So Much to Say, So Little Blog

So, I have been away again. It turns out that finding a job is a job in itself. It has been a wonderful four (4) weeks with no work, but it turns out that my theory that I don't really need a paycheck was, in fact, completely wrong.

A lot has happened since my last blog. I am sure I will be forgetting something (and, if you read Jeff's blog, then you are likely already caught up. If you are Jeff, you are likely already caught up as well). And these topics may or may not gets blog postings of their own, depending on whether I actually write them.

First: a new job. I just got the call this past Friday, informing me that they wanted to offer me a job. I go on Monday morning. It is an office job. I will elaborate more after my meeting on Monday.

My friends, Brian and Ashley, visited last Friday on their way back home to the almost-deep-South. It was great to see them, even if our visit was too short. Four adults. Three children, all under the age of 4. No one wanted to sit by our table at the restaurant; I don't understand why. I admire them for traveling with a little baby. Even a brief trip to Michigan to visit with my parents can sometimes be a trial with the two boys. We've never attempted a multi-state trip. We will, though; eventually we'll just have to suck it up.

We've been trying to soak up as much sun and pool time as possible. Jude and Sully are both naturals in the water, so we spend lots of time in our little pool. Jeff has designated himself the "pool boy" and he does a splendid job keeping it in shape (just as he does with the house, so thank you, Jeff).

Jude's birthday is coming up this week. We had his annual party with family and friends at that place where grownups can be kids. Seriously. My brother took off as soon as he got there to go beat out some kids at skee-ball and I didn't see him again for a long, long time. When he returned to our tables, he did so bearing an armful of tickets, which we promptly used to buy stock in the restaurant. With the leftover tickets, we "purchased" stuff that we could have purchased outright with actual cash, but it always seems more fun to do so redeeming tickets. Plus, we were able to spend time with our new "friend couple" and since we don't have many (okay, none) local friend-couples, we were very excited about that.



Why is it that other people are allowed to bring their children to such places? I thought it would be so fun just to let Jude and his cousins and friends have free reign over the place. As I have mentioned many times in this blog, I don't consider myself a great mother, but I do think I am a good mother. Good. Not great. Still, it is tough some days to see other children running amuck (I just like that phrase) with no apparent parental figure around. Jude does plenty of amuck-running, but there is always a parental figure around. He is boisterous, always ready to run and full of way too much energy. Any suggestions on how to properly channel that energy into something positive?

Yep, while I was unemployed, I did so many productive things: I got papercuts from sending out resumes, I became addicted to eBay, I watched my son learn to crawl (and to figure out that he can move from the living room into the bathroom all on his own now!) and I watched Sweeney Tood: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Would you like this film? If you are the sort of person who reads a title like "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" and decides you must see it, then you will probably like it. I loved it. Dark and bloody. And a musical. Good times.

There's more, but I will save that for another blog. So, brace yourselves.

Like A Buffett

Warren Buffett is rich. I mean, really rich. I've heard his name in connection with finances. He is a millionaire. Or a billionaire. I'm not sure which without doing actual research, but the exact nature of his "aire" doesn't matter. Just know that he is loaded.

But, this post isn't about financial-whiz, rich Warren Buffett. This, my friends (and random stranger who happens along this site and reads down this far before realizing he/she is totally lost) is all about the Jimmy.

It is summer, so my mind naturally turns to the sounds of summer and one undeniable sound of summer is the music of Jimmy Buffett. Like it or hate it, it is out there, all summer long. (But, really, even if you hate it, put down this blog now and go.)

If you are familiar at all with Buffett, it is likely for two or three songs that he recorded back in the 70s (yes, the 1970s). But, he still records new music and has just a ridiculous amount of albums put out. Seriously: it must be around 30 or so (again, not willing to do the actual research). I admire that. Not only do I like the music (which is summer encapsulated into little stories), but I admire the man himself.

Well, there is something really appealing about someone who just sets out to accomplish something and then does. He decided "Hey, I want to write and record albums" so he did. Then, eventually he bought his own label to put out his albums. There seems to be a "balls to the wall" (and I love the sheer masculinity of that term, though there is no female equivalent, nor should there be as the possibilities make me shudder) quality to him, just tossing himself into one project after another. He wanted to fly airplanes, and now he does. He decided to write a novel and he did -- and "Where is Joe Merchant?" is really funny and pretty good. Of course, there have been subsequent novels he wrote that I also enjoy. Entertaining stuff. He turned me onto Herman Wouk after he read Wouk's "Don't Stop the Carnival" and decided "Hey, that would make a nifty musical. I think I'll write and produce a musical based on that."

