Ok, so I've broken the spacebar on the keyboard and I have to really really want to put a space in my sentences to actually get one. It's almost cool, because I can take out my frustrations with my thumb. Ok, who am I kidding? It's super annoying. Tomorrow is it! The wait is over! Tomorrow is TWILIGHT NIGHT! One of the other servers came in today and said that Gen X (a cheap clothing store) has red and gold twilight contact lenses! If my eye wasn't a mess (I think I scratched it) I would totally get some gold ones!!!
Tomorrow after work, Rylee's momma is going to get some grandbaby babysitting practice because she is sitting Taylor while we all go out to watch the movie and have dinner and cocktails! I can't wait. We are going to gold class cinemas in redmond (about an hour drive) and they are 21+ and serve drinks to you in the movie at the push of a button! OMG I can't wait.
One more year of youth left for me after that. Saturday I turn the big 2-9. LOL
I can't believe I am a full fledged adult. I don't necessarily feel like it sometimes. I guess we've come a long way, though. Adam and I are married, with a small child. We own two cars and a home, a dog, a cat, and have furnished our lives pretty nicely. I can't say it wasn't without help. Without our amazing families, we'd have nothing but each other and probably the two sofas we bought when we first got married. lol
I can't wait to see what this next year has in store. I am hoping a little less tragedy and a lot more joy and happiness. I am also truly hoping for some romance. When Adam comes home, I am vowing to have some romance. I don't just mean what I am sure everyone thinks I do. I know he's been gone awhile, but that isn't the only thing I think about. lol
Candlelit dinners, him vacuuming naked while feeding me grapes and martinis...those types of things. I just hope for our happiness.
Meanwhile, I've got a few shows to watch and a bag to pack for Miss Taylor to take to Miss Riley's mommy's house.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
18Nov2009 - Day 103
One of my favorite things about being a mommy is watching her discover the world. Every day, as she learns and discovers new things, I am reminded of how much there is for her to learn. I am reminded what it means to truly and thoroughly enjoy a cup of yogurt (sudu) so much that it ends up in your eyebrows, so much that you can't be discouraged from getting the last few bites out of the bottom of the yogurt cup just because you can't reach them with the spoon and take your entire four fingers and scoop them out. I rarely see the pure joy that is on her face when she eats yogurt on her or anyone's face. But, yogurt is her chocolate. Yogurt is her beer after a long day. Yogurt is her absolute favorite thing, ever. Yogurt, or sudu, rather, was the first word out of her mouth when she woke up. It's like she dreampt of it. Yogurt hums to her. I knew we were having yogurt for breakfast because she said it over and over until we came downstairs for breakfast.
She also found the stars for the first time last night. When we got out of the car, she looked up to the star filled (clear?weird!) sky and was mezmerized for a few minutes. It was very cool. Mom told me tonight that one day when I was a little tot, I had a yellow helium balloon and lost it outside. It floated up towards the sky. That night was a full moon, she said and when I saw it I just knew that it was my balloon up there in the sky. In a world where the whole world revolves around this little tiny person, that makes total sense.
As we walked out to the car today, there was a big gnarly caterpillar on the driveway. He was long, and smooth on top; like armor. He had yellow spots on the side and tons of legs. He looked exactly like the furry black and yellow ones I'd seen so often; but was smooth and hairless instead. I stopped and pointed it out to her. We gazed together as he hurried across the cement. I picked him up on the edge of some cardboard to put him in the grass. As I did so, he curled into a ball. I told her that he was scared. We dropped him safely in the grass, watched him uncurl and got into the car. We were both totally satisfied with the encounter until I talked to Dad and Susan today.
Susan said that dad was dying to know if I'd picked it up and put it in her hand. I have to admit that the thought didn't even cross my mind. I would never touch it with my own hands, let alone put it in hers. But, what a great way for her to feel his little soft legs crawling on her palm and tickling her skin. Would she be scared? Would she try to eat him? Would she laugh and giggle? I guess we'll have to wait until dad or Adam is around to actually touch the thing. It was way too big and scary for me. She never did try to touch him. She pointed, and then pointed closer; but never actually touched it. I'm with you kid.
She also found the stars for the first time last night. When we got out of the car, she looked up to the star filled (clear?weird!) sky and was mezmerized for a few minutes. It was very cool. Mom told me tonight that one day when I was a little tot, I had a yellow helium balloon and lost it outside. It floated up towards the sky. That night was a full moon, she said and when I saw it I just knew that it was my balloon up there in the sky. In a world where the whole world revolves around this little tiny person, that makes total sense.
As we walked out to the car today, there was a big gnarly caterpillar on the driveway. He was long, and smooth on top; like armor. He had yellow spots on the side and tons of legs. He looked exactly like the furry black and yellow ones I'd seen so often; but was smooth and hairless instead. I stopped and pointed it out to her. We gazed together as he hurried across the cement. I picked him up on the edge of some cardboard to put him in the grass. As I did so, he curled into a ball. I told her that he was scared. We dropped him safely in the grass, watched him uncurl and got into the car. We were both totally satisfied with the encounter until I talked to Dad and Susan today.
Susan said that dad was dying to know if I'd picked it up and put it in her hand. I have to admit that the thought didn't even cross my mind. I would never touch it with my own hands, let alone put it in hers. But, what a great way for her to feel his little soft legs crawling on her palm and tickling her skin. Would she be scared? Would she try to eat him? Would she laugh and giggle? I guess we'll have to wait until dad or Adam is around to actually touch the thing. It was way too big and scary for me. She never did try to touch him. She pointed, and then pointed closer; but never actually touched it. I'm with you kid.
17Nov2009 - Day 102
Two words: Marzano's Tiramisu.
Thank you, Tina, for having a birthday and giving me an excuse to patronize this wonderful and delicious restaurant. There is no dessert that I enjoy more than Marzano's tiramisu. It's perfect. The fresh chocolate shavings on top, the super thick luscious marscapone, the perfectly soaked ladyfingers. It doesn't get any better. Add a bottle of moscato d'asti, some crab stuffed halibut and I am in heaven.
And I was.
Also, my maxi pad experiment worked perfectly. It took a few rubberbands to hold the panties on; but thanks to the wings and me hurrying to Darina's (where there were diapers), no leaks. I was shocked that it actually worked. Taylor seemed to have no clue and moved about putting my heels on while I got ready, just as she always does. I did give myself a secret, smug pat on the back for that one.
Thank you, Tina, for having a birthday and giving me an excuse to patronize this wonderful and delicious restaurant. There is no dessert that I enjoy more than Marzano's tiramisu. It's perfect. The fresh chocolate shavings on top, the super thick luscious marscapone, the perfectly soaked ladyfingers. It doesn't get any better. Add a bottle of moscato d'asti, some crab stuffed halibut and I am in heaven.
And I was.
Also, my maxi pad experiment worked perfectly. It took a few rubberbands to hold the panties on; but thanks to the wings and me hurrying to Darina's (where there were diapers), no leaks. I was shocked that it actually worked. Taylor seemed to have no clue and moved about putting my heels on while I got ready, just as she always does. I did give myself a secret, smug pat on the back for that one.
16Nov2009 - Day 101
Wow, into the three digit days. I feel like we've overcome the first hurdle. Adam is calling a lot more, and he sounds happier. It truly makes me happier when I hear from him. Even if it's just for five minutes. It's really difficult to admit that, especially because I am in super strong tough girl mommy mode; but I am really a much happier super strong tough girl mommy when daddy calls. Taylor now talks to him a lot, telling him about how she found her "shadow" and "morning" and "hi daddy!" It's adorable; and I know it means a lot to him. I don't know if she'll recognize his face, or scent when he comes home; but I know it will be a matter of minutes or hours before they are both head over heels for each other. Today, the ravens won. A plus. The little gym was great, as it always is. Since Delmo has started working, just Sabrina and I go. It's nice to have girl time. We mused today about how cute Adam will be in the class when he's here with Taylor. There are lots of dads that go, too; so it won't be awkward. I truly enjoy the classes, especially when she brings the skills home. She'll try to do a front roll and bend over and look like she's going to break her neck. I also enjoy when she talks in class. Whenever the instructor says it's time to put things away, and says "All done.", Taylor runs over and starts throwing things into whatever receptacle they belong while screaming "all done! all done! all done!" Sabrina and I joke now that she is the clean up nazi. It's hilarious. I don't usually notice, but Sabrina always points out that the other parents are jealous that Taylor talks so much. She must know fifty words. I'm sure that the entire vocabulary isn't in regular circulation; but they've been said and will be again. Today, she also had her fifteen month shots and check up. Sabrina hadn't seen the shots done before, so it was a touch traumatic for her how they jammed the long needles deep into the muscles of poor Taylor's thighs. She was a trooper, though, and recovered quickly.
