A couple of weeks ago everyone was a little grumpy at dinner, so I declared it British Accent Night. Everyone had to speak in a British accent for the rest of the meal. Anyone who broke character was passed the "naughty card," and the person left holding the naughty card at the end of the meal got clean-up duty.
British Accent Night was a huge hit, and we have since had Pirate Night (Arrr!), Yoda Night (hard it is to converse like Yoda) and Hillbilly night (the kids love the gratuitous use of" ain't" and double negatives). We're planning Robot Night, Pig Latin Night and various other accents for the future.
We've learned that SS can not only nail a British accent, but she also perfectly mimics the mannerisms that one would expect from a proper Brit. I swear, that child was born to be a princess. PS does the best Hillbilly imitation--not sure what that says about her!
Our crazy accents have us all cracking up and have turned out to be a great way to end a stressful day.
7/29/10
7/27/10
Good News
Saw my GP yesterday. She took more blood than Edward on a full moon. Got the lab results back today and everything is normal. Thyroid normal, calcium normal, vitamin D normal, everything completely normal. Well, except for two broken feet. That's not so normal.
Doc suspects that I nailed the cause as being my extreme pregnancies and the steroids I took while pg with the twins, combined with bad genetics. But she wants me to see an endocrinologist (who knew endocrinologists were the docs who treat osteo?) because the bilateral fractures are so bizarre. Apparently there is a more sophisticated test that can be done to measure whether my bone loss is active, but it will be up to the endo whether to take that step now or try supplementation and exercise and recheck my bone density in a year.
But at least it sounds like there is nothing else crazy going on with my body.
In other good news, Big Boss put me on two big projects Friday. He said that they would require some "heavy lifting" and specifically wanted my analytical abilities on these cases. Then I earned extra brownie points by drafting a letter on Friday that I knew our clients would want by the end of a conference call on Monday. I was concerned that we would be on a tight schedule on Monday, and didn't want to be scrambling. As it turned out, I was absolutely right. And Big Boss was thrilled that I had taken the initiative to have the letter ready before the conference call. (I guarantee that none of the guys in my office, who thrive on procrastination, would have had the foresight to do something before it had to be done.) Woot!
In sleazy opposing counsel news, today OC tried to sneak the name of a mediator into an agreed scheduling order. No notice to me, no "what do you think about this guy?," just added the name of a mediator, apparently thinking that either 1) I won't notice; or 2) I'm just a dumb girl who won't do anything about it. This guy is in his 70's and was a bit condescending in our one phone conversation. And the mediator he unilaterally selected was also in his 70's. I do not need a couple of old golfing buddies who may have had a single female in their law school classes deciding my case. Yeah, not happening.
Oh, and his email addressed me as Mr. LC. I have a total bimbo cheerleader first name. There is no way in heck I could be confused with a man.
Doc suspects that I nailed the cause as being my extreme pregnancies and the steroids I took while pg with the twins, combined with bad genetics. But she wants me to see an endocrinologist (who knew endocrinologists were the docs who treat osteo?) because the bilateral fractures are so bizarre. Apparently there is a more sophisticated test that can be done to measure whether my bone loss is active, but it will be up to the endo whether to take that step now or try supplementation and exercise and recheck my bone density in a year.
But at least it sounds like there is nothing else crazy going on with my body.
In other good news, Big Boss put me on two big projects Friday. He said that they would require some "heavy lifting" and specifically wanted my analytical abilities on these cases. Then I earned extra brownie points by drafting a letter on Friday that I knew our clients would want by the end of a conference call on Monday. I was concerned that we would be on a tight schedule on Monday, and didn't want to be scrambling. As it turned out, I was absolutely right. And Big Boss was thrilled that I had taken the initiative to have the letter ready before the conference call. (I guarantee that none of the guys in my office, who thrive on procrastination, would have had the foresight to do something before it had to be done.) Woot!
