iMommy

Six Months (in pictures!)

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:52:00 +0000

[Technically, late last month. And technically, I took these photos a few days before that milestone. Whatev. I never claimed to be perfect.]

Mommy is freakin’ tired.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Yup. Kind of like that.

Are you?

Repost: A Little Inspiration

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:42:00 +0000

This was the second-ever post on iMommy, back in July 2008. I know, I know, not that long ago. But seeing as how I'm getting ready to move to a new job, I thought this little snippet of how I deal with my days at work again.

Beside my computer at work, where I plan to spend many a lunch-time hour composing witty and sometimes informational posts here on iMommy, I have a whiteboard. I love my whiteboard. In fact, I wish that I had some extra dough and no responsibilities (ha!) so that I could get an electronic whiteboard like this one.

On my (seriously technology-deprived) whiteboard at work, I've written a few inspirational phrases. These are often the reminder that I need to calm down, let it roll off my back, or even spur me to action. I'm considering taking them with me everywhere! Maybe I'll put the phrases into a ScrapBlog with pictures of my loving family, then export it to a .jpeg and print it on photo paper and carry it in my purse.... and then I could have these lovely phrases with me all the time!

Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.
Say "No."
Don't put up with something that doesn't work right.
Unplug your phone.
Breathe deeply.
Take control of your environment.
Talk it out.
Keep a sense of humor.

I realize that not all of these are always achievable, but usually at least one of these little reminders helps me get through my day.

Sometimes, though, all I need is a picture:

Protect Yourself From Twitter's "Mikeyy" and Other Java-Based Attacks

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:19:00 +0000

Do you Twitter? If you do, you may have noticed over the past week that a lot of Twitter "worms" have been floating around -- malicious scripts that use your Twitter account to basically flood your friends' Twitter stream with obnoxious links and tweets, most recently signed "Mikeyy."

Techtree.com has published a great article with information how how this worm and others like it are spread, and how to protect yourself from becoming infected. Basically, the worm spreads when you click on links in an infected profile or on the username/profile of the infected user.

A few critical links to check out, if you don't read the article:

Twittercism -- Information on how to tell if your account has become infected, and what to do about it.
TweetDeck or Twhirl or similiar third-party Twitter apps -- these type of cross-scripting/java-based attacks only work in the web interface, so using a third-party app greatly reduces your chances of being infected.

Right now, everyone is being cautious about clicking links - which is exactly what hackers and malicious coders want. We're right to be careful - no one wants their account (and the web presence that goes along with that account) compromised. Clicking links through a third-party app probably won't cause you any problems (any malicious code embedded in the link won't have a place to execute, since you weren't clicking from twitter.com/home). But of course, be careful where you're clicking! You can use a service such as Reverse A URL to convert that "tiny", hidden URL to the long version -- which should give you an indication of whether it's safe or not. If you see a lot of garbage and strange stuff tacked onto the end of the URL, don't click it!

She shoots, she scores!

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:39:00 +0000

I gave my verbal resignation on Friday. I passed in my letter of resignation yesterday.

I got the job.

((woot!))

GTT – Getcha Some

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Yeah it’s totally Monday. Whatever. I’m terrible at these things that need to be posted on certain days.
This week’s Girl Talk Thursday is about Sex Shenanigans. (Sidenote: Spell check actually accepted “Shenanigans.” It did not, however, accept “sidenote” – what gives?)

Did you know that I used to talk about sex toys? Did you know that talking about sex toys was my job? That’s right. I was a sex toy “Goddess.” Women hired me for parties and/or gatherings to do a presentation on “adult” products. While part of the presentation was on bath supplies, etc, the bulk of the night was spent on vibrators, nipple clamps and lubricants.

I carried my “supplies” around in a cool-looking wheeled tool box (lots of small compartments for stuff!) which made it easier to show up at the party in heels and a skirt. (You can’t show up to a sex toy party as the presenter and not wear a pair of killer heels.) I was only a goddess for about a year, but I did about a party a month and it was a blast – ranging from a group of women in their fifties to 80+ freshman college girls.
I loved my presentation (I started it off by slapping a large, realistic, err, phallus onto a smooth surface using a suction cup to break the ice) and the private ordering process afterwards (people would ask me anything!) – but most of all, I loved the way I got a chance to mix fact (how long it takes the average woman to get “in the mood” and how many types of orgasms there are") with fun (“Who wants to go try these nipple nibblers and tell us what it’s like?” (lol, by the way.) ).