Today, also, I set myself up for total failure tomorrow morning. On a given night, I try to get everything set up for the morning. Clothes out for me, coffee set up, outfit picked out for Taylor, diaper bag and purse packed with all adequate supplies. Tonight, however...epic fail.
I came home from the Delmos house, at 9ish, only to realize that I had ONE diaper in the entire house. One. That meant that Taylor had a diaper to sleep in; but that when she wakes up tomorrow and said diaper is full of three pounds of urine....no more diapers. Hmmm. I can't leave and go get some. I can't bundle her up and go. It's after nine and pouring freezing rain.
The wheels started turning and voila!
When I had Taylor, there was a lot of residual bleeding. About six weeks of it. So I had some left over ginormous super duper absorbent (with wings) maxis. My plan is to take a pair of my old panties, attach a pad and rubber band the panties on the sides so that they fit. We'll see if my ingenuity pays off. Honestly, though, I am slightly mortified. What kind of mother runs out of diapers? To this, I say. A real one. An imperfect one. One who can laugh about the fact that she has, once again, forgotten something on the to-do list. I think that's the trick, though. The trick is to laugh. Otherwise, I'd be miserable trying to be super strong tough girl mommy.
Today, also, I set myself up for total failure tomorrow morning. On a given night, I try to get everything set up for the morning. Clothes out for me, coffee set up, outfit picked out for Taylor, diaper bag and purse packed with all adequate supplies. Tonight, however...epic fail.
I came home from the Delmos house, at 9ish, only to realize that I had ONE diaper in the entire house. One. That meant that Taylor had a diaper to sleep in; but that when she wakes up tomorrow and said diaper is full of three pounds of urine....no more diapers. Hmmm. I can't leave and go get some. I can't bundle her up and go. It's after nine and pouring freezing rain.
The wheels started turning and voila!
When I had Taylor, there was a lot of residual bleeding. About six weeks of it. So I had some left over ginormous super duper absorbent (with wings) maxis. My plan is to take a pair of my old panties, attach a pad and rubber band the panties on the sides so that they fit. We'll see if my ingenuity pays off. Honestly, though, I am slightly mortified. What kind of mother runs out of diapers? To this, I say. A real one. An imperfect one. One who can laugh about the fact that she has, once again, forgotten something on the to-do list. I think that's the trick, though. The trick is to laugh. Otherwise, I'd be miserable trying to be super strong tough girl mommy.
15Nov2009 - Day 100
I think it's pretty obvious which days I go back and fill in from my broken and spotty memory; because the blogs are super short and have few details or introspections. I can't remember what day it was that Dana called me; I think it was thursday. But, she'd gotten a really horrible haircut; which I saw from the picture of it that she sent me. It was a mullet. I recommended a salon, and stylist that I had gone to for a long time when I lived in Maryland. I didn't think she would take my advice, because what little sister does? Well, she did! I was shocked and excited and honestly, it made me feel so good that she went there and had a great experience and that they fixed her hair and made her happy. It isn't often that you can help someone and they truly are happy with your help. It isn't even often that people willingly accept help. As a mom whose husband is frequently away, and sometimes for long periods of time; I have learned to ask for help and to accept help when it's offered. I think that I can do it myself, but I really can't. No one can. There has to be some sort of support system. There has to be someone you can call. And thankfully, I have people. It just really made me feel good to be Dana's person when she needed me. It's nice to be able to return the help karma. Off to the Delmos for cocktails and girl talk with Sabrina.
14Nov2009 - Day 99
Officially, it is one week until my 29th birthday. I'm pretty good with turning 29. It seems like my life is flying by, though. I feel like I was 22 just yesterday. I can't say, perhaps due to all the fun I had then, exactly what I was doing; but I am pretty sure it was more recent than seven years ago. Today, after the vet, Taylor and I met Riley at the supermall for a bit of shopping. I used some gift cards, and did some christmas browsing. I did buy a few sweaters and shirts; because my cold weather wardrobe definitely leaves something to be desired. I do have a love for the gap, and banana republic, too. Tomorrow will be a clean and relax day. Today was supposed to be, but alas, I am weak and I shopped.
13Nov2009- Day 98
Ah, Friday. Now that I am working only four days a week, Friday seems to come at the perfect time. It's a welcome surprise end to the workweek. It even seems to sneak up on me sometimes. I find myself saying, "friday, already?" But it isn't a dissapointing revelation. Au contraire! It's sheer joy! Today, I also tried to put what I was going to cook for dinner on the calendar. But, today I didn't want buffalo chicken sandwiches. Today, I wanted chicken piccata. So much for my attempt at better organization. Tomorrow, I have to be at the vet in puyallup, half hour away, at 10:20 in the morning to spend $125 on the cat. Oh, joy. The next week is going to be hectic. And then, thanksgiving week will be even worse!
12Nov2009 - Day 97
Thursday, a day like any other. Starting to worry about thanksgiving, and trying to make plans to get everything set up for it. Simba needs $125 worth of shots in order to be ready for boarding; which costs $150 for the time that we're gone. Ugh. At least he will be updated on vaccines for the next year and I'll have that peace of mind. I am,admittedly, not good at keeping up on these types of things. It, for some reason is daunting to me. A to-do list has these strange ominous undertones. Almost as if it says to me, "if you don't get me done, you FAIL!" (Imagine a big scary echoing voice). I do my best, but sometimes the natural procrastinator in me, the naturally lazy person takes over. Sometimes, I fail to finish my list. But, alas, tomorrow is another chance.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
11Nov2009 - Day 96
Veteran's Day! Today, Darina was closed, so I got up feeling like myself again and got ready to take Taylor over to the Delmos. Sabrina is off on Wednesday, and Delmo was off for the holiday. Today, a lot of restaurants, Famous Dave's, Applebee's and of course, BJ's are doing a promo for vets or people with military ID. Free meal, with ID. Ours was to select anything from our lunch special menu. I knew, even before this promo was announced only yesterday, that we'd be busy; because we are always busy on holidays and anytime the bases are closed. I was prepared.
We were butt kicking busy, and the managers and cocktail servers were phenomenal with their help when I needed it. I made great money, enjoyed my guests and didn't have too many snafus.
I went to go get Taylor, and the Delmos were in Puyallup, so I met them at the Applebee's there. We were going to have dinner until we saw the ridiculous wait in the lobby and outside the restaurant. Someone said the wait for their party of 3 was an hour, so we decided to go inside the mall to the food court. I got a quizno's sub and a hot dog for Taylor. She was more interested in running around after eating very little, but we still had fun.
She had a good day with Aunt Sabrina and del mo mo (as she calls him). Usually, just mo mo. She still isn't sure she can say Sabrina, so she declines politely and refers to the pair of them as mo mo. She'll get it, and I think she's close when she sometimes calls her na na. Afterwards, I thought it best to drive home to rescue Sadie and Simba from their prisons, then to go to Macy's to look at boots with Sabrina. I knew if I went, I would want to try on, and then want to buy; but can't buy...plus, the animals.
It's nice to be home and relax a bit, after an extremely hectic few days. With big travelling coming up for Thanksgiving, these few days of quiet time at home will be truly cherished.
We were butt kicking busy, and the managers and cocktail servers were phenomenal with their help when I needed it. I made great money, enjoyed my guests and didn't have too many snafus.
I went to go get Taylor, and the Delmos were in Puyallup, so I met them at the Applebee's there. We were going to have dinner until we saw the ridiculous wait in the lobby and outside the restaurant. Someone said the wait for their party of 3 was an hour, so we decided to go inside the mall to the food court. I got a quizno's sub and a hot dog for Taylor. She was more interested in running around after eating very little, but we still had fun.
She had a good day with Aunt Sabrina and del mo mo (as she calls him). Usually, just mo mo. She still isn't sure she can say Sabrina, so she declines politely and refers to the pair of them as mo mo. She'll get it, and I think she's close when she sometimes calls her na na. Afterwards, I thought it best to drive home to rescue Sadie and Simba from their prisons, then to go to Macy's to look at boots with Sabrina. I knew if I went, I would want to try on, and then want to buy; but can't buy...plus, the animals.
It's nice to be home and relax a bit, after an extremely hectic few days. With big travelling coming up for Thanksgiving, these few days of quiet time at home will be truly cherished.
10Nov2009 - Day 95
The next morning's alarm arrived all too soon. I was jarred awake by my cell phone alarm, which is entirely too annoying. It woke Taylor up, too, and Sadie and any hope of a snooze was all but gone. My head was pounding almost as loud as the alarm, my eyes sealed shut by last night's mascara, and my mouth and throat beyond dry. I sat up, and tried to get the day started; my head pulsed so badly - I swear it was visible from the outside.
Awash in shame over my tequila decision, I changed one of the grossest poopy diapers ever dressed an always chipper and excited Taylor, and proceeded to the bathroom to unglue my eyes and brush the sweaters off of my teeth. Having to stop several times, and sit down from nausea and exhaustion; we finally made it downstairs.
