I drove on some of Wisconsin's lovely state highways yesterday. On two separate roads, I had to slow down and move over because one entire lane of the highway was covered with high water. The amazing amount of snow we got this winter, plus the hard rain we received at the end of last week and this week, has definitely had an impact.
The good side of this is that a local spring, after being dry for decades, has started flowing with water again. Back in the early 1900s, a lovely park surrounded this natural spring. People picnicked and children used the cool spring water to make lemonade (or so my local newspaper alleges). But, so many years ago that no one can remember exactly when, the spring went dry, victim of the excessive groundwater pumping to supply the city of Madison.
But now it's back. No one knows how long it will flow. I think Mother Nature has a plan and I hope humans don't screw things up so much that she can't win. I think springs are kind of magical, and so is the return of this one is an awesome thing. I'd just like Mother to keep things off the highways.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Patient update
I haven't written about how Simon is doing lately. He's doing remarkably well. We've been very lucky.
Tuesday afternoon, Greg took him back to our vet and she removed his splint. He was pretty cautious with his leg at first but over the last few days, he's started using his leg more and more. He's running a little and going up and down stairs and even jumping some. I think he's really going to be OK. And all it cost us is--well, actually we still don't know how much it's going to cost us because our vet hasn't billed us yet. But it's just two office visits, X-rays, and the splint. And pain medication. That shouldn't be more than $300, right?
I'm waiting to see if he decides to jump over to the plant shelf again. And by the way, did I mention that Rabies occasionally jumps across too? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
JULIA LEE
Julia and Allie just came upstairs to get ready for bed and little Miss Lee typed her name by herself (with just some help on the double e). Some day, she's going for the world speed typing record. Today, not so much.
Tuesday afternoon, Greg took him back to our vet and she removed his splint. He was pretty cautious with his leg at first but over the last few days, he's started using his leg more and more. He's running a little and going up and down stairs and even jumping some. I think he's really going to be OK. And all it cost us is--well, actually we still don't know how much it's going to cost us because our vet hasn't billed us yet. But it's just two office visits, X-rays, and the splint. And pain medication. That shouldn't be more than $300, right?I'm waiting to see if he decides to jump over to the plant shelf again. And by the way, did I mention that Rabies occasionally jumps across too? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
JULIA LEE
Julia and Allie just came upstairs to get ready for bed and little Miss Lee typed her name by herself (with just some help on the double e). Some day, she's going for the world speed typing record. Today, not so much.
How does this make me tired
Yesterday, I went to an all-day seminar in Milwaukee. It was almost a 12-hour day. I drove for about two hours, I sat through introductory remarks, I attended two breakout sessions, I ate more for lunch than I've eaten for lunch in months, I attended two more breakout sessions, and I drove for about two hours. I was sitting for almost the entire day.
Yes, I recognize that I sit for almost the entire day every day, but this seemed a lot different. Normally, I get up and walk around between tasks. I deliver documents, prepare mail, fax things, consult with people in their offices. But this was a lot of sitting. I felt very tired when I got home. I definitely didn't feel like doing anything physical.
So, like I have for 15 weeks now, I dragged my sorry butt down into the basement and walked on the treadmill. Yep, me. I've been exercising (however minimally, really) at least every other day for at least 1/2 hour for 15 whole weeks. That means I've been walking since two weeks before we went to Disney, since I was trying to prepare somewhat for all the walking we did on that trip.
Disney seems forever ago, unfortunately. But hopefully this minor legacy of activity will continue forever-- we'll see.
Yes, I recognize that I sit for almost the entire day every day, but this seemed a lot different. Normally, I get up and walk around between tasks. I deliver documents, prepare mail, fax things, consult with people in their offices. But this was a lot of sitting. I felt very tired when I got home. I definitely didn't feel like doing anything physical.
So, like I have for 15 weeks now, I dragged my sorry butt down into the basement and walked on the treadmill. Yep, me. I've been exercising (however minimally, really) at least every other day for at least 1/2 hour for 15 whole weeks. That means I've been walking since two weeks before we went to Disney, since I was trying to prepare somewhat for all the walking we did on that trip.
Disney seems forever ago, unfortunately. But hopefully this minor legacy of activity will continue forever-- we'll see.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Teach me sadness
Allie has fallen a little in love with each of her three grade school teachers. She said that Mrs. Grady, her kindergarten teacher, is her absolute favorite of the three. Mrs. Richard, her current teacher, is her second favorite. And, only because there are but three places to be had, Mrs. Mace is her third favorite.
Sadly, Allie's school year with Mrs. Richard is going to be cut short tomorrow. Her teacher needs heart surgery and she won't recover in time to return to the classroom this year. To say that Allie is crushed by this news is an understatement. At random times, she starts crying because she thinks about Mrs. Richard.
She's a sensitive child anyway (except when it comes to squishing bugs), so this is really hard for her. We keep telling her that crying isn't going to change the situation and that crying is just going to give her sore eyes and a stuffy nose and that crying in front of Mrs. Richard is just going to make it harder for Mrs. Richard. But she can't help it. She's sad.
I'm sad too.