I quit when I got pregnant, since I couldn’t really see myself offering up the merits of various dildos while my unborn child kicked me in the ribs.

For now, I’ll have to console myself with the knowledge that I’m totally a certified sex toy goddess. I wonder if I should put that on my resume – would that be under “hobbies”, “certifications” or “job history”?

You know that little joke, "So..." - "Buttons!"? Well, I want to. Sew buttons that is.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:36:00 +0000

I want to sew. I want to feel a smug (yes, I will be smug about it, because I am in no way a "homemaker") sense of satisfaction when I push my chair back and hold up a dress for my daughter, or a blanket for my baby, or a ribbon belt for my jeans, or a purse made from discounted fabrics with just the right amount of pockets. I want it. Badly.

So (buttons!), here's my dilemma: I don't really have any time. Also, I have no idea where to start.

Do you sew? What are your thoughts/advice for beginners? Help a sistah out!

Madeline Alice Spohr

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Oreo Pie: Less a recipe and more a convenient mix of delicious ingredients that happen to form a pie.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:39:00 +0000

I’m not exactly a wiz in the kitchen, but even I have trouble messing up this “recipe.” We made this to bring to my mother’s house for Easter. (Turns out I was also supposed to have an apple pie. I’ll be picking one up on the way there – oops!)

I took pictures ~~because I need proof that I really made the pie~~ ~~because it’s an easy way to beef up this blog post~~ to show you exactly how it’s done.

Ingredients:

Premade graham cracker pie crust, because seriously, you expect me to make my own? You’re hilarious. They’re like a buck fifty at the store. No brainer.
Big package of Oreo (or some such) cookies. My husband likes the mint ones or the double-stuffed. But he has appointed me Chief of Being a Bitchy Nag about his diet, so I got reduced-fat Oreos. Note: still tastes delicious.
Big tub of Cool Whip (or some such) topping. Again, with the whole Chief of Being a Bitchy Nag about hubby’s diet – I got the “Lite” version. I could have gotten fat free, but I was skeptical about whether it would taste OK. Also, I feared rebellion from said husband.

Tools:

A big bowl.
A spoon.
Something to crush the Oreos with (I chose to put the Oreos on the bowl and crush them with a sippy cup, but I have a few anger management issues. They won’t let me have a plastic bag and a hammer.) (Just kidding) (Or am I?) (No, I’m kidding. Really. Don’t run away from me at BlogHer.)
A napkin, to help hide the evidence that you just tasted the Oreo/Cool Whip concoction.

1. Step One: Crush the Cookies

I know it’s hard, but do your best to refrain from eating all of the cookies rightthisverysecond.

2. Step Two: Add the Whipped Topping

See? The lite version. Looks exactly like the regular, but gives me an excuse to eat more pie because it’s lite!

You may or may not need to taste the whipped topping. It depends on whether you want to save your family from potentially poisonous foods. I do, of course, so I always taste the things I bake for them. Several times. It’s about their safety!

3. Step Three: Mix and Mix and Mix

Mixing is hard work. Try to contract out to your kids if possible. Convince them that if they taste this before it’s done they could die.

4. Step Four: Pour/Scrape into Pie Crust

Beware of razor-sharp pie crust tin edges.

Scrape all the pie filling into the pie dish. Taste again, because the crust could also be contaminated. You will have a big tower of deliciousness, as shown above.

Show that filling who’s boss by forcing it to look like a pie. Take a scoop of the filling on your finger and eat it to make an example of what you’ll do if it doesn’t obey.

5. Step Five: Freeze for 4-5 hours or until relatively solid before serving. Keep frozen if you have leftovers (HA!)

Please ignore the fact that I have three containers of ice cream here and two boxes of Eggo waffles. The leftovers you see on the left are stir-fry and lasagna. Delicious, and our first attempts at freezing leftovers to eat later. We’ll see how that goes.

