Four years ago I did a story with a 100-year-old man celebrating his 101st Christmas. He was such a neat guy, with so many interesting stories. His family invited me to his 104th birthday this past weekend. We went to wish him a happy day. He definitely seemed older and had a harder time hearing and speaking. But, he still feeds the fish every day in their backyard pond. He is doing pretty damn good for 104. I was impressed. We told him we would see him next year for 105!
That night we went to a charity event at a winery. We just got tickets through our station, otherwise we would not have ponied up the $75 a ticket. Some people have far too much money. People were bidding ridiculous amounts for auctioned items. They must feel such pressure though to constantly donate. Not that I exactly feel sorry for the filthy rich, but it must get old to always have people holding their hand out to you.
We are almost through with the first season of "Lost" on DVD. I always felt like I missed the boat on the show, so T and I are jumping on board. It is wonderful to have the instant gratification of finishing one episode and starting the next one without waiting a week. There is no way we will be caught up by the time the next season starts though.
T tweaked something in his back when we were running yesterday. He was walking like the 104-year-old and couldn't lift anything heavier than Q. He stayed home from work today and actually went to a chiropractor, which neither of us has ever done.
This morning I was scrambling to get out the door for my 8:00 a.m. yoga class, T was limping around the house, Q was in fussy, over-dramatic heap on the floor, and then the cat escaped. Gotta love those mornings.
--MM
Monday, August 20, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Waiting for baby
One of the blogs I read raised an interesting question. So, I thought I would hijack it and make it my own. You can read her (probably more eloquent) take here.
She asks what your biggest regret is. She says hers is waiting to have kids, and she mentions other women who said they wished they would have had more kids.
I really believe more women are going to feel like this in the coming years. Women now seem to think they have all the time in the world to have children, but biologically that is just not true, and it could be a devastating realization down the road.
I always seemed to want to have kids a little earlier than T, so we compromised, but still started earlier than most of our friends. I told him I want to finish having babies by the time I am 35, because it is better for my body and there is less chance of birth defects.
I know timing is often based on chance. You never know when you are going to meet the person you actually want to have babies with. And, you have to juggle money, career, and education. But, I think many women are convinced now they should get married in their 30's and not even think about children until they are 35. That's just going to lead to more fertility treatments and the issues they bring. I also think too many couples think fertility treatments are the silver bullet. They are not guaranteed.
It is wonderful that women are so encouraged to pursue a career these days. You are much less likely to be looked down upon for continuing to work after becoming a mother (though it definitely still happens). I just think many women are going to inadvertently choose career over family.
Women have to be aware that their situation is very different from men's. There never seems to be a perfect time to have children, but you just want to make sure you don't wait until it is too late.
--MM
She asks what your biggest regret is. She says hers is waiting to have kids, and she mentions other women who said they wished they would have had more kids.
I really believe more women are going to feel like this in the coming years. Women now seem to think they have all the time in the world to have children, but biologically that is just not true, and it could be a devastating realization down the road.
I always seemed to want to have kids a little earlier than T, so we compromised, but still started earlier than most of our friends. I told him I want to finish having babies by the time I am 35, because it is better for my body and there is less chance of birth defects.
I know timing is often based on chance. You never know when you are going to meet the person you actually want to have babies with. And, you have to juggle money, career, and education. But, I think many women are convinced now they should get married in their 30's and not even think about children until they are 35. That's just going to lead to more fertility treatments and the issues they bring. I also think too many couples think fertility treatments are the silver bullet. They are not guaranteed.
It is wonderful that women are so encouraged to pursue a career these days. You are much less likely to be looked down upon for continuing to work after becoming a mother (though it definitely still happens). I just think many women are going to inadvertently choose career over family.
Women have to be aware that their situation is very different from men's. There never seems to be a perfect time to have children, but you just want to make sure you don't wait until it is too late.