Sadly, Allie's school year with Mrs. Richard is going to be cut short tomorrow. Her teacher needs heart surgery and she won't recover in time to return to the classroom this year. To say that Allie is crushed by this news is an understatement. At random times, she starts crying because she thinks about Mrs. Richard.
She's a sensitive child anyway (except when it comes to squishing bugs), so this is really hard for her. We keep telling her that crying isn't going to change the situation and that crying is just going to give her sore eyes and a stuffy nose and that crying in front of Mrs. Richard is just going to make it harder for Mrs. Richard. But she can't help it. She's sad.
I'm sad too.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Oh so soft
I am such a wimp. It's a beautiful day here today, so Greg and I decided it was time to tackle raking the yard. We've lived in this house for ten springs now and Greg power raked the yard once in all of that time. We had never raked the yard by hand.
How is that possible, you may ask? Well, since our subdivision is pretty new, there aren't many trees. We have one big tree in the corner of our lot and we're glad to have it, but the rest of the yard is relatively bare of greenery (though it's growing in now). We do get lots of leaves blown in from other yards in autumn, but we've found over the years that if you just leave things, the leaves will blow along to other yards. And our house was new when we moved in, so we were the ones who established the lawn.
This was an amazingly snowy winter, and the grass really looked beat down when the snow finally melted. It was clear that we would need to get some of the dead grass out of the lawn, especially since we have a mulching mower. So this morning, despite the fact that Greg feels like death-warmed-over, we started to rake the front yard.
I was outside for about 10 minutes when Greg brought me a pair of work gloves. I was outside for about 20 minutes when I found that even with gloves on, I'd peeled off a piece of skin on my right thumb. It stung. My hands are that delicate and insubstantial that I couldn't even handle raking for half an hour. I felt better when Greg showed me that he'd peeled off a piece of skin in the exact same spot on his left hand.
My grandfather farmer would be so ashamed.
How is that possible, you may ask? Well, since our subdivision is pretty new, there aren't many trees. We have one big tree in the corner of our lot and we're glad to have it, but the rest of the yard is relatively bare of greenery (though it's growing in now). We do get lots of leaves blown in from other yards in autumn, but we've found over the years that if you just leave things, the leaves will blow along to other yards. And our house was new when we moved in, so we were the ones who established the lawn.
This was an amazingly snowy winter, and the grass really looked beat down when the snow finally melted. It was clear that we would need to get some of the dead grass out of the lawn, especially since we have a mulching mower. So this morning, despite the fact that Greg feels like death-warmed-over, we started to rake the front yard.
I was outside for about 10 minutes when Greg brought me a pair of work gloves. I was outside for about 20 minutes when I found that even with gloves on, I'd peeled off a piece of skin on my right thumb. It stung. My hands are that delicate and insubstantial that I couldn't even handle raking for half an hour. I felt better when Greg showed me that he'd peeled off a piece of skin in the exact same spot on his left hand.
My grandfather farmer would be so ashamed.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Simon Lee, Patient
Well, it looks like it won't be $2000. Maybe $750? We don't know. What we do know is that Simon's metatarsals aren't broken, none of them. What we don't know is why his foot is so "floppy," as our vet puts it. She suspects that the tendon or tendons on his leg either got horribly stretched or they've detached themselves from his leg muscle. If they're detached, he's still going to need surgery.
The vet doesn't know how much that type of surgery would cost and the surgeon was too busy to come to the phone. I have to think though that it would be less than $2000, since there isn't the delicate pins and wiring reconstruction. It would just be some stitches, right? I know, I'm dreaming.
So far, we're in for about $300. Greg is going to take Simon to see the surgeon on Monday afternoon and we'll know more then.
We made a bedroom for Simon, complete with clean litterbox and food and water, in the first floor bathroom last night. He ate all of his food and drank some water (and spilled the rest, standard operating procedure). When I opened the door this morning, he immediately stood up and starting rubbing his whole body against me to be petted. He's walking around some, mostly hopping on three legs but he does use his bad leg for balance. He's definitely touching it to the floor and I can't think he'd be doing that much unless it felt relatively OK.
Of course, it's wrapped very tightly and despite his obviously dedicated work, he hasn't succeeded in getting much of the tape off. It must itch too, because he's got teeth marks in the wrapping on his actual paw pad. I think what annoys him most is that we put up the baby gate to keep him from going upstairs. Who knew that thing would come in handy again.
Meanwhile, Allie still has pinkeye and Greg also caught Julia's cold from last weekend. He's coughing and stuffed up and complaining. I'm the only one in the house who's healthy. What about Rabies, you may ask? Rabies is busy being freaked out that his brother won't play. I think it's going to be a quiet weekend.
The vet doesn't know how much that type of surgery would cost and the surgeon was too busy to come to the phone. I have to think though that it would be less than $2000, since there isn't the delicate pins and wiring reconstruction. It would just be some stitches, right? I know, I'm dreaming.
So far, we're in for about $300. Greg is going to take Simon to see the surgeon on Monday afternoon and we'll know more then.
