She didn't show up to pay me.
At 3:30 I sent this email...
Dear &%*$&,
In order for me to keep your daughter’s spot, you need to pay me in full Monday morning and thereafter pay me the full rate. From now on I will expect to be paid in full at the end of each day. I am committed to providing excellent care, with a low ratio of children, at a very reasonable rate. Because of that I currently have a waiting list of children who are looking for a spot in my home. It is impossible for me to hold a low rate spot for someone who hasn't committed to paying me promptly.
Mrs F
She called me one minute later and said she'd rush to the bank. Over and hour later she came with the money and said "I wish you had just called me earlier, I had it all along." What the fuck? It is my responsibility to call you and remind you that you said you'd pay me today? That's after you said you'd pay me yesterday and forgot. I do not think so. I just stood there with a quizzical look on my face. Then she said "So are we at $7 and hour now?" And I said "Yep." And she said "Just for one mistake? I'm not usually like this, this week has just been crazy." And I said "I have a waiting list of people who can pay me the full rate. I don't know you and within the first week of watching your child you failed to pay me twice." She had a pissed look on her face. Oh did I fail to mention that she is about 6 feet tall and I'm the size of a twelve year old (a short one at that)? I hate that dynamic when trying to stand up for myself. I should have pulled a chair over and stood on it first. So that's that. She left and I'm now getting my full rate and due to an awesome stroke of luck she messed up and I was able to raise the rate legitimately based on her own negligence. And I'm pretty sure she won't be sticking around for long... anyone who fails to pay twice and then blames me is probably going to fuck up again real soon. I'll take her money for now but I won't be too sorry to see her go.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Small Triumphs
It's only 9:30 and I feel like I've put in a full day's work already. Putting two babies down (multiples parents know this well) is kinda tricky. But I did it. Hopefully things will get easier as this new baby gets used to being here. I found out this morning that both babies are ALWAYS going to be here on the same days (previously I thought they'd only overlap one day a week). That's going to be a little rough for me. They are 5 months apart but both crawling/scooting/cruising. So they are both into EVERYTHING. I can't turn around without finding one of them in the recycling, bathroom, craft cabinet, etc. It's time to wash off the Supergate and bring it in and corral these babies!
On other fronts I wanted to say... hang in there readers...I know things are boring around here in their honest report of my daily life... what can I do?... it's literally all I've got. Soon I'm going to start getting this year's Christmas boxes ready... so maybe you can look forward to that. I've been thinking about what to include and will be sharing those thoughts as I finalize them. I'll also try and get a giveaway going for a box or two... but... no promises... things are a little hectic around here right now.
Oh I also wanted to say, to those of you who need encouragement... I'm still working out. I'm also still making 21 meals a week but that's another issue entirely. I think if I can do it and find the time to workout every day then anyone can. I know what it's like to think you don't have enough time or energy left... or if you can find an hour (or half) it's not how you want to spend it... or that you deserve a rest. I know. Believe me. But I also know that it's possible to push through it. And if you don't and you give in... you'll feel just as tired (if not more) AND badly about yourself to boot. My current goal is 45-65 minutes a day (2/3 cardio, 1/3 strength) EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'm not beating myself up when I can't get down there but I average 5-6 days a week. I actually find I workout more when I don't put a limit like "5 days" on myself. For some reason just saying "I'm going to try to do this daily" I find less stressful than a specific amount. I don't sabotage at all anymore, I just accept that sometimes life gets in the way, and I don't feel like I failed to meet an arbitrary goal and then let that disappointment spiral like I used to. (It's entirely possible I'm just too tired to sabotage too). I'm not trying to change my body right now and this amount allows me to maintain without worrying about my food intake... which is my preferred scenario (especially over the holidays).
On other fronts I wanted to say... hang in there readers...I know things are boring around here in their honest report of my daily life... what can I do?... it's literally all I've got. Soon I'm going to start getting this year's Christmas boxes ready... so maybe you can look forward to that. I've been thinking about what to include and will be sharing those thoughts as I finalize them. I'll also try and get a giveaway going for a box or two... but... no promises... things are a little hectic around here right now.
