Monday, January 30, 2006
Unsolicited Advice
Sometimes I need to vent to the people in my life. It's mostly about new mom sorts of things (baby B is 9 months today!). However, I can't remember more than a few times when I've said to someone, "I'm stuck. I have no idea what to do. Do you have any advice?" Most of the time when talking to people about frustrating baby things, I just need to vent. Blow off some steam.
And then the person I'm talking to says, "Oh, here's what you do about that." No offense, but I didn't ask!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Now That's What I Was Looking For
Ahhh, kicking back after some fun in the sun...so relaxing. No, I wasn't at the beach - it's January! But I did open my curtains, blinds, windows, and I busted out my Dyson DC-14 Animal vacuum cleaner.
I bought this vacuum after extensive research and consideration last St. Patrick's Day. I was seven and a half months pregnant and smack in the middle of the nesting phase (near the end of their pregnancies, many women feel the unending urge to clean, scrub, polish, sort, disinfect, throw away, tidy, and otherwise prepare their homes for the new arrival). But we honestly needed a new vacuum anyway, since my old one wasn't great to start with, and just didn't suck very well.
Dyson's vacuum really sucks. This thing is awesome. We have three cats, and that's a lot of fur. Especially since 18 pound Spaz has very coarse white fur that he manages to shed faster than any cat I've ever seen. And his fur sticks to everything. So when I saw a vacuum with the word "animal" in it's name, I was intrigued.
As you can see, it has this canister that you empty as needed. No bags. I love it. And this machine has such great suction that I can fill that canister by cleaning one large rug in the living room. That's a lot of deep down dirt. How satisfying. I can feel my sinuses clearing up.
The only thing that I was a little hesitant about was the price - you can find these for anywhere between $450 - $550. But you'll never buy a bag, and it should last forever. I did say prior to buying the vacuum cleaner that I would give my right arm for a vacuum that was powerful enough to remove it. So it was worth the several hundred bucks. If you're ever in the market, I highly recommend one.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
I Obviously Assume the Worst of People
The person that commented on my username wrote me back. She understood what I was doing, and said it was clever. She clearly was not trying to be rude or annoying. I just assumed that she was put off by me. She wasn't. She's most likely a fascinating person.
I do always assume the worst. The worst thing will happen, people will interpret things the worst way possible, nothing will ever get better, everything will go straight to hell. It won't. There are a lot of good things going on. The best one I can think of is sleeping soundly in the next room with half of her right thumb in her mouth.
She Has Obviously Never Met Me
I've used the name "piannist" often. It is a name. A name for a user. A "username," if you will. For those of you who know me personally, you might've noticed that I'm extremely particular. If you receive an email from me and something is spelled wrong, it is most likely because I am holding a baby in one arm and will not have a chance to proofread before changing the next diaper. I'm obsessive, some say. Compulsive. Obsessive-compulsive. I'm careful about everything I do, and everything I do is done for a reason. I am also right about things more often than most people I know. That sounds really snooty, but it's totally true. Let me be proud of this.
With that being said, I was just on a site where I also use the name "piannist." I received a message from a stranger. She was probably not trying to be rude (as she sounded), but I unfortunately have taken it that way. If I wasn't so particular, I probably wouldn't have been offended at all. She pointed out that I've spelled the word "pianist" wrong. And that, no big deal, she just thought that I should know because english and grammar are a big part of her job.
Now, I am no idiot. I started playing the piano when I was 4 years old. I can't remember not being a pianist. I am very aware of how the word is spelled. I submit to her, however, that I have not used the word "pianist" in anything of mine that she has read. It is a username. A name, by definition, is not a word. It's a name. People spell names however they want (even when we wish they didn't).
You might notice another mispelled word on my blog. It is also spelled that way for a reason. You might be able to make a connection and figure out why I have chosen to spell my username and this word in the way that I have. People, I know how to spell. Who was that fourth grader in the fifth grade spelling bee? Yea, that was me.
