First a funny one....
Now a serious one....
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Trials
Had ANOTHER car accident today. Except this one wasn't my fault. It was in a parking lot. I'm very upset because - despite it not being my fault, I was the one who was ticketed.
Without getting into it too much. Picture one of those lots w/ the angled spaces so you can only drive one way. I backed out of my spot and was in the driving lane, just as I was putting my car in drive a car backed out and basically swiped the corner of my bumper. My car was scratched, his had a dent (BMW, I might add). He got out of the car and apologized that it was his fault, he wasn't looking.
I call the police, they come. We talk to him and the guy comments that he had been looking at the car beside his spot because it was close. Nothing much to comment about here. Officer takes our paperwork, licenses and goes to his car. He comes out, talks to the guy; he comes over to my car, and he has a citation for me. I was shocked. I argued with him some that it wasn't my fault, the guy even said it was his fault. The officer says that is not what he says, he never said that to him. But because the damage is to the back of my car and the side of his car (a dent); that it must be my fault. Since there are conflicting stories and no witnesses, he is basing this on the damage. I argue more, I was the one who even requested a report rather than just exchange information - why would I do that if I had hit him?? Nothing.
Back at home, Alex and I call the police station and speak to a sergeant. I explain how he must not have paid attention to the man SAYING that he wasn't looking - and that they never talked to me alone, he only talked to me alone AFTER already issuing a citation to me. Nothing. Because of the conflicting story, they can only base it on the damage.
I'm SO angry. What kind of person lies like that?! He KNOWS that he hit me, yet he's totally willing to lie and let me get a ticket! Now I'll have to go to a hearing, then court to fight the ticket; waste my time, have to deal with my insurance company. I'm sure they'll raise my premium b/c I just had that accident that actually was my fault - see I can admit it when it's my fault.
Without getting into it too much. Picture one of those lots w/ the angled spaces so you can only drive one way. I backed out of my spot and was in the driving lane, just as I was putting my car in drive a car backed out and basically swiped the corner of my bumper. My car was scratched, his had a dent (BMW, I might add). He got out of the car and apologized that it was his fault, he wasn't looking.
I call the police, they come. We talk to him and the guy comments that he had been looking at the car beside his spot because it was close. Nothing much to comment about here. Officer takes our paperwork, licenses and goes to his car. He comes out, talks to the guy; he comes over to my car, and he has a citation for me. I was shocked. I argued with him some that it wasn't my fault, the guy even said it was his fault. The officer says that is not what he says, he never said that to him. But because the damage is to the back of my car and the side of his car (a dent); that it must be my fault. Since there are conflicting stories and no witnesses, he is basing this on the damage. I argue more, I was the one who even requested a report rather than just exchange information - why would I do that if I had hit him?? Nothing.
Back at home, Alex and I call the police station and speak to a sergeant. I explain how he must not have paid attention to the man SAYING that he wasn't looking - and that they never talked to me alone, he only talked to me alone AFTER already issuing a citation to me. Nothing. Because of the conflicting story, they can only base it on the damage.
I'm SO angry. What kind of person lies like that?! He KNOWS that he hit me, yet he's totally willing to lie and let me get a ticket! Now I'll have to go to a hearing, then court to fight the ticket; waste my time, have to deal with my insurance company. I'm sure they'll raise my premium b/c I just had that accident that actually was my fault - see I can admit it when it's my fault.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Happy Labor Day
Happy Labor Day to everyone...the holiday also known as the Memorial Day, because it seems that no one can remember which one is which. I know that I always get them confused. I'm THRILLED to have a 3-day weekend. Woohoo! We are going to Orlando to visit my brother, Aaron. His birthday is the following weekend, but are going to celebrate it this weekend.
