Every day, we see multiple trains pass through Puyallup. Bub is in LOVE. We count cars, we talk about freight, and we.cannot.get.enough. By we, I mean he, in case you can't hear me saying this aloud to know where the emphasis/sarcasm should go. But I do love that he is so excited about something and wants to learn more. He's paging through a stack of non-fiction kids train books right now, including the one with hand-drawn cross-sections of a dozen different trains.
Every day, we walk Bumper to the bus stop, which is probably a half mile or more, and along the way (through the trailer park), Bub demands to know the number of every trailer. This is even more tedious than the train schtick, but I continue to answer him happily because I want him to be interested in numbers. Yesterday, I used it as an exercise in subtraction, by asking Bumper what would be next (as we walk home, we walk on the odd side, and the numbers go down by two, such as 63 take away 2 is...?, 55 take away 2 is...?) but she got tired of that real quick. Oh well. Maybe next time/later.
I'm really struggling with being unemployed today/this week that has completely whizzed by. I don't have a network here, and I don't have regular daycare to spend time building a professional network/taking people to coffee/asking for informational interviews. Also, Bumper gets on the bus at 8:06a and gets off at 3:39p, so anything I accomplish in a day really needs to be between those times.I might go see about a co-op preschool for Bub, so I can have a few hours of solitude each week to devote to this searching/networking/etc.
So, hurdles. And right now, they seem like really, really big hurdles. I know in my head they are regular-sized hurdles, and yet, my feels get in the way and distort my vision. Please say a little prayer for me that my vision is clear and I feel empowered instead of deflated.
Finally, I don't know that I really want to continue on a legal path; I really liked being involved with "problem-solving courts" for the human story part of it, and I was good enough at the legal-ish work, but the WA bar part is also cause for anxiety in my life. I mean, do I know enough law to actually practice? Should I really let that stop me? I mean, Amy Poehler and Hugh Laurie would tell me that we have to do things before we 'feel ready' because nobody ever really 'feels ready.' But not feeling/being ready is a recipe for disaster re: taking a bar exam, and I'm not so excited about that.
I found a communications position that I think I'd really enjoy and be successful in, but I just saw that the posting was re-listed/re-opened, without an invitation to interview from the first listing. I'll call today to see if they got everything they need from me/if I should re-submit my application...Cue trombone music.
Time to go pick up Bumper from the bus stop and get some dinner in the kids before we go gorge on fried treats at the fair, so I'll leave it here and hopefully have something more fun/hopeful/positive to report on soon.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Hiatus: Ended
Life in a Sardine Can, or: Why Gratitude Is The Thing
I want to start by telling you that this is a stream-of-consciousness blog, written and posted from the local library while my thrilling three year-old sings a song-story about a Richard Scarry book he's looking at. My thoughts are as developed as I can get them in this environment. You've been warned.
When getting ready to embark on this relocation adventure to the Sea-Tac area of WA from the wilds of suburban Chaska, MN (Soar, Hawks!), I was told I would accumulate a bunch of blog-fodder with all the adventures and complaints associated with living in a 25' RV with my husband, two lovely and human children, and two awesome but not-small doggies. Mostly, I'm just trying to survive the day and search for a job. But I feel called to do more than complain about flatulence in confined spaces and the utter lack of wardrobe space I am allotted. Those things are real, and somewhat amusing, and what I have learned to get me through my temper tantrums about those inconveniences are that they are TEMPORARY. INCONVENIENCES. And that is a big personal revelation for control-freaky me.
Specifically, the 'Migrant Crisis' (I'm not sure if this is the best title for it, but I've seen it repeated, so it seems to make sense to keep using the common term) is speaking to me, whispering every day: look at those magnificent little people that you're allowed to parent, in this safe, stable, environment, surrounded be convenience and ease and calm and natural beauty. These wonderful little people say ridiculous things, they push my buttons and boundaries constantly, and yet... if I think about the three year-old body washed ashore, how in the world can I be anything but grateful for all of these opportunities afforded me? My heart is both full and broken. I am both powerful and powerless.