We made a bedroom for Simon, complete with clean litterbox and food and water, in the first floor bathroom last night. He ate all of his food and drank some water (and spilled the rest, standard operating procedure). When I opened the door this morning, he immediately stood up and starting rubbing his whole body against me to be petted. He's walking around some, mostly hopping on three legs but he does use his bad leg for balance. He's definitely touching it to the floor and I can't think he'd be doing that much unless it felt relatively OK.
Of course, it's wrapped very tightly and despite his obviously dedicated work, he hasn't succeeded in getting much of the tape off. It must itch too, because he's got teeth marks in the wrapping on his actual paw pad. I think what annoys him most is that we put up the baby gate to keep him from going upstairs. Who knew that thing would come in handy again.
Meanwhile, Allie still has pinkeye and Greg also caught Julia's cold from last weekend. He's coughing and stuffed up and complaining. I'm the only one in the house who's healthy. What about Rabies, you may ask? Rabies is busy being freaked out that his brother won't play. I think it's going to be a quiet weekend.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Two Thousand Dollars
What's the value of a cat's life?
We lost our cat, Pig, last year in January. She was 13 years old, very sick, and had had a good life. It was still an incredibly difficult decision to let her go.
Two weeks later, Simon and Rabies came into our lives. For an adoption fee of, I think, $250, we got two four-month-old kittens, brothers, and a dose of fun into our family. They'll be two years old in August and they still tear around the house like kittens sometimes.
Unfortunately, that tearing around the house sometimes extends into jumping onto the plant shelf in our entryway. A plant shelf that is 9 feet off the ground (I measured). They can reach it by jumping through our upper railing and across the width of the staircase. I've written about this habit before (6/12/07, but I can't get the link to work).
Allie is home from school today because she has pinkeye. Julia didn't want to go to daycare when her sister was home with me. So all of us heard when Simon jumped across to the plant shelf. And all of us heard when he tried to jump back through the railing, clawed desperately with his back legs, and fell. He's fallen before. Once he fell right onto his side, onto vinyl flooring, and just went Oof. Then he got up and walked away.
Today, he didn't walk away. He limped away, keeping his back left leg completely off the ground. I called the vet and they got us in 1 1/2 hours later. They're going to have to sedate him to get the x-rays they need, but from how "floppy" his foot feels, our vet thinks he may have broken all of the metatarsals in that foot. She hasn't even looked for damage further up his leg yet. If he broke his foot that badly, he would need pins and wiring to position his foot correctly, so surgery would be necessary. The good news is that the surgeon could work on him tomorrow, so we'd just have to continue his pain medication through the night and he could start getting better tomorrow.
The bad news is that it would probably cost $2,000. Two thousand dollars. Allie asked how many Barbies we could buy for that (her standard measurement) and I told her, Allie, you can buy a car for $2000.
It's too early to decide what to do. First, we need to know what's really wrong with his foot and if there's any injury to his leg. I'm thinking this is gonna be about $500 worth of diagnostics. Then we have to decide what to do.
How will we decide what to do? How?
We lost our cat, Pig, last year in January. She was 13 years old, very sick, and had had a good life. It was still an incredibly difficult decision to let her go.
Two weeks later, Simon and Rabies came into our lives. For an adoption fee of, I think, $250, we got two four-month-old kittens, brothers, and a dose of fun into our family. They'll be two years old in August and they still tear around the house like kittens sometimes.
Unfortunately, that tearing around the house sometimes extends into jumping onto the plant shelf in our entryway. A plant shelf that is 9 feet off the ground (I measured). They can reach it by jumping through our upper railing and across the width of the staircase. I've written about this habit before (6/12/07, but I can't get the link to work).
Allie is home from school today because she has pinkeye. Julia didn't want to go to daycare when her sister was home with me. So all of us heard when Simon jumped across to the plant shelf. And all of us heard when he tried to jump back through the railing, clawed desperately with his back legs, and fell. He's fallen before. Once he fell right onto his side, onto vinyl flooring, and just went Oof. Then he got up and walked away.
Today, he didn't walk away. He limped away, keeping his back left leg completely off the ground. I called the vet and they got us in 1 1/2 hours later. They're going to have to sedate him to get the x-rays they need, but from how "floppy" his foot feels, our vet thinks he may have broken all of the metatarsals in that foot. She hasn't even looked for damage further up his leg yet. If he broke his foot that badly, he would need pins and wiring to position his foot correctly, so surgery would be necessary. The good news is that the surgeon could work on him tomorrow, so we'd just have to continue his pain medication through the night and he could start getting better tomorrow.
The bad news is that it would probably cost $2,000. Two thousand dollars. Allie asked how many Barbies we could buy for that (her standard measurement) and I told her, Allie, you can buy a car for $2000.
It's too early to decide what to do. First, we need to know what's really wrong with his foot and if there's any injury to his leg. I'm thinking this is gonna be about $500 worth of diagnostics. Then we have to decide what to do.
How will we decide what to do? How?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Planning ahead
Julia's fifth birthday is coming up at the end of July. If it's after her birthday and before Christmas, every time she sees a toy that she'd like on TV, she says, I want that for Christmas. If it's after Christmas and before her birthday (even if it's December 27th), she says, I want that for my birthday.