In sleazy opposing counsel news, today OC tried to sneak the name of a mediator into an agreed scheduling order. No notice to me, no "what do you think about this guy?," just added the name of a mediator, apparently thinking that either 1) I won't notice; or 2) I'm just a dumb girl who won't do anything about it. This guy is in his 70's and was a bit condescending in our one phone conversation. And the mediator he unilaterally selected was also in his 70's. I do not need a couple of old golfing buddies who may have had a single female in their law school classes deciding my case. Yeah, not happening.
Oh, and his email addressed me as Mr. LC. I have a total bimbo cheerleader first name. There is no way in heck I could be confused with a man.
7/23/10
May I whine?
I'm cranky. The twins birthday is tomorrow. Weeks ago we promised to take them to the amusement park for their birthday. And then sometime last week it dawned on me that it would be quite a challenge to go to the amusement park with my giant robot boots. And I'm not really fit for being on my feet all day right now. So DH and the kids are going without me. And it sucks.
I'm so tired of the f'ing robot boots. They're hot. They're bulky. Every metal filing cabinet in my office now has a big dent at the bottom where I've accidentally kicked it. I feel dumpy and frumpy. I only have like four pairs of pants that fit over the stupid things--which may be a good thing because the velcro on the boots is pulling the hems out of my pants. And I don't like not being able to do stuff with my kids.
And to add to my little pity party, the results of my bone density scan show that I have osteoporosis. I don't have much more info--my ortho referred me back to my GP and I see her on Monday. But my internet research says that it is uncommon for premenopausal women to get osteoporosis and most of the drugs available have only been tested and for postmenopausal women.
Also there is usually a secondary cause of osteo in premenopausal women--so who the hell knows what else might be wrong with me. I'm hoping it is just a result of three very difficult pregnancies where I had severe hypermesis. With my twins I had hyperemesis-induced malnutrition so severe that my doctor told me I was starving to death. And then they put me on massive doses of steroids. And then I breastfed three children. And all of these things are bad on the bones.
I know that there are worse diagnoses--at least I'm not dying of anything. But it is a quality of life issue, and I've seen the effects first hand. I'm just glad I had my kids while I was young, so maybe they'll be grown before I completely fall apart.
I'm so tired of the f'ing robot boots. They're hot. They're bulky. Every metal filing cabinet in my office now has a big dent at the bottom where I've accidentally kicked it. I feel dumpy and frumpy. I only have like four pairs of pants that fit over the stupid things--which may be a good thing because the velcro on the boots is pulling the hems out of my pants. And I don't like not being able to do stuff with my kids.
And to add to my little pity party, the results of my bone density scan show that I have osteoporosis. I don't have much more info--my ortho referred me back to my GP and I see her on Monday. But my internet research says that it is uncommon for premenopausal women to get osteoporosis and most of the drugs available have only been tested and for postmenopausal women.
Also there is usually a secondary cause of osteo in premenopausal women--so who the hell knows what else might be wrong with me. I'm hoping it is just a result of three very difficult pregnancies where I had severe hypermesis. With my twins I had hyperemesis-induced malnutrition so severe that my doctor told me I was starving to death. And then they put me on massive doses of steroids. And then I breastfed three children. And all of these things are bad on the bones.
I know that there are worse diagnoses--at least I'm not dying of anything. But it is a quality of life issue, and I've seen the effects first hand. I'm just glad I had my kids while I was young, so maybe they'll be grown before I completely fall apart.
7/22/10
Law Firm Drama
Our receptionist called in this morning because her pet donkey died rather tragically last night.
Then Queen Bitch Secretary showed up and said, "well, my dog died last night and I'll still here."
Apparently yesterday was not kind to the animal world. Do pets die in threes like celebrities? Maybe I better keep an eye on Bob.
Then Queen Bitch Secretary showed up and said, "well, my dog died last night and I'll still here."
Apparently yesterday was not kind to the animal world. Do pets die in threes like celebrities? Maybe I better keep an eye on Bob.
7/15/10
Conversation with my daughter
Yesterday PS texted me while I was at work:
PS: "Whatcha doin?"
