Christmas Gifts - Bah, humbug

You know.. I hate Christmas. I mean, I love Christmas, but I hate it too. I have this bad tendency to build things up in my head, and when the event comes I'm usually bitterly disappointed. I remember one Christmas where I almost cried. I got 2 gifts. That's it. 2. One of which I didn't want, and the other came out of left field, but nothing I wanted. That, and I hate getting clothing. It really just makes me realize how much weight I have to lose again. Mind you, I need clothes, but I just don't want anyone else buying them, forget it being my mother-in-law or her family who buys me clothes that are too big, and look like they belong on someone 20 years older than I am.

But strangely, I love buying gifts for family, and the kids... it's amazing to see their eyes light up when they get something that they've been wanting. I guess that's what I'm missing. Wanting. There isn't really anything that I want right now in life. Nothing that really is at the top of my wish list (that's easy to buy, or within anyone's budget). So, I get sad when I get crap that I've never wanted, now have to find space for. It means that people don't get me. I can so understand others. I'm great and buying gifts... but I don't know what I want - how can I expect others to. They get me knicknacks - when I've sworn never to have any. They get me lotion - I hate lotions, I forget to use them. They get me bubblebaths.... I don't do baths. So, what to get me? I dunno.... time at the gym. A cool gadget. Time with a professional organizer. A cooking class. A book I've been wanting. A renewal on my magazine subscript. There are things... but I don't know how many people know me that well.

But, what's a gift really? Time with friends I'll take any day over a crappy knicknak. Give me fixings for a good pizza dinner and a date with which to share it with my friends.... that's a good one.

Well, I'm off shopping tomorrow. Gotta keep within the budget. Hard, but do-able (I hope).

Have a good weekend.

Rella

Baby update, mom time

Yet another week down and finished. Friday - finally. Well, it doesn't mean as much as it used to - back in the days when I was working, and not on maternity leave - but it does mark another week done and over and behind me. Things are going well with the baby - I can understand how some new moms feel going crazy with the new issues coming up. Thank goodness I have 2 other kids to remind me that things do pass. Yes, the old phrase "this too shall pass" comes to mind.

I've been using my mother lately to help me out around the house. We've been tackling jobs that I've wanted to get done, but just haven't had that second set of hands - and really, since we have stopped Yard Sale-ing, it's a chance to talk and be together. Thankfully my linen closet and kid's bedrooms are starting to look like I've been getting things done! :) I keep thinking of those days when women would have their mom's over for months at a time - I'm glad that I can have her a day a week, enough to get things done, but not too long that she drives me crazy. Mostly I want my nap time. I know that sounds nuts, but I know that the days will come when naps will be a thing of the past, so I'm just enjoying spending time with my baby and cuddling her while we sleep. Hard to believe that I was doing that 2+ years ago - it seems a lifetime!

Well, I have nothing major to report. Let's hope that I can keep up the cleaning, and baby keeps getting better and not worse. I keep hearing that "true" colic (if there is a thing as true) begins at 6 weeks. Believe me, my son broke that rule from the get go... and this kid, well... she has her screaming moments, but we're doing ok.

Rella

If only I thought of this back then.

My niece took off to the UK today, and I worry.

I know, it's odd, but I do worry. You see, her mom, my sister, died about 4 years ago, and I'm her godmother. So, I worry. The kid is now 20, but still I wonder. She's smart, bright, and talkative with anyone, but the idea of her going overseas bugs me.

No, not really the overseas bit, more like the idea that she will be away from home for a year. See, the kid got smart somewhere and is going to school near Amsterdam for 1 semester and then running across the world to Sydney, Australia for her second semester. Crazy kid.

I wish I would have thought of doing that back then in university. But, back then I thought that world traveling was for when I got into my 30's. Nobody told me that the 20's was the time to do it - I'd be too busy with kids in my 30's. Argh! I really envy her. She's doing what she wants to do. But, all the same, I worry. She's visiting a friend in the UK first for 5 days, then heading to her school. I would be going crazy right about now if I was her. But, in regular fashion, I haven't heard from her yet. She'll check in with us in probably about a week. Yeah, that's when she'll realize that she's had a lot of fun, but nobody knows if she is alive or dead. So, I've left a message with the guy she is visiting in the UK to let me know that she is okay. I gotta have my spies! :)

Anyway, until then, I'll be worrying. I can't wait until she gets set up in her living quarters at school - then I know that she will stay put and start to organize her life. Then, maybe then, I'll receive word on how things are going.