I didn't brush my hair, just threw it in a ponytail while I washed my face; and there it remained. I did manage to get a bit of makeup on. We proceeded outside, in the freezing cold, to the car to go to Miss Darina's. I dropped Taylor off, and spent the drive to work trying not to fall asleep. It was a nightmare. I was so mad at myself. Mother's don't do this. Not good, responsible ones, anyway. Was I a bad mommy? Did I not deserve my beautiful angel baby? I hate beer/tequila hangovers. They're always the depressing ones.
I arrived to work an hour early. I'd left early because I didn't know how long it would take me to drive from the Delmos to Darinas to work. I immediately parked, turned up the heat, locked the doors, reset my alarm, reclined the seat and I was out. Forty five minutes later, Amelia was knocking on my passenger window dangling the camera I'd left at her house on Halloween. If ever something intangible like time could be magic, it was today. Those forty five minutes were magic. I felt so much better, and could at least keep my eyes open. I did have sleep lines on my face, but those would fade before I had to face the beer and tequila awaiting public.
I felt like kind of a hot mess, but my hair didn't look as bad as I thought; it was actually pretty good. I did have a brush in my purse, just in case. Thank goodness I'd napped, because it was busy today. And of course, there were tequila shots ordered. I managed to sufficiently hide my urge to wretch at the smell of it, and made it through the day relatively unscathed.
Sabrina had picked up Taylor, because Darina had a parent teacher conference for her daughter at two. I picked up Delmo at the fairgrounds in Puyallup, stopped at Walmart so he could run in and by Up on DVD and then we went to their house. He'd bought Sabrina and I flowers, and they were beautiful. I brought them home and they're on the counter in a vase. It was really sweet of him.
We had dinner there- homemade parmesan crusted chicken and spaghetti bolognese. Feeding my hangover was wonderful, and we slowly packed up and got ready to come home. Back home, there was a sense of relief that the hectic, horrid hangover day was over. I could not wait to crawl into bed. As soon as Taylor was safely in her crib, and things were prepared for the next morning, crawl into bed is exactly what I did.
Awash in shame over my tequila decision, I changed one of the grossest poopy diapers ever dressed an always chipper and excited Taylor, and proceeded to the bathroom to unglue my eyes and brush the sweaters off of my teeth. Having to stop several times, and sit down from nausea and exhaustion; we finally made it downstairs.
I didn't brush my hair, just threw it in a ponytail while I washed my face; and there it remained. I did manage to get a bit of makeup on. We proceeded outside, in the freezing cold, to the car to go to Miss Darina's. I dropped Taylor off, and spent the drive to work trying not to fall asleep. It was a nightmare. I was so mad at myself. Mother's don't do this. Not good, responsible ones, anyway. Was I a bad mommy? Did I not deserve my beautiful angel baby? I hate beer/tequila hangovers. They're always the depressing ones.
I arrived to work an hour early. I'd left early because I didn't know how long it would take me to drive from the Delmos to Darinas to work. I immediately parked, turned up the heat, locked the doors, reset my alarm, reclined the seat and I was out. Forty five minutes later, Amelia was knocking on my passenger window dangling the camera I'd left at her house on Halloween. If ever something intangible like time could be magic, it was today. Those forty five minutes were magic. I felt so much better, and could at least keep my eyes open. I did have sleep lines on my face, but those would fade before I had to face the beer and tequila awaiting public.
I felt like kind of a hot mess, but my hair didn't look as bad as I thought; it was actually pretty good. I did have a brush in my purse, just in case. Thank goodness I'd napped, because it was busy today. And of course, there were tequila shots ordered. I managed to sufficiently hide my urge to wretch at the smell of it, and made it through the day relatively unscathed.
Sabrina had picked up Taylor, because Darina had a parent teacher conference for her daughter at two. I picked up Delmo at the fairgrounds in Puyallup, stopped at Walmart so he could run in and by Up on DVD and then we went to their house. He'd bought Sabrina and I flowers, and they were beautiful. I brought them home and they're on the counter in a vase. It was really sweet of him.
We had dinner there- homemade parmesan crusted chicken and spaghetti bolognese. Feeding my hangover was wonderful, and we slowly packed up and got ready to come home. Back home, there was a sense of relief that the hectic, horrid hangover day was over. I could not wait to crawl into bed. As soon as Taylor was safely in her crib, and things were prepared for the next morning, crawl into bed is exactly what I did.
9Nov2009 - Day 94
Monday, busy Monday.
Woke up, at home, got Taylor, myself and Sadie together and in the car to go to the little gym. Drove to Sabrina's, picked up Sabrina, dropped off Sadie, went to the little gym class where Taylor asserted her independence by pretty much doing her own thing and exploring the gym all class long (except when the balls and bubbles came out, of course), left the little gym, went to Sabrina's, picked up all three dogs...(insert sound of wheels screeching to a halt here)
yes. all. 3. dogs. We got Scruffy, the little miniature one; Dash, the ridiculously large choco lab (with a tongue that doesn't quit kissing everyone in sight. all the time. he can get Taylor's whole head in one swipe. It's super gross.), and Sadie, the medium sized one that can't sit still to save her life. Oh, plus, Taylor in her giant carseat in the middle of the backseat, and Sabrina and I in the front. It was quite a sight. We laughed, a lot during that ride. It was musical dogs, and kisses and yelling and protecting the chips that Taylor had in her hand from being taken. We stopped for coffee for Sabrina and the coffee shack girl gave all the dogs treats. I think I could see her trying not to laugh at the debacle in my car. I'm sure we were a story for the rest of the day after we left.
We went to base, to the hospital for Taylor's follow up doctor's appointment. Sabrina dropped Taylor and I at the door, so we didn't run late; and parked the car and walked Dash. (He has a bladder like an eighty year old man.) She joined us in the waiting room, with another funny story. As she opened the door, in the very busy parking lot, Dash came bounding out of the car and into one of the islands full of vegetation and ivy. He ran back and forth through it all, in the rain, to the point where the cars stopped around it because they thought he'd run into them. Poor Sabrina had to chase him. The doctor's appointment went well.
The doctor said that the pink eye was most likely viral, which is more common than bacterial. She said that was also probably why it came back. She said that it will just have to run its course, really. The body will fight it off, with the help of the goo. ugh. Not exactly music to my ears. More goopy eye boogers, Great.
We left and took Taylor to Darina's, chatting with her for a bit because I had to fill out some paperwork. Afterwards, in the dreary, not exactly raining but bitter cold and windy weather, Sabrina and I walked the airfield. That means, we took all three of our crazy dogs on a paved path that is 4.3 miles around a giant airfield on base. The rain held off until the last 1/3 of our walk; and then the wind drove sharp drops of liquid ice into our faces and hair. It was frigid for about thirty minutes. Two hours it took us to walk, and then we left to pick Taylor up again because the Delmos were watching her while I went to the beer dinner at work tonight.
We got Taylor, and were off back to the Delmos. I dropped the crew off, and it was 4:30 so I had to leave quickly to go home and get ready for the dinner before I hit crazy traffic. Simba greeted me happily, as I let him out of his bathroom prison. I got ready excitedly. I love beer dinner night.
It's a great time with girls from work, and we get to sit and have beer and be served an awesome dinner and just enjoy ourselves. I love it, and it's always fun. I must say, I looked pretty good and made it to the restaurant just early enough to chat up the regulars at the bar that I recognized. The dinner went great. At our table were Alicia, myself, Caitlin, Chassey, Shelby, Drew and her boyfriend and....drumroll, please...Andy, our new GM. I must admit that I was a little nervous when he sat down. His presence meant that we had to be careful about what we said, and we didn't know him too well and so that was a touch new and awkward. Quickly, though, my apprehension faded and he reminded me of other people I had met in Colorado (where he is from). He seems like a truly nice guy, and was easy to talk to and seemed to enjoy hanging with us. We didn't probably get as unruly as we would have, as the beer flowed; but we had a great time.
Afterwards, we sat in the cocktail area and finished our beer and then I went to the Delmos for the night. I got there, and Delmo was in bed (as is the new routine, with his new job and getting up early) and so Sabrina and I proceeded to dive headfirst, without any sort of lifevest into the tequila bottle. Now, anyone that knows me, knows I hate tequila. We are not and have never been friends. This night, or the next morning rather; was no exception.