Now that her birthday actually isn't that far away, we're starting to pay more attention to what she says she wants. The other night at dinner, she started talking about some drawing kit that she saw advertised and, of course said, I want that for my birthday, Mama, I do.
I told her, OK, maybe you'll get that for your birthday. Allie (otherwise known as the voice of reason/big sister/heartbreaker) had to speak up and say, Julia, you might not get what you're asking for as a birthday present. But Julia has a backup plan. She said, I'll get Daddy's phone and call Auntie Cat and she'll get it for me for my birthday.
I guess being one of three only nieces for Auntie Cat has it's advantages!
Now that her birthday actually isn't that far away, we're starting to pay more attention to what she says she wants. The other night at dinner, she started talking about some drawing kit that she saw advertised and, of course said, I want that for my birthday, Mama, I do.
I told her, OK, maybe you'll get that for your birthday. Allie (otherwise known as the voice of reason/big sister/heartbreaker) had to speak up and say, Julia, you might not get what you're asking for as a birthday present. But Julia has a backup plan. She said, I'll get Daddy's phone and call Auntie Cat and she'll get it for me for my birthday.
I guess being one of three only nieces for Auntie Cat has it's advantages!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Pillow talk
I've been married to Gregory for over 11 years. I've been sleeping with Gregory for, oh for the sake of my mom, let's just say a little longer than 11 years. I know how Gregory sleeps.
Night before last, my husband didn't come to bed. I went to bed about 10:15. I get up at 5:30, so that's about as late as I want to stay up on a "school night." Greg was downstairs watching something on TV (not unusual, obviously) and I went to sleep. At 2:30 a.m., Allie had a bad dream and called me to her room. I can't even remember the last time one of the girls has called for me in the night. I told her to think nice thoughts and go back to sleep. And I realized that Greg hadn't come to bed yet. He was still watching TV. At 2:30 a.m., on a school night.
Yesterday morning, he said he came to bed at sometime after 2:30. I'm thinking it was maybe 3:00 or so, which, even if he did nap a little on the couch, gave him about three hours of sleep for the night. And he did this voluntarily. Not because a child kept him up by throwing up at regular intervals.
Last night, I went to bed about 10:20. Greg came upstairs a few minutes later and climbed into bed. We talked a little bit. I told him that I was making a bet. I said, I bet that within two minutes of when you stop talking, you'll be snoring. He said nuh uh.
We stopped talking. I waited about five seconds and then started counting slowly, on the scale of One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi, Three-Mississippi. I got to 52-Mississippi and he started snoring.
It's nice to always be right.
Night before last, my husband didn't come to bed. I went to bed about 10:15. I get up at 5:30, so that's about as late as I want to stay up on a "school night." Greg was downstairs watching something on TV (not unusual, obviously) and I went to sleep. At 2:30 a.m., Allie had a bad dream and called me to her room. I can't even remember the last time one of the girls has called for me in the night. I told her to think nice thoughts and go back to sleep. And I realized that Greg hadn't come to bed yet. He was still watching TV. At 2:30 a.m., on a school night.
Yesterday morning, he said he came to bed at sometime after 2:30. I'm thinking it was maybe 3:00 or so, which, even if he did nap a little on the couch, gave him about three hours of sleep for the night. And he did this voluntarily. Not because a child kept him up by throwing up at regular intervals.
Last night, I went to bed about 10:20. Greg came upstairs a few minutes later and climbed into bed. We talked a little bit. I told him that I was making a bet. I said, I bet that within two minutes of when you stop talking, you'll be snoring. He said nuh uh.
We stopped talking. I waited about five seconds and then started counting slowly, on the scale of One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi, Three-Mississippi. I got to 52-Mississippi and he started snoring.
It's nice to always be right.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Picnic and lake
We were away this weekend, visiting Greg's family, after a disgracefully long time since our last visit. I think the girls grew six or nine or twelve inches since they last saw their Nana, Papa, and aunties. There was beautiful weather to be had, sunny and warm. Central Illinois has daffodils in some sheltered places, and lots of green grass everywhere. We had a picnic in the park and the girls played on a jungle gym.
Afterwards, we walked along the lake and tried to find unsuccessfully to find any hungry ducks. There was bread on the sidewalk, there was bread floating in the water, there was bread on the rocks. The birds were not at all interested in the bread in our hands. Allie and Julia were disappointed, but amused themselves watching Riley the dog swim and find new ways to get out and sprinkle people with nasty lake water.
All in all, a very nice weekend.
Afterwards, we walked along the lake and tried to find unsuccessfully to find any hungry ducks. There was bread on the sidewalk, there was bread floating in the water, there was bread on the rocks. The birds were not at all interested in the bread in our hands. Allie and Julia were disappointed, but amused themselves watching Riley the dog swim and find new ways to get out and sprinkle people with nasty lake water.
All in all, a very nice weekend.
Monday, March 31, 2008
How de doo
I don't really have much to say; I just wanted to have one more post in the month of March than I've had the last couple of months.
