE never having actual cold, hard cash.

Whereas it was once routine to go to the bank weekly, it's now a pain in the ass to even go to the ATM. We've over-simplified life!

#2: Digital Cameras
I was given my first digital camera about 4 years ago by my friend Stephanie. Before that, I'd used the same trusty 35mm for many years - in fact, it was my 16th birthday present from my father. It was a brilliant camera, terrific zoom lens, built like a tank (I drop stuff...a lot) and followed me to dozens of states and a handful of countries taking thousands of pictures.

Know what happened to those pictures, after they were shot?

Righto - they were developed.

Like at the pharmacy. Where they hand you actual pictures that you can put in albums, frames, or send to family and friends.

I'm now on my second digital camera. I bought it the weekend before my first baby shower, last summer. Great deal from the now defunct Circuit City. High-end camera. Works like a charm.

Know what it doesn't do?

Spit out film that I need to take to the pharmacy to get developed, so that I can then have shots to put in albums, frames, or send to family and friends.

Now, those thousands of pictures that I take (dude...I have a baby...we're constantly snapping shots) get transferred to my laptop, posted to Shutterfly if people hassle me enough, and only very, very randomly get turned into prints to send out or display.

Why is the drive to the pharmacy to get prints done now twice as long as it was when I used to drive there twice - once to drop off film and again to pick up the developed prints?

Over-simplification...how has it affected your life?

Freelancing 101

2009-03-26T19:00:00.002-05:00

I read a blog post somewhere in the blogosphere recently, posing the question of what qualified someone to tell others how to write or how to develop their freelancing career.

My answer to that query would be having both experience and success! And since I have both (15 years of paid writing; freelance income that equals or exceeds my full-time salary during weeks when I have the capacity to take on 20 or more hours of contract work), I thought I'd start to offer my 2 cents in an ongoing series.

Welcome to Freelancing 101.

So...you want to be a writer.

Maybe you think you're good at writing.

Maybe you believe all of those web sites that claim that ANYONE who can scratch their own a$$ can write for the internet.

Think again.

Seriously. Freelancing 101 isn't meant to discourage you, but the simple fact is that to be truly successful as a freelancer - whether writing, editing, or performing other creative services - you have to have some degree of talent.

Sure, you can crank out web content at a penny a word and if you write "prolifically," you'll have enough cash to pay your rent.

But do you really want to do that day in and day out?

Nope, didn't think so.

So with that in mind, here is your first lesson:

Get 5 blank sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper.

On sheet number 1, brainstorm your talents.
On sheet number 2, brainstorm everything that you think might hinder your budding freelancing business.
On sheet number 3, brainstorm the areas that you need to learn more about before you get started or as you're striving to learn more.
On sheet number 4, brainstorm the time you have available to freelance and what you can do to properly schedule yourself.
And on sheet number 5, brainstorm the money you hope to make on a weekly basis.

When you've got all of that done, come back for Freelancing 102, when we'll put those 5 sheets together to create your business plan!

READER RESPONSE TIME:
If you are already a freelancer, what steps did you initially take to get started?

That'll Show 'Em

2009-03-19T21:22:00.003-05:00

In a move typically seen by a pouting kid in a sandbox, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill to tax bonuses received by executives of companies who received stimulus funds at a rate of 90 percent. Spurred on by the furor over around 400 AIG senior leaders who split a bonus pot equaling $165 million, 326 United States Representatives collectively stuck out their tongues and wagged their weanies. That'll show 'em.

Ok, so I made up that last part, but seriously, folks. This is ludicrous. I understand that Congress, after having doled out more money in unstimulating stimulus funds than my mind can wrap itself around, has now decided that they get to determine everything for companies like AIG from executive salary caps to the kind of kind of toilet paper is stocked in their washrooms. But here's the problem, and it's one that Congress, made up largely of individuals with legal backgrounds, should realize: this move is punishing EMPLOYEES, not COMPANIES.

