Waiting for Midnight

I needed to be up at midnight to check some functionality for work. I made the mistake of asking Ryan to set the alarm for me since it is evil and I have avoided setting it for 7 years now. He pulled one over on me. Not only did he set it for 11:45 (assuming I would hit snooze like normal) but our clock is also fast. So, at 11:3X not sure what the real time was I shuffled out to the computer to login. Realized it was 11:38 now, and have been trying to kill 22 minutes worth of time. I was afraid if I went back to bed, I would miss the midnight hour. I am crossing my fingers everything is peachy keen so I can go back to bed by 12:02am.

One other note, the heartburn that starts around 4:30 in the afternoon is still present at midnight. I am glad I usually sleep through part of it because I am so sick of having my throat burn all the time. Now I have to try to fall back asleep with it again a second time? That's just cruel. Mother nature needs to give it up. I paid my dues in the first trimester. Just let me make it a day without wanting to swallow a gallon sized jug of malox (or tums in my case).

Mark Your Calendar

I just cooked dinner two nights in a row. I am pretty sure no one, including Ryan can remember the last time that happened. Last night was a raspberry grilled cheese thing (muenster, turkey, pecans, green onions, raspberry jam on sourdough) and tonight was a tuna avacado cream cheese concoction with a hard roll. Both recipes required assembly, measuring, chopping, and beating so that counts as cooking in my book. There was no box involved.

Elephant-Check!

Saturday I was a bum. I needed the whole day to recooperate from the long week in Chicago. I watched a little tv, napped, watched a little more tv, napped, repeat a few more times.

Today I figured I better get another animal painted so I tackled the elephant. He was not necessarily hard to paint but I had to free hand him and change his style a little from the bedding to make him fit the wall better. The paint fumes got to me after about 15 minutes so I took a nap and ate lunch. Then I bundled up with a towel around my face and finished him. Luckily there was no mixing paint colors and he only had two shades of blue to work with. Then I fixed the tree and a few blades of grass. Next weekend is the giraffe (or two depending on spacing). I put the light socket plates back on and feel pretty good. I just need Ryan to rehang the holders for the curtain rod so I can put the valance up. Mom helped me clean the blinds and put them up last weekend.

Ryan and I did a quick job on the house today-minimal pickup, dusting and sweeping. No deep cleaning for us-too many other projects to finish up. I sent him to the grocery store so I can get some work work done. It's going to be a long week with 3 days in work sessions.

Travel Update

Here's my final post for this morning. My trip to Chicago was ok. I mentioned I forgot my pj's and although some of you think it is so easy to run out and buy a pair (I myself always say, if you forget to pack something, just go buy it), it isn't. Now, if it were spring, summer, or fall and I wasn't pregnant, I probably would have been much more apt to take a stroll down Michagan Ave in search of something. Since it was below zero and I don't walk with quite the same ease as before pregnancy, I opted to stay inside.

Here's the thing with Chicago. I work too much when I go there. When I left Tuesday, I was at the airport around 8:30, worked on my BB until we loaded the plane. Then I worked in the cab, got to the hotel, and started to work. I skipped going to the office since I could get more done, uniterrupted. I ended up ordering room service since it was pretty cold the first night I arrived and I didn't want to walk around alone downtown. Not even Chipotle could lure me out. I worked until 8:45 CT and decided that was enough. *PS, Kevin had a team dinner that ran too late for me to synch up with him. I was bummed I didn't get to see him but happy I didn't have to stay up late waiting for him to call.

I got a couple hours of sleep and then was awake every half hour until 3:30 when I had to get up and check on my monster project we were deploying that morning. I was on the phone with our QA team until 4am. Went back to bed for a little bit (I think I had a good 45 minutes of pure sleep) and then was back up and online with them. Of course things didn't go as planned so I balanced showering and phone calls all morning long.

I headed into the office for a 9:30 am "post mortem" call. The rest of the day was chaotic and our conference started at 2. I was exhausted before it even started. Then my computer's wireless card bit the dust and I lived on BB all afternoon. We had a nice dinner but I was so tired. I crashed when I got back to the hotel.

After waking up every couple hours (see previous post on pregnancy) I got up and called FL to have them do something I couldn't do because my computer was fried. It was before 7am and I was already working. Again, had to balance shower and phone calls to FL. Made it to the office a little after 8 in time for our 9am meeting.