Non-sequitur (get used to it): Being unemployed kinda saps some of my personal power. It gives me an undertone feeling of 'not enough,' that I have to shake off every time I see a job opening that looks like something I would qualify for/be interested in/like to do. But what a freaking luxury I have to be at all choosy. When I think about all the people fleeing their homes in search of security, safety, to have their most basic needs met, my inconvenience of not being picked for a job yet seems pretty small. Of course, I have to balance that idea that I am so freaking lucky and that a good job will come to me if I just keep at it against the reality that our savings are finite and we have a house to sell in MN...but again, pretty small potatoes.
So often in drug court (my previous job), we talked about the importance of practicing gratitude. I hope this blog will be just that - a written gratitude practice, for the world or maybe just for myself. And today, I am thankful for my family: my children, my husband, my parents and sisters - to say I miss them is such I giant understatement that, to use a popular term, I can't even, and to my husband's parents. I am a lucky cat to have so many wonderful people in my corner.
So, this is my initial post in what I hope will be a regular storytelling, an ongoing record of my family's adventures, struggles, and life here. I hope to figure out ways that we can make a difference in the lives of others as I continue to discern my calling in this new place.
I want to start by telling you that this is a stream-of-consciousness blog, written and posted from the local library while my thrilling three year-old sings a song-story about a Richard Scarry book he's looking at. My thoughts are as developed as I can get them in this environment. You've been warned.
When getting ready to embark on this relocation adventure to the Sea-Tac area of WA from the wilds of suburban Chaska, MN (Soar, Hawks!), I was told I would accumulate a bunch of blog-fodder with all the adventures and complaints associated with living in a 25' RV with my husband, two lovely and human children, and two awesome but not-small doggies. Mostly, I'm just trying to survive the day and search for a job. But I feel called to do more than complain about flatulence in confined spaces and the utter lack of wardrobe space I am allotted. Those things are real, and somewhat amusing, and what I have learned to get me through my temper tantrums about those inconveniences are that they are TEMPORARY. INCONVENIENCES. And that is a big personal revelation for control-freaky me.
Specifically, the 'Migrant Crisis' (I'm not sure if this is the best title for it, but I've seen it repeated, so it seems to make sense to keep using the common term) is speaking to me, whispering every day: look at those magnificent little people that you're allowed to parent, in this safe, stable, environment, surrounded be convenience and ease and calm and natural beauty. These wonderful little people say ridiculous things, they push my buttons and boundaries constantly, and yet... if I think about the three year-old body washed ashore, how in the world can I be anything but grateful for all of these opportunities afforded me? My heart is both full and broken. I am both powerful and powerless.
Non-sequitur (get used to it): Being unemployed kinda saps some of my personal power. It gives me an undertone feeling of 'not enough,' that I have to shake off every time I see a job opening that looks like something I would qualify for/be interested in/like to do. But what a freaking luxury I have to be at all choosy. When I think about all the people fleeing their homes in search of security, safety, to have their most basic needs met, my inconvenience of not being picked for a job yet seems pretty small. Of course, I have to balance that idea that I am so freaking lucky and that a good job will come to me if I just keep at it against the reality that our savings are finite and we have a house to sell in MN...but again, pretty small potatoes.
So often in drug court (my previous job), we talked about the importance of practicing gratitude. I hope this blog will be just that - a written gratitude practice, for the world or maybe just for myself. And today, I am thankful for my family: my children, my husband, my parents and sisters - to say I miss them is such I giant understatement that, to use a popular term, I can't even, and to my husband's parents. I am a lucky cat to have so many wonderful people in my corner.
So, this is my initial post in what I hope will be a regular storytelling, an ongoing record of my family's adventures, struggles, and life here. I hope to figure out ways that we can make a difference in the lives of others as I continue to discern my calling in this new place.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
August --- How did this happen?!
I've clearly fallen behind on blogging...I've been taken by other exciting happenings in my life, like grocery shopping, laundry, and chasing N. But seriously, I am going to take some time tonight to be crafty and make something (no clue WHAT yet) and I'll blog about it. TONIGHT. See, when I say it in capital letters, I am totally committing to it.
Our household has been busy visiting w/family, going to Le Sueur for Giant Days fun, cheering on D in mountain biking races at Buck Hill, hitting up the farmer's market, and I've been reading. LOTS. Update on that soon.