Oh, and that bit about waiting awhile before we bought a car? We bought a car.
So Greg got a flat screen TV yesterday and a new car today. He's spoiled.
Oh, and that bit about waiting awhile before we bought a car? We bought a car.
So Greg got a flat screen TV yesterday and a new car today. He's spoiled.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
A good weekend
Friday night, we went shopping for a birthday gift for the party Allie would attend on Saturday (her best friend Sandra--movie and pizza) and we had Mexican food at Carlos O'Kellys. There's a Carlos O'Kellys in Decatur too, near where Greg's family lives. It's always busy. This restaurant is always only about half full.
Saturday, Greg went car shopping because we've been thinking about replacing his car now that it has over 90,000 miles on it. I took Allie to her party and then Julia and I hung out and partied like it was 1999. Then Greg came home, all fired up about buying a VW Rabbit. I wanted to see what they were like to drive and Greg wanted me to drive it too, so I went off to Madison and he handled picking Allie up at the theater. Later, I visited the bookstore alone (when was the last time I got to do that!) and then I brought KFC home for dinner. That was some nice variety compared to the deli chicken we usually get from the local Pick Your Nose.
Today, Greg and Julia went off to Madison and bought a new flat screen TV and two booster seats for her for our cars. We've decided to put off getting the car. Allie and I played games and partied like it was 2008. And then the four of us had the best time of the weekend. We went bowling.
Oh my goodness. I haven't been bowling since probably before Allie was born, and neither had Greg. Allie wanted to try it because she's been bowling on the Wii with Greg lately. She discovered it's a lot harder in real life. Julia actually got second place in our little contest behind Greg, thanks to a bowling ramp. And I think Greg got three or four strikes. It was fun and both girls really liked it. We're definitely going to have to go again.
Allie's spring break is over now and she's back to school tomorrow and we're back to our normal routine. Here comes another week--
Saturday, Greg went car shopping because we've been thinking about replacing his car now that it has over 90,000 miles on it. I took Allie to her party and then Julia and I hung out and partied like it was 1999. Then Greg came home, all fired up about buying a VW Rabbit. I wanted to see what they were like to drive and Greg wanted me to drive it too, so I went off to Madison and he handled picking Allie up at the theater. Later, I visited the bookstore alone (when was the last time I got to do that!) and then I brought KFC home for dinner. That was some nice variety compared to the deli chicken we usually get from the local Pick Your Nose.
Today, Greg and Julia went off to Madison and bought a new flat screen TV and two booster seats for her for our cars. We've decided to put off getting the car. Allie and I played games and partied like it was 2008. And then the four of us had the best time of the weekend. We went bowling.
Oh my goodness. I haven't been bowling since probably before Allie was born, and neither had Greg. Allie wanted to try it because she's been bowling on the Wii with Greg lately. She discovered it's a lot harder in real life. Julia actually got second place in our little contest behind Greg, thanks to a bowling ramp. And I think Greg got three or four strikes. It was fun and both girls really liked it. We're definitely going to have to go again.
Allie's spring break is over now and she's back to school tomorrow and we're back to our normal routine. Here comes another week--
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The two extremes
Today at work, I was involved in the discipline of one employee and the firing of another due to a significant event that happened last week. Involving the fire department.
The first guy had a pretty normal reaction. He protested his innocence, then said other people had done the same thing and were they going to be disciplined too, then said the whole thing was a fucking joke and that he wasn't signing his fucking work violation. I've had more people than I can count have this reaction over the years. It doesn't phase me at all anymore.
I didn't have sweaty palms. My heart wasn't pounding. I wasn't worried about what I was going to say next and how he would react to it. I certainly didn't fear for my safety. That's partially because I felt in control and partially because in this case, his manager was also in the room and he's about 6' 5" and 300 lbs.
Regardless, the guy headed for the door, saying he was going back to work. I had to tell him to stop and that if he didn't sign the work violation, he was quitting. He stood in the doorway for a second, slammed the door closed, said fuck a few more times, and scrawled his signature. Then I told him he had to serve a one-day suspension. That didn't go over very well either.
Several profanities later, it was time to fire the other individual. He sat down, I told him we'd concluded our investigation, and told him the specific issues applying to him. He said that he agreed with the results of the investigation (in fact, he repeatedly said that he accepted responsibility) and then I told him that he was terminated. He said, "Thank you."
OK, now that's a first.
It wasn't as odd as it sounded. After he said thank you, he stood up and pushed past his manager to the door, saying he was leaving. We tried to talk to him about some of his belongings and some company items he needed to return but he took off. His manager followed him and about five minutes later, the employee stopped in my doorway while I was on the phone and dropped some company items on my desk. He seemed a little calmer.
I do think I'm going to remember this one however. I've had people cry (actually, lots of people cry). I've had people swear and pound on the table. I've sometimes warned my co-workers that if they hear sounds in my office that seem like trouble, they shouldn't be afraid to open the door to see what's happening (just a safety thing, it's never been necessary). I've had people laugh and then threaten me and the company (No, Mom. Not me bodily. Just say things like God is going to take care of me. Or that they know some day I'll pay. One guy asked me if I had children and then said he was asking because he didn't know how I could go home to them with what I had done to him on my conscience.) Lots of people threaten to sue.