Oh I also wanted to say, to those of you who need encouragement... I'm still working out. I'm also still making 21 meals a week but that's another issue entirely. I think if I can do it and find the time to workout every day then anyone can. I know what it's like to think you don't have enough time or energy left... or if you can find an hour (or half) it's not how you want to spend it... or that you deserve a rest. I know. Believe me. But I also know that it's possible to push through it. And if you don't and you give in... you'll feel just as tired (if not more) AND badly about yourself to boot. My current goal is 45-65 minutes a day (2/3 cardio, 1/3 strength) EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'm not beating myself up when I can't get down there but I average 5-6 days a week. I actually find I workout more when I don't put a limit like "5 days" on myself. For some reason just saying "I'm going to try to do this daily" I find less stressful than a specific amount. I don't sabotage at all anymore, I just accept that sometimes life gets in the way, and I don't feel like I failed to meet an arbitrary goal and then let that disappointment spiral like I used to. (It's entirely possible I'm just too tired to sabotage too). I'm not trying to change my body right now and this amount allows me to maintain without worrying about my food intake... which is my preferred scenario (especially over the holidays).
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Taking The Day
Things seem to be sorting themselves out. I now have 4 kids that I am officially watching. 2 infants and 2 two year olds. Somedays (like Friday) I'll be working from 8 AM until 9 PM (I'm trying not to think about that too much). The good news is that it appears that I'll actually end up having Wednesdays free (mostly)... which is a huge mental health saver. Not just the break itself... but the knowing that I'll have a break. It's making me feel like I can make it through. I can handle anything for 2 days in a row (6 kids?!! hopefully I really can handle it!).
So, today, I really focused on Baby and took her to the library story time, and had a living room tea party, and read books, and played doctor, and snuggled. It made me feel better.
I really need to make sure I'm meeting my own personal goals... of being present for my kids, working out, and enjoying the small moments of my life... if the sitting gets in the way of those goals then I don't think it is worth the financial gain. You know? It only negates the financial stress if it doesn't cause even more stress in more life areas. So I'm going to take this one day at a time and reevaluate in January.
On other fronts I've become increasingly aware that Kid has some new issues (or progressed issues) and that we need to start getting her some help. This is another reason I wish we were not here but in a place with better pediatric specialists... and that we had better insurance. It's not something I'm totally ready to talk about but it's stressful and disappointing (not the exact right word but close) and I'm sad. Maybe that's the right word. I'm sad that she has not been able to have a *normal* life and that she might not ever have a *normal* life. And I'm sorry that she just got a bad deal when it came to genetics and brain development. I'm trying to focus on the fact that she is doing well and is happy. But I also know that it's my responsibility to get her the treatment she needs and that ignoring her symptoms doesn't make them go away.
So that's all. I'm not sure what's going to happen with the blog. We'll see.
Tomorrow I've got two babies coming... that should be interesting.
So, today, I really focused on Baby and took her to the library story time, and had a living room tea party, and read books, and played doctor, and snuggled. It made me feel better.
I really need to make sure I'm meeting my own personal goals... of being present for my kids, working out, and enjoying the small moments of my life... if the sitting gets in the way of those goals then I don't think it is worth the financial gain. You know? It only negates the financial stress if it doesn't cause even more stress in more life areas. So I'm going to take this one day at a time and reevaluate in January.
On other fronts I've become increasingly aware that Kid has some new issues (or progressed issues) and that we need to start getting her some help. This is another reason I wish we were not here but in a place with better pediatric specialists... and that we had better insurance. It's not something I'm totally ready to talk about but it's stressful and disappointing (not the exact right word but close) and I'm sad. Maybe that's the right word. I'm sad that she has not been able to have a *normal* life and that she might not ever have a *normal* life. And I'm sorry that she just got a bad deal when it came to genetics and brain development. I'm trying to focus on the fact that she is doing well and is happy. But I also know that it's my responsibility to get her the treatment she needs and that ignoring her symptoms doesn't make them go away.
So that's all. I'm not sure what's going to happen with the blog. We'll see.