8 is totally one of my favorite numbers.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:03:00 +0000

A favorite new blogger of mine, Hillary of A Beautiful Life, tagged me for this little meme. I’m not usually big on the memes, but her daughter wears the cutest bows! I had to. :)

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1. Losing a few pounds this summer because I am totally going to work out, y’all. Maybe even yoga.
2. First summer with Sweetpea!
3. Boopie’s third birthday! And possibly potty training!
5. A new job ::cross your fingers::!!!!
6. Sleeping in my own bed again. Please God, soon.
7. Moving to a new apartment where the neighbors are possibly not so noisy and there are less annoying bugs sneaking in. It’s early April and we’ve already had several spiders and a cricket.
8. Holidays. I love holidays.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Cried myself to sleep. #maddie.
2. Hugged my babies.
3. Exchanged excellent vocabulary words with coworkers.
4. Wore jeans to work even though it wasn’t casual Friday. A-holes took 20% of my pay. I can’t afford a new post-maternity wardrobe!
5. Forgot to make the beef stew for the third time.
6. Didn’t do laundry, again. Oh well.
7. Fought with my toddler to trim her nails.
8. Sang along to the Backyardigans.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Sleep more.
2. Eat and not gain weight or get a tummy ache.
3. Drink someone, anyone, under the table.
4. Go to Europe.
5. Get all my dental work done, finally, and be done with it.
6. Go to a hotel for the weekend with my hubby.
7. Go on a no holds barred shopping spree.
8. Organize my house.

8 Shows I Watch:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. In Plain Sight
4. Life
5. Hell’s Kitchen
6. Samantha Who?
7. My Boys
8. Saving Grace

Looking for Resources?

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Warning: Shameless self-promotion below. May cause endless web-surfing by way of link jumping.

Take a moment to check out Type-A Mom -- real moms sharing real advice. You'll find advice listed by Mom Types, Mom Age, Mom Topics and Mom Stages. Are you trying to conceive? There is a Type-A Mom editor who writes on that topic every week. Looking for information on Families and Technology? The Family Technology Mom Editor has something to say. Are you a 40-something Mom? A 20-something Mom? There are editors for all age groups. And, of course, you should definitely be checking out my column as Job Working Moms Editor -- I'm regularly posting content on all things work-related (whether it's the work you do at home or the work you do as a full-time employee outside of the home) whether you're looking for Free Online Calendars to help get your life in order, a way to Make the Most of Family Time, or Extend Your Resume with Innovative Websites.

Hope to see you there!

Madeline Alice Spohr: These Words Are Not Enough

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:42:00 +0000

Madeline Alice Spohr

November 11, 2007 - April 7, 2009

I never met Maddie, but I read Mike and Heather's blogs, I read their tweets, and I rejoiced in the antics of this wonderful, beautiful little girl. I watched videos of her, laughed at her photos and I consider myself lucky to have known this much of her.

Maddie was born prematurely and had respiratory issues as a result. Heather and Mike are requesting that, in lieu of sending flowers, that donations be made to the March of Dimes, where they had hoped to march proudly with Maddie on April 25th of this year. I am sure that Maddie will be there in spirit, able to breathe easily and float freely with the help of her angel wings.

Meghan of A Mom Two Boys has set up a page on her blog for Maddie - a place to link your memorial posts, a place to get updates on funeral preparations, a place to make a donation to help with the upcoming costs the Spohrs will face but mostly a place to honor "the dash" -- that time that Maddie spent here on Earth. Please take a moment to visit, possibly to donate but mainly to pay homage to a beautiful, vibrant little girl who now keeps company with angels.

*Photo from Heather's Flickr Stream -- Original

Guest Post: 10 Things "They" Don't Tell you about Parenting

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

This week is a bit of a crazy week. Waiting to hear about a potential job offer, trying to finish up a crap-ton of school work and start a term paper, as well as meeting a good friend for dinner and other various and sundry home and work commitments. And so, when Lauren from Sharing the Journey: Life After Postpartum Depression offered to write a guest post, I jumped on the chance. (Sure, she wasn't actually offering to me, she was trying to find out who had recently been soliciting guest bloggers on Twitter, but still! Guest post! Yay!)

She has written a little piece on things they don't tell you about parenting. I think I would add to this list that you catch projectile vomit whether you wanted to or not. It just happens. I can't even explain how. ::shudder::

I've been hit with a bit of writer's block the past couple of days. Funny thing about parenting and writing though. The kids always inspire at least one or two pieces in short order.

This evening has been fraught with misbehavior, frustration, and a LOT of counting to 10.