Also, I will post some pics that I've been taking with my cool new-to-me camera. That'll make you feel better and give me a slightly artsy appearance.
One more thing: I love sugar. I know I shouldn't love it so much, but I do.
Our household has been busy visiting w/family, going to Le Sueur for Giant Days fun, cheering on D in mountain biking races at Buck Hill, hitting up the farmer's market, and I've been reading. LOTS. Update on that soon.
Also, I will post some pics that I've been taking with my cool new-to-me camera. That'll make you feel better and give me a slightly artsy appearance.
One more thing: I love sugar. I know I shouldn't love it so much, but I do.
Monday, July 11, 2011
WaaaaAAAAAaaaaay Behind
Realizing I'm way behind, here's a little update on my life:
N turned 2.
I turned 30.
I am seriously considering a 10-day juice fast. It sounds crazy when I just go ahead and say it like that, but...I'm still considering it. I figure my body is probably full of all sorts of preservatives, and it would do me some good to detoxify.
I haven't made anything other than dinner or banana bread in an embarassingly long time. And I'm forgiving myself for the misspelling of that word, because there are some things I just don't have time for.
Professionally, things are moving along well. I interviewed someone today, so that was a big new thing. I have about one week to decide if I'm gonna stick with my current position for another year. This is tough, because I really like what I do, but I'm having a really hard time dealing with the low, low, low income part.
Since I don't have anything crafty or creative to show, I'll leave you with a promise: something new will be planned out on the bus this week and will get made this weekend. So, now you've got something to look forward to :)
N turned 2.
I turned 30.
I am seriously considering a 10-day juice fast. It sounds crazy when I just go ahead and say it like that, but...I'm still considering it. I figure my body is probably full of all sorts of preservatives, and it would do me some good to detoxify.
I haven't made anything other than dinner or banana bread in an embarassingly long time. And I'm forgiving myself for the misspelling of that word, because there are some things I just don't have time for.
Professionally, things are moving along well. I interviewed someone today, so that was a big new thing. I have about one week to decide if I'm gonna stick with my current position for another year. This is tough, because I really like what I do, but I'm having a really hard time dealing with the low, low, low income part.
Since I don't have anything crafty or creative to show, I'll leave you with a promise: something new will be planned out on the bus this week and will get made this weekend. So, now you've got something to look forward to :)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Maintenance and Beyond
I realized this weekend that I've been doing a half-ar$ed job lately at maintenance. Better in some areas than others, I've particularly fallen off in such important but easy to forgo self-maintenance tasks as toenail painting and hair styling. I convinced myself that ponytails are stylish and that I can just continue to neglect my feet by always wearing socks and shoes. No sandals for this girl! Eek. While I'm not about to teach N that her image is the most important thing she can give the world, the impression you leave with others concerning your style choices IS important to establish professional credibility and portray a sense of individuality. So this week, I'm determined to get a haircut that suits me and my lifestyle. Again, as I'm always in hot pursuit of this. Any suggestions are appreciated. Also, I painted my toenails this morning, bright red (which N called "orange" over and over). I didn't wear open-toed shoes to showcase them yet, but I'll get there...
Beyond maintenance, however, I want to take a moment to get excited about positive changes I've been making. Through a combination of efforts: nearly eliminating soda from my diet, eating more fruits and veggies and fewer processed things, and regular exercise (mostly wogging - a combo of walking and jogging with N in the Burley and the dogs trotting along beside me), I have shed 10+ pounds over the last few months. Great for my health (and self esteem - hello visible leg muscles!), but not amazing for my wardrobe as most of my dress pants bring to mind one of N's current fave books - The Saggy Baggy Elephant. Ooph, not a good look.
Creatively, I've been working on crocheting with yarn and different materials - particularly t-shirt "yarn". I found a blog this morning that totally motivated me to use my random t-shirt stash, and dye some of the dingy white tees I've held onto after D told me to chuck 'em.
Great news: my little sis is coming home tomorrow! We haven't ironed out the day-to-day details, but I'm so excited to see her! Family get-together celebrating G'ma Shirley's 80th on Friday (likely at Mystic), so lots to look forward to. Lots of fun to be had.
* Brief reality TV update: happy that Olivia won BL.