I had the brilliant idea that we should go to the House of Blues at Downtown Disney for dinner on Saturday. That place is SO fun. The theme is very Southern-blues. A lot of New Orleans Creole art and decorations. The food is delicious Southern food - mostly Louisiana style food. They have an awesome jambalaya. Alex and I went there to eat when we went to Disney WAY back when we were dating and we liked it a lot. So I mentioned it to Aaron and he was down with the plan. When I told Alex, he told me that one of our recent brides does promotions for House of Blues and had given us a gift certificate. What are the chances of that?? There isn't even one in Miami! So that is perfect! It could only be better if there is a live band playing blues while we are there!
No post written by me would be complete without a statement as to how busy I am. It's truly unbelievable. I am managing well since I have become a master of multi-tasking. I multi-task almost constantly. The downside to this is that it's hard to give people my full attention - my brain is elsewhere. This is especially true with Alex. I feel badly b/c I often come home and get into 'home multi-tasking mode', which is especially hard to get out of. Then I'm not caring or even very nice b/c I have task-accomplishment on the brain.
QUESTION: why is it so easy to be difficult or not nice to the people we love most? I don't act that way at work with people that I don't love....I am feeling guilty about this. I have apologized to Alex for not being nice, but I know that the only way to really show that I'm sorry is to stop behaving that way...I am praying that I will do that.
I don't have any new pictures of Caleb....I'm sure you're disappointed!
I had the brilliant idea that we should go to the House of Blues at Downtown Disney for dinner on Saturday. That place is SO fun. The theme is very Southern-blues. A lot of New Orleans Creole art and decorations. The food is delicious Southern food - mostly Louisiana style food. They have an awesome jambalaya. Alex and I went there to eat when we went to Disney WAY back when we were dating and we liked it a lot. So I mentioned it to Aaron and he was down with the plan. When I told Alex, he told me that one of our recent brides does promotions for House of Blues and had given us a gift certificate. What are the chances of that?? There isn't even one in Miami! So that is perfect! It could only be better if there is a live band playing blues while we are there!
No post written by me would be complete without a statement as to how busy I am. It's truly unbelievable. I am managing well since I have become a master of multi-tasking. I multi-task almost constantly. The downside to this is that it's hard to give people my full attention - my brain is elsewhere. This is especially true with Alex. I feel badly b/c I often come home and get into 'home multi-tasking mode', which is especially hard to get out of. Then I'm not caring or even very nice b/c I have task-accomplishment on the brain.
QUESTION: why is it so easy to be difficult or not nice to the people we love most? I don't act that way at work with people that I don't love....I am feeling guilty about this. I have apologized to Alex for not being nice, but I know that the only way to really show that I'm sorry is to stop behaving that way...I am praying that I will do that.
I don't have any new pictures of Caleb....I'm sure you're disappointed!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Random-ness
I have just submitted my first Federal Grant. It is to the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) Outreach Grants. Wherever you live, your state has publicly funded children's health insurance- that's CHIP. In Florida, it's KidCare. We've been working on the proposal for about two and a half weeks, and it's really been a team effort, but I took the lead on crafting and maintaining the proposal. I am very, very, proud of it. For almost five years now, I've worked for a funder - as opposed to a grant-seeking organization. So it was a good mental exercise to sit on the other side and have to write a grant myself. I feel like our proposal is not only well-written, but well crafted and very strategic. I think that it shows how hard we worked to really come up with a project design that is consistent throughout the proposal. We'll hear back from the feds by September 30th. We are requesting $630K (for 2 years) and contributing our $1 million in insurance outreach programs as match to show that our project is sustainable.
Working on that proposal has really consumed my work for the past week, and as a result I've skipped out of other meetings whenever I could to work on it. But now it's done and I'm happy.
