Typical Tuesday

Did you know...

...that we have private group health insurance on me and Samantha because Jeremy's is just too expensive at work?

...that the government provides assistance to those who are
1) on medicade
and
2) have private insurance?

...since Samantha turned one, she is no longer eligible for Medicade because we have private insurance?

...she would qualify if I dropped her from my insurance?

Advice? Emphathy?

Anyone?

Typical Tuesday

I'm off to an interview for a waitressing job after I write this post. I've waitressed before, at the Terrace Grille and the Apple Tree Inn. At both places, I really enjoyed it (for the most part) and the money was really good (I think I averaged $10/hr after taxes).

As many of you have probably experienced, once you've entered a job field you get quite picky and critical when you later employ someone else in the same position. Like when I was a grocery clerk. I got real good at bagging groceries, and now it REALLY irks me when baggers throw random stuff together- like bread with cans, or raw meat with kleenex. I've gotten to the point where I put stuff on the conveyor belt in the order I want it sacked, to avoid getting my banana's and tomatoes bruised, or my cereal boxes soaking wet from melting frozen items.
I'll admit, I may need help. Maybe I need to go to a group?

Hello, my name is Kim, and I'm a bagging snob.

Moving on...

Waitressing has not been any different. My server has to be really bad for them to get less than 15%. I'm very understanding about certain things (such as the way food is cooked not being the waiters fault). But I'm very picky about others. Like my glass of water getting empty. Or not having silverware. Or having to ask twice for something.

The one gray area, however, is how often to check your table, and how to kindly interrupt. I've had some waitresses come to my table so often, it almost feels like they're trying to hurry me up. Then other times I have to go searching for another waiter to find my own.

Since it has been a while, and it is different for many people, I'd like to know, how do you like to be served?

Typical Tuesday

For debt reduction purposes and other small reasons, we recently sold our '03 Saturn Ion and purchased a '95 Honda Accord.

For years I have baffled at people's additions and emotional attachment to cars. Helloooo-- It's a car.

Then we bought my Honda.

Don't get me wrong- I looooved all the bells and whistles of the Ion.

But it has been a suppressed dream of mine to own a Honda.

It's sinful how attached I am to this thing.

We typically name our cars. Jer's gray '01 Saturn SL is Henry. The '03 black Saturn Ion was Betty. I have yet to name the red Honda. I'm pretty sure it's female and starts with an "A"...I'm thinking Agnes or Angie?

Anyway,

I'm a huge Honda and Toyota fan. This is purely based on online research and limited personal experience. My two big reasons are they run forEVER, really hold their value and are cheap to repair.

My question is, what is your preferred brand and why?

Typical Tuesday

I overheard this conversation:

Person 1: "My husband is upset because I took out a loan for my son to go to college."

Person 2: "Oh, that's rough."

P1: "I know, right? I mean, it's not my fault he wants to go to a really expensive school. I can't help it that he doesn't want to go to UNL. I mean, what am I suppose to say, 'No'?"

P2: "Right! I mean, he's grown up, you have to let them go and make their own choices."

P1: "I guess this is just the point where you hope you've raised them well enough that when they graduate they'll help pay some of the loan."

Anyone else's jaw on the floor? I just kept my mouth shut.

Right now we have no extra cash to put away for Sam's college. Do I want to help her future education? Yes! But I'm not going to put myself in a shaky financial situation to do so. There are other ways.

At this point, Jer and I have learned and decided the following:

1) We will do our best to have a college fund for our kids

2) If we don't have enough (or any) we will not be co-signing anything (I appreciate that my parent's did that for me, but didn't like the weight of their credit and financial liability being in my hands)

3) Even if our kids have more than enough money to pay for college, they will not know how much they have waiting for them. I love my husband and brother, but if any of our kids are like them, such security will only produce apathy in their studies.

What are your plans for your kid's college? If they already left, what advice would you give?

Typical Tuesday

Without going into an intense medical history, I'm going to just go right out and say it-- I'm on antidepressants and have been since I was 16. I hate it. Not only does it make my insurance rates higher, but it's a pride thing. I hate being dependent on a medication to be able to function. Plus maintenance is justannoying. I have to physically see a doctor to continue my medication every 6 months (even if there is no change in dosage). I know the reasons, I'm just saying it's a pain.

Anyway,

I decided to see if I could go off the meds a few weeks ago (with a doc's help, of course). He put me on a looooong and slow tapper. After the first tapper I was feeling good. I was so excited- I might possibly be med free for the first time in 10 years!! Then, last week, right before the mastitis hit, I took the next step down. This past weekend I had no gumption to do anything. I just wanted to lay in bed all day. I figured I was still getting over being sick. I was still able to function, but felt like I was in a fog.

Then came today. It took me 'til 2pm to get myself bathed and fed. I didn't want to do anything. I found myself wanting to cry for no reason, then burst out laughing when I saw this, then immediately wanted to cry. Again. UG.

The fog, the tiredness, the inability to make myself do the smallest things (the thought of praying made me exhausted) only meant one thing- there was no more tapering for me.

So I'm sucking up my pride and continuing on the meds.

My QUESTION for you:
...Back when I started on the meds there seemed to be a stigma on those who took medication for mental issues. "Pull yourself out of it!" Was the response from many (no one from my family- thank goodness!).

Today it seems everyone is on something. It's no big deal.

Now, are people over medicated these days?
In my opinion, yes.

But that's not what I want to talk about.

Is it just my perception that has changed or are people much more open and accepting about being diagnosed with depression nowadays?

Typical Tuesday

My question today revolves around CIO. For those of you who know what this stands for, chances are you, you have your own opinion about it.