I emailed the woman back, and told her nicely that I was aware of the situation and why I had done things that way. In her defense, she was probably just trying to be nice and hates to see inaccuracies as much as I do. It's just that she must not know me, becasue I am so damn particular.
Maybe I've Waited Long Enough
Are you good at procrastinating? I'll write more about that later.
I got married in July 2004. The wedding was great, and so was the honeymoon. We had a full day between the wedding and our trip to Paris and Vienna, and a lot of stuff to take care of. So when I returned to my house the morning after the wedding, I hung my wedding dress in it's bag on the door to our office. There just wasn't time to deal with it. I would have plenty of time to get it cleaned and stored when I got back from the honeymoon.
Let me check the date...um, January 25, 2006. OK - it's exactly a year and a half later now (Iswear I didn't plan the timing of this entry), and that dress is still sitting there. I know there are some dirt stains on the bottom of it. It was raining until a few hours before our outdoor ceremony. We're all used to walking through the doorway sideways to fit past the dress now, but maybe it's time to take care it? I know I won't be wearing it anytime soon.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Check Those Receipts
I've always been pretty careful about making sure I'm paying the right price. Most of the time it's not an issue. But this weekend, I sent Husband to BJs to pick up some necessitites. He was armed with manufacturer's coupons, a store $5 off coupon, and a shopping list. He did really well - came home with everything on the list and no unused coupons. We're on a pretty tight budget in an effort to pay down our debt.
But when I looked at the receipt, I kind of freaked out at a $21.00 charge. What could we have paid that much for? I asked Husband what he bought, and he told me everything on my list, plus a ham. A ham. Well this ham better be able to sing and dance for $21.00. "No, no, I swear it wasn't that much," he insists. And sure enough, the price tag said $13.68.
Luckily for us, BJs is just down the road. So Husband went back to get the price adjusted (if I had gone I might've had something else to say). He returned home and handed in the receipts. Turns out that the turkey working at the store entered it as a $20 ham and refunded the difference. They still owe us a dollar.
I know for a lot of people that a buck is not a big deal. But when I start to think about all the times we get ripped off, or how we're willing to pick change up off the ground when we see it, I know that it is worth the effort to pinch my pennies. I'll retrieve my dollar the next time I'm there, and possibly get through to someone that it shouldn't take three tries to get the price right. So be careful, and make sure you get exactly what you pay for.
By the way - also check any over the counter medicines you purchase. After noticing that I've bought expired medicines twice now, I make sure to check the expiration date while still in the store.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Hooked On A Feeling
It's midnight and I've just returned from an orchestra gig. I'm experiencing massive Orchestra High right now. This is one of the best feelings in the world, and I always forget that it's coming until mid-concert. Difficult to describe - maybe something like runner's high, but I've never experienced that. Anyways, we stopped playing a full two hours ago (2 states away, might I add) and I still have the rush. I need to go enjoy this while it lasts - I'll elaborate on it later.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Got Arrested This Weekend
We had another rare, commitment free weekend this past weekend. Being the cautious new parents that we are, we (a little selfishly) decided that it might be pushing it to try to be too productive. With the flu being so recent for all of us, and me still having the muscle aches, we didn't want to get sick again. So no sorting of massive paperwork on the desk, no major cleaning, no tax preparation, no running of errands. Lots of baby fun time, and lots of Arrested Development.
I think I gave Husband season 1 for Christmas 2004. It has been sitting in our DVD collection ever since. Out of sight, out of mind. Thankfully, Husband saw it sitting there and we were able to watch all 22 episodes in 48 hours - without neglecting the baby in any way! Hooray for 2 baby naps a day!