Why's that, you say? Contractually, AIG was obligated to pay those bonuses, per agreements made before their financial troubles threatened to topple the insurance giant. Surely, lawyers understand contracts. They are the most basic of legal instruments, after all. And prior to them paying out, the Treasury Department determined that the bonuses could not be legally blocked.

Ah, heck. Can't block 'em. So we'll just steal 'em. I mean take 'em back. I mean redistribute the wealth to another ~~undeserving~~ company. That'll show 'em!

I think it would have been appropriate for the senior leaders who received bonuses to turn them down. And I would agree that the bonuses were not deserved, considering the current financial stress facing the company. But it was a contract. And if the government is looking to punish AIG as a corporation for paying out bonuses, taxing the hell out of their executives as individuals is certainly not the way to do it.

Congress doesn't give a tinker's damn about that money, however. They simply don't like being one-upped. Afterall, it's supposed to be their job to go around handing out funny money to those who don't deserve it.

Read more here: US House passes 90 pct tax on bailout bonuses

Readers, it's your turn: comment away!

An Award to Pass Along!

2009-03-19T20:23:00.005-05:00

I am remiss is thanking some blogging friends for awards I was given months ago, and even more remiss in not passing them along. Over the next few days, I'll fix that!!

We'll start with this one:

Thank you to Babette at Definitely Maybe for this honor!

I'd like to pass this along to:

Mwah!

New Design

2009-03-18T23:19:00.002-05:00

Voila!

My new design is implemented! After almost a year of the old design, I was thoroughly tired of it. I was actually looking for a new design for my How to Have a Baby blog when I stumbled over this theme...and I just love it, love it, love it!

I've tweaked the crap out of it, but now I think it's where I want it to be. What do ya'll think?

And...any RSS experts out there? I need your help! I want to somehow stream the most recent headlines from some of my other blogs in my sidebar...but I don't want to list out in separate widgets per blog like I did before. And I hate the Feedburner widgets. Any suggestions? I've played with this for like 2 hours tonight and I'm throwing in the towel for now. Leave me a comment if you can help!

Rental Car Etiquette

2009-03-17T06:00:00.003-05:00

Hey, dear readers! Sorry for not posting more in the past week - I had training 3 days last week, and spent the other two days preparing for and then recovering from it!

For this week's Tuesday Travel Tips, let's discuss the rental car.

Ah, the rental car.

That sparkly, shiny vehicle that you've just exchanged a moderate (or not so moderate) sum of money for, intending to beat the hell out of it for the next several days.

That colorful, late model chariot that has had as many driver's as Obama has had failed cabinet appointees. (Couldn't resist. Sorry!)

That home away from home on four wheels that you apparently don't care one iota about, because you've left it a mess.

Can I tell you how much it annoys me to spend precious money, just to get a car that's been left a mess?

Half of this I blame on the rental car company, for being in such a hurry to turnover cars that they gloss over the cleaning process faster than Obama can change his mind on a campaign promise. (Again, sorry. I crack myself up.)

But half I blame on you, dear rental car renter. Have some pride! Have some caring about your surroundings! If nothing else, at least have some shame!

I completely don't get why people would find it acceptable to leave behind miscellaneous garbage, including spilled fast food and a variety of, uh, personal items. No joke - I've seen it happen.

Let's do this as a 1-2-3-4 lesson, shall we?

Rent a car.
Enjoy your trip to Wherever, USA or insert alternate country <> .
Pick up after yourself like a normal, rational human being.
Return your rental car.

Not hard, eh? Now, it's your turn! Make me proud.

Until next time,

Safe travels!

Y-I-E-L-D

2009-03-10T07:13:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the first Tuesday Travel Tips with Tiffany since my hiatus! For today's topic, I will actually be reverting back to a topic that I wrote (ranted?) about more than 6 months ago.

Let's discuss: the yield sign.

Obviously, my "what to do and what not to do" guide on this topic failed. Because there's still a large contingent of drivers out there who continue to ignore this most basic traffic control device. Or, perhaps, they've just not yet found my blog. Pity.