--MM
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Yoga and Cheetos
A woman approached me in yoga this morning to ask if I would be willing to teach yoga to her husband's high school volleyball teams. She says it would be about 50 high school girls. She asked what I would charge. I wasn't sure how to respond. I've never faced that question before. I think I will do it though. It certainly should be interesting. Maybe I will become a yoga entrepreneur and get rich and retire. Maybe.I am obsessed with the song "Vindicated" by Dashboard Confessional. If you have not partaken, please do. You will not regret it. I become obsessed with songs and then I must listen to them repeatedly until I am sick of them. I am the same way with food. My latest obsession is Natural Cheetos. They are wonderful, cheesy, puffy bits of goodness. I took them to my moms' group this morning and said they were "healthy Cheetos." If they say natural, they must be healthy right?
--MM
Doctor's appointments
Q and I both had them today. His was his 15-month check-up. He got two shots and a full examination. The doctor is a bit concerned that he is not walking yet and that he just recently started pulling himself up and moving around. I was kind of sad to hear that. He said he was pleased with Q's words, but wanted to check his motor development. Q, of course, was born six weeks early, but has caught up in size and most other areas. Our doctor is going to refer us to a child development center through the hospital where he was born.
I just hope everything is OK. It kind of gives me a sick feeling, when I think about it. It seems like he is so close to walking though! He pulls up on his chubby little feet and tries to let go! I guess it will be good to know for sure how he is developing.
After Q's check-up, I went to my Lasik appointment. My eyes are still changing since I am out of my rigid gas permeable lenses. I have to wait for them to stabilize. They dilated me which I HATE. They put some super dilation drops in that keep me looking like a stoned owl for five hours. I wasn't the safest driver on the way home. How can they expect you to function like that? I have a follow up in two weeks without dilation, thankfully.
My new boss is not too bad. He is older than I expected with white hair. Apparently, he loves to teach people, and I have been yearning for that. I was six minutes late for our staff meeting with him yesterday. Great impression, huh?
I have several trips coming up. In two weeks, T and I will celebrate our fourth anniversary at a lodge a few hours from here. I am taking a 3-day weekend trip to Las Vegas in September, and then we are going to Boston for T's sister's wedding in October. I love to have things like that to look forward to.
--MM
I just hope everything is OK. It kind of gives me a sick feeling, when I think about it. It seems like he is so close to walking though! He pulls up on his chubby little feet and tries to let go! I guess it will be good to know for sure how he is developing.
After Q's check-up, I went to my Lasik appointment. My eyes are still changing since I am out of my rigid gas permeable lenses. I have to wait for them to stabilize. They dilated me which I HATE. They put some super dilation drops in that keep me looking like a stoned owl for five hours. I wasn't the safest driver on the way home. How can they expect you to function like that? I have a follow up in two weeks without dilation, thankfully.
My new boss is not too bad. He is older than I expected with white hair. Apparently, he loves to teach people, and I have been yearning for that. I was six minutes late for our staff meeting with him yesterday. Great impression, huh?
I have several trips coming up. In two weeks, T and I will celebrate our fourth anniversary at a lodge a few hours from here. I am taking a 3-day weekend trip to Las Vegas in September, and then we are going to Boston for T's sister's wedding in October. I love to have things like that to look forward to.
--MM
Monday, August 13, 2007
Vacation post-mortem
I am back home this Monday morning, watching a "The View" re-run waiting for Q to get tired and take a nap, so I can too!
We got in after midnight last night, and I had to get up before 7:00 for yoga this morning. In a nutshell, our trip was fun, but it is nice to be home. Our flights were actually all remarkably smooth which is a rarity lately. Q had a little trouble on a few flights, but for the most part did okay. Our flights were all on time, and every piece of luggage made it.
My high school reunion was more fun than I expected. The girls mostly looked the same. The guys were a bit harrier and fatter. I was proud of how my speech went. After a few cocktails, my nerves mostly faded away, and I got some good feedback. I am pretty happy with where I am and how I look ten years after high school graduation. I like my life much better now than I did then, but isn't everyone angst-ridden in those years?