Funny part-this new building has several quirks. It's gorgeous and next to the Sears Tower. You have to go up to the 65th floor and transfer elevators to go back to the 32 floor where our offices are. The bathrooms are under lock and key. You have to ask for a key to go to the bathroom and then have a key card/badge to get back into your office suite. What a cluster! I went to the 33rd floor to get my computer fixed and the person who led me up there left me. I figured I knew my way back and took the stairs. Wrong option, I got locked in the stairwell. I didn't have a key card to get out. The sign said next exit ground level. Hmmm...33 flights of stairs up or 33 down and pregnant. I opted to shake the door and sit until someone came in the stairwell. Luckily, someone walked by right away and let me in.

The meetings were ok but lots of regular work drama was going on so I only paid attention to half of the day. At 2 I got my computer back. The meeting ended at 3:30 but my boss and I stayed until after 7pm. I got back to the hotel and met a coworker for a nice dinner. Then I crashed at the hotel again for a night of uncomfortable sleep.

Back up again Friday to get to the office before 8. Worked until 11:30, hopped in a cab, worked in it and then said to heck with work. I am exhausted. Suffered through the flight home (cankles and back pain). Arrived home without any craziness or drama and came home to dinner.

I am happy to report no ghosts at the hotel this time and this is my last time I will travel until after the baby is born. It can't be good to work that much when you aren't pregnant. Hopefully LBF doesn't learn that working yourself to death is the way to go.

Pregnancy Update

I am six months along now. Here is what I have discovered.

1) Gained 8.5 lbs so far. Not too bad. I am not looking forward to the large gain that comes on in the end because honestly, not sure how I will move or function. Reaching, bending, sitting, walking, etc. have new challenges attached to them. I discovered that this week trying to travel. Uff!

2) Second trimester is blissful (ha ha). I have to say, it is much better since I don't feel naseaus but I think the feel good period was much shorter than the feel bad period. I have now grown a large belly and even bigger boobs and am quite uncomfortable. Not sure what is like to sleep more than a couple hours at a time anymore.

3) I have cankles from flying! I sure hope they go away now that I am back home. I drank a ton of water before, during, and after the flight but my socks could not lie. My ankles were swollen!

4) People are nice to visibly pregnant women. I have had more doors opened, seats offered, and general pleasantries than I know what to do with. My only wish is that they would save some of it up for when I am trying to juggle a car seat, diaper bag, and groceries through a door.

5) LBF is active and kicking is a myth. He plays inside me like he's on a jungle gym! That's not a soccer player in there, it's a WWF wrestler. His father should be proud.

So, all in all things are going well but no book will prepare you for how your body changes and the little things that will surprise you, good or bad. I am still waiting for the hubby to realize I need a foot, leg, and back massage. He complains I don't give him any lovin' but he has yet to empathize with me. All he ever says is "wow, that doesn't look comfortable." No shit.

Long Ass Post

I am back from Chicago and will break this up into several posts. Here's the order they will appear in.

1) Doctor Update
2) Pregnancy Update
3) Travel Update

DOCTOR UPDATE

Remember how I called on Friday and left a voicemail. Well, Wednesday at 11:15am ET I received a call and it went like this.

Erin "Hello, this is Erin."

Nurse Bitch "Yes, this is Nurse Bitch and you called and left a message. You shouldn't have left a message at this number."

Erin "Oh, I am sorry."

Nurse Bitch "Didn't you listen to the prompts? OB patients are supposed to hang up and dial ext ####. We didn't call you because we couldn't find your chart."

Erin "Oh, I didn't know or hear that. When I called back, the receptionist transfered me to this ext also. Does she know not to transfer OB patients to you?"

Nurse Bitch "Again, you aren't supposed to leave messages on this extention."

Erin "Well, the reason I called was because I was having some lower abdominal pain and was worried whether it was growing pains or something more serious. I still have them but not as bad."

Nurse Bitch "Silence."

Erin "So, should I have come in, is it growing pains? I had to fly to Chicago so I can't come in now. Must not have been too serious (nervous giggle by me)."

Nurse Bitch "So you understand you aren't supposed to call and leave a message at this number?"

Erin (now pissed off that she isn't even addressing the fact that I called with symptoms, told them to her, and no response. Now I turn nasty.) "Yes, I understand and won't call and leave a message at this number again. BTW, your voicemail says you will return a call within 24 hours. I don't care what type a patient I am but today is Wednesday and I called on Friday. That's way more than 24 hours. I hope you treat your other patients better. Please transfer me to Shanika."