Tomorrow I've got two babies coming... that should be interesting.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Not So Patiently Waiting
I got this advent calendar at Starbucks 2 years ago for about $9 (It was marked down from $16 even though it wasn't after the 1st... weird). This year I spent $9 bucks on 3 bags of Christmas candy and was able to fill them all up and still have ample provisions stashed away for an emergency... like the one I'm having right now... that only
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Schizzle
I know... TWO VIDEOS... but I'm not dillydallying on these babies I'm getting right down to it.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
As Promised...
I used the random number generator site... and out of 8 (that's it??!!! what the heck people?... we're talking about FREE iTunes here!) the winner is...
Number 1
Smoochiefrog send me your snail mail and I'll get it out to you!
P.S. We're back.
Number 1
Smoochiefrog send me your snail mail and I'll get it out to you!
P.S. We're back.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
We're taking a short furlough from Disney to enjoy an over the top Thanksgiving spread at Mr F's best friend's pad in St Petersburg. Yummy. And there is actual vegetation... which is a much needed Disney area change up!
YES I will do a thorough Disney review next week (I know I've been promising this for years... this time I'm going to come through). And I'm glad I waited since I can now give a good onsite/offsite comparison. This is our 6th visit in as many years(shout out to my mom for sponsoring most of those) and we've stayed at a range of Disney hotels and have both done and done without the meal plan. I'm going to write up my review and include our planning tools & sites (and if you are going soon I'll be able to give you the code for booking our hotel ($105/night plus a $25 food credit... hello... room service breakfast!... free parking... no resort fees... and a totally badass kids splash zone pool and an INCREDIBLE gym). I've kept good money records on all our trips and I'll break down for you EXACTLY how much we spent. I'll also do an open Q&A and that way other Disney folks can weigh in on their tricks.
For now we're planning to kick it up a notch late night Magic Kingdom and enjoy our last couple days in Disney World. We're taking off on Saturday and heading up to Savannah for a night before heading home (Mr F is dying to take pictures... and the girls are looking forward to a carriage ride... lets hope I can Priceline something decent).
If anything horrific/laughable goes down this weekend make sure you add it into the giveaway (post below) and I'll be announcing the winner on Sunday night.
YES I will do a thorough Disney review next week (I know I've been promising this for years... this time I'm going to come through). And I'm glad I waited since I can now give a good onsite/offsite comparison. This is our 6th visit in as many years(shout out to my mom for sponsoring most of those) and we've stayed at a range of Disney hotels and have both done and done without the meal plan. I'm going to write up my review and include our planning tools & sites (and if you are going soon I'll be able to give you the code for booking our hotel ($105/night plus a $25 food credit... hello... room service breakfast!... free parking... no resort fees... and a totally badass kids splash zone pool and an INCREDIBLE gym). I've kept good money records on all our trips and I'll break down for you EXACTLY how much we spent. I'll also do an open Q&A and that way other Disney folks can weigh in on their tricks.
For now we're planning to kick it up a notch late night Magic Kingdom and enjoy our last couple days in Disney World. We're taking off on Saturday and heading up to Savannah for a night before heading home (Mr F is dying to take pictures... and the girls are looking forward to a carriage ride... lets hope I can Priceline something decent).
If anything horrific/laughable goes down this weekend make sure you add it into the giveaway (post below) and I'll be announcing the winner on Sunday night.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Updates... Of All Kinds
#1 Loving our hotel. Loving it. We will never stay onsite again.
#2 How can relaxation be so freaking exhausting?. We're exhausted (well Mr F & I are).
#3 Baby, while not totally into Disney (hates the rides), loves riding the parking lot trams... so she is guaranteed at least two moments of bliss every day.
#4 We do not have free wireless... so getting online has been a low priority.
#5 Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
#2 How can relaxation be so freaking exhausting?. We're exhausted (well Mr F & I are).
#3 Baby, while not totally into Disney (hates the rides), loves riding the parking lot trams... so she is guaranteed at least two moments of bliss every day.
#4 We do not have free wireless... so getting online has been a low priority.
#5 Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Still Running The "Your Life Sucked Here's Ten Bucks" Giveaway
For the third time here are the rules...
