Fall Thoughts

Still not sure what will become of the blog, but still thinking random thoughts so will post as necessary.

* I've picked my yarn back up after about a 6 month hiatus. Life just got too busy and I had too many good books lined up to read. I made a teddy bear for my new niece and am now working on some Christmas presents for the ladies in my family.

* Alex is loving school. Switching schools was the best decision we've made. I'm so proud of him. He's starting to read.

* Now if I can just get him to pass to the next level of swimming. He can't advance until he can swim independently. I'm bribing him with goggles. I really hope it works.

Seriously random thoughts

- I never in my life imagined I would be in the minority as a mom who works full time outside the home.

This is NOT to start the whole mom's at home vs. mom's at work debate. All mom's work. And being a stay-at-home mom IS a full time job. I fully believe that and support that. I also know that some mom's who stay home ALSO work from home. A dear friend of mine teaches online and scores essays.

I'm just continually amazed at the number of mom's I encounter who are able to stay home with their kids. I wish I could. It's just not financially viable... and believe me, I've done the math! Just met a bunch of mom's from Alex's new school next year. They all stay home. They seemed shocked that I had two kids and worked full time. Not in a judgmental way. In a truly amazed "How do you do it?" way. I have the same amazement. "How do YOU do it?"

- I hate the word ROBUST.

It makes me feel violent. I honestly want to punch someone/something when I hear it used. I have a new manager who says it at least twice a day. I want to buy him a thesaurus.

- Much as I don't want to admit it... I'm turning into one of those "I don't have time to blog" bloggers lately.

I just can't keep up. Writing, reading, or commenting. I'm trying to read, catch up and leave a comment when I can. But if this is the best I can do, so be it. I'm not out for fame and fortune. I'm fully aware that I'm not going to be "discovered" as the fresh new voice in writing so someone can make crappy books out of my blog and even crappier blog-to-big screen movies. It's not gonna happen. The sooner most bloggers accept that the better. Write for yourself.

- Speaking of writing... I got an email from my old University this week talking about their Summer Writer's Workshops. -Sigh- Someday.

- I hate it when you realize that you' think you're better friends with someone than you actually are.
That's been happening to me a lot lately. It hurts. It makes me feel insecure and lonely. It just generally sucks.

- I am NOT doing a good job with running.
I want to run at least one or two 5Ks this year, but my training is seriously lacking. I mean, how can I get into good running condition when I barely average 1 run a week. I'm just so tired all the time. Getting up at oh-dark-hundred to put in three miles just doesn't seem attractive right now. Not to mention all the rain we've been having. I've got the goal of running Race for the Cure at the end of September. I'd like to find another one to run before then.

- Crocheting and reading are also luxuries I haven't had much time for.

- Alex has got to be one of the coolest kids I know.
He's sweet. Sensitive. Caring. Dotes on his baby brother. Isn't half bad at T-Ball. Is passionate about Legos and Star Wars. Is a decent singer. I'm glad we're pals.

- Adam's personality is starting to come out.
He has found his voice and isn't afraid to make a little noise. His expressions and the way he emphasizes his noises with his arms and fists just cracks me up!

- My brain is already on vacation in Charleston, S.C.
Hopefully it will send me a postcard with some good travel tips.

This is what I'm thinking about right now...

Hurricane Alex.

I live with Hurricane Alex, but there's an actual Hurricane named Alex swirling around right now.
Yes, hurricanes are horrible, dangerous storms. No, my Hurricane Alex is not horrible and dangerous.

I wish I still worked in TV news, if only to have one of my graphic designer buddies Photoshop Alex into the eye of the hurricane... and possibly make an animation out of it. At the very least, I would make a poster for his room!

-sigh-

I miss my TV toys.

Anyone out there willing to do me a Photoshop favor????

Guilty Pleasure TV

One of the worst parts of maternity leave is discovering new guilty pleasures on television.
Thank you to Bravo, TLC, and E! for the fantasitc bunch of junk to which I am now addicted.

Shear Genius

Tabatha's Salon Takeover

What Not To Wear

Keeping up with the Kardashians

I have caught myself DVRing some of these if I have to run an errand or if they are on while I'm in the shower. Pathetic, isn't it? I have tried to break myself of some of these shows... it will get better when I go back to work. I actually had to stop watching "A Baby Story" because it was making me cry.

