What a week!

Well Kate got full-blown sick, sicker than she has ever been before. Her fever started Sunday night and was finally gone this morning. She has been extremely congested and has a very sore nose. Needless to say she has been home from preschool all week which puts a major cramp in my schedule. Our second group paper is due this weekend and I have not been able to work on it during the day like I usually do.

Last night we moved her into a twin bed and out of the crib. She slept great and she loves the new bed. We got her cute flowery sheets from Target and a matching quilt. She thinks it is so cute. We found a great deal on a bed (used) off Craigslist and Todd got a us a great deal on a discontinued mattress that was a floor model. She doesn't use a pillow but did stay under the blanket last night - that is huge! That was our biggest concern - she doesn't seem to stay under any blanket or sheet. And we've had cool weather this week, which we haven't been able to enjoy.

Good news and bad news - I have an interview tomorrow morning. Job looks promising. And, I have some of Kate's symptoms...runny nose and itchy eyes today.

Planet Jump and others

We took Kate to Planet Jump again yesterday - she just loves it. This time I went on most of the inflatables with her - it was fun! Had something out of the ordinary happen. I took Kate to the bathroom to wash her hands. First thing I noticed was it smelled horrible. There were 2 little girls in there - apparently related. One girl (turns out she is 4) was crying with her stall door partially open and was the source of the smell. Turns out she didn't quite make it and had pooped her pants. She was a mess - tears running down her face, nose running, and pants full of poop around her ankles. She was beside herself and didn't know what to do. I quickly got Kate out to her dad and went to talk to the girl and her sister/cousin (?). Told the other girl to go get her mom right away - she says "My mom isn't here. She is with her grandpa." Grandpa comes to the door of ladies room. I tell him it is ok to come in - no one else is in here. He tells her it is ok and that she is not in trouble. (I would certainly hope not - I always cringe when I find out people yell or punish their kids for potty accidents.) I hated to just leave her - it was apparent Grandpa was unprepared for such things. He had no wipes or clean clothes. I thought for a moment and remembered I had spare clothes for Kate in the trunk of the car. Since the girl was 4 and Kate's clothes were 2T, I wasn't sure it would fit but I figured tight, clean underwear and shorts was better than nothing. So I sent Todd to the car for the clothes and went back to the ladies room. By this time, the Grandpa had her up on the changing table (she had poop all up and down her legs). He had washed her pants out in the sink and wiped her down with paper towels. I offered the clothes but said I wasn't sure they would fit. He said "well, she is small for her age. I think they will." Sure enough, the underwear and shorts fit her. He asked for my name and/or a way to return the items. I said "Don't bother. It is no big deal. Just keep them." Truthfully, the shorts were $4 at Target and too small for Kate anyway and what is one pair of underwear. I thought about that little girl all day yesterday - I just felt so bad for her. She didn't look particularly well cared for anyway - her shirt was stained and her hair looked unwashed and uncombed. Who knows - maybe I was reading more into it than was there. I was just glad I was able to help - the Grandpa was going to put wet pants with no underwear back on her. He must have thanked me 4 times before they left, which was right after this incident (as I am sure you can imagine). Something about the whole situation made me sad - can't really say why. However, I have to say of all the donations (mostly cash) I've given to worthy cause over the years, nothing made me feel as satisfied as helping that little girl with $5 worth of clothes. Probably sounds silly, I know.

Different note, Kate woke up sick this morning and was feeling particularly bad by bathtime. Her fever was 102.8 so we gave her Motrin plus cold medicine. She went right to sleep. I know she will be disappointed if she can't go to school tomorrow. This morning she told us at breakfast "I want to go to school." We went to church and she was happy with that - she loves the Sunday school teacher.

Friday update

First thing - please check out this blog... I like their stuff. http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com/

Second - checked on the big job today. Turns out they have another interview next week so it will be at least one more week before I know anything. I am not happy about this. By the time of the last interview next week (Wed), it will be 2 weeks since they saw me. Let's face it - people tend to forget. Even if they liked me, they will have a hard time comparing me to this last candidate since that person is so fresh in their mind and I am not. When interviewing you tend to remember the beginning and the end and not so much the people in the middle. Still applying to other stuff. Talked to Accountemps today - they might have something for me. Will follow up with them on Monday.

