Happy Birthday, Katie!

It's my wonderful friend Katie's birthday! And, what better way to wish a dear friend "Happy Birthday!" than to publish unflattering high school pictures? Really, I recently dug out some old pics to offer up the Tribune (request for prom pictures) and came across some gems.

Katie and I have been friends since our freshman year of high school. Through nutty boyfriends, bad haircuts, really bad glasses . . . need I go on? I love you, girl! Have a great one.
Homecoming 1993

Spring Turnabout 1994 

"Parenting in the millenium"

What a crappy, rainy day. No wonder I have a headache. Of course, an hour+ drive to Hoffman Estates in this crappy weather will also do that to a person (coupled with the hour+ drive back). I signed up for a (free) presentation on parenting -- you know, gotta earn more CEUs! -- put on by Alexian Bros. Behavioral Health. It was really quite good, and I feel like I ought to have these profound things to say about parenting and families . . . but I just don't. Yet.

I don't know--maybe I agreed with him too much. "Yes!" my brain was shouting. I mean, on the one hand I wouldn't have a job if all parents were "cup"s (consistent-united-predictable). But, can you imagine our youth if they were? The most challenging aspect of working with adolescents, I often think, is that we are dealing with 14+ years of poor parenting habits. Whether they're over-permissive, pseudo-abusive, or frighteningly controlling they have engrained patterns of responses in their children so deeply, somtimes, that you wonder how to get around it. Really, we end up bandaging these kids to get them their diplomas. And, if we're really good (or the teens really responsive) they develop some better, more adaptive habits DESPITE their parents.

No, I do not think all parents are screw-ups. And, just because you make mistakes as a parent does not make you a screw-up or failure. I'm not dense. But, I have been scared by the fact, in my job, that "cup"s are few and far between. I can't deny what research and experience says!

Parenting is hard. No question. Children are wonderful, and I can't wait to have them. But the parenting part -- actually raising them to be independent, successful, kind members of the community -- scares the crap out of me. Probably me more than other women because I see the adverse effects of poor parenting skills. It's a lot to think about.

Hmm . . . I need to process this. Plus, I think it's never too early for Beej and I to create a family "plan", as the presenter discussed. It sounds like an awesome idea. Alright--off to a Mary Kay party!

Did I tell you about my new best friends? They christened their baby recently! Ha!  

Blue Room

This weekend I finally got my rear in gear. I've been planning (for weeks now) to paint the old chinchilla room and create a new craft room. While I love the room I had been using, the plan from the day we bought the house was to use that room as a nursery. It's right across the hall from our bedroom and has a bathroom next to it. Plus, it has a walk-in closet for all sorts of toy storage. Anyway, I figured now is as good a time as any to start on my new (smaller) room. What's easier to paint than a room with no furniture or stuff in it? And I can start from scratch organizing it. Yeah, I should have been able to do that when I moved in the first room, but . . . darnit, I wanted the crap put away!

I just love the color. BJ's not a fan, but he can stuff it. And, since I took the closet doors off for more space, I painted the inside of the closet a different color. A little more fun that way, I think. But now, ugh--I'm tired!


I even painted the inside of the window in the contrast color!

With my desk now in it. I'm going to SLOWLY move my stuff in and make sure it's organized. Especially because this room is smaller than the other one. 

Another angle of the room. 

This weekend's project--painting my "new" craft room! 

Congratulations!

Hooray! BJ's younger sis, Brianne, is engaged! She called us last night (probably laughing at her loser bro & sis-in-law going to bed at 9:30 pm) to share the good news. Way to go, Ryan! I'm just thrilled for them . . . welcome to the family, Ryan!

"So, when are you thinking we'd have this kid?"

First things first--I've finally gotten started on posting my spring break saga. Days 1-3 are now online, along with a mini-journal of our trip. I know my dear GMO was wanting to hear all about it, so she can get started. Three days is about all I can handle this evening, so I'll continue Wednesday night.

Secondly--yeah, my husband really said that to me today. It made me chuckle. He had a legitimate question, but it was just phrased in a classically male way. It was good we talked--he was thinking we'd shoot for a spring break '06 delivery, and I'd end the year with maternity leave. His thought was that the end of the year would be easier work-load wise to take off. I was not thinking that--the end of the year is craziness for me. This year I'm doing OK (about a month ahead of my testing schedule), but who knows next year with another 200 students in the school. I think the current plan is to aim for a late May-early June due date and finish up my leave at the beginning of the 06-07 school year, when things are very slow for me. That would put the least strain on the other psychs, I think. And, I think I could work out anything with our director as long as I'm coming back. Ha ha!

In related news, a dear friend may be expecting! As she is holding out until it's definite (send her your implantation vibes!), I cannot reveal who/what/when. This, of course, is going to start speculation among my girlfriends, but that's kind of fun. (grin) I am so excited for her, and am willing her all the uterine health she can get. Besides, our children could be within 6 or 7 months of each other (if things go well for BJ and I)--how fun would that be?

Damn dog!