Nurse Bitch "We couldn't find your chart. Transfered."

Summary: Who gives a rats ass if you couldn't find my chart. I left you may name and number. Don't you people use a computer database? It's 2008 and even tiny stores that make no more than 20 bucks a day in profits use a computer! Thanks for caring about me. It was nice of you to see how I was doing. Obviously your IVR isn't very clear if I called several times and never once heard the option. At least the HR lady faxed my paperwork (or so I think) to my HR lady.

Tidbits

No, the doctor never returned my call.

No, I did not call them back yesterday.

Yes, I called today but they were already closed. I did find out they only answer the phone M-R from 9-6 and F from 9-3. Makes me wonder if their 24 hour return call policy only applies to working hours rather than real hours. I couldn't leave a voicemail because the oncall nurse can't transfer me back into their system.

Yes, it is cold in Chicago but not anything I haven't experienced before. No, I can't button my coat over my belly.

Yes, I worked too many hours yesterday and stressed out about it. In my haste to pack last night/ this morning, I forgot my pj's. It's cold as hell here and I didn't bring anything other than dressy work clothes. Should make for interesting sleeping arrangements. Good thing I don't have to share a room with anyone. I remembered I forgot them at about Flamingo and Sunrise this morning. Too far to turn around but in reality, I would have had time.

Traveling, good and bad. Good is I got a ton done waiting to board my plane and the first hour of the flight. Bad is that once I landed it has been hellish chaos.

I am waiting on Big K to call or email me so I know if I have to get supper on my own or if he will meet me for dinner. I am starving!

That is all. I have plenty of work to do for the next couple hours. It will be nice to get caught up.

Update

Well, this isn't much of an update. The doctor's office did not call me back yesterday by 2:30 so I called again. I didn't leave a second message but let's say it is the next day and they did not call me back within 24 hours. I am upset and will be calling on Monday to not only speak with someone but complain to the doctor. I feel slightly better but not 100%.

On a side note, my mom and I registered for some baby loot today. Talk about a day long adventure. I needed the assistance of a new mom since my mom hadn't seen or heard of half the stuff they recommend you register for. I have never seen so many choices for a bottle or nuk. Don't plan on taking a little bit of time to register-it took us a full day! I still have to go back and edit some items that I found at another store I like better. I also have some items I couldn't decide on. It's not as fun as registering for a wedding but had some cool moments.

To Call or Not to Call?

I have had some not so comfortable pains the last couple days. In my head, I am pretty sure it is things moving and growing but I am a little nervous because it is pain and not discomfort. So, I sucked it up this morning and decided I would call the doctor. At 7:50am, I was hoping they opened at 8 and I would get a human. Second choice would be an IVR with their hours of service. Nope. I get some on call nurse that barks at me when I called. I didn't know. I assumed the phone line would tell me what my options were. She just hastily told me to call back after 9am.

So, it's almost 9am and I am debating if I feel like tackling this today. I think I will call for piece of mind but I know they will want me to come in. After my last 3 hour visit...I am not so keen on making a trip to the office to sit and wait. I really hate health care. I hate to sound snobby but doctor's offices are what turn me away, not the actual doctor. I am pretty sure any future children will not be seen by this office. In fact, I tend to think after I birth the baby, all future crotch inspections will be by another doctor. I am a disatisfied customer.

TV Blues

I miss some of my old tv shows and am glad to know that the writer's strike is either resolved or almost over (I am behind in the news department). I sat down last night to veg out and watch tv. I actually watched and enjoyed American Idol because there was absolutely nothing else on.

Honestly, I should have started reading a new book but after working 12 hours, I just want to sit down and not have to "think" or work at relaxing. When I read, I fall asleep and it just wasn't time for bed.

Tonight I am home before 7, what a shocker! I am going to make dinner. Nothing gourmet but we might actually eat before 8pm tonight. Hopefully there will be something else on but I have a feeling I will have to settle for more AI. Oh well...at least this year isn't as bad as the last few.