This guy, he's the first one to say Thank You. But you know, I don't really think he meant it.
The first guy had a pretty normal reaction. He protested his innocence, then said other people had done the same thing and were they going to be disciplined too, then said the whole thing was a fucking joke and that he wasn't signing his fucking work violation. I've had more people than I can count have this reaction over the years. It doesn't phase me at all anymore.
I didn't have sweaty palms. My heart wasn't pounding. I wasn't worried about what I was going to say next and how he would react to it. I certainly didn't fear for my safety. That's partially because I felt in control and partially because in this case, his manager was also in the room and he's about 6' 5" and 300 lbs.
Regardless, the guy headed for the door, saying he was going back to work. I had to tell him to stop and that if he didn't sign the work violation, he was quitting. He stood in the doorway for a second, slammed the door closed, said fuck a few more times, and scrawled his signature. Then I told him he had to serve a one-day suspension. That didn't go over very well either.
Several profanities later, it was time to fire the other individual. He sat down, I told him we'd concluded our investigation, and told him the specific issues applying to him. He said that he agreed with the results of the investigation (in fact, he repeatedly said that he accepted responsibility) and then I told him that he was terminated. He said, "Thank you."
OK, now that's a first.
It wasn't as odd as it sounded. After he said thank you, he stood up and pushed past his manager to the door, saying he was leaving. We tried to talk to him about some of his belongings and some company items he needed to return but he took off. His manager followed him and about five minutes later, the employee stopped in my doorway while I was on the phone and dropped some company items on my desk. He seemed a little calmer.
I do think I'm going to remember this one however. I've had people cry (actually, lots of people cry). I've had people swear and pound on the table. I've sometimes warned my co-workers that if they hear sounds in my office that seem like trouble, they shouldn't be afraid to open the door to see what's happening (just a safety thing, it's never been necessary). I've had people laugh and then threaten me and the company (No, Mom. Not me bodily. Just say things like God is going to take care of me. Or that they know some day I'll pay. One guy asked me if I had children and then said he was asking because he didn't know how I could go home to them with what I had done to him on my conscience.) Lots of people threaten to sue.
This guy, he's the first one to say Thank You. But you know, I don't really think he meant it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Ready for years of picnics
Today after work, my husband took our children to the grocery store to pick up a few things. He does this pretty frequently, much more frequently than I do, and I appreciate that. Usually, we have a running grocery list on the refrigerator door and he'll be sure to get those items. Greg does, however, really love to go up and down every single aisle in the store. I personally think that process is a colossal waste of time, which is one of the reasons we seldom go to the store together. If I know I don't need either baby food, diapers, or crackers and cookies, why head down that way and tempt myself. (The cookies, not the baby stuff.)
So Greg, Allie and Julia traipsed up and down the aisles today and Greg thought, "Hey, I bet we need ketchup. We always need ketchup." After all, the girls practically inhale ketchup, so this thought isn't too far-fetched.
However, when Greg picked up and purchased a large bottle of ketchup today (36 oz.), he neglected to remember that he took the girls to Sam's Club a few weeks ago. That day, he also thought, "Hey, I bet we need ketchup. We always need ketchup." As a result of Sam's Club supersizing, I now own a 36 oz. bottle of ketchup and 3 - 44 oz. bottles of ketchup.
That's 21 cups of ketchup. Plus what we have in the refrigerator. I'm looking for recipe ideas here, people. Anyone?
So Greg, Allie and Julia traipsed up and down the aisles today and Greg thought, "Hey, I bet we need ketchup. We always need ketchup." After all, the girls practically inhale ketchup, so this thought isn't too far-fetched.
However, when Greg picked up and purchased a large bottle of ketchup today (36 oz.), he neglected to remember that he took the girls to Sam's Club a few weeks ago. That day, he also thought, "Hey, I bet we need ketchup. We always need ketchup." As a result of Sam's Club supersizing, I now own a 36 oz. bottle of ketchup and 3 - 44 oz. bottles of ketchup.
That's 21 cups of ketchup. Plus what we have in the refrigerator. I'm looking for recipe ideas here, people. Anyone?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The first of many?
Julia told me her first lie tonight. We had been away for the weekend, visiting my family for Easter. When we came home, Allie and Julia opened the Easter cards that Nana sent them. She'd included a stick of gum in each one. Julia loves gum, especially since we only very rarely buy it.
I told her she could have the gum but that she needed to spit it out when it was time for her bath. As we were heading upstairs to do her bath, she looked at me with those wide blue eyes and said, Mommy, I spit out my gum. I put in my hand and then I put it in the garbage downstairs. And of course I believed her.
A few minutes later, as we were getting ready to get her into the tub, she stubbed her toe. She started to wail and I saw a piece of gum in her mouth. She'd lied to me.
I didn't even know what to say. Isn't four and a half too young for lying? I think Allie was about seven before we caught her in her first lie. I know, I know--different kids. But still.