Me: "Modifying an indemnity agreement."
PS: "In terms I understand."
Me: " I don't think I can put it in terms you understand via text."
PS: "How about annotating an important but boring paper?"
Me: "LOL! That's pretty accurate."
I'm not a big texting, but I do think it is good for my relationship with PS. We check in on each other during the day, and have conversations we wouldn't otherwise have. Sometimes she talks about stuff that I don't think she'd bring up face to face. I'm glad that one of the side benefits of my kids' technologically advanced generation is helping to keep them connected to mom.
PS: "Whatcha doin?"
Me: "Modifying an indemnity agreement."
PS: "In terms I understand."
Me: " I don't think I can put it in terms you understand via text."
PS: "How about annotating an important but boring paper?"
Me: "LOL! That's pretty accurate."
I'm not a big texting, but I do think it is good for my relationship with PS. We check in on each other during the day, and have conversations we wouldn't otherwise have. Sometimes she talks about stuff that I don't think she'd bring up face to face. I'm glad that one of the side benefits of my kids' technologically advanced generation is helping to keep them connected to mom.
7/14/10
Oh Internet, how I've missed you
I have been offline for the past five days. Why? Because AT&T sucks. A couple of weeks ago we ditched our landline and had our home phone number transferred to a cell. That meant that something had to happen with our DSL to switch it from regular DSL to naked DSL. But AT&T screwed up somewhere along the way and turned our DSL off last Friday with no notice whatsoever. Despite many hours on the phone with an irate DH, AT&T swore they couldn't get it on before Wednesday. Whatever--there's always a way. AT&T exhibited just about the most abominable customer service I have ever encountered, but I guess they can get away with it because they have no competition for DSL in this area. I would have ditched them, but DH is attached to his email addy.
In other news:
In other news:
- FIL is now married and sent us a text when the deed was done.
- I spent all weekend interviewing and have a new nanny in place. She is way over-qualified--recently laid off. I really like her--I just hope she doesn't ditch us when the economy picks up (couldn't blame her, though.) But at 26, she is already a cancer survivor, and that alone made me want to give her a chance.
- My ankles are still broken and I am stuck in my stupid robot boots for another month. They actually feel about a million times better, so I was really hoping to lose the boots when I went back to the doctor this week.
- I'm having a bone density scan tomorrow to check things out since it is rather uncommon for a 35-year old who is not training for a marathon to fracture both ankles just by running.
7/8/10
It's Coming Like a Freight Train
FIL informed us all this evening via email that he will be getting married out-of-state this weekend, like it or not. He said that he didn't want to meet with us all in person because he didn't want to be ganged up on.
Earlier this week (before the wedding date was announced), SIL sent him a very nicely-worded, non-confrontational email (the complete opposite of what I would be capable of) explaining that we all felt he was moving very quickly and that we did not understand the rush.
FIL's response was basically "we're going to do what we want to do and you all are just going to have to deal with it."
Earlier this week (before the wedding date was announced), SIL sent him a very nicely-worded, non-confrontational email (the complete opposite of what I would be capable of) explaining that we all felt he was moving very quickly and that we did not understand the rush.
FIL's response was basically "we're going to do what we want to do and you all are just going to have to deal with it."
Firing People Sucks
Today I had to fire my nanny. Yesterday she left my 8 year old twins home alone, and chaos ensued.
It had to be done but I didn't like doing it, and I have been in a funk all day. And now I am scrambling to set up interviews this weekend so that I can hopefully have a new caregiver in place next week. I hate interviewing--and then calling the ones who didn't get the job. Blech.
I totally needed more drama in my life right now.
It had to be done but I didn't like doing it, and I have been in a funk all day. And now I am scrambling to set up interviews this weekend so that I can hopefully have a new caregiver in place next week. I hate interviewing--and then calling the ones who didn't get the job. Blech.
I totally needed more drama in my life right now.