Because, really, this is all about me, I'd like to directly address some drivers I encounter daily on my drive to work.

Attention drivers on the 820 northbound service road approaching the SH 10 intersection:

YOU HAVE A YIELD SIGN.

I, a driver on 820 northbound, exiting at SH 10, DO NOT HAVE A YIELD SIGN.

THAT MEANS IT'S MY RIGHT OF WAY, NOT YOURS.

And having a big honkin' tractor trailer, or a pickup loaded down in the back with imported gardeners or construction workers, doesn't change the balance of the equation.

MINE.

I feel like a kid fighting over a toy. Except, in this case, we're fighting over lanes, and people seem to be going with the theory of who is bigger instead of who needs to watch for signs that will CLEARLY tell them to back off.

So let's discuss why people seem to have such a blockage over yield signs.

Does the triangle shape confuse them?

Is the red just too distracting or perhaps overused?

Or, really, is it a Freudian thing where they didn't learn how to share their mother's attention so now they're taking it out on me?

What do you think, readers? I yield (har har har) the floor to you!

Fitting Everything In

2009-03-05T22:40:00.004-06:00

Hi, everyone!

I've been struggling to carve time out of my schedule to actually get writing done post-baby. Not just fiction, which I've always struggled to find time for, but also the freelancing that used to add significantly to my household income.

So I thought I'd open up the blog to elicit reader responses - what do YOU do to schedule yourself time to write? What all do you balance writing against? Do you have any tips or tricks to get quality writing done?

Here's a look at what I'm trying to balance right now:

Baby - a full time job in and of itself, especially since the hubby works a shift opposite of mine, so when I'm home with baby, I'm home alone with baby.
Working - full time, outside of the home, including occasional travel.
Household schtuff - I'm bound and determined not to use having a baby as an excuse to have a messy home. It's way harder now, but I'm sticking with it as best I can.
Toastmasters - I'm the club secretary this year, and am also competing in Table Topics and the International Speech Contest. Just won 1st place in my area for both and go on to the divisional competition at the end of March.

Here's what's fallen by the wayside:

Freelance writing - I started back 10 days postpartum, which was a huge mistake. I pulled back after 4 weeks of trying to keep up with client contracts and in the last 4 months have only written sporadically at best.
Fictional writing - The goal was to add 10k a month in 2009 to one of my WIPs - The Mommy Letters, which I started writing way back in November 2006. So far this year? Have added a grand total of 3k. Ick.
Judging Speech and Debate - I just want to get the baby a little bit older before I start leaving her elsewhere - with friends or family - for a full day so I can take on a tournament. Plus, the Friday night portions go late and I just don't feel I should be away from her at bedtime yet. Was hoping to do a Saturday-only in February but it fell through. I'm afraid that the school districts I contract with are going to stop inviting me if I don't jump in again fairly soon, although I've told some that I probably won't start again until the '09/'10 school year.
Pampered Chef - Haven't held a show in a year. A year! Promised clients a catalog show in late 2008 but was too overwhelmed with other stuff to get it off the ground. Mea culpa! Planning a "Hey, it's Spring!" show for later this month and hope I actually pull it off.
Choir/Orchestra - I haven't been active in the choir or orchestra at my church in a looooong time now and to be honest, of all the things that have gone by the wayside, that's what distresses me most. But Wednesday night practices when the baby isn't yet old enough for the church-sponsored babysitter just ain't gonna happen, since hubby is, of course, at work.
Leadership Development Training - I haven't taught for my volunteer organization in almost a year and a half - and I'll stop being "certified" to teach my courses at the two year mark if I haven't taught them in that time. ACK! Trying to figure this piece out.

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff. Can't remember right now. But how convenient would it be to magically clone myself so I could find a way of fitting everything back in???

Your turn, readers! What are you juggling right now? What are your magical tips for making it all fit together? What have you gotten away from doing but really miss??

Have You Missed Me?