Are we raising a liar?
I told her she could have the gum but that she needed to spit it out when it was time for her bath. As we were heading upstairs to do her bath, she looked at me with those wide blue eyes and said, Mommy, I spit out my gum. I put in my hand and then I put it in the garbage downstairs. And of course I believed her.
A few minutes later, as we were getting ready to get her into the tub, she stubbed her toe. She started to wail and I saw a piece of gum in her mouth. She'd lied to me.
I didn't even know what to say. Isn't four and a half too young for lying? I think Allie was about seven before we caught her in her first lie. I know, I know--different kids. But still.
Are we raising a liar?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The whole tooth
Allie lost another tooth last night, and this one without the hour of agony and crying beforehand. She lost her first bottom tooth before her fifth birthday and three years later, maybe that's actually getting better.
I think she knows that the tooth fairy's not real, because she asked to put her tooth in a small bowl by the side of her bed. Thank goodness, because believe me when I say that it isn't easy sliding your hand around under the pillow she's sleeping on, desperately trying to find a tooth that's about one third the size of a kernel of corn. And then I have to go back in and put the money underneath. She hasn't woken up during the operation yet, but maybe I'm worrying for nothing.
Last weekend, Allie asked if the Easter Bunny was real. Let's see--she already knows that my company put on the Easter Egg scramble we were on our way to at the time. She knows that her Auntie Pam puts out the eggs for the hunt at her house each year. And I think it's unlikely that at eight years old, she would believe that a bunny rabbit could deliver baskets around the world. So I told her that no, the Easter Bunny isn't real.
Greg yelled at me when I told him, but I really don't believe she still believed. How long am I supposed to lie about a rabbit? Allie started to ask more questions, but I told her we'd talk about it later, not in front of her sister, and it hasn't come up again. In the meantime, she's enjoying the candy she's already gotten for Easter and she's enjoying the two 50-cent pieces she got for this tooth. Maybe if I keep giving her chocolate, I won't have to answer any questions about Santa Claus.
I think she knows that the tooth fairy's not real, because she asked to put her tooth in a small bowl by the side of her bed. Thank goodness, because believe me when I say that it isn't easy sliding your hand around under the pillow she's sleeping on, desperately trying to find a tooth that's about one third the size of a kernel of corn. And then I have to go back in and put the money underneath. She hasn't woken up during the operation yet, but maybe I'm worrying for nothing.
Last weekend, Allie asked if the Easter Bunny was real. Let's see--she already knows that my company put on the Easter Egg scramble we were on our way to at the time. She knows that her Auntie Pam puts out the eggs for the hunt at her house each year. And I think it's unlikely that at eight years old, she would believe that a bunny rabbit could deliver baskets around the world. So I told her that no, the Easter Bunny isn't real.
Greg yelled at me when I told him, but I really don't believe she still believed. How long am I supposed to lie about a rabbit? Allie started to ask more questions, but I told her we'd talk about it later, not in front of her sister, and it hasn't come up again. In the meantime, she's enjoying the candy she's already gotten for Easter and she's enjoying the two 50-cent pieces she got for this tooth. Maybe if I keep giving her chocolate, I won't have to answer any questions about Santa Claus.
Friday, March 14, 2008
A new game
Last night, Allie decided to play "9 1/2 Weeks" with her daddy. She didn't call it that, but Allie asked her dad to play a game and had him sit on the floor with a towel over his eyes while she fed him various substances to see if he could identify them.
He tried a grape, a peanut M&M, a piece of Kix cereal, a grape tomato, a Tic Tac, coffee (Allie was getting some help by this point), yogurt, a Girl Scout cookie, cream cheese, and finally a dill pickle. The pickle was what did Greg in. He didn't immediately identify what it was and something about it grossed him out, so he was done.
Julia, meanwhile, fell asleep on the couch again after dinner. She only sometimes naps now and her body is not necessarily still running strong by 6:30 p.m. or so. To say that she's crabby when you wake her up is an understatement. She hit Greg, who was only trying to be sure that she'd be able to sleep when it was bedtime.
And our family watched another couple of episodes of "How Clean Is Your House." Just another Thursday night in the Lee household.
He tried a grape, a peanut M&M, a piece of Kix cereal, a grape tomato, a Tic Tac, coffee (Allie was getting some help by this point), yogurt, a Girl Scout cookie, cream cheese, and finally a dill pickle. The pickle was what did Greg in. He didn't immediately identify what it was and something about it grossed him out, so he was done.
Julia, meanwhile, fell asleep on the couch again after dinner. She only sometimes naps now and her body is not necessarily still running strong by 6:30 p.m. or so. To say that she's crabby when you wake her up is an understatement. She hit Greg, who was only trying to be sure that she'd be able to sleep when it was bedtime.
And our family watched another couple of episodes of "How Clean Is Your House." Just another Thursday night in the Lee household.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Houston, Wii have a problem
Allie has been enjoying our new Wii, challenging her daddy to contests of bowling, tennis, and ping pong. Unfortunately, it's wrecking her life.