Oh, and I finally got caught up on one of my HBO faves... Big Love. That one is not such a guilty pleasure, it's just a darn good show!

Dear Target-

Dear Target-

Let me start off by saying you are my favorite discount store. Love you for that! You recently renovated the store near my house... and it's even more fabulous than it was before.
But I have to say, I've been disappointed on a couple of recent trips. Here's why:

1. No plain white socks for babies under six months. Seriously? Plain white socks are a wardrobe staple at any age. They don't go with every outfit, but you need to have them. I needed plain white socks - without any colored trim, no cute little rubber treads in the shape of stars/pawprints/rockets/footballs, not blue, not pink, not coordinating with another outfit. Plain white. The kid needed socks to wear with his baptism outfit. Why would you have your plain white socks start at 6-12 months?

2. 4 adorable baby girl - pink photo albums... AND NOT ONE BABY BOY ONE??? Again, seriously? Apparently the moms of little boys simply don't desire gender specific photo albums. Don't get me wrong, the cute little cartoon animal album I got is fine... but those baby girl ones were adorable. I'm jealous. How hard would it have been to make the exact same album in baby blue?

And lest you think I didn't ask if either of these items was available, I did. The employees I asked were very nice, but they said if there wasn't even a label on the display for these items, they weren't offered. Come on now!!! I expect more from you Target! I know you can do better than this!

Love, Me

Media Rant Ahead...

It's been awhile since I've done a journalism related post, but I just have to vent.
And considering the title of my blog and the decade I spent as part of the media, I feel like I need to express something.

I'm sick to death of all the self promotion "journalists" are doing these days.
It's not about how many people read your blog. It's not about how many people follow you on twitter. It's not a contest to see how many tweets or Facebook posts you can do in a 24 hour period. It's about REPORTING THE NEWS.

And you know what? If it's not about reporting the news for you, then you're not a journalist.
Period.


I don't care what event you're M.C.'ing later on. I don't care what restaurant sneak preview you attended. (which ethically speaking, you're not supposed to attend anyway, because you're not supposed to get free stuff. It's called payola. And I'm guessing that most of those free drinks/appetizers/meals for you and your date add up to way more than $25... the usual limit.)
I might care about what story you're working on... but even then... keep your opinion out of it. Just tell me what the story is and when to watch.

I know, I know, you need to get viewers, readers, listeners, whatever. How about this... do your job well and people will watch. I don't want to follow you on Twitter. I don't want a tease for what story you're working on for tonight on my Facebook status updates. I don't want to see call-outs to @whoever. (I assume this is a twitter thing, but since I flat out refuse to follow the herd to this site, I wouldn't know for certain. All I know is that a plethora of my media pals feel the need to do these things.


And the sad part to me is that we as a society seem to be eating this up. Why? Why? Why? I don't get it!

Don't get me wrong. I think technology has the potential to greatly enhance reporting. I love that stations post extended interviews or raw video on their websites.

But reporters and anchors aren't supposed to show their bias. They are not supposed to publicly state opinions. When they do... lines are crossed. Respect is lost. Trust is lost.

If you want to have a blog, fine. If you want to Twitter or Facebook, fine. If you feel the need to express yourself, create personal blogs separate from your TV/newspaper persona.

And please, for the love of all that is decent, don't spend valuable airtime/page space promoting it.

I'm not feeling creative, so more random thoughts...

• The bigger I've gotten with this pregnancy, the more I find myself choosing the handicapped accessible bathroom stall at work.I just feel so claustophobic in the regular stalls.
  
• If my belly sticks out any further, I'm going to have to start using Alex's mitten clips to keep my shirt from exposing my belly. I just don't get why maternity tanks/shirts don't want to stay put. That's their whole job... cover the belly. Stop creeping up!
  
• I've been bringing yogurt or pudding cups to work for snacks. Saves $$, especially since I'm so bad about packing a lunch. Also healthier than the junk in the vending machine.
  