I proceeded to drink...way...too much. I am sure there were emotional moments with me hugging her and telling her what an amazing friend she is, some tears about god knows what. The night ended as many shot-for-shot-with-Sabrina nights do - with her helping me get undressed and into bed. It's really quite embarrassing how many times this woman has undressed me for bed. (insert comment from adam with regards to trying to get us to kiss.)(sorry, baby, no such luck.)lol
Woke up, at home, got Taylor, myself and Sadie together and in the car to go to the little gym. Drove to Sabrina's, picked up Sabrina, dropped off Sadie, went to the little gym class where Taylor asserted her independence by pretty much doing her own thing and exploring the gym all class long (except when the balls and bubbles came out, of course), left the little gym, went to Sabrina's, picked up all three dogs...(insert sound of wheels screeching to a halt here)
yes. all. 3. dogs. We got Scruffy, the little miniature one; Dash, the ridiculously large choco lab (with a tongue that doesn't quit kissing everyone in sight. all the time. he can get Taylor's whole head in one swipe. It's super gross.), and Sadie, the medium sized one that can't sit still to save her life. Oh, plus, Taylor in her giant carseat in the middle of the backseat, and Sabrina and I in the front. It was quite a sight. We laughed, a lot during that ride. It was musical dogs, and kisses and yelling and protecting the chips that Taylor had in her hand from being taken. We stopped for coffee for Sabrina and the coffee shack girl gave all the dogs treats. I think I could see her trying not to laugh at the debacle in my car. I'm sure we were a story for the rest of the day after we left.
We went to base, to the hospital for Taylor's follow up doctor's appointment. Sabrina dropped Taylor and I at the door, so we didn't run late; and parked the car and walked Dash. (He has a bladder like an eighty year old man.) She joined us in the waiting room, with another funny story. As she opened the door, in the very busy parking lot, Dash came bounding out of the car and into one of the islands full of vegetation and ivy. He ran back and forth through it all, in the rain, to the point where the cars stopped around it because they thought he'd run into them. Poor Sabrina had to chase him. The doctor's appointment went well.
The doctor said that the pink eye was most likely viral, which is more common than bacterial. She said that was also probably why it came back. She said that it will just have to run its course, really. The body will fight it off, with the help of the goo. ugh. Not exactly music to my ears. More goopy eye boogers, Great.
We left and took Taylor to Darina's, chatting with her for a bit because I had to fill out some paperwork. Afterwards, in the dreary, not exactly raining but bitter cold and windy weather, Sabrina and I walked the airfield. That means, we took all three of our crazy dogs on a paved path that is 4.3 miles around a giant airfield on base. The rain held off until the last 1/3 of our walk; and then the wind drove sharp drops of liquid ice into our faces and hair. It was frigid for about thirty minutes. Two hours it took us to walk, and then we left to pick Taylor up again because the Delmos were watching her while I went to the beer dinner at work tonight.
We got Taylor, and were off back to the Delmos. I dropped the crew off, and it was 4:30 so I had to leave quickly to go home and get ready for the dinner before I hit crazy traffic. Simba greeted me happily, as I let him out of his bathroom prison. I got ready excitedly. I love beer dinner night.
It's a great time with girls from work, and we get to sit and have beer and be served an awesome dinner and just enjoy ourselves. I love it, and it's always fun. I must say, I looked pretty good and made it to the restaurant just early enough to chat up the regulars at the bar that I recognized. The dinner went great. At our table were Alicia, myself, Caitlin, Chassey, Shelby, Drew and her boyfriend and....drumroll, please...Andy, our new GM. I must admit that I was a little nervous when he sat down. His presence meant that we had to be careful about what we said, and we didn't know him too well and so that was a touch new and awkward. Quickly, though, my apprehension faded and he reminded me of other people I had met in Colorado (where he is from). He seems like a truly nice guy, and was easy to talk to and seemed to enjoy hanging with us. We didn't probably get as unruly as we would have, as the beer flowed; but we had a great time.
Afterwards, we sat in the cocktail area and finished our beer and then I went to the Delmos for the night. I got there, and Delmo was in bed (as is the new routine, with his new job and getting up early) and so Sabrina and I proceeded to dive headfirst, without any sort of lifevest into the tequila bottle. Now, anyone that knows me, knows I hate tequila. We are not and have never been friends. This night, or the next morning rather; was no exception.
I proceeded to drink...way...too much. I am sure there were emotional moments with me hugging her and telling her what an amazing friend she is, some tears about god knows what. The night ended as many shot-for-shot-with-Sabrina nights do - with her helping me get undressed and into bed. It's really quite embarrassing how many times this woman has undressed me for bed. (insert comment from adam with regards to trying to get us to kiss.)(sorry, baby, no such luck.)lol
Sunday, November 8, 2009
8Nov2009 - Day 93
Ah, lazy Sunday. Adam must've watched the Ravens game today, because we lost. We always lose when he watches. lol. Hung around the house with Taylor, mostly because of her pink eye. Partially, I didn't feel social, at all. I didn't want to call anyone, go anywhere, have to make polite conversation with anyone. I just wanted reese's peanut butter cups for breakfast, and comfy pants and the couch today.
Poor Taylor, today. I must've been boring. Tomorrow a very hectic week begins, so perhaps I am saving up my energy stores. I must be, because I had no energy or motivation today! We have the Little Gym tomorrow, a follow up doctor's appointment, then Taylor goes to Darina's and Sabrina and I and the gaggle of three dogs are going to walk the airfield on base. Then back to Darina's to get Taylor and drop the whole lot at the Delmos. Then home to change and get ready for the beer dinner at work. Then to the Delmos for the night. Tuesday, I take Taylor to Darina's on the way to work. Sabrina will pick her up at 2 and take her to her house because Darina has an appointment for her daughter. Then I will pick Delmo up from the fairgrounds after I am off of work, and we will have dinner and the Delmos house. After dinner, we'll come home for the night; but I'll take Taylor to the Delmos on Wednesday because it's Veteran's Day and Darina is closed on federal holidays. sigh.
Busy, hectic week! After that, back to normal, I think. At least for a week and a half. After thanksgiving, I am doing no more travelling until Adam is home from Iraq for good. I love travelling and the family, but I really want to work and work on saving money. It will help me feel less stressed. Speaking of less stressed, going to bed early will also help. Goodnight!
Poor Taylor, today. I must've been boring. Tomorrow a very hectic week begins, so perhaps I am saving up my energy stores. I must be, because I had no energy or motivation today! We have the Little Gym tomorrow, a follow up doctor's appointment, then Taylor goes to Darina's and Sabrina and I and the gaggle of three dogs are going to walk the airfield on base. Then back to Darina's to get Taylor and drop the whole lot at the Delmos. Then home to change and get ready for the beer dinner at work. Then to the Delmos for the night. Tuesday, I take Taylor to Darina's on the way to work. Sabrina will pick her up at 2 and take her to her house because Darina has an appointment for her daughter. Then I will pick Delmo up from the fairgrounds after I am off of work, and we will have dinner and the Delmos house. After dinner, we'll come home for the night; but I'll take Taylor to the Delmos on Wednesday because it's Veteran's Day and Darina is closed on federal holidays. sigh.
Busy, hectic week! After that, back to normal, I think. At least for a week and a half. After thanksgiving, I am doing no more travelling until Adam is home from Iraq for good. I love travelling and the family, but I really want to work and work on saving money. It will help me feel less stressed. Speaking of less stressed, going to bed early will also help. Goodnight!
7Nov2009 - Day 92
And so, as I picked up a sleeping Wubba Mayter last night from Darina's I noticed that the pink eye had returned to rear it's ugly puss in full force in both eyes. Sigh. So tired of the pink eye. Spent today in the house, attempting to keep her hands out of her eyes, the ointment in her eyes, and her hands washed whenever I saw the hands in the eyes.
One super cute thing did happen tonight, though. We were in full-on chill out mode on the sofa (or at least I was) and she was busy playing around. She walked over to the wall in front of the couch when she glimpsed it. It followed her everywhere she went, it moved when she did, it was super scary and made her run away to the couch and climb into my lap and refuse to return to the wall. It was her shadow. For awhile, before the fear set in, during the discovery phase, she was enamored with it; playing and moving her limbs. It was really cute to watch. But, she'd decided that she didn't like being followed and copied, I suppose.
I'm tired of not being able to talk with Adam regularly. It's getting ridiculous. The last few times we have talked, we've bickered. Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in his head. He says he doesn't need Chantix to quit, but that he could borrow some of someone else's. Why take someone else's prescription medication? I don't even want to continue on my exasperation. I don't have the time or emotional energy to try to explain to a grown man why this is wrong. In the perpetual mental state of stress that I'm in, I really don't have any patience, either. If he wants to do that, it's his business and his decision. I just don't think it's a good one. How do you explain to a child that it's ok to take some medicine that isn't yours, but not others? You don't. And I fully believe that in order to instill certain values and integrity in her, I have to live those things. I think that perhaps, given the situation he is in, and lack of contact with her, he doesn't think of those things. I understand this, though. But, perhaps, he should try to look at things from that perspective.