I still haven't started my seeds (squash, beets, etc), and it is the END of MAY! My grand garden plans have...dwindled. I would love to have a veggie garden, but I realize I'm running out of time to get it started. Maybe Ali can help me?! I don't know, but it is a nice thought. More on gardening to come.
Beyond maintenance, however, I want to take a moment to get excited about positive changes I've been making. Through a combination of efforts: nearly eliminating soda from my diet, eating more fruits and veggies and fewer processed things, and regular exercise (mostly wogging - a combo of walking and jogging with N in the Burley and the dogs trotting along beside me), I have shed 10+ pounds over the last few months. Great for my health (and self esteem - hello visible leg muscles!), but not amazing for my wardrobe as most of my dress pants bring to mind one of N's current fave books - The Saggy Baggy Elephant. Ooph, not a good look.
Creatively, I've been working on crocheting with yarn and different materials - particularly t-shirt "yarn". I found a blog this morning that totally motivated me to use my random t-shirt stash, and dye some of the dingy white tees I've held onto after D told me to chuck 'em.
Great news: my little sis is coming home tomorrow! We haven't ironed out the day-to-day details, but I'm so excited to see her! Family get-together celebrating G'ma Shirley's 80th on Friday (likely at Mystic), so lots to look forward to. Lots of fun to be had.
* Brief reality TV update: happy that Olivia won BL.
I still haven't started my seeds (squash, beets, etc), and it is the END of MAY! My grand garden plans have...dwindled. I would love to have a veggie garden, but I realize I'm running out of time to get it started. Maybe Ali can help me?! I don't know, but it is a nice thought. More on gardening to come.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tick Tock, Tick Tock, When Will This Rain Stop?!
1. I hate ticks. I still haven't found the dogs' tick medicine, which drives me crazy because I know we have at least 3 months worth per dog, ready to go. I just have to figure out where the dog meds are stashed...
2. I saw some really cute stuff I could/should make while shopping in Stillwater w/Iris and Nora today. A few things I should get to: greeting cards (obv), crocheted owl hats, bracelets with buttons, tutu skirts and magic wands for girly girls, and leaf soaps...well, maybe on the leaf soaps. Stillwater is still full of cute little shops. My fave of the day: darn knit, anyway. I love fibers/wool/yarn and crocheting (and perhaps knitting again, someday), so this store was right up my alley. It had a separate sewing room, and a lounge area in back with a kiddo play area. I would love to manage/own a shop like that someday -- perhaps after I master all the fiber arts. I DO know how to spin wool. Maybe I could put that on my resume someday.
3. On to a legal question: Did you know SCOTUS maintains a double space after sentence-ending punctuation? Like that. And this. I've followed that rule/standard since 7th grade keyboarding class, so I'm happy to hear I won't have to change my writing style for the high court. Because, you know, I'm so headed in that direction right now.
I don't have anything prolific in mind right now, and I'm getting pulled away and "C'mon"-ed by the Great Distraction, so I'll be back for more later.
2. I saw some really cute stuff I could/should make while shopping in Stillwater w/Iris and Nora today. A few things I should get to: greeting cards (obv), crocheted owl hats, bracelets with buttons, tutu skirts and magic wands for girly girls, and leaf soaps...well, maybe on the leaf soaps. Stillwater is still full of cute little shops. My fave of the day: darn knit, anyway. I love fibers/wool/yarn and crocheting (and perhaps knitting again, someday), so this store was right up my alley. It had a separate sewing room, and a lounge area in back with a kiddo play area. I would love to manage/own a shop like that someday -- perhaps after I master all the fiber arts. I DO know how to spin wool. Maybe I could put that on my resume someday.
3. On to a legal question: Did you know SCOTUS maintains a double space after sentence-ending punctuation? Like that. And this. I've followed that rule/standard since 7th grade keyboarding class, so I'm happy to hear I won't have to change my writing style for the high court. Because, you know, I'm so headed in that direction right now.
I don't have anything prolific in mind right now, and I'm getting pulled away and "C'mon"-ed by the Great Distraction, so I'll be back for more later.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
World News Tonight and a Hometown Day
Spent the day in LS to celebrate my niece's Confirmation. Rowdy N and I had a great time, though sad D couldn't join us due to work.