We were in constant motion for the family reunion part of the trip. We went to a baseball game, the state fair, ran a 5K, went to Discovery World, a big farmers' market in the state capital, got a professional family picture, saw "The Bourne Ultimatum" in this sparkling new dinner theater, went to the zoo, and had lots of gourmet dinners courtesy of my very talented mom.
Q, T, and I all slept in the same room. Q woke us up early every morning by standing up in his crib and calling to us over the end of the bed. It was ridiculously cute, but it is nice to have him back in his own bed.
I was great to see my new nephew, my sisters, my parents and grandparents, and to see all five little boys play together.
Our huge unwieldy group ranging in age from newborn to mid-80's was a source of frustration. I realize I much prefer smaller groups. It's too hard to make a decision in those huge groups, and you just can't please everyone.
One other thing I could have done without was those judgemental little comments so common in my family. I heard a few too many times that Q should be using a fork already, and my hair was a little flat, and I am lucky T takes care of Q so I can go to work. I tried to let it all just sail right by without bothering me, but I think I did make a few snap comments in response.
That's all expected in a family vacation though isn't it? The enjoyment and the irritation wrapped into one. T and I have a long weekend planned for our anniversary next week. That will be our truly relaxing vacation.
We have a meeting with the new boss today. Should be interesting.
Now for a nap.
--MM
We got in after midnight last night, and I had to get up before 7:00 for yoga this morning. In a nutshell, our trip was fun, but it is nice to be home. Our flights were actually all remarkably smooth which is a rarity lately. Q had a little trouble on a few flights, but for the most part did okay. Our flights were all on time, and every piece of luggage made it.
My high school reunion was more fun than I expected. The girls mostly looked the same. The guys were a bit harrier and fatter. I was proud of how my speech went. After a few cocktails, my nerves mostly faded away, and I got some good feedback. I am pretty happy with where I am and how I look ten years after high school graduation. I like my life much better now than I did then, but isn't everyone angst-ridden in those years?
We were in constant motion for the family reunion part of the trip. We went to a baseball game, the state fair, ran a 5K, went to Discovery World, a big farmers' market in the state capital, got a professional family picture, saw "The Bourne Ultimatum" in this sparkling new dinner theater, went to the zoo, and had lots of gourmet dinners courtesy of my very talented mom.
Q, T, and I all slept in the same room. Q woke us up early every morning by standing up in his crib and calling to us over the end of the bed. It was ridiculously cute, but it is nice to have him back in his own bed.
I was great to see my new nephew, my sisters, my parents and grandparents, and to see all five little boys play together.
Our huge unwieldy group ranging in age from newborn to mid-80's was a source of frustration. I realize I much prefer smaller groups. It's too hard to make a decision in those huge groups, and you just can't please everyone.
One other thing I could have done without was those judgemental little comments so common in my family. I heard a few too many times that Q should be using a fork already, and my hair was a little flat, and I am lucky T takes care of Q so I can go to work. I tried to let it all just sail right by without bothering me, but I think I did make a few snap comments in response.
That's all expected in a family vacation though isn't it? The enjoyment and the irritation wrapped into one. T and I have a long weekend planned for our anniversary next week. That will be our truly relaxing vacation.
We have a meeting with the new boss today. Should be interesting.
Now for a nap.
--MM
Friday, August 3, 2007
Leaving on a jet plane
I am so ready to get on that plane. It has been an interesting and trying day.I have one co-worker who is constantly passive aggressive. Our desks are connected, so it is a daily battle. She is just rude and snooty. We were getting ready at the same time in the bathroom today, and I tried to make friendly conversation with her. She gave me one word answers and wouldn't look at me. I called her on it, and she actually apologized. I NEVER call her on it. I was actually kind of shaking when I did it, but I am glad I did. I was being nice. I don't deserve that kind of rudeness. She was sickening sweet to me the rest of the day.
