Mommy Rumination

So how the hell did a whole week go by since my last post?!?

OK.  So I know that I've been busy - but this is ridiculous.  No wonder the six people that read my blog don't visit anymore.

So what's going on? The Princess has quit ballet.  Yes.  It's true.  She made it through class number 1, but wouldn't participate at all for class number 2.  I was not able to be there the second week.  Her third class should have been yesterday.  On the way to school on Friday, we talked about it.  She said she didn't want to go.  I told her that if she wanted to quit, it was ok, that I wouldn't be upset.  But she needed to understand that it was a decision about the whole year - not just one class.  I made it very clear that if she chose to quit, we wouldn't go back until next fall.  She said that was ok with her.  And that, as they say, was that.  I am not at all unhappy that she's not taking the class, just concerned that she does quit easily. She's still dancing around the house.  Maybe she'll try again next year. 

In new situations, her social anxiety does rear it's ugly head.  Most of the time, she does beautifully.  She went through a really tough period a year or so ago that she was struggling in social situations nearly all the time.  I think that was the over-riding factor in this.  I am sure she'll let us know when she's ready for an activity (whatever it may be) and we can try it again then

Work has been going well.  Very busy - but good.  I am traveling again in a couple weeks.  It's just two days of training so I'll be gone just a few nights.  And thankfully, it's an easy flight.  The 6 hours to L.A. was AWFUL.  I can't sit still for that long!  Hmm....I guess I should book that travel sometime soon...

We have a show opening at the playhouse next Friday.  I finished the program today and spent the morning at tech rehearsal labeling the cues.  I am stage managing closing weekend because the official stage manager will be out of town.  I am excited.  Stage managing is something I really enjoy.  Tuesday night I am shooting the photos for the lobby and Thursday I am shopping for the opening night reception food. 

But I'm not too busy......naaaaaaaaaaah.......

Oh - and here's a new shot or two of the Princess.  We went to Target last Monday.  They do SUCH good work!

(click to enlarge!)

And here's one with Mommy.  I do love this one...despite my many chins.....

The Laundry Offensive

Not to say the laundry itself is offensive.  But the state of the laundry was definitely offensive.  Recently, I SAW my bedroom for the first time in a long one.  Apparently, I walk through my bedroom virtually blind the majority of the time.  The other day, I realized how breathtakingly horrifying it was: six loads of clean laundry waiting to be folded, clothing on the ironing board.  And so launched the great laundry offensive.

Today, I folded ALL of the clean laundry.  I also cleaned out my closet and bureau of clothing that I've owned forever far too long...say a decade or so.  All of the "fat clothes" that I intend to never wear again:  GONE.  Outdated suits:  Gone.  I carried out 6 trash bags of old clothing and delivered them to the nearest donation site.  Thea's nearly empty bureau is now refilled with sweet-smelling, neatly folded clothes.

Going through the closet netted me a large pile of clothing to drop off for dry cleaning.  Some of my old business clothes (read pre-Thea; well, when I was skinny pre-Thea.  Long before conception...) fit beautifully and are more than appropriate for work. 

The project also netted me a realization.  I am passing on my neuroses.  There.  I've said it.  Granted, they are the mildest of my neuroses - but none the less, I am indeed tainting the Princess.  Her collection of socks and underpants is vast.  Her proclivity for matching her socks to her outfit - definitely my influence.  I do try NOT to encourage her to match her undies to the outfit as well - but hey, she watches me do it most mornings.  And you know what they say:  monkey see, monkey do.  It could be worse, I'm sure.  I could be passing along my irrational fear of spiders or my inability to finish a meal if my plate has been turned from where it was when I began.  In an effort to protect her, I have declared a family law that ONLY Daddy may take Thea to the dentist so she doesn't see the unadulterated terror I experience any time I am within 25 feet of a dentist's chair.  And despite my best efforts, it has begun.

All neuroses considered, I suppose I can live with an underwear/sock fetish.  Is it so wrong that the most satisfying depression-induced retail therapy in my world is a sock and underwear spree?  It's a hell of a lot cheaper than gold and diamonds.....

Let's just hope she's better at laundry than I am...........

The Newest Ballerina

at her very first class.....

(click to enlarge)

and at Grandma & Grandpa's house before showing off her new ballet clothes...

Things that make me laugh out loud....

When driving by a funeral home with several emergency vehicles in front, lights flashing, firefighters pulling a gurney from the back of the ambulance, ask, "Picking up? Or dropping off?"

Not Dead.....

It's true.  I am not dead.  It seems that it's been forever since my last entry.  Work is keeping me incredibly busy.  In the time I am not there, I am making it a priority to spend time with my family.  I have been utterly terrible about answering email from friends.  There is a nasty little cold that has been making the rounds through work, and Thea brought it home even before that.  The last few days, it seems that I worked, slept and worked again...and did little else in between.  I think I am on the upswing, but this cold has just wiped me out.

We are all adjusting to the new routines.  Most days, I either drop Thea off or pick her up from school.  We get to spend the time surrounding that together which is great.  Whenever I take a weekday off, I pull her out of school and we have a Mommy/Thea day.  She is also LOVING school and does her homework first thing when she gets home on Mondays.  Last week, she finished and told Curt that they needed to give her more!

As for work.....this was a tough week.  Now that my staff is relaxing a bit into old habits, I am seeing where the problems truly lie.  I have lots to do to fix things.  Follow through is an issue.  Task completion is an issue.  Common sense....well, it ain't common.  The very same day that I put out a memo about report writing (accuracy, spelling, completeness), I got a report that was off by an HOUR and left out a whole portion of the story.......  *shaking head* 

At least I won't be bored........