Weekend Accomplishments

Here's what was accomplished this weekend by me (well Sunday-yesterday was all painting):

1) Cleaned house (porch, kitchen, living/dining/man room, bedroom, both bathrooms). That consists of picking up shit, dusting, washing, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping.
2) Washed the front windows and porch windows. Didn't get to the back ones.
3) Almost finished laundry-still another 4 or so hours to go today.
4) Got taxes done.
5) Paid bills.
6) Got groceries.
7) Got some fun stuff for me at Pier One and Borders.
8) Got Annie a new placemat (still can't find her old one) and some treats.
9) Got Ryan his V-Day present and card.
10) Trimmed plants inside, porch, and outside.

The final things to do during the week is try to find and clear a path to the guest bed for my mom when she comes. With the baby room torn apart...there's several piles of shit stuffed into the guest room.

I might try to paint an animal during the week but we will see how work goes. For now, I think I might have a glass of juice, a snack, and go sit out on the porch and enjoy the nice weather we are having.

And a Monkey in a Tree...

I am done with the monkey and his sick looking banana. The tree is 99% done. I had a boo boo that requires getting out the main wall color and doing some "erasing" at the top side of the tree. That will have to wait until tomorrow. All in all, not too darn shabby! I had my doubts this morning when the fumes got to me and I thought I was going to pass out. I ate lunch, took a nap, and then came back to finish it up. 2 giraffes and an elephant to go.

I do have to admit, I do like painting but figure after this project, I won't need to pick up a paint brush until LBF and I do the water paint by number thing. I also thought at about hour number 6 that LBF better love his room and when he decides he doesn't like it, his father can redecorate.

Ryan will have to tell you about his own adventures today. He put a new door to the garage in. Of course, nothing is hassle free. Time to get cleaned up and celebrate the Chinese New Year with friends. It is going to be an early night. I am pooped!

Long Time, No List

As you may have noticed, I haven't posted a list related to chores in a while. Maybe it's because I have had no energy to tackle the list or because I was saving up for a good one.

Here it is:
1) Normal weekend house cleaning chores
2) Pay bills
3) Paint remaining animals in baby room (goal for this weekend=1 tree, 1 monkey and possibly an elephant or 2 giraffes but not the whole combo)
4) Clean and hang blinds back up in baby room
5) Iron and hang new valance in baby room (see the pattern developing here?)
6) Get taxes done so I can convince Ryan to go buy new flooring for baby room
7) Decide on baby furniture
8) Look for guest bedroom furniture so we can put the room back together (the mess is getting to me)

I have many more items to tackle but they can wait for another week. Ryan had his own list of chores that are man related. What he didn't mention is finalizing our decision on the paint for the house and getting that monster underway.

I am tired from thinking about all I want to do this weekend and realizing that more than likely it won't all get done. I did start picking up the house tonight and doing some laundry. I would like to have done more but I am ready to call it a night.

Met the Pediatrician

We met the pediatrician today. Talk about a 180 from yesterday's doctor experience. We were told to call an hour before our appt to make sure the doctor would be on time. They told Ryan she was about 15 minutes behind, show up at 5:15 instead of 5:00. Ok, that works for me. We were greeted by a nice nurse/receptionist (not sure of her title since she met us by the door). At 5:14, the doctor met us and took us in her office. She talked a mile a minute and explained how the practice works. Sounds pretty darn nice to me. Too bad my OB isn't that put together and nice. I hate to say it but I am actually excited to have appointments with this doctor.

Did the World Tilt?

I think the world might have tilted slightly off its access because today was a weird day.

At work, I had one employee forget her computer and then ran into a calamity of errors trying to get home to work from home. Then I had another email me to tell me the ice storm knocked out his phone and he was having car issues so he couldn't drive into the local university to use their more stable internet. Then it was error after error with things that shouldn't have been so crazy at the office.

At the doctor's office, they experienced a similar day as all doctors except one were called into surgery and that left the one to see all patients. I not only had billing issues, I was sent back and forth between floors several times. After the 1 hour 45 minute mark I asked if they forgot about me and they had. They crossed me off the list of patients to be seen and kept on calling other names.

After all of this craziness, I had a nice dinner with Jess (Chipotle) and then headed home to catch up on work. I decided to get gas but the first gas station was having pump errors and all the pumps were shut down. I went to a gas station that I have only visited once before and it was just weird...can't explain it but it was eery.

Now it is time for bed and for the last 2 hours, neither the cat or dog has bugged me. Something is definitely weird.

Blogging to Blog

I don't have much to write so here are a few random notes.