I'm not really sure why this show didn't catch on like Seinfeld or Friends. I know it's a little more off the wall, but the writing is fantastic, and it is ridiculously funny. The point has been made to me that it is not necessarily intelligent writing that gets to stay on the air. For that, I am sad. I am also sad that I got to see very little of season 3. I accidentally scheduled a student for the night it was on, not realizing the schedule had changed from the previous season (I will now have to tape 24 for the same reason). Oh well. We had a great weekend. The Bluth family will be missed.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
My Latest Hobby
I thought it was just going to be a passing phase, but I've been addicted for a couple of months now. My name is piannist, and I'm addicted to personal finance blogs.
I'm tempted to start one myself, but I don't think I have what it takes to post my financial goings-on (mostly Husband's, now that I'm employed part time) for the world to see. And any advice I would give would be mostly stuff that I'm discovering online.
Now that I am a stay at home mom ("SAHM" from now on), I've decided to try to manage our lesser-income-than-before-baby in such a way that we are really thinking about what we're spending, and where those hard earned dollars are going. This is coming somewhat naturally to me. I've always been a bargain shopper ("guess how much I got THIS for!). I've have never had that high paying of a job (thank you retail), so paychecks were always allocated very carefully. So these thoughts and ideas about personal finance are not at all new to me. Applying them is the challenge.
It is really hard to do what you say you're going to do! By "you," I mean me. There's sticking to a budget, and avoiding overspending. That is my weakness. I am very tempted to buy something that's a great deal, even if I don't really need it. I think I need it when I'm at the store. There are very important uses for everything! Unfortunately, I save all the evidence of these purchases, as I am a pack rat and have not thrown out a receipt in at least five years. Plus, I've saved all those purchases. I think they're in the basement.
So maybe I'll have neat little finance tidbits sprinkled in here. I'll leave it to my favorite personal finance blogs to dish out the good information - several of my favorites are listed on the side. And hopefully I'll stick to my new little addiction.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Girl's Night Out (jump repeatedly while clapping your hands!)
Last night was Girl's Night Out. Woo hoo! I decided some time last fall that I just wasn't getting that social girly time I needed. Lots of baby girly time, but no adult-talking-about-grown-up-things and some not-so-grown-up-things time. My two gal pals J and E each live about a 45 minute drive from me (in good traffic). But we decided it is still worth a weekly attempt to get together, eat, catch up, and discuss all things feminine. Of course it helps that they've been driving to me (thanks ladies!).
Let me just tell you how good it feels! I am not that social of a person on a regular basis - especially since becoming a mom. I think that's why I need it even more lately (a social outlet). I've been spending so much time in my house, conversing with someone with lots to say but little in actual fully developed english (although I will not get sick of hearing "mama" anytime soon). It's just fabulous to hear what my female friends have been up to, what they're struggling with, and what's making them happy. Returning from dinner, I felt refreshed and ready to start the second half of the week in a better mood.
New Year's Resolution: I will not underestimate the importance of Girl's Night!
Shame on Me!
I've just been scolded by the attendant at the parking ramp in downtown Taunton. Apparently I went that way and I was supposed to go this way. But going that way meant only driving a few spaces worth from my parking space to the exit in an otherwise empty ramp. Going this way meant going all the way around the ramp. She said there was a sign which told me where to go. I didn't see it, but I'm sure I will next time. I even apologized, and sincerely too - I didn't want to cause trouble. But she was still upset. If I were her, I would've forgiven me. It was an honest mistake, I swear!
I hope she's not working when I park there tomorrow. Or that she has a lousy memory.
Monday, January 09, 2006
2000 Sicks
I really thought I was going to be able to avoid it, but no such luck. I'm starting the new year with the flu. The nasty one everyone had over the holidays.
My baby is starting the new year with the flu.
My husband is starting the new year with the flu.