Ah, what an awesome weekend! The internet must forgive me for not working on posting my trip photos--I just could not bear to be inside. In true midwest fashion, we went from wearing winter coats (it snowed the morning we left for London) to no coats at all--even sandals--with nothing in between. True, there is still the possibility that it will snow again (tut tut!), but I'm holding out hope.

Given the glorious late-spring weather (it was nearly 80 degrees yesterday), Beej and I did quite a bit of yard work. Nothing as massive as last year's efforts, but we did clean up the flower beds and re-mulch. I love seeing all the little green heads poking out of the ground and the fuzzy buds on our apple serviceberry. Dear Bethie would say I'm "so suburban!" . . . and, she'd be right (side note: I'm having this disorder today where I keep typing "write" when I mean "right"--ugh). So, in true suburban fashion, we also made trips to The Growing Place and Home Toped (I mean Depot, of course). We planted a very nice looking hydrangea by the patio door and added 2 new hybrid tea roses to our rose garden. Here's where the title makes sense.

As we were planting the roses, Nala was oddly curious about them. She didn't seem to like that we were working with them, and kept trying to get close to sniff and investigate. I let her smell the packages, and that was that. She stayed close, but let us put them in the ground, feed/water, mulch--done! We should have known better. About 9:00 last night, I let her out back before we went to bed. Unsupervised, because she's fine. I thought. Our wind chimes (in the rose garden) start jangling. "Hmm," I'm thinking, "did it suddenly get windy? . . . Nala!" I get outside and she has wrapped herself around one rose plant and the shepherd's hook holding the chimes. I untangle her, let her do her stuff, and bring her in.

Nala dashes in the house, like a crazy woman (typical). Then I notice: her paws are FILTHY. Mud clods everywhere. I corral her quickly, plead for BJ's help and we start to clean her up. That's when the brain starts running. "How would she get so muddy? And only her front paws? But we covered up all the mud with mulch. Wait--her nose is dirty! Nala's been digging!" Oh, I was furious. This dog DOES NOT dig--we've never known her to. But, sure enough, when we go outside to investigate, she has dug a hole at the base of each new rose plant. Why, we're not sure. She's still interested, and this morning I had to scold her away. So bizarre. Fortunately, the plants were fine. But, what a stinker! DOGS!

Rob & I outside St. James' Palace, home to Prince Charles. I'm standing like a freakin' guard myself! 

The sleepies play upon my eyelids . . .

Maybe I am jet-lagged after all. I want nothing more than to sleep all day, lately. It could also be that I'm back to work hours--and it's our busy time of year. Whatever it is, all I know is that I took a nap yesterday after work. A nap! I am a notorious non-napper! I do think Nala was delighted, though. Being a dog, she's a big-time sleeper and doesn't seem to relish nice afternoons when I make her play outside for hours on end.

Tonight I've got kickboxing, again. VVB and I signed up for this session at the park district. It's twice a week for an hour. Tuesday's class was great! I love those workouts where I end up red in the face, sweaty, but psyched up. Although my girl friends would say I'm insane ("Wake up! Look in the mirror!"), I'm looking forward to dropping my pesky winter weight again. Besides, this may be the last summer for a bikini!

Speaking of which, BJ brought up the childcare issue when we were at my parents' on Saturday night. First of all, I was giddy simply because he brought it up--with a time line, even! Secondly, I am so glad to have such a supportive family. If we are able to work out dropping our baby off with them when I go back to work . . . it would be glorious. Because, as much as it kills me (already!), I know I'll have to go back to work. Unless we win the lottery. Riiight. At least I have school day hours, with tons of vacation built in.

And, as boring as it is, I'm starting the search for an OB/GYN. Yeah, I'm a big loser and I've not yet had a real, grown-up, girly-doctor. I'm still going to my old family practice. I am probably a creature of habit, but mostly I hate managed care/insurance companies. My insurance billing gets screwed up staying in one place, so just imagine what could happen if I change doctors. Imagine! Anyway, I've gotten a recommendation from AK for a doctor actually down the street from our house. But, I've never had to find a new doctor before. Are there any questions I should be asking? Is it mostly about the relationship vibe? I'd love some input.

Not so temporary absence

Far be it for me to remain silent for 2 weeks, but I have good reason! Between trying to get everything done at work prior to spring break, and final details for our trip "abroad" I was just not in the blogging mindset. But, I have returned and with a renewed committment to the internet.

Oh, our trip was just wonderful! We got back on Friday evening, and, as would be expected, I'm still sorting through all the photos and video. My companions and I would like to collate our pics; I'm waiting to get theirs before posting a photo gallery. For my curious family members (and some friends) I'll be posting a day-by-day later this week. Right now, I simply don't have the words beyond "We had a great time" . . . that's so insufficient. In the meantime, here's a perfect tourist-y shot of my brother and I outside St. James' Palace (home to Prince Charles!).

**OK, so, for whatever reason, blogger isn't uploading my photo. Go figure. I'll try to correct the problem when I get home. I'm ready for lunch!