We bought a little person table and 2 chairs today for Kate. We got it used off Craigslist. She loves it. It needs a sanding and repainting but is solid so it should last. Tomorrow we are going to look at a twin bed for her. We looked at new but no matter what we picked it was going to be $600ish with tax and delivery. We just can't spend that right now.

Updates on stuff

Job front - still waiting to hear on the interview from last week. The HR lady said she should have an answer mid to end of the week so hopefully I will know for sure by Friday. Meanwhile still applying for jobs as I see them posted.
School - We got an 'A' on our first group paper - WooHoo! So far, so good this semester. I signed up to take the GMAT on Nov 15th - not looking forward to that. It has been 20 years since I took a standardized test. Only good thing is now they are on computer so no more filling in the stupid little circles with a #2 pencil.
Kate - School is doing really well. She seems to be enjoying herself and having fun with her schoolmates. We got her a "pretty kitty" costume for Halloween. I will post a picture after the holiday. Last night, she wet her crib, apparently in her sleep. I went in to pull her pant legs down on her PJs and realized one leg was all wet. She was totally asleep - didn't notice she was wet. We got her up and Todd changed the sheets while I changed her PJs - she was upset. She gets pretty upset when she knows she's had an accident. It just doesn't happen much anymore so I think that is why it bothers her so much.
Finally had some cooler weather - been able to open the doors for a bit each day...it is nice.

Job interview

Ok, today was the big interview. I talked to the Head of Ops for an hour - a very nice lady named Susan. She has a PhD and 4 children, one of whom is Kate's age. I then talked to the accounting manager, Michelle, who has 2 teenage daughters. Apparently both of them occasionally work remotely from home - nice option to have. The position is newly created b/c of growth, benefits start after 30 days, and 401(k) matching. Had to take 2 tests, Excel and a bookkeeping test. Got a 90% on both of them. I think this job would be perfect - even possibility of having my own office. At the very least I will share an office with another accountant - NO cubicle!

I really want this job. Nice offices, close to home, good pay and benefits, and a challenging position. Everyone pray for me!!

Thoughts

Spent an hour on the phone this morning with Alisa, a girlfriend of mine here locally. It was so good to talk to her and just get caught up. She has 2 children and one is a 13 yr old boy who plays football and she is the team mom. She is so busy with her kids that she has no time for herself and her husband is only moderately helpful. She promised me some face to face time after football season is over.

I am relishing this "extra" time I have right now before I go back to work. I know it will be soon - I can feel it. Once work starts, plus school, plus life, I know I will look back and think of things I should have done while I could. Or at least not complained about the spare time. Still some days I long to be in an office and to feel like I am productive. Today has been good so far - great workout this morning, cleaned the bathrooms, leftovers for lunch, some job hunting, and after this posting, on to some reading for school.

Alisa and I talked about Catholicism b/c she is sending her son to classes for the sacraments. I asked her why she would do that when she herself didn't like the 10 years of Catholic school she went to. I told her I consider myself a recovering Catholic - took me years to get away from all that religious crap. Bottom-line for me, I don't believe in religion. I believe in spirituality. Organized religion makes people do stupid things, in the name of belief. Just my two cents worth for today.

We are probably going bed shopping for Kate this week. I don't know that she really cares one way or the other. We've talked to her about a bed - she seems mildly interested. Too funny - yesterday Todd was up first and Kate wasn't awake yet so he just opened the door to her room so the noise would wake her naturally. About 10 mins later, he hears "You can't just leave me in here." She is so funny sometimes - I don't know where these things come from.

Todd taught her our address - we keep asking her everyday to see if she remembers and so far, so good. And apparently at school they recite the Pledge of Allegiance b/c now she is saying it at home. I assume that is where she picked it up. Even for Kate I am pretty amazed at that one - the words are long and it is rather complex. She is only 28 months old.

