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News from the Front ...
Oct. 24th, 2005 11:42 amI've been too busy to respond to any of the thoughtful e-mails, but trust me, they are appreciated.
F is recovering from surgery. It was very exciting at first because he could walk, talk and eat soup. Recovery has not kept up a good pace and he's in quite a bit of pain. He has a checkup today and may find out more about the fever, chills, etc that he's also been experiencing. Our fingers are crossed that his recovery speeds up, but regardless, I think he's going to see about getting another week of recovery recommended. I hope the doctor agrees.
WRT surgery, I find myself having moments of glee. He's been sick for so long and part of the problem (we now know) is because he can't breathe while he's sleeping. I can hardly contain how excited I am at the thought that he'll have more energy and be less unwell. I get so happy when I start thinking about that; I must contain myself until he's actually feeling better, but it's hard.
I'm tired.
I had a very big deadline at work last week. It appeared done by the Wednesday meeting. By Thursday afternoon, however, a new can of worms was revealed. I get a headache whenever this project comes up in conversation. Litterly - I am carrying around a bottle of company-supported product to kill the throbbing my left temple gets when I start working on this project. Talk about psychosomatic or "physical response to internal stressors". Phooey. This project was why I had the laptop with me during F's surgery/hospital stay.
I may also be unwell. Since mid-week last week, I seem to be flushed most of the time. Is it being sick? is it the flush of moving non-stop? I'm not sure because I'm not coughing or feeling otherwise unwell. With F out of commission, I'm doing my best imitation of super-mom that I know how. I've got a super-tight schedule balanced around when preschool opens and closes. I'm picking up the kids at 6:30pm, running errands (grocery, pharmacy, etc) and getting us all home close to 8pm, which is their bedtime. However, I'm feeding them dinner at 8, so their schedules are off, which impacts the morning rountine. Bleck. After they are in bed I am scrambling to do laundry, clean the kitchen or do whatever other super-immediate domestic chore is screaming for attention. I'm crashing out as soon as I stop moving, which is usually around 9-9:30 pm. After a week of this, I put my foot down with certain male guests and I've made them responsible for cleaning up after themselves and doing their own dishes if they eat over. I've also decided I'm only willing to clean the kitchen on alternate nights and the trash will go out with me the following mornings when I'm on my way to work. And I'm rotating the laundry from washer to dryer in the morning. I'm not destined to be a domestic goddess and never intend to win any Betty Crocker house-keeping awards, but right now I feel like a slacker and overwhelmed. I just tell myself it is what it is and I can only do what I can do.
This weekend was all about being in motion. To keep the kids out of F's hair this weekend, I took them to a Halloween crafty playdate on Saturday and then on Sunday they came with me and scouted sites in Palo Alto for Fall Collegium-2006. On Saturday I was up at 7am making a dozen "pumpkin bags" for the play date. Yes, I insisted on doing this BEFORE the surgery. I thought it would be cool to make these bags so the kids could decorate them with felt pumpkin-face pieces. They had a blast and there was glitter-glue all over the place, but I'm pretty sure I could have used the extra sleep instead. My failed foresight, that's for sure.
The playdate was a blast and Claw was so worn out on Saturday, she fell asleep in the car on our way home and didn't wake up until the next day. Hahahaha! Of course, I was just as tired and a bit jealous of her nap. Trust me, those kids really work you out even if they are doing most of the leaping and running. We ended up being out of the house both days from home from 8 am to 5pm. Sunday's site hop included crashing St. Mark's baby-care session that runs during 10:30 mass (during which I scouted out the classrooms), having lunch with my mom and time spent running around in a park. Last night right before I logged onto the computer I was reflecting that neither Saturday nor Sunday really felt like "a day off" to me.
But then it happened. Last night everyone was in bed by 8pm and I had this window of time just for me. Wheeeeee! I sorted through collegium paperwork and prepared some stuff for the exchequer. I sorted through thankyous for the b-day party. I made a list for my next grocery store visit. Instead of falling asleep in front of the TV and completely messing up my neck (again), I logged onto the computer and indulged in some quality, alone, "Me" time. It was so indulgent, I almost felt guilty. It was truly, sincerely, better than any chocolate souffle I've ever had. Even the memory of it is better.
Upcoming: I'm wrapping up Collegium stuff and getting ready to indulge in some classes that I registered for last March. I've got a day-long goldwork embroidery class on 11/5 and a 2-day EGA class on 11/11 & 11/12. I'm really excited about these classes and I've already arranged baby-sitting just incase F isn't recovered enough.
I'm also thrilled to be helping the incoming royals with some Italian fashion stuff. I was going to do a more formal classroom style presentation, but I had this brainstorm that (I think) will take less work. I am putting together a run-way style fashion show for the royals and their court in November so that they can "see" the evolution of fashion from 1460 to 1540. I've hooked d'Salai to help out (she can't resist me; she loves me and it's a neat idea). I suggested she and I wear black and speak in outrageously bad French accents. I sent a query to a bunch of possible models, so I hope we can get 8 or so ladies for this plus 4 of the guys; I want to prep the Que-cards and possibly (time permitting - which really means lack of sleep permitting) come up with a program-like handout for guests. How fun is that?!? It's something I've always wanted to do, but couldn't find the right venue. It's too bad we won't have more people at the event to share in the day, but maybe we can work out the glitches in November and then do it again later for a more public venue. Yes, I really think this will be less work than putting together slides, etc. And more useful for the audience - they will be more interested in how they look than which artist was painting his buddies vs which was prone to biblical parallels.
So there it is. It is what it is and we're getting through our days. I don't have much time for e-mail (they keep expecting me to work at this-here job... go figure), but I think we're doing okay and I have really appreciated the random "thinking of you" notes.