Welcome to my top 10 list of things "they" don't tell you about parenting as you sit devouring Petit Fours at your baby shower. Heck, the nurses don't even bother to mention the pit holes awaiting you. I suppose if they did, the human race would have died out long long ago.

There is no importance to the following list.

1) Kids will do strange things with poop. At our house it seems to be a popular painting medium. I'm pretty sure it's been ingested too. Don't really care to know about much else.

2) There is a 100% guarantee that as soon as you get baby strapped into the car seat, baby will have a huge blow out. You'll have to wash the car seat cover, baby, and any clothes involved before you can go anywhere. This is why you plan to leave the house at least 45 minutes before you really should leave.

3) Kids like being licked by dogs. They will encourage this. Some of them will even open their mouth while the dogs are licking them. (editorial note: I have seen this in action. It's gross. I'm sorry, I love my mother's dog, but EW!)

4) Curiosity killed the cat. It's also led your kids to completely destroy your house.

5) Directions Shmirections. Anything and everything you have to say to a toddler will be heard but promptly disregarded. This is where counting to 10 several times comes in.

6) Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

7) Temper Tantrums.

8) Never again will you pee in peace.

9) Are we there yet? Are we there yet? ARE WE THERE YET?

10) MOOOOMMMYYY!!!!! It's MOORRRRRRRRRRNNNIIIIIIINGGG!!!!!! (I no longer need an alarm clock. No. My kids promptly scream at me every morning at 6a on the dot just in case I have missed the buttcrack of dawn yet again)

Nailed it! (I think. I mean, I won't know until I get an offer. If I get an offer. I will. Right?)

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:08:00 +0000

(Photo Credit: Matt Glass, via wsusignpost.com)

So... I think I nailed the job interview. I'm waiting ~~with baited breath~~ ~~breathlessly~~ ~~with white-knuckled anxiety~~ to see if I get an offer sometime early this week.

The interview went really well. From 3:00-6:00pm I managed to not make a total fool of myself. Impressive, I know. And while I didn't wear that t-shirt, I did manage to snag a really nice-looking black suit and (yes, Marinka) white ruffled blouse from NY&Co for only $68 out of pocket after my awesome 30% off coupon and $25 gc. (Any mathematicians out there? What's that retail value?)

See how purty I looked? Ok, I don't have an actual photo. But do your best with your imagination:

Anywho, I think I looked damn good. Perhaps even as good as those models! (Is that crickets I hear?)

Let me tell you a little more about this opportunity, since you obviously want to know. First, the walls are painted in one of three colors -- lime green, tangerine or orange. No lie. Also, the VP of Sales that I spoke with for an hour swore like a sailor and had not one, but two unicycles in his office.

Obviously, it's the best job ever.

Girl Talk Thursday*: Comfort Food

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:48:00 +0000

When I saw that Mommy Melee's Girl Talk Thursday post this week was about comfort food, I knew I had to weigh in. (Haha. Get it? Weigh in? That's OK, I wasn't laughing when I stepped on the scale either.)

She asks - what is your favorite comfort food?

And so, I must answer, as my toddler is wont to do, with another question: Why must I choose just one?

I mean really, there are so many. Chocolate. Ice cream. Lasagna. A big, juicy cheeseburger with mayonnaise and ketchup. McDonald's french fries. My mother's fried chicken. Beef stew. Armenian pizza. Pound cake. Cheesecake. Anything that ends in "cake", really. Let's be honest. Fried clams. For my husband, lobster bisque. Meatloaf.

I love food. If I were a better cook, I'd be in trouble, but as it is I do enough damage with a preheated oven, leftovers and sometimes a microwave. Ok, usually a microwave.

What is your go-to?

Oh, wait. I almost forgot "mac and the cheese" and also, grilled cheese sandwiches. Oh, Mac - can you ever forgive me?

* Fully aware it's not Thursday. Better late than never?

Several hours means a lot of time to put my foot squarely in my mouth. This can't be good!

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:24:00 +0000

Quick update: I have a followup interview with that job opportunity on Friday at 3pm! It should take several hours, they said. I'm meeting with the CEO, VP and Office Manager. Yikes!

I have to get a blazer and maybe a pair of pants... I have to see what fits. Good thing I have a gift card to New York and Company!

Or, I could always get one of these shirts:

Photo Credit

Like a glove!