Every day, I am asking myself what kind of mother I want to be. Every little decision I make determines that in little tiny ways. Do I pick up more shifts to make money for christmas presents, but spend less time with her? Do I do the dishes right away before watching television? Do I eat my vegetables? Do I keep my word when I tell someone I'll do something, no matter what it is? Do I treat other people with respect, even those that test my patience? Do I talk with my mouth full? Everything I do is under scrutiny, by myself. I'm not dissatisfied with who I am as a mother, because of this fact. I know there are some things I definitely need to work on, ehem, vegetables. But, sometimes I wonder if fathers have this self-examination mechanism built in that mothers do. I'm sure they do, but about different things. Big picture things, maybe. I don't know if Adam does. I don't know if he thinks of these things, at all. I wish I did. I wish we talked more, so I could ask him. I think this is definitely tough, will be tough on us. Are these the types of negotiations we'll have to learn to make as parents that parent together once he's home again? Will his values coincide with mine? What if, like with cleaning, my standards (or his) are higher than the other person's? Whose, then, would we hold her accountable to? I guess we'd both have to discuss it. I know there are some things that I am unwilling to compromise on. Should I? Should I compromise a value I want her to have, or an ethic, or a standard I want her to uphold because his are not the same? What does all of this really mean for her? How will all of this affect her? Will she be ok?
One super cute thing did happen tonight, though. We were in full-on chill out mode on the sofa (or at least I was) and she was busy playing around. She walked over to the wall in front of the couch when she glimpsed it. It followed her everywhere she went, it moved when she did, it was super scary and made her run away to the couch and climb into my lap and refuse to return to the wall. It was her shadow. For awhile, before the fear set in, during the discovery phase, she was enamored with it; playing and moving her limbs. It was really cute to watch. But, she'd decided that she didn't like being followed and copied, I suppose.
I'm tired of not being able to talk with Adam regularly. It's getting ridiculous. The last few times we have talked, we've bickered. Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in his head. He says he doesn't need Chantix to quit, but that he could borrow some of someone else's. Why take someone else's prescription medication? I don't even want to continue on my exasperation. I don't have the time or emotional energy to try to explain to a grown man why this is wrong. In the perpetual mental state of stress that I'm in, I really don't have any patience, either. If he wants to do that, it's his business and his decision. I just don't think it's a good one. How do you explain to a child that it's ok to take some medicine that isn't yours, but not others? You don't. And I fully believe that in order to instill certain values and integrity in her, I have to live those things. I think that perhaps, given the situation he is in, and lack of contact with her, he doesn't think of those things. I understand this, though. But, perhaps, he should try to look at things from that perspective.
Every day, I am asking myself what kind of mother I want to be. Every little decision I make determines that in little tiny ways. Do I pick up more shifts to make money for christmas presents, but spend less time with her? Do I do the dishes right away before watching television? Do I eat my vegetables? Do I keep my word when I tell someone I'll do something, no matter what it is? Do I treat other people with respect, even those that test my patience? Do I talk with my mouth full? Everything I do is under scrutiny, by myself. I'm not dissatisfied with who I am as a mother, because of this fact. I know there are some things I definitely need to work on, ehem, vegetables. But, sometimes I wonder if fathers have this self-examination mechanism built in that mothers do. I'm sure they do, but about different things. Big picture things, maybe. I don't know if Adam does. I don't know if he thinks of these things, at all. I wish I did. I wish we talked more, so I could ask him. I think this is definitely tough, will be tough on us. Are these the types of negotiations we'll have to learn to make as parents that parent together once he's home again? Will his values coincide with mine? What if, like with cleaning, my standards (or his) are higher than the other person's? Whose, then, would we hold her accountable to? I guess we'd both have to discuss it. I know there are some things that I am unwilling to compromise on. Should I? Should I compromise a value I want her to have, or an ethic, or a standard I want her to uphold because his are not the same? What does all of this really mean for her? How will all of this affect her? Will she be ok?
6Nov2009 - Day 91
My first double at work. The day shift was great, the usual. Made a good amount of money. Night time was....not what I expected. It was great having a girls night behind the bar with Caitlin and Shelby; but it didn't turn out how I expected it to. It wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be. Mostly, it was the guests. They weren't very nice, and pretty much camped out not ordering much or they would order and go to a table and want to transfer. A bunch of work making drinks for nothing! There were also the other guys who'd come and sit at the bar, order a beer and leave a quarter; or nothing. It was appalling. I seriously didn't enjoy it. There were no regulars, and the service expectation was totally different than what I was used to. I made pretty good money, but it really could have been more. Oh, well. I'll stick to my days and work on building up the regulars more.
All in all, exhausted, but glad to be able to work the shift so that I didn't lose out too much on money being off for two days with Taylor.
All in all, exhausted, but glad to be able to work the shift so that I didn't lose out too much on money being off for two days with Taylor.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
5Nov2009 - Day 90
Why, it seems, when crazy things happen, are these the days that I don't talk to Adam. Not that I'm mad, but he calls more frequently when I have very little exciting to tell him. The poor daddy has no idea about Taylor's eye.
Well, she isn't exactly in incapable hands. He needn't worry anyway. lol
Today, I ran out of things to do while she napped. Her eye was a ton better, both of them actually. Boredom, and the desire to go back to work set in. I agreed to drive Sabrina to work, which was exciting because it's rare that they need favors, and frequent that I do. While driving her, I saw a sign on a school that said that November 11 was Veteran's Day, so Darina will be closed next Wednesday. Damn it. Sabrina said that she'd watch Taylor, and Delmo happened to be off too, so he'll be excited. Judging by his sentimental "poor taylor" texts and things, I think he misses her anyway.
A relatively unproductive and uneventful day, I am just glad that her eyes are better and she can go back to daycare tomorrow. I will be working a double, and working with Caitlin and Shelby. Yay girls night! I'm excited that neither of the boys will be there to heckle me, because I know they would. Caitlin also said that even though I am picking up the 2nd off shift, I could be first off. I don't know if I'll take her up on the offer or not. I'm paying for nightcare no matter if I come home at 9 or 10 or 11; and an hour isn't a big difference. I guess it just depends on exactly how tired I am from my first double since before I got pregnant with Taylor.
And now for Thursday night television....my favorite day. CSI, Grey's, Real Housewives...
Well, she isn't exactly in incapable hands. He needn't worry anyway. lol
Today, I ran out of things to do while she napped. Her eye was a ton better, both of them actually. Boredom, and the desire to go back to work set in. I agreed to drive Sabrina to work, which was exciting because it's rare that they need favors, and frequent that I do. While driving her, I saw a sign on a school that said that November 11 was Veteran's Day, so Darina will be closed next Wednesday. Damn it. Sabrina said that she'd watch Taylor, and Delmo happened to be off too, so he'll be excited. Judging by his sentimental "poor taylor" texts and things, I think he misses her anyway.
A relatively unproductive and uneventful day, I am just glad that her eyes are better and she can go back to daycare tomorrow. I will be working a double, and working with Caitlin and Shelby. Yay girls night! I'm excited that neither of the boys will be there to heckle me, because I know they would. Caitlin also said that even though I am picking up the 2nd off shift, I could be first off. I don't know if I'll take her up on the offer or not. I'm paying for nightcare no matter if I come home at 9 or 10 or 11; and an hour isn't a big difference. I guess it just depends on exactly how tired I am from my first double since before I got pregnant with Taylor.
And now for Thursday night television....my favorite day. CSI, Grey's, Real Housewives...
4Nov2009 - Day 89
While, yes, I was truly dissapointed about not being able to work; I did accept it for what it was and move on. I proceeded to try to enjoy my day off with Taylor. Caitlin covered my shift, so I was confident that everything was alright at work.
When Taylor woke up, her eye was swollen and glued shut. She looked absolutely awful. But, she had no clue. She was happy, her usual self. I grabbed a warm washcloth and applied it, with much resistance. It seemed to unglue the eye enough for it to open as wide as the swelling would allow; which wasn't very far. We changed the diaper, and went through our usual routine. I'd applied more gook to her eye; sort of. I worried all day about how much was actually getting into the eye. She seemed still in pain, so it was tough to get her to allow me to do it.
We lazed about for most of the morning, and I enjoyed some internet surfing. I quickly ran out of things to surf about, and prepared dinner in the slow cooker. Nichol and I were supposed to get together for dinner, but given the current situation, I didn't want to take Taylor out in public. I know it's shallow, and horrible; but I was as much worried about the silent judging at the sight of her swollen eye (looking like she was abused) as I was the contagiousness of the condition. I did have to run to Safeway to get sour cream for the stroganoff, so we did do that. By then, the swelling had subsided quite a bit; but the eye socket was still quite red. Almost as if it was some weird grocery store curse, I noticed a bit of gook in the other eye while we were in Safeway. I sighed. I guess I wasn't going back to work tomorrow. At home, I applied the medicine gook to both eyes, and hoped that catching it and treating it before it became horrible like the other eye would help. I'm no doctor, but I am convinced that she got something in the first eye, and that the condition was a result of that and then spread to the other eye and that was why (plus the lack of multiple eye washings and quick treatment) it wasn't as severe.