F is recovering from surgery. It was very exciting at first because he could walk, talk and eat soup. Recovery has not kept up a good pace and he's in quite a bit of pain. He has a checkup today and may find out more about the fever, chills, etc that he's also been experiencing. Our fingers are crossed that his recovery speeds up, but regardless, I think he's going to see about getting another week of recovery recommended. I hope the doctor agrees.
WRT surgery, I find myself having moments of glee. He's been sick for so long and part of the problem (we now know) is because he can't breathe while he's sleeping. I can hardly contain how excited I am at the thought that he'll have more energy and be less unwell. I get so happy when I start thinking about that; I must contain myself until he's actually feeling better, but it's hard.
I'm tired.
I had a very big deadline at work last week. It appeared done by the Wednesday meeting. By Thursday afternoon, however, a new can of worms was revealed. I get a headache whenever this project comes up in conversation. Litterly - I am carrying around a bottle of company-supported product to kill the throbbing my left temple gets when I start working on this project. Talk about psychosomatic or "physical response to internal stressors". Phooey. This project was why I had the laptop with me during F's surgery/hospital stay.
I may also be unwell. Since mid-week last week, I seem to be flushed most of the time. Is it being sick? is it the flush of moving non-stop? I'm not sure because I'm not coughing or feeling otherwise unwell. With F out of commission, I'm doing my best imitation of super-mom that I know how. I've got a super-tight schedule balanced around when preschool opens and closes. I'm picking up the kids at 6:30pm, running errands (grocery, pharmacy, etc) and getting us all home close to 8pm, which is their bedtime. However, I'm feeding them dinner at 8, so their schedules are off, which impacts the morning rountine. Bleck. After they are in bed I am scrambling to do laundry, clean the kitchen or do whatever other super-immediate domestic chore is screaming for attention. I'm crashing out as soon as I stop moving, which is usually around 9-9:30 pm. After a week of this, I put my foot down with certain male guests and I've made them responsible for cleaning up after themselves and doing their own dishes if they eat over. I've also decided I'm only willing to clean the kitchen on alternate nights and the trash will go out with me the following mornings when I'm on my way to work. And I'm rotating the laundry from washer to dryer in the morning. I'm not destined to be a domestic goddess and never intend to win any Betty Crocker house-keeping awards, but right now I feel like a slacker and overwhelmed. I just tell myself it is what it is and I can only do what I can do.
This weekend was all about being in motion. To keep the kids out of F's hair this weekend, I took them to a Halloween crafty playdate on Saturday and then on Sunday they came with me and scouted sites in Palo Alto for Fall Collegium-2006. On Saturday I was up at 7am making a dozen "pumpkin bags" for the play date. Yes, I insisted on doing this BEFORE the surgery. I thought it would be cool to make these bags so the kids could decorate them with felt pumpkin-face pieces. They had a blast and there was glitter-glue all over the place, but I'm pretty sure I could have used the extra sleep instead. My failed foresight, that's for sure.
The playdate was a blast and Claw was so worn out on Saturday, she fell asleep in the car on our way home and didn't wake up until the next day. Hahahaha! Of course, I was just as tired and a bit jealous of her nap. Trust me, those kids really work you out even if they are doing most of the leaping and running. We ended up being out of the house both days from home from 8 am to 5pm. Sunday's site hop included crashing St. Mark's baby-care session that runs during 10:30 mass (during which I scouted out the classrooms), having lunch with my mom and time spent running around in a park. Last night right before I logged onto the computer I was reflecting that neither Saturday nor Sunday really felt like "a day off" to me.
But then it happened. Last night everyone was in bed by 8pm and I had this window of time just for me. Wheeeeee! I sorted through collegium paperwork and prepared some stuff for the exchequer. I sorted through thankyous for the b-day party. I made a list for my next grocery store visit. Instead of falling asleep in front of the TV and completely messing up my neck (again), I logged onto the computer and indulged in some quality, alone, "Me" time. It was so indulgent, I almost felt guilty. It was truly, sincerely, better than any chocolate souffle I've ever had. Even the memory of it is better.
Upcoming: I'm wrapping up Collegium stuff and getting ready to indulge in some classes that I registered for last March. I've got a day-long goldwork embroidery class on 11/5 and a 2-day EGA class on 11/11 & 11/12. I'm really excited about these classes and I've already arranged baby-sitting just incase F isn't recovered enough.
I'm also thrilled to be helping the incoming royals with some Italian fashion stuff. I was going to do a more formal classroom style presentation, but I had this brainstorm that (I think) will take less work. I am putting together a run-way style fashion show for the royals and their court in November so that they can "see" the evolution of fashion from 1460 to 1540. I've hooked d'Salai to help out (she can't resist me; she loves me and it's a neat idea). I suggested she and I wear black and speak in outrageously bad French accents. I sent a query to a bunch of possible models, so I hope we can get 8 or so ladies for this plus 4 of the guys; I want to prep the Que-cards and possibly (time permitting - which really means lack of sleep permitting) come up with a program-like handout for guests. How fun is that?!? It's something I've always wanted to do, but couldn't find the right venue. It's too bad we won't have more people at the event to share in the day, but maybe we can work out the glitches in November and then do it again later for a more public venue. Yes, I really think this will be less work than putting together slides, etc. And more useful for the audience - they will be more interested in how they look than which artist was painting his buddies vs which was prone to biblical parallels.
So there it is. It is what it is and we're getting through our days. I don't have much time for e-mail (they keep expecting me to work at this-here job... go figure), but I think we're doing okay and I have really appreciated the random "thinking of you" notes.