A couple of night ago I decided that we needed to make a more concerted effort at having a bedtime routine for Caleb. I know that Emily swears by them. The time at which Caleb was falling asleep was creeping up to almost 10-ish...I know that's not ok. So on Sunday, I gave him a bath at 7-ish, and then took him to his room, put on his pj's and nursed him until he almost fell asleep and then put him in his crib. He woke up some, but I spent about 10 minutes standing there with him and he fell asleep. We've repeated each night now, and tonight it was a little harder, and I had to go in three separate times because he was crying, but he finally fell asleep at a little after 8. I'm determined to get this right. Plus with that late bedtime I just couldn't get anything done. Last week between Caleb staying up and my working so hard on that proposal there was just nothing to eat in my house and it was messy. Three nights we ate at 9:00 just because it was the first chance we had to heat up leftovers or get take out.
This week is World Breastfeeding Week. I love how beautiful breastfeeding is. It's just one MORE thing that shows me how amazing and creative God was in His design for us. It is so good for babies, mommies and our community.
I think I mentioned in my last post that we started feeding Caleb cereals - that boy loves food. I'm so surprised at how good he is at eating from a spoon, it was really surprising to me. He really enjoys it. He seems to like the spelt/barley multigrain cereal a lot, I tasted it - it's not bad, it tastes like cream of wheat (minus all the sugar I would add to cream of wheat) :)
Okee dokee - that's it for me. Alex is at small group, I didn't go b/c I didn't want to disturb our very new bedtime routine. So I'm going to go enjoy me some time laying down and watching tv
Working on that proposal has really consumed my work for the past week, and as a result I've skipped out of other meetings whenever I could to work on it. But now it's done and I'm happy.
A couple of night ago I decided that we needed to make a more concerted effort at having a bedtime routine for Caleb. I know that Emily swears by them. The time at which Caleb was falling asleep was creeping up to almost 10-ish...I know that's not ok. So on Sunday, I gave him a bath at 7-ish, and then took him to his room, put on his pj's and nursed him until he almost fell asleep and then put him in his crib. He woke up some, but I spent about 10 minutes standing there with him and he fell asleep. We've repeated each night now, and tonight it was a little harder, and I had to go in three separate times because he was crying, but he finally fell asleep at a little after 8. I'm determined to get this right. Plus with that late bedtime I just couldn't get anything done. Last week between Caleb staying up and my working so hard on that proposal there was just nothing to eat in my house and it was messy. Three nights we ate at 9:00 just because it was the first chance we had to heat up leftovers or get take out.
This week is World Breastfeeding Week. I love how beautiful breastfeeding is. It's just one MORE thing that shows me how amazing and creative God was in His design for us. It is so good for babies, mommies and our community.
I think I mentioned in my last post that we started feeding Caleb cereals - that boy loves food. I'm so surprised at how good he is at eating from a spoon, it was really surprising to me. He really enjoys it. He seems to like the spelt/barley multigrain cereal a lot, I tasted it - it's not bad, it tastes like cream of wheat (minus all the sugar I would add to cream of wheat) :)
Okee dokee - that's it for me. Alex is at small group, I didn't go b/c I didn't want to disturb our very new bedtime routine. So I'm going to go enjoy me some time laying down and watching tv
Friday, July 24, 2009
Yikes!
Wow - I have been SOOO delinquent about blogging! That is because I am insanely busy!
Here are some updates:
Here are some updates:
- work is crazy. I get in at 7-ish and don't fool around during the day. I just work. We are preparing for a restructuring and will likely have layoffs. On August 3 the number of staff in my department will more than double - although I will only directly supervise 3 people rather than the 4 that I do now. Two of those will be Team Leaders who will each oversee a team of contract managers. So that will bring new challenges and new scope of programs in my department that I will need to learn. Rather than only administering The Trust's health funding, I will now also oversee the Parenting and Early Childhood Development programs.
- Caleb has been sleeping a lot less. Whereas he used to go to bed at 8:30 and wake up between 2-3, he is now fussing to sleep at 9-ish, waking up again at 11-ish to eat, and again between 4-5. This has been devestating to my sleep as well as to how much I'm able to pump. I've had trouble keeping up w/ this new demand and we've been raiding my freezer store. Our pediatrician noted that he is above development in several areas and thinks he is burning a lot of calories. So....we are starting on solids! At first I was wary, but then saw that it might actually help b/c right now I don't have "unoccupied" stretches of time where I can pump, except at work. Also I spoke to my good friend who's a pediatrician and she eventually agreed after asking me several questions. The other thing is that when Alex and his mom tried out the cereal for the first time yesterday he really liked it and didn't have much trouble eating it. Of course, today when Alex fed him alone...different story - he had to give him an entire bath afterward!