7/5/10
The Good, The Bad, & The Awkward
We survived the weekend with FIL and the fiancee. It was awkward, as expected. SIL and family ended up staying with her in-laws, who also live in this area, instead of with us, so we were on our own with entertaining on Saturday. I was civil, but definitely not reeking with southern hospitality.
FIL kept saying, "well, [SIL] is always so busy that I hardly ever see her, and I never hear a word out of [BIL]." Yeah, because they both tried to tell you how they felt about the whole situation and you completely blew them off. Now they don't even feel comfortable stopping by your house anymore. Get your head out of your ass--you're alienating your children and grandchildren.
I don't know what to say. No alarm bells went off, and I detected no ulterior motives, but I simply don't understand the attraction. She is the polar opposite of my ultra-conservative, traditional MIL. Replacement Judy* is a crunchy-granola hippie chick who dresses in purple and rainbows and dangley peace-sign earrings. She has been single for the last 25 years, after a short marriage ended in divorce. She is much more traveled than FIL who has always been happiest in his own backyard.
So while I get that FIL may be grasping at whatever (or whoever) comes along to avoid the grim realities of single-life, I absolutely cannot figure out why Replacement Judy is interested in FIL. Nor can I understand why she thinks its a good idea to go flying into a relationship with someone whose wife has been dead all of 3 months.
On Sunday, SIL's inlaws invited us all for a cookout and swimming before we all attended a baseball game together. FIL and Replacement Judy spent the entire day indoors ("it's too hot"), completely disengaged from their grandchildren who were swimming outdoors. The ball game went about as well. (OMG, I was going to lose my mind if I heard how hot it was one more time. Yes, it's July in [state where it is notoriously hotter than hell in July]--get over it.)
The good is that we had a great time visiting with SIL and her family and the kids loved playing with their cousins and at the baseball game.
They left early this morning, before the girls and I were even out of bed. DH heard them packing up and got up to say goodbye. Which is when FIL informed him that they would be getting married soon and they would not be dealing with the the church-required hoops right now. DH told his dad that he seemed to be rushing things, and FIL's response was "life is short." Then FIL asked if we wanted to participate in the wedding or just get a phone call when it was done.
Um no, we do not want to participate in a wedding, SIL and I had discussed the day before how we weren't sure we could survive a full-on wedding without getting emotional.
SIL also told me that FIL dropped off all of MIL's clothing with SIL#2 a couple of weeks ago and told her to deal with it. The following weekend, SIL was at FIL's house to get the mail while he was out of town. MIL's side of the closet is now filled with purple hippie-chick clothes and there is a purple alarm clock sitting on the nightstand opposite FIL's nightstand. Obviously they have moved in together, but FIL never bothered to mention that little detail.
The whole situation it nauseating. We will be returning to Hometown in a month for SIL's college graduation. We always stay with my inlaws, but there is no way in heck we can stay there now. Guess we'll be getting a hotel. That may bother FIL, but I really don't give a damn, since he obviously doesn't consider anybody else's feelings before he acts. (I just can't believe he put all of MIL's clothing in trashbags and dropped it off with SIL, instead of letting them go and sort through it all.)
Ugh, Ugh, Ugh!
*Have I mentioned that she has the same name as my MIL, "Judy"? Yes, because we needed more awkwardness. So fiancee is referred to as Replacement Judy.
FIL kept saying, "well, [SIL] is always so busy that I hardly ever see her, and I never hear a word out of [BIL]." Yeah, because they both tried to tell you how they felt about the whole situation and you completely blew them off. Now they don't even feel comfortable stopping by your house anymore. Get your head out of your ass--you're alienating your children and grandchildren.
I don't know what to say. No alarm bells went off, and I detected no ulterior motives, but I simply don't understand the attraction. She is the polar opposite of my ultra-conservative, traditional MIL. Replacement Judy* is a crunchy-granola hippie chick who dresses in purple and rainbows and dangley peace-sign earrings. She has been single for the last 25 years, after a short marriage ended in divorce. She is much more traveled than FIL who has always been happiest in his own backyard.