2009-03-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

Howdy, dear readers!

I've missed you all terribly, but once I decided that my work maternity leave needed to extend to my blogs, I was determined to stick it through.

So why did I go cold turkey on blogging for 3.5 months? That's easy. Because I needed and wanted to spend as much attention on baby girl as I could, both while I was still away from my full-time job on maternity leave, and also during the first few weeks that I learned to balance my new schedule once I returned to work.

And let me tell ya...it's been tough! The kiddo definitely keeps me on my toes. That...and she doesn't sleep. Seriously. Her limit is 3 hours. She slept for 5 hours once, about a month ago, and I actually woke her up because I was frightened that something was wrong...since she'd never slept so long before! She's doing absolutely wonderfully well. Growing like a weed! And, of course, is the most beautiful/smart/sweet/lovable child ever born.

Balancing work and baby is definitely a challenge. I am going to start referring to myself as a semi-single parent. The great news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that the baby doesn't have to go to daycare. The bad news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that when we're home with the baby, we're almost always home alone with the baby...as in, no back up if I'm trying to work on writing and the kiddo starts fussing...and keeps fussing for the rest of the night. And then during the one day a week that we're actually home together, I feel guilty wanting to work on writing...since it's our only day when the 3 of us have significant time together. So I'm still learning to balance. More on that later, over at 0 to Mom.

I read a ton of books while on maternity leave - about the only thing I could really accomplish during the kiddo's 10 minute naps. (No, I'm not kidding. During the day, her naps typically only last 10-20 minutes.) The book blog, unfortunately, is behind by 30 books right now. ACK! So, until I get up-to-date, mosey on over to Read and Release and check out my old reviews (there's a ton of them!) and I'll let you know when the new ones are up.

We've been asked about a million times so far when we'll be having more kids...and although the answer to that is "not yet," I will be continuing to writing about the TTC journey over at How to Have a Baby. Even after 3 months on hiatus, that blog has enormous search engine popularity for phrasing related to family planning and so I will be continuing to post both on my own experience as well as general factoid-ish articles. And speaking of family planning, please tell me that while I've been on hiatus, some stupid unemployed and unmarried woman didn't actually have in vitro and add 8 babies to her family that already had 6 kids. I guess I'll save that rant for another post.

On the "keeping my sanity" front, I have finally begun the process of truly dealing with my father's death. I simply couldn't begin dealing with it in the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy. And then once the baby was here and wasn't well...and when I got sick (learn all about my mastitis in a post later this week at HTHAB)...and then when my in-laws were here for 3 weeks...and then when I was down after having all 4 wisdom teeth out...and then when more family was here throughout Christmas...and then when I first went back to work...

Basically, I completely comparmentalized my life for about 6 months just to keep my head glued on. On an interesting note, one of the ways that I've chosen to deal with Dad's death is to make him the focus of the speech I've recently used to win club and area level competitions in Toastmasters. It's not a sob-story speech - don't worry, I don't do that. But it deals with the topic of sharing memories - learning more about your friends and family through their special memories, and sharing your own remembrances with others. I only briefly mention his Alzheimer's-related memory loss, but instead choose to honor him by sharing one of my favorite memories in the speech. I've submitted a volunteer profile to get more involved in the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association this year, as a part of their speaker's bureau as well as in helping to plan the DFW area's 6 memory walks later in 2009. I also successfully nominated the Alzheimer's Association to be the recipient of donations during one of 12 monthly dress-down days at my company. Miss you, Daddy.

And...that's the update in a nutshell from my world! I look forward to catching back up with all of you, my dear readers, over the next few weeks as I ramp back up on blogging both at Breakfast at Tiffany's as well as my other blogs! In addition...I'll be announcing two new blogs where you can check me out shortly! One is a cookbook blog that I'm working on with my husband and his aunt, and another is the long-awaited Obama blog! Stay tuned!

Tiffany

(simultaneously posted to 0toMom, Breakfast at Tiffany's and How to Have a Baby.)