• I also think I've kicked my Starbucks habit, at least for now. I discovered flavored liquid creamers and 50% decaf coffee. Once I ditched the leaky travel mug for one that doesn't leak, I figured out that doing thissaves money and is probably better for me. (In my defense, I was choosing non-fat and decaf options in my Starbucks order. I was also getting it here at work, because I can get a grande for about $1.50 less here.) My grocery store had the creamer on special for $1 a piece, so I got a few. I spent $5 on the bag of coffee, and it's lasted me nearly a month. Not too shabby, I'd say.
  
• Anyone out there have thoughts on the Leapfrog Tag Reading System? Alex has been spelling words in books and may be on the verge of reading by kindergarten. I'm trying to decide if this toy is worth the hype it got last year. The kid loves books and loves to read... if this helps or enhances that, then to me, it's worth it. Please share your thoughts/experiences!!!
  
• What the heck is a "mash-up?" And what does "emo" mean? I also don't know what it means to "do someone a solid" or what it means when an album/book/song/movie "drops." These are all phrases that seem to have seeped into the mainstream... that are totally unnecessary. I also hate that adding "-ista" to something instantly makes it cool (i.e. fashionista).
  
• I don't get the whole Lady Gaga craze. I've also never heard a Miley Cyrus song. I'm not complaining, I'm just curious why people both just a little bit older than me and a little bit younger than me dig these two singers so much.

I think we've gone too far with baby products...

This post is starting off with an apology. It will also end with one. I'm sorry I keep posting about baby stuff. I'm six weeks away from my due date, freaking out a little, and obsessed with baby items right now. Mostly clothes, but also things that confuse and confound me. Like the following product.


A baby sling in camouflage? What, are you taking the baby hunting???

What if the baby doesn't want to be a camouflage pirate???

I'm all for being stylish. But these things cost upwards of $60! Do you know how many diapers you could buy with that???

And now the ending apology. I'm sorry if this is your company, or your friends' company, or if you have one of these things. I do not mean to offend. But it is my blog and I get to express my thoughts here. That's exactly what I just did.

Woo HOO! It's Friday!

Okay... some random thoughts for Friday.

* I'm excited that my big project at work is over. It was a huge success, I'm writing the final report, then planning for the Spring version of this same project. I'm weird like that. I feel like a producer again, planning and plotting and strategizing. Makes me feel like this new profession called PR is a good fit.

* I need to stop calling PR "My New Profession." I've been doing this for over two years now. And I've been at my "new" job almost a year. WOW!

* I miss running. I never EVER thought I'd hear myself say that. I'm really looking forward to hitting the treadmill again in late January (hopefully I'll get cleared to exercise six weeks after having this baby!) and having the speed be faster than a slow walk.

* I'm itching to get some Christmas shopping done because I'm afraid I won't have it done before the baby comes. I plan to get started this weekend.

* Also itching to get more of my craft project presents done. I'm 90% done with my current project. I have a list of about a dozen other small projects I want to get done by Christmas, too.

* Crocheting is eating into my reading time. I still haven't started my next book club book, "The Shack" and I'm still trying to finish "The Lost Symbol", the new Dan Brown book. But I'm feeling like crocheting is my fall/winter hobby. Reading is my year-round hobby. And I'm okay with that.

* I've got a great family... my immediate family and my in-laws. I really feel lucky. Sure we all drive each other nuts periodically, but at the heart of it, there's a lot of love and admiration. I've got the coolest sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. My brother and sister are amazing too. Love my parents and my husband's parents. All 4 of my nephews are so cute, so sweet, and such individuals! Since I don't have a huge extended family I love that we're able to be close to both sides.

* I love that Alex is so into "Star Wars!" I was a total tomboy when I was a kid, and I had more Star Wars guys than I did Strawberry Shortcakes. I was about 4 when I saw the original movie. I think I loved it as much as he does. I'm glad we can share that.

Pretty Cool

I went from not entering any giveaway for months to winning two in one week! Go Figure!
I'm going to have to host my own giveaway soon... so stay tuned!

I won this giveaway at Dry Toast

I did not get to run Race for the Cure this year, but instead did "Sleep In for the Cure." I'll still get my t-shirt, just made a donation and didn't run. Next year I'll be back at it, running in memory of Craig's grandma.

Also think this is a pretty cool picture.

More Random Friday Thoughts

• Alex has the book "Actual Size" by Steve Jenkins. Everytime I see this book, the song "Actual Size" by They Might Be Giants pops into my head and I can't get rid of it.
  