Miss ya kid.
Rella

Before kids? What does that mean?

Now I've gone and done it! I've dropped off the kids and am now kid-free for a week!

Okay, bring you up to speed... I took my vacation days, but instead of taking a relaxing vacation, I promised to help a friend run a week-long children's camp. 56 screaming kids... fun. So, now I'm back. My sister promised to take my kid's to her cottage (northern ontario folk - read CAMP) for the week in exchange for watering her flowers. Good deal!

Now, I have a quandry! What to do with myself for a week without kids? Regularly I'd be working 2 or 3 days this week. But, thankfully my boss left me here, and I'm working every day. Yes, can you feel the sarcasm? ARGH! So, my days are free from 5pm to 10am every day. Yep, including Saturday.

What the heck did I do before kids? What did I do with my time? I mean the day dragged on Monday (long weekend). I cleaned the upstairs, and tidied the kitchen, and even had time to catch a movie. Weird. Yep, I should have cleaned the whole house, but who the heck wants to do that all day? Especially when you have the week looming ahead of you.

Yeah, I know... it'll be Friday before I know it. And we're picking up the kids on Saturday after work. Then there's the BBQ we are hosting on Sunday. oh fun.

Anyway, there's the update for the week. I go from 56 kids to 0... just wait... soon it will be 2, then 3. Ack! the messes!

Talk to you later!
Rella

Someone, give me a million!

Just a little million dollars... then I can go hide out and not worry about life.

Do you ever have one of those days where you just say WTF??? I think that I'm currently experiencing one that is lasting 2 days. I am saying WTF to my current employer. At this point in my life I'm married, 2 kids, 1 on the way, and I figure that I'm mature enough to take on the responsibility of both a part time job and a family. But that all gets shot to hell when I'm expected to take on the responsibility of others because they can't seem to manage life.

I'll probably end up deleting this, for fear of my employer finding this (she is also a good friend), but right now I need to get this off my chest. I work in a shop where there are 3 workers. Boss and 2 employees. I pretty much cover 2-3 days a week, boss - the same, and the 3rd person kinda throws in an evening and a weekend here and there. Works well really. Now, 3rd person can't work as often as possible, and Boss is having to shuffle shifts my way - because she "just can't be here". I love it, she has had this company for a little over a year, and hasn't figured out that when you are a business owner - ususally you are here every day! She puts in 2-3 days a week and a Saturday shift a month. ARGH! Then, she gives me shit when I can't cover a shift. I'm not helping out like the others are. BULLSH!T! I cover her ass all the time! I'm here when her kids are sick. I change my whole schedule for her when she has conflicts at her daycare. I'm here whenever she wants me to be, and NOW she tells me that I'm not helping out. WTF??

Case in point. 3rd employee has 2 Saturday shifts this month, but now says that she can't do them both because hubby is working both Saturdays. (he has a new full time job). So, instead of hiring someone new after NOBODY can take the shifts (- or taking one herself) She is looking at me, and wondering why I can't take the shifts. I'm not "doing anything". I'm sorry if I want a weekend to myself where I can work on my backyard in order to keep it up so I can sell my house next year. Every weekend I have been helping someone else, or working at the store, so SH!T if I can't have a weekend to myself. I've done enough double Saturday shifts that I'm sick of it! I did my time, now find someone else to do it!

I'm even taking a damn machine home with me during my Maternity Leave (yes, I'm taking the whole year) because nobody wants to learn the machine, and I'm the only one who knows how to work it.

Damn

I feel that when I get back from Maternity leave there will be no store to come back to. I keep thinking that she is running the thing into the ground. I don't even want to get into the money trouble there is. But, instead of asking for help, or getting a partner into the store, she keeps going on, and putting it all on her own shoulders. I know that for her grant she HAS to keep the store up for 2 years (due in April 2008), but it's not working. I'm not about to help her out financially, because I just can't do it (and frankly don't want to). But damn. Either put in more hours, hire someone, or call it quits. It's starting to get annoying!