Nichol came, and dinner was great. Taylor still looked pretty bad, but she was feeling better. After she went to bed, Nichol and I proceeded to the couch with our wine glasses and the bottle of pinot grigio for refills. We talked for awhile, and she told me all about her Napa Valley trip; which sounded absolutely wonderful. During all of this, I tried to cover my shift. Dom ended up doing it, but I agreed that I would work his (gulp) Friday night if Darina would agree to sit Taylor. This way he wouldn't end up in overtime. Part of me scared (I've never worked a night shift), and part of me excited I went to bed shortly after Nichol left.
When Taylor woke up, her eye was swollen and glued shut. She looked absolutely awful. But, she had no clue. She was happy, her usual self. I grabbed a warm washcloth and applied it, with much resistance. It seemed to unglue the eye enough for it to open as wide as the swelling would allow; which wasn't very far. We changed the diaper, and went through our usual routine. I'd applied more gook to her eye; sort of. I worried all day about how much was actually getting into the eye. She seemed still in pain, so it was tough to get her to allow me to do it.
We lazed about for most of the morning, and I enjoyed some internet surfing. I quickly ran out of things to surf about, and prepared dinner in the slow cooker. Nichol and I were supposed to get together for dinner, but given the current situation, I didn't want to take Taylor out in public. I know it's shallow, and horrible; but I was as much worried about the silent judging at the sight of her swollen eye (looking like she was abused) as I was the contagiousness of the condition. I did have to run to Safeway to get sour cream for the stroganoff, so we did do that. By then, the swelling had subsided quite a bit; but the eye socket was still quite red. Almost as if it was some weird grocery store curse, I noticed a bit of gook in the other eye while we were in Safeway. I sighed. I guess I wasn't going back to work tomorrow. At home, I applied the medicine gook to both eyes, and hoped that catching it and treating it before it became horrible like the other eye would help. I'm no doctor, but I am convinced that she got something in the first eye, and that the condition was a result of that and then spread to the other eye and that was why (plus the lack of multiple eye washings and quick treatment) it wasn't as severe.
Nichol came, and dinner was great. Taylor still looked pretty bad, but she was feeling better. After she went to bed, Nichol and I proceeded to the couch with our wine glasses and the bottle of pinot grigio for refills. We talked for awhile, and she told me all about her Napa Valley trip; which sounded absolutely wonderful. During all of this, I tried to cover my shift. Dom ended up doing it, but I agreed that I would work his (gulp) Friday night if Darina would agree to sit Taylor. This way he wouldn't end up in overtime. Part of me scared (I've never worked a night shift), and part of me excited I went to bed shortly after Nichol left.
3Nov2009 - Day 88
It seems like every day usually starts out pretty normal. Somehow or another, today turned into a not so normal day. A day like any other, I was contentedly busy at work; happy to be back and making money. I picked up Taylor at Darina's and we made our way to the commissary for a few items. We weren't very far in, the produce section - when I saw it. It looked like something floating around in her eye. From the looks of it, my best guess was she'd been eating a cracker and somehow managed to put some already chewed mush of it into her eye. At least, that was what it looked like. But it was a big chunk, so I took her right away to the bathroom and tried to wash it out. We made it halfway around the store when the white mush that had seemed a relatively cohesive mass started to turn booger like and was oozing out of her eye. It was also stuck in her eyelashes. Abandoning our cart, we went back to the bathroom for some more eye washing. Satisfied that I would have to perform a more thorough surgery at home, we continued on to the bread aisle. By the time we'd lapped the market and reached the final destination dairy section, her eye was swollen and looked like someone had punched her.
I resolved to possibly go to the emergency room if the condition of it didn't improve.
By the time we'd gotten home, it was swollen almost shut and starting to ooze an extremely sticky yellow booger like substance. It was super gross. And I was praying that it wasn't pink eye. I really can't afford more time off.
I did a thorough eye washing, much to the chagrin and visible discomfort of my little patient. Nothing improved. In fact, it oozed and gooked even more. It was getting really red. I couldn't take it anymore, and off to the emergency room we went.
Sitting in the waiting room, after a relatively quick triage, I noted the fullness of the chairs. People were wearing masks, kids were squirming and whining uncomfortably. It seemed as though most of the patients, although I knew that they were military and military families, were homeless people off of the street. Everyone, even the parents of the sick kids, looked terrible. I hoped I didn't ooze white trash like the other people in the room. (I feel so much better getting that out. I know it's wrong to judge; but it was fifty degrees outside and the finest example of my analysis was wearing short athletic shorts and had faded (now) bluish tattoos in random locations on her legs. One was a huge set of baby footprints plastered randomly across the side and front of her thighs. The idea was good, but it definitely fell short in execution. And she wasn't thin enough to look good in the shorts, either. She was kind of blockish and manish. It was super gross.)
The same lovely people I speak of previously were talking about the hours they'd waited. I settled in for a long wait. Taylor's eye was gooking uncontrollably, despite all my efforts to wipe it. It seemed painful for her for me to touch it, so I tried to wipe when it was least expected. She chirped at everyone who walked by, or was sitting near us, "Hieee!" It was cute. At least, she was in good spirits. The wait dragged on, and I noted that one young guy in blue scrubs seemed to really do very little but meander in and about the waiting room and empty rooms surrounding it. Everyone that I saw moved with little to no sense of urgency. It was super annoying. Imagine if I moved with that little urgency when these same people were in the restaurant. And that's just food. You'd think that people dealing with the lives and health of other people would move a little quicker.
Finally, after three hours we are called. We go into the room and the "doctor" takes about ten minutes to show up. He's my age-ish, a captain, and a resident. Not an attending. He looks like a rookie. He moves uncomfortably and unconfidently like a rookie. He talks like a rookie. He touches Taylor like a rookie. It was super annoying. I resolve that when he says he's going to get his boss that I won't let them mess this up. I immediately distrust him. He seems to truly not have seen pink eye before, or whatever is wrong with her. He tells me that he is pretty sure that that is what it is. I ask if it's usually so swollen. He says, "It can be." Really? What does that mean? Then another guy comes back in with him, a sergeant. Obviously, not his boss. They put some gook into her eye, turn the lights out, and shine a black light on it. Her tears, as she screams in pain and annoyance illuminate in a neon yellow under the blacklight. He's looking for scratches he says. From what I can tell, her eyes open for maybe a millisecond, yet he's satisfied that there is no scratch. I'm not convinced, but I am glad that the whole process is over.
He leaves again, and this time comes back with a guy, same rank, much different walk and demeanor and a name tag that says "senior resident." I'm feeling slightly better. He seems to know what he's doing. Pink eye, they say. Then they leave. They say nothing to me at all. They just walked out. Really? I wait about ten to fifteen minutes, as an exhausted Taylor falls asleep with the bright lights on in the bed. I open the door, and catch the eye of someone. I tell him that we've been waiting and the doctors left and said nothing, and I'd like to know what's going on. He returns to tell me that the doctor is doing paperwork, and that he'll be right back. The doctor jr returns and apologizes, not for leaving without communicating at all, but for the wait. He prescribes the ointment, and asks if I have any questions. He was very unthorough about it. Thank goodness I knew what to do from when I had pink eye.
Thank goodness, also, that Madigan sends a survey for every time you go to the hospital. Until now, I've never filled one out. I will definitely be filling this one out when it arrives. The hospital did call and schedule a follow up appointment for Monday. I can't wait to tell the doctor about my experience when I arrive.
I also, like an idiot, left the stroller in the car. So I had to carry a sleeping Taylor, her diaper bag and my purse to the pharmacy, which was at least a ten minute walk through the entire hospital. At the pharmacy, there was a wheelchair so I set her in it sleeping, albeit crunched up. I used it to wheel our way back to the ER and left it by the door. Back at home, I attempted to apply the first round of medicine to a sleeping wubba. She flinched every time I came near the eye, so I'm not sure if any actually got in the eye. But, we'd see tomorrow how it looked. It was late, and I was off to bed.
I resolved to possibly go to the emergency room if the condition of it didn't improve.
By the time we'd gotten home, it was swollen almost shut and starting to ooze an extremely sticky yellow booger like substance. It was super gross. And I was praying that it wasn't pink eye. I really can't afford more time off.
I did a thorough eye washing, much to the chagrin and visible discomfort of my little patient. Nothing improved. In fact, it oozed and gooked even more. It was getting really red. I couldn't take it anymore, and off to the emergency room we went.