Now for the giveaway. Today I'm doing it a little differently. Today I'm asking that you go back in time... and make me laugh... or cringe... or really, REALLY, be glad I was not in your shoes.
Today I want you to share with me your most embarrassing or awkward family holiday moment (um did I ever tell you that my mom and I accidentally left a casserole on the roof of the car on our way to Thanksgiving... and that it fell off into the road... and that we scooped it back up... AND SERVED IT?... It turns out that (unbeknownst to us I swear!!!) it was full of broken glass.... Did I mention we SERVED IT?!)
So go ahead and share your stories. I will choose a commenter at random and send them a $10 iTunes card. (You thought I forgot about my Your LIfe Sucks Here's Ten Bucks giveaways?... I didn't I just had to postpone this one a little bit... plus I wanted to change it up a bit)
Now for the giveaway. Today I'm doing it a little differently. Today I'm asking that you go back in time... and make me laugh... or cringe... or really, REALLY, be glad I was not in your shoes.
Today I want you to share with me your most embarrassing or awkward family holiday moment (um did I ever tell you that my mom and I accidentally left a casserole on the roof of the car on our way to Thanksgiving... and that it fell off into the road... and that we scooped it back up... AND SERVED IT?... It turns out that (unbeknownst to us I swear!!!) it was full of broken glass.... Did I mention we SERVED IT?!)
So go ahead and share your stories. I will choose a commenter at random and send them a $10 iTunes card. (You thought I forgot about my Your LIfe Sucks Here's Ten Bucks giveaways?... I didn't I just had to postpone this one a little bit... plus I wanted to change it up a bit)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
We're Off To See The Wizard
We're packed up and hitting the road. We should be pulling into Orlando tomorrow morning for one week of uninterrupted family time. Don't worry dear readers the time is going to fly by... and... I've got several updates and a *real* (not Mrs F sponsored!) giveaway coming up when we get back. (And... psst.... we are bringing the computer so expect random updates when we can bum a free wireless connection)
Until then I think it would be fun to keep the giveaway from the other day going while I'm gone.
Here's the recap:
Now for the giveaway. Today I'm doing it a little differently. Today I'm asking that you go back in time... and make me laugh... or cringe... or really, REALLY, be glad I was not in your shoes.
Today I want you to share with me your most embarrassing or awkward family holiday moment (um did I ever tell you that my mom and I accidentally left a casserole on the roof of the car on our way to Thanksgiving... and that it fell off into the road... and that we scooped it back up... AND SERVED IT?... It turns out that (unbeknownst to us I swear!!!) it was full of broken glass.... Did I mention we SERVED IT?!)
So go ahead and share your stories. I will choose a commenter at random and send them a $10 iTunes card. (You thought I forgot about my Your LIfe Sucks Here's Ten Bucks giveaways?... I didn't I just had to postpone this one a little bit... plus I wanted to change it up a bit)
All embarrassing/awkward/horrific stories commented (on this post and the original) will be entered in and I will randomly choose a winner on Sunday November 29th.
So if anything crazy goes down over the Thanksgiving table this year make sure you enter a comment! Yes each confessional will enter you in AGAIN.
In the meantime I'll try and get something up when I get a chance... but... I'll keep this post at the top to make the giveaway entering easier...so scroll down if you're looking for new posts this week.
Until then I think it would be fun to keep the giveaway from the other day going while I'm gone.
Here's the recap:
Now for the giveaway. Today I'm doing it a little differently. Today I'm asking that you go back in time... and make me laugh... or cringe... or really, REALLY, be glad I was not in your shoes.
Today I want you to share with me your most embarrassing or awkward family holiday moment (um did I ever tell you that my mom and I accidentally left a casserole on the roof of the car on our way to Thanksgiving... and that it fell off into the road... and that we scooped it back up... AND SERVED IT?... It turns out that (unbeknownst to us I swear!!!) it was full of broken glass.... Did I mention we SERVED IT?!)