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:01:00 +0000

If you have a moment to spare, please please please send up a little prayer, wish, sacrifice, whatever - that if the job I interviewed for last night is even remotely feasible according to God's plan for my family, that I get it!

I had an interview last night. I haven't lost my current job, but I'm no fool, and I'm not willing to risk my family's future out of some misplaced sense of loyalty, hope of getting that 20% salary cut back or fear of not finding another job. The interview was great. Honestly, the job description sounds almost as if the hiring manager took a look at my resume and put the description together based on my experience. It's that perfect sounding.

Even better, it's with a small company (yay!) selling a product that ties in closely to social media (yay!) with a good chance for flexible hours (double yay!) and it's close to home and my mother's house. Oh, and did I also mention that it's the same company that Hubby is contracting for, so it's totally freakin' awesome because he has more technical knowledge than I do, so I can fall back on his expertise if I flounder.

Yeah, it's awesome. It would be perfect.

The interview was great, I like the company, the requirements are met... and they've asked me back for another interview, inquired about salary requirements and how much notice I'd need to give at this current job. So, "say a little prayer for me!" (I'm singing that. Just imagine it.)

Are you smarter than a 2 year old?

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hubby: (on laptop, playing classical song) Guess what song this is!
Me: I have no freakin' clue. Seriously.
Hubby: Guess!
Me: Really, I have no idea. (Glancing in his general direction)
Hubby: Don't look! That's cheating!
Me: I wasn't looking! I'm blind!
Boopie: Momma, you aren't blind!
Laughter from the parents.
Me: You're right, baby. I'm not blind.

Stop me if I've told you this one before:

Me: It's time to go home, honey.
Boopie: Go on a bridge?
Me: No, we aren't going on a bridge, we're going home.
Boopie: A bridge?
Me: No, no sweetie. We're going to drive in the car and go home.
Boopie: A bridge!
Me: Ok....
About 20 minutes later, in the car, almost home, to the apartment we've lived in for 8 months already.....
Boopie: Mommy! A bridge! A bridge!
Me: A bridge? What? (looking around, I realize we are in fact on a small bridge where we go over the highway) Oh! Oh my god you are right, a bridge!
Boopie: Yay!

And apparently, I'm not smarter than my two year old.

Bringing in the Reinforcements

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, when Life hits you hard in the gut with a dose of good ole' Sugar Honey Iced Tea, you have to fight back. As you all know (unless you skipped those posts, which was probably a good idea because dang, I'm a real party pooper!), my job is relatively insecure at this point, and I took a significant pay cut. Blech.

So - I brought in the reinforcements! Since a picture says a thousand words, here are a few. I will let the evidence speak for itself (click to enlarge):

I'm totally keeping them there. Although I may have to let the Security Detail go. They haven't stopped anyone from stopping by my cube.

Get Your Party On! Ultimate Blog Party 2009 is Here!

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:22:00 +0000

Welcome, partygoers! Step right in. Oh, watch that pile of laundry. Gah! Careful, I've still got the Valentine's Day paper chain hanging. On yes, and the Christmas Lights. Festive, right? Watch your step, those Polly Pockets can really trip you up. Ok, there we are. The couch. Would you like a drink? A snack? I've got a whole cabinet full of booze I never drink. If you want wine, I'll need to serve it in a water glass, though.... somehow, I've lost all my wine glasses in the move. Cheese doodle, anyone?

This week, I'm participating in the Ultimate Blog Party 2009. I hope that you'll join in. See that gorgeous button on the sidebar? Click on that. You can find everything you need - and links to (at time of this posting) over 1,000 potential new bloggy friends.

If you're new to the site - or if you're a regular and wondering just what on earth iMommy is trying to do here, I'll confess; I'm not quite sure the direction this blog is taking right now. But I'm here for the ride, and I hope you will be too. A good friend of mine just recently commented that my blog is honest - that's why she reads me. So, what am I being honest about?