Okay, enough venting. I have to go do a few more things this afternoon. Yes, I'm at work. Taking a late lunch break and getting stuff done! ARGH!

Rella

Let's play... catchup!

Wow. It's been a while since I blogged, but that only means that my hubby and I are talking more, and I have less to get off my chest. (Such as it is).

Let's see... to catch up.

Pirates 3 - Good movie. Don't expect too much, and you will be happily surprised. After-all movies are just entertainment. Period.

Spiderman 3 - Ditto from above. But, not as good as P3.

Baby update - Well, I'm about 23 weeks along. No, I'm not going to translate that into months (okay somewhere around 5 months). It's annoying enough to remember the weeks or months, I'm not trying to do both.

The baby is doing well. (no surprise considering my baby-making history). My belly is growing, but not as fast as the last few times. Which, is a good thing. I think that I've gained now a total of 9-10 pounds in 23 weeks. I like those numbers! I credit continuing my workout and boxing, although squash has suffered since Kris has been sick. The ultrasound was a bust when it came to finding out the gender. Oh well. Another surprise then! :)

Kids - The rugrats are growing like crazy. DD (almost 2) is finally in her own room. (She woke up constantly, thus her bed stayed in our room - why the heck should I actually get up to deal with her?) Last night was a rough night. She came looking for me at about 2:30AM. Yeah, she went downstairs (where I usually am, except at 2:30AM), so the moral of THAT story is to keep the gate up at the top of the stairs, so I can keep an ear out as to where she is. Would consider putting the gate on her own door, but that would make for a bad scene when prego me went to check on her at night, and forgot the gate was there! :)

Life - Life is crazy as always. People think I'm nuts for continuing Boxing at this stage of the pregnancy. Too bad. I love boxing. But, I wanted to pummel the bxing trainers girlfriend last time. Yeah... "How far along are you". "Wow, 5+ months! You've really gained." (Which I haven't). "I remember really popping during the last month. Before that, I really didn't have a belly." THAT is total BS. Sure Ms Skinny Stick, you had no trace of a pregnancy until the last month. I highly doubt it. The longer she talked, the better it sounded to work out my frustrations on the heavy bag. Can you guess who I pictured there? There are just some things you don't say - especially if you are a skinny stick, who can't remember even how to hit the damn bag! ARGH!

Anyway, life is good now, and I'm off to work. Hope your day is a good one.

Things that make you go - WTF?

First, let me say - sorry (if indeed there is anyone reading this). I have been more than dismissive of my duties to blog. But, well, life happens.

I really felt the need to get this off my chest today... I mean, it's been bugging me all morning, and I can't seem to shake it.

I got cc'ed on an e-mail from my sister-in-law yesterday (went initially to my hubby). She was inviting us to a Thanksgiving dinner (yep, 5 months in advance!) in October! She was making plans early - and wanted to make sure that everyone got the message. To me, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks (duh), and it's a time for family. So, she is inviting us, without kids! Ummm.. did I mention about the family part? She wanted to have a sit-down meal, and having the kids (7 adults, with 8 kids), was just out of the question. Huh...

So, hubby sends back an e-mail, reminding her that baby #3 is due about 5 days prior to her dinner, and in the list of options, he said that either we wouldn't be coming, or if we did, could it be with the baby? We are not about to leave a 4 day old child with sitters for a few hours. I just won't do it! (Hell, I'll be breastfeeding if nothing else).

Do you know what she said??? Sorry you can't make it. Just like that.
She knocked us out of the whole thing because she didn't want a baby there.

Hubby is considering having the kids over at our home that night so they can get together. How are our kids supposed to know their family, when family functions are without kids? I tell ya, his grandmother would be having a fit if she were still alive!

Since when did having family gatherings exclude children? Since when did having kids become a burden? Since when have kids become an accessory, to dump whenever you have the chance. My thinking is that when you've got kids, your family is the whole package deal. You want us over, that's ALL of us!

Oy, I just can't believe what she's said. She is very self-absorbed. Excluding us... for having kids. Love it.

Piss on her.
R.