Got the news on my drive home about Osama bin Laden...sat in my car, lights off, in the driveway to hear President Obama and a bit of the afterspeech. Not quite sure what to make of it, other than stung by the old hurt of September 11. Proud of America, I guess you could say, inasmuch as one can be proud for extinguishing a life. As someone who generally doesn't support the death penalty, he's as guilty as anyone could be found, yet I'm a little put-off by the idea of celebrating someone's assassination. At some point in his life, he did have a mom...even if he is the symbolic face of the scariest terrorist organization/ideology of our times. Again, not sure how to react to this so I guess we'll leave it there.
Had a great time in LS with the Neal-Hank crew. N absolutely loved playing with her Con-man, and hugged her Uncle J for a full minute. We've been talking about them lots, so no surprise that she loved every minute and wouldn't nap if her life depended on it. Another piggy-tailed day for N, she rocked a dress over her shirt/pants, and at one point layered two additional skirts over her ensemble. Quite the fashion statement. She trusted/loved/wanted to play with all the adults there, was a little nervous over Lady (Bama's teacup-sized cockapoo pup), and pretty much only wanted to eat cake. Carried her noodle-y bod in from the car and successfully transferred her into a bed - a feat usually only accomplished by D! Proud moment. Mkay, that moment has passed.
As always, left Ash's house w/more stuff than I came with. New to our house: second bike trailer, baby stroller, more books, clothes, and a tricycle (one pedal needed). Good haul!
At least three big things are happening tomorrow:
1) I'm washing dish mountain. Don't even bother asking for a calculation of days this mountain has taken to appear. The facts ain't pretty.
2) I'm going on a wog...probably with baby and dogs. No idea what weather I'm in for, but research shows I'm 110% happier when I get some physical activity in my day.
3) I'm going to spend at least 20 minutes crocheting. Probably the same 20 minutes I spend watching the news before bed? Likely.
There. Committed. Now you know my plan.
Also, I will make something totally easy and moderately nutritious for dinner. No idea what that is yet...Clearly, something with bacon. ;)
Okay, past my bedtime and then some. Get out there, push buttons, and save the world.
Got the news on my drive home about Osama bin Laden...sat in my car, lights off, in the driveway to hear President Obama and a bit of the afterspeech. Not quite sure what to make of it, other than stung by the old hurt of September 11. Proud of America, I guess you could say, inasmuch as one can be proud for extinguishing a life. As someone who generally doesn't support the death penalty, he's as guilty as anyone could be found, yet I'm a little put-off by the idea of celebrating someone's assassination. At some point in his life, he did have a mom...even if he is the symbolic face of the scariest terrorist organization/ideology of our times. Again, not sure how to react to this so I guess we'll leave it there.
Had a great time in LS with the Neal-Hank crew. N absolutely loved playing with her Con-man, and hugged her Uncle J for a full minute. We've been talking about them lots, so no surprise that she loved every minute and wouldn't nap if her life depended on it. Another piggy-tailed day for N, she rocked a dress over her shirt/pants, and at one point layered two additional skirts over her ensemble. Quite the fashion statement. She trusted/loved/wanted to play with all the adults there, was a little nervous over Lady (Bama's teacup-sized cockapoo pup), and pretty much only wanted to eat cake. Carried her noodle-y bod in from the car and successfully transferred her into a bed - a feat usually only accomplished by D! Proud moment. Mkay, that moment has passed.
As always, left Ash's house w/more stuff than I came with. New to our house: second bike trailer, baby stroller, more books, clothes, and a tricycle (one pedal needed). Good haul!
At least three big things are happening tomorrow:
1) I'm washing dish mountain. Don't even bother asking for a calculation of days this mountain has taken to appear. The facts ain't pretty.
2) I'm going on a wog...probably with baby and dogs. No idea what weather I'm in for, but research shows I'm 110% happier when I get some physical activity in my day.
3) I'm going to spend at least 20 minutes crocheting. Probably the same 20 minutes I spend watching the news before bed? Likely.
There. Committed. Now you know my plan.
Also, I will make something totally easy and moderately nutritious for dinner. No idea what that is yet...Clearly, something with bacon. ;)
Okay, past my bedtime and then some. Get out there, push buttons, and save the world.
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