For those of you who don't, allow me to educate you so you too may join in on the fun!

CIO=Cry it out

I use to think that if a baby is crying, it's because they need something. If you let them cry, you are not giving them what they need.

I use to think a fussy baby could be "cured" by swaddling, loud noises, swinging, eliminating certain foods, baby wearing- so many options, in fact, that CIO shouldn't even be considered, right?

I use to think (judge) other parents who let their baby cry or couldn't get their baby to settle down were obviously not doing it right (no clue what "it" was, just sure they were doing it wrong)

See the subtitle to my blog up at the top there?

That is why I was given Samantha.

Because God thinks He's so darn funny.

What happens when you have a Samantha, who just doesn't stop?
One that just screams unless she has the boob.
One who, despite being very tired and in a very comfortable car seat on a long, smooth road trip will scream the entire trip instead of sleeping.
One who wakes up 2-3 times a night screaming bloody murder for 30 seconds, and then goes back to sleep.
One who screams and cries at her toys because...actually, we don't know why. She just looks at it, furious with tears streaming down her face-and we have to take the toy away. And these are not frustrating toys. This is like a marker or a block.

I will admit that up to a certain age (4 months-ish) where if a baby cries, they truly do need something, even if it is simply to be held.
But after 4 months....well, sometimes they just need to blow off some steam.

In our case, our little steam engine needs to go constantly.

So we let her cry. When we have someone come over to babysit while she's sleeping, we tell them not to go in if she cries. They kind of look at us funny and I find myself explaining how much I hate it and never thought I'd have to do it, but that we just let her cry.

So, if I hate it so much, why do we let her?

Because then she sleeps 12 hrs.
And, recently, naps for 90 minutes.

I have friends whose babies are Samantha's age and the parents refuse to do CIO.
Or try it for 20 minutes and give up.

And they are exhausted.

Don't get me wrong- Samantha is still exhausting! But a good night's sleep makes a world of a difference for both her and me.

My question to you, is, have you ever/will you ever/do you ever plan on using CIO?

For anyone who has a child like Samantha, how long 'til she will just go to sleep without fighting it? Or is this a life-time "funny" God has given me?

Typical Tuesday

Jer and I have decided to get really gazelle intense.

Long story short, we're seriously considering moving in with my parents for while (max 2 years) to help us knock out most, if not all, of our debt.

My mom said everyone has to write down any concerns, and we will all bring them together later and discuss.

The only problem/issue/concern that I have is that of space. We'd take over the small bedroom downstairs. All three (future four?) of us.

Anything else anyone can think of?

Typical Tuesday

A friend shared with me how to get a free pass to a yoga fitness place. This is extremely exciting for me as I LOVE yoga. Before I got pregnant I was going 2-3 times a week to a 90 minute power-yoga class. I had never felt so healthy- physically and mentally. I'm healthy now, just REALLY out of shape. I mean, good nutrition only goes so far. One must do something physical too (and as much as I've tried to rationalize it- laundry and cleaning the kitchen don't count, as exhausting as they can be).
I know, I know- walking is free too. So is running. Even the yoga DVD's that I bought (and used quite a bit years ago) are free to use now. But it's just not the same a going to a class.

Anyway, on to my question. I was so excited that I called my mom- a fellow yoga fanatic.

Or Former fanatic, as I discovered. Her response was a somber face with the warning to
"Be careful."

"Don't worry!" I assured her, "I know all the basics and know not to do too much too quickly."

"No, Kim, I mean spiritually. You're walking a fine line. "

Now, I don't want to be arrogant or tread ignorantly where I shouldn't, but- seriously? I've been doing yoga off and on since my freshman year in college. As far as I'm concerned, it's pure physical and mental relaxation and rejuvenation.

Yes, I do the "sun salutation" and "namaste"- is this anti-Christian or Catholic? Or is this another "Harry Potter is evil" controversy where I just say, "Ok mom, I'll be careful" and leave it at that?

Typical Tuesday

Time for class participation folks!

The other day I almost got in a car accident. Long story short, a kid was texting while driving. When I re-told the story the immediate response was, "Did you honk?" My answer was a resounding,

"Heck yes!"

However, the car next to me, who this kid also almost hit- didn't. My assumption was that his horn was broken. I mean, hello!- the kid made a left-turn into oncoming traffic without seeing the two lanes of cars coming right at him! Who wouldn't honk?! That's what the horn is for, right? To tell the car ahead of you to go when the light is green, and to tell someone who almost hits you that they almost hit you and it was their fault!

Right?

Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out WHY the guy next to me didn't honk. When is it appropriate to honk? And if the answer isn't the same, when do you personally use the horn?

Typical Tuesday

To spice things up around here, I've decided to do a "Typical Tuesday" where I pose a question to my readers. The teacher in me just can't help but make sure you are all paying attention. :) I need participation, people!!

So, this week...I've been pondering dressing up Samantha in boy clothes.

That may have sounded a little odd. What I mean is pondering the times that I have dressed her in gender-questionable clothing. For instance, I bought her this to wear because it was $2. Fine, right? Yeah, she looks like a boy, but apparently her denim jumpers make her look like a boy too. Plus it's just PJ's and something she wears around the house.

The pondering has lead me to wonder--if she were a boy, would I be equally ok with dressing her in an obviously girl one, if for the same reasons (ie it's pj's and only at home)? And what about our pink cloth diapers?

I'm not so sure I would be...Why is that?

Whether you have kids or not, would you/have you done either case (and dressing your boy up in a dress in a changing room "Just to see what it looks like" doesn't count.)