Sitting in the waiting room, after a relatively quick triage, I noted the fullness of the chairs. People were wearing masks, kids were squirming and whining uncomfortably. It seemed as though most of the patients, although I knew that they were military and military families, were homeless people off of the street. Everyone, even the parents of the sick kids, looked terrible. I hoped I didn't ooze white trash like the other people in the room. (I feel so much better getting that out. I know it's wrong to judge; but it was fifty degrees outside and the finest example of my analysis was wearing short athletic shorts and had faded (now) bluish tattoos in random locations on her legs. One was a huge set of baby footprints plastered randomly across the side and front of her thighs. The idea was good, but it definitely fell short in execution. And she wasn't thin enough to look good in the shorts, either. She was kind of blockish and manish. It was super gross.)
The same lovely people I speak of previously were talking about the hours they'd waited. I settled in for a long wait. Taylor's eye was gooking uncontrollably, despite all my efforts to wipe it. It seemed painful for her for me to touch it, so I tried to wipe when it was least expected. She chirped at everyone who walked by, or was sitting near us, "Hieee!" It was cute. At least, she was in good spirits. The wait dragged on, and I noted that one young guy in blue scrubs seemed to really do very little but meander in and about the waiting room and empty rooms surrounding it. Everyone that I saw moved with little to no sense of urgency. It was super annoying. Imagine if I moved with that little urgency when these same people were in the restaurant. And that's just food. You'd think that people dealing with the lives and health of other people would move a little quicker.
Finally, after three hours we are called. We go into the room and the "doctor" takes about ten minutes to show up. He's my age-ish, a captain, and a resident. Not an attending. He looks like a rookie. He moves uncomfortably and unconfidently like a rookie. He talks like a rookie. He touches Taylor like a rookie. It was super annoying. I resolve that when he says he's going to get his boss that I won't let them mess this up. I immediately distrust him. He seems to truly not have seen pink eye before, or whatever is wrong with her. He tells me that he is pretty sure that that is what it is. I ask if it's usually so swollen. He says, "It can be." Really? What does that mean? Then another guy comes back in with him, a sergeant. Obviously, not his boss. They put some gook into her eye, turn the lights out, and shine a black light on it. Her tears, as she screams in pain and annoyance illuminate in a neon yellow under the blacklight. He's looking for scratches he says. From what I can tell, her eyes open for maybe a millisecond, yet he's satisfied that there is no scratch. I'm not convinced, but I am glad that the whole process is over.
He leaves again, and this time comes back with a guy, same rank, much different walk and demeanor and a name tag that says "senior resident." I'm feeling slightly better. He seems to know what he's doing. Pink eye, they say. Then they leave. They say nothing to me at all. They just walked out. Really? I wait about ten to fifteen minutes, as an exhausted Taylor falls asleep with the bright lights on in the bed. I open the door, and catch the eye of someone. I tell him that we've been waiting and the doctors left and said nothing, and I'd like to know what's going on. He returns to tell me that the doctor is doing paperwork, and that he'll be right back. The doctor jr returns and apologizes, not for leaving without communicating at all, but for the wait. He prescribes the ointment, and asks if I have any questions. He was very unthorough about it. Thank goodness I knew what to do from when I had pink eye.
Thank goodness, also, that Madigan sends a survey for every time you go to the hospital. Until now, I've never filled one out. I will definitely be filling this one out when it arrives. The hospital did call and schedule a follow up appointment for Monday. I can't wait to tell the doctor about my experience when I arrive.
I also, like an idiot, left the stroller in the car. So I had to carry a sleeping Taylor, her diaper bag and my purse to the pharmacy, which was at least a ten minute walk through the entire hospital. At the pharmacy, there was a wheelchair so I set her in it sleeping, albeit crunched up. I used it to wheel our way back to the ER and left it by the door. Back at home, I attempted to apply the first round of medicine to a sleeping wubba. She flinched every time I came near the eye, so I'm not sure if any actually got in the eye. But, we'd see tomorrow how it looked. It was late, and I was off to bed.
Monday, November 2, 2009
1,2 Nov2009 - Day 86,87
So I've decided that it isn't cheating to combine days. I mean, honestly, I don't have profound realizations and amazing epiphanies or action packed days every day. Some days are extraordinarily boring. Some days, I spend the morning hanging around, cleaning, cooking eggs for breakfast, watching disney channel, showering in peace during a wubba mayter nap, then venturing over the the Delmos house for an evening of the most delicious pork chops of my life, three vodka/sprite zeros, and extreme makeover: home edition. Yes, some days are Sundays.
I could, however, devote an entire day's blog to the win of the ravens over the devil spawn broncos. (haha woman and brian) I almost feel as though I am doing an injustice to the great 2010 Ravens by not devoting a blog just to the day of their triumph over the crappos. But, then, would it be too much hoopla over A win. It would almost put too much emphasis on one singular win. It would almost suggest that we win so infrequently, that a whole day's blog should be devoted to the rare and elusive event. But, no. Our streak of losses was broken, and a paragraph in a blog devoted to two days is sufficient celebratory remark space. (Some would call it gloating.)
Today, Monday, was great. Taylor woke up at 7am sharp (dang daylights savings time!); my alarm ringing in unison to her dainty inquisitive "mommy?"s. We jumped out of bed, eager to begin the day. (HAHA. Bet everyone that knows me is like "yeah, right.") I stumbled out, sleepy eyed. I think some eyelashes were stuck to my face. A diaper change, outfit change, and bed making later, we were headed downstairs for breakfast. Sadie in tow, I deposited her outside in the (sigh) fenced yard (so jealous, delmos. So jealous) to do her business while I fed Taylor some creme caramel yogurt parfait, brewed the sweet nectar of the gods for myself, and miked some veggie sausages. (I noticed that Sabrina prefers to call them soy sausages. Funny, the things we tell ourselves. I feel better thinking they are made of veggies. She feels better thinking they are made of soy. Not sure which is more accurate.) Woman eventually made it downstairs, and we were on our way a bit earlier than, quite frankly, ever before. We stopped for her to get some coffee, and to the Little Gym we went. Arriving early for the first time ever, I registered for our next session. Taylor and I will now be able to go every Monday until June! I chose the three tier payment plan, because that allows me to save the cash each time and not have to use the bank account. The class went alright, but Taylor was slightly cranky and tired and thus, less cooperative and social. I don't know if it's the time change, or the teething; but she has like three teeth breaking through all at once. Poor baby. After the Little Gym, we pit stopped at Costco so woman could get some christmas presents that she'd seen there before. Of course, we were both dissapointed. There were no samplers, and both gifts she'd been looking for were gone. I did find a small gift for Delmo for christmas, and she bought some scotch tape for wrapping presents. I dropped her off at her house, then proceeded to my house for the dog leash and then to Darina's to drop Taylor off. I headed back to Sabrina's, where we had lunch and then were on our way for our 3.7 mile walk with ALL three dogs. It was smooth sailing until we got to a road about halfway in our loop. It was a "country" road. Neighborhoods, and farms lining it; there was no sidewalk and barely a shoulder. Cars were zooming by, some were veering into the oncoming lane to give us space. The dogs were freaking out; Scruffy refused to walk and was carried. Dash whined and cried. Sadie, however, was on the best behavior of the entire walk. Wierd dog. After we decided that our lives were more important than this three mile walk, we determined that we'd try different spots each Monday. We'll do the airfield loop (a few miles) on base, we'll go downtown Tacoma and do the new dog friendly loop. Our goal is to walk a few miles each Monday. And judging by the burn of my knee pits, inner thighs, and calves when I flex; I could use the continued exercise. I really want to be healthy. I don't smoke, but my lower back hurts when I sit too long. My stomach muscles feel on fire from the yoga, and are obviously all stretched apart from Miss Taylor. I'd like to strenghthen them before I have permanent back issues. Already, I feel improved posture from the yoga, and less back pain. Plus, it totally beat laying around doing nothing all day or running errands.
We are new women now!
I could, however, devote an entire day's blog to the win of the ravens over the devil spawn broncos. (haha woman and brian) I almost feel as though I am doing an injustice to the great 2010 Ravens by not devoting a blog just to the day of their triumph over the crappos. But, then, would it be too much hoopla over A win. It would almost put too much emphasis on one singular win. It would almost suggest that we win so infrequently, that a whole day's blog should be devoted to the rare and elusive event. But, no. Our streak of losses was broken, and a paragraph in a blog devoted to two days is sufficient celebratory remark space. (Some would call it gloating.)