So go ahead and share your stories. I will choose a commenter at random and send them a $10 iTunes card. (You thought I forgot about my Your LIfe Sucks Here's Ten Bucks giveaways?... I didn't I just had to postpone this one a little bit... plus I wanted to change it up a bit)
All embarrassing/awkward/horrific stories commented (on this post and the original) will be entered in and I will randomly choose a winner on Sunday November 29th.
So if anything crazy goes down over the Thanksgiving table this year make sure you enter a comment! Yes each confessional will enter you in AGAIN.
In the meantime I'll try and get something up when I get a chance... but... I'll keep this post at the top to make the giveaway entering easier...so scroll down if you're looking for new posts this week.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Bitch Fest Friday
It's that time again.
I cannot even get into all the stuff I have to juggle right now. I just made it through my first hurdle: laying the baby down... while keeping two toddlers quiet & out of the room (without the use of moving pictures). I can't believe I did it... but I did. Now I need to make a corn pudding that I need to drop off at Kid's school in two hours and watch her performance & attend her potluck with 3 kids under 3. That's just the first couple of hours of my day...
I officially need less responsibilities and more sleep.
Okay now it is your turn.
(P.S. The giveaway post is still running. I think I might leave it up through Thanksgiving... seeing as some new found embarrassments might arise. Stay tuned I'll keep you apprised of the drawing date.)
I cannot even get into all the stuff I have to juggle right now. I just made it through my first hurdle: laying the baby down... while keeping two toddlers quiet & out of the room (without the use of moving pictures). I can't believe I did it... but I did. Now I need to make a corn pudding that I need to drop off at Kid's school in two hours and watch her performance & attend her potluck with 3 kids under 3. That's just the first couple of hours of my day...
I officially need less responsibilities and more sleep.
Okay now it is your turn.
(P.S. The giveaway post is still running. I think I might leave it up through Thanksgiving... seeing as some new found embarrassments might arise. Stay tuned I'll keep you apprised of the drawing date.)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Frenemy
There are days when I could kill Mr F.
There are days when I could rip his flesh off his body with my bare hands.
Today is one of those days.
There are days when I could rip his flesh off his body with my bare hands.
Today is one of those days.
Deep Breath... and Giveaway
I'm having one of those days that feels like I've already lived a whole day by 9 AM.
This week was a lot to chew and I'm happy to find it's Thursday and I only have two more days until we load up in the car and head south for Disney. I'm really excited, and grateful, and not filled with the usual pre-trip anxiety I would normally feel with 2 days to pack and load. I just don't care... I just know that having 9 days of NO work, NO chores, NO babysitting, NO school is going to be great. I'm so glad we are doing this.
Blogger is being slow and annoying for me this morning... so I'm moving on to the the 100 things I'm trying to juggle.
Now for the giveaway. Today I'm doing it a little differently. Today I'm asking that you go back in time... and make me laugh... or cringe... or really, REALLY, be glad I was not in your shoes.
Today I want you to share with me your most embarrassing or awkward family holiday moment (um did I ever tell you that my mom and I accidentally left a casserole on the roof of the car on our way to Thanksgiving... and that it fell off into the road... and that we scooped it back up... AND SERVED IT?... It turns out that (unbeknownst to us I swear!!!) it was full of broken glass.... Did I mention we SERVED IT?!)
So go ahead and share your stories. I will choose a commenter at random and send them a $10 iTunes card. (You thought I forgot about my Your LIfe Sucks Here's Ten Bucks giveaways?... I didn't I just had to postpone this one a little bit... plus I wanted to change it up a bit)
This week was a lot to chew and I'm happy to find it's Thursday and I only have two more days until we load up in the car and head south for Disney. I'm really excited, and grateful, and not filled with the usual pre-trip anxiety I would normally feel with 2 days to pack and load. I just don't care... I just know that having 9 days of NO work, NO chores, NO babysitting, NO school is going to be great. I'm so glad we are doing this.
Blogger is being slow and annoying for me this morning... so I'm moving on to the the 100 things I'm trying to juggle.
Now for the giveaway. Today I'm doing it a little differently. Today I'm asking that you go back in time... and make me laugh... or cringe... or really, REALLY, be glad I was not in your shoes.