• The baby has decided that my bladder makes both a nice cushion and a wonderful plaything. I've gone to the bathroom more in the past week than I have all month.
  
• I wish I could finish a crochet project. I have three "in progress" projects: a blanket, a scarf, and a market bag. I think I'm more of a small project crocheter. I need something I can be done with in a day or two. Otherwise, I get overwhelmed and want to walk away.
  
• Craig and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary next year. I have no idea how we will celebrate. I'm kind of hoping we take a trip someplace. Guess we should probably talk about it at some point before our 20th wedding anniversary, huh?
  
• If I could get paid to read books all day, I'd quit my job in a heartbeat.
  
• That being said, I still think my job is kinda cool. Not as cool at TV news was, but cool nonetheless. (I'm in PR for a Fortune 500 company now.)
  
• It cracks me up that Alex can now distinguish between Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters, and requests these artists whenever we are in the car. Well, that and the "Wicked" soundtrack. He's recently started singing along with what he hears. I love it! (Not that there's anything wrong with music produced especially for kids, it's just that we've only subjected him to stuff that we enjoy. And none of the music we enjoy in his presence has lyrics that need to be edited, thank goodness.)
  
• I feel kinda guilty that when I was pregnant with Alex I took belly pictures every month. With this one, I haven't yet taken one belly picture. We'll have to work on that. I'm 7 months now...

Random thoughts for a random friday

• I think I've found a new favorite Starbucks beverage. I usually go with a non-fat mocha (Decaf for now...) or around the holidays I LOVE the peppermint mocha. But I recently discovered carmel lattes. YUMMY! I also love that I can get these in the Starbucks cafe at work for about $2 less than going to the real Starbucks!
  
  
• Why do people insist on parking their giant pickups, SUVs, and minivans in the compact car spots in the parking lot? This also happens in parking garages.
  
  
• Why do people who work in cubicles insist on having loud personal conversations during the workday? I don't want to hear about your mom/mother-in-law/best friends surgery/bitchiness/drunken escapades.... nor do I want to hear about yours. If you have to have a conversation like that, exit cubicle land and go to the cafeteria! Or find a quiet picnic table outside!
  
  
• I really wish we could go to an Iowa football game. I miss college football Saturdays on campus. Not for the drinking and crazy people, but for the sea of black and gold, the friendly people shouting "Go Hawks" and waving. Maybe I'm just feeling a little nostalgic. Maybe next year we'll get it together and pair up with my brother and sister-in-law for a little Iowa-Iowa State rivalry action!? I can dream!
  
  
• I don't know who had my work phone number before me, but she owes someone money. I keep getting calls for collection agencies. I let them go into voicemail. They don't even listen to my outgoing voicemail message. Why is that? If you're looking for someone who's name is XXXX, then why do you keep calling and leaving messages for XXXX on YYYY's phone???
  
  
• I can't even express how excited for this weekend I am. We are going to the Brewers game tonight! We've only been to one other game this season. This is really rare for us. Usually we get to at least 4 or 5 games a year, but for some reason, this year we just haven't gone to many games. Alex's only request for the game? Peanuts in the shell. But of course!!!
  And then tomorrow we're going to Chicago! CHICAGO! I love Chicago... anyone who knows me knows this. We're hoping to do the Shedd Aquarium, and have already bought tickets for a boat tour, and for the Sears Tower Skydeck. (I know, that other company now owns the Sears Tower, but for my 34 years on this earth (and 2 prior to that), that building has been called the Sears Tower, and it will always be the Sears Tower in my mind.) We want to hit the Lego store on Michigan Ave. too. (And any other shopping!!!) And stock up on Bears gear for the whole family, including baby#2! I will most definitely post pictures.

You have time to read?

I have kind of a vent right now. I can't tell you how often I have received this response when I tell people I'm in a book club.

"You have time to read?"

(usually uttered in a stunned, incredulous or condescending tone)

This is usually followed by some lamentation about how they're too busy with their kids, or work, or life etc. to pick up a book, magazine, whatever and read.

Seriously?!

Here's why this irritates me.