Sure, I am a Jimmy Buffett fan and admit that I like the wide array of songs from his career, both originals and covers (I particularly like the covers of The Grateful Dead's "Uncle John's Band" and Crosby, Stills and Nash's "Southern Cross"). But I digress (heck, this whole blog is a digression -- that's just the way my brain operates). The point (if I have one) is that Jimmy Buffett, the man who is the poster child for laid-back living, is amazingly productive. I am trying to adopt more of that into my own life, trying to throw myself into more projects, take more risks (all well within the confines of first taking care of my babies) go all ballsy (see, again with the masculine overtones without a female counterpart) and dare to dream.

So, I am daring to have a vision and trying to see it through. Of course with my astigmatism, my vision isn't always too clear. Still, no matter what, I will be just fine. After all, I'll always have Jimmy and for now, I have this beautiful sunshine as well.

You'll See Me -- At the Movies

What is this? You ask. Two posts in one week? Why, it is almost as if Kimberly just quit her job and didn't have another job and has time to spare to write blogs while she is job searching. And, if that is what you're thinking, well, I spend too much damn time talking to you. And that is all true.

I put in my two weeks' notice at work, a polite letter to break up a work relationship that just wasn't working for me anymore. Full of platitudes, and "it isn't you job, it's me." No, it wasn't me at all. It was totally job -- specifically, my boss. Said boss decided that he didn't want the full two weeks, so I just finished out the week instead. Rather than feeling panic right now, I feel very calm, like some very good opportunity is just waiting for me to spring on it. Mostly, I feel pretty good.

So, this past week has been filled with job interviews, but no job offers yet. I think that will happen very soon, though.

I did take some time off on Thursday to take Jude to the movies. A local theater is playing children's movies on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. with free admission. A pretty sweet deal, and now I had the chance to take Jude. This week's offering was "Alvin and the Chipmunks".

I drove Sully to daycare since there is no way he would be able to sit through a movie and drove Jude across town to the theater. He was bouncing in his seat in that hyper way of his and I looked in the mirror at him. "Mom," he said as he was bouncing, "I am doing my happy dance."

The movie experience went pretty well. The theater was pretty crowded and for a time the familiar guilt crept in when I realized that most of the moms in the theater were likely stay-at-home moms. And, sure, if I wanted to give up the luxuries like food and shelter, I could be a stay-at-home mom, too. And usually it doesn't bother me anymore, but sometimes I still feel the guilt. Still wish every Thursday morning could be Jude and Mommy movie time.

Jude was bouncing in his seat, chowing on popcorn. Yep, the really "good" moms all brought healthy snacks for their spawn, while I bought popcorn for mine. Popcorn is essential to the movie-going experience. Carrot sticks might be healthier; but I was determined to give Jude the whole experience.

We both enjoyed the movie (though we did have to get up twice to go to the bathroom). Jude sat in his own seat for much of the film, but eventually climbed over into my lap. About fifteen minutes before the end of the movie, Jude climbed over to me and whispered "I love you. Can we go to daycare now?" When we got back into the car, he said "I hope Sully had fun without me there."

I took Jude back to daycare so I could continue my job hunt. I know he doesn't love me any less because he goes to daycare. I know that ultimately I am doing the best that I can for him, making sure he is raised in a loving environment, but also making sure that he is in a great daycare where he is taken care of and where he has friends that he loves. I watched him run into the fold of kids, his skinny little legs pumping down the stairs and I couldn't help but wonder Was Alvin and the Chipmunks for me or was it for Jude? Ultimately it doesn't matter why we went, only that we went.

And ultimately what matters most is that I have a little boy with skinny legs and a big heart who loves his little brother and who shakes my whole car -- and my whole heart -- whenever he breaks into his happy dance.

Movie Review of a Movie You've Already Seen or Never Plan to See: Alvin and the Chipmunks (naturally). A cute little children's movie. I enjoyed it. Jude enjoyed it.

Song of the day: "C'mon. C'mon" by the Von Bondies. The theme song for the excellent tv show, "Rescue Me". I rewatched season 1 and have just begun season 2. Just a very well written show. Great complex characters. Excellent drama. And a kickin' theme song. Watch it -- from the beginning, of course.