For the second evening, at bedtime, Allie came up the stairs from the basement crying. Actually bawling. Daddy won their contest.
We've worked for years to get our children to be good losers, but according to Allie, when you lose a competition on the Wii, a sign comes up that calls you a loser, and a face appears and makes a sad face at you.
So twice now at bedtime, she's been full of tears and with her face swollen and her nasal passages full of whatever and then she can't get to sleep. Last night, she was still awake at 10 p.m., now upset because she could see how late it was getting and she was worried about being tired in the morning. Somehow, she's gotten the idea that if she's tired in the morning, life as we know it will be over.
She gets out of bed repeatedly to tell us she's still awake. She cries and snuffles into tissues. She tries to count sheep or count her breaths and she practices Daddy's relaxation technique, none of which work. Last night, she said she couldn't stop thinking. She asked me to give her something else to think about. I told her to plan her next birthday party, from food to decorations to guests to cake and presents.
I'm guessing this means we can start planning on building a stable next January.
For the second evening, at bedtime, Allie came up the stairs from the basement crying. Actually bawling. Daddy won their contest.
We've worked for years to get our children to be good losers, but according to Allie, when you lose a competition on the Wii, a sign comes up that calls you a loser, and a face appears and makes a sad face at you.
So twice now at bedtime, she's been full of tears and with her face swollen and her nasal passages full of whatever and then she can't get to sleep. Last night, she was still awake at 10 p.m., now upset because she could see how late it was getting and she was worried about being tired in the morning. Somehow, she's gotten the idea that if she's tired in the morning, life as we know it will be over.
She gets out of bed repeatedly to tell us she's still awake. She cries and snuffles into tissues. She tries to count sheep or count her breaths and she practices Daddy's relaxation technique, none of which work. Last night, she said she couldn't stop thinking. She asked me to give her something else to think about. I told her to plan her next birthday party, from food to decorations to guests to cake and presents.
I'm guessing this means we can start planning on building a stable next January.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Trouble in paradise
Last night, Allie and Julia were playing a game with water. Those words don't usually strike trepidation into our hearts. They like to wash their collection of resin animal toys in the sink in the half bathroom, for example, and that's no problem. They like to play with their collection of Polly Pocket hot tub/pool accessories at the kitchen table (which is from Ikea) and that's no problem.
The problem last night was that Greg and I were chatting online with Dan and Kerry. Which means that we kept shushing the girls and asking if they could please play in another room than the one we were in. And they were playing with water, specifically containers of water in which they were washing Barbies and other little dolls. We paid them no attention whatsoever (fatal error).
This morning, I had an early meeting and Greg was getting the girls ready to leave the house. Right before they headed out, he realized that the dining room table had pools of water on it's surface. Yes, Marcia, the beautiful antique dining room table that you and your husband gave us had pools of water on the surface of the gorgeous wood. Pools that had been there since last night.
Fortunately, Greg saw the pools, dried off the table, and the only damage seems to be some lifting of the veneer at the center seam of the table. It could have been much worse. This does not mean that we are not going to kill our children later tonight.
We're taking them to tumbling class first. It's prepaid, after all.
The problem last night was that Greg and I were chatting online with Dan and Kerry. Which means that we kept shushing the girls and asking if they could please play in another room than the one we were in. And they were playing with water, specifically containers of water in which they were washing Barbies and other little dolls. We paid them no attention whatsoever (fatal error).
This morning, I had an early meeting and Greg was getting the girls ready to leave the house. Right before they headed out, he realized that the dining room table had pools of water on it's surface. Yes, Marcia, the beautiful antique dining room table that you and your husband gave us had pools of water on the surface of the gorgeous wood. Pools that had been there since last night.
Fortunately, Greg saw the pools, dried off the table, and the only damage seems to be some lifting of the veneer at the center seam of the table. It could have been much worse. This does not mean that we are not going to kill our children later tonight.
We're taking them to tumbling class first. It's prepaid, after all.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Spring! Robins!
There were several robins fluttering around our yard today. The snow has melted away from the south side of the house, including where my tulips should come up in about a month. It's enough to give you hope for an eventual spring, even though it did snow a little this morning and there's still at least two feet of snow on the flat part of our front yard.
In other news, Greg and I had a fun conversation by Skype today with Dan and Kerry. They said they'd been to a St. Patrick's Day parade today (an early one, apparently) and they showed us the enormous helium balloons they purchased for their kids. (Not that I'm calling their kids spoiled or anything.)
Speaking of spoiled kids, Greg fulfilled an ambition that he's held for months this morning. He managed to be first in line at 6:15 a.m. at a local store and he bought a Wii when the store opened. Bowling has commenced!
In other news, Greg and I had a fun conversation by Skype today with Dan and Kerry. They said they'd been to a St. Patrick's Day parade today (an early one, apparently) and they showed us the enormous helium balloons they purchased for their kids. (Not that I'm calling their kids spoiled or anything.)
Speaking of spoiled kids, Greg fulfilled an ambition that he's held for months this morning. He managed to be first in line at 6:15 a.m. at a local store and he bought a Wii when the store opened. Bowling has commenced!
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