Here We Go Again

2008-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

The piece that follows was written by a frequent visitor to this blog, who uses the handle "CommonSenseUSA" for his comments. It was written to commemorate the 233rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps on November 10th. I am reposting it here with his permission, after its original posting in another post's comments.

May I present...

Here We Go Again
by Timothy Charles Cilley

It comes and goes, and comes back again;
the strife and struggle with the death of men.

The ancient call, to storm the wall;
the tithes of death from shot and ball.

As men and boys, give their last full measure;
the country bequeaths it's finest treasure.

Mothers pray, and wives that wail;
as the dirge of death does prevail.

Men do cry, and all do pray, and hug the mud;
and flinch, and wince, at the bullet's thud.

The mortars blast, and the flairs light;
there ain't no atheist in a firefight.

And as the world, does revolve;
with the thirst for souls that death dissolves.

Death does it's duty, and soldiers fall;
and give their life for that goddamn wall.

And now and then.......

A little breather with the death of men.

And then.....as a soldier says:

Shit! Here we go again....

To Rule and To Serve

2008-11-13T08:00:00.003-06:00

Kelly McCrady shared a link to this post with me, from blogger "LawDog." Go visit (this site definitely deserves checking out). I've also reposted the video in question here for you to review. Pay very careful attention to wording used 30 second in.

Here's a sneak preview of the future: all things politics will be moving off this blog and to a brand new domain that I was inspired to purchase after Obama's election. Between baby feedings and marathon diapering sessions (4 diapers in 5 minutes!), I'm working on that site's design and plan to launch on or around December 1st. Stay tuned!

(Not) Leaving On a Jet Plane

2008-11-04T09:00:00.001-06:00

Good Tuesday morning to everyone, and welcome to the 8th edition of Tuesday Travel Tips with Tiffany! To read previous editions, you can find them here.

Instead of tips, today, may I present a video! This was inspired by a parody MP3 that my friend Danielle shared with me...I just *had* to set it to images and present to you!

There's an "Easter Egg" in this video - one image that might not belong with all of the others. In fact, it's one of my favorite visuals. Identify it and comment on it on this post and you'll win...

Well, you won't win a physical prize. See, I'm cheap. And I have a brand new kid. And kids are expensive. But I'll love you, and isn't that enough of a prize?

Anyhow, enjoy the show!

Election Preview

2008-11-03T15:23:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow might be a very scary day. It could also turn out to be a very, very good day.

Nearly every poll in America is predicting not only an Obama win, but an Obama blowout.

The blog Vox Popoli, however, takes a different view. Check it out!

But I hope - and believe - that we may have a "Dewey defeats Truman" event in the making. Polls are so subjective - and statistically, their predictions do not always correctly portend actual outcomes.

Instead of rehashing all of my political beliefs, here are links to my past reactions:

1st Presidential Debate Wrap Up
2nd & 3rd Presidential Debate Wrap Up
Vice Presidential Debate Wrap Up

Republican Convention Recap
Democratic Convention Day 1
Democratic Convention Day 2
Democratic Convention Days 3 & 4

A Governor and a Community Organizer
Stupid People Voting

I've already voted - the hubby and I took advantage of early voting and headed to the polls last Thursday. And I'm sure you know who we both voted for. But now it's your turn. Cast your ballot for who you may. And remember this important axiom: if you fail to exercise your right, privilege and ability to vote, you forfeit your right, privilege and ability to complain.

Manic Monday #23

2008-11-03T15:16:00.004-06:00

More great questions from the lovely Lisa for this Manic Monday:

How many hours of TV do you watch per week? Do you feel that's too much, not enough or just right?
Oh, probably 15-20 hours. I think that's too much. But sometimes I keep the TV on just for noise.

Which of the 5 senses do you feel is your strongest sense?
Hearing. But this is weird - I can't hear a lot of lower noises - I need the TV, for instance, to be fairly loud to hear it. But hearing is still my strongest because of my musical ear...I can hear someone sing or perform and really know if they're on key or performing well.