She is entering a clothing phase - she only wants to wear certain things and gets very upset if you try to put something else on. You can't force her to wear anything b/c she knows how to get undressed. If she doesn't like it, off it comes. I tried pants this morning and she immediately crys "No, I want a dress." I managed to convince her to wear a scooter skirt but only b/c I bribed her with her favorite Dora shirt that lights up. I think the days of shopping for clothes without her are over.

Sunday update

Todd and Kate are outside putting up Halloween decorations. He actually bought the orange lights to hang up, similar to Xmas lights. We also have a "bag" with a sensor so when you walk past, it cackles and says "Happy Halloween". Kate likes it so much Todd had to put it away for now b/c she won't stop running in front of it. We are still unsure of taking her trick or treating or just staying home. She doesn't know what candy is and I like it that way. Todd would end up eating all her stuff anyway.

We were in Lowe's last night and it is full of Xmas stuff already, of course. We walk in and Kate says "Christmas!" We went to another part of the store and Kate says "I want to go back to Christmas." Only two and already she associates the commercialism and stuff with Christmas - I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry. She has informed us she wants a "soft pony" for Christmas this year. She saw a Webkinz horse in a store at the airport and that is what she wants. At least her requests are still cheap and easy - for now.

I got an A on my first paper so I am happy with that. We turn in our first group paper/project today. I think we did ok but it is not my best effort.

The picture is Kate and the horse lesson - the horse is named Bucky and Sarah was the instructor. Kate is loving the pictures - actually asked to take one of the pictures in the crib yesterday at naptime.

Job interview

Good news - the phone interview has turned into a real interview. I have a scheduled appointment on Wed at 1 pm. Yeah! More update later...

We are back!

Oh my gosh, what a week! I have so much stuff running around in my head that I can't possibly get it all out. MI was great - Kate loved Uncle Gene, Aunt Mary, and Grandpa. She took a bit to warm up to Uncle Gene b/c he is currently sporting a full beard in anticipation of deer hunting season. She doesn't really like facial hair - I think mostly b/c Todd is clean-shaven so beards weird her out. The weather turned quite cold (30s in the am) the last 3 days we were there. I didn't have a warm enough jacket and we put 2 jackets on Kate. It was great! Came home and I wasn't off the plane 30 mins before I was sweating - Ugh!

We spent a day running around Ann Arbor and surrounding area - we are thinking of moving up there once we can sell our house here. The area is lovely - all I hoped for. Ann Arbor is fairly major since it has U of M and there are very nice small towns around the outskirts in which to live. We took Kate to a horse farm and she did a 30 min riding lesson. It was very basic since she is rather young still for riding. The instructor said she did really well for age 2. They don't usually do any lessons until age 4.

Traveling home yesterday Kate didn't really get a nap - she fell asleep for all of 30 mins on the plane right before we landed. She was SO tired - she was watching Madagascar (again!) and just fell asleep in my arms. One minute eyes open, next minute fell over into my arm. She is still a bit off - been a little cranky today. But hell, so am I.

The sucky part of vacation is coming home. Unpack the bags, do a crapload of laundry, house is a mess (cat litter all over) and tired. The poor cats - our catsitter was not paying attention and let their water fountain run dry and I mean totally dry. When we got home last night, the cats were dying of thirst. Cosmo must have drunk from the sink for 5 mins straight and then went back for more. My mood hasn't been great either - started my period on the plane home yesterday. I just hate that I can't get control over those 2 or 3 days right before and just starting my period. My thoughts turn all dark and depressing/angry. I snap at Todd and Kate for the littlest things. I try to override it and keep it down inside but sometimes I just want to scream at anyone for no reason. Am I the only one who has this problem?

I am behind on school work since we were gone. I did some while we were at Mary and Gene's house but no reading. I have lots to read this week and my first group paper is due Saturday. One of my group members emailed late Friday that she is dropping the class so we are down to 3 people.

Upside - had a phone interview for a great job while in MI. It is an excellent position, good company with great benefits, and close to home. Please keep me in your prayers - I would love this job. Will be at least a week before I hear about a 2nd interview.

Will upload some pictures of Kate as soon as I get around to downloading the camera - could be a few days.