1. You think a woman who works 45+ hours a week and has a 4 year old and another on the way isn't busy? Or are you trying to insinuate that I'm somehow neglecting my job/family/household by taking 10-15 minutes out of the day to read?

2. Why don't you have time/make time to read?

I have been reading since I was 4 years old. I've been obsessed with books since before then. My parents had the 1975 World Book Encyclopedia set, plus a set of Childcraft books that I would page through for hours on end. There were always newspapers and magazines in my house, books on the bookshelf, and I have vivid memories of seeing both my mom and dad reading novels as a child out in the open where anyone in the family could see. I learned to read early... so early in fact that my kindergarten teacher thought my parents were full of it when they told her that I could read. Proved her wrong. Once they realized I could read I got to select books from the first grade shelf. By second grade I was grabbing chapter books from the 4th-5th grade shelf. Books have always been my escape, my refuge, my way to explore unknown worlds. You were more likely to find me with my nose in a book in the summer than out playing with my friends. I wasn't anti-social, I just preferred reading.

This love affair with reading was cemented thanks to some fantastic English teachers in junior high and high school. Then of course I saw "Dead Poets Society," a movie which changed my life. I flirted with the idea of being an English teacher, but instead majored in English in college (along with journalism as a double major). Reading to me is life. It's learning. It's expanding your horizons. It is something I truly love to do, so why wouldn't I make time for it in my busy life? If you like boating, you're going to make time for boating, right? Same thing with crafts, television, movies, insert whatever you want into the blank.

I think I'm setting a great example for my son by reading books not only with him, but in front of him. I'm teaching him to value books and to treasure reading. He has his own bookshelf and will sit for long periods just pulling books off the shelf, looking at pictures or telling his version of the story. That makes me so proud... that I'm nuturing his love of reading, fueling his mind and his creativity through books.

If you don't like reading books, fine. I have no problem with that. There are a lot of things I don't like, so I don't do them. But when you hear someone talking about books, their book club, reading etc., don't flip back at them "You have time to read?"

Cut the Cliches

Okay, this is a minor rant, but I have something I want to get off my chest.
What is it with people taking pictures of their feet at the beach and then posting them online?
I don't want to see your feet at the beach! I've seen these all over blogs, social networking sites, whatever. I simply don't get it.

I'm happy to look at a picture of you at the beach. I'm happier to just see a picture of the beautiful beach you went to that I probably haven't been to or won't get to go to for awhile. Thank goodness your pedicure is fresh, but seriously. Feet at the beach pictures have now become cliche. I don't need to see your feet, or your alcoholic beverage at the beach.

Sorry. Rant over.

Took some time off...

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. Life has kind of gotten in the way. I've been kind of trying to evaluate what I want to do with the blog. Part of me loves having an outlet to talk about things, but another part of me wonders why I'm doing this. Call it an existential blog crisis. I'm just not sure I want be putting myself "out there" for anyone to read anymore. Hopefully I'll get it figured out.

Honestly it's been kind of nice to not worry about scheduling and writing posts. I've actually spent significantly less time online the last couple of weeks. The weather has turned nice. We've gone hunting flowers in the yard. Alex is fascinated by the daffodils and tulips that have popped up. He also is enjoying the greens of the Lilies of the Valley, Day Lillies, and other plants that have sprouted. So we've spent a lot of time enjoying warmer weather after a long winter.

I've been crocheting and reading too. Spending time on the phone with friends. We took a trip to Indiana to see my middle nephew make his First Communion. We also got to see two of the three boys play baseball. It was great because Alex adores his cousins. Took a side trip to Notre Dame on the way home to see the campus in bloom. I hadn't been there since grade school and it was just as beautiful as I remember. Growing up Catholic, Notre Dame was kind of the dream college... and for most it remains a dream! But it's cool to just go and walk around the campus. The Basilica on campus is gorgeous, and we stopped at the grotto behind the church to light a candle and say a prayer. The grotto is very similar to Lourdes in France. It was so peaceful back there.

We're hoping to get Alex's school registration wrapped up soon. He'll be going to K4 next year and is SOOOO excited.

Work has also kept me busy... but only during the day. So far they have not given me a laptop, so I really can't do work from home in the evening. I am NOT complaining at all. It's just a really busy time of year.