Today I want you to share with me your most embarrassing or awkward family holiday moment (um did I ever tell you that my mom and I accidentally left a casserole on the roof of the car on our way to Thanksgiving... and that it fell off into the road... and that we scooped it back up... AND SERVED IT?... It turns out that (unbeknownst to us I swear!!!) it was full of broken glass.... Did I mention we SERVED IT?!)
So go ahead and share your stories. I will choose a commenter at random and send them a $10 iTunes card. (You thought I forgot about my Your LIfe Sucks Here's Ten Bucks giveaways?... I didn't I just had to postpone this one a little bit... plus I wanted to change it up a bit)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Step One Towards Change
Complete my 45 credits necessary to maintain my Michigan LMSW license.
The very thought of this has been a bit daunting. Michigan happens to have some of the LEAST social work friendly licensing laws. I know because I'm also licensed to practice in New York... and have had to investigate licensing in... oh... several states in the last few years. Michigan's kind of on a clinical social worker's shit list. I could go into it but since the majority of you have no idea what I'm talking about I won't.
A couple years ago Michigan decided to tack on a continuing education requirement. Fine. I actually think that's responsible practice. However the requirement is 45 fucking credits. That is a lot folks. A lot.
To put it in perspective in New York I don't have to do ANY. I just have to maintain my license, and if I'm working (which I'm not and they allow me to specify that) attend child abuse training. The end.
In Michigan on top of paying for your license, you have to pay for the credits. You could easily spend a thousand dollars doing so. Oh.... and... the time. Most continuing education offerings are small weekend seminars, and more recently day or evening classes. These are not only not cheap but also require childcare... which... (outside of the fact that I'm not even in Michigan) we can't afford.
When you are working full time (in my experience of working in the clinic of a large agency) your employer will often both pay for the credits and also schedule them as part of your work day. Obtaining these credits while NOT working and staying home with your kids becomes nearly impossible.
The first year Baby was an infant and nursing around the clock and I couldn't attend any seminars. The next year we moved HERE.... so... um... can't attend any courses or seminars.
Well in light of recent events I thought "shit when is my credit deadline?!!!". These days it just seems like a good idea for me to be prepared to support my family at a moments notice. And it seems like a good idea not to get a permanent "failure to comply" mark on my license... you know... it's probably bad enough that I've been out of the workforce for 8 years.
It turns out I need to get my 45 credits before April 30th. That's six months. I already have a full plate these days. Fortunately I seem to have found a distance learning program that will allow me to earn the credits through home study and testing. Better than that it saves me about $700 over the local Ann Arbor community college courses I would have taken. Yes it sounds too good to be true... but it's nationally accredited... and if I'm audited at least I can show I made a good faith attempt to fulfill my credit hours while living out of state. That should count for something!
So yesterday I felt like a freaking rock star. I had the little baby all day. And I still managed to do three loads of laundry... including folding them and PUTTING THEM AWAY. I took the kids to the grocery store (sure the little baby puked all over the cart... but whatever) and PUT AWAY THE GROCERIES. I called Mr F to say "I am really having a productive day". Usually when I'm babysitting I really can't do any household chores... and with my brother coming today and Disney this weekend that was stressing me out. And I also started my coursework for a two credit ethics class. See? I was functioning at 150%.
Then the little baby got picked up and his aunt (a teacher at Kid's school) said "Where's Kid?". As it turns out Kid had a HALF DAY OF SCHOOL.
So while I was busy over achieving on the home front I ended up paying for Kid to attend after care. How much does after care cost? OH... a dollar more an hour than I make babysitting. So instead of making money yesterday... I worked all day... and LOST money!
I would like to point out that I DO NOT think it is a coincidence that the school, that NEVER forgets to send out multiple reminders when we are approaching a fundraising deadline, does not send out reminders when there are half days. Because for every parent that forgets they are automatically paying the school for childcare for the remainder of the school day. See how nicely that works out?
So what was the point? The point is that trying to juggle staying home full time, with babysitting 30 hours a week, with earning these credits is going to be a bit taxing.