- I had a car accident yesterday. It wasn't serious and we're ok - me, Caleb and the other driver. It was completely my fault and just stupid. I had just left from picking Caleb up from my in-laws. We were stopped at a light and Caleb was fussing in the back. I was looking at him in the rearview mirror, when out of my peripheral vision I saw the cars on either lane beside me driving forward (passing me) - so I stepped (hard) on the gas. However, I slammed into the car in front of me. My first thought was whether Caleb was alright, but then What the heck just happened?? Looking back, I think that since I was really not paying attention and saw cars moving past me - I assumed that I must have been holding things up by not paying attention - when in reality - the lane on my left was a Left-turn lane, and the lane on my right was moving forward b/c people were now able to make right turns because of a lull of passing traffic. And my lane, well it wasn't going anywhere! Thankfully, progressive is great and my car goes into the body shop on Monday.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Found: A Glimpse of Another's Life
First let me tell you about a website a found a long time ago - Foundmagazine.com is just that - a website where people post pictures of 'found' items. A love note, a doodle, a list of pros/cons, a random thought jotted down - things that make you wish that you knew more about the story behind the found item.
Every once in a rare while I stop by the site. But the other day, while at a conference I 'Found' something that was found.com-worthy.
Last week I was a conference at the Westin Diplomat in Fort Lauderdale. I spent a lot of time in the fancy upscale restrooms while I pumped twice a day there. At the sink one day, I spotted this lying next to the sink on the marble counter:
It made me think the following: How did it get here? Did Jessica or Paul give this to a pregnant woman that they spotted? Did they leave it here hoping that someone would find it and give them their baby? In either situation, but particularly the first, how much courage would it take to ask a pregnant stranger whether she would like to give up the baby she is carrying? I instantly felt for this couple and wished that I knew more about them.
So I Googled them - they live in Indiana. Jessica is a school nurse - which means that she was, in fact, at the conference I was at - the National Assembly for School Based Health Care.
They seem like wonderful people, they mention that they have a strong faith. I hope that they are successful in adopting a baby. I've decided to pray for them, I'm sure that their struggle is hard.
Originally, I had intended to post this picture on found.com - I don't think that I will now. Their journey is too personal to place there, I think. I know that the people who read my blog will appreciate and respect what these people are trying to accomplish - I hope that many of you will take a moment to pray for them.
Every once in a rare while I stop by the site. But the other day, while at a conference I 'Found' something that was found.com-worthy.
Last week I was a conference at the Westin Diplomat in Fort Lauderdale. I spent a lot of time in the fancy upscale restrooms while I pumped twice a day there. At the sink one day, I spotted this lying next to the sink on the marble counter:
It made me think the following: How did it get here? Did Jessica or Paul give this to a pregnant woman that they spotted? Did they leave it here hoping that someone would find it and give them their baby? In either situation, but particularly the first, how much courage would it take to ask a pregnant stranger whether she would like to give up the baby she is carrying? I instantly felt for this couple and wished that I knew more about them.
So I Googled them - they live in Indiana. Jessica is a school nurse - which means that she was, in fact, at the conference I was at - the National Assembly for School Based Health Care.
They seem like wonderful people, they mention that they have a strong faith. I hope that they are successful in adopting a baby. I've decided to pray for them, I'm sure that their struggle is hard.
Originally, I had intended to post this picture on found.com - I don't think that I will now. Their journey is too personal to place there, I think. I know that the people who read my blog will appreciate and respect what these people are trying to accomplish - I hope that many of you will take a moment to pray for them.
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