I knew something was up last Monday while watching TV when I got some crazy muscle aches in my back. It felt as if I had run a marathon and then moved some furniture. The pains came and went for a few days. I also needed a lot more sleep, and woke up feeling just as tired as when I went to bed. I figured I was just recovering from the holiday trip. Baby B got the worst part of it first, when she started not wanting her solids and bringing them back up on Thursday. I got that part of it Saturday night, and husband on Sunday night. Baby B seems mostly over it now, but still gags at the sight of solids. This is kind of freaking me out since we've been a little worried about her weight the last few months already. She has a doctor appointment today so we'll at least know if we should be feeling reassured or more worried. My guess is that no matter what, I'm going to feel more worried. At least she has her color back now.
My husband voluntarily called in sick to work today. He hates calling in. He would go to work if at all physically capable. So he must have it bad. The good news is that I seem to be getting better as he's getting worse, so there has been at least one functional parent at all times. This is a situation where I couldn't inagine being a single mom. I'm going to have to learn how to take care of a little one while not feeling good myself. I'm really bad at being sick. I just can't suck it up and deal with it. Yea, I'll have to work on that.
Friday, January 06, 2006
A Symbol of Our Love. Most of the Time.
December was busy. And kind of lousy. Somewhat stressful, too. Very blogworthy.
We (husband, baby B and I) took a trip to see all sorts of relatives. The husband made a couple of long weekends, and baby and I managed 10 days in 2 states before returning home. So there was a lot of necessary preparation. Most of this (in the form of packing) was saved for the night before leaving on a 9am flight. Unfortunately, I was to have other plans that night. More urgent, painful, annoying and unexpected plans. Let me explain.
Baby B is now 8 months old (yay!). Near the end of my pregnancy with her, I was warned of swelling. People told me stories of feet, ankles, hands, fingers - all turning huge before anyone had a chance to realize what was going on. Some of the best of the frequent (unsolicited) advice I got was to take off those rings. A few people even said they had to have their rings cut off because the swelling was so bad. I am glad I took that advice, because I did swell...a lot. And then with an emergency C-section and all those fluids they pump into you (well, into me), I was huge.
Months passed and I assumed I'd get back to normal size. But after several months of me being half a shoe size larger, I was thinking the fingers might not be the first thing to slim down. I was also getting a little sick of feeling like a single mom without my wedding ring on my hand. After a few single mom jokes from my husband, I decided at the last minute to surprise him at Christmas with my rings back on my hand.
I went to the jeweler that sold us the engagement ring, and they sized me and said I could have the ring back the day before I was leaving. Yes! I also ended up having them do the wedding band (for $45) because the store that we purchased that ring at could not have it ready until after Christmas. When I returned to pick up the rings the night before the trip at 7pm, they were kind of a tricky fit. My knuckles are pretty big in comparison to my fingers.
Jeweler: "Oh, let me just spray some Windex on that. It'll slide right over."
This is when the red light should've gone off in my head. "Uh, ok."
Spray, spray, push, turn, push...there it is. Me: "Hmm, still feels kind of tight."
Jeweler: "Yea, well your fingers have swollen some from getting the rings over the knuckle. That's it. You're all set!"
Needless to say, by the time I got home, my left ring finger was a pretty sunset shade of purple. By the time my husband and I stopped messing with it, it was a scary shade of blue. The emergency room at my local hospital got a pretty good laugh that night. I did learn that if you're having a ring cut off, it's so much easier if it's not made of platinum (like mine). The doctor and nurse were pretty disgusted with the jewelry store. We are all in agreement that the jewelry store is at fault. It could have gone one of two ways. Either they determined my ring size incorrectly (their fault), or they resized the ring incorrectly (their fault). I've always had trouble getting rings past the knuckle, and trusted that they knew what they were doing enough that the ring would fit once it was in the right place.
I was home by midnight and then started to pack. Not a lot of sleep that night.
There will be a letter to the jewelry store requesting my $45 back and for them to cover the ring being repaired by another jeweler. I'm sure they'll offer to repair them for free, but I don't really trust them anymore. I'll let you know when I hear back from them.