The good news is last night I finished the coursework and scored a 100% on my test... and I actually enjoyed it... because I'm a nerd and school is my strong suit (who got a 4.0 in their Master's program?... oh yeah... me). All while helping Kid with her homework, making dinner, and getting a full workout in.
That's 2 credits down... 43 to go.
And that's Step One in our plan.
The very thought of this has been a bit daunting. Michigan happens to have some of the LEAST social work friendly licensing laws. I know because I'm also licensed to practice in New York... and have had to investigate licensing in... oh... several states in the last few years. Michigan's kind of on a clinical social worker's shit list. I could go into it but since the majority of you have no idea what I'm talking about I won't.
A couple years ago Michigan decided to tack on a continuing education requirement. Fine. I actually think that's responsible practice. However the requirement is 45 fucking credits. That is a lot folks. A lot.
To put it in perspective in New York I don't have to do ANY. I just have to maintain my license, and if I'm working (which I'm not and they allow me to specify that) attend child abuse training. The end.
In Michigan on top of paying for your license, you have to pay for the credits. You could easily spend a thousand dollars doing so. Oh.... and... the time. Most continuing education offerings are small weekend seminars, and more recently day or evening classes. These are not only not cheap but also require childcare... which... (outside of the fact that I'm not even in Michigan) we can't afford.
When you are working full time (in my experience of working in the clinic of a large agency) your employer will often both pay for the credits and also schedule them as part of your work day. Obtaining these credits while NOT working and staying home with your kids becomes nearly impossible.
The first year Baby was an infant and nursing around the clock and I couldn't attend any seminars. The next year we moved HERE.... so... um... can't attend any courses or seminars.
Well in light of recent events I thought "shit when is my credit deadline?!!!". These days it just seems like a good idea for me to be prepared to support my family at a moments notice. And it seems like a good idea not to get a permanent "failure to comply" mark on my license... you know... it's probably bad enough that I've been out of the workforce for 8 years.
It turns out I need to get my 45 credits before April 30th. That's six months. I already have a full plate these days. Fortunately I seem to have found a distance learning program that will allow me to earn the credits through home study and testing. Better than that it saves me about $700 over the local Ann Arbor community college courses I would have taken. Yes it sounds too good to be true... but it's nationally accredited... and if I'm audited at least I can show I made a good faith attempt to fulfill my credit hours while living out of state. That should count for something!
So yesterday I felt like a freaking rock star. I had the little baby all day. And I still managed to do three loads of laundry... including folding them and PUTTING THEM AWAY. I took the kids to the grocery store (sure the little baby puked all over the cart... but whatever) and PUT AWAY THE GROCERIES. I called Mr F to say "I am really having a productive day". Usually when I'm babysitting I really can't do any household chores... and with my brother coming today and Disney this weekend that was stressing me out. And I also started my coursework for a two credit ethics class. See? I was functioning at 150%.
Then the little baby got picked up and his aunt (a teacher at Kid's school) said "Where's Kid?". As it turns out Kid had a HALF DAY OF SCHOOL.
So while I was busy over achieving on the home front I ended up paying for Kid to attend after care. How much does after care cost? OH... a dollar more an hour than I make babysitting. So instead of making money yesterday... I worked all day... and LOST money!
I would like to point out that I DO NOT think it is a coincidence that the school, that NEVER forgets to send out multiple reminders when we are approaching a fundraising deadline, does not send out reminders when there are half days. Because for every parent that forgets they are automatically paying the school for childcare for the remainder of the school day. See how nicely that works out?
So what was the point? The point is that trying to juggle staying home full time, with babysitting 30 hours a week, with earning these credits is going to be a bit taxing.
The good news is last night I finished the coursework and scored a 100% on my test... and I actually enjoyed it... because I'm a nerd and school is my strong suit (who got a 4.0 in their Master's program?... oh yeah... me). All while helping Kid with her homework, making dinner, and getting a full workout in.
That's 2 credits down... 43 to go.
And that's Step One in our plan.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Change Is On The Horizon (Maybe Not Tomorrow... But It's Within Our Sights)
As I'm sure you can imagine a lot of stuff is going on in the background around here. Some things have been made VERY clear to us and we are now processing that and moving ahead. While moving here has without a doubt been a difficult and often disappointing experience (especially financially) it has given us insight and knowledge that we wouldn't have been able to get if we hadn't come here. We are in a much better position to effect real change in the areas that have the most impact on our lives and happiness.