I am a person who does not like confrontation. It makes my heart race and my hands shake. But, besides that little interaction, I also had another confrontation. I disagreed with how we were treating a story concerning the body of a soldier returning from Iraq, and I told my manager how I felt. She disagreed and said she would not change it, but she did say I could ask our new boss (who's above both of us). I have exchanged about three words with this guy. I went into his office with my heart pounding and hands shaking (I'm a wuss), and told him I wasn't comfortable with how we were handling the story. He actually agreed with me and told the other woman to change it. I was so happy I stood up for what I believed.
When those situations usually arise, I tell T and tell him to handle it. He worked overnight and wasn't here during the day, so I was on my own! But, I did it, and made both of us proud. I need to grow a little more of a back bone apparently, but at least I had one today.
I am about half-packed. Our flight leaves in exactly 7 hours and 42 minutes at 6 a.m. I figure I will get about 3 hours of sleep. Not fun, but it sure will be nice to get away from it all for a week!
--MM
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Butterflies
I am getting nervous about giving my speech at my high school reunion. I am not sure that I actually have something interesting to talk about. I first wrote my speech in bullet points. I attempted to rehearse in front of T, but that just made me laugh. So, I turned my back to him and enlightened the cats. T yawned excessively loudly three times, which really pissed me off. I mean, I think you can yawn without making noise! We had a little tiff over that. He said I was over-reacting. I said he shouldn't yawn so loud.
I decided to go ahead and write the speech out, but not read it word for word. I think the theme is OK. I talk about how the meaning of "home" means different things for different people, and how its meaning has changed for me over the years.
I just second guess myself a lot. I worry people will think I am talking about myself too much. It might be surprising, but I am not a huge fan of public speaking. I don't mind talking to a camera, but, an audience of prying eyes makes me uneasy. I usually feel comfortable a few minutes in. I think a drink or two this weekend will speed up the process.
I am forever curious why I choose jobs that put me in front of people, even though it's not a place I love to be. On air and in front of an aerobics class, I have people watching me. Am I a masochist? Do I really just crave attention? Am I just trying to prove something?
I am been shy since I was a little girl. I would put my chin down to my chest and ignore adults when they spoke to me. I wasn't allowed early admission to Kindergarten, because I was just too shy. My parents must have been shocked when I announced my career plans.
I always think challenging myself to take public speaking opportunities will make me better and eventually my nerves will dissipate. It hasn't happened yet.
My good friend emailed me and said she had been asked to introduce me this weekend. That adds to my stress. I just don't want people to expect a lot. I just have a constant low self-esteem versus big ego battle. Am I alone in this?
--MM
I decided to go ahead and write the speech out, but not read it word for word. I think the theme is OK. I talk about how the meaning of "home" means different things for different people, and how its meaning has changed for me over the years.
I just second guess myself a lot. I worry people will think I am talking about myself too much. It might be surprising, but I am not a huge fan of public speaking. I don't mind talking to a camera, but, an audience of prying eyes makes me uneasy. I usually feel comfortable a few minutes in. I think a drink or two this weekend will speed up the process.
I am forever curious why I choose jobs that put me in front of people, even though it's not a place I love to be. On air and in front of an aerobics class, I have people watching me. Am I a masochist? Do I really just crave attention? Am I just trying to prove something?
I am been shy since I was a little girl. I would put my chin down to my chest and ignore adults when they spoke to me. I wasn't allowed early admission to Kindergarten, because I was just too shy. My parents must have been shocked when I announced my career plans.
I always think challenging myself to take public speaking opportunities will make me better and eventually my nerves will dissipate. It hasn't happened yet.
My good friend emailed me and said she had been asked to introduce me this weekend. That adds to my stress. I just don't want people to expect a lot. I just have a constant low self-esteem versus big ego battle. Am I alone in this?
--MM
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