So that catches me up for now. I'll try to get back into the swing of things, but that's my therapy session for the evening.

Catching Up...

Okay... so I'm going to catch up on a few loose ends here.

Goodreads Chicks on Lit present - Fabulous purple yarn. It's all sparkly! Thank you Hannah! It's purple and sparkly and I love it! Whenever I decide what I'm making with it, I'll take a picture and post it.

Valentine's Day - Got my haircut (nothing special, just a trim). Alex went to a birthday party. I dropped him off, the mom said to pick him up in 2 hours. Went back two hours later they still hadn't played games, had ice cream, or opened presents. We were there another two hours. GRRR. Seriously a 4 hour party for a 4 year old? And you didn't make some sort of agenda? Call me crazy, but it just seems a little disorganized. We also got AT&T Uverse installed. We worshipped the HD goodness most of the evening.

Sunday - Date night! Thanks to my friend Sara for the babysitting swap. Went to a great Mexican restaurant for dinner then to see "Benjamin Button." Great movie, if a little long. Forgot how good looking Brad Pitt is. I've been lukewarm to him ever since the whole left-his-wife-for-bizarrely beautiful co-worker thing. But once he loses all the aging makeup, holy moly. He's HOT. And Cate Blanchett is beautiful.

Book Club meeting was tonight. Will post about that tomorrow.

still too busy...

Anniversary was great. Craig got me a dozen roses and we had frozen pizza for dinner, leftover birthday cake for dessert and a big glass of wine for me. When our anniversary falls on a week night, we usually leave any big dinner plans till the weekend. But yesterday's celebration was just perfect! Relaxed, simple, romantic!

I'm still crazy busy... I've got the Book Club coming over tonight to watch a movie. They haven't seen "The Philadelphia Story" with Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, and Cary Grant. This is blasphemous to me, so I bought the DVD (gave me a good excuse to add it to my collection) and insisted on hosting movie night. So there will be wine, snacks, and Cary and Katharine in all their black and white movie glory! Fun!

If you have a sec, pop over to Sunshine and Lemonade... Kat's having a contest for best random blog post. Vote for me! The poll is on the right side of the blog. I only have one vote and it's making me sad.

A Bunch of Random Thoughts

I have a holiday weekend hangover (not a real hangover, I'm just tired) and can't form a coherent thought that's longer than a couple of sentences, so here's just a random collection of stuff for Monday.

1. I laid out in the sun yesterday and it felt wonderful. Forget about global warming. Forget about skin cancer. Slather on some SPF 50 and spend some time in the sun. It did wonders for my mood, and changed my skin color from translucent to off-white.

2. I'm 4 days away from running my 5K. I didn't run all weekend. I feel guilty about it. I am going to do an easy run today (2 miles) then take the next two days off.

3. A note to all of you with music players on your blogs. You make it very hard for me to blog surf at work. I forget to turn the volume down and suddenly I'm rocking out. I like the music... it just always startles me. Fortunately many of you have taste in music that is similar to my own.

4. A note to all women, and women with tween/teen girls: your dresses should cover your butts. I'm serious here. Tunic tops are in fashion right now, but if the thing just barely covers your butt, you should seriously consider wearing something underneath the tunic. I spent time at the zoo this weekend and saw way too many moms/women/stick figures in dresses that weren't really dresses, just really long tops. I don't care how you are built, underpants hanging out or flashes of butt cheek from under your "dress" have never been in fashion. Unless you're a hooker or a stripper.

And then there was the girl in church who looked to be maybe in junior high with the skirt that didn't cover her butt cheeks. This girl was tall and thin, very pretty, but I didn't need to see the flash of her underwear IN CHURCH. And she was there with her mom, so obviously mom saw her daughter before they walked out of the house this morning. The girl spent half of church tugging at the non-existent hemline of this micro-micro-mini skirt trying to make sure her butt wasn't hanging out. AT CHURCH! Of all the places you don't want your butt/underwear hanging out, I would think CHURCH would be at the top of the list.

5. The bathroom has now been painted. Craig did a great job, doing two coats and hanging the main mirror/medicine cabinet this weekend. I forgot to take pictures last night but it looks awesome. I promise to take an update pictures tonight, and post it tomorrow. So you'll just have to sit in eager anticipation until then.