And we are going to.
Things are not going to be *easy* or *perfect*. In fact in some ways we may trade a certain predictability and stability for... well... unpredictability and instability.
But it will be our choice.
It is one thing to make deep (sometimes painful) sacrifices when it is for something you believe in or want. It is quite another to be slowly bled dry over something you know isn't making you fulfilled or happy. And in many ways is going against our family goals.
So things will change.
Not because they are *meant to be* or because *we deserve* them.
Things are going to change because we're willing to risk it.
And we are going to.
Things are not going to be *easy* or *perfect*. In fact in some ways we may trade a certain predictability and stability for... well... unpredictability and instability.
But it will be our choice.
It is one thing to make deep (sometimes painful) sacrifices when it is for something you believe in or want. It is quite another to be slowly bled dry over something you know isn't making you fulfilled or happy. And in many ways is going against our family goals.
So things will change.
Not because they are *meant to be* or because *we deserve* them.
Things are going to change because we're willing to risk it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Touch And Go
My blogging is going to be touch and go this week.
I've got 3 days of babysitting, Kid's school potluck (which I have to attend with all 3 little kids 2.5 and under... good times), my brother is coming into town for a day, AND we leave for Disney World on Saturday.
And, no, I haven't cleaned off my desk.
And I need to clean the house & do laundry.
And pack for our trip.
So... yeah... I'm busy.
Updates of all sorts when I can catch a few minutes (the party was disappointingly not filled with eco warfare... although she did give Kid a set of three felted white rats with red eyes... do we think that was done intentionally?... because you could not come up with a more horrifically terrifying gift to give my kid than that (well... live rats... I suppose). Kid has already begun tormenting me with them.).
I've got 3 days of babysitting, Kid's school potluck (which I have to attend with all 3 little kids 2.5 and under... good times), my brother is coming into town for a day, AND we leave for Disney World on Saturday.
And, no, I haven't cleaned off my desk.
And I need to clean the house & do laundry.
And pack for our trip.
So... yeah... I'm busy.
Updates of all sorts when I can catch a few minutes (the party was disappointingly not filled with eco warfare... although she did give Kid a set of three felted white rats with red eyes... do we think that was done intentionally?... because you could not come up with a more horrifically terrifying gift to give my kid than that (well... live rats... I suppose). Kid has already begun tormenting me with them.).
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Party Prep
The infamous shared 7th birthday party is today. I am sure I will have plenty of hilarious updates for you all after that.
(Yes Kid wrote her name in a different style on EVERY bag... it only took her 2 days to do it)
For now I'll give you a glimpse at what we've come up with..
Gift bags:
marble (kids like marbles it's just a fact)
small pencil (you know the 80s kind where you can pull the tips out)
eraser (two for one here... leftover from Kid's halloween at school)
7 bead necklace (Kid laid out the patterns and I strung them)
(Yes Kid wrote her name in a different style on EVERY bag... it only took her 2 days to do it)The grand total for 20 gift bags was $15 and that included the cost of the beads.
The cake:
Kid told me last night that she wanted unicorn cupcakes. Here is the deal some things like that are actually easier not done in miniature. I played around and realized I could build a primitive unicorn off of the number 7 which made it's lack of realism intentional (I'm no dummy).
Take a 7
Add a mane
And a horn
And an ear & a nonpareil for an eye
And you've got a perfectly adequate unicorn.
Kid came in and said "That's not exactly what I had in mind."
You're welcome.
I also made gluten free brownies with chocolate buttercream.
I used the new Betty Crocker gluten free mix which I found in my regular grocery store. It was really good. It tasted exactly like the old Gluten Free Pantry mix (which IMO is the best mix around). These were indistinguishable from regular brownies. I froze them as soon as they were cool (I have found that gluten free baked goods dry out really fast). I'm just going to pull the plates out when we leave for the party and they will thaw on the plates in time to serve them.
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