1) Hubby sent me tulips yesterday to congratulate me on finishing my bird painting. Not quite sure if it's bribary to keep going or if he's looking for lovin' but either way, excellent surprise.
2) Baby Love store smells like a petstore that needs its cages cleaned but had a large variety of cribs and bedding. Found some cute alternatives but still like what I bought (good thing, I already have a bird and grass painted, no switching to trucks!)
3) New employee started last week. Not sure I have a verdict quite yet. Some things = rock star status, others = pink slip thoughts. Time will tell.
4) Started to fill out Leave paperwork and my goodness, talk about confusing.
5) Scheduled dentist appointment for next week.
6) Scheduled call to speak with my investment guy. Hopefully he has some good advice since the market is tanking and I am losing money.

Yep, pretty random. Time to go finish my book and possibly start a new one.

One Bird; One Branch

One bird and one branch have been successfully painted. Not too shabby but it took me a while to get into the groove of painting again. I have a tree, a monkey, 2 giraffes, and an elephant left to do. Good thing I have 4 more months to accomplish it. Just kidding, should be done in a couple weeks or so.

I will post pictures once it's complete.

Back from Miami

Miami...I didn't get to experience you as a tourist since all I did was work but I do have some observations which uphold my hatred and lack of desire to visit you.

Reasons I loath you:
1) I-95, once you hit the Miami/Dade county line = traffic nightmare
2) Spanish (no need to elaborate there)
3) Lack of customer service (you make Ft. Lauderdale seem like the mecca of nice)
4) Cracked out street engineers (yes, I took a wrong turn or two but why punish me with roads that don't connect, have left hand turns, or go straight!)

Seriously though I have to laugh. Our team was late registering for the retreat so we were put in an overflow hotel on Biscayne. It was supposed to be a Hilton but it hasn't quite made the transformation. I know I usually have a hotel story for you so here's a few that aren't just me, my whole team experienced it.

Check in-first team member was told the corporate card hadn't been applied, fork over money or you don't get a room. She had to make several calls and they were very nasty to her until they got their butt reemed from someone in our company. Then, sugar sweetness oozed from the front desk.

The rest of us checked in. We quickly put our stuff in our rooms before heading out for dinner...well, sort of. First, I couldn't get my door to work. It was jammed. Finally inside, I dropped my stuff off, took a quick tour of the room and peed. Interesting, the toilet paper was literally so far from the toilet I had to stand up to reach it! I leave my room and the door won't close! Meet the crew downstairs after fighting with my door. What's taking Laura so long we wonder? Well, her room was underconstruction! They put her in a room with repairs going on. She had to switch.

Ok, we all compare the missing items from our room. One girl had to call the front desk to clean her tub/shower, it was full of hair! No bath mats in any room. Missing coffee pot in one, missing clock in another, none but 1 had a mirror other than in the bathroom, missing toiletries...I had half a container of conditioner and lotion but no shampoo or soap. The list goes on. Glad I packed my own.

Now we are debating on walking to the main hotel since it said it was a few blocks away. We ask the front desk where the other hotel is and they tell us 17 blocks away! Umm...not walking distance. Ok, let's hail a cab even though work said they wouldn't pay for it. 15 minutes, no cab. Tell bellman and he says I called for one but let me take you in our shuttle. Ok, another 15 minutes go by-they couldn't find the keys. Get to hotel safely, pay driver, no change, no receipt...you see how this is going right.

Dinner was ok, two of us head back while the rest go out drinking. Fast forward to next morning. More horror stories about our rooms and the rec center. Long day at work. An ok dinner with the team, back to the hotel for drinks in the lobby. First, I got up to go the bathroom and drop off my stuff. No toilet paper. Where did it go? I call the front desk. 15 minutes go by, I head to a friends room to pee. Remember this, I will return to it.

My coworker took a digger going up two steps (not drunk, tripped on her flip flop). H2O goes flying and so does she. I ask the bartender for a rag. He says he doesn't have a dry one. Ok, how about something to wipe it up with? He proceeds to ask ME if I called housekeeping?!? Whatever dude, I am over it.

Back to room, gotta pee. No toilet paper still! Call front desk again. A few minutes later, I get TOWELS! No I called for toilet paper. Sorry miss, be right back. Finally, toilet paper arrives.

No ghost stories but man, what a shitty hotel. Casa de la Froyd in Sunrise is so much better than evil Miami.