What's the wackiest belief you held as a child?
That my mom was trying to poison me. Hence, why I'm still picky!

Your turn! Leave your linky, leave a comment, and I'll come visit!

Debate 2 & 3 Wrap Up

2008-11-03T12:57:00.002-06:00

Yes, I know...it WOULD take me until the day before the election to get to this, wouldn't it?

Here are some of my thoughts from the 2nd and 3rd Presidential Debates:

Debate #2, Belmont University

Question #1 - Solutions for the down economy
Obama: "It means help for homeowners so that they can stay in their homes. It means that we are helping state and local governments set up road projects and bridge projects that keep people in their jobs."
Obama has forgotten, yet again, about the role of the Federal government. First, homeownership is not a Federal issue - no how, no way. Second, it is NOT within the purview of the Federal government to step in and "help" state and local governments unless (a) that help is specifically requested and (b) it is for an issue that the Federal government should address. And jobs are not a Federal issue! And furthermore, where is the money going to come from to create these jobs? This idiot proposes more and more and more spending but swears taxes will go down instead of up. He needs a basic lesson in (a) the Constitution (power to the states/people) and (b) math.
McCain: "We obviously have to stop this spending spree that's going on in Washington. Do you know that we've laid a $10 trillion debt on these young Americans who are here with us tonight, $500 billion of it we owe to China?"
Thank you. NO MORE WASHINGTON SPENDING. We need to CUT, not ADD.
Question #2 - How does bailout package help ordinary citizens
McCain: "...one of the real catalysts, really the match that lit this fire was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. ... But you know, they're the ones that, with the encouragement of Sen. Obama and his cronies and his friends in Washington, that went out and made all these risky loans, gave them to people that could never afford to pay back."
Again, thank you. Thank you for acknowledging that the fault in bulky home loans lies between the lenders and the buyers, NOT The Federal government.
Obama: "Right now, the credit markets are frozen up and what that means, as a practical matter, is that small businesses and some large businesses just can't get loans. If they can't get a loan, that means that they can't make payroll. If they can't make payroll, then they may end up having to shut their doors and lay people off."
Talk about ALARMIST! How many businesses actually need loans to make payroll? Certainly not the millions of businesses that Obama predicts. This is a stupid thought in the first place, because it would seem to suggest that they'd need a loan every payday. Come on now.
Question #3 - How can either be trusted with money
Obama: I'm not even going to quote him, here. His answer was completely scattered, he had no plan or solution to offer, and simply sounded like an idiot.
McCain: Again, I'm not going to quote. However, I like how McCain pointed to his record versus Obama's, clearly showing that he better understands the economy.
Question #4 - What sacrifices will Americans need to make to get out of the economic mess
McCain: "I first proposed a long time ago that we would have to examine every agency and every bureaucracy of government. And we're going to have to eliminate those that aren't working. ... I believe that we have to eliminate the earmarks. And sometimes those projects, not -- not the overhead projector that Sen. Obama asked for, but some of them that are really good projects, will have -- will have to be eliminated, as well. And they'll have to undergo the same scrutiny that all projects should in competition with others."
This is a fabulous response. A politician suggesting less money be spent - it's the obvious solution, but not one that many would acknowledge.
Obama: Nothing worthy of quoting. Apparently, he thinks we should save energy. And that'll fix the economy. I know...I'm laughing, too.
Question #5 - What about unfunded obligations to Social Security and Medicare
Obama: This idiot alludes to taking on entitlements during his first term as President. Let's not get cocky, here. Don't allude to your first term as if that's a guarantee, let alone a second term. In his response, he outlines his tax plan - with the moving target of income limits to get a break. Never alludes to Social Security or Medicare.
McCain: He didn't give specifics of what to be done, but he did one better - suggested putting together a commission to address instead of assuming that he has all the right answers himself. Bravo!
Question #6 - Congress and Environmental issues
McCain: His response was to advocate nuclear power. And how he and Sen. Lieberman went around looking at greenhouse gas emissions. Um, not a response, per se.
Obama: He didn't really respond directly, either, looking only at energy issues. Null point.
Question #7 - Healthcare as a commodity
Obama AND McCain: Ok, folks. You already know how I feel about healthcare - and let me remind you that I've worked in healthcare. Obama is suggesting socialized medicine. Period. And I'm opposed to that 100%. McCain is suggested supplementation through income tax credits. I'm not really thrilled with that either. My opinion is to let it alone. Know what? I've had major medical issues myself. I've gone into debt to pay for them. But I'd rather that be the case than have to follow government mandates over managing my own health.
Question #8 - Economic stress vs. America's position as a peacemaker
McCain: "I am convinced that my record, going back to my opposition from sending the Marines to Lebanon, to supporting our efforts in Kosovo and Bosnia and the first Gulf War, and my judgment, I think, is something that I'm -- a record that I'm willing to stand on. Sen. Obama was wrong about Iraq and the surge. He was wrong about Russia when they committed aggression against Georgia. And in his short career, he does not understand our national security challenges. We don't have time for on-the-job training, my friends."
All I can say is: AMEN!
Obama: "Now, Sen. McCain and I do agree, this is the greatest nation on earth. We are a force of good in the world. But there has never been a nation in the history of the world that saw its economy decline and maintained its military superiority."
Really, Obama? Isn't it your wife who said she was finally proud to be an American? And next, I've already addressed that your little remark here is wrong. During the Great Depression, we proved our military superiority by kicking ass in World War 2. Get your facts straight. Oh, wait. You can't. That would mean not making up stuff to suit your own agenda.
Annnnd...this is where I lost interest, quite honestly. There were still a few questions left, but I drifted off.