So while I get that FIL may be grasping at whatever (or whoever) comes along to avoid the grim realities of single-life, I absolutely cannot figure out why Replacement Judy is interested in FIL. Nor can I understand why she thinks its a good idea to go flying into a relationship with someone whose wife has been dead all of 3 months.
On Sunday, SIL's inlaws invited us all for a cookout and swimming before we all attended a baseball game together. FIL and Replacement Judy spent the entire day indoors ("it's too hot"), completely disengaged from their grandchildren who were swimming outdoors. The ball game went about as well. (OMG, I was going to lose my mind if I heard how hot it was one more time. Yes, it's July in [state where it is notoriously hotter than hell in July]--get over it.)
The good is that we had a great time visiting with SIL and her family and the kids loved playing with their cousins and at the baseball game.
They left early this morning, before the girls and I were even out of bed. DH heard them packing up and got up to say goodbye. Which is when FIL informed him that they would be getting married soon and they would not be dealing with the the church-required hoops right now. DH told his dad that he seemed to be rushing things, and FIL's response was "life is short." Then FIL asked if we wanted to participate in the wedding or just get a phone call when it was done.
Um no, we do not want to participate in a wedding, SIL and I had discussed the day before how we weren't sure we could survive a full-on wedding without getting emotional.
SIL also told me that FIL dropped off all of MIL's clothing with SIL#2 a couple of weeks ago and told her to deal with it. The following weekend, SIL was at FIL's house to get the mail while he was out of town. MIL's side of the closet is now filled with purple hippie-chick clothes and there is a purple alarm clock sitting on the nightstand opposite FIL's nightstand. Obviously they have moved in together, but FIL never bothered to mention that little detail.
The whole situation it nauseating. We will be returning to Hometown in a month for SIL's college graduation. We always stay with my inlaws, but there is no way in heck we can stay there now. Guess we'll be getting a hotel. That may bother FIL, but I really don't give a damn, since he obviously doesn't consider anybody else's feelings before he acts. (I just can't believe he put all of MIL's clothing in trashbags and dropped it off with SIL, instead of letting them go and sort through it all.)
Ugh, Ugh, Ugh!
*Have I mentioned that she has the same name as my MIL, "Judy"? Yes, because we needed more awkwardness. So fiancee is referred to as Replacement Judy.
7/1/10
Booked our first cruise today--yay!
We will be traveling kid-free to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year. Our anniversary is in December, but we are cruising in November because we don't want to abandon the kids over the holidays and it is just too darn expensive then. We're doing a 7-day cruise to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel. I'm so excited! I can spend hours just looking at pictures on Flikr. All of those places look so beautiful and peaceful. (Then again, so does Jamaica, and there have been deadly uprisings there in recent weeks.)
We did go for the balcony (for those who responded to my inquiry several weeks ago). It wasn't too much more, and seemed worth the splurge since it is a rare trip with just the two of us. I am envisioning lots of time on it catching up on my reading, and maybe ordering room service for breakfast on the balcony. Crowds by the pool do not appeal to me.
Now I just have to figure out what to do on the shore excursions. Mayan ruins, shopping, sitting on the beach, ziplining, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, parasailing? My problem is that I want to do it all. And on most vacations I try to cram it all in, which just leaves me needing a vacation from my vacation. I am really going to try to actually relax this time around. Really.
We did go for the balcony (for those who responded to my inquiry several weeks ago). It wasn't too much more, and seemed worth the splurge since it is a rare trip with just the two of us. I am envisioning lots of time on it catching up on my reading, and maybe ordering room service for breakfast on the balcony. Crowds by the pool do not appeal to me.
Now I just have to figure out what to do on the shore excursions. Mayan ruins, shopping, sitting on the beach, ziplining, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, parasailing? My problem is that I want to do it all. And on most vacations I try to cram it all in, which just leaves me needing a vacation from my vacation. I am really going to try to actually relax this time around. Really.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)