You'll see me blogging about:

My two beautiful daughters (duh. Mommy blogger.)
Life as a young mom, immersed in technology, part of a generation that defines itself as a "me" and a "now" and a "connected" generation. the iGeneration is the new Rock & Roll, people.
My ~~frustrating~~ darling husband.
Stupid children's shows
My personal experiences with hot wax (down there, people, click at your own risk. No pics, though. Promise!)
Sex toys (No graphic images, but you probably don't want to read that post aloud.)
(Unpaid, infrequent) Reviews on products/services that I enjoy
Anything that comes to mind, that I'm curious about, that I think you would be curious about.
How I look first thing in the morning.
Technology!
My various trials and tribulations.
Poop. I'm so sorry.
Just being a Mom, and what that means to me.
You'll also see me blogging at Type-A Mom on all things related to Job Working mothers.

What don't I post about on iMommy?

Politics, usually.
Fights with my husband, or anyone for that matter. I will, however, Twitter my frustration. :)
Anything hateful.
Detailed information about my work. (Too Googleable) (Yes, that's a word)
Yo' mama.

Take a look at a list of my most popular/best/favorite posts. Don't forget to take a peek around the site; design was by yours truly, and the sidebar features my current favorite blogger and post, as well as the posts from my shared feed on Google Reader. Don't forget my blogroll, and if you want to be added, just email me! While you're at the sidebar (and the navigation bar at the bottom of the page, don't forget about that one!) feel free to subscribe. It can't hurt, right? If you don't find that I fit in with the other blogs in your reader, unsubscribe at any time. Really. While you're there, you can also follow me on Twitter, see my About page, even chat with me on Google Chat.

So poke around, feel free to leave feedback, comment or send me an email. I respond to all (or, as many as I can locate email addresses for) comments/emails/feedback.... I love connecting with you and making friends. Oh, and if you need any help with anything technology-related? I'm your girl.

The Ultimate Blog Party has prizes! Go check them out here. In case I win something (oh please!), I'd honestly be lucky to receive any prize... but the ones that really stood out to me are: any value gift card to Target | $100 Homegoods GC | the Toddler Apron | the Simply Precious Photo Necklace | the Kitchenaide Mixer | Internet password organizer & Mommy Rescue Guide Toddler Meals cookbook | A Block to Grow On (bank) and Handprints Tower of Time |

Oh, the guilt, but Oh! The bliss.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:21:00 +0000

(Gratuitous picture of me After Hubby/Before Kids. It serves no purpose other than to give you something to giggle at, because apparently I am one silly biatch.)

I am at a Barnes & Noble Cafe. I am alone. I am on my laptop. I am blogging, and surfing, and eating a spinach and feta cheese stuffed pretzel and drinking a diet Pepsi and oh, the bliss.

I'm glad I came, got out for a bit. But up until the moment I sat down and actually started writing this, the guilt was practically suffocating me. My toddler is asleep at home, the baby has been a bit fussy, and Hubby is taking care of both of them. This should be no big deal, but it was hard to just let go. Does this happen to you? I know I'm not alone.

So spill it. Do you have trouble leaving your family to go to something totally selfish -- or even to go to the grocery store? I find it's easier if I have a purpose. An errand, or some research, even getting away a bit to complete some homework or work-work.

Hubby's gotten pretty good at helping me out the door, though. For example, today my mission is to get him a magazine and a coffee. And I will. Right after I read all your latest posts.

Wordless Wednesday: Look at these pictures instead of having another baby edition

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:25:00 +0000

A Bunch of Little Updates

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:51:00 +0000

I haven't really updated about life in general here in a while. I have a lot of things floating around in my mind here, too long for Twitter but not a very long blog post either. I think I need to "clean house" before I can get any real posting done, so here goes it:

Sweetpea is sleeping through the night. She has been since she was a few weeks old, and it's amazing. It is my saving grace. It is every prayer answered. It is probably why you now feel a seething hatred for me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry but I wouldn't trade it!
Boopie is sleeping better at night, and naptimes aren't usually a struggle anymore (things were rough there for a while) but the most important news is: POTTY TRAINING! I've refrained from posting about it too much here, but suffice to say we're taking it slowly and casually and so far, we've got 2-3 solid "pee-pee's" in the toilet every day, and getting better each time. Woot!
Both the kids (and Hubby, and I) had colds over the weekend (and today, but it's on it's way out, finally) -- the first weekend that it was over 50 degrees for most of the day. Dang it! We did manage to get out and throw around the football at a local kids park.
I am thrilled for the warmer weather. This winter has been brutal. Between the recession and the snow and the new baby, I am soooo ready for summer. I can't wait to drive with the windows down and not worry about bringing an extra sweater or putting my wet snow boots into the bathtub.
Boopie is going to be three in June and my brain can't process it. At all.
Looks like we're signing another year lease here, so there's a chance we'll be here till next Spring. Then again, if things go well in a few other areas of my (and my immediate family's) life, we won't be here that long and we can get out of this godforsaken state.
I am way behind on blog reading and the guilt that comes from not reading and commenting on everyone's blog has nearly paralyzed me, so I stop reading or mark them to come back and comment later, and that's why you might get a comment on a month-old post from me because I want, want want want to comment and I have something to say and share! but not time to do so.
I am going to be roasting FADKOG soon, and I am excited. And nervous. Mainly excited. :) Thanks, Chag!
Hubby and I started taking some real, definite action with a real, definite plan re: our family budget and finances, and we enrolled in Quicken Online. Love it. It's free. Check it out. My next favorite is Mint.com.
I ended up taking one more shot at online classes and so far, so good. I was late on my second assignment, but it was completed, and my test was on time and a 90%. Let's all cross our fingers that I don't blow it, k? This is my last chance to have full-time student status as the university and stay on track to getting my BA in Education.

Well, thanks for sticking with me. There's more, but I'm exhausted and falling asleep at the keyboard, here.

FAIL.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:20:00 +0000

I'm sorry, guys.

I've been a total loser on Twitter. I'm depressing on this blog. I need to get my crap together.

This recession is getting to me. Add to it crap at my job, struggling to do nightly online classes to get my BA and snow in March? I'm done.

I'll be back with something cheery, promise.

~ iMommy

Recession Sucks.

iMommy@imommyblog.com (iMommy) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:35:00 +0000

I'm done with this whole Recession thing, k? I'm sick of the horrible news. I'm tired of layoffs every damn day. I'm am sick and tired of saying goodbye to my friends at work.

Since December, the company I work for, "L", has laid off nearly 50% of its workforce.

I've still got my job, but I have to wonder how long the company is going to be around for me to have a job! This past Friday, we had another round of layoffs. 15 more people. For a company that had 100 employees at the beginning of December, this is a huge hit for us. These are people who survived the first two rounds of layoffs - we thought there was no way to trim any more "fat" off the labor costs. Now no one feels safe. My boss admitted that he was told he could fire me or my coworker. He chose to lay off my coworker. I'm sure that the fact that he makes nearly twice as much as I do factored in, but he claims that he felt I offered more to the company, that I was more flexible and that I had great growth potential.

That's all great, and it makes me feel a little bitter that I dodged a bullet on Friday. But then I think about that and realize that I dodged a freaking bullet on Friday. Shit. We don't have a three month cushion of savings. We don't have investments we could cash in. We'd be screwed.

I know that if I did get laid off, we would do everything and anything we needed to make ends meet. Retail job I'm not above it. McDonald's? If it means keeping our apartment, then no problem.

What kills me is how sudden it all is. Our HR manager was fired on Friday as well. They had her fire five other people, then told her she was canned, too. They called t he sales director at home and fired him over the phone. They fired half of our two-person, severely understaffed customer service team. The woman they fired is sixty years old, she has no other means of income, she doesn't have a retirement or savings account. I'm praying her children have the means to take good care of her.

I can't stop thinking about how these people, my friends, people who have been a part of my everyday life for nearly three years, are going to survive. It kills me. I want to do something for them, but aside from a well-written recommendation and help sprucing up resumes, I'm at a loss.

There is a grief process associated with this. After news of the layoff spread, coworkers wandered around the office, actually offering condolences to managers who lost critical employees, coworkers who lost friends and partners. It's like they died.

Monday will be difficult. As our HR head said on Friday at the corporate update meeting, we will arrive tomorrow morning not to our jobs - but just as employees of L. Because our job descriptions as they have existed are no longer applicable. At this point, everyone picks up whatever they can handle. At this point, we're all fighting to survive.

I'm sick of this recession, and I'm ready for it all to be done. I'm ready for the Senior Leadership Team at L to turn around and say - nope, all a big, bad joke, your coworkers have their jobs back! Yay!

It won't happen. Tomorrow ill suck. But until then. I've got to get this off my mind, I can't spend another night wondering how nearly fifty people who were good friends of mine, and an integral part of my life, are going to survive.