Debate #3, Hofstra University

Selected quotes and my responses:

It's funny to me that right off the bat, when asked about finances, both McCain and Obama repeated exact phrases from the prior debate.
It's funnier that Obama can't seem to keep his own numbers straight. Is it $250k or $200k that makes someone right, you dumb fool? He uses both numbers in subsequent responses. Get it straight!
Oh, my gosh. Joe the Plumber. Hasn't this man already had more than his 15 minutes of fame? Let's move on, people!
It's not hard for a small business to make MORE than $250k.
For the record, Mr. "I don't mind paying a little more" Obama, spreading the wealth around is a SOCIALIST or COMMUNIST concept.
When asked what each man would cut in spending, Obama gave vague answers and McCain pointed to how he's saved taxpayer money in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Yay, McCain!
McCain: "Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago. I'm going to give a new direction to this economy in this country."
BRAVO! Well stated! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Obama!
Obama: "If I'm interested in figuring out my foreign policy."
A sphincter says what?
McCain: "You don't tell countries you're going to unilaterally renegotiate agreements with them."
Yes, but Obama thinks he's above the rules of fair play.
Obama: "I exempt small businesses from having to pay into a kitty."
Do ya, now? Ain't that special. Considering that if you become President, you'll be an EXECUTIVE, not a LEGISLATOR.
Obama: "I think it's going to be critically important for us to recruit a generation of new teachers, an army of new teachers, especially in math and science, give them higher pay, give them more professional development and support in exchange for higher standards and accountability."
So...instead of improving current resources, you'd swap them out for next gen. Pay more? You idiot. With what money? This is NOT a FEderal issue.
McCain: "So choice and competition amongst schools is one of the key elements that's already been proven in places in like New Orleans and New York City and other places, where we have charter schools, where we take good teachers and we reward them and promote them."
I agree with this wholeheartedly. Because my child will not step one foot in the public schools that my neighborhood feeds into. A charter school or enrolling in the neighboring school district - that'd be fine. Otherwise, it's private school or homeschooling for us.

And...that's that. Again, I don't support every idea from McCain...but they're, by and large, far more rational than anything I've heard uttered by Obama.

Happy voting!