Today, Monday, was great. Taylor woke up at 7am sharp (dang daylights savings time!); my alarm ringing in unison to her dainty inquisitive "mommy?"s. We jumped out of bed, eager to begin the day. (HAHA. Bet everyone that knows me is like "yeah, right.") I stumbled out, sleepy eyed. I think some eyelashes were stuck to my face. A diaper change, outfit change, and bed making later, we were headed downstairs for breakfast. Sadie in tow, I deposited her outside in the (sigh) fenced yard (so jealous, delmos. So jealous) to do her business while I fed Taylor some creme caramel yogurt parfait, brewed the sweet nectar of the gods for myself, and miked some veggie sausages. (I noticed that Sabrina prefers to call them soy sausages. Funny, the things we tell ourselves. I feel better thinking they are made of veggies. She feels better thinking they are made of soy. Not sure which is more accurate.) Woman eventually made it downstairs, and we were on our way a bit earlier than, quite frankly, ever before. We stopped for her to get some coffee, and to the Little Gym we went. Arriving early for the first time ever, I registered for our next session. Taylor and I will now be able to go every Monday until June! I chose the three tier payment plan, because that allows me to save the cash each time and not have to use the bank account. The class went alright, but Taylor was slightly cranky and tired and thus, less cooperative and social. I don't know if it's the time change, or the teething; but she has like three teeth breaking through all at once. Poor baby. After the Little Gym, we pit stopped at Costco so woman could get some christmas presents that she'd seen there before. Of course, we were both dissapointed. There were no samplers, and both gifts she'd been looking for were gone. I did find a small gift for Delmo for christmas, and she bought some scotch tape for wrapping presents. I dropped her off at her house, then proceeded to my house for the dog leash and then to Darina's to drop Taylor off. I headed back to Sabrina's, where we had lunch and then were on our way for our 3.7 mile walk with ALL three dogs. It was smooth sailing until we got to a road about halfway in our loop. It was a "country" road. Neighborhoods, and farms lining it; there was no sidewalk and barely a shoulder. Cars were zooming by, some were veering into the oncoming lane to give us space. The dogs were freaking out; Scruffy refused to walk and was carried. Dash whined and cried. Sadie, however, was on the best behavior of the entire walk. Wierd dog. After we decided that our lives were more important than this three mile walk, we determined that we'd try different spots each Monday. We'll do the airfield loop (a few miles) on base, we'll go downtown Tacoma and do the new dog friendly loop. Our goal is to walk a few miles each Monday. And judging by the burn of my knee pits, inner thighs, and calves when I flex; I could use the continued exercise. I really want to be healthy. I don't smoke, but my lower back hurts when I sit too long. My stomach muscles feel on fire from the yoga, and are obviously all stretched apart from Miss Taylor. I'd like to strenghthen them before I have permanent back issues. Already, I feel improved posture from the yoga, and less back pain. Plus, it totally beat laying around doing nothing all day or running errands.
We are new women now!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
31Oct2009 - Day 85
In an effort to curtail any further procrastination in my blogging, I've decided to just start now and then go back and fill in the missing days as I can. I don't want it to get to the point where I am like "eh, forget it." and not finish it for the rest of the year.
Ah, Halloween. This one was much different than any previous halloweens. This one had no plans of drunken debauchery, no outlandish costuming complete with phony spray-in haircolor. Nope, this was my first G rated Halloween. Well, PG if you count the fact that I did have a corona while out trick or treating. The day started out ordinarily enough. Taylor and I lazed about the house, random bits of cleaning and laundry thrown in for good measure. As is becoming the new tradition on the weekends, I made us a full breakfast. Butterscotch pancakes, today. We ate, we watched cartoons, we played, we read books. Then we napped. I thought about accomplishing things while she napped; but alas, I succumbed to the nap demons myself. Or angels, really. We slept for about two hours; although I swear it took me half of that to fall asleep.
Halloween night was packed with social activity for us. We went to Alicia's house for an hour for her party, then trick or treating with Amelia and a few other parents on base. Her husband is also in the Army, and she has a two year old. It was perfect for Taylor. We got them all ready, and loaded into the stroller. Off we went, to the new houses which were like triplexes. It was already almost seven, and getting dark; but we figured it was prime trick or treating time. I think we were a little late, because most houses were out of candy. Everyone who did have some was outside, sitting on their porch. Taylor loved it. She'd be out of the stroller, bounding, running up the front walk. Before I could even have her pumpkin trick or treat basket off of the hook on the stroller, she'd be up there with a bundle of other children. On occasion, we managed to get her to say "trick or treat", but it sounded more like "tee teet." (It was still adorable.) All in all, we probably hit 8-10 houses, and thankfully got a selection of candy other than chocolate. (I was, however, excited for the kit kats that we did get!) Afterwards, we went over to the Delmos to see all of Delmos decorations. He had a smoke machine, moving spiders, and groaning corpse things on ropes, along with spooky music and a strobe light. It was not for the faint of heart. He was darn near out of candy, and had made more than a few little girls cry. Taylor did great walking up the front walk until he turned the smoke on. I don't know if it was the hissing noise that it made, or the fact that it came sweeping over half of her body so quickly but she beelined for me, and tugged her way up into my arms. Her little grip was fierce, and she made it clear when I tried, that I was not to put her down until the smoke had cleared. We chuckled and made our way inside to eat a few bits of candy. In the kitchen, we somehow all ended up on the floor attempting to eat nerds. Somehow, under the eye of the video camera, Taylor figured out that it was hilarious to "push" mommy over. Of course she wasn't strong enough to, or even trying with much force; but she thought it was great to push me over, then help me back up. We did it over and over and over.
Surprisingly, it was ten and she was still awake; but the crankiness was creeping in...almost as fast as the smoke had over her little legs. We said our goodbyes and drove home. I was super nervous driving home, because it was a Saturday Halloween night. All the drunks would be out driving soon, so I wanted to hurry up and get home safely. We did, with her fast asleep before we even left the Delmos neighborhood.
Her sack of potatoes costume was definitely a hit all around, and I am proud of myself for thinking of it in the first place. I figured that this would be the last one I'd be able to choose a costume for her, so I wanted to do something funny.
I had a great time with her, and got a couple of pictures; I can't wait to do it again next year!
Ah, Halloween. This one was much different than any previous halloweens. This one had no plans of drunken debauchery, no outlandish costuming complete with phony spray-in haircolor. Nope, this was my first G rated Halloween. Well, PG if you count the fact that I did have a corona while out trick or treating. The day started out ordinarily enough. Taylor and I lazed about the house, random bits of cleaning and laundry thrown in for good measure. As is becoming the new tradition on the weekends, I made us a full breakfast. Butterscotch pancakes, today. We ate, we watched cartoons, we played, we read books. Then we napped. I thought about accomplishing things while she napped; but alas, I succumbed to the nap demons myself. Or angels, really. We slept for about two hours; although I swear it took me half of that to fall asleep.
Halloween night was packed with social activity for us. We went to Alicia's house for an hour for her party, then trick or treating with Amelia and a few other parents on base. Her husband is also in the Army, and she has a two year old. It was perfect for Taylor. We got them all ready, and loaded into the stroller. Off we went, to the new houses which were like triplexes. It was already almost seven, and getting dark; but we figured it was prime trick or treating time. I think we were a little late, because most houses were out of candy. Everyone who did have some was outside, sitting on their porch. Taylor loved it. She'd be out of the stroller, bounding, running up the front walk. Before I could even have her pumpkin trick or treat basket off of the hook on the stroller, she'd be up there with a bundle of other children. On occasion, we managed to get her to say "trick or treat", but it sounded more like "tee teet." (It was still adorable.) All in all, we probably hit 8-10 houses, and thankfully got a selection of candy other than chocolate. (I was, however, excited for the kit kats that we did get!) Afterwards, we went over to the Delmos to see all of Delmos decorations. He had a smoke machine, moving spiders, and groaning corpse things on ropes, along with spooky music and a strobe light. It was not for the faint of heart. He was darn near out of candy, and had made more than a few little girls cry. Taylor did great walking up the front walk until he turned the smoke on. I don't know if it was the hissing noise that it made, or the fact that it came sweeping over half of her body so quickly but she beelined for me, and tugged her way up into my arms. Her little grip was fierce, and she made it clear when I tried, that I was not to put her down until the smoke had cleared. We chuckled and made our way inside to eat a few bits of candy. In the kitchen, we somehow all ended up on the floor attempting to eat nerds. Somehow, under the eye of the video camera, Taylor figured out that it was hilarious to "push" mommy over. Of course she wasn't strong enough to, or even trying with much force; but she thought it was great to push me over, then help me back up. We did it over and over and over.
Surprisingly, it was ten and she was still awake; but the crankiness was creeping in...almost as fast as the smoke had over her little legs. We said our goodbyes and drove home. I was super nervous driving home, because it was a Saturday Halloween night. All the drunks would be out driving soon, so I wanted to hurry up and get home safely. We did, with her fast asleep before we even left the Delmos neighborhood.
Her sack of potatoes costume was definitely a hit all around, and I am proud of myself for thinking of it in the first place. I figured that this would be the last one I'd be able to choose a costume for her, so I wanted to do something funny.
I had a great time with her, and got a couple of pictures; I can't wait to do it again next year!
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